Chapter 1324: Busy Treating

Editor: Henyee Translations

When it came to hosting foreign diplomatic missions, it was only fitting for the Crown Prince to take charge, a duty that also reaffirmed his stable status as the Crown Prince.

Declining this responsibility was not an option for the Crown Prince. Even if the Emperor harbored dislike for him, he would have seized this opportunity.

Given the circumstances, there was no ideal solution. The only course of action was to make every effort to excel in this role and remain vigilant against the Third Prince’s schemes.

Finally, on September 11th, Prince Nuo Nuo of Qingdi arrived in the capital with nearly 300 individuals in tow.

The Crown Prince instructed the Third Prince to lead officials from the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Revenue, Honglu Monastery, and the East Palace to go outside the city to welcome Prince Nuo Nuo and his entourage.

The Crown Prince himself, attired in full court regalia, assembled the two princes and a retinue of civil and military officials to establish a ceremonial guard within the intermediate court, awaiting their arrival.

As the Crown Prince, it was not deemed necessary for him to personally greet the Prince of Qingdi outside the city.

As for the Qi Xuan Emperor, he held little interest in Prince Nuo Nuo. With the Crown Prince acting as the host, all that mattered was that he didn’t compromise the nation’s dignity. His primary focus remained on cultivating his body and mind, refining elixirs, and seeking immortality.

On that day, a grand banquet took place in the palace, with the Crown Prince hosting Prince Nuo Nuo. Shao Yunduan also attended the event, returning home late that night.

Upon entering the room, Qiao Xuan was already awake. She mumbled a few words in her drowsiness, and upon seeing him get into bed, she snuggled into his arms and fell back asleep.

Shao Yunduan chuckled, placing kisses on her cheeks and forehead. He felt content and soon drifted off to sleep himself.

The following morning, Qiao Xuan awoke to find Shao Yunduan had already left.

She smiled and shook her head. Lately, the entire capital was abuzz with discussions about Prince Nuo Nuo’s visit to pay his respects.

Previously, Qingdi and Xi Fan had been locked in a fierce conflict, with the towns along the northern border of the Great Qin Empire feeling the brunt of the hostilities. The three factions even engaged in several battles.

However, Qingdi later extended a hand of goodwill to the Great Qin Empire. With their support, they effectively defeated Xi Fan, pushing them even farther away. This led to a significant increase in Qingdi’s strength and territorial expansion.

Initially, Qingdi was deeply appreciative of the Great Qin Empire’s assistance and fostered a strong rapport with them. Yet, over time, Qingdi’s arrogance resurfaced, resulting in provocations against the Great Qin Empire and the looming threat of renewed conflict. Only when Old King of Qingdi’s health deteriorated, and the younger princes proved to be formidable counterparts to the Great Qin Empire, did both sides inexplicably reach a state of reconciliation and peace.

However, for the past decade, Qingdi had not sent a diplomatic mission to the Great Qin Empire. Now that a delegation had finally arrived, purportedly to pay respects to the Great Qin Emperor and offer tribute, the sense of pride within the Great Qin Empire was palpable, particularly among the capital’s residents. This pride ran deep in their veins, leading to an increase in discussions on this matter.

Given these circumstances, the Crown Prince and his entourage, responsible for hosting Qingdi and their delegation, could ill-afford any errors. Failure to meet public expectations would not only disappoint the commoners but also risk accusations of the Crown Prince neglecting the nation’s dignity, an attribute that a ruler must maintain without reproach.

In the Eastern Palace, everyone, including the Crown Prince’s faction, was on high alert and exceedingly cautious, fearing any misstep. Their lives were far from easy, and the pressure weighed heavily upon them.

Even Qiao Xuan, normally active and outgoing, had recently adopted a low profile. She seldom ventured outside, even refraining from grocery shopping. Instead, she delegated these tasks to Lixia and others, preferring to maintain a discreet presence.

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