Chapter 188: Money Is the Ultimate Filter

Mu Yunzhu came looking for Xiao Li again.

Xiao Li: "..."

After a moment’s thought, she had her shown in.

Today, Mu Yunzhu was dressed in purple. Her outfit was just as sensual and alluring as before, full of exotic charm, with her slender waist peeking in and out of view.

"Princess Xuanyang."

Mu Yunzhu performed a Chi Rong salute.

Xiao Li raised an eyebrow and chuckled. ’This is the power of money. She’s much more polite than last time.’

"Please, have a seat."

Xiao Li had her sit down and served tea and pastries.

Mu Yunzhu glanced curiously at the exquisite teacup a few times, and Xiao Li immediately said, "I’ll have a set sent to you later."

Mu Yunzhu quickly shook her head. "No, thank you. I was just looking."

Xiao Li said nothing, but her expression didn’t look like she had accepted the refusal. Mu Yunzhu couldn’t help but ask, puzzled, "Why do you keep trying to give me things?"

Xiao Li retorted, "You don’t like it?"

Mu Yunzhu grew indignant. "Are you giving me charity? Do you think we don’t have these things in Chi Rong?"

"This is my first time hosting a princess from another country, so I don’t have much experience." Xiao Li looked up at her, her eyes devoid of emotion. "Then how would you have me treat you?"

This question stumped Mu Yunzhu. She didn’t like it when Xiao Li gave her gifts, but if she didn’t, and instead showed disdain and contempt, she would certainly get angry all the same.

"You should be able to tell that I don’t like you."

Xiao Li nodded. "Mm, I understand."

’I understand, but I don’t care. My goal isn’t to make her like me anyway.’

Xiao Li knew Mu Yunzhu was on Xiao Jingyu’s side. The King of Chi Rong might have even betrothed her to Xiao Jingyu already. From the moment Mu Yunzhu showed up at her door, Xiao Li knew she had come for Xiao Jingyu.

Xiao Li didn’t like getting into catfights, especially when it involved one of Xiao Jingyu’s romantic interests. Just thinking about it was annoying.

However, Mu Yunzhu was the apple of the King of Chi Rong’s eye. Beating or killing her would be like poking a hornet’s nest.

Her plans didn’t include going to war with the Chirong Country, so to solve this problem, she chose the simplest, most brutish method: throwing money at it.

’No girl can refuse being showered with gifts.’

’Buy only the expensive things, not necessarily the right ones. It doesn’t matter if Mu Yunzhu likes them or not. After all, it’s hard to be harsh on someone you’ve accepted gifts from.’

’As long as I give her enough, I can shut her up and keep her from causing me trouble.’

Judging by Mu Yunzhu’s attitude, it was clear her gifts were working.

"So, what is your purpose for visiting me now?"

Mu Yunzhu thought Xiao Li was a strange person. She couldn’t say exactly what was strange about her, but she just felt odd. She had never met anyone like her before.

Her enchanting, fox-like eyes sized up Xiao Li, filled with curiosity. "I heard a story about you. They say that because your Prince Consort was having an affair with Princess Chen, you killed them with your own hands."

Xiao Li looked up. "Princess Yunzhu, your question is too impudent. Besides, I’ve already divorced that man by imperial decree. He has nothing to do with me anymore."

Mu Yunzhu lifted her chin. "Then let me ask a different question. They all say you’re vicious. Is that true or not?"

Xiao Li said, "What you’re really asking is whether I’d dare to hit you, right? Feel free to keep asking, Princess, and see if you can still walk out of my Princess Mansion today."

It just goes to show that money is the ultimate filter.

If this had been Mu Yunzhu’s first visit, and Xiao Li had spoken this way, she would have certainly taken it as a provocation and felt compelled to show her a thing or two.

But now, her impression of Xiao Li was of a beautiful, generous, and noble, yet bluntly outspoken, true weirdo.

Mu Yunzhu shrugged. "Fine, I won’t ask anymore."

’I can just ask someone else anyway.’

"Didn’t you say you were going to entertain me? I’m bored to death. Find a place to take me for some fun. No shopping."

Given the way Xiao Li showered her with gifts, even if Xiao Li dared to give them, Mu Yunzhu didn’t dare to keep accepting them.

Xiao Li had no desire to entertain her. "If we’re not buying, how about selling?"

Mu Yunzhu was confused. "Sell what?"

Xiao Li said, "Chi Rong’s Hanxue Horses are famous throughout the world. I’ve admired them for a long time. Can you sell me a few?"

Chi Rong had many breeds of horses, but the most famous were the Ferghana Horses. They were large and majestic, had incredible endurance, and were exceptionally beautiful. Unfortunately, they were also very rare.

Xiao Li had always wanted to acquire one, but her channels were limited, and she had yet to succeed. Although she wasn’t obsessed with it, now that a princess from Chi Rong had delivered herself to her doorstep, she would be letting herself down if she didn’t seize this opportunity.

Mu Yunzhu said, "I don’t sell horses, but the tribute Chi Rong is presenting to Your Majesty this time includes two Ferghana Horses..."

Before she could finish, Xiao Li had already stood up and left.

"Hey, where are you going?"

Without looking back, Xiao Li said, "To ride a horse."

Mu Yunzhu was speechless. ’Can’t this woman be normal for once?’

Xiao Li stormed into the palace. Upon seeing the Emperor, she said only one thing: "Brother, let me have a look at those prized horses of yours."

The Emperor: "..."

’Are you sure you just want to "have a look"?’

The Emperor hesitated for just a moment, but Xiao Li nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Brother."

As she turned to leave, she didn’t forget to wave. "You’re the best, Brother!"

The Emperor’s heart sank. ’What did she understand? Does she think she can just get my horses for free with a simple "You’re the best, Brother"?’

He rubbed the bridge of his nose in resignation. "Lou Yan."

Lou Yan entered. "Your Majesty."

The Emperor waved his hand. "Go and keep an eye on her. Don’t let her ruin those horses for me."

Lou Yan: "This servant obeys."

Xiao Li had seen fine horses before and had even ridden purebred Hanxue Horses, but they were all a little lacking compared to these with their original bloodline.

The horse was crimson all over, without a single stray hair. It was about ten feet long from head to tail and stood over eight feet tall from hoof to neck—fierce, majestic, and awe-inspiring.

When the sunlight fell on it, its glossy coat shimmered with a brilliant luster.

Two horse trainers were trying to tame it. It reared up on its hind legs, neighing and roaring like a flying dragon diving into the sea. It was a thrilling sight.

Mu Yunzhu came to Xiao Li’s side, her chin held high with pride. "This is the finest of steeds, one in ten thousand. But they are extremely wild. Ordinary horse trainers can’t possibly tame them."

Although Xiao Li liked the horse, she was well aware of her own abilities and didn’t try to show off by going up herself.

Just as she was about to find a spot to continue watching, she noticed that seats had been arranged on a nearby platform, where quite a few people were watching the horse taming.

Prince Yanping and his group were there. So was Xiao Jingyu, disguised as an envoy. The short man next to him must be Liu Xueyin.

Xiao Li strode over. Seeing her from a distance, Prince Wei stood up and greeted her, "Imperial Sister, you’re here too."

He quickly offered up the seat next to him. "Quick, over here."

Xiao Li glanced at him, then her gaze fell on Prince Yanping and his sister. She smiled a most detestable smile. "Why is Prince Yanping out and about? Have your injuries healed?"

Prince Yanping slammed the table. Jia Ruo shot to her feet and snapped, "Xuanyang, don’t take it too far! I haven’t even settled the score with you yet!"

Xiao Li provoked her directly. "Then bring it on. I’m ready whenever you are. You’re just a chicken who only dares to squawk but doesn’t dare to act."