Inn in the capital city.
Wu Yun Country envoy Zhan Duo, with a stubbly beard and dark skin, just returned to the room and shook his head at his companion inside.
"We've probably made a wasted trip."
"What do you mean?"
"Jing Country has left us here for nearly two days without anyone attending to us, showing their disdain towards us!"
"Ah. We are closest to Jing Country, and if we can establish trade with them, it would be ideal. But if Jing Country is arrogant and sees us as barbarians, we can trade with other neighboring countries."
The two envoys sat discussing, lowering their voices involuntarily.
"By the way, did you hear anything about the preferences of Jing Country Emperor Xiao Yunzhou?"
Wu Yun Country envoy Zhan Duo's expression turned strange at the mention.
"Today, while I was outside, I heard the common people gossiping that the Jing Country Emperor's temperament has changed drastically recently. He is working in the fields with his ministers and even has the prince cooking and washing vegetables."
"His concubines are sewing clothes every day."
"...? Is it strange for the Jing Country royal family to be like this?"
"Just now, the innkeeper seemed to say that from today onwards, they will be learning woodworking."
"???"
The two Wu Yun Country envoys looked at each other with strange expressions.
Shaking their heads, "It seems like we will leave disappointed this time."
"Let's go to Chu State next. The Emperor of Chu State is diligently building a strong army!"
The two envoys sighed, "Let's wait another day. If Jing Country still leaves us hanging here tomorrow, we will leave."
"There are still many buyers."
But just as they said that, footsteps were heard at the door!
The officials welcoming the visiting envoys from the inn arrived along with officials from the Ministry of Rites.
"Two of you, our Jing Country Emperor will host a banquet for you tonight."
The Wu Yun Country envoys looked at each other in surprise.
Before the state banquet, Xiao Yunzhou returned the little princess to Concubine Liu, who had come back with winter clothes.
He didn't even need the maids to pour tea when he arrived at Donghua Palace.
He had the tea set brought directly, and Xiao Yunzhou personally made tea, pouring it for everyone.
Consort Min neither sat nor stood, watching the Emperor pour tea for Concubine Liu, her expression twitching.
"You don't need to be so formal; I want to drink too." Xiao Yunzhou waved his hand generously towards Consort Min, "You all sit, no need to be polite to me."
The Emperor had developed a liking for doing things himself now!
Consort Min couldn't help it and rolled her eyes on the spot, "Your Majesty, this concubine doesn't need it. The maid Qiu Li next to Concubine Liu makes tea, which is much better than what you make."
Xiao Yunzhou: "..."
Concubine Liu, holding the little princess, suppressed a laugh before it escaped.
Since returning from the Liu family's courtyard that day, the Emperor had been trying hard to personally handle small matters around him.
But the effect was not great.
After all, compared to the eunuchs and palace maids who were used to doing things, the Emperor's skills were lacking.
Consort Min's disgust was genuine, not fake.
"Your Majesty, the vegetables washed by the Sixth Prince still have mud on them. I really can't eat them; I've been storing them."
"Just wait for the Emperor to come today and have the kitchen make it for the Emperor."
Xiao Yunzhou: "..."
Concubine Liu's chest trembled silently.
Cheng Qian was also washing vegetables in the kitchen, much slower than the people in the back kitchen, but still clean.
But they were quite late for their mealtime.
Cheng Shan washed the vegetables, and as the mother of the house, she naturally wanted to taste them, no matter how late it was.
But Consort Min couldn't do it. She didn't like vegetarian food in the first place, and now she couldn't stand eating dirty vegetables.
"Your Majesty, please bring Cheng Shan to Chonghua Palace."
"Haha, enjoy your vegetables over there."
Xiao Yunzhou couldn't sit still. "Ahem, I have to entertain the envoys tonight, I'm very busy, so you all can have your meal on your own."
Consort Min rolled her eyes.
Xiao Yunzhou hurriedly left Donghua Palace, but before leaving, he instructed Concubine Liu, "Play with the little princess for a while, we will have the banquet later, I will have Wei Zheng come to get her."
"Wow, that's great! I can also go see foreigners."
Xiao Chuchu grinned happily.
Just as Fifth Prince Cheng Qian, who had come to greet his mother, entered the room, he heard his sister say, "Wu Yun Country advocates white."
"For example, a white war horse is considered a spiritual being. White jade without flaws is also considered a noble and sacred object, only those with abilities can wear it."
Xiao Chuchu thought to herself, then she noticed the amber ornament on her brother's body and couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother, why aren't you wearing the white jade you usually wear?"
"Otherwise, at tonight's banquet, my brother would definitely catch the eye of the envoys!"
Cheng Qian was taken aback and looked down at his waist.
Concubine Liu coughed lightly, "Cheng Qian, the auspicious knot on your jade cord is a bit old. It's inappropriate for you to wear it when your father is entertaining the envoys."
"I happen to have a new bat-shaped knot here that goes well with the white jade your father gave you recently. It would be more suitable, so why don't you change into it?"
On the other side of the main hall, Xiao Yunzhou was busy preparing a feast for the envoys, both the kitchen and the Ministry of Rites were bustling with activity.
"The Emperor is so eager, he's really boosting Wu Yun Country's confidence."
"Yes, these barbarians think they can trade with us on equal terms? What a dream!"
Before the envoys arrived, the ministers who were forced to work overtime for the banquet were already complaining.
Wu Yun Country was located to the west of Jing Country, and the two countries had little interaction in the past.
"The environment in Wu Yun Country is all grasslands, and their silk weaving and farming are backward."
"The late Emperor didn't like to deal with Wu Yun Country."
"The late Emperor was right, these barbarians who started out eating raw meat really aren't worth our attention in Jing Country."
"Exactly, what can they offer us in trade? They are even very outdated in dyeing techniques."
"Herbs are scarce due to the severe winter, and the local supply is limited."
"They are not as good as the neighboring Chu State, which can trade weapons and food with us."
"Ah, why is the Emperor entertaining them tonight? I wonder what his intentions are."
Xiao Yunzhou arrived early, sat on the throne, clearly attaching great importance to today's meeting with the envoys.
The ministers couldn't quite understand.
Soon, the princes also arrived, including Fifth Prince Cheng Qian, who brought his sister Xiao Chuchu along.
Xiao Yunzhou smiled as he had his sons take their seats, and he personally held Xiao Chuchu in his arms.
"Report - Your Majesty, the two envoys are waiting outside the hall."
"Good, please bring them in!"
Xiao Chuchu was suddenly in the Emperor's embrace, looking excited and expectant as she gazed towards the entrance of the hall.
Soon, two men dressed in brown fur robes, with wheat-colored skin weathered by the wind and sun, walked in.
At first glance, not only Xiao Chuchu, but even the Emperor and the court officials gasped in surprise.
The envoy from Wu Yun Country was too tall!
Taller by half a head compared to the Jing Country guards leading the way!
And it seemed that the arms of these two envoys were thicker than the Jing Country guards.
Compared to the guards, the envoys looked more like soldiers on the battlefield!
[Sigh, eating beef and mutton regularly, horseback riding, hunting, and sunbathing really make them taller than us Jing Country people.]
Listening to his daughter's thoughts, Xiao Yunzhou squinted his eyes.
So eating beef and mutton was the secret!?
Oxen were too valuable to eat, but mutton was an option.
Also, sunbathing regularly can make one taller?
Xiao Yunzhou's expression changed continuously.
It was truly infuriating!
When he was young, even the palace maids and eunuchs were afraid of him getting sunburned!
It turns out he had been pampered too much...
Xiao Yunzhou felt bitter and couldn't help but look at Wu Yun Country's envoys with a hint of amazement and envy in his eyes.
If only he had known, he could have been so tall too!
The envoys from Wu Yun Country reluctantly bowed to Xiao Yunzhou, and their expressions stiffened upon standing up.
Because just now, while waiting outside the hall, they overheard the Jing Country ministers belittling their tribe from Wu Yun Country.
Jing Country looked down on them!
Look at this Jing Country Emperor, his gaze was so arrogant and disrespectful...
The envoys from Wu Yun Country raised their heads in annoyance and stared directly at Xiao Yunzhou.
However, as soon as they raised their heads, all their anger was stifled!
Huh?
Wait, why did the Jing Country Emperor's gaze towards them lack disdain, lack contempt, but instead had... delight, goodwill, and even a hint of envy?
"I didn't expect the two envoys to be as tall as the door curtain."
Xiao Yunzhou mused, regretting his own height, unconsciously speaking his mind.
"Just as you entered, I thought I saw two door pillars, hehe."
The entire court was taken aback.
Even the Old Master of the Liu Family couldn't help but give Xiao Yunzhou a disapproving look.
The Emperor was being toxic!
The envoys showed courtesy by bowing to the Emperor, yet the Emperor called them stone pillars!
Was he out of his mind...
If he wanted to assert his authority, he could have just ignored the envoys.
But to invite them for a meal and insult them to their faces... was he looking for trouble?
The Old Master of the Liu Family was anxious. The country was already on the brink of collapse, did he really want to provoke more enmity?
After blurting out, Xiao Yunzhou's expression suddenly changed.
He realized he had said the wrong thing.
"Uh, two envoys, I didn't mean anything by it." Xiao Yunzhou tried to make amends.
But the next moment, the Emperor and the Old Master of the Liu Family's expressions changed.
[Sigh, how did the Emperor know that people from Wu Yun Country love being praised for their height?]
Xiao Chuchu chuckled, [They often compare the Khan to tall mountains and palaces.]
Xiao Yunzhou, the Old Master of the Liu Family: "..."
Sure enough, in the next moment, the two envoys who were originally dark-faced and dissatisfied with Jing Country, suddenly showed a smile.
"Your Majesty of Jing Country, we were appointed as envoys for this mission because we are the tallest and strongest in our tribe."
"Your Majesty of Jing Country, thank you for your praise."
"We will remember your sincere kindness!"
Huh?
Calling you door pillars, is that considered kindness? Or sincerity?
All the officials of Jing Country were left dumbfounded.
