Chapter 259: Prince
Chen Hai lowered his eyebrows and changed a cup of tea for the emperor.
"If you don't dare to bet, forget it." Chu Qinghuang said indifferently, and bowed to the emperor. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."
"Your Highness, please stay." Uncle Qin was unwilling to miss the opportunity, "How about I bet with Your Highness?"
Chu Qinghuang said in a cold tone: "Uncle Qin, do you think you can be compared with me?"
Uncle Qin was choked, and a bit of embarrassment flashed across his face: "I can increase the stakes."
"My eldest princess bets on my second brother's prince title." Chu Qinghuang said in a tough tone, leaving no room for negotiation, "My military power bets on all the positions of Uncle Qin in the court."
As soon as these words came out, the faces of King Xuan and Uncle Qin changed.
Prince title and all the positions of the Qin family in the court?
This...
King Xuan looked towards the emperor's chair calmly, then quickly retracted his gaze. He couldn't help but wonder in his heart, did the emperor really have no reaction to Chu Qinghuang's rampant behavior?
Rumors were spreading outside, and Chu Qinghuang, as a princess, already had both power and prestige. Didn't the emperor worry that she would have ambitions?
A female emperor ruled the world, which was ridiculous and absurd.
Regardless of whether there was any doubt in his heart, the emperor should take this opportunity to take back all of Chu Qinghuang's privileges.
"I think it's worth a gamble." The emperor spoke solemnly, his tone full of imperial majesty, "Since it's come to this, I also want to see whether the Dongling envoy will come."
As soon as this sentence came out, the ministers present subconsciously thought that the emperor was also dissatisfied with the eldest princess's promise but not fulfilled, and wanted to take this opportunity to reduce her power.
So Qin Guojiu hesitated for only a moment, then turned to look at King Xuan and nodded imperceptibly.
It's worth a gamble.
In the past two days, he sent out Qin family spies and Zhou family forces to investigate together, but he did not get any news that the envoys were coming to Xiqi, and the spies walked about 2,000 miles to the east. This at least shows that even if someone really came, it would be impossible for them to reach Xiqi within three days.
Chu Qinghuang was just bluffing.
Or, she was ready to find someone to pretend to be an envoy - if she really planned to do so, no matter how perfect the envoy's disguise was, it would be easily discovered.
At that time, the crime of deceiving the emperor would be charged, which would be unforgivable. Let's see how she handles it.
"I agree." Chu Tiankuo said slowly, "Although this bet should not be made, it is urgent and for the sake of Xiqi."
As he said this, he sighed: "I also hope that the Dongling envoys can arrive on time and are willing to waive the tribute from Xiqi this year. In this way, even if I am demoted to a prince, it is worth it. Otherwise, the income of only 6 million silver is simply a drop in the bucket for the country, and any additional expenditure is a burden."
He said it with great righteousness, but how many people present believed his sincerity in this sentence?
Prince Rong frowned silently.
He did not expect to face such a scene after being summoned to Yugan Palace.
A princess, a legitimate son of the queen, and a dignified uncle of the country actually made a bet like a child playing house in front of the emperor. Do they still have the majesty of the emperor?
Although the bet was proposed by the princess, who could not see that it was the king Xuan and the uncle of Qin who joined forces with their officials to force the princess?
It's rare that the emperor can still keep his composure.
Prince Rong sighed secretly. Prince Xuan thought he had a sure win. He thought that if the rumors spread widely, the emperor would be afraid of the princess and support him in suppressing her.
He was too clever.
If the emperor was really so pedantic, how could he give the princess so much power? The third and fifth princes fell into the hands of the princess, and the emperor turned a blind eye. What did it mean? He could not see it.
He had almost predicted the end of Prince Xuan. He was afraid that he would be worse than those two.
"Since it is a bet, a verbal agreement alone is not effective." The emperor spoke expressionlessly, making it impossible to tell his true emotions. "Early tomorrow morning, in the hall, a contract will be signed in front of all the civil and military officials. Both parties will sign and seal it, and it will be effective as an imperial edict."
Chu Qinghuang nodded: "Your son obeys your order."
King Xuan responded: "Your son obeys your order."
After this decision, the matter was over. The emperor quickly turned the topic to the rumors in the imperial city and said lightly: "Lord Pan."
"I am here."
"Xuan Yi."
Chu Xuan Yi bowed: "I am here."
"Find out the ins and outs of the rumors and see who is trying to create chaos in the world." The emperor frowned deeply and said in a cold tone, "This matter is still in the hands of you two. You must find the source within three days."
"Your son obeys your order."
The emperor waved his hand impatiently: "Prince Rong stays, and the others can go back."
So everyone left.
Chu Qinghuang was the first to walk out of Yugan Palace, followed by King Xuan: "Seventh sister."
Chu Qinghuang turned her head and looked at him without any expression.
"This bet is really helpless, please understand, seventh sister." King Xuan smiled bitterly, "I also had no choice."
Chu Qinghuang's expression was indifferent: "Someone put a knife to your neck?"
King Xuan choked: "I..."
"Treasure your prince title, which only has three days left." Chu Qinghuang said, "Once the prince title is stripped, you must bow obediently when you see me in the future, otherwise you will be punished for disrespect."
After saying this, she walked away without paying any attention to Chu Tiankuo's expression that suddenly froze after hearing this.