“What kind of people are they?” Yang Houcheng asked, craning his neck.

“Zhang Hongshan, Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, wandering around with people from Xijiang.” Chi Can said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Yang Houcheng wrinkled his brow in disgust.

People of Great Liang deeply despised the southern Japanese pirates and northern barbarians, and had equally poor feelings toward the seemingly neutral Xijiang.

Historically, Xijiang had frequently been a fence-sitters.

What made it even more unpleasant was that, unlike the southern pirates and northern barbarians, Xijiang’s cultural heritage came from the Great Liang, and the two countries had many similarities. When Great Liang was strong, Xijiang would bow and submit like grandsons, but once Great Liang’s national power weakened, they would immediately kick Great Liang while it was down and even claim that all of Great Liang’s historical figures and famous sites were originally theirs.

“The old Xijiang King only died at the end of last year, and the new Xijiang King just ascended the throne. This year’s tribute hasn’t even arrived – why are they running to our Great Liang in February?” Yang Houcheng muttered.

Chi Can smiled: “Precisely because he just ascended the throne. During New Year’s, he couldn’t spare attention for Great Liang, so now he’s sending people to test Great Liang’s attitude.”

“How so?”

Chi Can sat back down. Perhaps because his maternal family was imperial, he had a natural aversion to these foreign peoples: “The new Xijiang King is in his prime, and having finally grasped power in Xijiang, seeing that Great Liang is currently beset by internal and external troubles, how could he not want to stick his hand in? Mark my words, those Xijiang envoys came to cause trouble this time.”

Zhu Yàn set down his wine cup, his smile diminishing slightly: “I heard that among the Xijiang envoys this time, the two highest-ranking are the new Xijiang King’s full brother, a prince, and their princess.”

Chi Can raised his chin: “That’s right, they’re all downstairs now.”

Zhu Yàn couldn’t help but look at Shao Mingyuan: “Tingquan, then should we—”

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments bringing Xijiang envoys here might well involve foreign guest affairs.

Shao Mingyuan rotated his wine cup and stood up: “Let’s go take a look.”

Several people walked down the stairs, just in time to hear Minister Zhang berating his subordinates: “We are officials of Great Liang, representing the court’s dignity. What propriety is there in your shouting and clamoring like this? Those who don’t know might think we’re some family’s wastrel sons—”

A snort of laughter came through, and Minister Zhang immediately looked around, asking: “Who?”

Chi Can was first to come down, saying with a smile: “Minister Zhang, rest assured, others definitely won’t mistake you for a wastrel son.”

Minister Zhang had just begun to smile when the stunningly handsome man before him added: “After all, where would you find such an old wastrel son?”

“Cough, cough.” Yang Houcheng, following behind Chi Can, quickly lowered his head and coughed to hide his laughter.

Minister Zhang’s expression, which was about to change, was forcibly suppressed after recognizing Chi Can’s identity. He laughed awkwardly: “So it’s Young Master Chi.”

He looked back and curved his lips in greeting: “Young Master Yang, Young Master Zhu…”

When he saw Shao Mingyuan walking at the rear, he instinctively tensed up, his relaxed attitude becoming cautious as he cupped his hands: “This official greets Your Lordship.”

In this capital, a randomly falling roof tile could hit a fifth-rank official. He, a mere Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, really wasn’t much, but because he was receiving foreign guests, he naturally had some special status.

“Won’t Minister Zhang introduce us?” A handsome young man standing beside Minister Zhang asked in fluent Great Liang official speech.

Minister Zhang politely introduced: “This is our Great Liang’s Marquis Guanjun, this is Young Master Zhu of Marquis Jing’an’s residence, Young Master Yang of Marquis Liuxing’s residence, and Young Master Chi of Eldest Princess Changrong’s residence.”

After introducing his side, Minister Zhang introduced the young man beside him: “This is Prince Gong from Xijiang.”

Prince Gong performed a greeting ritual specific to Xijiang toward Shao Mingyuan and the others.

Minister Zhang then introduced the young woman standing close to the young man: “This is the Princess of Xijiang.”

The Princess of Xijiang appeared more petite than most Great Liang women, with slender eyebrows and delicate eyes, fair skin, and quite a charming quality when her gaze wandered.

She seemed attracted by Chi Can’s extraordinary handsomeness, giving him an extra glance before looking at Shao Mingyuan and smiling gracefully: “I’ve long heard my royal brother mention the great name of your country’s Marquis Guanjun.”

Shao Mingyuan nodded reservedly.

After years in the Northern Territories, he had long developed the habit of being stern-faced when dealing with unfamiliar women.

Those rescued women were emotionally panicked and most easily developed dependency on the men who saved them. If he were gentle and courteous, who knew how much trouble it would cause?

“Is Minister Zhang bringing the Prince and Princess here to drink?” Chi Can asked.

What was with this Princess of Xijiang? Looking at him was fine – after all, he was good-looking and many people stared at him – but why was she trying to talk to Tingquan?

Minister Zhang smiled in reply: “The Prince wanted to taste our capital’s specialty wines, so I recommended Chunfeng Tavern’s ‘Intoxicated by Spring Breeze.'”

Chi Can nodded: “Good taste.”

“Hehe.” Minister Zhang laughed dryly.

This Young Master Chi was famously unpredictable, and when his temper flared, he gave face to no one. He didn’t want to lose face by saying something wrong, so maintaining a smile was most reliable.

The Princess of Xijiang noticed Minister Zhang’s unusual attitude toward Chi Can, obviously somewhat wary, and couldn’t help but look at him curiously again.

“The private room Minister Zhang wanted, we were just using.” Shao Mingyuan spoke indifferently.

Minister Zhang was startled and said shamefacedly: “This official didn’t know Your Lordship and the young masters were inside.”

Prince Gong quietly frowned and concealed his displeasure.

These dazzling marquis residence young masters were one thing, but before Marquis Guanjun, he did not need to say much.

The famous Marquis Guanjun was renowned not only in Great Liang and Northern Qi, but his name thundered through their Xijiang as well.

Such a young, ever-victorious general was truly frightening. If someday Great Liang’s emperor became confused and had him killed, that would be wonderful. Otherwise, as long as such a person existed for one day, their Xijiang would have to think twice.

What? This was daydreaming?

A flash of contempt passed through Prince Gong’s eyes.

Father King had once told him and his royal brother that over twenty years ago, Great Liang had such an ever-victorious general, whose final fate was having his entire family executed by Great Liang’s emperor, not even sparing small children.

When that general died, it gave Northern Qi over ten years of good times, until the current Marquis Guanjun appeared like a brilliant star.

And their Xijiang had also gained considerable benefits during those ten-plus years.

Xijiang was located northwest of Great Liang, neighboring both Great Liang and Northern Qi. Due to barren land and scarce resources, the Northern Qi people didn’t even bother plundering them, while the Great Liang had always maintained a sense of superiority before them.

The situation they most hoped to see was Great Liang and Northern Qi having comparable national strength, giving them, caught in between, development opportunities.

“No matter. We’ve finished eating. Once the tavern staff cleans up, Minister Zhang can properly entertain the Prince and Princess.” After speaking, Shao Mingyuan returned upstairs to bring Qiao Zhao out.

Prince Gong and the Princess of Xijiang hadn’t expected there to be a woman upstairs and both looked toward Qiao Zhao.

“Oh?” A flash of surprise passed through the Princess of Xijiang’s eyes.