The battle of Luoyi seemed like a great victory for the Tujue.
But who would have thought that the Tujue, who had been strutting around Luoyi for half a year, would ultimately lose everything!
The so-called tribute for three years, while sounding good, was not even enough to cover the expenses of this war.
The Tujue envoy, Tan He, was already crestfallen. Looking at the overjoyed faces of the Yulin envoys, if not for the lingering pride of the Tujue, they would have truly wanted to cover their faces and weep.
The Yulin envoys naturally had reasons to smile.
And to laugh heartily!
Let you Tujue barbarians tread on our Yulin land, slaughter our people, and massacre our soldiers. Now why aren't you so arrogant? Why aren't your heads held high anymore?
"I toast Princess Ronghe," said one of the Yulin envoys, raising his wine cup and approaching Ji Zizhao.
Today's negotiations, it seemed, involved Princess Ronghe performing seemingly insignificant actions.
Yet, in reality, every move she made guided the direction of the negotiations.
Especially the expression on Princess Ronghe's face when she questioned if the Tujue intended to fight Yulin again, it was truly born of natural dominance.
The envoys present were all veterans of the Ministry of Rites, and who among them didn't recognize the Ji family?
Looking at Princess Ronghe, who faced the Tujue with such composure today, the envoys were reminded of the old General Ji.
It turned out this was how the Ji family educated their children.
Only the Ji family could raise such a woman who remained unperturbed by honor or disgrace!
As one envoy stood up, the others followed suit.
They felt ashamed that they did not have the authority to thank the Ji family's contributions on behalf of Yulin, but they had to thank Princess Ronghe for everything she had done today, for their own sake!
Ji Zizhao watched the few old officials' eyes glisten, her heart filled with a bittersweet warmth and immense relief.
It was not frightening to have treacherous officials in court, but it was frightening if everyone lost their loyalty.
Fortunately, the Yulin court was not entirely corrupt.
Xie Jingxi couldn't understand.
Wasn't it said that he had defeated the Tujue? Why were they all surrounding Ji Zizhao now?
The Tenth Prince helplessly rubbed his forehead.
Seventh Brother, please, just be a beautiful man and stay quiet. Wouldn't that be much better?
Princess Ashiya, despite her lack of understanding of court politics, was furious. She turned to General Muman beside her, "What are you waiting for? Are you going to allow a defeated nation to be so arrogant?"
General Muman naturally could not tolerate it.
But no matter how unbearable it was, he had to endure!
From the moment the Tujue envoys were spiritually crushed by the Yulin envoys during the peace talks, it was evident that the Tujue had lost.
Now that the peace treaty was signed, the situation was settled.
No matter how unwilling he was, what could he do?
After all, they were on Yulin's territory. If they truly reneged and Yulin launched an attack, the Khan would send troops to rescue them, but by the time the reinforcements arrived, he might already be dead.
General Muman had believed that Yulin, without the Ji family, would become a mere dish on the Tujue's plate.
Instead, a single woman, through her own efforts, had turned the tide and reversed the situation.
Yulin's Princess Ronghe...
Yulin's Ji Zizhao!
Seeing General Muman's inaction, Princess Ashiya looked at Ji Zizhao with murderous intent.
Ji Zizhao took in the Tujue princess's anger, but smiled softly.
Back then, when your Tujue watched with folded arms as my Ji family's men were framed, did you ever imagine this day?
Back then, when you hung the corpses of my Ji family's men on the city gates as a humiliation, did you ever think of today?
Perhaps you didn't.
But it doesn't matter, I will personally make you remember this shame.
Even if the men of the Ji family are no more, the Ji family is a presence you can never touch!
A soldier rushed into the hall, "Reporting to the General, something has happened at the city gate!"