The creaky wooden door was opened by Xiao Chuo. She took out a handkerchief to cover her hair and walked into the door.
Xiao Siwen, who was sitting on the futon next to the coffee table, immediately stood up and looked at her with wide eyes.
Dad Xiao Chuo called out in Khitan, with a complicated expression on his face, almost crying, "They forced me to dance on the stage, and I didn't do my hair like this voluntarily." I miss home all the time in Xu State.
"Father understands, understands." Xiao Siwen said with a melancholy look on his face, and stepped forward to hold Xiao Chuo's arm. "I don't have time to tell you that. Sit down. Father has something to tell you."
Xiao Chuo seemed to have guessed something and asked: What can a daughter do for her father
Xiao Siwen looked her up and down and asked in a low voice: How does Guo Shao treat you
He didn't make things difficult for me, Aunt Bai and Sister Lu took good care of me, Xiao Chuo said.
Xiao Siwen frowned and said: "Father is not talking about this. Did Guo Shao ever ask you to sleep with him?"
Xiao Chuo immediately shook her head and continued: "But Emperor Xu is kind to me. I will go and ask him to let my father go."
It's too late. Xiao Siwen immediately shook his head and said, it's too late to do anything now. Father doesn't want him to let go, but he looks very embarrassed to say it. Father wants to stay in Xu State with Yanyan.
Xiao Chuo stood there in a daze, unable to come back to her senses for a moment.
Xiao Siwen said in a deep voice: If my father returns to China, he will die. The only way is to stay in Tokyo and be protected by Emperor Xu, and there is still a glimmer of hope.
"Dad wants to surrender to the State of Xu," said Xiao Chuo.
Xiao Siwen's face flushed, and his eyes were bloodshot. Yanyan, no matter where you are, your parents are your only support. You can't watch your father die.
After hearing this, Xiao Chuo hurriedly said: My daughter will go and ask the Emperor of Xu right away.
The eunuch Wang Zhong walked to the pavilion by the lake and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, Xiao Chuo is asking to see you outside the Moon Cave Gate, and she will not leave without my notification."
At this time, Fu Jinzhan had gone back to tidy up her appearance, and Guo Shao stayed by the lake to enjoy the scenery and rest. He casually asked Wang Zhong: "Why do you want to see me?"
Wang Zhong bowed and said: Your Majesty, since Xiao Chuo didn’t say anything, I don’t know.
She must be here for her father. Guo Shao stood up and pondered, "How can I help Xiao Siwen now?" Is Xiao Siwen going to admit defeat and surrender
Guo Shao turned around and said: Bring Xiao Chuo here to see me.
Soon, Wang Zhong brought Xiao Chuo in, bowed and left. Xiao Chuo looked at Guo Shao eagerly, squatting down and calling out, "Your Majesty,
Guo Shao's tone became gentle, and he said sincerely, "I apologize to you for what happened at the banquet. No matter what grudges Xiao Siwen has with me, I shouldn't blame innocent people."
Xiao Chuo thought about it and thought, Madam Zhou was also present, and since she could dance, it wouldn't be too much for me to dance for everyone.
Guo Shao said this not out of noble love, but simply because Xiao Chuo was a beauty. Her skin was fair and tight, and although her body had not yet fully grown and her face was a bit childish, Guo Shao thought she was a beautiful girl, like a bud about to bloom, exuding a fragrance.
He looked at Xiao Chuo's body with careful eyes, not hiding his thoughts at all.
Since ancient times, there has never been a lack of beauties in places where power and wealth are concentrated. Guo Shao did not have much desire at this time, but he still maintained a heart of sympathy for women. It was like a person who had come out of hunger and starvation, even if he had delicious food every day, he would still feel sorry when he saw food being thrown away.
Guo Shao hesitated for a moment, looked at Xiao Chuo and asked directly: What do you want
Xiao Chuo was silent for a moment and said: My father wants to stay in Tokyo, please show mercy, Your Majesty.
Oh, Guo Shao suddenly realized that just as he had guessed, Xiao Siwen could not give him any surprising surprises.
Guo Shaodao: Yanyan, I can't do that.
Why did Xiao Chuo look pleading, her face flushed, and her eyes still looked at Guo Shao boldly without avoiding, as long as Your Majesty agreed to this matter, Yan Yan was willing to agree to any request of Your Majesty
Guo Shao could easily guess what a teenage girl could be exchanged for with his toes. He could even be more uninhibited at this time. All kinds of obscene things emerged in his mind. He even imagined the pure and immature girl in front of him doing all kinds of things that were inconsistent with her appearance.
Guo Shao did not take his eyes away from her, but his hand subconsciously picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of tea, and moistened his hot lips and tongue.
He soon realized that Jinzhan was in the same courtyard, and his thoughts were a little confused. He thought of his vows, and never felt that the idea in front of him was right. It was just a sincere feeling, and he could not completely suppress those instinctive desires when facing temptation.
Yanyan. Guo Shao's voice was very soft. Even if I am the emperor, I cannot influence state affairs based on my personal preferences.
He didn't have to explain the ins and outs to a teenage girl.
Xiao Chuo looked disappointed and asked: "Can Your Majesty still see my father?"
Guo Shao took a deep breath, exhaled, and said: This request is not difficult for me, it is OK. When you go out and see any eunuch, tell them that it is my intention.
After hearing this, Xiao Chuo knelt down and took her leave.
Guo Shao did not move and waited in the waterside pavilion. As expected, he heard the sound of the door opening soon after he waited. Guo Shao withdrew his gaze from the lake and turned around to see Xiao Siwen and the eunuch Wang Zhong standing at the door. Guo Shao waved his hand and Wang Zhong left the room.
Guo Shao remained calm and watched Xiao Siwen close the wooden door with his backhand.
Suddenly, Xiao Siwen fell to his knees in front of him. He regretted his past actions and begged the Emperor to spare his life.
Xiao Siwen's straightforwardness was totally unexpected to Guo Shao, because in Guo Shao's impression, Xiao Siwen was a person who cared a lot about his dignity.
Looking at his opponent's red face of shame, as if he was enduring great pain, Guo Shao suddenly felt a breath of relief in his chest. He remained silent for a long time, as if he was savoring the complete victory at this moment, at least the victory over a specific person.
Envoy Xiao, how can I let you live? Guo Shao said slowly.
Xiao Siwen said: In the past, many Khitans surrendered to the Central Plains dynasty. I regret that I have opposed Your Majesty. Now I am convinced of my defeat and have nowhere else to go. I beg Your Majesty to put aside the past grudges and keep me here to serve you.
Guo Shao stood upright in front of the window, looking down at the person kneeling at his feet, and said expressionlessly: "Envoy Xiao is an envoy of the Liao Kingdom, and he signed an alliance with our country. If you betray the Liao Kingdom now and stay in Tokyo to become a minister of Daxu, then the contract is no different from the left hand signing a contract with the right hand."
Xiao Siwen raised his head and said with a complicated expression: Your Majesty, this move is not designed to make the guilty minister take the blame, is it really for the two countries to negotiate peace
Guo Shao sighed: "Envoy Xiao, you think too highly of yourself." He paused and then spoke clearly, "Peace with the Liao Kingdom is in the interests of our dynasty; the alliance is first and foremost a national strategy, and by the way, he responded to Envoy Xiao's previous despicable behavior. Even if we don't consider these, once Envoy Xiao defected, he would no longer be the King of the Northern Court of the Liao Kingdom. What's the point of keeping you here?"
Xiao Siwen was so humiliated that his teeth were almost bleeding. His chest was heaving and his hands were clenched into fists. Guo Shao just watched coldly. The room was silent for a while. Xiao Siwen whispered: Your Majesty, please show mercy to the guilty minister. Yanyan will at least not blame Your Majesty.
Guo Shao smiled but said nothing.
Xiao Siwen's face had turned as pale as a pig's liver. He added, "If you let me go, I won't die immediately. I still have connections in the Liao Dynasty. Your Majesty is not afraid that I will try to destroy the alliance."
Guo Shao thought for a while, then said: This morning, I told Envoy Xiao that I am looking forward to your response. Envoy Xiao, why don't you go back and let me wait and see. If there are any more ups and downs of the prodigal son, it must be very interesting.
Xiao Siwen raised his head when he heard this, his expression was as complex as the changing clouds. He stood up suddenly, but Guo Shao still stood there motionless, looking at him with interest.
Xiao Siwen stood for a moment, put his hand on his chest and bowed, saying: The envoy of the Liao Dynasty takes his leave.
Guo Shao waved his hand and said: No need to be polite, please show up.
When Xiao Siwen returned to the ceremonial hall, he saw the remaining two deputy envoys packing their luggage, preparing to leave Chanzhou the next day.
When a deputy envoy saw Xiao Siwen, he showed no respect at all, looked at him coldly, and snorted. Xiao Siwen's hands and feet were cold, and he no longer cared about the deputy envoy's attitude.
At this time, Yang Gun stepped forward to greet them and said that the king and his ministers of Xu State had no sincerity and were just designing to humiliate the envoys of Liao.
The deputy envoy just now couldn't help but say: Deputy Envoy Yang, he is already a criminal of the Liao Dynasty, don't you understand
Yang Gun said: What evidence do you have for humiliating Lord Xiao at the banquet
The deputy envoy said coldly: It won't be long before the news spreads, what evidence do we need
When Xiao Siwen heard this, he couldn't help but say in a grateful tone: I didn't expect that in the end, General Yang is the only confidant.
Yang Gun sighed and said: "Mr. Xiao saved my life, and I will never forget it. Besides, I have known Mr. Xiao for so long, don't I understand his loyalty?"
The inn fell silent. Yang Gun and the other two deputy envoys stopped talking, and Xiao Siwen was speechless. This ancient building seemed to have fallen into a dead silence.
Before Xiao Siwen learned that he was forced to go on a diplomatic mission to the State of Xu, he knew that his situation was very bad. He was filled with all kinds of fear and despair and felt very panicked. However, the real date of his death was foreseeable, so he became a little numb.
He did not have any strong feelings at this moment. He just didn't know where he was. It was as if he saw a bottomless abyss in front of him. It was so dark without a trace of light, as if it was a long night that would never dawn.
This is probably what true despair is like. It’s not about struggling desperately out of fear, but about holding your breath and waiting for the knife to come. All your thoughts and attention are on that knife.