"But, my lord, if you could become the emperor's consort, you would be rising to the top in one step!"
"Ascend to heaven? Isn't it good enough for me to be a local tyrant in this southern prefecture?"
"Free and unrestrained, do whatever you want!"
"There are so many rules in the palace, I can't stand them!"
As Lu Yan spoke, he grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and started cracking them open.
"But……"
Li Kui wanted to say something, but Lu Yan interrupted him.
"No buts, hurry up and roast the chicken! I'm starving!"
Li Kui shook his head helplessly and continued plucking chicken feathers.
"My lord, there is a young lady outside requesting an audience. She says she is an old friend of yours."
The yamen runners' voices broke the somewhat languid atmosphere inside the government office.
Lu Yan was sitting with his legs crossed, leisurely munching on the chicken leg that Li Kui had just grilled.
Upon hearing this, he almost choked on the chicken bone.
"An old friend? Did you give your name?"
"Your Excellency, the young lady said her surname was Chen."
"Surname Chen?"
Lu Yan put down the toothpick in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly.
He couldn't quite recall who his old acquaintance, surnamed Chen, was.
Which brothel girl was she?
He waved his hand, signaling the constables to bring the person in.
But in her heart she was thinking, if he were reasonably good-looking, it wouldn't be a bad idea...
"My lord, look at your eyes, you're starting to have wandering thoughts again, aren't you?"
Li Kui winked and grinned mischievously from the side.
"Get lost! I'm thinking about matters of national importance!"
Lu Yan glared at him.
"Hurry up and clean up your roast chicken, or the smell will bother the guests!"
Li Kui pursed his lips and muttered:
"National affairs? I think they're more like women's affairs..."
At this moment, the image of the shrewd businesswoman he had worked with suddenly popped into Lu Yan's mind. Could it be her?
A thought struck him, and he quickly got up.
While tidying up his slightly disheveled official robes, he gave instructions to Li Kui.
"Xiao Kui, hurry up and bring me my new official robe!"
"Also, brew that finest Longjing tea!"
Li Kui looked completely bewildered. "Sir, are you... going on a blind date?"
Lu Yan slapped Li Kui on the back of the head.
"Go away, my foot! Get to work now!"
Before he finished speaking, a woman dressed in gorgeous clothes could be seen in the distance.
She possesses a noble air and stunning beauty.
Although the clothes were different, Lu Yan recognized him at a glance by those slightly cunning eyes.
"Miss Chen, how have you been?"
Lu Yan bowed respectfully, a hint of surprise on his face, but inwardly he muttered to himself:
This woman is hard to deal with; I wonder what kind of trouble she'll cause this time.
Chen Qingwan smiled slightly, but thought to herself:
That corrupt official is quite the actor!
He remained outwardly calm.
"Lord Lu, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lu Yan welcomed Chen Qingwan into the government office.
After the guests and hosts took their seats, Lu Yan was about to ask about their purpose.
Chen Qingwan spoke first:
"Lord Lu's products sell very well in the capital. I have come here specifically to give you a share of the profits."
As she spoke, she clapped her hands, and the guards behind her carried in two heavy boxes.
The box was opened, and it was full of gleaming silver.
Lu Yan stared wide-eyed at the pile of silver; this woman was truly generous!
However, he remained outwardly calm.
"Miss Chen, you're too kind. It's such a small amount of money; there's no need for you to make the trip yourself."
Chen Qingwan smiled slightly.
"Lord Lu is too kind. This is no small sum of money; it is what Lord Lu deserves."
"Then I'll accept it without hesitation."
Lu Yan stopped refusing and had someone accept the money.
"By the way, I heard that Lord Lu achieved a great victory over the Northern Xiang Kingdom. Congratulations!"
Chen Qingwan brought it up seemingly casually.
"Haha, just lucky, just lucky."
Lu Yan was modest on the surface, but he was secretly overjoyed. The news spread pretty fast.
"Miss Chen is too kind. The barbarians of Beixiang are nothing but a rabble. It would be an unfair victory for them."
Chen Qingwan covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling as if a spring breeze were caressing Lu Yan's heart.
"Lord Lu, you are too modest. I have heard many tales of your brilliant military strategies in the capital,"
"The coordinated operation of musketeer battalions, cavalry battalions, and infantry battalions is unheard of; it is truly ingenious and admirable."
She paused, then asked casually.
"How did Lord Lu manage to train such an elite force?"
Lu Yan's eyes darted around. This woman was asking such detailed questions; could it be that she wanted to learn his skills?
He had a sudden realization and started to laugh it off:
"Not at all, they're just some country bumpkins practicing haphazardly. They can't compare to the mighty and imposing Imperial Guards of the capital."
Chen Qingwan seemed to sense Lu Yan's wariness, so she stopped asking and changed the subject:
"By the way, I must also congratulate Lord Lu on his promotion. In just a few months, you have risen from county magistrate to prefect. You have a very promising future."
"It is all thanks to His Majesty's great fortune; I am unworthy of such praise."
He spoke politely, but in his heart he was wondering what kind of person this woman was.
Chen Qingwan exchanged a few more pleasantries with Lu Yan.
The conversation revolved around Lu Yan's political achievements and military prowess, praising him to the point that he became somewhat conceited.
Finally, Chen Qingwan revealed her true intentions, mysteriously saying:
"Lord Lu, I have come here today with a major business deal I would like to discuss with you."
"A big deal?" Lu Yan raised an eyebrow, looking at her with interest.
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