Balala the Magic Fairy

Zi Yu, the envoy of Shang State, stepped into the palace of Zhou State.

She was dressed in a purple and gold robe and had a jade crown on her head, and she had an extraordinary temperament.

Her arrival made the already tense atmosphere in the Zhou royal palace even more solemn.

"Empress, the envoy Zi Yu from the Shang Kingdom requests to see you." An eunuch hurried over to report.

Ruyi was discussing state affairs with Yan Lili in the study. When she heard the news, a glimmer of understanding flashed in her eyes.

"Please ask her to wait in the main hall, I will be there later." Ruyi's voice was calm, but with unquestionable majesty.

Yan Lili asked softly, "Empress, the Shang Kingdom sent an envoy at this time. I'm afraid they have bad intentions."

Ruyi nodded, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Princess Li, you are right. But we cannot lose our manners and go meet this Purple Jade Envoy."

In the main hall, Zi Yu stood proudly, her eyes sweeping across the hall, as if looking for something.

Ruyi walked slowly into the hall. Her steps were calm and every step looked solemn and elegant.

"The envoy from Shang has come from afar and must have worked hard." Ruyi's voice was gentle, yet still retaining the dignity of a queen.

Zi Yu turned around, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She obviously didn't expect that the Queen of Zhou would have such a temperament.

"You're too polite, Your Majesty." Zi Yu nodded slightly, with a hint of respect in her voice.

Ruyi sat down in the main seat, her eyes looking straight at Ziyu.

"I wonder why your country sent an envoy here?"

Zi Yu chuckled, with a sly look in her eyes: "I came here this time to propose peace talks with the Zhou Kingdom on behalf of the King of Shang."

Ruyi frowned slightly, but her voice remained calm.

"Peace talks? Your country has been hostile to ours for a long time. Now you suddenly propose peace talks. I wonder what your intention is?"

A hint of pride appeared on Zi Yu's face.

"Empress, war is ultimately costly and our King of Shang is also concerned about the people of both countries."

Yan Lili stood aside, with a hint of disdain in her voice.

"The envoy is wrong. If you really care about the people, you won't provoke wars so frequently."

Zi Yu's face darkened and her eyes were as sharp as a knife.

"Madam Li, this is a major matter between nations. How can a woman like you interfere?"

Ruyi waved her hand gently, signaling Yan Lili to stay calm.

"Emissary, our country is willing to negotiate, but it must be based on equality and respect. If your country sincerely seeks peace, our country will naturally welcome it. But if you have ulterior motives, our country will never be afraid."

A hint of anger flashed across Zi Yu's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

"Your Majesty, I came here with sincerity. The King of Shang is willing to sign a peace treaty with the State of Zhou, and the two countries will not invade each other from now on."

Ruyi nodded, with a hint of caution in her eyes.

"A peace treaty? This is a matter of great importance. I need to discuss it with the Emperor and the ministers before I can give you a reply."

Zi Yu seemed to have expected this and she smiled slightly.

"Of course. I am waiting for good news from the Queen."

Ruyi stood up and looked directly at Ziyu.

"The envoy has come a long way and must be exhausted. I will have someone arrange for the envoy to rest in the palace. I will give you a reply after we discuss it."

Zi Yu nodded, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

"Then there is Queen Lao."

Ruyi turned and left, followed by Yan Lili. The two returned to the study, and Ruyi's brows were furrowed.

"Lipin, what do you think about this matter?" Ruyi asked softly.

A hint of determination flashed in Yan Lili's eyes.

"Your Majesty, I think there must be something fishy going on. Shang State suddenly proposed peace talks, and I'm afraid they have ulterior motives."

Ruyi nodded, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

"I am also worried about this. But we cannot miss any opportunity for peace. Lipin, please go and invite the emperor immediately. We need to discuss this matter together."

Yan Lili bowed respectfully: "As you wish, Queen."

Ruyi looked out the window. She knew that no matter what Shang Guo’s true intentions were, she had to make the best choice for the people and future of Zhou Guo.

/

Zhou Ninghai's face was gloomy. He sat on the dragon throne, staring at Ruyi with sharp eyes.

Although Ruyi was worried in her heart, her face remained calm.

"Ruyi, although you are the queen, how can state affairs be decided by you alone?" Zhou Ninghai's voice was cold, with a hint of unquestionable majesty.

Ruyi knelt down gently, her voice calm and firm.

"Your Majesty, I am only concerned about the Zhou Kingdom and have no intention of interfering in other people's affairs. Everything I do is for the peace of the Zhou Kingdom."

There was a complex flash in Zhou Ninghai's eyes. He was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice.

"Ruyi, I know you mean well, but I am the king of Zhou. My decision is final."

Ruyi's heart tightened, she knew that there was murderous intent in Zhou Ninghai's words, but she still maintained the dignity and tenacity of a queen.

"Your Majesty, I understand. I just hope Your Majesty can listen to my opinion and work together for the future of Zhou Kingdom."

Zhou Ninghai's brows were furrowed, his eyes lingering on Ruyi, as if he was weighing something.

Finally, there was a hint of exhaustion in his voice.

"Ruyi, please stand up. I know you are loyal, but I hope you can respect my decisions more in the future."

Ruyi stood up slowly.

"Your Majesty, I obey your command."

Yan Lili stood aside, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes. She knew that there was already a crack in Zhou Ninghai's heart, and she had to protect Ruyi more carefully.

"Empress, we better be careful." Yan Lili said softly.

Ruyi nodded, with a hint of determination in her eyes.

"Lipin, you are right. We must remain vigilant and not let Zhou fall into crisis."

It was late at night and Ruyi sat quietly in her bedroom. Although she was worried in her heart, her eyes remained firm.

She knew that in the face of the upcoming challenges, she had to remain calm and find more chances of winning for the Zhou Kingdom.

/

At the morning court session that day, Zi Yu, the envoy from the Shang State, made a request that shocked the entire court.

Her voice echoed in the hall.

"The King of Shang has issued an order, wishing to form a friendly alliance with the State of Zhou, and specially asks the King of Zhou to marry Queen Ruyi to the King of Shang to show that the two countries will be in eternal peace."

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the court.

Zhou Ninghai's expression instantly turned extremely ugly. His eyes were like knives, staring at Zi Yu closely, with a hint of coldness in his voice.

"Your words are wrong, Empress Ruyi is my wife, how can I marry her to someone else so easily?"

Ruyi stood beside Zhou Ninghai, her face remained calm, but there was a hint of determination in her eyes.

She whispered to Zhou Ninghai: "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the relationship between the two countries. I think it should be carefully considered."

Zhou Ninghai turned to look at Ruyi, a complex emotion flashed across his eyes, and then he said in a deep voice: "Ruyi, you are my queen, I will never let you suffer any grievances."

Seeing this, Zi Yu did not back down, and there was a hint of provocation in her voice.

"King Zhou, if you really want peace between the two countries, don't you even have this little bit of sincerity? The King of Shang has admired the Queen for a long time, and this is the King of Shang's sincerity."

Ruyi sighed softly. She knew that she couldn't agree to this matter easily, but she couldn't refuse it completely either, so as not to anger Shang Guo.

She turned to Ziyu, her voice gentle but firm.

"Emissary, marriage is a serious matter, not to mention that it involves the dignity of the queens of two countries. This matter needs to be carefully considered and cannot be decided rashly."

A hint of displeasure flashed across Zi Yu's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

She smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. Marriage is indeed a matter of caution. But the sincerity of the King of Shang cannot be doubted. Please consider it seriously, King Zhou and the Queen."

The ministers in the court also began to discuss the matter, and some advocated accepting the marriage to maintain peace between the two countries.

Others believed that this was a scheme by the Shang State and that one should not be easily fooled.

Zhou Ninghai frowned, he knew this was a difficult decision.

Seeing this, Ruyi whispered to Zhou Ninghai, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. Why not send an envoy to Shang State first, and then make a decision."

Zhou Ninghai pondered for a moment, felt that Ruyi's words made sense, and nodded in agreement.

"Ruyi is right. Then, as you say, we will send an envoy to Shang State first."

When Zi Yu saw that Zhou Guo did not directly refuse, a hint of pride flashed in her eyes, and she bowed slightly.

"In that case, I will wait for good news from your country in Zhou Kingdom."

After the morning court session ended, Ruyi and Yan Lili returned to the harem.

Ruyi frowned, she knew that this matter was not as simple as it seemed on the surface, there must be some conspiracy of the Shang State hidden in it.

"Lipin, what do you think about this matter?" Ruyi asked softly, with a hint of worry in her voice.

A hint of determination flashed in Yan Lili's eyes.

"Empress, I believe that there must be a deeper meaning behind Shang's move. We cannot easily agree, but we cannot completely refuse, lest we give Shang an excuse."

Ruyi nodded, with a hint of determination in her eyes.

"Princess Li, you are right. We must be careful and not let Zhou fall into crisis. At the same time, we must also be prepared in case Shang makes other moves."

Yan Lili bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I will do my best to protect the safety of Zhou State and you."

Ruyi gently patted Yan Lili's hand.

"Lipin, with you here, I believe we can get through this difficult time."

/

The next day, in the court, Zhou Ninghai's decision shocked everyone.

He sat high on the dragon throne, his eyes determined and his voice echoing in the hall.

"Emissary of the Shang Kingdom, after careful consideration, I have decided to agree to the marriage. I will marry the Queen of Zhou, Ruyi, to the King of Shang to show that the two countries will be in eternal peace."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was silence in the court, and then discussions broke out.

Ruyi stood beside Zhou Ninghai. Although her face still maintained the dignity of a queen, her eyes could not hide shock and confusion.

She whispered to Zhou Ninghai: "Your Majesty, this matter concerns my life and the dignity of the Zhou Kingdom. I..."

However, before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Zhou Ninghai.

"Queen, I have made my decision. All you have to do is follow my instructions."

There was a hint of unquestionable majesty in Zhou Ninghai's voice, and his eyes were fixed on Ruyi, as if warning her not to refute.

Ruyi's heart sank, she knew that Zhou Ninghai's decision could not be changed, but she still maintained the demeanor of a queen and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I obey your command."

A smug smile appeared on Ziyu's face and she bowed slightly.

"The King of Zhou is wise, and the King of Shang will surely be moved by his sincerity."

Although the ministers in the court had many doubts in their hearts, they could only express their support for Zhou Ninghai's decision.

Ruyi's eyes swept over the court officials one by one. She knew that she had to accept this reality.