Although Jiang Yuqing had some conflicts with the Princess of East Woman Country a few years ago, it was all in the past. The envoys sent by East Woman Country in recent years have all been well-behaved, so she did not need to target them.
Besides, harassing women and refusing to admit mistakes was a matter of principle that could not be condoned. If you can't deal with them openly, can you not secretly trip them up?
Obviously, the people of Peacock Country were not stupid either, and they soon noticed the difference between their injured and those of East Woman Country.
With the same medical expenses, why were their men screaming in pain while those East Woman Country women didn't even flinch?
The explanation given by He An Hospital was that the women of East Woman Country were all female warriors who were particularly brave and could endure pain exceptionally well.
Was that really the case? The people of Peacock Country expressed doubt. When fighting, the women would let out miserable cries when hacked. But the facts were there before their eyes, so they had no choice but to believe it.
Of course, if they had stayed in Da Xia longer, they might have found out that Da Xia also had something called "boiling powder".
The envoys of East Woman Country also deeply despised the people of Peacock Country. It was just a wound being stitched up, not painful at all. Yet they were screaming like pigs being slaughtered, a bunch of cowards as expected.
It was not until the officials of the Ministry of Rites secretly told them what was going on that the envoys understood.
Only then did the envoys of East Woman Country know that it was the Empress of Da Xia who had secretly punished them, which was also an indirect way of venting their anger for them.
This Princess of East Woman Country was obviously someone who knew how to be grateful. After returning to her country's embassy that day, she sent Jiang Yuqing a milky white jade vertical flute made of sheep fat white jade, and a bracelet of pure silver inlaid with gemstones that was unique to East Woman Country.
This kind of vertical flute was a musical instrument unique to East Woman Country. It was just over a foot long and had a desolate and distant sound.
The white jade vertical flute she sent had smooth and soft jade quality, indicating that its owner often played with it and it was her beloved object.
Jiang Yuqing could not play the flute, so there was no use in keeping it. She only kept the pure silver bracelet and returned the jade flute, saying to the female envoy, "I appreciate your thoughts. Please return this flute to your princess. There is a saying in Da Xia that 'A gentleman does not take what people cherish.'"
When the female envoy returned and told her princess, the princess said, "She really is a person with a gentle heart. That idiot Wumaer was so foolish to offend such a person, and almost harmed East Woman Country. She deserved to die ten thousand times."
The female envoy said, "By accepting the princess's gift, does it mean she has forgiven and forgotten past grudges?"
The Princess of East Woman Country shook her head. "She has never put East Woman Country to heart, so how could she remember our grudges? Compared to Da Xia, our East Woman Country is far too weak, as weak as a small white rock on a snow mountain. If Da Xia is the majestic snow mountain, then East Woman Country is just a tiny insignificant white rock."
Soon came Chongqiu Festival.
The foreign envoys came to congratulate the Retired Emperor and the current Emperor Jing Yan.
Located among the mountains, East Woman Country did not have abundant products, so the gifts they presented were some medicinal materials, including some precious ones like cordyceps.
Not knowing the culture of Da Xia's circle nor the uses of these herbs, the people of Peacock Country mocked East Woman Country for trying to hoodwink the Xia Emperor with useless tree branches and weeds.
When this was translated, it immediately attracted white-eyed stares from everyone. The ignorance of these Peacock Country people was simply unbearable.
The Princess of East Woman Country also felt that she had lost face. She hated those Peacock Country people so much that her teeth itched.
Jing Yan placated, "A gift sent a thousand miles shows deep affection despite its simplicity. The gifts from East Woman Country are great and my father and I really like them."
When it was Peacock Country's turn, they offered up a large plate of gemstones in various colors, as well as some spices unique to Peacock Country.
The envoy of Peacock Country even deliberately walked up to the Princess of East Woman Country and showed off the gemstones, the provocation clear as day. It was extremely irritating.
However, Jing Yan only glanced at it briefly before having it taken away, without even an extra expression given to them.
With the previous divine ointment incident, they were still in his bad books.
Having just arrived and deliberately caused trouble on Da Xia's land again, not expelling them from Da Xia's territory already counted as being polite to them. Naturally he would not give them a good face.
The gifts from the countries around the West Ocean were similar, either pearls or gemstones, or spices, nothing novel.
After that were the white siblings from the distant western continent. Their gifts were ivory and a box of raw diamonds.
Although not abundant in Da Xia, ivory could not be considered particularly precious.
The Retired Emperor had an exquisite ivory sculpture set. There was also a whole set of ivory dining utensils, though he rarely used them, feeling that wooden chopsticks were more convenient.
As for the raw diamonds, after being cut and polished they would become diamonds. In Jiang Yuqing's previous life they were valuable, but unfortunately in this fantasy world, because of the lacking polishing techniques, their worth was not well demonstrated, so the price was not high either.
Moreover, one look and you know these were not native products of their country. They were more likely obtained in Peacock Country or surrounding nations. Offering them as tribute gifts here had a hint of re-gifting.
When it was South Border State's turn, they offered jade and stone originals as usual, but with five bolts of tian silkworm silk added this year.
Just as Jiang Yuqing thought it was over, the Princess of South Border State suddenly stepped forward and said, "I am infatuated with His Majesty the Emperor of Da Xia, and am willing to enter the palace to serve His Majesty."
She spoke in standard Da Xia language, clearly having put in a lot of effort.
Her words shocked everyone in the hall. The civil and military officials were even more surprised by her audacity, while also stealing glances with the corners of their eyes at the emperor and empress above.
At this moment, Bai Xiaojiu who had been lazily lying beside her suddenly became alert and pricked up his big head, saying, "Master, I smell the scent of that snake on her."
"Xiaojiu, are you sure?"
"I'm sure! My nose is very sensitive." Bai Xiaojiu had an expression as if saying it was unquestionable that he was the best.
Jiang Yuqing patted its big head to signal it to lie back down and not act rashly.
She secretly transmitted her voice to Jing Yan, "Xiaojiu says there is the scent of that snake on the Princess of South Border State. It's very likely that she is the true owner of that snake."
Jing Yan held her hand under the case table to indicate he understood.
Jing Yan expressionlessly said to the Princess of South Border State, "This one has vowed to heaven to only have one Empress in this life. The Princess of South Border State seems to have mistaken her affection."
The Princess of South Border State said, "I know your Empress is very beautiful and also very capable. However, since ancient times, a teapot has never only been matched with one cup. Isn't that so, Your Majesty?"
Jing Yan gave a cold laugh. "I'm afraid not. The founding emperor and empress of Da Xia did not have third parties either."
The Princess of South Border State was rendered speechless for a moment, but she did not give up. "I believe my looks, knowledge and status are not lacking. Why must the Xia Emperor shut someone out from a thousand miles away?"
Jing Yan did not want to give her another chance to speak, directly saying, "Dismissed!"
The Princess of South Border State had no choice but to resentfully withdraw.
After the tribute ceremony was the banquet. As the Princess of South Border State looked at Jing Yan sitting on the throne, she attentively peeled prawns and poured tea for Jiang Yuqing, wiping her hands. Her long eyelashes lowered to hide the resentful look in her eyes.
Jiang Yuqing was now eight months pregnant and her bulky body was rather fatigued after sitting for a whole afternoon, even as a cultivator.
Unwilling to tire his little wife further, Jing Yan apologized to his parents and brought her back to rest. The Retired Emperor and Empress hurriedly waved their hands for them to go.
Seeing Jiang Yuqing leaving, Bai Xiaojiu also carried its roast chicken and pattered along behind them, its jade charm around its neck swaying along.
Big brother said that because master's belly contained little master, her bulky belly was not agile and prone to danger, so as a responsible good tiger it must protect master every moment.
As the couple walked towards the bed chamber, they were suddenly called out, "Emperor and Empress of Da Xia, please wait!"
It was that Princess of South Border State again. Jiang Yuqing couldn't help sighing that she was truly relentless.
Without slowing his steps, Jing Yan just supported Jiang Yuqing as they continued forward.
Seeing this, the South Border State princess became even more jealous. She wanted to directly run up ahead of the couple to block their way. But before she could get close, she was obstructed by a giant white tiger.
"Roar!" you nasty woman, what are you trying to do? If you dare get close to my master again, this king will eat you!"
At this time, the imperial guards also surrounded her to block her way.
When the Princess of the South Border State saw this, she was anxious and couldn't help but yell at Jiang Yuqing, "What gives you the right to monopolize him all to yourself? I liked him at first sight, and have liked him for many years."
Jiang Yuqing stopped in her tracks, slowly turned around, one hand on her lower back and the other on her belly.
Calmly looking at the hideous face of the Princess of the South Border State, she coldly said, "Just because you like someone, do they have to like you back?
By your logic, since I also like the lands of the South Border State, shouldn't you hand over your country with both hands too?"
"He would never! It's all because you vixen got your claws in him. If not for you, the Da Xia Emperor would definitely like me instead. After all I'm so beautiful and so amazing."
Jiang Yuqing picked her ear nonchalantly, with an indifferent expression, "So this is why you released venomous snakes into my palace?
You must have thought that once I die, you can take over my position as Empress of Da Xia, right?
Let me give you some advice, if your mind isn't working well, get treatment early or it'll be too late. You'll only hurt yourself and disgust others!" After saying this, she was unwilling to waste any more words with her and turned to leave.
She had received Third Brother's reply yesterday.
The letter said that in the entire South Border State, there were no more than five people who raised such snakes and bugs. The visiting princess from the South Border State this time was one of them.
Her birth mother was once the chief priestess of the South Border State, but later disappeared for unknown reasons.
However, she had never met the Princess of the South Border State before and they had no enmity. She really couldn't figure out why the Princess wanted to harm her?
Until today when the Princess publicly confessed her love for Jing Yan under the guise of offering tributes, everything could be explained clearly.
This woman acted out of jealousy because her love for Jing Yan was unrequited, so she harbored hatred and made an attempt on her life.
Simply put, it was the rotten peach blossoms that Jing Yan had unwittingly provoked.
Jing Yan was even more disgusted, he ordered the guards, "Take her away quickly, don't taint the Empress's eyes."
When the Princess of the South Border State saw Jing Yan's attitude towards her, like she was trash, she immediately went mad.
She forcefully shook off the guards' hands, then with a flick of her colorful wide sleeves, countless flying insects buzzed as they rushed straight at Jiang Yuqing. The hellish "hissing" sound sent chills down people's spines.
