The next day.
Palace of Westminster Afternoon.
It was a solemn and solemn place, guarded by layers of guards, exuding the aura of not allowing strangers to enter.
On weekdays, this place is bustling with people coming and going, and it is a place known as the Capitol. Members of the House of Lords and House of Commons are at odds with each other here, playing political tricks.
It's just that there is silence here now, because a more important meeting is unfolding in secret.
The negotiation between Angelou and Yunlou City has entered into the third day.
It is obviously an important matter for the diplomatic relations between the two countries, but at this moment, the venue was empty. No Minister of State, no Lord Chancellor, or anyone from the military was involved.
On the left side of the long table, Yunlou officials sitting in long robes surrounded the silent white-haired girl.
On the right side, apart from a few secretaries responsible for recording meeting minutes and a few necessary representatives, there were only two men presiding over the negotiations.
One of them was sitting casually on a chair, looking drunk and dazed, as if someone had just picked him up from his bed and dragged him to the venue. Not only was his white beard messy, but even one of the buttons on his sleeves was buttoned incorrectly.
Now he was sitting there, distracted, not listening to the progress of the negotiation at all, and the smell of alcohol still lingered on his body.
Just a few minutes ago, this man named Maxwell was sound asleep in this venue. Now that he can open his eyes, it is a good thing.
In fact, most people couldn't figure out why Her Majesty the Queen would entrust him with such an important matter. And his "mental patient" in a white coat...
As if he had just been released from a mental hospital, the old man was silent from the beginning and said nothing. He just stared at the princess across the table with a feverish look. His hands were trembling nervously, as if he wanted to reach out and strangle the girl to death!
Most people in Avalon are aware of the coincidence that the Royal Institution is located next door to Arkham Asylum.
What's more coincidental is that both places are rich in lunatics and lunatics. If the former goes crazy, it will burn the country's budget, while if the latter goes crazy, it will cost citizens' taxes.
In short, they are not damn good goods!
Now, when we encounter such two guys who look completely unreliable, it's lucky that the Princess of Yunlou didn't get angry.
But unfortunately, we still have to talk about what should be discussed, especially in matters like this between the two countries. It is easy to fight for every inch of land, and it is normal to have to compare every penny.
Don’t even think about taking advantage of even a copper penny!
…
"The entrance ceremony, the state guesthouse, the royal banquet hall... Since you entered the city, there have been constant attacks on the princess in the past few days. There have been six times so far."
Maxwell slapped the table, his old face full of pain, "The terrorist attack caused by Your Highness has resulted in dozens of casualties. Among them, an earl was slightly injured, two viscounts were seriously injured, and six barons were injured." I suffered severe mental trauma and am still bedridden, unable to rest day and night. These talents who could have become the pillars of the country have now become useless people who were so frightened that they crawled under the skirts of the maids and called mother. Is Yunlou City concerned about this? Don’t you have any explanation?”
"ridiculous!"
Before the girl could speak, the bureaucrat beside her sneered: "As an envoy to Angelou, isn't it the right thing for your country to ensure the safety of the envoy? Rather, if the princess is harmed in any way, If so, your country will be even more embarrassed, right?"
"Of course, it's just..."
Maxwell raised his eyebrows and chuckled: "If this is Yunlou City's own fault, then let's talk about it separately."
"I'm sorry, please make it clear what you mean."
"According to our investigation, those assassins should have some relationship with the exile regime in Yunlou City, right?"
Maxwell threw a lot of information on the table: "These days, they have sneaked into Avalon, causing trouble in the downtown area, and they are said to want to traffic people. The people in the police department are very worried. According to our investigation , their leader is an Oriental named 'Yunlou Qingxi'. He claims to be the orthodox ruler of Yunlou, and declares that he is only fighting against traitors and injustice. In this regard, what does Yunlou City want? Did you say that?"
"It's just ridiculous."
The official presiding over the negotiations snorted coldly: "There is only one ruler of Yunlou City, and that is the princess's father, His Highness Yunlou Qingshu. Where is the exile regime? I hope the Anglo royal family will not be slandered by anything. It’s better if people lie to you.”
"Really? Then there may be some misunderstandings between us."
Maxwell nodded, but his eyes turned cold, "As we all know, His Highness's father, Yunlou Qingshu, has been criticized for a long time because he is not the orthodox heir of the Yunlou family. As a monarch, the Eastern Cathay Empire The rulers of Yunlou City have also been reluctant to recognize Yunlou Qingshu's rule over Yunlou City. As a result, for a long time, there have been rebels and rebels in Yunlou City, and the remnants of evil continue... "
His eyes were filled with pain, and he shook his head and sighed: "Under such internal and external troubles, if Yunlou City still wants to get rid of the Eastern camp, win over the Western countries, and strive to become independent... Even Her Majesty the Queen will find it difficult to show support for Yunlou City. ah."
"If this is what Angelou means, why is there any need for talks?"
In the center, the girl sitting silently finally raised her eyes.
As if she finally noticed something of interest, she looked at Maxwell's appearance and spoke softly. But the soft voice miraculously covered up the chaotic sounds.
The white-haired girl said softly: "My father once taught me that there are many truths in the world, but in the final analysis, there is always the word 'choice'. Is there anything in this world where you can only get benefits and don't have to bear the consequences? Besides, even if I, the Yunlou clan, really give away the purification technology of dragon blood, would Angelou really dare to accept it?"
"real?"
Next to Maxwell, the crazy man in white robe was stunned, and then he was overjoyed: "Take it! Why not!"
Maxwell rolled his eyes and kicked him: "Newton, don't forget that you are here to listen today and are not qualified to speak. It's not time to need technical support yet."
Newton curled his lips and sat back down again.
…
"According to the conditions of Yunlou City, you use the blood purification technology of Dragon Vein in exchange for Angelou's support for the independence of Yunlou City. This is a good thing that benefits both sides. After all, Yunlou City is alone. Overseas, the affiliation with the East has long existed in name only for so many years... "
Maxwell spoke again, but this time, he spoke a fluent Eastern language, Sinian Mandarin, with a pure and fluent accent: "There is one thing I don't quite understand about this."
He paused and looked at the girl's indifferent eyebrows:
"The blood purification technology in the East is actually a by-product of the research on dragon blood, right? No, it should be said that the carrier of this technology is the blood of dragon... If you want to deliver this blood purification technology, it is almost equivalent to asking for Delivering a heavenly being with the blood of dragon veins. To put it bluntly, the only person who meets the technical requirements in Yunlou City is Her Highness the Princess. Even the blood of King Yunlou is not pure enough. Could it be that Her Highness the Princess really Are you planning to marry the eldest prince of our country, as rumored?"
"There is nothing wrong with it."
The girl said softly: "If there is a good marriage, the diplomatic relations between the two countries will naturally be more stable."
"Yeah!"
Newton became excited: "If your Highness is interested, you may wish to come to the institute often. I will definitely scan... scan that thing to welcome you!"
"...I've said it all, Newton, shut up."
Maxwell glared at him and he fell silent.
But Maxwell started to have a headache.
This princess... is not as easy to deal with as it seems. Whether it is simple pressure or roundabout probing, it seems to have no effect.
Thinking of this, he suddenly sighed.
"To be honest, I was dragged back from the fiefdom just last night. I was given the right to negotiate with you on behalf of the Anglo Kingdom. I naturally hope that the princess can marry the country. Two Fellow practitioners are forever good. But speaking personally..."
Maxwell's expression became depressed: "To be honest, although Her Royal Highness the Princess is young, she is very beautiful and can be regarded as one of the beauties I have only seen in my life. And the eldest prince of our country has been ill since he was a child. Well, well, he is still a He is mentally retarded, and he still thinks he is a sheep. He, he, he... he is really not worthy of you!"
Maxwell's expression became filled with sadness and anger, and he slammed the table: "How about... let's just forget about this?!"
Newton was anxious: "Hey! Maxwell! Which side are you on?"
"Etiquette, beauty and justice are the essence of human nature!" Maxwell said solemnly: "Since beauty equals justice, then of course I must stand on the side of justice! Besides, compared to a girl's lifelong happiness, there are What’s a big deal?!”
“…”
Newton wanted to spit out a mouthful of old blood.
But the expressions of Yunlou officials darkened.
This guy talks about devaluing the Anglo royal family as worthless, but in fact he is playing the trick of retreating into advancement. If it is true as he said, let this matter be forgotten, and Yunlou's position will become even more embarrassing.
Over the years, the Cathay Empire, which had been experiencing civil strife in the east, was about to regain its strength. Facing Yunlou City, which had always been isolated overseas and sitting on a golden mountain, the regent of the empire had already sharpened his sword.
If there is no support from the Western camp, Yunlou City may be in a worrying situation.
In the silence, the officials looked at each other in confusion. The leader of the ceremony, the official, stood up and opened his mouth to speak. However, when he saw the white-haired girl's pressed palm, he looked suffocated, but in the end he didn't say anything and sat down obediently.
Then, the silence was broken by the voice of Her Royal Highness the Princess.
"Mr. Maxwell's words are serious. Compared with the great cause of our country, my contribution is just a small thing. Besides, if this meeting ends like this, I'm afraid your royal family will also be deeply troubled, right?"
"It doesn't matter. Dongfang's blood purification technology is not unique to Yunlou. Let's go to another scourge! There are so many people in the East, it's no problem to find an ugly ghost. But... King Yunlou, I'm afraid I have to find another country. Support his great cause of splitting the land and sealing the borders for a long time."
"Sir, I'm afraid you have miscalculated. The Eastern countries have always been xenophobic. The nine surnames of Dragon Vein each go their own way and attack each other. They never even follow the emperor's orders. Angelou is thousands of miles away and wants to impress them. Chips, it’s hard.”
The girl said calmly: "What's more, apart from the Yunlou clan, which has close ties with Western countries, which family is willing to risk the disapproval of the world and use the blood of their ancestors to trade with the barbarians?"
"oh?"
Maxwell laughed: "Isn't the Yunlou family afraid of the accusations of thousands of people, the anger of their ancestors, and the retribution from the sky?"
Behind the long table, the faces of Yunlou officials suddenly changed, revealing a trace of unconcealable anger.
Indeed, it would definitely be a great shame and embarrassment if word spread about using ancestral blood to trade with barbarians. For this reason, Yunlou is also prepared to be criticized by thousands of people, but now, the first person to laugh at them is not the other "Nine Dragon Vein Surnames", but the original "allies"! How ridiculous is this
That understatement pierced their weak skin like a needle, making their faces turn red and their eyes angry.
But among those angry gazes, the girl's cold voice came.
"Everyone, calm down, Mr. Maxwell is right."
The white-haired girl admitted what Maxwell said in an understatement: "If this matter is spread, our Yunlou City will definitely be ridiculed by all countries and criticized by thousands of people. If the ancestors are angry and really impose retribution, they will only suffer it themselves. —But, so what?”
There was dead silence, and everyone stared at the girl in astonishment.
Maxwell raised his head in surprise, looking at the girl's eyes, as if he saw something, and the "kind" smile on his face gradually solidified.
As if a fire was ignited in her heart, the girl finally raised her eyes. Those indifferent eyes seemed to have the rays of the scorching sun, which made people dare not look directly.
Subconsciously, Maxwell straightened up in his chair, and the amusement in his eyes disappeared.
He said, "I don't understand what the princess is saying."
"This is what my father once told me before I went to the West. I am just paraphrasing it here."
The girl said softly, "One hundred years of life are like a fleeting moment. Dynasty is fleeting, and there is always a feeling of being treated poorly. If you want to achieve something, you cannot stick to the rules. If you have the world in mind, then you should have the intention of reform and have no taboos. . People’s words are not enough to show sympathy, ancestors are not enough to follow the law, and the changes in the sky are not enough to fear!”
…
…
After a long time, the long meeting finally ended.
Watching the girl leave amid the crowd, Maxwell was still sitting on the chair.
He was smoking a cigarette and his eyes were sleepy.
"Hey, Maxwell." Newton glanced at him and looked at his thoughtful look: "What's wrong with you?"
"It's nothing, I was just scared."
Maxwell recalled the girl's eyes and sighed softly: "'Ancestors are not worthy of the law, changes in the sky are not enough to fear, and human words are not enough to show compassion'? It is so simple to trample on the ancestors, justice and morality... How terrible is it? How can such an ambitious person take such words for granted? I’m afraid it’s going to be bad this time, I can’t handle such a person.”
"After so many years, you have managed the royal family, the Congress, the nobles, and the budget... Now you start to feel that you can't handle a little girl?"
Newton sneered: "Are you old?"
"To be honest, I'm still not sure - who am I negotiating with?"
Maxwell scratched his head: "Are those words her thoughts? Or were they meant by Yunlou Qingshu? I always feel that the person I am talking to is not herself, but a ghost with unsatisfied desires. Over the years, everyone has said, Yunlou Qingshu has a good daughter. But now I understand that that guy never treated her as a daughter. All he needed was a tool... "
He sighed: "What a shame."
"What's there to be sorry for?"
"So, you crazy people are people who don't understand the joy of life at all!"
Maxwell sighed and shook his head helplessly: "You have been staring at her all afternoon, but you have been thinking that she should be tied to your operating table like a guinea pig. Do you think there is something wrong with your brain? Newton? , She is a girl! She is only sixteen years old, right? Have you looked at her eyes carefully? Her eyes are pitch black, like black pearls, with a lonely light... So beautiful, look at her. It makes people like her. Such a good girl should live carefree in gardens and fairy tales, like a lotus. But someone made her into a tool. And for his own dominance, for three years Then she will be married to a mentally retarded person..."
"What a fucking shame."
He put out his cigarette and turned to leave.