Chapter 56

Bai Yuwen Hong
Bai Shen Hong
Emperor Huizhong

The large room was tense, and you could fish the awkwardness out of the suspense waters gushing around. Yuwen Hong sat at the head of the table, while the Queen of Furia sat at the opposite end.

Queen Elora was immaculate in her white gown that was dressed with diamond crystals. Her clothing wasn't revealing as cloth covered every part of her, except for the face and hands. This, Yuwen Hong appreciated as he was aware that normally, their attires were revealing.

On this day, she was being respectful of Nevoria's traditions. She came to his territory and therefore, was to bend to his territory's rules.

Yuwen Hong noticed something he was familiar with clicked onto her hair. It was the stone alike to the stone used on Li Lian's pendant.

Interesting. The puzzle was coming into place.

Queen Elora's hair was white as snow, complimented by a deep set of amber eyes, a copy of Li Lian's. She still carried the presence Yuwen Hong remembered. It was natural for her to control the atmosphere that one's hair on the back of their neck would rise.

Yuwen Hong had his Foreign Relationships advisers, two each on his right and left. The same for Queen Elora, who had Oren among the four subjects she allowed for the negotiations.

Rows of his court ladies entered to present tea using the grandest of golden cutlery they could collect from Yuwen Hong's treasure room. No palace maids had been allowed to serve as perfection was required; the tilting of the teapot, the filling in of the cup and the laying of the tray, all of it was done with uttermost gentleness and precision.

"This is the tea that came from across the Western seas. It has good ingredients that will improve one's health. Please, drink," Yuwen Hong instructed.

Nobody said anything, as they just nodded and tried it.

When they had all taken a sip, he enquired if it was good. Yuwen Hong enjoyed watching the Queen of Furia scowl in distaste at the fact that he was taking all his time to start their intended meeting.

"For a man who drinks such tea, Emperor Huizhong does not look to be in good health," Queen Elora commented.

Yuwen Hong smirked. "Apologies, My Queen, that my appearance is not as pleasing. Your daughter kept me awake."

One of the Furian subjects coughed on his tea. Of course, Yuwen Hong's words could be misinterpreted, so he went on to clarify. "It is not every day that I catch a spy from Huticah. Such a grand opportunity, a row of punishments can only be given."

Queen Elora scowled; her tea abandoned out of spite.

Oren attempted to deviate back to their previous topic, not wanting matters to escalate so fast. "The taste of this tea reminds me of the feeling someone gets when they drink waterfall water after being perched for a long time."

Yuwen Hong agreed with him and took more sips before clearing his throat to begin the meeting.

"We have indeed confirmed that Wei Li Lian is a pure Furian. Our experts carried out various extensive tests, and the results were positive."

They made a cut on Li Lian's arm to drain sizable amount of blood. The multiple tests consisted of mixing her blood with specific chemicals to ensure that how her blood reaction would be what was expected of Furian royal blood.

The Nevorian royal family had a history of capturing pure Furians for their blood, which would prolong the emperors' lives by submerging their hearts in Furian blood. Thus, Nevoria was well-versed in testing whether the blood was pure or tainted.

"Since that has been established," Yuwen Hong continued, "we can carry on discussing what brought Furia here."

"Thank you for doing the tests in advance," one of the Furian subjects began. "We have come to negotiate the release of the Princess of Furia."

Yuwen Hong's subject responded. "There is no Princess of Furia. We identify her as the treasonous prisoner that has been charged with death."

"That charge cannot stand when she is not the daughter of King Tobba." Another Furian subject retorted.

"It does. Her birth origins do not excuse her actions of being Huticah's spy. Moreover, just because she does not carry the blood of King Tobba counts for nothing. She was raised by King Tobba, thus she is the daughter of King Tobba through adoption."

Yuwen Hong nodded at his subject's words. "Treason is the highest of charges that cannot be easily excused. Furia must present an offer that we cannot refuse if they wish for us to release the prisoner."

"We offer the Princess of Nevoria in exchange," the subject said confidently.

Yuwen Hongs's eyebrow rose, amused that they were confident the abduction of Yang Liu would be an answer to their problems.

"Furia and Nevoria have had good standing. I do not think it will be difficult to come to an agreement," Queen Elora added.

"I pose to differ, My Queen, the two princesses are not worth the same," Yuwen Hong corrected.

"What does that mean?"

"One is just a princess that the nation will get rid of by marrying her away to an ally, the other is supposed to be the next Queen of Furia."

Queen Elora scoffed that he was uncaring about Princess Yang Liu. "Even now, Nevoria places no importance on life."

"It is a negotiation, and I am being sensible." Yuwen Hong shrugged. "If Furia has no better offer, then this meeting is adjourned."

Of course, Yuwen Hong cared for his sister, and he had every intention of getting her back. However, showing his love for her would not win him anything on the table. It would only give Furia the upper hand.

The Furians looked at each other, caught off-guard by his intent to bring the meeting to an end. The meeting was clearly not going according to their plans.

"We will add something to the offer," a Furian subject said reluctantly.

"We will add our treasures of stones and fabric," Queen Elora supported.

Yuwen Hong shook his head. "We have a lot of that already."

Queen Elora's fiery eyes locked in with Yuwen Hong's. Platitudes were not going to cut it. The air was becoming brittle it would end up snapping, and if it didn't, Queen Elora would.

"Military support to Nevoria as needed?" She was speaking through her teeth.

However, Yuwen Hong was unfazed by such low offers. "Firstly, submit your support for Nevoria against Huticah. Secondly, marriage between a Furian and a Nevorian should not be forbidden. Thirdly, Nevorians should be allowed to go in and out of Furia as they see fit."

"How comical." Queen Elora's eyes raged with a golden flared. "These are measures meant to help Nevoria manipulate Furia into submission. Marriage between our people will only enable the enslavement of Furians under the guise of marriage. Then, what will happen next? Nevoria becoming one with Furia again?"

"Nothing wrong with that. We were once one a few decades ago. It is a good thing for prosperity."

"Absolutely absurd!" she fumed. "We already have uncontrollably numeral cases of Nevorians enslaving our people, which you will not help us solve. So then tell me, Your Majesty, what will happen when we become one? Let alone our independence and values differ."

Sparks of resentment crackled in the air as Queen Elora threw daggers  toward the Nevorians. Her face was a canvas of absolute bitterness. "Opening our borders to Nevoria is the loss of freedom for my people. It will not be long before you exercise a violent seizure of power to overthrow our government."

"Well then." Yuwen Hong gathered his heavy robes and stood to leave. "I think Furia has a lot to discuss and think about among themselves."

"Yuwen Hong―" Oren tried to speak.

"You abducted our princess, who did nothing. You want to exchange a victim for a treasonous spy who is the daughter of the king who caused the death of the previous emperor." Yuwen Hong's jaw ticked as his frustration mounted. "An ant that loves to work even knows when to retire. How come Furia doesn't? Because we are the victim to your daughter's actions and you won't give in to that glaring truth. She came to deceive, commit treason, and who knows, maybe even to kill." Now, his voice was rising. "Furia has to choose, we will not involve ourselves in your trickery. Either you accept our conditions or leave!"

S.V