"Your Majesty, as I have told the National Teacher before, when I risk my life for others, it’s certainly not for free," Lin Caisang spoke plainly, without mincing words.
Now that she had decided to drive a hard bargain, naturally, she wanted to clarify the terms upfront. It wouldn’t do to negotiate the rescue terms after saving the person, by which time the citron daylilies would have gone cold, right?
The Emperor agreed with her terms.
As long as his son could be rescued, what did he care about spending more silver?
"I was just discussing this with Prince Mo. Miss, whatever you like, feel free to take a tour around the royal treasury and take anything you want."
Upon hearing this, Lin Caisang raised her eyebrows.
She had mentioned it to Brother Molian in passing, but she hadn’t expected the Emperor to actually let her pick anything from the royal treasury. Was there anyone more extravagant than this Emperor in front of her?
However, compared to taking a tour of the royal treasury, she had a more important matter to attend to.
She glanced sideways at Ya Molian, then turned her gaze back to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, you can’t possibly mean to say that you want this Prince Mo to accompany me to White Blind Mountain, do you?"
"Prince Mo is the most suitable choice. He is a skilled fighter, and his followers are elite. If Miss has any objections or additional conditions, feel free to voice them; I will consider them all," the Emperor stated.
Lin Caisang scoffed at the suggestion.
"Your Majesty thinks it’s proper to send someone half dead to accompany me to White Blind Mountain for a rescue? What’s improper about that?" she asked.
The Emperor, at a loss for words, his face flushed red.
Since his accession, he had never felt such embarrassment. The forthright manner of this young woman had rendered him speechless.
"Miss, please be more careful with your words. Prince Mo, he..."
Suyang, seeing the situation, lowered his voice and whispered a caution into Lin Caisang’s ear.
He wasn’t concerned about how the Emperor was treated, but Prince Mo was not one to let grievances go easily. If Molian were to hold a grudge, Lin Caisang could face difficult times ahead.
"Does the National Teacher think I spoke incorrectly?" Lin Caisang did not let him finish and questioned him in return.
"Or does Prince Mo find fault with my words? Prince Mo, you must be aware of your own physical condition, aren’t you? With such a half-dead state, going to White Blind Mountain would only be a burden to me."
Ya Molian did not argue. He simply responded indifferently.
As for the rest, he left it to the young girl to play out freely. He remained seated, quietly watching the drama unfold.
National Teacher: "..."
Prince Mo, what does that ’hmm’ mean? Are you actually admitting you’re half-dead?
But who in Shaohua City doesn’t know that this ’half-dead’ man could single-handedly take down more than half of the city’s guards with just one hand?
The Emperor was at a loss when it came to this son of his and could only sigh internally before continuing to look at Lin Caisang.
"Miss is absolutely right. However, Prince Mo’s martial abilities are exceptional, rarely seen in the imperial court. Apart from him, I truly cannot think of a better person to rescue Prince Lin in White Blind Mountain. After all, that place is...
Ahem, if Miss has any other demands, feel free to put them forth. I can meet them," he said.