When she took her leave, Princess Mingyue felt a mix of emotions.
She knew it was only a temporary separation, but the stirring in her heart kept her restless.
As she walked out of the mansion, she couldn't help but turn back and look at the mysterious man—Lu Yan.
She thought to herself:
"Hmph! You damned Lu Yan, I'll make you fall for me!"
Throughout the journey, Princess Mingyue's thoughts surged like the tides.
That cold-faced, sharp-tongued prefect had unknowingly stirred something within me.
She shook her head in frustration, but the mark that seemed to be etched in her heart was hard to erase.
"I want to buy a courtyard house and settle down, but I can't let myself seem too eager."
She muttered to herself, already starting to plan how to settle down in Shannan Prefecture.
Princess Mingyue knew that this was an essential step if she wanted to get closer to Lu Yan.
In her mind, a bold plan gradually took shape.
After Princess Mingyue left, Lu Yan and Chen Qingwan chatted idly in the mansion.
Chen Qingwan looked at Lu Yan, a smile playing on her lips, her eyes full of teasing:
"I never imagined that Lord Lu was not only a capable minister who could govern the country well, but also that he could win the heart of the princess of Beixiang Kingdom."
"Oh?" Lu Yan raised an eyebrow, his expression dismissive.
"Is Miss Chen jealous? Or is she trying to accuse me of being too charming?"
"Hmph, who would be jealous of you?"
Chen Qingwan scoffed, but a slight blush crept onto her face without her noticing.
In her heart, a small flame was also burning secretly.
"However, Lord Lu is indeed exceptionally capable, managing Shannan Prefecture with great success."
Chen Qingwan spoke solemnly, her words full of praise.
"I want to learn how to do business and how to manage. Can you teach me?"
This time, Chen Qingwan's tone was not as condescending as usual, but rather carried a hint of sincerity.
Even a little playful:
"I can pay the tuition!"
Lu Yan looked at her, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"Teaching a disciple can lead to the master's starvation. What if I teach you and you end up earning all the money I should be making in the future?"
"I'm only saving this skill for my future wife."
Lu Yan continued to tease, the curve of his lips becoming increasingly pronounced.
Upon hearing this, Chen Qingwan sighed slightly, feigning disappointment.
"Oh, just pretend I was joking."
Lu Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud, his eyes revealing an unpredictable light.
"You weren't sincere, so it's a good thing I didn't teach you. Otherwise, if I had taught you, wouldn't you be betraying your master and ancestors?"
"So, Lord Lu, which lucky lady do you intend to pass on your skills in governing Shannan Prefecture to?"
Chen Qingwan deliberately used a sarcastic tone in her words.
Lu Yan shook his head slightly and smiled, "Not everyone can learn this skill of mine."
"Hmph, do you expect me to have to overcome five obstacles and defeat six generals?"
Lu Yan pretended to think about it seriously for a moment:
"Passing the test is unnecessary, but as for the lady, she must at least be as intelligent as Miss Chen."
Chen Qingwan blushed slightly at the compliment, but stubbornly replied:
"That's it, you'll never marry someone like me in your entire life."
The two looked at each other and smiled, clearly they were just bickering.
Chen Qingwan's heart trembled slightly, as if a string on a musical instrument had been gently plucked.
In that instant, she suddenly understood something.
The person opposite you is someone you can't ignore.
She couldn't help but fall into thought, perhaps without realizing it, her heart had quietly opened a door for him.
Chen Qingwan lowered her head slightly, took a sip of tea, but a trace of displeasure swept through her heart.
Perhaps Princess Mingyue's expression of affection was too obvious.
Or perhaps it was the princess's behavior in front of Lu Yan that made her feel uncomfortable.
As an empress, she shouldn't be so easily swayed by emotions.
But whenever she thinks about how, under her rule, there is such a willful and capricious princess who harbors feelings for Lu Yan.
She couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
She glanced at Lu Yan furtively and found that he still looked lazy.
He casually leaned back in his chair, looking completely indifferent.
"Lu Yan, what do you think of that princess?"
Chen Qingwan asked calmly, her tone carrying a subtle hint of probing.
Lu Yan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile:
“Princess Mingyue? She’s quite interesting. But I’m not interested in spoiled and willful girls.”
Chen Qingwan felt slightly comforted after hearing this, and a slight smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.
But then I thought, what if Mingyue truly admires Lu Yan?
This is another worrying issue for her.
Aren't you afraid she has ulterior motives towards you?
Chen Qingwan's tone turned slightly somber, and her gaze held a hint of scrutiny.
Lu Yan chuckled and waved his hand:
"She's just a princess, so what? I'm not some rare and precious treasure that she can have whatever she wants."
Chen Qingwan was amused by his unruly words, and the displeasure on her face eased slightly.
She knew in her heart that Lu Yan was not the kind of person who was easily deceived by appearances.
He has his own sense of propriety and judgment, which is what she admires about him.
However, Chen Qingwan's doubts did not completely disappear.
She wasn't worried that Lu Yan would fall in love with Mingyue.
But she was more concerned about whether Mingyue's feelings for Lu Yan were genuine.
As an empress, she knew all too well that ruling was full of complex schemes and calculations.
Could the young princess be approaching Lu Yan for ulterior motives? She had to be careful about this.
Lost in thought, she asked again:
"If she really has ulterior motives, how do you plan to deal with her?"
Lu Yan slowly put down his teacup, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes:
"If she really has any ulterior motives, I don't mind teaching her a lesson so she knows her place."
Chen Qingwan was slightly taken aback, then revealed a knowing smile.
She knew Lu Yan's confidence and composure all too well, which secretly put her at ease.
"If there's anything I can do to help you, just let me know."
Chen Qingwan spoke softly, her tone revealing the decisiveness of a leader.
Lu Yan looked at her, his eyes flickering slightly.
He knew the sincerity and strength in her words and nodded slightly in response.
The two understood each other implicitly, their tacit agreement was self-evident.
At this moment, sunlight is streaming into the room through the half-open window.
A gentle breeze occasionally swept by, bringing a refreshing coolness.
In this harmonious atmosphere, Chen Qingwan suddenly smiled, as if she had thought of something interesting:
"By the way, Lu Yan, if you really intend to teach me how to do business and manage, then wouldn't I be considered your special student?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yan pretended to ponder for a moment, then said in a serious tone:
"I guess so, but becoming a special student isn't something you can just do casually; you have to pass my test first."
"Then we'll see what strange and unusual tests you have in store."
Chen Qingwan feigned disdain, but a hint of cunning flickered in her eyes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
