Princess Mingyue's eyes widened as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world.
"Lord Chu, are you out of your mind? You want me to kill Lu Yan? What do you take me for?"
Chu Wen remained calm and composed, a fake smile plastered on his face.
"Your Highness, please calm down. I was only thinking of the future of Bei Xiang Kingdom."
"Lu Yan is ruthless and cunning. Now that he occupies Shannan and other places, he poses a great threat to the security of our borders." "It is better to have a short pain than a long one. Only by eliminating him can we prevent future troubles."
Princess Mingyue gave a cold laugh.
"Lord Chu, stop spreading alarmist rumors. I know Lu Yan better than you do what kind of person he is."
"Although he was an official of Datong, he never initiated a war and even helped our Beixiang Kingdom on several occasions."
"You're asking me to kill him? That's repaying kindness with enmity!"
Chu Wen's face darkened.
"Your Highness, you must not be deceived by him! Lu Yan's actions are merely a temporary expedient."
"His ultimate goal is to annex my Northern Xiang Kingdom! As the princess of Northern Xiang Kingdom, are you going to just stand by and watch your country be devoured by him?"
"you……"
Princess Mingyue was speechless for a moment. Chu Wen's words were like a thorn, piercing her heart.
Although she had feelings for Lu Yan, she loved her country even more.
Seeing that Princess Mingyue was wavering, Chu Wen immediately pressed his advantage.
"Your Highness, think about it. If you can get rid of Lu Yan, you will be a hero of Bei Xiang Kingdom, and your father will look at you with new respect!"
"More importantly, you were able to save the Northern Xiang Kingdom from dire straits. What a great achievement that is!"
Princess Mingyue was in a state of utter confusion. She felt as if she were standing at a crossroads, unsure of which way to go.
Torn between her country and the man she loves, what should she choose?
Seeing that Princess Mingyue was still hesitating, Chu Wen's tone became firmer.
"Your Highness, please don't forget that you are the princess of Beixiang Kingdom, and you bear the heavy responsibility of the nation on your shoulders! How can personal feelings be compared with the greater good of the country?"
"If you insist on not taking action, then I will have no choice but to report this matter to the King. At that time, I'm afraid..."
Chu Wen didn't finish speaking, but the threat was already obvious.
Princess Mingyue gritted her teeth, but ultimately succumbed to her challenge.
"Okay, I promise you."
Chu Wen was overjoyed and took out a delicate little porcelain bottle from his pocket, handing it to Princess Mingyue.
"Your Highness, this is the deadly poison 'Heartbreak Powder,' colorless and odorless. Just a tiny bit can kill someone instantly."
"Find an opportunity to put it in Lu Yan's food..."
Princess Mingyue took the porcelain bottle, and the icy touch instantly spread throughout her body.
With a slight tremor of her fingertips, she grasped not a porcelain vase, but a beating heart.
A time bomb that could explode at any moment.
She could almost feel the chilling, poisonous aura seeping into her skin through her fingers and penetrating her bone marrow.
Back in her room, Princess Mingyue locked the door behind her, confining herself to this small space.
The candlelight flickered, illuminating her pale face, while her inner turmoil surged like a tidal wave.
He gripped the porcelain bottle tightly in his hand, his palms sweating profusely.
Lu Yan's image kept flashing through my mind:
His cheerful demeanor when he's chatting and laughing, his wisdom when he's strategizing, his gentleness when he cares for his subordinates...
These images cut into her heart like sharp blades.
She simply couldn't connect this deadly poison with the man who had left a deep impression on her.
Princess Mingyue hid the porcelain bottle in a secret compartment of her dressing table, intending to seal away this wicked thought along with it.
However, as she lay in bed, darkness engulfed her.
Countless terrifying scenes played out in her mind.
One moment she saw Lu Yan collapse in agony, the next she saw the Northern Xiang Kingdom engulfed in war.
A moment later, I saw the disappointment in my father's eyes...
The various images intertwined, leaving her in a state of turmoil and unable to sleep all night.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Princess Mingyue woke up.
She looked into the bronze mirror and saw a haggard face reflected in it.
Her dark circles, like heavy smoky makeup, made her face look even paler.
She rubbed her sore eyes and sighed deeply.
Last night, she barely slept a wink, her mind filled with Lu Yan's voice and smile.
And Chu Wen's gloomy face.
She used makeup to barely cover her dark circles, changed into an elegant dress, and tried her best to look more energetic.
However, when she walked up to Lu Yan, her haggard appearance was still undeniable.
Lu Yan was discussing military matters with several generals when he saw Princess Mingyue approaching.
He stopped what he was doing and asked with concern:
"Oh, Princess Mingyue, you look so pale. Did you not sleep well last night, or did you do something wrong?"
Princess Mingyue forced a smile and said:
"It's nothing, just a nightmare."
Lu Yan's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, a vague unease rising in his heart.
He certainly noticed Princess Mingyue's unusual behavior, but he didn't know how to ask her.
"If the princess is not feeling well, she should go back and rest immediately!"
Lu Yan said softly.
Princess Mingyue shook her head and said:
"I'm fine, just a little weak."
Over the next few days, Princess Mingyue felt as if she were walking on a knife's edge, suffering immense inner torment.
She carried the bottle of heartbreak powder with her at all times, but could never find a suitable opportunity.
During each meal, she watched Lu Yan chatting and laughing.
When she has a big appetite, her hands tremble involuntarily.
She repeatedly took the poison out of her sleeve pocket and then put it back in.
It felt like being trapped in a giant cage, unable to escape or break free.
She wished time could stand still at this moment, so she would never have to face this cruel choice.
She watched Lu Yan chatting and laughing in the military camp, speaking with great confidence and eloquence, pointing out the flaws in the country and writing passionately.
The arrogance of a powerful official who once treated his subjects like dirt.
He was a born general with unparalleled leadership skills.
She watched him strategize and win battles with confidence and composure, as if everything was under his control.
Watching him care for his subordinates and show compassion for the people, he was as warm and kind as an older brother.
He was sincere and approachable, without the slightest airs, which earned him the respect and love of everyone.
All of this made it impossible for her to be ruthless.
She couldn't manage to put poison in his food no matter what she tried.
"Princess Mingyue, why do you look so pale?"
Lu Yan's concerned voice interrupted her thoughts.
Princess Mingyue came to her senses and realized that she had been crying all the time.
She hurriedly wiped away her tears, forced a smile, and said:
"It's nothing, I just remembered some things from the past."
Looking at her forced smile, Lu Yan felt even more worried.
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