Chapter 911: Chapter 911 State Banquet (2)
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Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Zhou Ying agreed with her, as the Emperor’s popularity was at an all-time high.
He had Sun Miaoke’s maiden family’s support from the civil side and the old general’s support from the military side.
There was no need for him to rely on a harem to stabilize the court, so women with high social backgrounds would instead become taboo for the Emperor.
After a while, Princess Zhi Shan arrived. Gu Wanning immediately stood up to welcome her.
After a few polite greetings, she added. “The banquet will start soon, princess. You have to hurry over and change into our country’s court clothes.”
“Sure. I will listen to the Empress’s arrangements.” Zhi Shan nodded.
The Empress nodded and then asked Chun Xi and Eunuch Sun to bring her and her maids downstairs to change their clothes.
After Princess Zhi Shan left, Madam Chu asked, “Your Highness, I wonder what kind of consort t.i.tle Princess Zhi Shan will be conferred?”
“I only know that it is a consort position. As for what it is, it depends on the Emperor’s opinion.”
“What about those from the consort selection?”
“I heard the Emperor is also helping the Imperial Family’s descendants choose their concubines. As for who can stay and what position they will have, I’m not too sure.”
“Isn’t this usually decided by the Empress?”
“That was in the past. I’m pregnant and exhausted from handling the matters in the palace. So choosing the consort is mainly decided by the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor.”
When everyone heard this, they started to ask about who from the royal family would be getting engaged today.
However, the royal family members were all with the Grand Empress Dowager, so they did not get any useful information.
Zhou Ying shook her head and let Gu Wanning rest for a while.
Seeing the Empress’s tired appearance, all the courtiers’ wives quietly retreated.
Some went outside to watch the children play on the slide, and the hall quietened.
On the other end, the Grand Empress Dowager was being bombarded with questions. She only smiled meaningfully and did not have any intention of speaking.
At the courier station, Bai Yang was a little frustrated that he couldn’t get a letter from the King of the Western Continent.
Seeing that the time for the banquet was almost here, he could only look at the other members of the diplomatic mission and say, “What are they thinking? We can’t delay any longer. We have to come up with a conclusion quickly.”
“But the Great Ming’s conditions are too harsh. If we exchange according to their requirements, we will be at a major loss.”
“Indeed. If we exchange those wood and medicinal herbs by free trade instead, we could get twice as much food.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Which merchant can gather such a large amount of food? We can only trade through the various countries’ governments.” Bai Yang said it with a sullen face.
Thinking of this, he cursed Princess Jiarou. If she hadn’t caused such a ruckus, he wouldn’t have been in such a pa.s.sive position.
Or, at the very least, he wouldn’t have to suffer such a huge loss.
“If it doesn’t work out, I will agree to their conditions by exchanging for half a year’s worth of food first. After we get through this crisis, our fields may produce enough food for the following half of the year.
“That’s the only way.
“The only saving grace is that we can also bring back the high-yield seeds from Great Ming. Our country can turn the tables next year as long as there is sufficient rain.” Bai Yang nodded in agreement.”
As soon as he finished speaking, an officer immediately came in and said, “Report!”
“What is it?” Bai Yang asked.
“General, a reply has arrived from the Western Continent.” After the soldier finished speaking, he handed him a letter.
Bai Yang was delighted as he opened it up.
“That’s great!” He exclaimed with a smile. “It rained in the Western Continent a few days ago. We will make it for the spring season farming..”