“Even if Great Zhou loses in three years but refuses to merge Great Zhou into our Yan, our Yan would have recovered by then! At that time, our Yan would have the ability to contend with the Great Zhou, wouldn’t we? That’s better than now when we lack grain and soldiers, and our main forces are stuck in Xiliang with no way to return!” Empress Dowager Yan’s tone was urgent.
Xiao Rongyan stared steadily at Empress Dowager Yan, whose face was flushed red from the candlelight and whose expression was anxious, and said in a low voice, “Sister-in-law, if we truly agree with Great Zhou, our Yan must keep our promise and cannot treat this merely as a delaying tactic! Both mother and brother once said… those who break faith with the world cannot gain the world! This is why I disagree with A’Li’s method.”
Hearing Murong Yan speak thus, Empress Dowager Yan became even more anxious: “But using A’Li’s method now, our Yan can still seek a thread of hope. If we don’t use A’Li’s method, A’Yan… do you have a better solution?”
Xiao Rongyan remained silent, his brow tightly furrowed. His expression already indicated he currently had no better method either.
“You see… You don’t have a better method either! Though A’Li’s method is indeed somewhat risky, it can resolve immediate concerns and has a fifty percent chance of resolving long-term worries. We must try!” Empress Dowager Yan earnestly persuaded Murong Yan, “Whether it’s A’Li… or me, or you, we all want what’s best for Yan! But right now… A’Yan, since you don’t have a better method either, this shows A’Li’s method is already the best!”
Xiao Rongyan still maintained his thoughtful appearance, putting the goose hairpin back into his sleeve and lowering his eyes in contemplation: “Sister-in-law also said A’Li’s method can resolve immediate concerns and has a fifty percent chance of resolving long-term worries. The ministers of the Great Zhou’s court and the Great Zhou emperor aren’t fools either. Will they… agree?”
Empress Dowager Yan was stunned. She truly hadn’t considered what to do if Great Zhou disagreed. Her hand unconsciously gripped her dress hem, and she opened her mouth, wanting to ask Xiao Rongyan, based on his understanding of Great Zhou Emperor Bai Qingyan, whether Bai Qingyan would agree. But the words reached her lips, and she swallowed them back.
Empress Dowager Yan herself felt it was ironic. She had disagreed with Murong Li’s method before, but now… she was worried about what to do if Bai Qingyan didn’t agree?
“But regardless, we must try. For everything else… we can think of solutions later!” Empress Dowager Yan’s voice grew heavy, “A’Li being Great Yan’s emperor is something that cannot be changed, no matter what. Since that’s the case, we, as his mother and uncle, must support his decision as emperor! Believe he can lead Yan through this!”
Xiao Rongyan looked earnestly at Empress Dowager Yan, his tone flat: “Has sister-in-law truly decided?”
Empress Dowager Yan felt suddenly guilty under Xiao Rongyan’s questioning, her palms unconsciously tightening: “A’Li is Great Yan’s emperor. We can’t let people think… that Great Yan’s emperor doesn’t keep his word!”
After a long while, Xiao Rongyan finally spoke: “Since sister-in-law and A’Li have both decided, whatever I say now, sister-in-law and A’Li probably won’t listen. Now we can only trust that Mother’s new policies can surpass Great Zhou’s new policies!”
“They certainly can!” Empress Dowager Yan had unwavering faith in Consort Ji, “But… A’Yan, the most important thing currently is how to make the Great Zhou emperor agree! If the Great Zhou emperor is unwilling, everything we say is useless.”
Empress Dowager Yan glanced at Xiao Rongyan with her peripheral vision, seeing him lower his eyes. She already had calculations in her heart, biting her lip, but not knowing whether she should speak.
“Yes, this is a difficult matter. After all, Great Zhou currently holds all the advantages…” Xiao Rongyan pointed at his forehead with his finger, looking troubled.
Seeing Xiao Rongyan like this, Empress Dowager Yan bit her lip and finally spoke: “Actually, sister-in-law has an idea, but I don’t know if A’Yan would be willing to make a trip for Yan’s sake…”
Xiao Rongyan’s body stiffened, and he turned to look at his sister-in-law: “Sister-in-law means… for me to personally make a trip to Great Zhou?”
For a moment, Xiao Rongyan couldn’t tell whether his sister-in-law was testing him or speaking genuinely, so he said, “Sister-in-law, given how things have soured between the Great Zhou emperor and me, I fear going to Great Zhou would be counterproductive.”
“But A’Yan, currently there aren’t many people I and A’Li can trust, and among them… the most resourceful and capable is only you!” Empress Dowager Yan looked at Xiao Rongyan with eager eyes, “A’Li’s brothers are useless, A’Ping is brave but lacks strategy, and my brother… is fine within Yan, but if he went to Great Zhou, his limited abilities would make him unreliable too! The only one we can use is you, A’Yan!”
“Sister-in-law, since A’Li has already sent Wang Hanbing to Great Zhou, presumably this Wang Hanbing must have some ability…”
“A’Yan, this concerns our Yan’s entire national fortune! How can we entrust it to an… an outsider!” Empress Dowager Yan appeared anxious, unable to contain herself as she stood up and faced Xiao Rongyan, “Sister-in-law knows this is difficult for you, but you left home and country at a young age and have sacrificed much for Yan. Now is also a time concerning Yan’s national fortune. Sister-in-law begs you to reluctantly… for the territory mother once wanted to protect, for the territory your brother built with his heart and blood, make a trip to Great Zhou!”
Having said this, Empress Dowager Yan bowed to Xiao Rongyan.
Xiao Rongyan hurriedly stood up and supported her: “Sister-in-law, it’s not that A’Yan refuses to go, but… A’Yan fears going would be counterproductive.”
“A’Yan, go speak some soft words to the Great Zhou emperor. Women are always soft-hearted, especially since… You have children together!” Empress Dowager Yan looked up at Xiao Rongyan pleadingly, “Just have the Great Zhou emperor consider her two children and not drive their father’s country to extinction right now. Let the two countries compete through governance without bloodshed—this would be good for both countries and reduce soldiers’ bloodshed and sacrifice, wouldn’t it? Don’t the Bai family claim to care most about soldiers’ lives?”
Xiao Rongyan’s thin lips pressed tightly together, saying nothing…
“A’Yan!” Empress Dowager Yan forcefully gripped Xiao Rongyan’s sturdy arms with both hands, “Just make this trip for Yan’s sake, please? You are Yan’s regent—only if you go would it carry enough weight for Great Zhou!”
Outside the door, Yue Shi heard this, and his hands at his sides tightened. Having his master go to the Great Zhou—wasn’t this exactly what his master wanted?
Ever since Miss Bai’s premature birth, what his master missed most were Miss Bai and the two children. He wished he could grow wings and fly to Miss Bai and the children’s side. Who would have thought that just when he was sleepy, Empress Dowager Yan came to deliver a pillow?
Yue Shi secretly rejoiced in his heart, then couldn’t help but pinch his thigh to prevent himself from showing any emotion.
Seeing Xiao Rongyan remain silent, Empress Dowager Yan’s tears rushed out in competition, and she asked loudly, “Must you… Make your sister-in-law kneel and beg you? Or must A’Li go personally?”