Chen Qingwan sighed inwardly, praising Lu Yan's effective governance.
The fact that Shannan Prefecture has been developed into what it is in such a short period of time is truly remarkable.
However, thinking about Princess Mingyue, her face darkened again.
She arrived at the prefect's mansion without any obstacles. The guards at the gate clearly recognized her and bowed to greet her.
Some people even offered to show her the way.
With a cold face, Chen Qingwan went upstairs without saying a word, pondering how to "settle accounts" with Lu Yan.
She tried hard not to think about the matter between Lu Yan and Princess Mingyue.
But those images, like an inescapable nightmare, kept replaying in her mind.
She absolutely did not want to see the two of them embracing again; the thought of it filled her with rage.
Chen Qingwan pushed open the door to the study in the prefect's mansion.
A familiar scent of ink mixed with a faint sandalwood fragrance wafted towards me.
She felt a mix of emotions, unable to tell whether it was relief or disappointment.
As I walked closer, I saw Lu Yan buried in his documents.
He was focused, as if nothing in the outside world mattered to him.
His brows furrowed slightly, and his slender fingers tapped lightly on the paper from time to time, as if he were pondering some difficult problem.
Seeing how engrossed he was, Chen Qingwan's tense nerves unconsciously relaxed.
The weight that had been hanging over my heart quietly lifted.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help feeling annoyed at her own reaction.
Hearing the noise, Lu Yan looked up and saw Chen Qingwan.
A surprised smile instantly bloomed on his previously tense face:
"Miss Chen, what brings you here?"
Chen Qingwan tried hard to suppress the surging emotions in her heart and put on a cold and aloof expression:
"Of course I'm here to discuss business. Did you think I came to see you?"
Lu Yan smiled slightly and casually pointed to the chair opposite him:
"Please have a seat, Miss Chen."
He had a vague feeling that her intentions were not so simple.
The tone and the expression conveyed a faint sense of estrangement and... jealousy.
After Chen Qingwan sat down, her gaze swept across the study and finally landed on Lu Yan, her expression complex and unreadable.
She recalled the scene a few days ago when Princess Mingyue nestled in Lu Yan's arms, and a wave of bitterness welled up in her heart.
Lu Yan noticed Chen Qingwan's gaze and his heart skipped a beat.
He recalled the scene when he hugged Princess Mingyue goodbye that day, and Chen Qingwan happened to pass by.
"Miss Chen, actually, Princess Mingyue and I..."
He tried to explain, but didn't know how to begin.
"Lord Lu,"
Chen Qingwan interrupted him coldly before he could finish speaking.
"I've come here today to purchase a batch of weapons from you."
Lu Yan paused for a moment, then regained his usual composure and said with a smile:
"Miss Chen, please feel free to ask for anything you want. As long as it is available in Shannan Prefecture, we will not hesitate to give it to you."
Chen Qingwan didn't beat around the bush and said directly:
"I need a thousand muskets, fifty thousand bullets, and the corresponding gunpowder."
Lu Yan raised an eyebrow; this was quite a large number.
"Is Miss Chen going to war?"
Chen Qingwan did not answer directly, but simply said:
"Lord Lu, just name your price."
Lu Yan pondered for a moment, then gave a number:
"A musket costs one thousand taels of silver, and a hundred bullets cost one tael of silver each. Gunpowder is extra. How about that?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Qingwan immediately agreed: "Deal."
Lu Yan sighed inwardly. This woman was indeed decisive and efficient; it seemed the matter was truly urgent.
He picked up his pen, ready to draft the contract.
“In addition,” Chen Qingwan suddenly spoke up.
"I need something... special."
Lu Yan looked up at her, puzzled.
"Something special?"
Chen Qingwan smiled slightly, a sly glint in her eyes:
"For example, poison that can make someone disappear without a trace, or a sleeping potion that can make someone obedient..."
Lu Yan looked at Chen Qingwan, a playful glint in his eyes:
"What is Miss Chen trying to do? Could it be that..."
Chen Qingwan did not answer, but only smiled meaningfully:
"Lord Lu, there's no need to ask any more questions. Just provide the information."
Lu Yan shrugged and smiled:
"Alright, since Miss Chen won't say, I won't ask any further."
"However, these things are not good, so you have to be careful when using them."
Chen Qingwan nodded, indicating that she understood.
The two discussed some details and finally finalized the terms of the deal.
After signing the contract, Chen Qingwan got up to leave.
"Won't Miss Chen stay a few more days?" Lu Yan asked.
Chen Qingwan shook her head: "No, I have something to take care of."
Lu Yan didn't insist that she stay, and got up to see her to the door.
"Oh, right,"
When Chen Qingwan reached the door, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lu Yan.
"Princess Mingyue...where is she?"
Lu Yan paused for a moment, then smiled and said:
"They have already returned to Beixiang Kingdom."
Chen Qingwan nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Lu Yan watched her departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He didn't know what Chen Qingwan was thinking, nor did he know why she had suddenly become so cold.
Back in his study, Lu Yan sat in a chair and pondered for a long time.
He always felt that Chen Qingwan's trip to Shannan Prefecture this time was not just for purchasing weapons.
After leaving Shannan Prefecture, Chen Qingwan spurred her horse on without stopping, wishing she could sprout wings and fly back to Jingzhou.
The galloping horses kicked up clouds of dust, leaving two deep ruts on the official road.
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