Should We Visit the Sick?

The messenger quickly brought the news that Princess Mingyu was ill. Upon hearing this, Su Li thought, the princess specifically named Xiao Zetian to visit her—this was nothing but an obvious ploy, as transparent as Sima Zhao's intentions.

Xiao Zetian looked troubled. Logically, since the Chu Kingdom princess was ill and specifically requested him to visit, it would be improper for him not to go.

But if he went, Su Li would definitely feel uncomfortable.

"Wife... do you think I should go or not?" Xiao Zetian asked.

Su Li snorted, feeling extremely bitter inside. She definitely didn't want her man to visit another woman, especially one who harbored ill intentions towards Xiao Zetian.

But if she forbade Xiao Zetian from going, would she seem petty? Would Princess Mingyu seize the opportunity to make a fuss, using the diplomatic relations between the two kingdoms as leverage?

After thinking it over, Su Li decided to trust Xiao Zetian. Going to see the princess once wouldn't hurt. After all, could the princess really overpower Xiao Zetian?

She certainly didn't have that ability!

"Hmm, then you go." Su Li said, though she still felt a bit sour.

"You really want me to go?" Xiao Zetian leaned closer.

"I really want you to go. For the sake of peace between the two kingdoms, to prevent war, and to keep families from being torn apart, I’ll just endure a little!" Su Li tapped his chest, "She’s not a tiger that can eat you. Besides, if she were a tiger, my heroic man would surely be a tiger slayer and wouldn’t be eaten."

Su Li’s words made Xiao Zetian’s heart blossom with joy. He hugged her and kissed her: "Your trust in me makes me very happy."

"Hmph, you mustn’t betray my trust!" Su Li made a funny face. "Trust is the sense of security we give each other. You’ve been doing well, so I trust you. But if you break my trust and do something unfaithful, I’ll never trust you again."

Xiao Zetian held her hand and said, "No, no, wife, your trust is my blessing and honor. I will cherish it in my heart and never dare to break it."

"Smooth talker!" Su Li’s irritation vanished in an instant as she pushed him a few times. "Go early while it’s still daylight, and come back early."

Xiao Zetian nodded and left the room, but instead of going out, he took a turn into another room.

"What are you doing here!?" Li Yanhao was sitting in the room drinking and playing finger-guessing games with Xiao Yun. Seeing Xiao Zetian enter, he shuddered, "If you come to our room for no reason, it’s definitely trouble!"

Xiao Zetian clicked his tongue and looked at the two, "You two are pretty relaxed in the middle of the day."

Xiao Yun quickly stood up and whispered, "Isn’t it because you told me to stick close to the heir so he wouldn’t bother the lady all the time..."

Xiao Zetian sat down and said to Li Yanhao, "Heir, there’s a very serious matter that requires your involvement."

Li Yanhao raised his eyebrows, "What is it? Tell me."

Xiao Zetian cleared his throat and began to seriously spout nonsense: "The Jin and Chu kingdoms are negotiating peace talks and a ceasefire, but an important Chu envoy related to the talks suddenly fell seriously ill in Qingmiao City. If Jin doesn’t have a significant official show concern, wouldn’t that greatly undermine the sincerity of the peace talks?"

Li Yanhao stroked his chin and said, "That’s true. The peace talks between Jin and Chu are very important. No one in Jin wants war to break out again, it would only cause suffering and waste resources. Since the Chu envoy is ill, Jin should show some care and concern."

Xiao Zetian slapped his thigh and said seriously, "Exactly, Heir, you really understand the big picture! But the local magistrate of Qingmiao City is only a fifth-rank official, too low in rank and status to properly express Jin’s regard for the Chu envoy."

"Right, fifth rank is a bit low." Li Yanhao nodded in agreement.

Xiao Zetian patted Li Yanhao’s shoulder, "Heir, as a royal relative and pillar of the state, your visit as the Heir to the Prince of Huainan will carry enough weight to make the Chu envoy feel Jin’s importance and care. So, Heir, please make the trip to visit the Chu envoy."