On the other hand, the prefect led his troops to wipe out all the bandit nests on the hills near Youzhou. They even shook the egg yolks in the bandit nests and poured a pot of boiling water on the ant nests.
But who would have thought that they couldn't even find half a piece of the "female bandit's" clothes.
Helpless, the prefect could only return to Chaozhou to report to Gu Yanran and report the results of the bandit suppression.
After hearing the report, Gu Yanran's face was so gloomy that water could drip out of it, and she threw the teacup in her hand to the ground with a "bang".
"Waste! You can't even find a woman, you are all a bunch of waste!" She no longer pretended to be graceful, her voice was sharp and piercing.
The governor fell to his knees with a thud. "Your Highness, please calm down. I've done my best! Truly... that female bandit was incredibly cunning and vanished without a trace..."
"How can a living person disappear out of thin air?" Gu Yanran was so angry that she was shaking all over.
She had been left here for five days. If she didn't see Qin Yuan again, and the peace talks continued to drag on, how could she ask for the imperial edict? Was she going to go to Youzhou with all her trouble, only to return empty-handed?
Just as Gu Yanran was about to sweep everything on the table to the ground in a rage, an official from the Ministry of Rites rushed in with an expression of unconcealable joy on his face: "Your Highness! Good news! Good news!"
Gu Yanran suddenly raised her head and said sternly, "What good news? If you dare to say anything useless again, I will not forgive you!"
"We just received confirmation that the Crown Prince of Great Qin has returned to the military camp! General Li Linyuan of the opposing side just sent someone to deliver a message saying that the Crown Prince of Qin is willing to negotiate with us, and the time is set for tonight!"
"What?!"
Gu Yanran stood up suddenly, her eyes gleaming with joy: "Really?"
Is Qin Yuan really willing to see her? And the time is set for tonight?
"Absolutely true!" The official nodded hurriedly and handed over a note.
"This is a peace negotiation letter sent by the Great Qin. It clearly states that the location of the negotiations is set at Lushui Pavilion."
Lushuixuan is a lakeside manor located in the western suburbs of Youzhou City. It is an unofficial post station, known for its beautiful scenery and private layout. It is indeed often used by wealthy businessmen or officials to conduct secret meetings that do not want others to know.
Logically speaking, choosing this place as the location for peace talks is somewhat unconventional.
But at this time, Gu Yanran was overwhelmed by the joy that Qin Yuan was finally willing to see her, and did not think so much.
Moreover, in her opinion, Qin Yuan's invitation to her here had a sense of ambiguity and privacy, which was more consistent with his previous character of being deeply in love with Chu Qingluan.
Besides, she wanted to capture Qin Yuan, and this location was exactly what she wanted.
Gu Yanran took the note and saw the vigorous handwriting on it, which said that peace talks would be held at Wanghe Pavilion tonight.
After five days of worrying about this, Gu Yanran finally let go. She no longer cared about the female bandit. At this moment, she only wanted to succeed in the peace talks, capture Qin Yuan, and return to the capital with this extraordinary achievement to inherit the throne.
By then, no matter whether it is Chu Qingluan or Chu Lang, they will all die!
"very good!"
The gloom on Gu Yanran's face disappeared, replaced by the excitement of being determined to win.
"Reply immediately. I will definitely attend the appointment on time."
She turned around and ordered the maid, "Hurry and prepare! Bring out my most elegant palace attire and jewelry. Tonight, I will use my status as the Crown Princess of Great Chu to intimidate Qin Yuan and secure the first victory in the peace talks!"
She seemed to have already seen herself retiring successfully, returning to the capital with honors, being praised by court officials and admired by everyone.
That night, Lushui Pavilion.
The moon is reflected in the water, and candles flicker in the lobby. The scenery is quiet yet undercurrents surge.
Gu Yanran, dressed in a pomegranate red palace dress with gold embellishments and a phoenix crown made of oriental pearls, came to the outside of the pavilion surrounded by officials from the Ministry of Rites. She stepped on the soft velvet floor and deliberately slowed down each step, trying to show Chu Qingluan's usual dignified gait.
However, when she reached the outside of the palace and was about to go inside with a group of officials behind her, she was stopped by Li Linyuan at the door.
"His Royal Highness has ordered that only the princess be allowed in."
Gu Yanran was slightly stunned and a little surprised.
At the same time, an ambiguous guess arose in my heart.
Qin Yuan wants to be alone with her?
"General Li, since these are peace talks between the two countries, and we are all here representing the Great Chu, isn't this against etiquette?" said Lord Zhou, the Minister of Rites.
Li Linyuan stood straight, his expression unchanged. "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince specifically instructed that this evening's initial meeting be held to exchange our prior intentions and clarify the basis for peace talks. This is a crucial step before in-depth consultations. Honesty and efficiency are crucial. Too many people, too many voices, will only lead to complications."
He glanced at the officials from the Ministry of Rites behind Gu Yanran and added, "Your Highness has taken into consideration the fatigue of your journey and has prepared refreshments at the Tinglan Waterside Pavilion next door. You may move there and rest for a while. Once Your Highness and your country's princess have reached a preliminary agreement on the direction, we will summon you to discuss the details."
When everyone heard this, they felt it was a bit far-fetched, but they couldn't find the right words to refute it.
"Your Highness..." Lord Zhou wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Gu Yanran raising her hand.
"Since His Royal Highness has been so thoughtful, I will proceed inside. I'll trouble General Li to entertain you all."
"It's my job, Your Highness, please." Li Linyuan stepped aside to make way and made a 'please' gesture.
Gu Yanran took a deep breath, then slowly raised her foot and walked into the pavilion.
…
At the same time, next door is Tinglan Waterside Pavilion.
Led by Li Linyuan, several officials from the Ministry of Rites sat down with heavy hearts.
The pavilion was also elegantly decorated, with exquisite tea and snacks, but no one had the heart to enjoy them at the moment.
After a brief silence, the Left Vice Minister of Rites finally couldn't help but speak worriedly:
"Minister Zhou, I'm deeply troubled. Why did Crown Prince Qin only allow the Crown Princess in? This...negotiation is a serious matter, how can it be treated as a joke?"
Another minister nodded in agreement, "Yes, what if Your Highness... is young and impulsive, or is manipulated by the other party and agrees to some conditions that she shouldn't agree to? What will we do then?"
Minister Zhou stroked his beard and pondered, "Your Majesty, what you said is absolutely true. The Crown Prince of Great Qin had already demonstrated extraordinary wisdom when he was in Great Chu. Furthermore, the Crown Princess had previously torn up the contract and instigated the Second Prince to declare war on Great Qin. This... what if he had fallen into a trap..."
"I think it would be better to send someone to guard outside the gate of Lushuixuan? If they hear anything wrong, they can go in and alert His Highness in time?" suggested a slightly younger official.
"That's inappropriate," Minister Zhou refused. "The other party's men are guarding the door. If we approach rashly, they will think we are not sincere, and we might even implicate the princess."
The ministers were discussing the matter, their worries evident in their words.
At this moment, a cold female voice suddenly came from the entrance of the waterside pavilion, just in time to continue what Minister Zhou said.
"Instead of worrying about sincerity, Minister Zhou should first worry about whether the 'Crown Princess' inside can represent the Great Chu."
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