dognovel Chapter 119 Xiao Jingchuan is misunderstood by the Empress Dowager
Chapter 119 Xiao Jingchuan is misunderstood by the Empress Dowager
These carriages looked quite impressive, with several large boxes tightly bound to each one by thick ropes.
As the carriage approached, several foreigners dressed in unusual attire alighted. One of them stepped forward and announced loudly to the soldiers at the gate, "We are envoys from the Kingdom of Beauty and the Kingdom of Japan, and we have come specifically to pay a visit to His Majesty the Emperor of your esteemed country!"
Upon hearing that they were foreigners, the soldiers asked them to wait a moment. Jiang Liushen, who was playing chess with Jiang He, saw his eunuch rush in and say, "Your Majesty, envoys from the foreign countries of America and Japan have come to pay a visit!"
Upon hearing Jiang He and Jiang Liushen's chess-playing movements, Jiang He looked at each other warily: "Father, I heard that the United States and Japan just visited my brother-in-law and his family a month ago. Why are they suddenly coming to our side? Besides, they didn't get a good deal in Nanzhao. Do you think they can do it here?"
Jiang He shook his head, frowned slightly, and tapped his fingers lightly on the chessboard, lost in thought for a moment. "The arrival of these envoys from the two countries is suspicious. They suffered a setback in Nanzhao Kingdom before, but now they have suddenly visited my Xijing Kingdom. We must be on guard." His voice was steady and deep, revealing the authority of a former ruler.
Jiang Liushen nodded slightly, a shrewd glint in his eyes: "Your Majesty, I believe they must have ulterior motives. We might as well find out their intentions first before making any plans."
Jiang Liushen raised his eyes, looked at the eunuch beside him, and said in a deep voice, "Summon them in, but make sure to strengthen the palace guards and not be negligent in the slightest." The eunuch accepted the order and hurriedly withdrew.
A moment later, envoys from the United States and Japan entered the palace, their faces bearing seemingly friendly smiles as they performed simple courtesies. The American envoy, who was in the lead, spoke first: "Your Majesty, Emperor of Xijing, we have come here with sincere goodwill, hoping to establish closer trade relations with your country and exchange goods."
The Japanese envoy quickly chimed in, "Indeed, Xijing Kingdom is vast and rich in resources. If it can cooperate with our country and the United States, it will surely create enormous wealth."
Jiang Liushen's lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile: "I appreciate the good intentions of the two envoys. However, this matter of trade is of great importance and requires careful consideration. I wonder if the two envoys have any specific cooperation plans with them on this occasion?"
The envoys from the United States and Japan exchanged a glance, a barely perceptible hint of panic flashing in their eyes. The American envoy cleared his throat and said, "Of course, we have brought some of our country's specialties and advanced technologies with us, hoping to share them with your country."
As he spoke, he gestured to his attendants behind him, who opened the chests on the carriage, revealing some exquisite handicrafts and strange mechanical parts.
Jiang He, as the retired emperor, sat aside and observed coldly, secretly sneering to himself. He knew that the envoys from these two countries were not simply there for trade; their true purpose was probably hidden in the shadows.
Meanwhile, in the Southern Kingdom, the imperial palace was bustling with activity. The emperor, empress, empress dowager, and other members of the royal family were gathered together, enjoying a sumptuous hot pot feast.
On the table sat a huge bronze pot, its contents bubbling with a bright red broth that emitted an enticing aroma. The Empress Dowager stared at the red broth in front of her, then glanced at the thin, watery soup in her own bowl, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
At this moment, the Empress noticed the change in the Empress Dowager's expression and smiled slightly, saying, "Mother, look how spicy this broth is, I'm afraid you're not used to it. If you really crave it, why don't you ask Liuli if she has a milder, less spicy broth?"
Just as the two were talking, footsteps suddenly came from the doorway. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xiao Jingchuan carefully helping Gu Liuli, who was heavily pregnant and had a protruding belly, slowly walk in.
"Oh dear, Liuli, why did you come here with such a big belly?" Upon seeing this, the Empress Dowager quickly got up and went to greet her, asking with concern. She then glared at Xiao Jingchuan beside her and complained, "Jingchuan, what's wrong with you? Why don't you take better care of Liuli in her current condition?"
However, Gu Liuli smiled gently, seemingly unconcerned, and replied softly, "Grandmother, please don't worry. Your granddaughter-in-law has come here with great joy that she wishes to share with you in person, so she asked the Crown Prince to bring me along."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor, who was enjoying his meal, immediately put down his chopsticks, his eyes lighting up as he eagerly asked, "Oh? What joyous occasion is it that would trouble you, Crown Princess, to make this trip in person? Tell me quickly!"
Standing to the side, Xiao Jingchuan shook his head helplessly, secretly thinking that Gu Liuli was truly mischievous and adorable at this moment. But looking at the happy smile on her face, the corners of his mouth also unconsciously turned up, revealing a doting smile.
Gu Liuli gently placed her palm on her slightly protruding belly, stroking it softly, a smile on her lips, and said softly, "Granddaughter-in-law would like to congratulate Grandmother! You will soon have two adorable great-grandchildren!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager's calm face changed color instantly, and her eyes suddenly widened as if a thunderbolt had struck across the sky.
Without hesitation, she reached out and grabbed Xiao Jingchuan's delicate ear, shouting angrily, "You heartless man! Liuli is six months pregnant, yet you've been cheating on her with other women, even getting another woman pregnant! Have you considered Liuli's feelings? You're breaking her heart!"
At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan was completely unprepared for things to develop to this point, and he was stunned and had not yet come to his senses.
Just then, the Empress, who had been silent all along, could no longer contain her anger and joined the chorus of condemnation, mercilessly shouting, "You ungrateful scumbag!" Faced with the Empress Dowager and the Empress's joint rebuke, Xiao Jingchuan's handsome face turned deathly pale, his expression filled with bewilderment.
He felt a sharp pain in his ear, which was being tightly gripped by the Empress Dowager, causing him to grimace and groan in agony.
So he hurriedly and hastily explained, "Grandmother, you've really misunderstood me! Liuli is carrying twins, which means she'll be welcoming two little babies! There's absolutely no other woman involved!"
Seeing the situation becoming increasingly tense, Gu Liuli, who was standing to the side, was extremely anxious. She quickly stepped forward and anxiously echoed, "That's right, Grandmother, Mother, please believe Jingchuan! This is indeed the fruit of our love, which Jingchuan and I have conceived together. He would never do anything to betray me."
As she spoke, she carefully raised a delicate hand and gently patted the Empress Dowager's hand, which was trembling slightly with anger, trying to calm the venerable old woman down.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was slightly taken aback, as if stunned by the news. However, after only a moment, he threw his head back and burst into laughter, his laughter as loud and unrestrained as a great bell: "Hahahaha... So that's how it is! I knew that Jingchuan would not be such a ridiculous and unruly person."
Hearing the Emperor's words, the Empress Dowager and Empress slowly released their grip on Xiao Jingchuan's ears. A complex expression of surprise and joy crossed their faces. The Empress Dowager spoke first, chiding, "You silly child, why are you speaking so unclearly? We almost wronged you! Oh dear, we never imagined we'd have two great-grandchildren all at once! This is truly a joyous occasion!"
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager reached out and took Gu Liuli's small hand again, her eyes full of affection, as warm as the spring sun: "Liuli, from now on, you must take good care of your health. If you want to eat or use anything, just tell me. Don't be shy at all."
Seeing this, the Empress breathed a sigh of relief, her previously anxious heart finally settling down. She smiled and walked gracefully towards them, saying softly, "Look at this misunderstanding, it was quite a scare. But then again, the arrival of two little grandsons is a great joy for our royal family, and we must celebrate it properly."
Xiao Jingchuan rubbed his reddened ear, smiled helplessly, and looked at Gu Liuli with tenderness and love in his eyes: "It's all your fault. You didn't explain beforehand, and I got hurt for nothing."
Gu Liuli stuck out her tongue and said playfully, "I just wanted to give everyone a surprise, but who knew Grandmother would think this way?" Everyone burst into laughter again, and the palace was filled with a joyful and warm atmosphere.