Mythical Three Kingdoms

Sunx Quan spent several days dealing with the servants at home, confirming that the items might have been accidentally packed into treasure chests, and after a few more days, these treasure chests had already entered Yongzhou.

Ye City is closer to Chang’an, so Chen Xi’s side had already sent the items several days ago. However, compared to Sunx Ce’s solid offerings, Chen Xi’s gifts were mostly mirrors, white porcelain, perfume, soap, and other flattering items.

There were indeed some solid offerings, but compared to Sunx Ce’s side, there was simply no comparison.

According to Chen Xi, since it was about appeasement, it was enough to send items that would make the other party happy. Whether it was substantial was a different matter.

The task of delivering gifts naturally fell to Jia Xu. Although Jia Xu didn’t say much upon returning, from his demeanor, it seemed successful, especially the oversized mirror, which the Grand Princess greatly favored.

Of course, Yuan Shu himself wasn’t released, but even if Liu Tong was unclear about politics, Chen Xi could still guess what Liu Tong was thinking—it was just another attempt to extort something from Sunx Ce.

The originally agreed-upon evaluation of craftsmen had already begun, and tests for the first six levels were completed, leaving only the Grand Craftsman rank. So Chen Xi suggested simplifying things and proposed a building project as the exam.

A large quantity of building materials was sent from Ye City and invested in the plan to construct a building for the Grand Princess; as for whether the contestants could pass, that depended on the mutual anonymous evaluation among them, with assessments taking place at each stage.

It was agreed that only sixty percent would pass the evaluation, because they were all Grand Craftsmen, with comparable skill levels, rating each other according to personal judgment. Each person held a different assigned evaluation position, and no one knew how many people were rating them.

Ultimately, sixty percent with the highest scores would pass, and although it’s described as anonymous, in reality, each person’s scoring position was different. Without needing names, the Minor Treasurer could ascertain whose hands the ratings were in.

This way, the true craftsmanship is evaluated by Grand Craftsmen, while other components are controlled by the government office, maintaining the evaluation personnel level while ensuring government management.

Incidentally, reality was as Jia Mu speculated; since this evaluation began, the initial rating scores from Grand Craftsmen were diligently kept, but scores gradually decreased later on.

Eventually, a significant number of zero scores emerged, leading to only fourteen Grand Craftsmen passing the final evaluation. In truth, this group of evaluable Grand Craftsmen had mostly reached the required level, yet only these few managed to rate without significant bias.

When the Minor Treasurer announced the passing of fourteen individuals, some Grand Craftsmen caused a disturbance, but then the Minor Treasurer indifferently read the reasons for passing, causing the face of those who didn’t pass to turn red with shame, leaving no further dissatisfaction.

Similarly, none of the contestants revealed anything to outsiders; the first round of evaluations saw only fourteen Grand Craftsmen passing, yet none who failed, unlike previous evaluations, spread rumors all around, truly admiring the ones who did pass.

”Well done, Suzhi.” Jia Xu rarely praised his son, with a hint of regret; knowing the era would advance into such a grand world, he shouldn’t have let his son lead a pig-like life, given his son’s promising material.

Being praised by his own father, Jia Mu honestly couldn’t recall how old he was when last praised this way, yet Jia Xu’s words indeed elated Jia Mu—his father’s demands were extraordinarily high.

”It seems that entrusting you to Wen Ru is indeed a good decision. Polish yourself well; unpolished jade can’t be shaped into a tool,” Jia Xu said, satisfied as he patted Jia Mu’s shoulder. Previously, his goal was for Jia Mu to idle as a rice worm, but now Jia Xu felt that nurturing Jia Mu to take over his fief as one of the Nine Ministers wasn’t bad.

Upon hearing Jia Xu’s words, Jia Mu’s face involuntarily lengthened; Li Ru’s methods certainly weren’t the polish he expected. Had Jia Mu not acted smartly in urgency, he might have faltered completely.

While Jia Xu expressed satisfaction with Jia Mu’s rapid progress, the Sunx Family’s convoy carrying treasures also arrived, with twenty large carts full of assorted treasures, with no pretense from Sunx Ce.

”Your Highness, Your Highness, the Sunx Family’s convoy has appeared, a full twenty carts. You’ve indeed predicted it correctly.” A maid hurriedly came to inform Liu Tong.

”Alright, you may leave now.” Liu Tong glanced at the palace maid, speaking indifferently. Previously, Jia Xu had delivered a bunch of playful and practical items, enabling Liu Tong to finally understand that as long as one doesn’t overreach, one can live quite well in this position.

Thus, Liu Tong silently awaited Sunx Ce’s tribute; as for Yuan Shu and Yang Biao’s situation, let’s face it, since he couldn’t kill them, it was better to exchange them for something useful—regarding pride, the past few years were miserable enough, no longer wanting to continue like that.

Therefore, Liu Tong kept Yuan Shu in the Imperial Prison, while the daily meals delivered by Sunx Ce and Zhou Yu to Yuan Shu were ignored. As long as there were no gifts, he wouldn’t release them, and as for the rest, they could do as they pleased.

Now, Sunx Ce’s offerings finally arrived—twenty carts of items, with surely no junk among them. Liu Tong stated he was just waiting to receive the gift and release the person.

”Ha, it’s finally been delivered. I’ll send it to Weiyang Palace myself.” Sun Ce, known for his swift actions, didn’t even stop at the residence in Chang’an; he went straight to deliver it to Weiyang Palace.

”At least take a look at the gift list first. Also, if you’re going, I’m more suited to go; at least I know what to say and what not to say,” Zhou Yu sighed and remarked.

”I’ll go without saying anything, just say it’s a gift for the Princess.” Sun Ce laughed heartily, confident in his strategy. Saying they’re asking for Yuan Shu’s release now would just put someone on the spot. In fact, since Liu Tong already turned a blind eye to this matter, pushing her to resolve Yuan Shu now would be inappropriate.

”Under those circumstances, it works.” Zhou Yu frowned as he replied, acknowledging that Sun Ce’s visit would seem more sincere.

”As for the gift list, why bother? Just hand it to Her Highness. I trust Ziyu won’t mess things up, and bringing it along is unnecessary; it’s best to deliver directly.” Sun Ce casually remarked, leaving Zhou Yu with nothing else to add.

Immediately, Sun Ce headed out with his personal attendants, and after the handover of the carriages, Sun Ce led his people on their way to Weiyang Palace.

Such uninhibited, blatant actions made others somewhat embarrassed. Although Zhou Yu knew these things should be delivered when the sun sets and fewer people are around, Sun Ce’s unruly nature means crowds don’t matter to him.

Naturally, the guards at the gate of Weiyang Palace, already briefed, carried out a basic inspection before allowing them through, ensuring there weren’t too many weapons hidden within. This was merely a formality.

Once inside, Sun Ce carried numerous gifts directly to the residence of the Grand Princess. Upon arrival and granted permission, he single-handedly lifted a chest reportedly filled with many exceptionally valuable treasures and carried it inside.

”To what do we owe General Sun’s visit?” Liu Tong sat nearby, a hint of a smile crossing her face as Sun Ce entered with the chest—part of the ceremony.

”To congratulate the Grand Princess on her regency, I have brought numerous treasures from Eastern Wu in celebration,” Sun Ce chuckled, gently placing the chest down and handing the accompanying gift list to a nearby palace maid.

”Thank you very much, General,” Liu Tong said with a smile. Outside, people had already begun unloading and moving the chests into her government treasury.

The two engaged in a casual conversation. Liu Tong found Sun Ce intriguing but Sun Ce’s mind brimmed with excitement about finally being able to rescue Yuan Gonglu, leaving little room for shared topics.

After enjoying tea and pastries, Sun Ce departed with his attendants.

Only then did Liu Tong take the gift list and start perusing it, growing more pleased with each item. Indeed, as Chen Xi said, as long as one avoids foolish actions, it’s easy to thrive in this position.

”Open it up for a look,” Liu Tong expressed her fondness for treasures, especially knowing Sun Ce’s gifts were all rare and precious. Hence, she gleefully unpacked them to display in her abode.

Upon opening the treasure chest, Liu Tong’s eyes fell first not on some rare artifact, but on an object wrapped in yellow silk. Seeing it sent a tremor through Liu Tong’s heart, and she inexplicably began to tear up, reaching for the yellow silk and slowly lifting it.

”Mandated by Heaven, may it last eternally,” Liu Tong murmured, opening the yellow silk to reveal the jade seal with golden inlays. ”The Imperial Jade Seal, could it really have returned just like this?”

Liu Tong pinched herself to ensure she wasn’t dreaming and became instantly thrilled, calling out, ”Silk Lady, Silk Lady, come quick, it’s the Imperial Jade Seal!”

As Liu Tong spoke, a young girl, appearing no older than seventeen or eighteen, appeared by her side and stared at the Imperial Jade Seal with equal excitement.

”It’s genuine! I can feel the national fortune emanating from it,” the Female Immortal called Silk Lady exclaimed, initially thinking she was simply coasting through life, never expecting fortune to smile down like this—suddenly getting a jade seal, an instant windfall.

”Sun Bofu is truly remarkable! Hahaha, to have returned the jade seal! Announce it to the world, Sun Bofu is indeed a good man. I must grant him a title, yes, a title for his brother, a Marquis no less. And add the jade seal imprint to all previous decrees. Neither my Brother nor my Imperial Younger Brother could acquire this item, yet it’s now in my hands,” Liu Tong excitedly declared.

”Such is destiny,” the Female Immortal marveled, observing more clearly than Liu Tong. As Liu Tong held the jade seal, the previously frail Phoenix aura transformed, wings spreading in Nirvana, directly becoming a Golden Phoenix—though it may not soar to the sky, it surely remains steady.

That day, numerous decrees were reissued within Weiyang Palace. All newly appointed Marquises received official decrees, even Chen Xi receiving two supplemental Lady’s Writs decrees.