17 Peace Treaty
A few days went by in the blink of an eye.
After the kiss they shared on his birthday, the two didn't have the guts to look at each other in the face without blushing. Qi Xiu seemed to be somewhat avoiding He An on purpose, and the latter was also doing the same.
He An thought that it might be better if the two didn't interact again until his feelings have cleared up.
Even if He An wanted to make up an excuse and act as if the kiss wasn't full of romantic intentions, he couldn't ignore the look in Qi Xiu's eyes that hinted otherwise. His eyes were full of admiration and love that couldn't be hidden.
He An knew that Qi Xiu was pursuing him, and there was also a part of him that was bubbling with joy at the thought, but he tried to deny it.
He An: [Six, I think I've finally gone insane.]
Six: [Host, weren't you already insane? 0_0]
He An sent a piercing glare at the little system who quickly cowered away and whistled innocently.
Six: [A—Anyways! Host, you're really shameless. You were supposed to help him, not seduce him! QwQ]
Six complained, still hiding it's body as if it was afraid He An would suddenly attack it. During the time it's been with the host, it has learned of how terrible He An's personality really is! Definitely not a good temper!! Qi Xiu can't be led astray by it's host!!!
He An was currently writing when suddenly, he thought of something.
He looked at Six and asked, [What happened with Shuren and Ruo Lan?]
Six responded, [Don't worry host! ^w^ Since you gave them 100 taels of silver and even helped them find a safe village to live in, they're living life happily now~]
He An seemed satisfied by the answer and hummed. The system didn't say anymore.
It was then that Pan Fengge walked into the room and announced his presence to inform He An of Yao Xuefeng's arrival to the palace.
"Your Majesty, the south's general and his group have come for the peace treaty." Pan Fengge paused before adding, "They demand to see the person they've come to retrieve."
"Lead me to them." He An was expecting their visit today, so he stood to leave.
*
Inside the Emperor's throne room; Yao Xuefeng, Qiao Zhou and Lei Wen were sitting on the chairs provided for them, impatiently waiting for the Emperor's arrival. Several northern officials were seated around them, their judging eyes falling on the southern barbarians as if they were wild animals.
Yao Xuefeng could tell at a glance these officials were against the peace treaty and he laughed. That dog Emperor was up to no good.
"His Majesty has arrived!" A guard from outside the hall shouted and in the next moment, He An stepped inside, dragging the tail of his golden robe behind him.
"Hah?! You actually have the guts to show your face!" Lei Wen spat and was instantly greeted by several glares from the officials surrounding him. Qiao Zhou didn't attempt to stop his behavior, since she also had the same thoughts as him.
"You southern barbarians dare to insult our Emperor!" Ming Lao, one of the officials, scolded. Ever since these three first came into the room, Ming Lao has disdained them severely. Now they were fussing about their Emperor, how dare they!
"Official Lao, they're our honored guests. Our purpose today is peace, don't disrespect them." He An sat himself down on the throne and Pan Fengge stood besides him, hands on the hilt of his sword ready to protect him if necessary.
"What the hell are you playing at?" Yao Xuefeng finally couldn't keep in his anger and cursed at him.
"You dare—" Pan Fengge was about to punish him, but He An stopped him with his arm.
"If you want the item you came for, I suggest you comply without complaints." Although the smile on his face looked gentle, his sinister expression couldn't be concealed. Everyone present shivered, including those from the south.
"...Hurry up! Bring that person immediately!" Lei Wen knew he couldn't do anything, so he just grit his teeth and shouted.
"How can I know for sure you all have the intentions of peace? As long as you sign the treaty in front of me, I'll return him to you after." He An explained.
Pan Fengge looked at him in confusion. Did the north have something the south desired?
How come he wasn't aware of this?
"You shameless dog, you're trying to cheat us?! Who knows if you actually have him or not!" Yao Xuefeng exploded from anger and stood, veins popping on his forehead, but Qiao Zhou grabbed his hand and pulled him down.
"General, it's just words written on paper... once our Prince is returned to us, we can leave and pretend this peace ordeal never happened." She whispered so that only he could hear.
Yao Xuefeng calmed down after hearing his words.
Six: [Host, they're trying to cheat you now!]
He An: [En. I'm not dumb like you, I know how to take precautions.]
Six: [...]
It shouldn't have cared!
He An suddenly smiled and had Pan Fengge deliver some papers to Yao Xuefeng. After reading the contents, Yao Xuefeng's face reddened again. He would certainly die from anger at this point.
"You dare to take our lands if we don't comply with your demands?!" Yao Xuefeng almost choked He An to death right then and there.
"Of course. It's also the same for the north, if either of us breaks the treaty then it's only natural there will be punishments. Other nations have agreed to help us keep our peace, so if the north or south attacks each other, they will stop us." He An had planned this out beforehand. During his birthday banquet, he had spoken to the ambassadors from other countries and had them deliver a letter to their country monarchs.
At first the other monarchs were reluctant to agree, but he bribed them with many benefits and eventually they gave in. He An was such a witty Emperor, how could they refuse?
"I guarantee you'll see Qi Xiu after signing. While we speak and waste more time, he's outside waiting to see you. Do you wish to see him suffer more?" Behind He An's words were a threat that only Yao Xuefeng and his two subordinates caught on.
If they spent anymore time bickering, their Prince was probably in danger and being tortured. This wasn't a peace treaty, they were just being pressured into a corner!
Meanwhile, Pan Fengge and the northern officials were confused as to what Concubine Xiu had to do with this situation. Although they knew the concubine was from the south, they didn't know his origins. It seemed the concubine was an important person...
After much thinking, the three people from the south hesitantly signed.
"Let us see him now." Qiao Zhou said cold gas she watched the servants standing nearby take the papers and handed the pile to the Emperor.
He An gestured to the guard at the door and the door opened once more, this time another figure stepping in...
