Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1609 The Farewell Banquet for the Xiongnu Envoy

Consort Kang frowned in confusion and then looked at the remaining Buddhist scriptures on the tray.

The more I looked, the more her brows furrowed!

What is Master Xingchen's identity?

He was a highly respected monk who commanded great respect even from His Majesty and was revered throughout the capital and the entire Great Zhou Dynasty!

His handwritten calligraphy is something many people desperately seek but cannot obtain.

Before being deposed, Lady Chu was merely a lowly concubine of humble origin. What merit did she possess to receive a Buddhist scripture personally transcribed by Master Xingchen?

And there's more than one book; judging by the thickness on this tray, there are at least three volumes!

What is the connection between them?

One was a commoner who had been deposed and banished to the cold palace.

A highly respected and virtuous Buddhist monk who was trusted by the royal family.

How could the two of them have any connection?

Countless questions flooded Consort Kang's mind.

Seeing Consort Kang's surprised and uncertain expression, Caiju asked in confusion, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with these Buddhist scriptures?"

"nothing."

Consort Kang cleared her throat and said, "I just noticed that the handwriting looks familiar, like...like the style of a certain calligrapher. Perhaps I am mistaken."

"Since it is a scripture, it would be disrespectful to the Buddha to handle it rashly. Let it stay with me for now, so that I can look through it and calm my mind when I have time."

Although Caiju felt that the Empress's reaction was somewhat unusual, she did not dare to ask any further questions and respectfully replied, "Yes."

Seeing that Consort Kang had no further instructions, she bowed and withdrew.

Only Consort Kang remained in the hall.

She stared at the three blue Buddhist scriptures on the tray, her eyes filled with complex emotions—surprise, doubt, and curiosity.

Consort Kang slowly reached out and picked up the Heart Sutra on the top page again, turning to the last page.

The text ends without a signature or date, only with a vermilion mark, which is a lotus bud about to bloom.

This is Master Xingchen's personal seal; she had seen the same mark at the end of that copy of the Diamond Sutra.

Although many years have passed, she would never mistake its unique lotus shape!

It turns out that the Chu family had a secret connection with Master Xingchen, and their relationship was quite close!

Otherwise, it would be impossible to obtain a copy of the scriptures personally copied by the other party and stamped with their private seal.

Consort Kang's heart sank to the bottom...

This matter must not be leaked in the slightest!

No matter what secrets there were, she would not allow the Chu family to tarnish Master Xingchen's reputation!

Consort Kang carefully wrapped the Buddhist scriptures in a clean silk handkerchief, got up and walked to the inside of the bedroom to the treasure cabinet, where she moved an inconspicuous celadon vase aside.

A hidden, locked compartment was revealed in the wall behind.

She took out the key, opened the vase, carefully placed the Buddhist scriptures wrapped in silk handkerchief inside, locked it again, and moved the vase back to its original place.

After doing all this, Consort Kang walked back to the warm couch, sat down, picked up the cup of tea that had long since gone cold, and drank it all in one gulp.

The cool tea calmed her down a little, clearing her mind of her chaotic thoughts.

It seems I need to find an opportunity to meet with the Chu family to find out what exactly happened.

……

February 13th, the spring breeze was still chilly.

The Xiongnu delegation from the Court of State Ceremonial had packed their belongings and were preparing to depart for their return journey north.

The terms of the marriage alliance have been finalized, and the princess's marriage ceremony has long been prepared by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court.

Luan Di Yi Tu's mission to the Great Zhou has been largely accomplished on the surface.

Before their departure, in accordance with the custom of the Celestial Empire in entertaining foreign envoys, the emperor would hold a farewell banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony and bestow generous return gifts to show his favor and good neighborliness.

This is both a ritual and a declaration—

The Great Zhou Dynasty was victorious but not arrogant, employing both kindness and severity.

The banquet was still held in a grand manner.

Dressed in elegant attire befitting her status, Shen Zhinian gracefully accompanied Nangong Xuanyu as the envoy bid farewell.

Her existence was a symbol of order in the Great Zhou imperial harem and harmony between the emperor and his consorts.

Following protocol, Nangong Xuanyu made some polite remarks, wishing for an end to hostilities between the two countries and peace on the border, and then ordered Li Changde to read out the list of rewards.

It consisted of nothing more than exquisite silk brocades, sets of gold and silver utensils, top-quality official kiln porcelain, and classics, calligraphy and paintings that showcased cultural achievements.

These things were nothing to the wealthy Zhou Dynasty, but for the relatively resource-scarce grassland tribes, they were a truly generous gift, enough to demonstrate the generosity and magnanimity of the Zhou Dynasty.

Luan Di Yi Tu led his envoys away from their seats, bowed deeply towards the throne, and expressed their gratitude with respectful words that were impeccable.

However... after more than a month of lingering, humbling themselves, and paying a huge price, they still hadn't even gotten a glimpse of the mysterious weapon.

How could the Xiongnu delegation easily swallow this insult?!

The fierce Xiongnu generals behind him wore their frustration on their faces.

As the banquet progressed into its later stages, and the atmosphere became more lively and convivial, this suppressed discontent finally found a seemingly reasonable outlet.

A deputy envoy named "Agula" was known for his straightforward, or rather, reckless, nature.

As he raised his glass to toast the officials of the Great Zhou once again, he suddenly put down his glass. Before he could speak, his eyes were already red.

Agula raised his hand and forcefully wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve. His voice choked with emotion as he spoke loudly in broken Great Zhou dialect: "...My esteemed superiors of Great Zhou!"

"Today's feast is a grand banquet, and the gifts are as abundant as mountains. The Xiongnu are deeply grateful!"

"But...but when I think of the people on the grasslands, drinking Agula's wine is bitter!"

The joyful atmosphere inside the hall suddenly froze.

Many officials put down their wine cups, their brows furrowed, and looked at the Xiongnu envoy who had suddenly launched the attack.

Agula tearfully recounted, "The Xiongnu were defeated, and the Chanyu accepted the punishment. We offered up our fattest cattle and sheep, our strongest horses, and ceded our pastures."

"We only beg Your Majesty of the Great Zhou to have mercy and give the elderly, women and children on the grasslands a way to survive, so that they can find some sparse grass roots near the border to fill their stomachs and get through the lean spring season."

At this point, he raised his head, his bloodshot eyes glaring at the generals in charge of military affairs in the northern frontier and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue, and said sternly, "But! But I heard that just a few days ago, there were still border troops of the Great Zhou wielding swords and spears outside Yanmen Pass, driving away herdsmen who were heading south in search of fodder!"

"Those were elderly people who could no longer walk, and women carrying infants! The whip lashed them, and their cries could be heard even by the Eternal Heaven!"

"May I ask you, esteemed sages, is this what the Great Zhou Sage meant by 'the benevolent are invincible'?! Is this the benevolent governance of the Celestial Empire towards its defeated people?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall was in an uproar!

Agula's accusations were extremely cunning and ruthless.

He placed the Xiongnu in the position of victims, distorting the normal patrol duties of the Great Zhou army to prevent grazing across the border into acts of atrocities against the elderly, weak, women and children, thus putting the Great Zhou in a very difficult position.

Luan Di Yi Tu had taught Agula what to say at the farewell banquet today.