Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 1097 - 1096: Court Dress

Marquis Yongwu promptly entered, bowing to Liu Sisi from behind the curtain.

Liu Sisi hastily called out, "Old Master Marquis, there is no need for such formalities. Now that we are on someone else’s land, we might as well dispense with these empty gestures! Please, take a seat and let’s talk."

"One must not abandon propriety."

Nevertheless, Marquis Yongwu performed the courtesies and then thanked her before sitting down on the edge of the chair.

"Princess, have you received any news of Marquis Yongping?"

The expression on Liu Sisi’s face quickly darkened, and she sighed deeply, "There is some, but I’m afraid it’s not of much use to the actual situation..."

Despite saying that, she still recounted her mother’s words in meticulous detail.

"At present, the situation is roughly as such. I the Empress had intended to return, but then the Emperor of the Great Xia sent an eunuch to deliver a message..."

"I have already heard of this matter. It has been widely discussed in the imperial court, and it can hardly be considered a secret anymore."

Marquis Yongwu interrupted Liu Sisi’s words.

"That quickly?"

Liu Sisi was somewhat astonished!

But on reflection, this was, after all, the territory of others.

"Let’s not worry about that for now. I am simply considering how we can leave as soon as possible and head to the last place where Ye Lei was seen."

Marquis Yongwu pondered a bit and then nodded, "Princess, your words make perfect sense! However, considering the current situation, I’m afraid it may be difficult for us to leave. Not to mention whether Princess Lin here will release us, just take the Emperor of the Great Xia... If the Princess can’t even meet with him, how can we talk about leaving?"

If the King of Xixia Country intentionally wanted to delay time, it would be increasingly difficult for the Princess to leave quickly.

Liu Sisi’s eyebrows immediately furrowed.

"Does Marquis Yongwu have any good strategies?"

After thinking for a while, Marquis Yongwu’s lips slightly moved as he whispered softly, "... Would this strategy be feasible in the Princess’s view?"

"There seem to be no other options at the moment, we might as well try anything! Let’s go with that plan!"

At this moment, Liu Sisi’s mind was wholly focused on finding Di Yelei as soon as possible, the rest didn’t matter to her.

The next day, early in the morning, Liu Sisi once again submitted a petition to meet with the Emperor of the Great Xia, and as expected, he declined to meet with her again, citing illness as the reason.

The following day was the same.

This allowed the ministers of the Great Xia to gloat, as they widely promoted the incident.

For three consecutive days, the Emperor of the Great Xia refused several requests for an audience from the Great Zhao’s Princess Ruyu, which clearly indicated a desire to burn bridges and suggested intentions of declaring war against the Great Zhao. Rumors spread rapidly through the capital like thunder on a clear day.

The simmering rumors became more intense as days passed, with an air of growing unrest that seemed impossible to quell. Moreover, a large number of merchant caravans that had planned to travel to the Great Zhao canceled their trips, increasing the sense of panic. fгeewebnovёl.com

The group of ministers had been full of pride, but they quickly lost control of the situation. On the fourth day, a violent riot erupted at the North Gate of the capital; a large group of Zhao Country people who had been stranded in the Great Xia suddenly set fire to the city gate, demanding the ruler release Princess Ruyu who was detained in the sky prison.

Otherwise, they threatened to denounce the Emperor of the Great Xia.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, by noontime, several ministers hurried into the palace to seek an audience with the ruler.

After listening to the report, the ruler furiously exclaimed, "Preposterous! How dare they, do these troublemakers no longer respect the law? Guards! Deploy troops to the North Gate immediately, arrest all those Zhao Country troublemakers who dare to stir up trouble, and execute them on the spot! I want to see who else dares to cause a commotion!"

"That cannot be done, it must absolutely not be done!"

As his words fell, immediately numerous dissenting voices rose in protest.

"Your Majesty, at present, our Great Xia has been in constant turmoil year after year, with our treasury empty and our soldiers scarce. Meanwhile, Zhao Country’s troops are strong and their horses robust; though they lost Marquis Yongping, they possess countless generals. In this comparison, engaging in war with Zhao Country at the moment would be like using an egg to smash a stone, with no chance of victory!"

"Nonsense! Our vast Great Xia Country can’t defeat Zhao Country, and yet we can’t handle Princess Ruyu?"

Clearly infuriated, the ruler had not yet met Liu Sisi, but his heart longed to tear her to pieces: "Wait until I muster the troops and immediately eradicate Princess Ruyu. Then I’ll report to the Emperor of Zhao Country that she died of a sudden illness. I doubt he would ruin the treaty between our nations for a mere princess who’s fallen into the civilian world."

The ruler appeared full of boundless pride!

He had no regard for Zhao Country at all.

This caused several old ministers to break out in cold sweats!

The ruler didn’t consider that the military strength of Zhao Country and Great Xia were not on the same level. Should a war really break out, I fear even the capital wouldn’t be secure!

One of the elder ministers hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the National Strategist is right! We cannot afford to stir up trouble at this time. Isn’t Princess Ruyu simply seeking an audience with you? You may as well meet with her, as she, being a humble woman, can hardly pose any threat."

The ruler’s face fell at once and he questioned him: "Prime Minister, are you trying to embolden others and undermine our own prestige?"

The Prime Minister hastily approached: "Not at all! Your Majesty, I am merely stating the facts!"

The ruler remained haughty and refused to give the order.

Seeing the situation getting out of hand, the National Strategist quickly sent a meaningful glance to the Crown Prince beside him.

Crown Prince Li Fan was nearly forty years old this year, so portly that he could only slump in a specially made chair.

Noticing the National Strategist winking at him, it took him a while to understand.

Rushing to speak up: "Your Majesty, our country has been at war year after year, and all our troops are still north of the Mo River. Where can we spare more troops to contend with Zhao Country? In my opinion, the National Strategist is right, there’s no harm in you meeting with Princess Ruyu. It would also silence any idle talk among the people."

He had long heard that Princess Ruyu was exceptionally delicate and tomorrow would be an excellent opportunity to see her for himself.

To see what this so-called Princess Ruyu, a great beauty, was like?

The ruler wanted to object, but seeing that his own son had spoken thus, he no longer insisted.

"Send the order, let Princess Ruyu enter the palace and have an audience tonight. I want to see what kind of ability she truly has."

An audience could be granted, but by setting it for tonight, let’s see how tough you can be.

As the ruler’s word is law, the eunuch delivering the message did not dare to delay and quickly relayed the information.

Immediately, chaos ensued!

Liu Sisi’s mood had also settled quite a bit these past days. Donning court dress, she quickly followed the eunuch to the outside of the main hall and presented her petition once again.

The ruler naturally summoned her.

Hearing her own name being announced, a sneer played across Liu Sisi’s heart.

What she, Liu Sisi, was determined to do, could a few minor setbacks ever intimidate her?

"Princess, His Majesty awaits in the side hall to receive you. Please come this way quickly, Princess."

The eunuch stared at her several times but had no choice but to swallow his pride and allow her to enter.

Liu Sisi strode forward and lifted her eyes to the figure seated on the dragon chair.