#55Shen Qing has arrived just in time!
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chapter 55 Shen Qing arrived just in time!
"Madam, please rise!"
Shen Yulou helped Madam Li up.
"What happened to Commander Li?"
Madam Li, with tears streaming down her face, said, "Yesterday, Li Hui captured Gongsun Changlin and subjected him to severe torture. He was too heavy-handed and crippled Gongsun Changlin's legs. But today, someone surrendered, proving that the assassin had no connection to Wulin Kingdom.
Now, Gongsun Changlin wants an explanation from His Majesty, saying he wants Li Hui to pay with his life for his legs!"
Shen Yulou's expression changed slightly; this time, Commander Li had been a bit impulsive.
According to Shen Yulou's guess, this assassination attempt on Emperor Ren was definitely connected to Wulin Kingdom.
But since they dared to be so bold, they must have already planned a fallback. Even if things were exposed, they could clear themselves completely.
And Li Hui, knowing they were involved but unable to get a confession, angrily resorted to some methods on the Envoy.
This was indeed a bit out of line.
Even when two countries are at war, they don't execute Envoys.
Furthermore, there is no war yet. Crippling an Envoy is no small matter.
Coupled with Emperor Ren's assassination, he must be dissatisfied with Li Hui. Li Hui's current situation is indeed not good.
"Where is Commander Li?"
"They are in the Golden Throne Hall. Emperor Ren and all the civil and military officials are there. Please, Lord Shen, go help! You might be able to heal the Envoy's legs!"
Shen Yulou said, "Madam Li, don't worry. Wait here for me; I will go see."
Shen Yulou quickly arrived at the Golden Throne Hall.
At this time, Emperor Ren, supported by eunuchs, was barely seated on the dragon throne.
Below, all the civil and military officials were present, and Li Hui stood in the hall, his face ashen.
Next to him sat Gongsun Changlin on a chair, along with Wulin Kingdom's First Vanguard, Song Hu.
Gongsun Changlin gritted his teeth and said.
"Your Majesty Emperor Ren, we represent Wulin Kingdom on this visit, but now we have received such treatment. I hope Emperor Ren can give us an explanation. Otherwise, if I return in this state, I fear our two countries' relationship will become very hostile."
Emperor Ren was not afraid now. With Princess of Yan State and her child as hostages, Yan State was already in his grasp.
Even if war broke out, he had no fear.
However, if a war started because of crippling an Envoy, he would lack a just cause.
So, today's matter still had to be suppressed.
Although Li Hui was derelict in his duty, Emperor Ren did not blame him.
He was also inclined to cover up the matter of injuring the Envoy. Now it depended on what compensation the Envoy wanted.
"This matter was indeed Minister Li's impulsiveness. Envoy, whatever your demands, please state them, and I will try my best to satisfy you."
Gongsun Changlin said, "Your Majesty Emperor Ren, what Commander Li did to me personally, I can endure.
But I represent the face of Wulin Kingdom. I can endure, but Wulin Kingdom cannot.
If Your Majesty Emperor Ren wishes to compensate me, I do have a way that would be easy to explain back home."
Emperor Ren narrowed his eyes, "Envoy, just speak your mind."
"Let me take Princess of Yan State and her child back."
Emperor Ren sneered, "Envoy, that request is a bit inappropriate."
Gongsun Changlin said, "What's inappropriate? Princess Naxing's wet nurse is in Wulin Kingdom. Her elderly self is still waiting for news. Does Your Majesty Emperor Ren not want them, mother and child, to reunite?"
All the civil and military officials wore sneering expressions. This Gongsun Changlin was truly shameless enough.
When they first sent the Princess over, they used moral blackmail to force Emperor Ren to keep the Princess.
Now that the Princess had safely given birth, they wanted to take her back. They weren't even bothering to act anymore.
At this moment, Shen Yulou was pacing at the entrance of the main hall. Emperor Ren spotted him and said.
"Minister Shen, you've come at just the right time. Tell them about the Princess's condition."
Emperor Ren gave Shen Yulou a knowing look, and Shen Yulou, understanding, stepped forward and said.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, although the Princess successfully gave birth, she is still on the verge of death.
Let alone riding in a carriage, it is difficult for the Princess to even get out of bed.
If the Princess and her child were to leave now, it would be taking their lives!"
Emperor Ren was very satisfied with Shen Yulou's answer.
"Envoy, did you hear clearly? The Princess's condition is not good. Do you want them, mother and child, to die on the road?"
Gongsun Changlin snorted, glaring at Shen Yulou with ill intent.
Last time, it was he who ruined things. He didn't expect this fellow to actually have a knack for it, managing to let the Princess give birth safely.
Emperor Ren said, "Envoy, you should ask for some other compensation."
Gongsun Changlin said, "Your Majesty Emperor Ren, last time I lost five hundred thousand taels of silver plus five thousand shields to your country, and I am very unwilling. It will be difficult to explain back home.
I still want to compete with your country one more time. I hope Your Majesty Emperor Ren will not refuse."
Emperor Ren frowned, "Envoy, what do you want to gamble on?"
Gongsun Changlin said, "Let's gamble on the ownership of Nylon River!"
All the civil and military officials' expressions changed.
Nylon River is a very important river on the border between the two countries. It is not only a military stronghold, but the river is also rich in resources. The surrounding people rely on the river for irrigation and fishing.
In recent years, the two countries have fought over this river quite a bit, and its ownership remains unclear even now.
Now Gongsun Changlin actually wants to gamble on this river. This stake is not small.
Emperor Ren said, "Envoy, how do you want to gamble?"
Gongsun Changlin pointed to Song Hu beside him.
"This is our Wulin Kingdom's First Vanguard, Song Hu. I have long heard that Hun Kingdom produces many talented individuals. Today, I invite Hun Kingdom to send a talented person to compete with Vanguard Song in strength. The stronger one wins, how about it?"
Emperor Ren frowned. This Song Hu was incredibly strong and burly. It seemed unlikely that such a person could be found in the entire Hun Kingdom.
"Envoy, isn't this a bit inappropriate…"
Gongsun Changlin said, "Your Majesty Emperor Ren, with my legs broken, I'm afraid it will take several months to recover, and even after recovery, I may not be completely as before.
I am not directly asking for compensation; I am only asking for an opportunity to compete. Does Emperor Ren not even agree to this?"
Gongsun Changlin was very ambitious. If he directly asked for Nylon River, Emperor Ren would never agree.
But Gongsun Changlin was not asking for compensation now, only an opportunity to compete. Surely Emperor Ren couldn't refuse this?
Emperor Ren looked at the civil and military officials, who also had no idea. This Song Hu looked quite formidable, but Hun Kingdom also had no shortage of capable people.
A competition wouldn't hurt.
"Alright, I grant it."
"How will we compete?"
Gongsun Changlin said, "Competing in strength is very simple: best two out of three. First round, lifting the tripod! I see a nine-legged tripod outside the hall. Whoever can lift it wins, how about it?"
Gongsun Changlin became excited. Nylon River was a strategically important location, far more valuable than five hundred thousand taels of silver.
He had previously lost five hundred thousand taels of silver plus shields, and upon returning, he would surely face punishment.
But this time, Gongsun Changlin was determined to win.
He knew that in a martial arts competition, Song Hu couldn't defeat Li Hui; they had already tried before.
So he changed his tactics to a test of strength.
In this aspect, Song Hu had an absolute advantage.
If he won this time, it would make up for some of the losses.
Meanwhile, Shen Yulou secretly sneered. This Gongsun Changlin was coming to give gifts again