"That Ruyi Bottle belongs to Princess Jiaoyang. Concubine Dong saved my father's life, and I have rewarded her with more than ten years of favor. I wonder how I will respond to Princess Jiaoyang's efforts?"
Murong Zheng didn't expect that Murong Kai actually came to ask for reward for Princess Jiaoyang.
"Don't worry, when Princess Jiaoyang leaves, I will give her countless gold, silver and jewelry, and I will never let her regret taking out the Ruyi Bottle."
"Father, do you think Princess Jiaoyang is in need of gold, silver and jewelry, or is it Beian who is in need?" After hearing Murong Zheng's reply, Murong Kai spoke with a hint of sarcasm.
If his father had been so eager to draw a line between his kindness to Dong, he would at least have been able to live a peaceful life over the years.
"Your Majesty's answer makes me feel a little puzzled. It is the same life of Your Majesty, but why is it that when it comes to Concubine Dong, it is expressed as thousands of thanks, but when it comes to Princess Jiaoyang, it is expressed as gold, silver and jewels."
Murong Kai's words were merciless. He knew very well that after the Queen and his mother explained what happened that year, no matter how excessive his actions were, Murong Zheng would just endure it. What's more, everything he said was the truth.
Being mercilessly mocked by his own son, Murong Zheng felt extremely depressed.
They should have been a loving father and a filial son, and their relationship should have been like that between Murong Jie and myself, but because of me, they became like strangers.
He didn't even have the proper respect when speaking to himself.
He deserves it.
"Father, I came here today not to show you that we are alienated from each other, but because Your Majesty wants to give Princess Jiaoyang too little. Deep down, I feel very unfair for her."
"There is nothing impossible between us as father and son. Besides, father likes you to be straightforward." Compared with Concubine Jin, Murong Kai's attitude was obviously much better. Even though his words conflicted with hers, he always left himself a chance. Unlike Concubine Jin, who was determined to exclude herself from his world.
"Father, please write a letter to Emperor Bei'an, saying that the Ruyi Bottle saved your life, and we in the Great Zhou have no way to repay you. We are willing to use the prince as a hostage. Whenever Bei'an asks for something, and is willing to give up the dignity of our country and the integrity of our territory, we will satisfy him immediately."
Such a promise is very heavy for any king.
But this promise is very light compared with the life of a king.
"This is also possible, but the prince who is held as a hostage..." Murong Zheng finally agreed to Murong Kai's proposal. He asked softly, but the appearance of the princes filtered through his mind.
Even though Bei'an's national strength is far inferior to that of Da Zhou, as a hostage, his situation is always awkward. He has to be good at handling relationships with other countries and put a lot of effort into it.
The first person he excluded in his mind was Murong Kai.
Because of the guilt he felt towards Concubine Jin and Murong Kai in his heart, he needed time to make up for it, so Murong Kai had to give himself a chance to make amends in front of him.
"Father, I want to share your worries." Murong Kai spoke slowly. Murong Zheng's tangled expression froze on his face. He looked at Murong Kai for a long time before breaking the silence and said in a muffled voice: "No."
"Father, my eldest brother will inherit the throne and needs your careful training. My second brother is weak. We are going to Bei'an, and the journey is thousands of miles. Aren't you worried that he won't be able to bear it? My fourth brother was spoiled by you and has a soft personality. I'm afraid he won't be able to take on the responsibility of a hostage in Bei'an. My fifth and sixth brothers are too young. Besides me, do you have any other candidates?"
"You don't have to send a hostage. I will go to court tomorrow and discuss a good solution with my ministers. Don't worry, your father will not let you leave the Great Zhou. Your father will..."
"Father, you are using Bei'an's national treasure. If you don't show some sincerity, I'm afraid there's no way to satisfy Bei'an." Murong Kai reminded softly.
Murong Zheng naturally knew that the greatest sincerity was to send his son away, which was equivalent to exchanging his son for the antidote. If Bei'an needed anything in the future, they would do their best to get their son back.
If it was before the detoxification, when the ministers were discussing how to get the Ruyi Bottle, Murong Kai's suggestion would have been excellent.
But now, his poison has been cured and the medicine in the Ruyi Bottle has been used up. Murong Zheng is wondering if he can pay less price.
If it was before, he would have sent Murong Kai out without any chance encounter, but now, he had too many mixed emotions in his heart, unwilling to bear it, unwilling to let go...
(End of this chapter)