She covered her lips and apologized repeatedly.
"King of the Western Regions, I'm really sorry. I've been dealing with family affairs just now and completely forgot about you, our guest from afar. I'll punish myself with three cups of wine at the banquet later. You won't blame me, will you?"
The King of the Western Regions twitched the corners of his mouth. Looking at her dusty appearance and listening to what she said, he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Even if he wanted to blame, what could he do? He had to hold it all back. Standing in front of him were the current Empress Dowager and the Emperor. He originally planned to question them as a weakling and then smoothly carry out his plan. But now his plan was disrupted, and he could only hold back and make another plan after returning.
Helplessly, he could only force a smile that was uglier than crying on his face.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is being too polite. Strictly speaking, I'm just a subject under your rule. How could I possibly blame you? As long as Your Majesty doesn't blame me for being rash."
It was just a polite remark from him, but Shi Muyuan seized on it.
"It seems that the King of the Western Regions is aware that his actions have been offensive. Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush. In front of so many commoners today, I might as well make everything clear."
As soon as she said this, the King of the Western Regions instinctively felt that this matter was not that simple. Perhaps he had forgotten to check his fortune before leaving home today and had dug a big pit for himself.
It had to be said that his intuition was right. Shi Muyuan squinted her eyes slightly and, with her hands on her hips, began to scold.
"As an envoy from our allied country, it would have been fine if you entered the capital with the permission of our royal family. But now you suddenly barged in without notifying anyone. That's the first point;
As soon as you arrived, you made a big fuss at the palace gate, making everyone look bad. It's obvious that you wanted to undermine the diplomatic relations between our two countries. If the King of the Western Regions has any objections to the diplomatic treaty, you can just say so. But using underhanded tactics and inciting our commoners is the second point;
You put such a big blame on our royal family and accused us of killing your envoy, making everyone in our country, from the Emperor down to the commoners, restless. That's the third point. Do you think there's anything wrong with what I've said?"
When the King of the Western Regions came before, this Empress Dowager had never been so talkative. He didn't expect that now she would suddenly say so much just to scold him and convict him. And without realizing it, he had somehow vaguely agreed.
"I admit it."
By the time he came to his senses and realized something was wrong, it was too late. All the commoners who had just been on his side had changed their expressions. They all looked as if they wanted to devour him alive.
Helplessly, he could only force a smile. "I admit all the problems the Empress Dowager mentioned just now. Maybe at first I was just too worried about the safety of my subordinate, so I kept saying the wrong things. Now, the Empress Dowager's words have really awakened me. I've also realized my mistakes. I just hope the Empress Dowager can tell me where that envoy is."
His sincere look really made it hard for the people around him to get angry.
Shi Muyuan also knew that this kind of thing couldn't be rushed.
She slightly curled her lips. "Before answering the King of the Western Regions' question, I'd like to ask you for a person. If you can agree, I'll naturally let you see the person you want to see."
Hearing the Empress Dowager beat around the bush, the King of the Western Regions felt that this matter might not be as simple as it seemed.
And just as he thought, the words that followed from Shi Muyuan almost made him grind his gums in anger.
"Envoy Lan Xi is a very intelligent person and is truly a pillar of talent. I wonder if the King of the Western Regions is willing to part with him and let such a worthy person serve our country?"
In this world, there's probably no one as bold as this Empress Dowager to talk to others like this. But she just has the qualification.
The King of the Western Regions originally wanted to say something to refute, but somehow, when facing the Empress Dowager's gaze, he surprisingly backed down.
All his plans were completely disrupted.
Originally, after much thought, he wanted to answer that it was hard for him to part with Lan Xi. But this last way out was completely blocked.
It was all because the young Emperor said a word.
"Mother, didn't you once teach me the story of Kong Rong yielding the pear? Why is it that now when the 'pear' is in the hands of the King of the Western Regions, he is not willing to yield?"
Suddenly, the King of the Western Regions looked ugly. He stiffened for a long time before spitting out a sentence through gritted teeth.
"How could I possibly refuse the Empress Dowager's request? Of course, I agree. If a worthy person can serve the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, that would be the best. But could you please let me see if he is safe first? Anyway, this matter still has to be agreed by him first."
"Good. I've been waiting for the King of the Western Regions to say this. With your words, I'm relieved."
As soon as she finished speaking, a familiar figure appeared in the sight of the King of the Western Regions.
As he watched the figure getting closer, his pupils shrank slightly. Hadn't he already made arrangements? Why? Why was he still alive?
Lan Xi didn't miss the complex emotions in his eyes and knew what was on his mind. Well, he was going to disappoint this King of the Western Regions. He had actually survived.
It seemed that the days to come would become more and more interesting. This King of the Western Regions would also bring him a lot of surprises. He was looking forward to it.
Pulling back his thoughts, he walked forward and bowed politely. When he reached the King of the Western Regions, he said,
"Your Highness, it's been a long time. I miss you very much."
The King of the Western Regions had a stiff expression but had to keep up the pretense.
"Really? I was also worried about your safety, so I rushed into the capital of Changjing without regard for etiquette. Now that I see you're safe, I'm relieved."
Seeing the two of them chatting falsely without end, Shi Muyuan couldn't help but roll her eyes and yawn.
"Now that you've seen him, Lord Lan, I'd like to ask you. Are you willing to stay and serve the royal family?"
Hearing this, Lan Xi pretended to look at his former "master" and pretended to be "embarrassed".
"This matter still needs the King's consent. I'm just a subordinate and have no say in front of you masters. I'll follow your decisions."
It seemed that he had entrusted his fate to the people in front of him, but in fact, he already knew the outcome in his heart.
At this time, the King of the Western Regions came up with a new idea.
It seemed that Lan Xi still had feelings for him. He could make full use of it. Maybe he would get a great result.
An idea took root and germinated.