Ashina Suwu wanted a ceasefire, and he would surely achieve that goal before leaving the capital. If the best strategy failed, he wouldn't mind resorting to the worst.
If even a corner of these letters fell into hands outside Prince An Manor, not only Xiao Jue himself, but likely even Prince An Manor and the Leng family would suffer a major downfall alongside him, not to mention Leng Yan, who had already formally married him...
In his current state, death would be far easier than living, but the thought of implicating these people...
Xiao Jue pressed his pale lips together, bowed his head, and cupped his hands. "Seventh Uncle..."
As soon as Xiao Jue's humble tone began, Xiao Jin Yu raised a hand to cut off his following words, calmly fixing his gaze on Ashina Suwu. "I will submit the peace negotiations on your behalf. Please await good news, Great Khan."
"Then I'll trouble Prince An with this." Ashina Suwu rose with a smile and strolled over. "I have another important matter to discuss with the Imperial Concubine during this visit."
Chu Chu was still staring dazedly at Xiao Jin Yu, completely unaware of what Ashina Suwu had said. It wasn't until Xiao Jin Yu gently squeezed her hand that she snapped back to reality.
"Wang Ye?"
Xiao Jin Yu looked at her with amused exasperation—this person who would stare at him blankly and grin foolishly anytime, anywhere. Their child was already one year old, yet she never seemed to tire of looking at him...
Xiao Jin Yu whispered, "The Great Khan is calling you..."
"Huh?"
When Chu Chu looked up, she saw Ashina Suwu standing just a step away, his forehead slightly darkened with displeasure.
In Ashina Suwu's historical records, no woman had ever ignored him to this extent... Last time he saw her, hadn't this girl been gazing at him with sparkling eyes?
He knew Xiao Jin Yu was a very attractive man, but purely in terms of appearance, he couldn't see how Xiao Jin Yu was better-looking than him. If such a pale, skinny man were thrown onto the grasslands, even wolves wouldn't bother taking a bite...
Feeling sour, Ashina Suwu pulled out a handful of ivory-colored crescent-shaped pendants from his robe. With a jingling clatter, about ten or so large and small talismans came into view.
"These are Turkic amulets made from wolf teeth. Worn by children, they help them grow as strong as wolves... These fifteen teeth were taken from the first wolf I hunted on the day of my enthronement. If the Imperial Concubine paces her childbirths, they should be enough for each of Prince An's children to have one."
Chu Chu happily accepted the fifteen wolf tooth pendants. Qing Ping's health was frail, so this gift was perfect. "Thank you, Great Khan!"
Aside from the sweetly smiling Chu Chu and the faintly smirking Ashina Suwu, everyone else wore expressions of astonishment—even Xiao Jin Yu could no longer maintain his composure.
Though Xiao Jin Yu had limited dealings with the Turkic people, he knew that on the day of a Turkic khan's enthronement, there was a hunting ceremony. The first wolf hunted by the khan himself was a sacred object: its pelt would cushion the chair in the new khan's yurts, while its teeth were typically distributed among the khan's direct descendants. Yet Ashina Suwu had actually brought this wolf's teeth as gifts for his children...
The curve of Ashina Suwu's lips softened slightly as he looked at Chu Chu, half-serious and half-joking. "I have two sons and a daughter. When my woman gave birth to our little girl, she developed some health issues and can no longer bear children... Since I have no use for these, I thought I'd offer them to please the Imperial Concubine and ask her to agree to one matter."Chu Chu blinked her eyes, "What matter?"
Ashina Suwu's lips curved up a few more degrees, "My daughter has heard too many stories about Prince An Manor and insists on marrying none other than the son of Prince An in the capital. Neither my wife nor I can dissuade her. Could the Imperial Concubine grace us with her consideration?"
Xiao Jin Yu's forehead darkened, but before he could open his mouth, Chu Chu had already asked with utmost seriousness, "How old is your daughter this year?"
Ashina Suwu answered just as gravely, "Born in the first month, three years older than the little prince."
Chu Chu immediately beamed, "An older wife brings wealth—how wonderful! As long as she and Ping'er are both willing, she can marry over anytime!"
Xiao Jin Yu's face turned ashen. Had she forgotten their son had just turned one yesterday...
Ashina Suwu cut straight to the point, "I've brought her along—she's in the camp outside the city. If the Imperial Concubine is willing, I'll fetch her tonight for you to see."
"Great! I'll make delicious food for her!"
"...!"
The three bystanders led by Jing Yi wisely lowered their heads to stare at the floor, and even Xiao Jue covered his mouth to cough, afraid he might fail to hold back laughter. His physique couldn't withstand Xiao Jin Yu's bloodless yet lethal punishments...
Xiao Jin Yu had no recollection of how the meal concluded, only remembering that as they were about to disperse, Jing Yi stood up and bowed gracefully to Xue Ming beside him—who already looked blissfully dazed—saying softly with a hint of melancholy, "I've failed your years of concern, Lord Xue. Forgive Xiao Yi for never daring to confess... Xiao Yi prefers women."
Watching Xue Ming's ashen face, Xiao Jin Yu finally felt he wasn't the unluckiest one today.
When they returned to One Heart Garden, Xiao Xiang was in the room helping Chu Chu soothe Qing Ping. The moment Chu Chu saw Xiao Xiang, she couldn't help exclaiming, "Princess, Ping'er is going to marry a little princess!"
Xiao Xiang was so startled she nearly dropped Qing Ping from her arms, hurriedly turning to look at Xiao Jin Yu's darkened expression, "Seventh Imperial Uncle..."
Xiao Jin Yu sighed weakly, gazing at his son now held in Chu Chu's arms, "The daughter of the Turkic Khan."
Xiao Xiang froze, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she whispered, "Is this... a hostage sent by the Turks for peace talks?"
Chu Chu was taken aback, "Hostage?"
Xiao Jin Yu nodded slightly.
He hadn't refuted Ashina Suwu because he had discerned his intent. Regardless of what Ashina Suwu claimed, bringing his young daughter at this time was primarily to demonstrate sincerity in peace negotiations, allowing Xiao Jin Yu to confidently discuss matters with the Emperor.
For someone as proud as Ashina Suwu to offer his own daughter, the Turkic situation must be far worse than Xiao Jin Yu had imagined, and Ashina Suwu's determination for peace was much firmer than anticipated. If he and Chu Chu refused to keep her, Ashina Suwu would undoubtedly endure the pain of sending her to the imperial palace.
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