"Playing around? I generously treated you all to a meal, and you think I’m just playing?" Ye Qianning’s eyes widened in surprise.

"No one asked you to treat us, Miss Xiang. We from East Shu had already booked out Immortal’s Rest."

"You may have booked it, but you didn’t pay. I’m the one who paid, so now I’m the host."

"Miss Xiang, you’re still very young. It’s best not to meddle in the affairs of adults. Whatever it cost to book the establishment, we from East Shu will reimburse you in full." If it weren’t for her status, Qin Huai would have had Ye Qianning thrown out.

"Tsk, tsk. Turning down a free meal? Is East Shu really that wealthy?" Ye Qianning clicked her tongue.

"We won’t trouble you with the expense, Miss Xiang," Qin Huai said coldly.

"Hmm..."

Ye Qianning frowned, her little hand on her chin as if deep in thought. After a long moment, she turned and asked, "Luo Wen, how much did we just spend?"

"One thousand taels per person present, costing eleven thousand taels. Booking out Immortal’s Rest was another thirty thousand taels. In total, that’s forty-one thousand taels," Luo Wen stated.

Ye Qianning nodded and looked at Qin Huai.

Qin Huai said at once, "Someone, give them the money."

A servant behind him stepped forward, pulled a thick stack of silver notes from his robes, counted out four, and handed them to Luo Wen.

Ye Qianning’s eyes lit up at the sight of the ten-thousand-tael silver notes. She took them in her hands and examined them closely.

"Are you leaving now, Miss Xiang?" Qin Huai asked.

Ye Qianning stuffed the silver notes into Luo Wen’s hand, her gaze flicking greedily to the thick stack still held by the servant. Clearing her throat, she said, "Forty-one thousand was the price *I* paid to book Immortal’s Rest. If you want to take it over from me, it’s going to cost you more than that."

Chu Yue’s gaze sharpened.

Qin Huai sneered. "And how much would that be?"

"One hundred thousand?" Ye Qianning ventured, her eyes darting around before she quickly amended, "T-two... Two hundred thousand."

Prince Yu: "..."

Helian Chen’s eyes grew rounder and rounder, his little mouth hanging open in astonishment.

’She’s really got some nerve!’

"Two hundred thousand? You’ve got a lot of nerve for a little kid." Qin Huai was so exasperated he let out a laugh.

"It’s called business acumen."

"Hah, business? I’ve never heard of it costing two hundred thousand to book a restaurant."

"Maybe you haven’t heard of it in East Shu, but you’re seeing it today in Beili. When you think about it, you should be thanking me for the new experience."

"Such a silver tongue. Aren’t you afraid you’ll bite it?" Qin Huai said coldly.

"That’s none of East Shu’s concern. Two hundred thousand, and I’ll leave. If you don’t pay, I’ve already rented this place for the day, and I’m not going anywhere." After speaking, Ye Qianning dropped into a seat.

Qin Huai’s face twitched as he gritted his teeth.

’This little brat is clearly just greedy and trying to swindle us out of a fortune.’

’Two hundred thousand is no small sum. Giving it to a little kid for no reason would be a huge loss, not to mention we’d become a laughingstock in front of Xi Yan and Nanyuan.’

’But if we don’t pay, this kid definitely won’t leave.’

’How are we supposed to discuss matters with Xi Yan then?’

’He covertly glanced at Xiliu Yuan. It had been difficult enough to get him to come. If they accomplished nothing, who knew if they’d ever get another chance.’

"We from East Shu had already booked Immortal’s Rest for today. Your actions, Miss Xiang, were completely unnecessary."

"’Hasn’t East Shu ever heard that talk is cheap? The one who pays is the one in charge. What good is a verbal agreement?’ Ye Qianning didn’t want to act like a scoundrel, but they were trying to get by on reputation alone."

"You’re twisting logic."

When Qin Huai had brought his people, he truly had forgotten to pay in advance.

"I paid to book this entire restaurant, so I’ll stay as long as I please. If you don’t like it, feel free to leave. If you want to stay, as I said, I’m the host—eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves. But asking me to leave? That’s not happening." Ye Qianning sat down and, with some effort, crossed one leg over the other.

Qin Huai couldn’t believe he was being manipulated by a mere child. Two hundred thousand taels for nothing... Who would be willing to part with that?

"Prince Yu, Crown Prince of Xi Yan, why don’t we move to another private room?" Chu Yue suggested, her eyes glancing between them.

"This was only meant to be a simple dinner. There’s no need for such trouble. Besides, with Miss Xiang here, at least Chenchen won’t be bored," Prince Yu was the first to say.

"My uncle and I have to go with her to the General’s Manor later anyway," Helian Chen said with a nod. He suddenly realized his plate was empty. "Uncle, are we finished eating? Why don’t we go now?"

"That depends on Miss Xiang," Prince Yu said.

Helian Chen turned to her. "Shall we go?"

"I’m not done playing yet," Ye Qianning said breezily.

"Then we’ll wait a little longer." A flicker of disappointment crossed Helian Chen’s excited face. He was dying to see the zither his aunt had made.

’Chu Yue pressed her lips together. If she weren’t afraid that meeting with Xi Yan alone would cause complications, she never would have invited Nanyuan. It was an impoverished backwater, with neither people nor resources of any use.’

’It was Xi Yan that they, East Shu, were interested in!’

"I’m too lazy to move either," Xiliu Yuan said in a cool tone.

Chu Yue’s smile was stiff. "Very well."

"Your Highness, the Fifth Prince has arrived." A guard knocked on the door.

Following the announcement, Chu Qing, the Fifth Prince of East Shu, entered while being supported by another person.

Ye Qianning looked over at him. Chu Qing appeared to be in his forties, with a gaunt face and sunken, dark-rimmed eyes. He looked just like someone who had been drained of their very life force by a long-term drug addiction.

"COUGH, COUGH..." Chu Qing covered his mouth with a handkerchief, coughing softly.

Both Chu Yue and Qin Huai stood up to greet him.

"Fifth Brother." Chu Yue took over from the attendant, supporting him herself.

Chu Qing nodded and made his way to the head of the table.

’Prince Yu was surprised. At the last banquet, Chu Qing had seemed quite robust. How could he have become so frail in just half a month?’

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Yu." Chu Qing greeted them with a cupped-fist salute after taking his seat.

"Fifth Prince, you seem gravely ill. This meal is hardly essential. Your health should be the top priority," Prince Yu said with concern.

"The three kingdoms are fostering friendly relations; it is only right that I attend. I am the one who has been remiss. Please, do not hold it against me."

"Nanyuan and East Shu already enjoy a good relationship. Fifth Prince, there is no need for such formalities."

The Fifth Prince nodded and turned to Xiliu Yuan. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, East Shu and Xi Yan are neighbors. If we were to cooperate, it would surely benefit the people of both our nations."

"Cooperate on what?" Xiliu Yuan asked coldly.

Prince Yu tightened his grip on his cup, subtly leaning in to listen.

"To cooperate on..."

The Fifth Prince hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Qin Huai shot a meaningful look at the servant behind him.

The servant understood. He pulled out more silver notes, walked over to Ye Qianning, counted out twenty, and offered them to her.

Ye Qianning didn’t immediately reach for the money. Instead, her gaze fell upon Qin Huai.

"Miss Xiang, we adults are discussing important matters. A child should know her place. Take the money and be on your way." Though the two hundred thousand pained him, Qin Huai saw no other choice.

Only then did Ye Qianning reach out and take the silver notes. She stood up and passed them to Luo Wen.

Luo Wen put them away.

"Then I’ll be out of your hair." She trotted out the door on her short legs.

Helian Chen started to rise to follow her but was pressed back down by Prince Yu. He couldn’t leave at such a critical moment.

’East Shu and Xi Yan clearly had something to discuss. Since they had invited Nanyuan along as a buffer, it was only natural that he hear the whole story.’

Once the door was closed, Chu Qing began again, "It’s about..."

KNOCK KNOCK.

The sound of knocking interrupted him once more.

Chu Qing paused for a second before covering his mouth with his handkerchief and breaking into a fit of coughing. "COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

"What is it now?" Chu Yue asked coldly.

"Miss Xiang requests an audience," came the voice from outside the door.

Chu Yue’s brow furrowed. She took a deep breath. "Let her in."

Ye Qianning walked in, her little hands clasped behind her back and an utterly serious expression on her face.

"Did you forget something, Miss Xiang?" Chu Yue asked, forcing herself to be patient.

"I did not."

"Then what is it?"

"A moment ago, I was here to see the envoy from Nanyuan. Now, I am here as the daughter of Beili’s General to see the envoy from East Shu." Ye Qianning maintained a stern expression, her voice a mixture of childish tones and surprising strength.

"To see the envoy from East Shu?" Chu Yue frowned.

’The Fifth Prince covered his mouth, his vacant eyes fixed on the chubby little girl with her hands behind her back. She spoke with a childish voice, yet her words were so shrewd. Was she truly just a troublemaker, or was she deeply cunning for one so young?’

’Prince Yu’s gaze was also locked on her. He had a feeling she was about to say something astonishing.’

Helian Chen scratched his head, looking completely bewildered.

Xiliu Yuan’s expression remained indifferent, but his eyes were unusually bright. A careful observer would have noticed that he was actually in an excellent mood.

"That’s right. I would like to ask the envoys from East Shu what the purpose of today’s banquet is," Ye Qianning asked.

"There is no particular purpose. It is merely to foster friendship."

"If it is to foster friendship, then why was no one from my nation of Beili invited?" Ye Qianning’s childish voice grew somber. "The friendship of four nations has somehow become a friendship of three. What’s going on? You are on my Beili’s soil. Don’t tell me you’re plotting to attack us?"

At these words, the representatives of the three kingdoms were stunned.

Prince Yu’s cup fell from his hand, CLATTERING to the floor. Wine splashed everywhere, soaking the hem of his robes.

The sharp crack of the shattering cup snapped everyone out of their shock.

Chu Yue had remained composed until now, but her expression changed drastically at Ye Qianning’s final words. "Don’t you dare spout such nonsense!"

"Am I wrong? East Shu hosts a banquet but deliberately excludes Beili. Friendship? I’d say it looks more like a conspiracy."

"Hey, Miss Xiang, we from Nanyuan are simply here for dinner! We have no part in any secret plot with East Shu, you saw that for yourself!" Prince Yu hurriedly tried to distance himself from the accusation.

’Conspiracy was no laughing matter.’

’He had come to Beili seeking business opportunities and had found none. If he returned under suspicion of conspiracy, his Imperial Brother would likely have him killed.’

"Of course I believe you. But I can’t be so sure about East Shu’s intentions. Weren’t you all preparing to discuss matters of state? You can’t very well do that without Beili present." Ye Qianning turned her head. "Luo Wen, send someone to invite the Third Prince to Immortal’s Rest. We’re going to discuss matters of state."

"Yes, Miss."

Luo Wen turned and left the room.

"Miss Xiang, what do you think you’re doing?!"

’Chu Yue’s fingernails dug into the palms of her hands inside her sleeves. She wanted nothing more than to have the little brat in front of her drawn and quartered.’

"I’m too young to understand matters of state. That’s why I have to invite our Third Prince to discuss them," Ye Qianning said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

With a dark expression, Qin Huai shot a furtive glance at Chu Yue.

’Chu Yue gritted her teeth, suppressing her rage. If the Third Prince of Beili arrived, there was no way she could bring up the matter she wanted to discuss with Xi Yan.’

’It would be nearly impossible to invite the Crown Prince of Xi Yan again in the future. What’s more, their delegation from East Shu had already submitted official papers to Beili, stating their departure from the Capital City in seven days.’

’Hosting a banquet for two nations under the guise of a farewell dinner was defensible against rumors. But with this child making such a scene, trouble would arise even from nothing.’

’Prince Yu rubbed his nose. ’This kid’s methods are truly ruthless.’’

’Whether his delegation was involved or not, they would inevitably fall under suspicion now. Still, it seemed East Shu truly did have something to discuss with Xi Yan.’

’What on earth was East Shu plotting?’

"It seems there really are matters of state to discuss." A faint smile played on Xiliu Yuan’s lips.

Chu Yue and Qin Huai both stiffened, unsure what to make of the Xi Yan prince’s words.