Futile Devices Scans

Within the palace, Xuanchen Hall.

The court officials stood divided into two ranks, while the Dongyu envoy Du De You stood in the center of the hall with his deputy envoy. He was around forty or so, fair-faced and slightly plump, with two upturned wisps of mustache, looking like a pampered old country squire who had never had to work for his living.

Dongyu dominated the south, its lands rich and fertile, and its imperial palace was built even more magnificent and splendid than Longxiao Palace. Du De You held a rank of secondary fifth grade, and though his position during regular court assemblies was toward the back, he was still someone who had seen the imperial countenance and long been accustomed to grand occasions. This unfamiliar Longsha court did not make him afraid. The startled bewilderment he showed now, that drifting sensation as though he had stepped into mist and clouds, was actually because his eyes had been dazzled.

There were folk rumors that Longsha produced beauties. Only after seeing it for himself did Du De You realize the words were true—and more than that, Longsha also produced tall people. Whether civil or military officials, old or young, every one of them had a dignified bearing, tall and well-proportioned figures, and not a single paunch could be found in the entire hall. The leading Xiling Fox, in particular, truly lived up to his reputation. His eyes were naturally peach-blossom eyes, looking at everyone as though full of tender feeling. The place where he stood seemed brighter than everywhere else, and he was not at all as terrifying as the rumors claimed.

Compared with the two neat rows of upright ministers below, the king, Yu Gong Lie, instead appeared slender, refined, and scholarly, too frail to bear the weight of his clothes, looking nothing like a formidable figure. But as for the truly formidable Prince Xiaohui, Du De You did not dare look at him for long.

Yu Gong Zhao Ye stood first on the right side, facing Wei Fu from afar. When Du De You looked curiously toward Chief Minister Wei, the other man even smiled openly and generously at him. But when Du De You secretly glanced at that prince, Yu Gong Zhao Ye noticed the moment he lifted his eyes. The other party swept a cold, scrutinizing gaze over him, as though seeing through all the little calculations in his heart at a glance, frightening Du De You into hurriedly averting his eyes. He thought that this man truly had skin of ice and bones of snow, handsome and refined beyond the ordinary—but he really was too terrifying.

“What matter has brought the envoy here from a thousand li away?”

The eyes of the entire hall fell upon Du De You. In his youth, he had been a fair-faced scholar, and though he had grown slightly plump in middle age, he still usually considered himself a man of fine appearance. Yet now, amid this pile of Longsha beauties, he was simply like a dull gray quail. Even raising his head made him feel inferior. He could only draw up his breath as much as possible, straighten his back, summon the bearing of an envoy from a great nation, and say in a clear voice:

“This subject, Du De You, has been ordered to come as envoy to Longsha in order to maintain good relations between our two nations. Since Young Lord Ming entered service in Dongyu eight years ago, he has been deeply bathed in imperial grace, gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and humble. His Majesty greatly praises him. However, Young Lord Ming has long been a guest in a foreign land and misses his homeland day and night, until melancholy has gathered into illness. Upon gladly hearing that a new ruler has ascended the throne and that peace reigns throughout the borders, His Majesty could not bear to keep blood kin separated forever like Shen and Shang, and so has specially permitted Young Lord Ming to return to his country and fulfill familial reunion. He has first sent envoys to inform Your Majesty.”

“Young Lord Ming” was Yu Gong Ming, the third son of the late king Yu Gong Feng Ting and Yu Gong Lie’s younger half-brother. Back then, during the great war between Longsha and Yanyuan, Yu Gong Feng Ting had sent Yu Gong Ming to Dongyu as a hostage in exchange for Dongyu sending troops to aid them. In the years after that, very little news of him had been sent back.

After Yu Gong Feng Ting passed away, Yu Gong Ming’s maternal family, the Duan Yang clan, had once submitted a memorial requesting that Yu Gong Lie bring Yu Gong Ming back under the pretext of returning to the country for mourning. However, at that time, it had been a critical moment in the succession of the throne. As one of the heirs, Yu Gong Ming was someone Yu Gong Lie would have preferred to let grow old and die in Dongyu, so of course he could not possibly let him return and stir up unnecessary trouble.

Yu Gong Lie suppressed that memorial, and in the three years since he had taken the throne, he had never remembered that he had a younger brother. Thus, the matter had been delayed all the way until today.

At this moment, when Xiling’s Assistant Chancellor’s term was ending and he was about to return to his own country, who could have expected Dongyu to suddenly let go and take the initiative to send Yu Gong Ming back? Was this an advance show of goodwill because they were waiting to pick up the leftovers, or were they deliberately adding chaos to Longsha?

Everyone in the great hall lowered their heads and remained silent. Only Yu Gong Ming’s maternal grandfather, Duan Yang Shu Chang, Grand Academician of the Wensi Academy, trembled as he said, “Dongyu’s willingness to return the hostage prince to his country clearly shows their great sincerity in forming ties. His Majesty labors from dawn to dusk, remains vigilant and diligent in governance, and naturally receives Heaven’s favor and the people’s allegiance. This is a blessing for the rivers and mountains of the state. May Your Majesty accord with Heaven and the will of the people and accept this auspicious fortune.”

He began on such an exalted note, and while everything could be worn through, flattery never could. The ministers immediately followed after him and said in unison, “Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

Yu Gong Lie’s face showed no ripple, and only he himself knew what flavor was in his heart. He took the state letter Tian Qing presented, skimmed it briefly, then passed it to Wei Fu. With a pleasant expression, he said to Du De You, “The friendship Dongyu showed in aiding Longsha back then has always remained in my heart. Now that His Majesty is willing to send my own brother back to his country, such deep grace and generous virtue are something I truly do not know how to repay.”

After saying this, he subconsciously glanced at Wei Fu, as though looking to read the Chief Minister’s expression. Only after seeing that Wei Fu showed no displeasure did he cautiously add, “If there is any place where Longsha may be of service, we are willing to do all we can to repay one or two parts of this kindness.”

This exchange of glances and unspoken signals was perfectly clear. Du De You understood at once. Everything was exactly as the rumors said: Longsha’s king was indeed young and weak, and the ones truly capable of swaying the situation were actually the two men on the left and right. Because he had judged the situation correctly, he relaxed inwardly, but showed none of it on his face and said steadily, “Your Majesty need not worry. His Majesty is benevolent and has no intention of using the hostage prince to threaten your honored country. He merely pities Young Lord Ming for having long been separated from his homeland and has shown grace to bring about a reunion between blood kin.”

Yu Gong Lie’s brows and eyes sank slightly.

Forget a fox spirit like Wei Fu—even the inner attendants serving at the side could hear that something was off. “We want nothing” was the most expensive sentence of all. It might be that the other party simply looked down on what they had, or it might be that they did not want anything from them because the one being used for the transaction was someone else entirely.

Without waiting for Yu Gong Lie to continue probing and pushing, Du De You’s next sentence fell upon the silent hall like a thunderclap. “To spare Your Majesty worry, and also for the sake of safety on the road, His Majesty ordered Young Lord Ming to set off together with the envoys. He has now reached the military camp at Quting City. May Your Majesty dispatch someone as soon as possible to receive him.”

Yu Gong Ming had actually smuggled himself back into Longsha territory right under their noses without gods or ghosts knowing!

Quting City and Dingtao City in the southern border were where Dongyu’s troops were stationed. It was not strange that the Dongyu envoy, bringing Yu Gong Ming with him, could enter Longsha through Quting City and hide it from the border officials, but how had Yeguang failed to receive even the slightest whisper?

Back then, when the second princess Yu Gong Yao had married far away to Wuchi, and the third prince Yu Gong Ming had entered Dongyu as a hostage, Bihua’s hidden lines had been placed beside them both. That was why last year, when Yu Gong Yao had been surrounded by rebels in the royal court, she could still send a plea for aid back to Longsha through the hidden line. Meanwhile, Dongyu had reported peace and safety all these years, only to quietly drop something enormous on them now!

Yu Gong Lie nearly felt a surge of empty fire burn straight through the crown of his head. Forcing down his anger, he did not look toward Yu Gong Zhao Ye. With a smile that did not reach his eyes, he said to Du De You, “It is truly thoughtful of your country’s emperor to go to such trouble. How would I dare not accept this kindness? Once the candidate has been decided, they will immediately set out for Quting City to welcome my brother Ming back to the palace. The Honglu Temple is to properly receive the Dongyu envoys. Do not slight them.”

The Minister of Honglu Temple, Guan Wen Xu, stepped out in response and bowed. “This subject receives the command.”

Du De You thanked the king and was led out of the hall by an inner attendant. As soon as he left, a court official immediately memorialized, “His Highness the Third Prince entered Dongyu as a hostage for the sake of the country. Now that he has finally been returned, this is truly a blessing for Your Majesty, a blessing for the court, and if the late king’s spirit knows of it in Heaven, he too would surely be comforted. The Third Prince endured humiliation and bore great burdens for several years, rendering great service to the nation. This subject believes he should be welcomed with great ceremony and rewarded generously…”

Yu Gong Lie coldly interrupted him. “Everyone by his side is dead and gone. I think you are very suited to go serve him.”

The king rarely showed such direct displeasure so obviously. That official was struck speechless for a moment. After a while, it was still Wei Fu who spoke to ease the tension. “The Third Prince has long resided in a foreign land, unable to act according to his own will. There are some matters he could not decide for himself. In any case, he is still Your Majesty’s brother by blood, and he is also a meritorious minister who has rendered service to the country. After finally returning to his own home, why should Your Majesty fuss with him over a few trivial details? The proper matter is to bring him back first.”

The atmosphere, stretched taut as a fine thread, gradually loosened under his unhurried persuasion. Yu Gong Lie exchanged a glance with him, pressed at his throbbing temples, and sighed wearily. It was both for the court officials to hear and as though he were persuading himself. “Minister Wei is right. One step at a time.”

Duan Yang Shu Chang said, “Your Majesty, the military camp at Quting City is a Dongyu garrison. Though it is within our own country’s borders, there will inevitably be matters of negotiation. Ordinary officials may find it difficult to bear such a responsibility. Why not dispatch a scholar of the Wensi Academy, to ensure everything is handled properly?”

“Did you not hear what the Dongyu envoy said? Since they have already brought him to our doorstep, there is no need for them to make things difficult for us over this.” A faint smile briefly appeared at Yu Gong Lie’s lips, light and cold as thin ice. “There is no need to mobilize the masses. We are all family. Royal Uncle, make this trip for me. You must bring Brother Ming safely back to Bihan City.”

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