"Dear sister, don’t act impulsively...! Cough cough!"
"The old fox has already arranged everything, just waiting for us to walk into his trap!"
"Sister! You must not let Father get hurt!"
"The plan now is to escape!"
"You’re skilled in martial arts, quickly take Father and escape!"
Hai Yue spoke anxiously and urgently.
Hai Tang just laughed coldly.
"Walk into a trap?"
"Hehe! Then I’ll give him a fight to the death!"
"No...!" Hai Yue urgently advised against it!
"Brother, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing, take care of your health!"
"We will be fine!"
Hai Tang cut him off.
Tucking him in a bit more, she strode out.
...
Outside the Crown Prince’s Palace.
Hai Tang stopped and observed, squinting and raising her head slightly.
The lead-colored sky pressed down with patches of dark clouds, wild winds ravaged and clouds rolled.
In front of the earth-yellow palace.
A few newly sprouted leaves on the bare trees were trembling in the cold wind, seemingly about to be swept away by the wind any moment.
This tree will never revive!
The large palace was empty, desolate in every direction.
She stood alone outside the palace for a long time.
Until huge raindrops started pounding down furiously, waking her up suddenly.
She glanced back with a complicated expression.
Then strode away, her steps firm, as if she had made an important decision.
...
The sky gradually darkened.
The long silent Prince Jin’s Mansion finally returned to a bustling hustle!
Imperial Court Officials visiting, guests filled the place, beauties in groups, music playing.
The crowd surrounded Prince Jin sitting in the magnificent hall, speaking the most flattering praises.
After several rounds of drinks, beauties filled his arms.
Amid laughter and conversation, they openly ridiculed King Western Xia and flattered Prince Jin.
With the push of wine and beauty, the atmosphere in the hall was unprecedentedly high.
"It is said that a true hero deserves the strongest wine; this cup of strong wine, I offer to the King!"
Some Western Xia Kingdom court official said respectfully.
Prince Jin quickly responded humbly.
"Hey!"
"How could you call me the King? I’m not the king of our Western Xia, don’t ever call me this again!"
"As for being a hero, our King Western Xia is the true hero, you all praise me too highly!"
His pretend humility elicited another round of flattery from the guests.
Prince Jin kept rejecting superficially.
In his heart, he couldn’t enjoy it more.
These honors ought to be his, weren’t they?!
...
The banquet continued until midnight before dispersing.
The gifts left by the flattering officials piled up the entire hall.
There were beauties, pearls, jewels, silk, and satin. There were also person-high bonsais, arms-thick Jade Ruyi, lotus-size Cat’s Eye Stones, walnut-size luminous pearls, grape-size amber beeswax, etc.
Each of these treasures was collected from various nations, each worth a fortune individually.
No matter whether these officials truly wanted to follow him.
At this moment, they indeed did not dare to betray.
Prince Jin circled the pile of gifts several times in satisfaction, looking at this, touching that.
Finally, he pulled out a golden bar from a box and admired it under the candlelight.
"Truly a great thing!"
Recruiting soldiers, storing food supplies, winning hearts, attracting Imperial Court Officials.
Which of these doesn’t require money?
Just sending a message to the Great Chu Dynasty requires a fine horse and travel expenses of over a hundred taels of silver.
So...
To start an undertaking, it absolutely cannot be done without silver.
Looking at the heaps of priceless gifts.
Prince Jin displayed a satisfied smile, as though he could already see the prosperous era of officials kneeling and shouting "Our Emperor!"
At this juncture, suddenly a servant boy rushed in to report.
"Prince, the Crown Princess Consort is here!"
Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed across Prince Jin’s eyes, then he promptly stood up.
"Quickly invite her in!"
The servant boy responded and left.
Moments later, the Crown Princess Consort, dressed in enchanting attire, swayed in like a water snake.
Seeing Prince Jin, she smiled radiantly and approached him.
"Prince, you’re finally back!"
Her voice was sweetly charming, with that exquisite face, indeed brimming with alluring charm.
Prince Jin wrapped his arm around her slender waist and spoke softly.
"Why... did you miss me?"
The Crown Princess Consort blushed, lightly pounding his chest.
"Naughty! I’m not talking to you anymore!"
Prince Jin smiled wickedly, lifted her up to sit on his lap and coaxed.
"It’s all my fault, making the beauty angry!"
The Crown Princess Consort giggled sweetly.
She buried her face in his chest, drawing circles with her fingers and sulking.
"You didn’t return for so long, not even a letter!"
"Worried me for so long! How will you compensate?"
Prince Jin thought for a moment, then whispered by her ear.
"Tonight, shall I make it up to you well?"