Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 457 Alliance (3)
"Your Majesty, may you be blessed with a long life." The ministers, having been reprimanded last time, had changed their address; no longer crying out "Long Live," but instead wishing peace.
Lou Qianyu raised an eyebrow. Which Emperor doesn’t wish for everlasting life? Nonetheless, Dugu Chen is exceptional in his way—he desires not eternal life but blessings. It seems he harbors no ambition to attack the Sunset Kingdom.
"Today I have a piece of good news to announce," he said. "I have agreed to sign a century-long alliance with the Sunset Kingdom. For these hundred years, our nations will coexist peacefully, open our borders, and engage in friendly relations."
The ministers at the lower end of the hall, filled with joy, knelt and loudly hailed, "The Emperor is wise."
"Rise."
After the morning court was dismissed, Lou Qianyu, accompanied by his guard, strolled through the bustling Capital City.
"Crown Prince, seeing that Emperor Jinghe seems to have grown weary of war and considering our soldiers’ high morale now, why don’t we seize the moment and launch an attack?" whispered Lan Jianbin, walking alongside the Crown Prince.
Lou Qianyu halted, glaring fiercely at Lan Jianbin, "Go back and accept your punishment." Angrily, he strode away with a swish of his sleeve.
Xiao Jiazhen, dragging Fo Conghui with a bundle on her back, hurried through the crowd. Fo Conghui, smiling cheerfully, looking at the Prime Minister Residence just within reach, said, "Cousin, we’re finally no longer vagabonds."
"Indeed, but life outside was truly exhilarating." Xiao Jiazhen, to avoid entering the palace, had escaped with Fo Conghui. They had roamed much of Xueyan Country and even visited Longgang Town, admiring the rows of unique houses there. Admiring her cousin-in-law, and when they learned of the Emperor’s passing, they did not return home. Instead, they sent a letter back to reassure their parents of their well-being, urging them not to worry.
Because they moved so swiftly, they didn’t notice Lou Qianyu darting out from another street, and collided head-on with him.
Xiao Jiazhen shook her dazed head, brought a hand up to her brow, and slowly crouched down. Before she could speak, her impatient cousin stepped forward, "Hey, you with the dead-fish face, what kind of walking is that? Are your eyes just for decoration?" Fo Conghui stood, hands on hips, indignantly shielding her cousin as she glared at Lou Qianyu with wide, furious eyes.
"Presumptuous! You lowly village woman dare to insult us..."
"Silence." Lou Qianyu promptly cut off his guard’s retort.
Lan Jianbin glanced at his master, then turned back, seeing a woman who was both dark and small, clad in peasant clothing and emitting a sour stench. Lan Jianbin waved his hand in front of his nose, sneering disdainfully at Fo Conghui.
"What’s that look for? If you don’t clear things up with me today, don’t even think about leaving Capital City," she said, rolling up her sleeves, ready to grab Lan Jianbin by the collar.
Lou Qianyu’s brows slightly lifted as he looked at the woman he had bumped into. Noting that their complexions were somewhat pale but they appeared unharmed, he stepped forward and bowed, "Just now, it was my fault. I ask for the young lady’s forgiveness."
Xiao Jiazhen looked up at Lou Qianyu, and after a brief moment of surprise, she stood, then slowly crouched again in a bow, "Just now, it was I who was walking too hastily. It is not the young master’s fault. What blame is there to be had?" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Lou Qianyu stared at her bright eyes. Though her attire did not suggest affluence, her behavior hinted at a decent upbringing. Regrettably, he shook his head inwardly—it’s a pity for a fallen young mistress, uncertain whether she could endure the days to come.
"Young Master?" Xiao Jiazhen uttered in confusion.
Upon regaining his composure, Lou Qianyu felt his cheeks warm and silently chided himself. Why would he feel sympathy for a down-and-out young mistress?
