The next morning, while Shen Jing was still catching up on sleep, Gao Yin came looking for him.
Shen Jing let Gao Yin into the room, raising an eyebrow, “Does Your Highness still think this Marquis wouldn’t dare to keep you in Great Zhou?”
Gao Yin’s face stiffened, and a sudden feeling of apprehension welled up in his heart.
He really didn’t have that confidence anymore!
After the effects of the medicine wore off, the guard felt no discomfort whatsoever; in fact, he looked radiant and full of energy even this morning.
The guard even told him that it was simply a divine pill!
His Imperial Father had already passed the age of destiny, and he would certainly not be able to refuse such a divine pill.
Gao Yin avoided Shen Jing’s question and said with a smile, “Marquis Shen, just state your conditions directly!”
“Conditions?”
Shen Jing was taken aback, “What do you mean?”
Gao Yin glanced at Shen Jing, “Marquis Shen, isn’t putting on such a show meant to negotiate terms with this Imperial Prince using that pill?”
‘Haha…’
Hearing Gao Yin’s words, Shen Jing immediately burst into laughter.
As if he had heard the funniest joke.
Gao Yin frowned slightly, “Marquis Shen, why are you laughing?”
“This Marquis never had such an idea.”
Shen Jing reined in his laughter slightly, “To speak offensively, this Marquis doesn’t need to negotiate terms with an unfavored Imperial Prince! This Marquis merely wants Your Highness to speak properly with this Marquis, and not invite trouble upon yourself, that’s all!”
Listening to Shen Jing’s words, Gao Yin’s face immediately fell.
Unfavored!
Those simple three words shattered his heart.
Shen Jing was clearly saying that he wasn’t qualified to negotiate terms with him!
Gao Yin tried hard to suppress the anger in his heart and snorted lightly, “Since that’s the case, why did your Emperor send Marquis Shen to receive us?”
Hearing this, Shen Jing immediately started laughing again, “Is it possible that someone in our court felt this wasn’t a good assignment and deliberately slandered me before His Majesty, causing this task to fall to this Marquis?”
Hmm?
Is that so?
Their spies planted in Great Zhou hadn’t mentioned this in their secret reports!
After a moment of thought, Gao Yin asked again, “What would it take for Marquis Shen to be willing to speak with me?”
“Your Highness, there are some things this Marquis truly doesn’t want to say too directly!”
Shen Jing shook his head and smiled, “Let’s put it this way, for the same item, this Marquis might gain more benefits by giving it to Hulü Xian than by giving it to you!”
Listening to Shen Jing’s words, Gao Yin’s face twitched uncontrollably.
Humiliation!
This was blatant humiliation!
Ultimately, Shen Jing simply felt that he had no power, was unfavored, and was not qualified to negotiate with him!
Shen Jing must have also guessed that Hulü Xian was the true mastermind!
Gao Yin’s heart burned with anger, but at this moment, he coveted the item in Shen Jing’s hand and couldn’t afford to lash out, so he could only force himself to suppress his rage.
Amidst his anger, he had to admit that Shen Jing was speaking the truth.
Although he was an Imperial Prince, in terms of actual power, he was indeed far inferior to Hulü Xian.
Gao Yin felt unwilling, gritting his teeth, “Marquis Shen, what benefits do you desire? You can tell me! Perhaps I can satisfy you?”
As long as this pill was presented by him!
If it were presented by Hulü Xian, he wouldn't receive many rewards at all.
Shen Jing rolled his eyes, “Your Highness, do I look like an idiot?”
Gao Yin frowned, “What do you mean by that? Does Marquis Shen think I’m trying to deceive you?”
“No, no!”
Shen Jing shook his head and smiled, “What you can give me, can’t His Majesty of our court give me? Your Imperial Father is also considered a formidable ruler; if I give him such a miraculous longevity pill, allowing him to live a few more years to destroy our Great Zhou? Am I sick in the head?”
Listening to Shen Jing’s words, Gao Yin was suddenly speechless.
Yes!
What he could give him, the Emperor of Great Zhou could also give him!
What he couldn't give him, the Emperor of Great Zhou could still give him!
He really didn’t seem to have anything that could move him.
Seeing Gao Yin suddenly sink into self-isolation, Shen Jing’s heart skipped a beat.
Big brother!
Don’t be like that!
I was just trying to play hard to get, don’t go into self-isolation!
If you just say a few more nice words, and proactively offer some enticing conditions, I’ll agree to it!
If this goes wrong, it’s going to be a bit of a headache!
Just as Shen Jing was secretly feeling uneasy, Gao Yin suddenly looked up and said in a deep voice, “There is one thing I can give you, but your Emperor cannot!”
“Nonsense!”
Shen Jing scoffed, a slight sigh of relief escaping his heart.
This guy finally brought up conditions again!
Despite Shen Jing’s disdain, Gao Yin was full of confidence, whispering, “The throne!”
Hearing those two words, Shen Jing desperately suppressed his laughter, a hint of temptation flashing across his face, which then quickly turned cold, “Get out!”
Although Shen Jing quickly changed his expression, Gao Yin, who had been observing his demeanor, still caught that fleeting look of temptation on Shen Jing’s face.
He was certain that Shen Jing was tempted!
However, this was normal!
Throughout history, how many people could resist the temptation of the throne?
Even though he wasn’t so favored, wasn’t he still coveting the throne?
Gao Yin’s heart secretly stirred with excitement, and he immediately pressed on, “As long as Marquis Shen helps me win His Imperial Father’s favor, once I gain power, I will certainly return the favor…”
“Get out!”
Shen Jing’s voice grew even colder, and his gaze became sharp.
Facing Shen Jing’s piercing gaze, Gao Yin was not afraid; instead, he became even more excited.
Just from Shen Jing’s eyes, it was clear that Shen Jing was not as simple as he appeared on the surface!
He had merely hidden his ambition very well!
“Marquis Shen can consider my suggestion carefully!”
Gao Yin chuckled, then probed, “I’ve been feeling mentally exhausted lately. I wonder if Marquis Shen could give me two pills to boost my spirits?”
If Shen Jing was willing to give them, it would mean that Shen Jing was tempted by his conditions.
If not, then he would have to think of other ways.
Although the guard had tested the medicine, it would be best for him and Hulü Xian to try it personally to better understand its effects.
“Those are pills, do you think they’re mud balls?”
Shen Jing pouted, then held up two fingers, “Twenty thousand taels of silver per pill!”
Tw-…twenty thousand taels?
Gao Yin’s face twitched violently.
This was too exorbitant!
After a moment of hesitation, Gao Yin tentatively said, “We didn’t bring that much gold and silver on this diplomatic mission. Marquis Shen, could you perhaps make it cheaper?”
“Then it’s thirty thousand taels of silver for two pills!”
Shen Jing replied lazily, “That’s the lowest price; any lower and it’s non-negotiable!”
“This…”
Gao Yin paused, gritting his teeth, “We don’t have that much ready gold and silver. Can we use valuable items as collateral?”
He wasn’t afraid of the pill being expensive!
He was just afraid that the pill’s effect wasn’t as miraculous as the guard claimed!
Don’t look at him begging Shen Jing now; if the pill didn’t have such an effect, then all accounts, old and new, would have to be settled!
If Shen Jing dared to deceive him, he would definitely make him spit it all out, principal and interest!
Shen Jing thought for a moment, then nodded lightly, “Your Highness, please return to your room to rest. I’ll come find you later!”
Gao Yin was stunned for a moment but quickly reacted.
Shen Jing didn't want others to discover their transaction.
“Good!”
Gao Yin didn’t waste words and immediately left Shen Jing’s room.
Watching Gao Yin depart, Shen Jing couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.
Damn it!
He finally caught the fish!