Free Web NovelChapter 711: Chapter 711: Baili Express Urgency
Qin Yao declined Jin Yuan Niang’s kind offer to prepare a carriage for her return. Instead, she gathered her veil and left through the rear gate of the Princess Mansion.
The outcome of this trip was better than she expected. Although she knew the Princess would not give up trying to win her over, it seemed that the Princess did not intend to use force.
Since this is the case, it’s best for both parties to maintain their previous relationship.
Nowadays, Qin Yao lacks neither time nor money. Her only concern was her brother at Northwest City.
It’s not that she was unwilling to help; she just didn’t want to take sides.
Remaining neutral, if the Princess can offer her the compensation she desires, she wouldn’t mind occasionally making some extra money.
However, it’s still too early to discuss this matter.
Qin Yao first went to the exclusive shop in South Market and informed Liu Fei that the matter had been settled, assuring him not to worry.
She also told him that she would handle the visits to the Princess Mansion herself, so he wouldn’t need to worry.
"By the way," before leaving, Qin Yao suddenly recalled her pleasurable experience washing her hair at the Princess Mansion and suggested to Liu Fei with a smile:
"Haven’t you thought of what kind of business to run? I have an idea."
Liu Fei was delighted and quickly asked, "Third sister-in-law, what’s your idea? Tell me."
He believed his third sister-in-law was smart and good at business. She wouldn’t mention a typical idea.
Since she brought it up, it must be an excellent idea! Liu Fei thought confidently.
Seeing his trust, Qin Yao couldn’t help but smile. She led him to an empty corner next to the exclusive shop and said:
"A hair salon business, specializing in washing people’s hair, charging a bit less, setting up some couches for customers to lie down on while getting their hair washed, adding massage techniques, allowing guests to enjoy a comfortable experience...."
Qin Yao rattled off many ideas in one breath. Liu Fei initially looked skeptical, but as he listened, his eyes grew brighter.
After Qin Yao finished speaking, many fresh ideas seemed to bounce around in his mind, leaving him standing there, lost in thought.
Qin Yao shook her head amusingly, bid goodbye to the shopkeeper inside, and went home.
While passing through the main street leading to Ziwei Palace, she suddenly saw two fast horses galloping from the North City Gate.
The messengers shouted as they rode, "Urgent message from 800 miles, idle people make way quickly!"
Following the crowd, Qin Yao swiftly retreated to the side stalls, making way for the messengers who charged straight into Ziwei Palace.
"Could there be more war news from the border?" The locals couldn’t help but feel anxious and start discussing.
To use an urgent message from 800 miles, aside from orders from palace dignitaries, it usually pertains to border conflicts.
However, soon someone waved their hand and said, "It shouldn’t be. We’ve already stopped fighting with the Northern barbarians, and last year they even sent ambassadors to pay tribute."
"Ah~, they say it’s tribute, but who doesn’t know they’re just freeloading? Poor Commandery Princess, marrying to that desolate place. I wonder how she’s doing now..."
The topic shifted to Princess Huixiang, discussing her husband, her sister-in-law, the Regent King Uncle, and those concubines in the Northern barbarian palace (King’s other women).
The news of the messengers entering the palace quickly spread throughout the Capital City.
Qin Yao listened to the curiosity and speculation from the locals as she returned home, just as the door of the Qi Imperial Censor’s family opened nearby.
Imperial Censor Qi, dressed neatly, hurriedly boarded a carriage and headed straight to the palace.
His family had just received a decree from the palace, commanding officials from Honglu Temple, Ministry of Rites, and Imperial Censorate to enter the palace for discussions.
The Qi family’s housekeeper saw Qin Yao standing at the gate and, restraining his displeasure, nodded to her courteously.
Kuanzheng Square is not large, and the colorful glazed carriages of the National Master Mansion frequently appeared. Liu Ji became a scholar serving in the National Master Mansion, a fact well-known throughout the square.
Although it’s just a servant, a servant attending to scholars cannot be just anyone.
Previously, everyone knew Liu Ji as a scholar, but many scholars are in the Capital City, so naturally, no one paid much attention.
But now it’s different; serving Gongliang Liao, a scholar of such caliber, even as a foot washing slave, isn’t something to be underestimated.
Moreover, with the carriage service from the National Master Mansion and his scholar status, if Liu Ji’s name isn’t on the list for next year’s imperial examinations, Qi family housekeeper would suspect the examiners have lost their minds.
Thus, the incident between martial artists from before was considered null, and when the two families met, the Qi family housekeeper politely exchanged greetings.
Qin Yao then inquired about Imperial Censor Qi’s purpose of entering the palace.
Qi housekeeper shook his head, not knowing either, but mentioned that border news is related to an ambassador’s entry into the capital, and the palace urgently summoned the Ministry of Rites to discuss reception arrangements.
"What does this have to do with the Imperial Censorate?" Qin Yao curiously asked.
Qi housekeeper suppressed his urge to roll his eyes and stepped out to explain the general procedure for ambassador audiences to Qin Yao.
There are two types of ambassador audiences.
One is from small tributary states around Sheng Country, who come annually to pay tribute.
The other consists of those wanting to visit autonomously, such as states around Sheng Country that are independent yet balanced.
The first type is easy to handle. The Ministry of Rites takes full charge and handles the tribute, providing hospitality for a few days before sending them off after asserting dominance.
The second type is more challenging because sending ambassadors often implies exploring Sheng Country’s reality.
At entry, border troops quickly send word to the Capital City by urgent message, requiring Your Majesty to approve entry.
Generally, approval is given since their visit implies acknowledgment of Sheng Country’s powerful status.
Yet once approved, reception becomes complex.
This is a contest between two nations. Aside from diplomatic duties performed by Honglu Temple and reception by the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Censorate meticulously oversees Capital officials and citizens to prevent leaks of Sheng Country’s secrets.
To sum up, hosting foreigners requires a grand reception to show hospitality while guarding against exploration of domestic details.
Qin Yao nodded, indicating she’d gained new knowledge.
"By the way, which country is sending the ambassador this time?" Qin Yao suddenly remembered, poised to enter the house before stepping back to ask next door.
Qi housekeeper was startled, sighed, and shook his head, "We must wait for our lord to return to know."
But it’s not hard to guess.
After the marriage alliance with the Northern barbarians, they hadn’t sent ambassadors to the capital. Considering the delays on the journey, the Commandery Princess has been there for over a year.
If the Northern barbarians had been preparing, they should be entering the capital to thank their in-laws by now.
However, this is just speculation, and we’ll have to wait until those who entered the palace return to find out.
Because of the message left before going to the Princess Mansion, Liu Ji spent the entire day working anxiously, almost mourning!
Finally, afternoon arrived, he finished dinner, and immediately threw down his apron to rush home.
His actions infuriated Gongliang Liao, shouting, "Ingrate! You forget your master when you have a wife!"
But Liu Ji didn’t care, a few scoldings wouldn’t harm him.
He just wanted to hurry home to see if his dear wife was lounging in the courtyard, enjoying cool air and surrounded by snacks on a table.
