Lan Jinfeng of the Snow Country, especially, was no fool and naturally understood the implications of Fan Zehao's and Zong Han's words. They clearly intended to make an example of him!
Lan Jinfeng deeply regretted attending Fan Zehao's birthday banquet, but at the same time, he now understood Fan Zehao's attitude towards him!
He was in a quandary. He could no longer concern himself with the Wei Kingdom. As long as his Snow Kingdom could avoid being used as a sharpening stone for Fan Zehao, he was willing to be a content emperor, no longer harboring ambitions of territorial expansion!
Prince A Le of the Axi tribe, with a mocking glint in his eyes, scanned the two emperors, from Snow Country and Wei.
He smiled and offered Fan Zehao a suggestion: "Your Highness, instead of testing yourselves on small countries, why not start with the larger ones? After all, larger countries have more meat to share. Your Highness can have the meat, and we small countries can have some of the broth, basking in your glory!"
Everyone watched Yu Xiaoshuang with amusement. Besides the Inner City and the Zongsheng Kingdom, which were considered great nations, Wei was the other.
This time, they had indeed stepped on Yu Xiaoshuang's tail!
"Your Highness is joking. Years ago, we established a century-long friendly contract. Does Your Highness intend to break your own contract?"
He attempted to use that contract to remind Fan Zehao not to go too far. Unfortunately, the prince, being uncultured, failed to grasp the underlying meaning!
Not only did he not understand, but he retorted, "The Wei Emperor actually remembers signing such a contract? I thought you were too busy to recall such trivial matters, considering your soldiers and those of Snow Country are currently rampaging within my Cloud Kingdom, wreaking havoc and mistreating my people!"
"As a civilized nation, we are quite magnanimous. If I don't entertain you properly, wouldn't that be my failing? Therefore, before I eliminate those who have invaded my Cloud Kingdom, I am politely extending you a courtesy call!"
Seeing Yu Xiaoshuang's bloodless face, Fan Zehao smirked and patted his shoulder, "Rest assured, I won't take your life, at least not until you return to your country. As for what happens afterward... you'll have to fend for yourself!"
The repeated threats and intimidation terrified him!
The performance they were invited to watch in the afternoon was truly spectacular, and it also allowed them all to witness Fan Zehao's strength!
They had only heard rumors about the mysterious soldiers of the Inner City, but had never seen them. Today's encounter sent shivers down their spines!
It was fortunate that he was not a greedy man, otherwise, their countries might have already become his possessions!
With this realization, any restless thoughts vanished, even the most basic ones.
"Hahaha, while today's performance wasn't exactly breathtaking, it was acceptable. Please bear with it for now. Tonight, I will allow you all to rest well. Tomorrow, I will take you to a wonderful place to broaden your horizons, and tonight, I will host a grand feast for you all!"
Lan Jinfeng no longer had the inclination to stay any longer. He spoke first, "Your Highness, I am feeling a bit unwell and will return to my temporary residence. I'll see you tomorrow!"
Fan Zehao waved him off with a smile, "Go ahead."
Yu Xiaoshuang, at that moment, had also lost his composure. His ears were filled with the threatening words he had just heard. However, as the emperor of a great nation, he could not appear to flee in disgrace. He persisted until the end.
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi saw them off, but kept Zong Han and Junjun behind. Everyone began to speculate wildly again. Yu Xiaoshuang, in particular, felt that the Zongsheng Kingdom and Fan Zehao were colluding to deal with them. Keeping Zong Han behind at this moment suggested they were going to discuss this matter.
In the front hall of the prince's mansion.
Zhao Jiaqi dismissed everyone in the room, leaving only the four of them.
The two at the head of the table wore somber expressions. Zhao Jiaqi, in particular, was displeased, gazing at Zong Han, who remained outwardly calm, showing no emotion on his face.
She directly questioned Zong Han, "Jun Jun is pregnant, yet you made her have an abortion. Isn't Jun Jun carrying your child?"
Upon hearing her words, the faces of all three changed dramatically!
Fan Zehao corrected her, "Wife, you truly dare to speak like that. You know what kind of person our daughter is. How could she possibly do such a thing!"
"Mother misunderstands. Jun Jun is carrying my child!"
Zhao Jiaqi couldn't comprehend, "If Jun Jun is carrying your child, why wouldn't you want it? Why would you force her to have an abortion? Don't you realize how much harm an abortion can do to her body?"
The string of questions made Fan Zehao, standing to the side, understand. So, Zong Han intended to personally kill his own child!
At that moment, his face darkened to a degree that he couldn't be found even if thrown into a pile of charcoal!
Grinding his teeth, he questioned Zong Han, "If you can't give me a satisfactory explanation today, then either you give Jun Jun a letter of divorce, or Jun Jun will give you a letter of repudiation. I, Fan Zehao, can still support her and the child!"
It was well-known throughout the land that this couple was fiercely protective of their children.
However, Zong Han's doting on his wife was also common knowledge in the Zongsheng Kingdom!
He looked at the silently weeping Jun Jun and sighed helplessly, "Father, why wouldn't you let Mother have another child?"
"I am asking you a question, not the other way around!" Fan Zehao became agitated, his curses laced with anger, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes bloodshot!
His hands, resting on the chair, clenched tightly. His posture indicated he was ready to fight!
Zong Han was not afraid of him. Instead, he offered a bitter smile and said, "You didn't let Mother have another child because you were afraid Mother would die in childbirth and leave you. I am the same!"
This statement stunned everyone present!
Zong Han continued, "Jun Jun is not yet twenty years old. Having a child now would be very damaging to her health, and she might even have a difficult labor. I don't want her to leave me, so this child cannot be kept!"
The decision he made, with a heavy heart, was for Jun Jun and for himself. He could not take the risk!
She had given him a warm home, filling his remaining life with sunshine. He couldn't bear to imagine what he would become if this ray of sunshine were to be extinguished!
Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao exchanged glances. They had misunderstood him!
However, the fact that he was willing to give up a child for his wife showed that his heart was truly devoted to Jun Jun!
Regarding the matter of having children, they, as a couple, decided not to interfere. This was their marital affair, and it was best for elders to intervene less.
Fan Zehao cleared his throat a few times, attempting to suppress his recent anger, "Not all women have difficult labor when giving birth. With proper care, there isn't much danger."
Seeing that he still wished for Jun Jun to have the child, Zong Han shot back and challenged his father-in-law, "Father, if you let Mother have another child, I will let Jun Jun have hers!"
"Nonsense! What are you comparing with me for? I have both a son and a daughter!"
Zong Han had indeed struck a nerve with Fan Zehao. The miscarriage of their last child had been enough to cause him grief and self-reproach, and it had also harmed his wife's health. In the prince's mansion, the topic of the princess's miscarriage was strictly taboo.