When news broke that Jia Lingyun intended to declare war on the State of Wu and seek peace with the State of Shu, the officials of the State of Shu—previously trembling with fear—erupted in cheers. They prayed in secret, grateful for the spirit of their late Prime Minister protecting their land; otherwise, why would five pieces of human trash from Wu have molested a pregnant woman for no reason at all?
Liu Zhao had learned her lesson. She gave Qin Mi stern instructions that this next trip to the State of Wei must be accompanied by generous gifts. Qin Mi, realizing he had overplayed his hand last time, dared not neglect his duty upon receiving orders for the diplomatic mission. He prepared a lavish tribute, and Liu Zhao issued an imperial decree to annul the engagement between Jiang Xu and Sun Chan, pardon Mu Ying, and betroth Mu Ying to Jia Lingyun.
The death of Zhuge Fang had become an open secret. Originally, keeping the death a secret was meant to gain leverage in peace negotiations between Wei and Shu, but that strategy was now useless.
Chapter 809