Chapter 202 The Dog Emperor, His Skin Is Thicker Than a City Wall
Emperor Ren couldn't be bothered with their messy affairs. He waved his hand and asked Shen Yulou, "Minister Shen, do you accept payment in kind?"
A faint, foxy smile played on Shen Yulou's lips.
"I do."
"Good!" Emperor Ren nodded. "Since that's the case, you two handle it yourselves! I am tired!"
With that, Emperor Ren declared the court adjourned. Before leaving, he gave Shen Yulou a meaningful look.
"Minister Shen, come with me to the Imperial Study."
The news of Shen Yulou's triumphant victory in court, where he outdebated scholars, outsmarted a strongman, and even managed to acquire two top-tier bodyguards, spread like wildfire throughout the entire Imperial Harem.
Kunning Palace.
Bai Yu rushed in with quick, small steps, like a gust of wind, her face alight with uncontrollable excitement.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Great news!"
She grabbed the Empress's hand and, like a storyteller, vividly recounted the day's events in the Golden Throne Hall.
From the upgraded version of "Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant" to those hilarious brain teasers.
And then to Madam Li's famous scene of knocking out Tie Niu with a "gentle slap."
The Empress listened, her beautiful eyes sparkling with wonder, at times furrowing her brow in tension, at others unable to suppress a laugh.
By the end, her pretty face was filled with admiration and affection.
She gazed out the window, lost in thought, and murmured, "This man... he truly is unique."
A moment later, the Empress came back to herself. She took Bai Yu's hand, a captivating blush appearing on her face, and whispered, "Bai Yu, tomorrow... you will go to the Imperial Academy for me. Just say that I wish to visit Qionger.
You... you go and tell Mr. Shen for me, to see if it is convenient for him."
Bai Yu looked at the Empress's shy demeanor and naturally understood her meaning.
Visiting the Princess was a pretense; delivering a "main course" to Lord Shen was the truth!
Moreover, whenever Her Majesty the Empress sent this "main course," she, as the "side dish," also had to be served at the table as an accompaniment.
Thinking of Shen Yulou's domineering yet gentle methods that night on the phoenix bed.
Bai Yu felt her cheeks flush, and her heart began to flutter like a startled deer.
Lord Shen truly was an extraordinary man.
Compared to him, what did the Emperor have that could rival Lord Shen, besides inheriting the throne?
...
Imperial Study.
As Shen Yulou stepped inside, he was met with the scent of dragon's saliva incense.
Emperor Ren was seated on the dragon throne, looking at Shen Yulou with a smile.
His expression was like that of a company CEO who had just made a profit, looking at an employee with satisfaction.
Shen Yulou did the work.
Most of the benefits went to Emperor Ren.
A small amount would be allowed to slip through his fingers, as a reward for Shen Yulou.
And he would have to be grateful.
These days, emperors were more detestable than capitalists.
"Minister Shen is here. Quick, grant him a seat!"
Eunuch He Shun quickly brought over an embroidered stool.
Before Shen Yulou's rear had even warmed the seat, Emperor Ren began to praise him, with an air of manipulation.
"I am deeply gratified!
Today in the Golden Throne Hall, you truly outdebated a multitude of scholars, demonstrating both wisdom and courage, and your demeanor was outstanding!
I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
Shen Yulou wore a professional fake smile, inwardly complaining furiously.
Oh, please, you old miser. A gambling stake of 1.5 million taels, and you only reward me with 100,000, keeping the rest for yourself. Now you know how to say nice things?
After Emperor Ren finished his praise, his tone abruptly shifted, and the smile on his face receded somewhat.
"However, the Wulin Kingdom Envoy's antics today have given me a reminder."
Shen Yulou knew this dog Emperor wasn't up to anything good.
Emperor Ren let out a long sigh.
"The Princess of Yan State, hasn't she been back in her country for some time now?
I provided timely help back then, allowing her to give birth safely here, with both mother and child well.
Now that she has safely returned home.
Logically speaking, shouldn't Na Xing show some gratitude?
But after all this time, there hasn't even been a single message, which truly makes my heart grow cold."
Shen Yulou's eyelids twitched as he listened.
Damn it, if Hun Kingdom's city walls were as thick-skinned as you, then they could rest easy!
Who was it that initially held the Princess of Yan State captive in the palace as a hostage, just to control Yan State?
She finally managed to escape, and now you have the nerve to talk about gratitude?
This level of shamelessness made even Shen Yulou feel inferior!
Emperor Ren, naturally unaware of Shen Yulou's thoughts, continued to manipulate him.
"So I thought about it, this matter, you'll have to go yourself.
You have shown kindness to Na Xing, and she naturally regards you differently from others. Go to Yan State and have a good chat with her, tell her that I miss her and the child very much.
And while you're at it... ask her to cede two cities as a token of her gratitude."
Shen Yulou: "..."
What the hell do you mean, "while you're at it"!
You call asking for two cities "while you're at it"?
"Of course,"
Seeing Shen Yulou's constipated expression, Emperor Ren quickly added, "I'm not unreasonable.
For this matter, just do your best. Whether you succeed or not, I won't blame you.
The worst outcome is just returning empty-handed, so don't feel too much pressure."
Bullshit!
If I really came back empty-handed, you'd curse my ancestors eighteen generations back behind my back.
Shen Yulou was perfectly clear in his heart, but on the surface, he put on an act of "Your humble servant is willing to die for Your Majesty."
Just as he was about to open his mouth to bargain, Emperor Ren delivered another blow.
This blow struck directly at Shen Yulou's vital point.
"However, there's one thing I must state upfront.
Your two newly acquired bodyguards, Song Hu and Tie Niu, must remain in the Imperial City for me.
They've just pledged allegiance, and their loyalty isn't stable. If they were to go out with you and run away halfway, the loss would be immense!"
Shen Yulou's brows instantly furrowed.
Well, well, burning the bridge after crossing the river!
You want me to go to a potentially hostile country to conduct diplomatic extortion, and you won't even provide me with top-tier bodyguards?
You're trying to make me die in a foreign land!
"Your Majesty,"
Shen Yulou tentatively asked, "Then, Your humble servant... may I bring Commander Li Hui? With him, I would feel more at ease."
"No!"
Emperor Ren refused without a second thought, his refusal swift and decisive.
"Li Hui is responsible for my safety; how can he be casually transferred elsewhere?
Aside from those three, for everyone else, you decide yourself."
A million grass mud horses galloped through Shen Yulou's mind.
Dog Emperor!
He truly was a dog Emperor!
Emperor Ren also noticed Shen Yulou's displeasure and, with a foxy smile, offered a sweet treat.
"Of course, I can't let you make this trip for nothing.
Aside from these few people who cannot be moved, if you have any other conditions, just state them."
Shen Yulou's eyes darted, and a plan came to mind.
If you are heartless, don't blame me for being unjust.
He immediately adopted an expression of having to make a painful sacrifice for the sake of the nation's grand plan, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, in that case, Your humble servant boldly requests that the Seventh Princess accompany Your humble servant."
"What?" Emperor Ren was stunned.
"Your Majesty, consider this," Shen Yulou began his performance, "When Your humble servant goes, besides asking for cities, I also wish to see if I can do some business with Yan State, to share Your Majesty's burdens.
Her Royal Highness the Seventh Princess is exceptionally intelligent and has a great talent for business. It would be a good opportunity for her to gain experience, and it would also expand the commercial territory for our Great Hun."
You want me to risk my life, so I'll tie your precious daughter to my belt.
If we die, we die together