Chapter 382: Trade
382 Trade
Xiao Meng stared at the paper on the table in front of her. She had heard about the emperor raging on the court a few days ago. With that kind of atmosphere, she decided to stay low and avoided meeting with the other party for some time.
Now that the emperor had calmed down, despite the officials were all looking like they have just experienced hell, she decided to talk about an important matter. With Tang Xuan leading her, she got into the hall again.
"Your Highness."
"Princess Xiao Meng," Yan said politely as he looked towards the two incoming people. Although he knew that the two of them have something they wanted to talk about, he didn't show it in his face.
"Is there anything that I can help you with?"
Xiao Meng bowed down and greeted Yan formally. She smiled towards Yan and opened her mouth, "There is one important matter this Princess has to tell Your Highness."
Hearing how formal Xiao Meng sounded, Yan frowned a little. He was pretty sure he had already discussed everything about the matter of the trade with her. What was it that he had missed out?
At that moment, Tang Xuan looked towards Yan and nodded his head faintly.
Yan waved his hand to send the officials away from the hall. He stared back to the princess intently, "Please speak, Princess Xiao Meng."
Xiao Meng smiled, "As we have discussed before, the trade will start after my return to my kingdom along with the goods. However, I need someone from your kingdom to represent the Long Kingdom in presenting the deal."
Yan frowned. It was not like it was impossible, but with the current state of this kingdom, there were fewer people he could trust unconditionally for such an important matter. If he sent someone incompetent, he would just place this trade into a big danger. It was a big no for someone who values money a lot like him.
His finger tapped the chair as he looked towards the princess's eyes in front of him. The only person he knew he could send would be only counted to one person. However, that person was someone he can't order as he wished.
"Isn't the usual representatives not enough?" Yan tried to avoid the mark.
Xiao Meng smiled amiably, but hidden behind the seemingly innocent smile was a faint coldness, "For trade as big as this, do you think they would be enough?"
Her meaning was simple. Because the trade they have made the deal was on a large scale, they should show their courtesy by sending more important person. Otherwise, it would seem that the Long Kingdom didn't value this trade as much as Gu Yue Kingdom. After all, Gu Yue Kingdom personally sent one of their princesses, but what about the other party?
Would it be enough for an ordinary minister? The answer would be a resounding 'NO'.
Yan's heart froze for a moment. This princess was truly cunning to use the trade like this and forced him to the corner. No matter how much he didn't like the term, he knew that he didn't have enough ground to counter. In truth, he wanted to go by himself, but he was sure that his friends won't allow him to do that.
"Have you heard about the incident in the Yuan Kingdom part?" Yan hadn't received any news from Ming Hui about the rebel. He didn't know their condition, but he was sure that the problem hadn't finished yet, and it would be hard if Xiao Meng and Tang Xuan were to return so early.
Xiao Meng frowned. She already heard about the rebel not long ago. Although she knew that it will be dangerous to go back at this time, she needed to return back as fast as possible or the water current would be too high and quick for them to cross.
"I know."
"Then you should know that going back at this time would do you no good," Yan answered. If they waited for a longer time, he might be able to delay the time until Ming Hui returned with the news of victory.
"I'm afraid I won't have that much time, Your Highness," Xiao Meng answered. "As far as we both know, the river height only stayed low for several months in a year. It would soon be the time for the river to rise again and there is no way for me to return during that time. Without my return, Gu Yue Kingdom may think the trade as a failure."
Yan didn't answer right away. The Gu Yue Kingdom was currently in turmoil because they have to choose their leader. The clash between many parties over there caused the trade might not end too well in the first place. After all, as a princess, Xiao Meng didn't have much real power in the government.
Should he perhaps intervene in some way towards the battle of succession in the Gu Yue Kingdom?
Yan quickly dispersed his thoughts and looked towards the woman in front of him, "It would indeed safer if you wait until the rebel has been handled, but if you're in that hurry, I will think for a way."
"Your Highness is wise, this princess will wait for the good news," Xiao Meng bowed candidly.
The emperor merely looked towards the princess with a smile. He waved his hand and Shu quickly walked out from his place on the side to relay the emperor's order. From their conversation, he could faintly guess that Yan was not as calm as he looked at right now.
"How was the condition of Gu Yue Kingdom before you arrive here, Princess Meng?" Yan asked suddenly.
Xiao Meng was startled at the sudden question, but she quickly regained her calm and answered, "Gu Yue Kingdom is in the middle of the battle for succession. Although no one can be sure who among my brothers would be the next emperor, they didn't actually fight out in the open because our father is still strong."
What kind of emperor would like to see his own sons waiting for his death? Her brothers were all doing their work secretly and never divulged the information out. Even she herself didn't know that much about the battle of her brothers behind the scene.
"Does it mean that any of them could become the emperor?" Yan arched his eyebrows, "However, I believe that not the two of them wished for this trade to be successful."
Xiao Meng blinked at Yan's remark. "No matter how hard it is, the trade is beneficial for the two kingdoms, why would we want to back down from the agreement?"
"Indeed," Yan gripped the teacup in front of him slowly. From below the throne, Tang Xuan's eyes never even once looked towards the emperor and he merely looked down towards his foot as if he was a servant.
"There shouldn't be any reason for the two parties to break the agreement, don't you agree, Princess Meng?"
Xiao Meng smiled, "Of course, Your Highness is wise."
Yan didn't answer the princess anymore and merely sipped his tea. He would be the biggest idiot in the entire world if he believed the princess's word. She was only saying them to avoid answering his real question. What a cunning and interesting woman.