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墨書 Inktalez
"How can you say it doesn't matter? What matters is whether you can unlock this Jade Ring," she said, shaking the lotus flower in her hand. Her smile was gentle, and when she noticed the crowd asking for a translation of what they meant, she lightly turned her head and warned, "I do not wish to hear any unnecessary chatter."
Luo Bing had initially wanted to add something to make everyone suspect she was a spy, but after her warning and understanding both languages, she dismissed that thought and relayed their conversation.
"Right now, we are asking you to solve the riddle, not the other way around," Yiluo retorted, nearly jumping in frustration at her arrogant tone. He held back his anger and mocked, "After suffering defeat, you still act so brazenly. Aren't you afraid we might take ruthless measures and annihilate your army?"
"In battle, there are victories and defeats; why make such a fuss? I don't understand—have you never lost a battle? If you have won every single one, why are you still stuck in that tiny piece of land?" Qing Luan questioned sternly, her gaze fierce and intimidating, exuding an air of superiority that left the crowd, including Bai Song, stunned.
Yiluo's face flushed with anger from her sharp words as he waved his hand and shouted, "Aren't you all supposed to be a great nation with abundant talent? Why can't you solve this riddle and instead send someone out to fool us?" His words were directed at the emperor; it was obvious to everyone.
"Lord Bai, can this person really solve it?" The emperor's face was also filled with anger after hearing the translation, feeling that it was all nonsense.
"I can," Qing Luan replied directly before Bai Song could speak. She smiled at the arrogant Yiluo, gently shaking the Jade Ring in her hand and coldly laughed, "To think someone would steal from me and then try to show off in front of me—how ridiculous!" With that, she relaxed her grip, and the Jade Ring fell to the ground amidst the gasps of the crowd.
With a loud crash, the once intact Jade Ring shattered into pieces, scattering across the floor with a clattering sound.
Everyone held their breath; no one expected this outcome. They were all stunned.
"You... how dare you destroy my country's National Treasure?" Yiluo exclaimed, his expression pained as he screamed in anger.
"National Treasure?" Qing Luan disdainfully kicked at the fragments on the ground and nodded mockingly. "Indeed, what a barbaric land; your National Treasure is so crude it isn't worth as much as a small string of jade beads from my Jade Pavilion!"
She spoke in a language they couldn't understand, requiring Luo Bing to translate.
"You... you dare to insult my country?" Yiluo's eyes glinted with murderous intent at her arrogant tone; he wished he could strike down the person obstructing him right there.
"Who is Li Yunluo to you?" Qing Luan suddenly asked, leaving everyone puzzled.
"You...?" Yiluo was taken aback by her question, momentarily forgetting what he wanted to say.
"When I was helping with disaster relief in Jiangnan, I saved a girl who always wanted to cling to Xuanyuan General but was thwarted by me. She stayed at Jade Pavilion for some time but disappeared when Xuanyuan General went into battle... Lord Yiluo, this Jade Ring was taught to you by her, wasn't it?" She didn't want to speak in rapid-fire language with him directly; thus, she required translation.
"You... you're talking nonsense! I don't know Li Yunluo. That Jade Ring is our National Treasure, and you broke it! I want your life!" Yiluo regained his composure and threatened sharply.
"Your Majesty," Qing Luan did not respond to Yiluo but turned to the emperor, who was sitting on the dragon throne with a relaxed expression, as if watching a play. She solemnly reported, "There is also a Jade Ring at Jade Pavilion, made from the finest Lantian Jade, worth its weight in gold. It has always been the treasure of Jade Pavilion. If Lord Yiluo claims that I broke his Jade Ring and wants to punish me, then it cannot be resolved like this—if that's the case, please send someone to Jade Pavilion to retrieve that Jade Ring and bring it to Lord Yiluo so he can teach us how to resolve this matter. As long as it's resolved, Zhu Qingluan is willing to die in apology!"
Damn it! You stole my things and still act so arrogant. If I don't take you down, I won't call myself Zhu Qingluan!
Luo Bing quickly translated, and upon hearing this, Yiluo's face turned pale, feeling guilty inside.
The emperor sensed something was amiss and nodded, saying, "Alright, someone go to Jade Pavilion to fetch the Jade Ring..."
In the court, only the sound of breathing remained.
"Lord Bai, didn't you say she was your little servant? How did she become Boss Zhu Qingluan of Chengyu Pinxuan? Isn't this treason?" Prime Minister Huang picked at the bones in the egg.
"Prime Minister Huang, if you want to accuse me of treason, you should consider the timing. Do you want people to laugh at our great nation for turning against each other?" Qing Luan felt a surge of resentment towards the old man and retorted directly.
"You..." Prime Minister Huang was left speechless by her sharp response.
"Hehe..." Bai Song chuckled softly at this point. This little one really knows how to surprise people.
Soon, the Jade Ring was brought forth. Qing Luan held it in her hand and smiled at Yiluo, saying, "This Jade Ring is made from the finest Lantian Jade; I doubt you could find another one in the palace. Lord Yiluo, remember to take good care of it. If you break it, even your small territory won't be able to compensate for it... As for your Jade Ring, its quality is too poor. At Jade Pavilion, we have plenty of fine jade; I'll gladly give you a piece as a gift!"
Her tone was gentle and polite, but her words were sharp and cutting, enough to make one spit blood.
Yiluo found himself at a loss for words; he felt awkward no matter how he responded.
"Lord Yiluo, aren't you going to respond?" Seeing him glare at her with clenched fists while ignoring the Jade Ring in her hand, she asked with a smile. "Does this mean I've solved your dilemma?"
"Hmph!" Yiluo remained silent and shot her a cold glare.
"Your Majesty," Yiluo shifted his focus back to the emperor and said, "Although the Jade Ring has been resolved, it is a fact that General Xuanyuan has lost. May I ask if Your Majesty can agree to our monarch's request?"
In the battle of Ice and Snow, that was their strong suit. Coupled with Prime Minister Huang's relentless obstruction, their warriors had no means to escape the cold; they simply could not afford to lose.
"Why agree to this?" Qing Luan interjected again, as the emperor sat with his eyes closed, feigning sleep, truly appearing to be listening to a performance. She felt compelled to speak up.
"What do you understand?" Prime Minister Huang snapped back at her disruption, his anger palpable. "If we don't cede the cities, this war will continue, and it will be our soldiers who die."
"Why not distribute cotton clothing and other warm items?" Qing Luan retorted without hesitation, now directly challenging the old man.
"The court is in a difficult position. There have been floods in the south, and because General Bu won against the pirates, rewards were given to the soldiers, so..." An elderly official nearby could no longer hold back and kindly explained.
"Are we just supposed to wait for our hundred thousand troops to freeze to death?" Qing Luan's tone was quite rude.
"General Xuanyuan is an undefeated general..." Prime Minister Huang attempted to say more but was coldly interrupted by Qing Luan's mocking laughter.
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