My stepsister tried to steal the prince's hand in marriage, but little did she know I had been

Chapter 193 Opening Up Trade Routes

Millions of taels of silver is a huge sum for any country.

Thinking of this, Wen Shuyao withdrew her gaze.

"What does the princess think?"

She had already regarded Yelü Dan as the leader of the Northern Di, and what she was saying at this moment was all to persuade Yelü Dan.

It was clear from Yelü Dan's expression that she was already tempted.

Wen Shuyao continued to persuade: "If you can have this extra sum of money, your Northern Di will no longer be troubled by the annual migration of pastures, nor will you be helpless in the face of livestock diseases. This sum of money is enough for you to hire good doctors."

"Aren't you worried that we'll use this money for the army?" Yelü Dan's eyes were full of doubt; she didn't believe that Dali would be so kind.

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyao chuckled softly.

"If you really had that intention, you wouldn't have asked this question."

Yelü Dan snorted lightly: "That's hard to say."

Wen Shuyao continued, "If it were any of the other princes of Beidi, we certainly wouldn't have proposed this cooperation. But it's you, Princess... I've heard about what you've done in Beidi over the years."

“Princess, you are for the country and the people, how could you use this money for military expenses?” Wen Shuyao shook her head with a smile. “If this money were used for military expenses, it wouldn’t even be enough to make a suit of armor for every soldier. But if it were used for the people’s livelihood, it would benefit millions of Northern Di people.”

Hearing Wen Shuyao's words, Yelü Dan's expression changed slightly.

After a moment, she snorted coldly: "You're right. This princess will not use this money for the army. If I become the king of the Northern Di, my first priority will be to ensure that the people of the Northern Di are well-fed and clothed."

As for those territorial expansions...

If she were the emperor of Dali, she might still have such thoughts, but the Northern Di were poor and weak. If she held such thoughts, she would only lead the Northern Di to destruction.

Let her descendants worry about expansion.

So Yelü Dan said, "Alright, as long as you Dali dare to do it, I'll go all the way! I'll accept this deal."

“But before that…” Yelü Dan’s words carried a hint of threat, “I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until I ascend the throne.”

“That’s natural.” Wen Shuyao nodded slightly. “Everything we’ve discussed is based on the premise that you become the King of the Northern Di.”

Yelü Dan breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this.

She turned her head to look out the car window and suddenly blurted out, "Now I understand why Xie Jinghan is so infatuated with you."

Wen Shuyao was taken aback, but did not answer.

Before she knew it, her earlobes had turned completely red.

As soon as the carriage entered the Prince Jing's residence, Xie Jinghan rushed over.

Xie Jinghan stood beside the carriage and personally helped Wen Shuyao down from it. As for Yelü Dan behind Wen Shuyao, he didn't even give him a second glance.

Seeing this, Yelü Dan sneered.

This was her first time visiting the Prince Jing's mansion. Looking at the enormous residence, whose luxury rivaled even that of her father's palace, a dark glint flashed in her eyes.

"Where is Huyantu?" She didn't dwell on these matters and immediately asked Xie Jinghan.

Xie Jinghan did not answer, but Si Qing behind him quickly stepped forward.

"He is in our residence. If the princess wishes to see him, I will take you there now."

Upon seeing the polite and courteous Si Qing, Yelü Dan was momentarily stunned.

This is completely different from the attitude of Si Qingming, who had previously mocked her for being a toad trying to eat swan meat. They have the same face.

Is this all because of the marriage she proposed?

She had met many people in the Prince Jing's mansion before, including Granny Qi.

Just a few days ago, Granny Qi was arrogant and looked down on her, but now she stands aside, considerately instructing her which courtyard to stay in.

Yelü Dan followed Granny Qi to the courtyard in a daze and saw Huyan Tu lying on the ground with his hands and feet bound.

"What do you mean?"

Yelü Dan's earlier emotion vanished instantly, and she stared coldly at Granny Qi.

Upon hearing this, Granny Qi rolled her eyes: "What can we do? If we don't tie him up, he'll jump up and ask for death at any moment."

Huyan Tu, who was thrown to the ground in a disheveled state, mumbled something, but in that instant when he turned his head, he saw Yelü Dan.

Upon seeing Yelü Dan, he was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened in disbelief at what he was seeing.

"Princess!"

Only after the rag was removed from his mouth did he murmur the name.

"You're not dead!"

His eyes filled with tears as he looked at Yelü Dan.

Seeing this, Yelü Dan also had tears in his eyes.

"I'm not dead." Yelü Dan quickly stepped forward and loosened his hands and feet. "This was all planned by us. I didn't tell you because you are honest and straightforward, and I was afraid you wouldn't be able to hide it from Prince Xin."

"I'm so sorry," Yelü Dan said softly, "for causing you such heartache."

Huyan Tu quickly shook his head, muttering, "It's good that you're not dead! If you had died, I really wouldn't know how to explain it to the family!"

Although Yelü Dan was a woman, she was the only hope for the Huyan family.

Moreover, he had watched Yelü Dan grow up since he was a child, and the moment he saw Yelü Dan's body, he felt utterly heartbroken.

"Don't cry." Yelü Dan personally wiped the tears from his cheeks. Looking at the weathered wrinkles on his face, Yelü Dan sighed, "Uncle, you've watched me grow up, don't you know my abilities?"

"How could I be harmed by such clumsy methods?" Yelü Dan's eyes were full of arrogance. "Uncle, you can't not believe me."

Upon hearing this, Huyan Tu sighed: "That's true, but when I saw you lying on the ground without a sound today, my heart almost broke. You were the hope of all of us."

Whether the Huyan family can regain its glory depends entirely on Yelü Dan.

Whenever he thought of this, Huyan Tu felt uneasy.

Seeing that Yelü Dan still looked indifferent, Huyan Tu couldn't help but say, "If the princess doesn't discuss these matters with me, she might as well not have me as her uncle anymore."

This was the first time he had spoken such harsh words to Yelü Dan.

Hearing this, Yelü Dan could only apologize repeatedly.

Yelü Dan's attitude was very sincere, and since the matter was already over, Huyan Tu didn't pursue it any further. He sighed, "If something like this happens again, just let me stay at the post station. Why torture me like this again?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Yelü Dan spoke very politely: "Uncle, don't worry, there will definitely not be a next time."

Upon hearing this, Huyan Tu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Hopefully there won't be a next time.

If this happens again, he'll lose his soul.