The fleet and diplomatic mission dispatched by Emperor Jian’an had returned to the capital. Since this endeavor was proposed in a memorial by Xie Zhengming, the mission to the Western nations had been incredibly fruitful. Overjoyed, the Emperor issued an imperial decree bestowing numerous rare treasures upon Xie Zhengming and tasked him with hosting the visiting King of Sulai and his princess, who had returned with the fleet.
Sulai was an island nation adjacent to Ceylon, separated from Daxing by the sea. The climate in Sulai was hot and humid, and it was home to many exotic birds and beasts, many of which were completely unheard of or unseen in Daxing. As early as the previous dynasty, Sulai had established diplomatic ties with the Middle Kingdom, offering tribute to the Great Empire. This lasted until the latter part of the previous dynasty, when the policy of isolationism was adopted, maritime ports were sealed, and internal strife broke out in Sulai, leading to the severance of ties between the two nations.
This time, the King of Sulai, Ye Zun, visited with full sincerity. Firstly, he hoped to verify whether the Daxing Dynasty was as powerful and wealthy as the Daxing envoys had claimed. If the claims held true, he hoped this trip would persuade Daxing to open its maritime ports and engage in mutual trade with Sulai. Secondly, many nobles in Sulai were currently eyeing the throne with covetous eyes, and King Ye Zun hoped to gain Daxing’s protection by showing goodwill, restoring tribute, and establishing a relationship as a vassal state.
Ye Zun had also brought his most beautiful daughter, Princess Isha, hoping to arrange a marriage alliance with Daxing and establish an unbreakable bond.
However, King Ye Zun never imagined that Isha would not set her sights on the young and handsome Emperor of the Heavenly Empire.
Xie Zhengming followed the imperial order to host King Ye Zun and his party. The Emperor was quite satisfied, and as a result, he bestowed many of the rare beasts brought by the King of Sulai upon Xie Zhengming.
Living a second life, Xie Zhengming kept in mind at every moment that he must never again be arrogant, self-important, or brazen like he was in his past life. He replied:
“The King of Sulai has brought these rare birds and exotic beasts from ten thousand miles away. My estate staff and I have never seen such rare creatures, and I fear we would struggle to care for them. It would be better to keep them in the palace where they can be tended to by careful attendants, providing joy for the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty; this would truly honor the sincerity of the King of Sulai.”
The Emperor found these words extremely pleasing to the ear and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow inwardly, Xie Zhengming seemed to have become much more tactful and smooth, unlike his previously brash and overbearing self.
“Hehe, I heard that Prince Ding acquired a few living treasures at the temple fair a few days ago, so I assumed you liked such things. Do not decline. Furthermore, you are about to be married, so consider this a gift from me to your consort.”
The Emperor’s spies had already blanketed the capital, from the opinions of cabinet ministers regarding the Emperor to the attitudes of the common people toward court policies; nothing escaped his notice. It was no surprise that the Emperor knew about him bringing the zebra and ostrich back to the estate from the temple fair a few days ago. The fact that the Emperor could speak of it so lightly and casually was, naturally, to let them know that no person and no event could escape the Emperor’s eyes.
However, when Xie Zhengming heard the Emperor mention Qin Duan, a thought sparked in his mind, and he took the opportunity to say:
“In that case, I thank Your Majesty. Actually, the memorial I submitted suggesting that Your Majesty dispatch envoys to various nations was entirely at the suggestion of my consort. I am but a reckless martial officer; while I have a rudimentary understanding of literature, when it comes to strategies for governing a nation, compared to my consort, I am like a mountain stream to the vast ocean. My own insights do not even reach a tenth or second of what my consort holds within his heart.”
Xie Zhengming’s words were quite unexpected to the Emperor. Given his attention toward Qin Duan, he knew that Xie Zhengming spoke the truth. Yet, Xie Zhengming had always kept Qin Duan tightly tucked away, never mentioning him lightly. Why would he now bring Qin Duan up in such a high-profile manner before him, even at the cost of demeaning himself?
Li Chong, however, was pleased to see this. As for Qin Duan, a man possessed of statecraft talent, he was determined to have him.
“Oh? I did not realize Qin Duan possessed such profound and insightful views. Another day, I shall summon him into the palace so I may seek his advice on the strategies of governance.”
Xie Zhengming said joyfully:
“On behalf of my consort, I thank Your Majesty.”
After Xie Zhengming left the palace, Zi Ying emerged from behind the dragon throne and bowed respectfully before the Emperor.
The Emperor frowned slightly; even though he had long since exempted Zi Ying from bowing in private, Zi Ying persisted.
“Rise.”
Zi Ying stood silently to one side. Li Chong looked at his lowered, submissive gaze, and a sudden wave of irritation rose in his heart.
He asked:
“What do you make of Xie Zhengming’s words just now?”
Zi Ying replied:
“Since Prince Ding has already announced his marriage, if he harbored any ulterior motives, he would not intentionally expose Qin Duan’s talents before Your Majesty.”
Li Chong nodded. He shared the same opinion. If Xie Zhengming truly harbored even a shred of rebellion, then his actions just now, which amounted to recommending Qin Duan, would make no sense.
Yet, could Xie Zhengming be so naive as to think that he would allow the two of them, husband and wife, one civil and one military, to stand together in the imperial court? If that were to happen, wouldn’t the world belong to the Xie family?
Li Chong could not fathom it, but he still needed Xie Zhengming and could not move against him for the time being. As for Qin Duan, as long as his feelings for Xie Zhengming remained deep, he would eventually be of use to him.
He suddenly recalled the marriage alliance mentioned by the King of Sulai earlier when he paid his respects, and asked deliberately:
“You were present in the Daqian Hall earlier. What did you think of Princess Isha of Sulai?”
Zi Ying’s fingers, hanging at his side, curled and then eventually relaxed. He said:
“The Princess is a rare beauty, and the King of Sulai is indeed sincere in his desire for a marriage alliance.”
Li Chong sneered:
“Then tell me, what title should I confer upon her? How about the title of Noble Consort?”
Zi Ying stood like a wooden stake. The Emperor saw that he showed none of the expected reaction to these words, looking only colder and more ethereal, as if he were a wisp of smoke drifting further and further away from him.
Li Chong unconsciously took a few steps closer to Zi Ying and asked again:
“What say you, hmm?”
Zi Ying’s voice was biting, devoid of emotion:
“Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven; whatever pleases Your Majesty is good.”
Upon hearing this, Li Chong’s face turned livid as he turned and returned to the dragon throne.
“Withdraw.”
“Yes.”
Xie Zhengming left the palace and returned to the Prince’s estate. Just as he walked into the inner courtyard, he saw Qin Duan and Yun’er fussing over something. Xie Zhengming walked closer and saw it was a kite.
“Duan’er, you are making a kite? Is this a turtle?”
Xie Zhengming was caught between laughter and tears. Qin Duan nodded and looked toward Yun’er, whose face was flushed red.
Zhou Ji, following behind Xie Zhengming, burst into raucous laughter:
“Hahaha a tu-turtle kite? Haha, Brother Qin, your little servant is truly adorable! Do you like turtles that much?”
Zhou Ji picked up the turtle kite from the ground and examined it repeatedly, saying:
“I’m telling you, this turtle looks a bit like you, a husband-and-wife match, hahaha!”
Yun’er, mocked to the point of helplessness, ran over and snatched the turtle kite back from Zhou Ji’s hands. He stuttered:
“G-give it back.”
Qin Duan shook his head with a smile and pulled Xie Zhengming to sit on a bamboo chair by the stone table.
“Did the reception of the King of Sulai go smoothly? Yun’er and I went out earlier and heard the commoners on the street discussing it, saying that when the Sulai mission entered the city, they brought many rare treasures and beasts never seen before, and some even claimed one of them was a Qilin. Did you see them?”
Xie Zhengming looked at Qin Duan’s sparkling eyes and suddenly realized he had never known Qin Duan possessed this hobby, did he like animals? As a husband, he naturally had to satisfy his wife.
“Duan’er, the King of Sulai brought quite a few exotic beasts. They are currently in the newly opened garden at the post-house and will be sent to the palace’s Pearl Garden in a few days. His Majesty granted me a special favor today, allowing me to choose any I like to bring back to the estate to keep. After lunch, will you accompany me there? Whichever ones you like, we shall have.”