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墨書 Inktalez
I paused for a moment and walked to the end, sitting down on the chair that had been prepared next to Little Seven.
Taking the cup of Clear Tea that Little Seven handed me, I noticed a faint scent of Chrysanthemum. I took a small sip, then smiled lightly and said, "Let me start with the first story for the Tuthun Kingdom. I have heard that those who dream of the monarch also dream of the sun. However, in the Tuthun Kingdom, your subjects dream of the monarch but also dream of the Kitchen God. I wonder if the emperor knows why?"
The king of Tuthun Kingdom shook his head in confusion.
Ignoring him, I let out a cold laugh and continued, "The sun shines upon all; nothing can obscure its light. But the Kitchen God is different; if someone is roasting by the stove in front, those behind cannot see it anymore. Your subjects may be suspecting that someone is roasting before the Sovereign, which is why they dream of the Kitchen God." I took another sip of tea and added, "When my Subjects ruled over Tujunhun, I only heard of the Empress Dowager and Huayang Wang, King Jingyang, but never heard of the Sovereign. The Empress Dowager acts recklessly without regard for others, while others treat them with utter disregard. With such people around, Tujunhun has long lost its Sovereign. Internally, there is the Empress Dowager's autocracy, and externally, several direct brothers are acting as tigers. With so much on your plate, how do you still have time to join this gathering? It truly confounds Little Jin." As I spoke the last words, I sighed lightly, appearing to be worried for him while my eyes held disdain.
The king of Tujunhun turned pale and slumped in his chair, unable to utter another word.
I paid no mind to the terror on everyone's faces and nodded at Little Seven and Azure Thorn with a smile before shifting my gaze to continue, "Now for the next story—how about for the Xiongnu King?"
The Xiongnu King looked at this devil-like woman; her enchanting smile and cold gaze made him feel a sense of despair despite his previously proud demeanor.
I remained unfazed and simply smiled lightly. "There’s no need for you to worry, my king. An Jin is merely an observer making a comparison on your behalf."
"Who is stronger compared to Jin State—the Xiongnu or Jin State?"
His lips trembled slightly. "The Xiongnu is not as strong as Jin State."
I asked, "Which has more people compared to Jin State?"
"The Xiongnu cannot match Jin State," replied the Xiongnu King.
I continued, "Which is wealthier in terms of money and food?"
The Xiongnu King's face turned pale as he said, "The Xiongnu cannot compare."
I maintained my calm demeanor and asked, "Which country is more stable?"
"The Xiongnu is not as stable as them," he answered.
Without changing my expression, I pressed on with another question: "Which chancellor is more capable between the two nations?"
The Xiongnu King nearly fainted. "Not as good as others."
"Which country's generals are braver when compared?"
He whispered, "The Xiongnu are lacking."
I asked, "Which country's laws are stricter?"
The Xiongnu King replied, "The Xiongnu are not as good as the Jin State."
"Not as good? Hmph, you have some self-awareness," I sneered, pressing on. "Since you know you are inferior, attempting to attack the Jin State would be a futile endeavor. Therefore, An Jin has already sent troops back to the borders, and the tens of thousands of elite soldiers and cavalry you brought will return to the Xiongnu."
The Xiongnu King's vision darkened, and he nearly collapsed. A demon; this person was a demon!
Yet, I did not let him off the hook and continued to ask, "So, regarding everything I just asked, how does the Jin State compare to the Jin Kingdom? Which is stronger?" I directed my gaze toward the Emperor of the Jin State.
Killing two birds with one stone was the true meaning of this story.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor of the Jin State smiled slightly and calmly said, "The Jin State is not as strong as the Jin Kingdom."
Upon hearing this answer, the Xiongnu King could no longer hold on and fainted on the spot.
I stood up and looked at everyone, suddenly smiling charmingly and covering my mouth with a playful demeanor. "Since everyone knows the result, why come here to hear An Jin personally deliver the answer? By the way," I turned my head and glanced back with a captivating smile.
I laughed joyfully as if playing an interesting game and continued, "Now for the third story that An Jin wishes to present to today's host, Prince of the Later Qin, Ninth Prince Yuwen Ruojian."
Looking at his stubbornly pressed lips and his cold gaze scrutinizing me, I smiled leisurely. "Once there was a poisonous snake that killed a person. Yama King sentenced it to pay with its life. The snake pleaded desperately: 'I am guilty but have also done good deeds; please allow me to redeem my sins with my merits.' Yama King asked, 'What good deeds have you done?' The snake replied, 'I have snake bile in my belly that can cure diseases.' Yama King had a little ghost check it out, and indeed it was true; thus, he released the snake. Soon after, a little ghost brought in an ox that had gored a person to death. Yama King declared it must pay with its life as well. The ox also pleaded: 'I have ox bile that can cure all ailments; please allow me to redeem my sins.' Yama King listened and had a little ghost check it out; it was indeed true, so he released it too. Just then, a Demon Face captured a fierce-looking man and questioned him. The Demon Face said this man had committed many crimes and intentionally killed someone. Yama King became furious upon hearing this and sentenced him to death. The man protested loudly: 'I also have ox bile! Please let me redeem my sins too!' Yama King was puzzled: 'Aren't you human? Can you also have something like snake bile or ox bile that cures all ailments?' The man stammered and finally said with a mournful face: 'I don’t have any special bile; I only have some panic and fear.'"
I quietly gazed at the man sitting across from me, who was lazily reclining on the couch like me. I spoke seriously yet coldly: "I have said that anyone who harms An Yijun will pay the price. The snake and the ox—anyone or anything that has harmed me can be overlooked; however, those who harm her cannot be forgiven."
Just when everyone thought I was concluding this farce, I took a sip of tea. Azure Thorn and Little Seven exchanged knowing smiles; they truly understood me well. What had just transpired was merely my playful prelude.
The real story has yet to begin. The truly interesting part lies ahead.
I looked around at the crowd, their faces pale, making me feel as if I had walked into a graveyard. Silence enveloped the room. They stared at me, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
Only one person was different: the man. From the beginning to the end, he watched me with a gentle smile, filled with affection and understanding, devoid of fear or panic.
It was as if he understood me, as if he knew what I was about to do. It felt like we had known each other for a long time.
But I knew nothing at all.
Suddenly, I thought of someone—someone from long ago. Perhaps all my questions could be answered by her.
However, for now, my story must continue.
I smiled lightly and said softly, "I apologize, everyone. That was just Little Jin being mischievous. I interrupted your enjoyment of the story. Now, Little Jin's true story—the only and final one—begins."
I furrowed my brow slightly, a layer of gray mist covering my gaze. My eyes began to grow distant and hollow, as if I were returning to a past life, sinking into an endless memory. I sat quietly, letting the wind lift my long hair and garments. Then I spoke: "Once upon a time, in a world I knew, there was also a continent, and there were countries just like this one. That period was called Wei-Jin and the Northern and Southern Dynasties..."
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