Zhang Yanling sat silently, drinking alone. Everyone on the side was silent.
Chen Shiyi and others naturally knew about some of the entanglements between the Duke and Helena. They also knew that after Helena and Almeida left, the Duke had been thinking about them. Who would have thought that they would meet again today?
, the scene turned out to be so embarrassing. Although the woman was not a stranger to the Duke, she seemed to have no friendship with him.
The Duke of Guo must be very unhappy in his heart. He just suddenly appointed a chief and deputy negotiation envoy without informing Wang Hong and others in advance. I am afraid that he acted on purpose because of his dissatisfaction. Such negotiations, the country
How could the father-in-law not participate?
In order to break the embarrassment, Chen Shiyi said with a smile: "The Duke is just a woman, why should he be angry? He thought that he had become the special envoy of the Franco Kingdom, so he forgot how the Duke went into danger alone and helped him get revenge.
Why should we take such an ungrateful woman to heart?"
It was okay if he didn't say it, but it would be even more embarrassing if he did. Wang Hong glared at him, and Liu Tan beside him pulled his sleeve to stop him, but he still said it.
Zhang Yanling frowned and shouted: "What nonsense are you talking about? Who said I was angry? What are you making random guesses? It's inexplicable."
Chen Shiyi hurriedly shut up. Several generals saw the opportunity and knew that it was not advisable to stay for a long time. They hurriedly took a few bites and left.
Only two daughters, Zhang Yanling and Catherine Zhu Qingyi, were left in the hall. Zhang Yanling frowned and held the red wine in a daze without speaking. The hall was silent for a while.
Zhu Qingyi already knew from Catherine the origin of Miss Helena and some things between her and Zhang Yanling. At this moment, she did not have any other thoughts, but lamented that it is difficult for a hero to be a beauty. Even someone like Zhang Yanling would
He was upset because of these things. It was obvious that he deliberately avoided discussing with the Francois, and there was an element of anger in him.
Like a child who hasn't grown up yet!
"Hey, a nice banquet has come to an end. That's all, I'm going back to my room to rest. There's no need for my father-in-law to do the same. There might be some misunderstanding. Miss Catherine, I think you should go talk to that Miss Helena.
Let's talk, so that our Duke will not be unhappy and restless." Zhu Qingyi said with a smile.
Before Catherine could speak, Zhang Yanling laughed.
"Qingyi, why do you say such things? Do you think I am angry?"
"Isn't it? Isn't it that the father-in-law is angry because of the attitude of Miss Helena? It's the kind of person who, after not seeing each other for many days, throws himself into each other's arms and tells each other how to express their feelings. The result was cold, which made the father-in-law's enthusiasm turn into
It's cold, so naturally you'll be unhappy." Zhu Qingyi pursed her lips and smiled.
Zhang Yanling looked sideways at Zhu Qingyi and said: "Qingyi, are you jealous? You have always been calm and peaceful, but you can also be jealous?"
Zhu Qingyi blushed and spat: "I don't. Who do you think I am, Zhu Qingyi? If I were jealous, how could I have gotten to this point with you? You don't have to say that to me. The more you say that, the more it means that I am right."
.”
Zhang Yanling shook his head and sighed: "You are absolutely wrong. There is something fishy here. The reason why I am like this is because I have some considerations."
"I want to hear your excuses." Zhu Qingyi smiled.
Zhang Yanling said: "Aren't you going to sleep? Why are you here again to find out the truth? You don't care about these things."
Zhu Qingyi said: "I don't want to sleep now, can't I?"
Zhang Yanling smiled silently and bitterly.
Catherine was listening to the conversation between the two, and admired Zhu Qingyi for really daring to offend the Duke. She did not dare to speak like this. Perhaps because Zhu Qingyi was the royal princess of the Ming Dynasty, she was an equal in status, so she dared to speak like this.
"That's all, it's okay to tell you. Catherine, do you think Helena is a ruthless and unjust person?" Zhang Yanling said.
Catherine was deep in thought when she suddenly heard Zhang Yanling ask herself, and she was stunned.
"Do you think Helena is qualified for the position of negotiating with other countries on major issues related to the two countries?" Zhang Yanling asked again.
Catherine thought for a while, shook her head and said: "Your Majesty, Duke, based on Catherine's understanding of Helena, she is just a beautiful, cute and ignorant little girl. She is one year younger than me, and she grew up in a honey pot.
How do you know how to negotiate? He told me that what she hates most is fighting for power and conspiracy. She thinks these things are really boring."
Zhang Yanling nodded and smiled.
"Helena is by no means a heartless and ruthless person. She told me that she fell in love with the Duke and was willing to do anything for him. She said that she just wanted to be by your side for the rest of her life. She also said
That must be the happiest thing in the world." Catherine said.
Zhang Yanling said: "Did she say that?"
Catherine said: "I swear in the name of God, shortly after the capture of Malacca, Lord Almeida asked her to return to the country with her. She was really unable to make a choice. When she slept with me and chatted at night, she said this
If so, she really doesn’t want to leave. She said that even if she returns to China, she will definitely come back to see the Duke in the future.”
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "Qingyi, did you hear that? This is Helena. She really likes me. She is a straightforward, lively and bold girl. Otherwise, I would not be moved by her."
Zhu Qingyi said: "But why did she come back this time and look like two different people?"
Zhang Yanling said: "Yeah, that's the problem. Can a person's personality change so easily? It's only been half a year, and she has changed as a person? Whether she still likes me is secondary. But
, will these six months be enough for her to become a suitable candidate who can negotiate with me, Daming?"
Zhu Qingyi said: "This is very strange. The Franco-Ji Kingdom is negotiating with the Ming Dynasty. For such a big thing, what's the matter with sending a little girl here?"
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "It's very simple. They know the relationship between Helena and I, and they sent her here just to use this relationship to gain the initiative in the negotiations and take advantage. Use, this is careful use. This
The French people did this on purpose, so they gave Helena the title of special envoy."
Zhu Qingyi and Catherine looked at each other, and both saw a look of surprise in each other's eyes. What Zhang Yanling said was indeed true. It is indeed possible to use the special relationship between Helena and Zhang Yanling to strive for good terms in the negotiations.
happened.
"The reason why I asked Generals Wang Hong and Liu Dam to negotiate with them was to avoid the negotiation getting into an unfavorable situation because of my presence. If I were not present, Wang Hong and Liu Dam would reject their unreasonable demands. Therefore,
I just chose to avoid the negotiation. It was not an act of anger due to a restless mind." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Only then did Zhu Qingyi realize that she had been wrong. She thought that Zhang Yanling was deliberately childish and angry because of Helena's attitude. In fact, Zhang Yanling did this because of this consideration and an insight into the other party's methods.
"But Lord Duke, what I don't understand is why Helena agreed to them? I think she must not be willing to use her previous relationship to get benefits and achieve the goals of those people. Has she really changed? She is
Will you voluntarily use this relationship to negotiate in order to achieve a successful goal?" Catherine asked with a frown.
Zhang Yanling said solemnly: "I don't think Helena will become like this. She is a simple and kind girl, and she will not suddenly become such a snobbish and insidious person. I guess she must have been coerced. Maybe you guys
The king and nobles of the country forced her to do this, and she had to obey."
"But why didn't she tell us clearly when she came here and saw you? She could have told us," Catherine said.
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and said: "Fool, her accompanying personnel must be monitoring her every move, setting a frame for her words and deeds, and not allowing her to have alone contact with us. Didn't you see the two deputy envoys beside her? Although
She didn't speak much, but her demeanor and behavior were more like that of a commanding noble official. If Helena was really being coerced, then she would not dare to act without authorization or show anything strange."
"It makes sense." Zhu Qingyi nodded.
"What are they using to threaten Helena? What makes Helena so scared?" Catherine frowned.
Zhang Yanling thought for a while and said: "I guess it is to take advantage of Helena's filial piety and emphasis on family ties. Although Helena's father has passed away, her mother and other relatives should be here. Maybe this is a bargaining chip for blackmail.
"
Catherine shouted: "It's very possible. Helena's mother and her family are still there. The Almeida family is a big family. Mr. Almeida's family was a big family with titles before. Although Mr. Almeida
However, if someone uses Helena's mother or other family members as a bargaining chip to coerce her, Helena can only obey. When Mr. Almeida wanted to return to the country, Helena followed him because she could not bear to go against his wishes.
This is her weakness."
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and said: "It can't be regarded as a weakness. Helena is a person who values love. This should be an advantage. Because of this, I firmly believe that there must be a hidden secret, and I will not believe that she will suddenly become cold to me.
Nothing like before. Even if it is
If she doesn't like me anymore, she won't act so alienated. Besides, since she wants to use this relationship to negotiate with me, she should be warmer to me, even if it's just a pretense. Isn't her cold attitude just that?
A reminder? A reminder that she can’t help herself?”
"It's very possible." Zhu Qingyi and Catherine said in unison.
Isn't it human nature to treat each other coldly even if they fall in love with each other? What's more, there is no grudge between Zhang Yanling and Helena, but they spent a difficult time with each other. Although Zhang Yanling took advantage of Helena, he also
Saved Helena's life, saved Almeida's life.
Helena behaved too coldly, which may be the reminder she wanted to convey.
"No, I have to see Helena. I want to ask her what's going on." Catherine stood up and said.
Zhang Yanling said: "If you go, she won't let you see her. Because the people around her will definitely not let you see her alone. Even if you do, you won't be able to ask anything."
Catherine cried: "What then?"
Zhang Yanling said: "It's very simple. Since the Folangji people came to negotiate, they have decided on the general principle of peaceful coexistence with the Ming Dynasty. They just want to take advantage of more and get more terms that are beneficial to them. When the negotiation has nothing to do,
When progress, or even breakdown, they will realize that Helena's sugar-coated bullet has no effect on me. Then, the real negotiator hidden around her will naturally
They have jumped out. Unless, they don’t want to reach a treaty with the Ming Dynasty, and they don’t want to share the huge dividends brought by the east-west cargo thoroughfare. They don’t want their Franconian country to become the strongest among the European countries. I
I don’t believe that they are willing to give up such a huge benefit, but they will turn against us and go to war with us. Aren’t they afraid of the power of my invincible fleet? Hahahaha.”