The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 586: Chapter 586: Urgent Report

Chen Songshi’s words hit him where it hurt.

—Though he was arrogant, he knew what he was here for.

Just as Chen Songshi had said, no matter how the process went, he ultimately had to return to Wazhen with the Peace Negotiation Book to report on his mission. Otherwise, there would be no way to resolve the situation.

At this thought, Ugle finally softened his aggressive stance. He coughed once and added agreeably, ”Indeed. This is the wish of both our sides. It would naturally be for the best if we can reach a proper agreement.”

He pondered for a moment before saying, ”How about this? Since you are unwilling to provide more cloth and provisions, let’s settle the terms for the mutual markets according to our proposal. What do you say?”

Hearing this, many officials cursed him inwardly.

’These Wazhen people are utterly shameless!’

’Not only are they trying to take everything they can get their hands on, they’re even scheming for the long term!’

Everyone knew that Wazhen had been hit by a snow disaster this year. Their people and horses were short on clothing and food, to the point they couldn’t even afford to wage war.

Once they took these supplies back and recovered, then come next spring when the mutual markets officially opened, they could seize the opportunity to profit immensely again!

’They’re taking all the advantages for themselves!’

As expected, Chen Songshi refused outright.

”We will not add any more grain or cloth, nor will we lower the tariffs.”

Ugle hadn’t expected this man, who seemed so affable and easygoing, to be so unyielding. Fury surged within him. ”You!”

”Lord Tang.” Chen Songshi ignored him and turned his head slightly. ”Have you prepared the Peace Negotiation Book?”

Tang Zhongli produced two scrolls from behind him. ”Of course. One copy in Han script and one in the Wazhen Script. Both have been transcribed according to yesterday’s discussion. All that remains is for the Crown Prince to sign and affix his seal to each.”

Ugle’s face flushed red with anger, and he shot to his feet!

’Yesterday?’

’The terms from yesterday didn’t meet my demands, so how could these people just finalize them like this?! They even wrote it all out and expect me to sign!’

’And to think that before coming to the palace today, I was smugly thinking I could negotiate for more. I never imagined these people—’

”You are too outrageous! I—”

Before he could finish, a soldier rushed in from outside the hall.

”Your Majesty! An urgent report from the Northern Border!”

Everyone in the hall was startled and turned to look at the soldier, their minds racing with countless speculations.

’An urgent report from the Northern Border?! At a time like this?!’

’Don’t tell me fighting has broken out again?!’

Ugle was also stunned.

He knew the real situation at the Northern Border better than anyone. Logically, it was impossible for them to have raised an army, so where did this urgent report come from?

The soldier strode forward, knelt on one knee, and presented the letter with both hands.

”Reporting to Your Majesty! An 800-li express message personally sent by Duke Dingbei! Please read it, Your Majesty!”

Emperor Muwu’s brow furrowed slightly. ”Present it.”

Eunuch Li acknowledged and scurried over.

The envelope was sealed with red wax, bearing the words ”For Your Majesty’s Eyes Only.” The handwriting was unmistakably Shen Youyan’s.

Emperor Muwu opened it. Inside was a single sheet of paper with only a short sentence written on it.

However, the moment he saw its contents, his expression changed abruptly.

Everyone noticed.

But they didn’t know what was written on it to cause such a visible emotional reaction from Emperor Muwu, who was known for never letting his feelings show.

Emperor Muwu stared at the letter, silent.

The entire hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The atmosphere froze.

Some people couldn’t help but glance at Shen Yanchuan.

’Does he also know the contents of Shen Youyan’s urgent report?’

However, Shen Yanchuan’s expression was placid, revealing none of his thoughts.

The officials could only suppress their swirling thoughts, retract their gazes, and continue to wait.

Finally, Emperor Muwu lowered the letter and looked at one person.

—Ugle.

Ugle was completely baffled.

He had been about to explode in anger but was interrupted before he could even voice his protest. Standing here was already awkward enough, and now, following Emperor Muwu’s gaze, everyone turned to look at him.

Countless gazes fixed upon him, making him feel as if he had needles on his back.

A vague sense of unease grew in his heart; he felt that something had happened without his knowledge.

But in this situation, he couldn’t take the initiative to ask.

Fortunately, Emperor Muwu finally spoke, giving everyone the answer.

”An urgent report from the Northern Border. Shen Youyan personally confirms that your father, King Mu Mu Zhen’er, passed away from illness eight days ago.”

As his words fell, the vast hall was plunged into a deathly silence!

’Mu Mu Zhen’er is dead!’

’He’s actually dead?!’

’Then—’

In an instant, everyone’s gaze snapped to Ugle, who was already frozen in shock.

No one could have ever imagined that this would be the news.

”Impossible!”

Ugle snapped back to his senses and immediately denied it.

”My father was perfectly fine when I left!”

’How long has it been? How could my father be dead?!’

Emperor Muwu leaned back on the Dragon Throne and said, ”Show the letter to the Crown Prince.”

Eunuch Li quietly complied and passed the letter to Ugle with both hands.

”Crown Prince, please have a look.”

Looking at the thin letter right before his eyes, Ugle was suddenly gripped by fear. His hand froze in mid-air, caught in a dilemma.

He didn’t dare to look.

’If it’s true, then—’

Just as he hesitated, a cool, languid voice spoke up.

”The Crown Prince should recognize my father’s handwriting.”

Ugle’s heart began to pound. He quickly looked up at Shen Yanchuan, his throat suddenly dry.

With that statement, he had no excuse not to look!

He could read Han script, and he could indeed recognize Shen Youyan’s personal handwriting!

Behind him, the members of the Wazhen Mission could no longer contain themselves. They craned their necks to see, their hearts filled with anxiety and impatience.

”Crown Prince?”

Ugle took a deep breath, snatched the letter, and unfolded it to read.

On the paper, the single line of text was like a sharp blade stabbing straight into his chest!

—Secret agent reports: Mu Mu Zhen’er passed away from illness on the twenty-second day of the twelfth lunar month in Barna.

Ugle stared intently at the black ink, wishing he could burn two holes through the paper with his gaze.

Yet, his hands began to tremble uncontrollably, and his chest felt as if it were being crushed by a thousand-pound boulder.

His mind went blank. For a moment, he didn’t know how to react.

Seeing his reaction, there was no doubt left in anyone’s mind.

Mu Mu Zhen’er was well and truly dead!

Many officials began to exchange subtle glances, their minds starting to spin.

Previously, the negotiations between the two sides had been deadlocked, partly due to a certain wariness of Mu Mu Zhen’er.

But who knew he would suddenly die just like that!

’Without Mu Mu Zhen’er, it’s hard to say how much fighting strength the Wazhen have left!’

Tang Zhongli glanced at the two copies of the Peace Negotiation Book in his hands. ’What a pity,’ he thought. ’If only I’d known, I could have pushed for more concessions.’

Chen Songshi’s thoughts raced. He sighed and said consolingly:

”Hearing such terrible news must be devastating for you, Crown Prince. I had hoped you would be able to return with the Peace Negotiation Book and put the people of both the Northern Border and Wazhen at ease. I never imagined... I hope you will not grieve excessively, lest you harm your health.”

Ugle was in no state to process his words; his mind was in complete chaos.

The men behind him had also fallen into disarray, unable to stop themselves from whispering and arguing amongst themselves.

”The king has passed away! We must return at once!”

”But our business here isn’t finished! How can we leave?”

”Exactly! We can’t have come all this way for nothing. Even if we go back, how would we explain ourselves?”

”This... Crown Prince, what do you think we should do?”