Finally, the Gu Shu ruler’s entourage reached the capital. Fan Tianli left the city one day earlier and entered the capital together with the entourage the next day, heading to the rest inn immediately.

  Even though him coming to the capital in advance was not a secret anymore and he did show himself in front of others in the imperial palace, that was under his personal capacity and was not considered an official national visit. In addition, the Emperor was inflicted with Gu that time and was unable to receive and host them.

  And this time, Da Shun had a regent prince. When Xuan Tianfeng received the news that Fan Tianli’s entourage had checked into the rest inn, he immediately sent out an invite. During morning court the next day, Fan Tianli entered the imperial palace as Gu Shu’s ruler, and in front of all the ministers, with his position as Gu Shu’s current ruler, he paid his respects to the regent prince, declaring once again that Gu Shu was Da Shun’s subordinate nation and also expressing his stance. During the period when he was ruler, Gu Shu would always be loyal to Da Shun.

  There were people who whispered amongst themselves, saying that the Gu Shu ruler was only acting this humble because he wanted to marry Princess Wuyang. After all, the two were frequently seen together these days and everyone who made an effort to get information on the movements in the court and capital would know about this. With the existence of such a thought, the actions of the Gu Shu ruler lowering himself made others feel that it was not that sincere. No one could guarantee that once he married Princess Wuyang, he would not go back on his word.

  Therefore, someone raised this doubt, Fan Tianli did not get angry, he only said with a troubled smile: “Gu Shu has witnessed the might of Da Shun’s army before, has witnessed the heavenly thunder set up by Prince Yu, and have also lost many oases under the bombing of that heavenly thunder. Gu Shu is a small nation, but also has its own small paradise, we do not wish to lose this small paradise, so we surrendered to Da Shun. The previous Monarch had said this when he was still ruling, listening and believing the slanderous words of the ex-General Bi Xiu and opposing Da Shun was the biggest mistake he had made in his many years of ruling. This Monarch does not believe that we will be able to resist Da Shun’s heavenly thunder after ascending the throne, therefore, Gu Shu submitting to Da Shun is the best choice.”


  His words were reasonable and was considered a very logical analysis, but in the court, there were still people who felt it was worded in a twisted way, so they spoke in a sarcastic tone: “What you mean is, if Da Shun did not have heavenly thunder, Gu Shu will not surrender?”


  Fan Tianli asked in return: “If Da Shun was not this strong, then on what basis will they recover the four foreign nations?”


  “You……”


  “This Monarch is only explaining a fact, any strong nation will have other subordinate foreign countries, and those foreign nations chose to depend on that nation because their own power is weaker than the other party and need to depend on the protection of the other nation to maintain their own country’s fortune to survive better in the future. Gu Shu was clearly frightened by Da Shun’s attack and the damage sustained cannot be recovered within the next one hundred years. This Monarch is representing Gu Shu in showing a humble attitude towards Da Shun, this is an attitude which should be held by the ruler of a foreign nation and is also an educated move.” He spoke very calmly, “Of course, if one day, Da Shun falls to the point that it is even weaker than Gu Shu, then Gu Shu will naturally not submit anymore. At that point, not just Gu Shu, other small nations will also choose to do this. Therefore, gentlemen, for the effort used to suspect if This Monarch is sincere, would it not be better to think properly about how to maintain and continue the development of Da Shun’s fortune and might? Whether the small nations will rebel or not, it completely depends on whether Da Shun continues to grow stronger or not.”


  The individual ministers did not want to acknowledge his words, but the Left and Right Prime Minister led the way and applauded, the Right Prime Minister also said: “Gu Shu Monarach is correct, wanting others to submit to us forever, then we need to make sure that we are always walking in front of others. What Monarch said, Da Shun has been enlightened.”


  Fan Tianli bowed quickly, “Lord, that is too much praise.”


  The formal meeting with the Gu Shu ruler was not considered happy, but it was the most basic method used for the communication between two countries. After that, at night, the Sixth Prince Xuan Tianfeng set up a banquet in the Jade Hall’s side hall, inviting the Emperor, Empress, all the princes and their princesses, King Wenxuan, his wife and Princess Wuyang Xuan Tiange to attend. This banquet was considered a family banquet and was different from a country visit. This was held to thank Fan Tianli for rendering his assistance to save the Emperor.

  With this as the purpose, the Emperor had to attend. In addition, he had heard that Fan Tianli wanted to marry Xuan Tiange and harboured some anger, planning to wreck this marriage. Therefore, he attended this family banquet with a mission, to the point that no matter how the Empress tried to advise him before, that anger still showed on his face and it did not look good.

  Currently, the Emperor can basically move around freely now, it was just that he could not walk too fast, he had no problem walking slowly.

  Since it was a family banquet, there was not many procedures to follow. At a very large table, everyone sat around it, Fan Tianli sat next to Xuan Tianfeng, and King Wenxuan’s family separated him and the Emperor, Xuan Tiange sat next to the Emperor, and the two occasionally exchanged glances, with a shy expression appearing on Xuan Tiange’s face many times. Watching this, King Wenxuan could only think emotionally in his heart: A grown up daughter truly could not be kept!

  With regards to Fan Tianli taking action to save him, the Emperor truly felt grateful. In the end, putting aside that matter with Xuan Tiange, Fan Tianli did save his life. And he did not just save him, he saved Da Shun. If not, he would have muddle-headedly passed on the throne to Old Eighth, muddle-headedly allowed Liu Shi to become Empress Dowager, then Da Shun in the future would be under that mother and son pair, it was a chilling thought.

  Using tea to replace wine, he held up his teacup and told Fan Tianli: “We heard that it was Gu Shu’s ruler who personally removed the Gu poison in Us, We are very grateful for this. At first, Gu Shu is Da Shun’s subordinate foreign nation, then became an enemy country, but unexpectedly, when We are in danger, it was Gu Shu’s ruler who came forward to help. With this kindness, We have taken it to heart and are unable to compensate it fully. Today, We will make a decision, from now onwards, within the next fifty years, Gu Shu does not need to pay yearly tributes to Da Shun, and every year, Gu Shu’s citizens will receive support from Da Shun, this is considered Our gratitude to you.”


  Fan Tianli stood up quickly and expressed his thanks after he heard this. To Gu Shu who had just experienced a war, to be exempt from yearly tributes for the next fifty years was considered divine grace. To be explained in more detail, yearly tributes was not just money, it meant that the best things in Gu Shu had to be sent to Da Shun, this included the five treasure cloths and the most precious medicinal herbs in the desert. This was still not considered much, yearly tributes meant lowering their head, and also meant annual gifting and flattery. Once Gu Shu was exempt from giving tributes, they would have position and prestige amongst the desert nations. There would be many hidden assistance rendered in their nation’s fortune, the benefits could not be measured.

  Getting up and expressing his thanks was an action from the bottom of this heart. It was just that after expressing his thanks, he did not beat around the bush anymore, he did not want to think about too many things before speaking. Therefore, without any hesitation, he spoke to the Emperor directly: “This Monarch came to Da Shun, the first reason was to save Your Majesty from danger, the second reason is because there is a presumptuous request, This Monarch hopes that Your Majesty can grant a wish of mine.”


  “Oh.” The Emperor looked up slightly at him and his face dimmed, no longer showing the sincerity when he was thanking the other party. He asked Fan Tianli, “Do you wish to marry Our only niece?”


  “Your Majesty is observant, This Monarch, has such intentions.” After saying this, he glanced at Xuan Tiange, and spoke again: “This marriage proposal, is not a political marriage between two nations, but because This Monarch harbours a deeply rooted love towards Her Highness the Princess, This Monarch hopes that Your Majesty can allow this.”


  These words almost caused Xuan Tiange and Feng Yuheng to throw up! Deeply rooted love! Fan Tianli was able to say such words?

  Feng Yuheng asked Xuan Tianming softly, “If it was you, those disgustingly mushy words, will you be able to say it out loud?”


  Xuan Tianming shook his head, “This Prince will naturally not do it, This Prince’s wife already had an engagement with This Prince since young and cannot run away.”


  “Then if there was no engagement?”


  “Then it might be possible. In order to obtain this wife, there is nothing to lose by saying a few mushy words to other people.”


  Feng Yuheng felt that her husband had changed, if it were in the past, the cool Xuan Tianming would never say such words. Just like right now, in front of other people, he would definitely not say it. But when the two were together, Xuan Tianming would put away his sinister air, put away that arrogance and do everything he could to cater to her. She thought, this was probably the unique way they interacted with just each other? Lovers being together would always act differently compared to when facing other people.

  As expected, Fan Tianli’s words successfully disgusted the Emperor, and the Emperor’s way of expressing disgust was getting angry, really angry! He slammed his hand on the table, causing the few plates of dishes in front of him to jump a bit, then said in anger: “Insolent! You helped Us with the Gu matter, and used this to threaten the marriage of the princess, what intentions do you have in your heart?”


  Fan Tianli was already prepared for this and did not lose his temper, he still spoke calmly, saying: “The intentions in my heart are a true sincere desire to marry Princess Wuyang, and this heart is unrelated to whether Your Majesty is inflicted with Gu or not. Even if such a matter did not arise, This Monarch will also come to Da Shun and present a dowry to Princess Wuyang.”


  Huffing, the Emperor glared at Fan Tianli, staring straight at the other party, trying to find an opening. However, as he stared, he felt that the young Gu Shu ruler gave off a feeling he was familiar with, that feeling came from his Ninth son, a sinister aura and unlimited stubborn arrogance, but at the same time, there was also a cold exterior and an inner passion, unlimited loyalty and steadiness.

  He suddenly felt that this should be a good child and was the same as his Ming-er. Once he married and had a wife, he would treat his wife very very well. The two would have a happy marriage life and grow old together.

  Once he thought about growing old together, sadness welled up in his heart again. These words were easily said, but to actually do it was really difficult! His whole life, he wanted to find someone he could grow old with, and he had found it with some difficulty yet he destroyed it himself. Therefore, he was truly willing to grant the love between the young people. He even thought of this before, he did not want Xuan Tiange to go through any political marriage for Da Shun’s sake, as long as she liked that person, even if it was a very normal small family, as long as the two truly loved each other, he could also give that person the greatest glory of being a son-in-law.

  He just did not expect that today, someone finally came to propose a marriage, and this person, wanted to take this most beloved niece to the faraway Gu Shu, take her into that huge desert.

  He sighed bitterly, looking at Xuan Tiange beside him, but once he saw signs of expectation and determination on that child’s eyes, he knew that he could not keep her. He opened his mouth, and asked in pain: “With Tiange going to Gu Shu, can Uncle Emperor still see you on Our deathbed?”