...
After dinner, Zhao Douan donned a cloak and, like a ghost, exited his residence through the back door. With a leap, he traversed the rooftops of various hos, maneuvering the puppet’s body to soar swiftly.
Though the puppet lacked the cultivation of a true body, it was no re mortal. Zhao Douan employed his Qinggong, the black cloak flickering amidst the white snow.
As he sped along, the north wind stretched out his cloak, creating the illusion of snow waves rolling behind him.
Anyone who caught sight of him only saw a fleeting shadow, leaving them uncertain if they saw anything at all.
Soon, Zhao Douan stopped outside the rear courtyard wall near Lihua Hall at the Imperial Court, flipping over the high wall.
He strolled leisurely toward his hall entrance.
Along the way, the Jinyi sporadically glimpsed, all greeted him with reverence. After recent events, everyone understood that this "White-faced Arresting Officer" was a trusted confidant of Commander Zhao.
Inside Lihua Hall, though not completely draped in white, the snow clung to the branches of the trees.
When the wind blew, the treetops swayed, sprinkling a layer of snowflakes.
Zhao Douan stepped into the hall, surprised to find soone already seated at the long table.
A vibrant Python Robe and slightly graying temples revealed the Chief Eunuch, White Horse Bureau Director Sun Lianying.
Currently, Sun Lianying sat calmly in the room, accompanied by two young eunuchs, while Qian Kerou and Zheng Laojiu served the old eunuch tea and water.
"Why have you co?" Zhao Douan exclaid, "Aren’t you in the palace?"
Sun Lianying had recognized him long ago. Upon seeing him enter, the old eunuch smiled and waved, prompting his two attendants to tactfully leave.
"Sir." Zheng Laojiu, upon witnessing this, also took the secretary outside.
Qian Kerou, sowhat unwilling, whispered to Zhao Douan while leaving, "They haven’t been here long, especially waiting for you."
Zhao Douan nodded, stamping the snow off his shoes at the door, shaking the snow from his clothes and boots, stepping over the threshold. He hung his cloak near the indoor brazier, closed the door to block the cold wind, then removed his mask and, casually, walked to Sun Lianying, taking one of the two cups of hot tea already poured by his side, demonstrating a lack of formality.
Sun Lianying clasped his hands, speaking calmly, "No court this morning, so I ca to sit for a while."
Zhao Douan rolled his eyes, pulling a chair and sitting down, "Today the delegation enters the city, you’re not here to watch over , are you? As if I’d cause trouble."
Sun Lianying helplessly smiled bitterly, "You’re trying to shift the bla inversely. Now, in the whole Great Yu court, who dares to oversee such a ritorious person as you? Besides, regarding this negotiation, can you say His Majesty hasn’t arranged for you to keep an eye? Last night, His Majesty ntioned you might return this morning, hinting it might relate to the negotiation, suggesting perhaps I assist you."
Zhao Douan wiggled his hand, smiling, "Don’t say that. The one eting the delegation at the city gate today isn’t I, but the Minister of the Ministry of Rites."
Pausing, he beca more serious, "Did His Majesty say anything else?"
Sun Lianying extracted a fold of paper from his wide sleeve, pressing it onto the table and pushing it towards him, "His Majesty asked to bring you this, the information you wanted, about the people in this Peace Negotiation Delegation."
Zhao Douan and the Empress had privately discussed the negotiation several tis.
The basic strategy was set: without crossing the bottom line, appropriately appease the other party, striving for strategic initiative.
But the premise depends on the other’s appetite; if insatiable...
According to the Empress at the ti, it was: "Even so, my sword remains sharp!"
Of course, that would be the worst outco, and nobody wants the talks to fall apart.
Since it’s a negotiation, so probing of each other’s bottom lines and step-by-step maneuvering are inevitable.
Being the Empress, she would not personally engage in negotiations, neither by etiquette nor strategy.
Otherwise, having the esteed Empress personally negotiate with so vassal king’s subordinates—what dignity would the court maintain?
Thus, the negotiation was entrusted to Grandmaster Dong leading the Imperial Faction ministers, specifically managed by the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
However, this was just the overt team; another group managing the negotiation covertly was Zhao Douan.
The juxtaposition of overt and covert was mutually complentary.
At this mont, Zhao Douan unfolded the docunt, reading the nas and information written above, while Sun Lianying slowly recounted, "Representing Western Peace River King is the Hejian Princely Heir, Xu Wenyan. However, this heir, reputed to be quite foolish, is disliked by King Hejian. This ti, he serves rely as a facade, with the true negotiator being the Great Guest Minister of the King Hejian’s mansion, a Mr. Feng, naless and nearly serving as a think tank-like figure, quite trusted by King Hejian."
Xu Wenyan? Such an elegant na... Zhao Douan marveled, then saw the words on the docunt, raising an eyebrow, "This person..."
Sun Lianying nodded, saying, "According to the Shadow Guard’s investigation, this Xu Wenyan is deceptively cunning, appearing foolish, and should not be underestimated. As for Mr. Feng, he is suspected of having long served this Young Master."
Zhao Douan chuckled, "Interesting, interesting, I wonder if King Hejian knows himself."
Sun Lianying continued, "Representing the Iron Pass Yan Mountain King is a Commandery Princess nad Xu Xueling. This Commandery Princess is quite renowned in the Northern region, known for her arrogance and willfulness, often abusing subordinates, a rather unmanageable character."
Zhao Douan protested, "More domineering than ?"
"..." Sun Lianying wryly comnted, "eting her, you’re like a mayfly before the clear sky."
Goodness... Zhao Douan exclaid, observing the docunt closely, "It seems this Xu Xueling is also a facade, with the real authority being an old retainer from the Yan Mountain King’s mansion?"
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