The Prince Hulu Qimu gestured for his attendants to open the wooden box, revealing a telescope inside.

“What is this?”

The Emperor asked curiously.

“Your Majesty, this is called a telescope. It allows you to see objects several feet away,” Prince Hulu Qimu explained proudly, though inwardly, he looked down on them.

Their country had plenty of such things, but only a backwater nation like Xia would treat it as a treasure!

“How marvelous! Quickly, bring it here for me to see!”

The emperor’s curiosity was piqued, and he signaled for it to be presented to him.

The chief eunuch by his side stepped forward, took the telescope, and handed it to the emperor.

The emperor examined it, about to ask how to use it, when a strange voice echoed in his mind:

[What’s so special about a telescope? Look how smug that prince from Sauna Country is! A telescope is just two opposite-facing mirrors or glass pieces inside a tube, using the principles of light to see distant objects!]

[Your Majesty, don’t show any ignorance, or Xia will be mocked! That arrogant prince is just waiting for you to embarrass yourself!]

Lin Yuxin watched the emperor’s movements with concern.

The emperor’s hand paused.

When had he ever shown ignorance?

Nonsense!

Without any change in expression, he set the telescope down and said indifferently, “Hmm, very good. I like it. Thank you, Prince Qimu. Please, take a seat.”

Prince Hulu Qimu was stunned.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go! He had prepared an entire speech to mock Xia’s ignorance!

Now, he felt frustrated, like throwing a punch into cotton—completely ineffective.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Despite his unwillingness, Prince Hulu Qimu thanked the emperor and took his seat.

Just then, the eunuch’s voice rang out again:

“Fifth Prince of Zhao Kingdom, Qiu Jinhuai, requests an audience!”

A young man in a blue robe entered. He had delicate features, an air of refinement, and an outstanding temperament.

“Fifth Prince of Zhao, Qiu Jinhuai, greets the Emperor of Xia.”

He performed the customary Zhao Kingdom bow.

“Rise, Fifth Prince. It must have been a tiring journey,” the emperor responded politely.

[Why does it feel like the emperor is just going through the motions? He says the same thing to every envoy!]

The emperor’s lips twitched.

If he found out who was speaking in his head, he would have their mouth sewn shut!

The empress, on the other hand, covered her mouth and smiled.

This unseen commentator was quite amusing.

“It was no trouble, Your Majesty. This is a state gift from Zhao to Xia,” Qiu Jinhuai said humbly and motioned for the attendants to present the gift.

A large platter, covered with a cloth, was brought forward. With a flourish, the cloth was pulled away, revealing a massive piece of blood coral—breathtakingly beautiful and imposing.

“Wonderful! I am most pleased. Fifth Prince, you have been most thoughtful.”

The emperor’s earlier frustration disappeared.

Finally, a gift he genuinely liked! But his joy was short-lived as the voice echoed in his mind again:

[“Your Majesty is too easily pleased. Have you considered the possibility of a trap? That blood coral is indeed large, but there’s no way such a massive piece exists naturally. Half of it is fake, and there’s a small amount of poison inside. If left in a room for long enough, it will ensure your early departure from this world!”]

Lin Yuxin stroked her chin, her eyes gleaming as she stared at the blood coral.

She was actually more interested… in the poison inside!

The emperor’s face turned pale.

His eyes quickly darted away from the coral.

But he couldn’t get angry—there was no proof.

What was he supposed to say?

That he had heard a mysterious voice?

So, he had no choice but to suppress his emotions.

Looking at the blood coral, he no longer felt happy at all.

Was there no normal gift today?

“Fifth Prince, please take a seat.”

His tone was now indifferent, in stark contrast to his earlier enthusiasm.

Qiu Jinhuai was puzzled.

What had just happened?

The emperor had been pleased moments ago! Why had his attitude suddenly changed?

Still, he couldn’t figure it out.

He took his seat beside the Snoring Prince, exchanging polite greetings.

Then, the eunuch’s voice rang out once more:

“Third Prince of Qi Kingdom, Qu Shubai, and County Princess Chenfu, Jun Chenxi, request an audience!”

[Here we go! The main event of the day!]

The emperor was confused. What main event?

Unlike him, those who could hear the mysterious voice knew exactly what was about to unfold. They eagerly awaited the outcome.

“Third Prince of Qi, Qu Shubai, greets the Emperor of Xia.”

“County Princess Chenfu, Jun Chenxi, greets the Emperor of Xia.”

The two stepped forward and performed their greetings.

The etiquette of Qi Kingdom was similar to Xia’s, so nothing seemed out of place.

Lin Yuxin finally got a clear look at County Princess Chenfu.

She was as graceful as an orchid, her enchanting eyes full of emotion. Her beauty was like the lingering scent of a delicate flower—truly a rare sight.

After her formal greeting, she fixed her gaze on Li Xiaocheng, her eyes practically dripping with longing.

[As expected, County Princess Chenfu came here for Li Xiaocheng. Just look at those eyes! Tsk tsk, what a troublesome admirer. But she doesn’t seem like the type to be an assassin…]

The Emperor stiffened. An assassin? What does that mean? Can’t this voice explain things properly?!

His gaze shifted to the Qi royals standing before him, and his enthusiasm quickly faded.

Still, he maintained his formal decorum.

“Third Prince, your journey must have been arduous.”

“It was no trouble, Your Majesty. This is Qi Kingdom’s gift to Xia. We hope Your Majesty will find it to your liking,” Qu Shubai said, motioning to his attendants.

A massive iron cage was wheeled in, containing a tiger.

As soon as the cloth covering the cage was removed, the tiger, seeing daylight, immediately grew agitated.

It stood up, roaring and slamming against the bars.

“Roarrr!”

The beast let out a furious cry, thrashing wildly.

“What is the meaning of this?”

The emperor’s gaze sharpened, his expression turning cold.

But Qu Shubai remained unfazed, smiling lightly.

“This is a South China Tiger, a national treasure of Qi. We have brought the most docile one. My father has decreed that if Xia can tame this tiger, he will grant the hand of County Princess Chenfu in marriage and cede five cities to Xia.”

[Whoa! That’s a deadly reward. Clearly, Princess Chenfu expected to stay in Xia permanently, but five cities? That seems suspicious. Could this be a trap?]

[If Xia tames the tiger, they have to accept the five cities and the hidden dangers that come with them. If they fail, rumors of Xia’s inferiority will spread across the four kingdoms. This is a ruthless scheme!]

Lin Yuxin looked at the Qi royals with admiration.

Even as Qu Shubai mentioned marriage, Princess Chenfu’s eyes never left Li Xiaocheng.

The emperor’s gaze flickered.

He was tempted by the five cities, but after hearing the mysterious voice, he quickly sobered up.

No nation would just hand over five cities without a hidden agenda.

Even if Princess Chenfu held a high status, she wasn’t royal—this was highly suspicious!

Yet, whether it was a trap or not, they had no choice but to play along.

Qi Kingdom was truly cunning!