Princess Mingyue lowered her head, tears falling to the ground in a steady stream.
She knew she couldn't fool Lu Yan, but she didn't want to give up this last glimmer of hope.
"Lord Lu, I...I know you won't believe anything I say. But...but I really like you."
Princess Mingyue said, her voice choked with emotion.
“I swear, if you are willing to marry me, I will find a way to persuade my father.”
“Princess Mingyue, I appreciate your kindness. But this matter is of great importance, and I need to consider it carefully.”
Lu Yan said calmly.
Princess Mingyue raised her head, a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes:
"Lord Lu, you...you've agreed?"
Lu Yan did not answer, but stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the night outside.
After a long silence, he slowly said:
"Princess Mingyue, you should go back and rest first. Let me think about this matter some more."
Princess Mingyue was somewhat disappointed, but she also knew that this matter could not be rushed.
She stood up, bowed to Lu Yan, and then turned and left.
After Princess Mingyue left, Lu Yan's face instantly darkened.
He walked to the table, picked up the wine jug, and took a big gulp of wine.
"Damn it, the King of Beixiang has really got a good plan! Trying to exchange a woman for peace? He's dreaming!"
Lu Yan slammed the wine pot to the ground with a loud bang.
...
Meanwhile, Chu Wen, who was staying in Shannan Prefecture, saw that Princess Mingyue had not made a move for a long time.
He couldn't help but wonder if Lu Yan's ability to defend himself was truly strong.
Or... has he already seen through Princess Mingyue's scheme?
Anxiety gnawed at Chu Wen's heart like a leech.
He had thought that Princess Mingyue's beauty and gentleness would be enough to make Lu Yan lower his guard.
But things didn't go as smoothly as he had expected.
Unbeknownst to him, Princess Mingyue not only failed to poison Lu Yan as planned, but also developed genuine feelings for him.
Chu Wen was extremely anxious; he couldn't wait any longer.
He had to personally investigate Lu Yan's true strength and weaknesses.
So, Chu Wen went to Shannan Prefecture again and found Lu Yan.
At that moment, Lu Yan was standing by the window, gazing at the deep night sky outside.
Holding a glass of wine in his hand, a deep sorrow lingered between his brows.
"Lord Lu, how have you been?"
Chu Wen bowed respectfully, his face plastered with a fake smile.
Lu Yan turned around, his gaze fixed intently on Chu Wen, a cold smile playing on his lips:
"Mr. Chu, what brings you here so late at night?"
"Hehe, Lord Lu is too kind. I was just passing through and took the opportunity to visit you."
Chu Wen chuckled, but his eyes flickered, and he dared not meet Lu Yan's gaze.
Lu Yan downed his drink in one gulp and said in an icy tone:
"Mr. Chu, there's no need to beat around the bush. Just say what you have to say."
Chu Wen composed himself and tentatively asked:
"Lord Lu, what have you decided regarding... Princess Mingyue's proposal?"
Lu Yan sneered:
“Mr. Chu, we are both smart people, so let’s stop playing these hypocritical tricks. I know very well what your master is planning.”
Chu Wen's expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm and said:
"Lord Lu, you have misunderstood. My master sincerely wishes to form a marriage alliance with you."
"Sincerely?"
Lu Yan walked up to Chu Wen, looking down at him with disdain in his eyes.
"If your master were truly sincere, why would he resort to such despicable means?"
"Lord Lu, I have come to see you again because His Majesty is willing to marry my daughter, Princess Mingyue, to you."
"We will also offer Yunyang City as a dowry, and pay an additional million taels of silver. We hope that Lord Lu will release the prisoners of my Northern Xiang Kingdom."
Chu Wen said with a sincere expression.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yan couldn't help but scoff:
"Lord Chu, do you think I'm a fool? Yunyang City was captured by our army through bloody battles. When did it become a gift from your Northern Xiang Kingdom?"
"Furthermore, trying to redeem tens of thousands of prisoners with just a million taels of silver? Your calculations are a bit too shrewd, aren't they?"
Chu Wen's face stiffened; he hadn't expected Lu Yan to be so disrespectful.
But he still suppressed his anger and said:
"Lord Lu, although Yunyang City was captured by you, it originally belonged to my Beixiang Kingdom."
"Now that I, the King, am willing to give it to you as part of your dowry, it can be considered as returning it to its rightful owner."
"As for the million taels of silver, that is the greatest sincerity we can offer."
Lu Yan snorted coldly:
"Lord Chu, stop playing dumb with me. Your Northern Xiang Kingdom is the one that started this war."
"Now that you've been defeated, you should show remorse in negotiations, instead of trying to appease me with so-called 'dowry' and 'compensation'."
Chu Wen's expression turned even uglier; he hadn't expected Lu Yan to be so forceful.
But his purpose in coming here was to complete his mission.
He could only continue to deal with Lu Yan, trying to find a new breakthrough.
"Lord Lu, I know that my Northern Xiang Kingdom was at fault first, but now that the war is over, we should value peace and develop together." "My king is willing to cede territory and pay reparations, which has already shown enough sincerity. I hope that Lord Lu can be lenient and give my Northern Xiang Kingdom a way out."
Chu Wen pleaded almost in a humble voice.
Lu Yan watched as Chu Wen sat with his legs crossed, fiddling with a jade pendant he had taken from Chu Wen's waist.
He said casually:
"Lord Chu, to be frank, the damage that this war you started has caused to Shannan is beyond description!"
Ordinary people are displaced, their families are torn apart, and you're telling me about a million taels of silver?
Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar?
“My Shannan region is so rich, why would we care about your little bit of money? What do we lack?”
It's about attitude! It's about your Northern Xiang Kingdom's attitude of admitting your mistakes! Understand?
Large beads of sweat dripped down Chu Wen's forehead as he mentally cursed Lu Yan's ancestors for eighteen generations.
He originally thought that by sending Princess Mingyue as a gift, he would also have to pay a million taels of silver.
This should at least calm Shannan down and resolve the issue peacefully.
But to his utter surprise, Lu Yan was completely unyielding, stubborn as a rock in a latrine!
Seeing Chu Wen's discomfiture, Lu Yan felt a surge of satisfaction and continued to add fuel to the fire:
"Princess Mingyue? She is beautiful, but alas, Shannan has many beautiful women, though not many other things! Besides, what does it matter if she's a princess?"
"So what if they're born into royalty? If they make a mistake, they have to accept the punishment! If your Northern Xiang Kingdom doesn't show some sincerity, this matter isn't over!"
Chu Wen's face turned pale and then red, as he tried his best to maintain his last shred of dignity.
He said it in a dry, unresponsive manner:
"Lord Lu, we...we came with sincerity..."
"Sincerity?"
Lu Yan chuckled, interrupting Chu Wen.
"You call this sincerity? I think you're just joking. Come on, let me see where your sincerity is. Is it hidden in your sleeves or in the soles of your shoes?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
