While Qi Ning was thinking about it, Beitang Feng had finished his song and he returned to his seat angrily. However, the crowd naturally couldn't applaud him, so if he was mocking Beitang Feng, Dong Qi was a small country after all. It is not easy to be an enemy of the Northern Han Dynasty.
Qi Ning naturally didn't care about this, clapped his hands and said with a smile: "The second prince really has a good voice. If there is a chance in the future, I will ask the second prince to sing more songs."
Beitangfeng clenched his hands into fists, gritted his teeth, and just gave Qining a cold look.
At this moment, seeing Linghu Xu coming in from the door, still with a kind smile on his face, he cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, Jinyi Hou, it is really rude." When he returned to his seat, he looked calm and composed, as if he had never Leave the past behind.
Qi Ning knew that the sudden arrival of the two old men was definitely not for a casual look. There must be something going on, but he didn't know why the two old men were looking for Linghu Xu.
After Linghu Xu sat down, he smiled and said: "Jin Yihou, the wood matter seems to have been solved. There will be no more difficulties in the emperor's palace. I can't thank you enough."
Qi Ning smiled slightly and said nothing.
Linghu Xu sighed: "There is one more thing that I would like to trouble you with today."
Qi Ning wondered if this old man was done, but he heard Linghu Xu say: "This matter is related to Princess Tianxiang of my country."
The envoys of the two countries immediately cheered up.
The purpose of both parties coming to Dong Qi this time was to get married to Dong Qi, and the target was Princess Tianxiang. When Linghu Xu mentioned Princess Tianxiang, no one dared to take it lightly.
Qi Ning was guessing that Linghu Xu held a banquet today and even asked test questions. It must have been arranged in advance. Perhaps it was to test the status of the envoys of the two countries. In any case, tonight's banquet may have a lot to do with getting married. Relationship, immediately cheered up.
Prince Yu had already smiled and said: "Mr. Prime Minister, does the princess have any difficult questions?"
Linghu Xu clapped his hands and saw a servant coming in with a brocade plate, kneeling in the hall. Linghu Xu got up and went forward, lifting the yellow brocade covering it, and everyone saw something in front of their eyes. When the light was bright, I saw a white jade bead placed on the brocade plate. It was crystal clear. Under the light, it was as white as snow.
The people present were all officials. Having seen many treasures, they could naturally recognize it as a very precious pearl at a glance.
Linghu Xu said with a smile: "This is the Winding Path Bead, a treasure given to Princess Tianxiang by the Emperor." Making a gesture, the servant first sent the brocade plate to Prince Yu, and then to Qining. Qi Ning took a look. The quality of the pearl was naturally impeccable, but he saw a pinhole-sized hole on the side of the pearl, which was a little strange. Linghu Xu had already explained: "The Winding Path Pearl, as the name suggests, is in Within this pearl, there is a small passage that looks like hair, with nine twists and turns, which can be said to be extremely rare."
Prince Yu nodded and said: "Presumably before this pearl was made, there was this wonder in the jade. It was difficult for manpower to carve such small holes."
"That's right." Linghu Xu said: "These nine winding paths are made by nature and are not made by manpower." He smiled slightly and stroked his beard and said: "Princess Tianxiang got this treasure and liked it very much. There are beads in the winding path. To exorcise evil spirits and avoid evil, Si Tianya advised the princess that if this winding path bead could be hung above the bed, it would be a good omen for the princess." He sighed and said, "But no one can use the silk thread. Penetrating the secluded path inside the pearl, the princess was worried. How could the emperor bear it? When the truth came to light, he asked for this treasure and wanted to find a way. However, after a few days, many methods were used. , still can’t solve it.” After looking around, he said: “Your Majesty, Marquis of Jin Yi, but I don’t know if you can help the princess solve this problem?”
Qi Ning was thoughtful. Prince Yu obviously knew that this issue was related to the marriage situation, and he also began to think deeply. However, the officials present were all whispering to each other, and many people shook their heads, thinking about such a small thing, Moreover, there are nine twists and turns within it, making it absolutely impossible for a silk thread to pass through it.
Linghu Xu gently stroked his beard and slowly returned to his seat without saying anything. There was silence in the flower hall.
Prince Yu frowned and thought hard, obviously unable to think of a way for a while. Linghu Xu glanced at Qining, saw Qining's brows stretched, and asked with a smile: "Did Jin Yihou think of a way?"
Qi Ning cupped his hands and said, "Master Xiang, I don't know if it will work, but... I can give it a try."
Linghu Xu immediately said: "As long as there is a way, you can try it. This is very difficult. Jin Yihou, do you have any way?"
Qi Ning said: "Master, can you help me find an ant?"
"Ants?" Everyone looked at each other in confusion, wondering what they were doing if they were looking for ants at this time. Linghu Xu obviously didn't come back to his senses, but he still ordered people: "Look for a few ants and come here."
Qi Ning said: "Of course there is honey in the prime minister's house. Can someone bring me a small bowl of honey?"
Linghu Xu immediately sent people to get the honey. Most of the people present could not understand Qi Ning's intention. Prince Yu pondered for a moment and seemed to understand something. He sighed: "Gao Ming, Gao Ming, Jin Yihou is young and smart, and his mind is quick. He is indeed It’s admirable.”
When everyone heard what Prince Yu said, they knew that Prince Yu already understood what was going on, and looked at each other in shock.
Not long after, Honey was brought over first, but Qining had already picked up the Winding Path Bead and looked at it carefully. There was a small hole on both sides of the Winding Path Bead, which was naturally the exit and entrance, but in the middle was The winding path was not straight. He took a closer look and saw that someone had already caught a few ants.
Qi Ning dipped his fingertips into a little bit of honey, dabbed it on the edge of the hole, and asked someone to tie it to the ant with a silk thread. The ants were small, so they had to be careful. Everyone kept silent and looked at Qi Ning quietly. , Qining placed the winding bead coated with honey on the brocade plate, then picked up the ant tied by the thin thread with his fingertips, placed it in the hole at the other end, and gently guided the ant in Into the pores.
At this moment, Linghu Xu and Prince Yu couldn't help but come closer. Many officials nearby also gathered around and stared at the winding path bead.
After a while, I heard someone shouting: "Come out, come out...!" Everyone could see clearly that the ant actually came out of the honey-coated exit, with silk thread tied to its body, naturally. The silk thread was also brought out, and many people couldn't help but show joy, and some even raised their thumbs in admiration.
Beitang Feng couldn't help but stand by and watch. He saw the ant coming out with the silk thread, and heard many people praising Qi Ning. He couldn't help but whisper: "It's a small trick." But he didn't dare to speak louder, lest Qi Ning He heard it, but he also understood in his heart that it seemed simple, but if he had to come up with this method, he might not be able to do it in his lifetime.
Linghu Xu praised: "Jin Yihou is really brilliant. If he didn't have extraordinary talent, he would never have thought of it."
In fact, at first many officials of the Eastern Qi Dynasty saw that the envoy from the Chu State was so young and thought that Qi Ningzhi was sent here because of his status as a Marquis of Jinyi. But now they all know that the Chu State sent this young Marquis as an envoy. The minister’s decision to go to Dong Qi as an envoy was obviously not a random decision.
"The imperial edict has arrived!" Everyone was praising themselves when they suddenly heard a voice coming from outside. They saw only three people coming in from outside the door, two guards on the left and right. In the middle was a general secretary who came in holding the imperial edict high. Linghu Xu The officials from Dong Qi and Dong Qi all came forward one after another. Linghu Xu stepped forward and knelt on the ground. The other officials from Dong Qi also knelt down and bowed to the ground. Prince Yu and Qin Ning looked at each other. Neither of them were ministers of Dong Qi, so naturally they would not He would kneel before the imperial edict of the King of Eastern Qi, but he still came forward and bowed slightly to express respect.
Tongshiren glanced at it, then looked at Linghu Xu, and asked in a very respectful voice: "Prime Minister, are all the envoys from the Northern Han and Southern Chu countries here?"
Linghu Xu immediately said: "Eunuch Chen, Prince Yu of the Northern Han Dynasty and Jin Yihou of the Southern Chu are all here as guests."
The minister nodded with a smile, and then opened the imperial edict and said: "By the fate of heaven, the emperor has issued an edict that envoys from Han and Chu come to our Qi Dynasty to cultivate the good of the Three Kingdoms, which is also a blessing to the world. I am very pleased. I am writing this Prime Minister Ling Huxu will go to court tomorrow morning and lead the envoys from the two countries to the court. There must be no mistake. I appreciate this!"
Linghu Xu said loudly: "Old minister, I obey the order!" He took the imperial edict with both hands, and then he said goodbye and left. Linghu Xu turned around and said with a smile: "There are many political affairs in the DPRK these days. The emperor summoned us in advance."
Qin Ning was slightly relieved when he heard that he would be summoned early tomorrow morning. He was originally worried that because of King Taishan's rebellion, he would have to wait for several days to go to court to see the King of Eastern Qi, but now he felt relieved.
Prince Yu said: "Master Xiang, since the emperor of your country will summon you tomorrow, it shouldn't be too late tonight. I'll take my leave first and go back to prepare."
Linghu Xu nodded and said, "That's fine. Your Majesty, please don't be offended by the poor reception."
"Nothing to say, nothing to say." Prince Yu said with a smile: "After the pilgrimage, if the prime minister has time, we will get drunk again."
Linghu Xu laughed and said, "Your Majesty, let's make an agreement first."
Prince Yu didn't say much. He said goodbye and led Beitangfeng and others away. As soon as they left the flower hall, Gongzhaxi came forward and saluted Linghuxu with his hands together. Linghuxu said, "Master, don't do it." We are anxious, and we will do our best on this matter.”
"Thank you!" Gongzhaxi said goodbye without any nonsense.
When Qi Ning saw Prince Yu leading people away, he also stepped forward to say goodbye, but Linghu Xu said softly: "Young Master, I'll be a moment later." The other officials knew that it would be useless to stay longer, so they all stood up to leave, and Linghu Xu sent everyone off. Then he came over and said to Qining: "Little Marquis, please move forward and talk." He led the way and took Qining to a small elegant hall next to the flower hall, and asked people to serve tea again.
"Little Marquis, how is Mr. Zhuo Qingyang always doing well?" After sitting down, Linghu Xu asked straight to the point: "I heard that the Young Marquis has a close relationship with Qionglin Academy. Jinghua Book Club is here to replace Qionglin Academy. I am here as an envoy this time. I wonder if Mr. Zhuo has a letter for you to bring?"
…