Chapter 210 – A Villain, Truly a Villain

Chapter 210 - A Villain, Truly a Villain

After Prince Bei spoke, the excitement on the faces of Great Shen's group finally cooled somewhat.

Indeed, Dongrong Country dared to propose such terms because they had the strength and were confident in their victory.

But if Great Shen could not offer equivalent terms, wouldn't that be a laughingstock?

Furthermore, Dongrong people were skilled in martial arts, while Great Shen had always looked down upon warriors, considering them brainless brutes. Thus, there weren't many who excelled in martial arts and archery, which was why they had lost to Dongrong in previous years.

Dongrong Country had proposed these terms, and at the very least, they needed to match them. Moreover, they had to win; otherwise, it would be a significant loss.

For a moment, the ministers of Great Shen began to back down, falling silent once again.

Unexpectedly, at this time, Xie Yuan also chuckled softly.

When everyone quieted down, his laughter stood out, drawing all eyes toward him.

The man sat there with an imposing presence, unmoving like the majestic Taihe Palace behind him. He seemed to possess an innate aura of stability, for the sudden changes in the situation were but fleeting clouds to him.

As the ministers watched him, they felt a momentary daze, as if no matter how noble Prince Bei was, Xie Yuan did not regard him at all.

"Minister Xie, do you have any insights?" Baili Hongxuan put down his wine cup and asked aloud.

Xie Yuan raised his dark eyes at the sound. "Your Majesty, since Dongrong Country dares to gamble, why can't our Great Shen?"

"In my opinion, if Dongrong Country wins this martial contest, the marriage alliance remains, and we reduce tariffs for twenty years. Additionally, we grant Dongrong Country free use of all the pastures in Liao Dong for twenty years. What do you think?"

Upon hearing the marriage alliance remain, Baili Wei immediately sighed in relief. However, before she could smile, a minister suddenly stood up in agitation, pointing at Xie Yuan and cursing, "Xie Yuan, you son of a villain! What right do you have to speak on this matter? You dare to propose such terms, you traitor, you're just like your father!"

Others were still in shock.

Was Xie Yuan mad?

Reducing tariffs for twenty years and granting Dongrong Country free use of all the pastures in Liao Dong for twenty years?

Wouldn't Great Shen have no future before Dongrong Country then? They might be annexed by Dongrong even before those twenty years!

This was no different from treason!

A villain, truly a villain!

Recalling Xie Changlou from years ago, they suddenly felt that Xie Yuan was indeed a great villain, inheriting his father's nature.

"Your Majesty, this must not happen! Chancellor Xie's proposal is utterly absurd, intending to poison our Great Shen!"

The ministers, who had been quiet moments ago, now leaped up one after another to oppose.

Even Su Zhenyun looked at Xie Yuan in surprise.

However, in an instant, observing the emperor's expression, he seemed unsurprised, and Su Zhenyun understood something.

These terms were likely endorsed by the emperor, and whether Xie Yuan had truly proposed them was uncertain.

The current emperor was no longer the gentle prince he once was. Nowadays, Su Zhenyun often sensed a hint of madness in the emperor, as if there was nothing he dared not do.

Thus, Su Zhenyun quickly realized that it wasn't Xie Yuan who was mad, but rather, the emperor...

Or perhaps both were mad together.

In a daze, Su Zhenyun accidentally caught his daughter's expression.

Su Youyue seemed unsurprised, sitting there eating pineapple pastries. She appeared slightly choked and poured herself a cup of tea.

Looking at Chun Ya and Jin'er behind her, they also wore expressions of no surprise.

Did Nuan Nuan know about this beforehand?

This thought flashed through Su Zhenyun's mind, and the more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed. It was absurd, but did his daughter believe this wager was advantageous to Great Shen?

He knew his daughter well. Although she rarely left home, she was absolutely patriotic when it came to national affairs.

More ministers rose to curse at Xie Yuan, each more offensive than the last, resorting to personal attacks.

Su Zhenyun found it increasingly unbearable. After some thought, he abruptly stood up. "Your Majesty, if Dongrong Country dares to gamble, why can't our Great Shen? Are our officials all cowards? I am a civil official, but if necessary, I will risk my life to compete against them in the martial arena! Even if we lose, our spirit will not!"

Chancellor Su was usually gentle and polite in court, so seeing him say such words stunned his colleagues.

Yet, Su Youyue was only mildly surprised by her father's words.

In her memory, her father was typically refined, but deep down, he possessed a fierce temperament. His scholarly demeanor had grown over the years due to his sorrow over her mother's passing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have angrily called Lu Song "old man" in the past.

So sometimes, she wondered if her mother hadn't necessarily favored a gentle husband but rather admired her father's integrity.

"Chancellor Su, you're only speaking up because Xie Yuan is about to become your son-in-law. Are you taking sides without reason? Have you lost your judgment too?" said a minister who had a good relationship with Su Zhenyun, frustrated.

They knew Su Zhenyun doted on his eldest daughter, but they didn't expect it to reach this extent, completely disregarding right and wrong!

Baili Hongxuan's gaze fell on Su Zhenyun, his eyes holding a hint of surprise. But soon, he smiled deeply. "Chancellor Su and Chancellor Xie indeed have spirit. They are true men of Great Shen!"

Prince Bei was now delighted, as it seemed the emperor of Great Shen intended to honor the agreement.

That relieved him. Tomorrow's martial contest, Dongrong Country would surely win!

However, regarding the marriage alliance, he didn't want a noisy and impolite princess. If he could take away Xie Yuan's wife, he would be even happier.

With that thought, Prince Bei looked at Su Youyue.

Unfortunately, Su Youyue wasn't looking at him at all but was focused on eating her pineapple pastries.

This pineapple pastry is really good, it's no worse than those from Su Ji's confectionery shop. Later, I'll have my people learn to make these too."

Prince Bei's enthusiasm was doused with cold water; he could only turn away his gaze reluctantly before quickly casting a provocative look towards Minister Xie.

Minister Xie also noticed the girl over there eating like a little fat chick, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes, but his expression remained unchanged.

As for the torrent of abuse directed at him, he seemed to pay it no heed.

Baili Hongxuan, observing the reactions below the stage, unhurriedly asked, "Are there other ministers who agree with Minister Xie and Minister Su's views?"