Elena's words were like a thunderclap in winter, startling the soldiers around her.

The soldiers' eyes were filled with doubt and confusion. Ivanov had been captured, and the bet was already decided. Wouldn't doing this force Chen Zhennan to kill Ivanov?

But the soldiers nodded in agreement when they saw Elena's gaze, and then began to prepare themselves.

At Elena's command, the soldiers in Elena's camp sprang into action. Their movements were swift and orderly, like a group of well-trained cheetahs preparing to capture their prey.

The soldiers parted to make way for Chen Zhennan, but their eyes held a hidden murderous intent, like a group of venomous snakes lurking in the grass, ready to launch a fatal attack at any moment.

The atmosphere in the military camp became unusually tense, with a sense of oppression permeating the air, as if a storm was about to break.

The soldiers' eyes were filled with vigilance and alertness; they knew this would be a life-or-death struggle.

Chen Zhennan rode a tall horse and slowly entered the military camp. His figure appeared exceptionally tall in the torchlight.

His eyes held a hint of smugness and contempt, seemingly oblivious to the impending danger.

Behind him was Marshal Ivanov, who was bound and gagged, his face still bearing anger, but even more so, deep hatred for Chen Zhennan.

To avoid unnecessary friction, Chen Zhennan only brought Yan Shiyu and ten carefully selected team members. They pushed and shoved Ivanov and Petrov as they slowly walked into the military camp.

Although the team is small in number, each member is a battle-hardened elite. Their steps are firm, and their eyes reveal an unwavering determination and courage.

Elena, accompanied by her deputy and more than a dozen frontline generals, personally greeted Chen Zhennan.

However, Elena's eyes gleamed with vigilance and scrutiny, as if she could see through everything.

Upon approaching Chen Zhennan, Elena clasped her hands in a respectful bow and greeted him in fluent Da Yan language. Her clear and melodious voice, like a mountain spring, brought a touch of relief to the tense atmosphere.

"Marshal Chen, you've come from afar, you must be tired." Her words were respectful, yet she maintained her authority.

Chen Zhennan waved his hand, looked Elena up and down with a hint of amusement in his eyes, as if he were appraising a work of art.

She was indeed a Slavic beauty, with fair skin, a beautiful face, and a tall figure. However, in his opinion, Elena lacked the tenderness that a Central Plains beauty should have in her eyes, especially compared to Song Yunyang, she was far inferior.

Chen Zhennan exchanged a few polite words, then pointed to Ivanov and Petrov not far behind him.

"General Elena, we are both sensible people. Ivanov and Petrov are now in my hands. Can you keep your word and marry Ai Zijun?"

Elena was speechless for a moment, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes. She hadn't expected Chen Zhennan to have the same attitude, as if all the people of Da Yan were focused on her. It was truly both laughable and exasperating.

Elena took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, then smiled slightly and replied, "Marshal Chen, your arrival was so sudden that I really wasn't prepared. However, since you're already here, let's put aside these heavy topics for now, have someone prepare some food and drinks, and then we can talk about Ivanov and Petrov over drinks."

Elena's response was both polite and skillfully avoided Chen Zhennan's provocation.

With Elena's command, the atmosphere in the camp gradually relaxed, and the soldiers began to busy themselves preparing food and drinks for the upcoming banquet.

Torches were lit, illuminating the entire military camp, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and fine wine, making one's mouth water.

At the banquet, Elena and Chen Zhennan sat facing each other, their eyes filled with vigilance and scrutiny.

Elena raised her glass, smiled, and said, "Marshal Chen, I'll drink first as a sign of respect. I hope this meeting will go smoothly and lay the foundation for peace between our two countries."

Chen Zhennan also raised his glass, a hint of amusement in his eyes, and replied, "General Elena, I agree with what you said. I hope this meeting will help us achieve our common goal."

As they spoke, everyone raised their glasses and drank with slight smiles on their faces.

Chen Zhennan sat in his tent, a calm and composed expression on his face, as if everything was under his control.

Ivanov and Petrov, two important figures in the Slavic principality, have now become pawns in his hands, and he can't help but feel a little smug.

However, Elena's attitude puzzled him. She seemed indifferent to the fate of the two prisoners, as calm and undisturbed as still water.

Soon after, Elena ordered someone to invite Ai Zijun over as well.

The group sat around the tent, the atmosphere seemingly unusually harmonious, as if the previous tensions had never occurred.

The camp was brightly lit, the flickering flames illuminating everyone's faces, some bright, some dim, some joyful, some sorrowful.

As time went on, Chen Zhennan gradually felt that something was wrong.

Elena seemed to be deliberately stalling for time; every movement and every word she uttered was like a carefully choreographed play.

His gaze was sharp as an eagle's, trying to catch a flaw in Elena's face.

Finally, Chen Zhennan couldn't help but speak up: "General Elena, your bet is over. It would be better to keep your promise and become the Princess Consort of Zhenbei in my Great Yan. You don't want to go back on your word, do you?"

Elena gave an awkward laugh, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes; she couldn't escape the topic after all.

“Marshal Chen, I really don’t want to break my promise, but ‘a forced marriage is never sweet.’ Even if I become the Princess of Zhenbei, what good will it do?” Elena retorted.

Chen Zhennan chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He turned to Ai Zijun and asked with a smile, "A forced relationship won't be sweet, but it will quench your thirst. Brother Ai, what do you say?"

Ai Zijun's expression changed slightly, her eyes showing a hint of complexity.

After hearing Chen Zhennan's words, Ai Zijun revealed a confident smile.

"Marshal Chen, of course I hope Elena keeps her word. After all, I have reserved the position of my queen for several years, which is for Elena."

Upon hearing this, Elena frowned, her expression revealing a hint of displeasure and determination, as if dark clouds had obscured the bright moon.

She slowly stood up, her posture as upright as a pine tree, her gaze sharp as torches, looking directly at Ai Zijun and Chen Zhennan.

“I, Elena, always keep my word, but I also have my bottom line. Now I can only give you two choices: one, leave Ivanov and Petrov here, and then leave; two, we can discuss peace, and from now on, the two countries will no longer be at war.”