Chapter 1338: You Were Clearly Unreasonable First

Editor: Henyee Translations

Prince Nuo Nuo seethed with anger. He felt utterly infuriated!

To think that his anxiety had been driven by a mere few loaches! If word of this got back to Qingdi, he’d become the subject of ridicule!

The idea of being afraid of a handful of loaches was utterly absurd!

The mere thought of it made Prince Nuo Nuo’s face flush with embarrassment.

“Crown Prince, how do you intend to address this matter?”

The Crown Prince, ever polite and dignified, held a high station. Even if the other princes secretly wished him ill, they still maintained an air of politeness and congeniality in his presence.

Who had ever dared to address him with such an attitude and tone?

For a moment, the Crown Prince felt somewhat awkward and discomfited.

Shao Yunduan responded calmly, “Prince Nuo Nuo and Vice Envoy Da Si, fret not. The Crown Prince has entrusted this matter to me, so feel free to address your queries to me. Can you move the cooked braised carp?”

Prince Nuo Nuo was taken aback and blurted out, “Certainly not! So you were deceiving us!”

“But didn’t the carp move?”

“Yes, it moved, but—”

“Since it’s in motion, it naturally qualifies as a live braised carp.”

“But it’s unmistakably a loach that’s moving!”

“What I perceived was a carp in motion.”

“That’s the loach inside the carp’s stomach moving!”

“What I saw was a carp in motion.”

“You! You’re manipulating the facts!”

Shao Yunduan sneered. “How am I distorting the facts? It’s you who are distorting them! The prince knew very well that a roasted carp doesn’t move, yet he tasked our chef with the ‘job’ of making the roasted carp move. If that isn’t unreasonable, then what is?”

“We have maintained a harmonious relationship with Qingdi, extending utmost courtesy to the prince and his delegation. They are regarded as esteemed guests, and we have spared no effort in ensuring their comfort, whether it be in attire, cuisine, lodgings, or transportation. However, how have you chosen to reciprocate? By uttering such preposterous words to vex us. This amounts to nothing short of provocation!”

“I must inquire, Prince, what is the intent behind your actions? Do you perceive Great Qin as an easy target, or are you intentionally demeaning us?”

Prince Nuo Nuo was left dumbfounded.

Vice Envoy Da Si felt a chill creeping up his spine, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. His face drained of color, and he was overcome with fear.

Shao Yunduan’s words ignited the ire of the ministers.

“Absolutely, this is a provocation!”

“Our Great Qin does not shy away from challenges. We cannot allow such behavior!”

“We’ve treated each other with respect. Shouldn’t that respect be reciprocated?”

“Hah, what a farce. I’ve lived a long life, but I’ve never heard of a ‘living’ braised carp. A cooked fish that’s still alive? How absurd! Outrageous!”

Prince Nuo Nuo found himself in an embarrassing predicament and acknowledged his fault with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. He stammered, “We were… we were just jesting back then. We didn’t expect you to take it seriously. If it couldn’t be done, you should have declined!”

Shao Yunduan inquired, “So, it was merely a jest?”

Prince Nuo Nuo instinctively sighed with relief and hastily responded, “Of course, it was just a jest!”

Shao Yunduan chuckled and remarked, “Indeed, it was merely a jest! Qingdi has always shared an amicable relationship with us, and Prince Nuo Nuo’s visit is a genuine gesture. How could he act so unreasonably? We were simply indulging in light-hearted banter with Prince Nuo Nuo, don’t you agree?”

The ministers were taken aback but soon regained their composure, bursting into laughter. “Yes, yes, it was all in jest!”, “Absolutely, it was just a jest!”, “This jest was quite amusing, hehe!”, “Indeed, indeed, hahaha!”