Treasure, the Nation-Establishing Jade Seal. Through the contact with his palm, the Nation-Establishing Jade Seal gave Fan Li a feeling that was in no way inferior to the Overlord's Spear. Could this also be an existence not weaker than the Overlord's Spear?
At this moment, Fan Li couldn't be happy at all, because Princess Chang Le had already smiled into a fox eye.
That curving, smiling and cunning pair of eyes were completely at odds with her otherworldly, flawless aura!
"Oh? So it turned out to be the Nation-Establishing Jade Seal." Princess Chang Le smiled and nodded slightly.
"Duke Jin is really thoughtful, unexpectedly already refining such a treasure."
Fan Li was so ashamed his face turned red and wished he could drill into the ground!
The Nation-Establishing Jade Seal was not like the unique existence of the Overlord's Spear. In fact, the Nation-Establishing Jade Seal should be the general term for this kind of treasure!
In ancient times, the dynasties that had appeared each had a Nation-Establishing Jade Seal belonging to that dynasty's Son of Heaven. Even now, the three kingdoms of Chu, Han and Ming were no exception.
It was said that the Han Emperor Liu Xi's Nation-Establishing Jade Seal was the most ancient. And the attack power of the Great Ming Emperor Jiajing's Nation-Establishing Jade Seal seemed to be the strongest?
As for Xiang Ning's Nation-Establishing Jade Seal, Fan Li was very familiar with it. But with Xiang Ning's meager cultivation, apart from being able to frighten others while holding the Overlord's Spear, she probably still couldn't exert the true power of Great Chu's Nation-Establishing Jade Seal.
Yet now, Fan Li had 'taken out' his own Nation-Establishing Jade Seal.
"I didn't intend to rebel..."
In front of Princess Chang Le, Fan Li no longer had the face to say those words.
Princess Chang Le had originally sat upright, exuding a sense of sacred purity in her royal and noble manners and etiquette. But after she finished appreciating Fan Li's Nation-Establishing Jade Seal, she suddenly smiled brightly and tilted her body to lazily sit sideways.
Her slender little feet wrapped in white socks had originally been hidden beneath her skirt when she was kneeling.
Now they were cheekily stretched out, letting Fan Li appreciate them as they faced his direction.
"What does Duke Jin think about this princess's earlier suggestion?"
"Good... " Fan Li paused briefly. "It doesn't seem too suitable."
"Hahaha!" The princess seemed to be laughing at Fan Li's hypocrisy, as if enjoying his earlier pause. "Not suitable? Under heaven, how many people actually believe Duke Jin is a loyal minister? As they say, everyone on the streets knows Fan Li's heart."
Fan Li's head was covered in black lines. What the hell did he do wrong for 'everyone on the streets' to know him?
"The Princess jests. My loyalty and devotion towards His Majesty, heaven and earth, sun and moon can all see." Fan Li had just finished speaking when shouts could be heard from outside the waterside pavilion.
"It's raining thunderstorms!"
Damn!
He now saw that the sky outside the waterside pavilion had already become filled with dark clouds.
"Can heaven and earth, sun and moon all see?"
The princess laughed even more happily. "This princess had thought there was no light from heaven and earth, sun and moon!"
Fan Li was helpless and could only stiffly say: "In short, much thanks for the Princess's affection, but to speak of this at our first meeting, please forgive me for being unable to agree."
"Hmm, that makes sense." Princess Chang Le suddenly became serious again, as if the earlier uninhibited woman was another person altogether. She sat upright once more, exceptionally elegant and graceful in manner.
That peerless face no longer revealed any frivolous expressions, only calm indifference and a bit of imperial prestige.
"This princess's wedding with the Chu Emperor will be set for after the [Three Emperor's Meeting]. My Imperial Father will definitely support me. As for the Chu Emperor Xiang Ning's side, I'll have to trouble Duke Jin to persuade him. If our two nations cannot have a marriage alliance, my Great Han will immediately side with Great Ming!"
Fan Li's expression turned rigid. After half a day of talk, Great Han was still only willing to have a marriage alliance.
Princess Chang Le finally said, "As for bearing a child for Duke Jin, wait until I formally marry into Great Chu, then we can slowly discuss it."
Fan Li was speechless. Afterwards, he was asked to leave the waterside pavilion.
"Congratulations host, prosperity in descendants."
Outside, the busybody Wu Gang was actually saying that with some unknown intention.
Fan Li looked at her depressed. "Do you think this is a good thing?"
Because of the Life Extending Pill, Wu Gang had already made an oath to the Heavenly Dao to lifelong acknowledge Fan Li as her master.
Wu Gang's loyalty definitely wasn't a problem, unless she was willing to forever give up on her goal of ascension and attaining the Dao. As a cultivator, that was obviously impossible.
"Of course," Wu Gang used a matter of fact tone to reply.
"The host's power covers the entire Chu court. Any time, he can ascend the throne and proclaim himself Emperor. Now, Great Han's Princess Chang Le is also willing to become the host's woman. Once the host grasps the forces of both Chu and Han's nations, he can then swallow up Great Ming, afterwards unifying the realm under heaven. National ascension would just be a matter of time."
Fan Li shook his head listening: "You make it sound so easy."
Was Great Ming that easy to eliminate?
Furthermore, Fan Li felt dealing with Princess Chang Le and Great Han was like making deals with a tiger for its skin.
"Princess Chang Le is a once in a lifetime genius from the immortal realm's Pure Sound Paradise, favored daughter of heaven. Would she be willing to become my subordinate?"
Fan Li couldn't even find a proper justification. Therefore, he determined that Princess Chang Le would definitely not aid him in seizing control over Great Han.
On the contrary, he had to guard against her at all times, worrying about being schemed against by this woman. It was just that there were still some things he had to do.
The next day, morning court...
The Minister of Works reported that the Dragon God Palace construction was complete and the guardian beast Wu Gang could move in.
Among the Nine Ministers, the Minister of Hospitality who was in charge of foreign affairs stepped forward and announced that all the travel arrangements required for the [Three Emperor's Meeting] were prepared.
The location chosen for the Three Emperor's Meeting, at a neutral city on the borders of the three kingdoms, was called Lü City.
"Your Majesty, Great Ming's Emperor Jiajing has already arrived first in Lü City for this Three Emperor's Meeting."
"The Han envoys stationed in Peng City have repeatedly inquired when Your Majesty plans to set out."
"This is clearly the Han Emperor Liu Xi being unwilling to face Emperor Jiajing alone, hoping to arrive in Lü City together with Your Majesty."
After hearing the Minister finish speaking, Xiang Ning's gaze subconsciously fell onto Fan Li.
As the emperor, she naturally hoped to shake off the shadow of the powerful minister. Yet when faced with important national affairs, Xiang Ning still couldn't avoid relying on Fan Li.
"Should I advance and retreat together with Liu Xi?" She couldn't decide and could only signal Fan Li with her eyes.
Unfortunately, Fan Li's mind was completely filled with Princess Chang Le's demands at the moment. Right now, his mind was wandering and basically didn't notice Xiang Ning's intentions at all.
Xiang Ning was helpless and could only cough lightly. "Cough! Duke Jin, what do you think about this matter?"
"Huh?" Fan Li looked at her blankly, completely confused.
Only then did Xiang Ning understand that this guy had been muddling along the entire time. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and could only repeat the entire matter from the beginning again.
Fan Li thought he could resolve Princess Chang Le's matter together by relying on the Han Emperor Liu Xi.
"Your Majesty should adhere to one principle when doing anything, as the Son of Heaven."
"What principle?" Xiang Ning asked curiously.
"After completing this matter, will it be helpful for consolidating Your Majesty's power?" Fan Li said and then silently looked at Xiang Ning.
This was laying down the groundwork. If Xiang Ning accepted it, then the next words would be easy to say.
Sure enough, Xiang Ning nodded: "I understand. Then what does Duke Jin mean..."
Fan Li smiled and said: "Your subject believes that if Your Majesty wants to consolidate the imperial throne, then you need a powerful backer. And to draw in powerful support from ancient times until now, the best method has always been marriage alliances!"
Fan Li felt he was practically spelling it out for Xiang Ning that she should consider an alliance marriage with Great Han.
But these words, when heard by Xiang Ning, had completely different connotations. She suddenly blushed red!
'Could this scoundrel have actually seen through my disguise as a palace maid last time? Right in front of all the civil and military officials, he actually threatened me that if I want to continue sitting securely on this throne, then I must have a marriage alliance with a powerful backer?
But within Great Chu, apart from him, if I married anyone else, perhaps this imperial throne still wouldn't be able to remain steady. Could Fan Li be wanting to marry me!?'