After a few rounds of drinks, Chen Qingwan put down her glass and sighed with feigned worry.
"Under Lord Lu's rule, the people live in peace and contentment. Shannan County is truly a paradise on earth."
"I've traveled all over the country for so many years, and this is the first time I've seen such a prosperous county town."
Her eyes flickered, and she glanced at Lu Yan seemingly casually.
"It's a pity that not every place in this beautiful land is like Shannan County."
Lu Yan chuckled and popped a piece of peanut into his mouth.
"Is Miss Chen praising me indirectly?"
"Alright, since you have such good taste, I'll reluctantly accept your praise."
Qiao'er rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "So shameless!"
Lu Yan, with his sharp ears, immediately retorted:
"Qiao'er, I advise you to say less, or you'll eat too many peanuts and make your little face even rounder!"
Qiao'er puffed out her cheeks in anger, but dared not actually talk back, and could only glare fiercely at Lu Yan.
Chen Qingwan covered her mouth and chuckled, then promptly changed the subject:
"Lord Lu is too kind. It's just that the war is about to end, and the people in various places are suffering terribly. Unlike Shannan County, which is prosperous and thriving."
She feigned a sigh and continued:
"I really hope that all people in the world can live such a good life."
Lu Yan raised an eyebrow, looking at Chen Qingwan with great interest.
This woman is quite the actress.
He's clearly a businessman, but he pretends to be a patriot.
However, these words really resonated with him.
Although he has a sharp tongue, he is not truly heartless.
“Miss Chen, you’ve hit the nail on the head.”
Lu Yan put down his chopsticks and said seriously.
"I have seen the suffering of the people in this world. However, my abilities are limited, and I can only manage this small area."
"If we want all the people in the world to live a good life, we still have to rely on those in high positions."
Chen Qingwan's heart skipped a beat. Could Lu Yan's words be implied?
She glanced back discreetly and tentatively asked:
"Lord Lu is absolutely right. But how many of those in high positions truly care about the people?"
"I don't know about that. However, I believe there must be a few who genuinely want to do something practical for the people."
"Truly doing practical things for the people? Ha!"
Chen Qingwan chuckled softly.
"Lord Lu, you are far too naive. Things in officialdom are never that simple."
She poured herself a glass of wine, drank it all in one gulp, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
Lu Yan glanced at her sideways, a playful smile playing on his lips.
"Miss Chen, there's a hidden meaning in your words. What, you're implying that you know a lot about court politics?"
Chen Qingwan feigned drunkenness and waved her hand.
"Not at all, not at all. I'm just a merchant who travels all over the country. What do I know about politics? It's just hearsay."
She paused, then lowered her voice and said mysteriously.
"However, the world is not at peace!"
"I've heard that many local officials are just incompetent fools who only know how to exploit the people, and it's the ordinary people who suffer the most."
Lu Yan dared not answer carelessly; just in case, he could not discuss national affairs casually.
Otherwise, if the higher-ups find out one day that I've become a local tyrant in Shannan County, they'll probably get rid of me.
So he replied casually:
"I've heard a little about such things. But what does it have to do with a mere county magistrate like me? I'd better just mind my own business."
“Lord Lu, you are mistaken,” Chen Qingwan shook her head.
"If everyone were as prudent and self-protective as Lord Lu, wouldn't the world descend into chaos?"
Lu Yan laughed heartily.
"Miss Chen, are you trying to make me a savior? I don't have that kind of ability."
"Besides, being a savior isn't easy; you might end up getting yourself into trouble."
"Lord Lu is too modest,"
Chen Qingwan said meaningfully.
"Some things, perhaps, are better left undone. But if you do them, they might change the fate of many people."
Lu Yan looked at Chen Qingwan, his gaze gradually becoming deep.
“Miss Chen, you seem to be implying something tonight,” Lu Yan said with a half-smile.
"Just say what you really want to say."
Chen Qingwan smiled slightly.
"Lord Lu, I am but a woman, and I come from a humble background as a merchant. I have a lot of ambition, but I am powerless to achieve it."
“But you are different. Someone as capable as Lord Lu should not be buried in this small Shannan County.”
"Miss Chen, the way you're saying that sounds like you're begging for food."
Lu Yan scoffed.
"What's wrong with women? Can't women have ambitions? The way you're saying that makes people think I'm discriminating against women."
He paused, glanced at Chen Qingwan out of the corner of his eye, and continued speaking.
"Isn't our current Empress also an Empress? Didn't she still beat the northern barbarians so badly that they were running for their lives, crying for their parents?"
Chen Qingwan was dumbfounded, her beautiful eyes wide open as she stared blankly at Lu Yan opposite her.
This isn't right! Why are they suddenly praising her?
Although in the palace, there are countless sycophantic ministers.
But she was already tired of those flattering words.
But this guy's praise... something feels a little different.
It felt like... a tickle, making her feel a tingling sensation all over her body.
She stood there stunned for a while before she came to her senses and coughed lightly to cover up her embarrassment.
"I never expected Lord Lu to hold His Majesty in such high regard."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yan immediately perked up.
As if he had found a kindred spirit, he began to praise the Empress at length.
"That's for sure! Her Majesty is incredibly wise and capable, a woman who is just as outstanding as any man!"
"Back then, when the Northern Barbarian army was pressing in, and the capital was on the verge of collapse, His Majesty remained calm in the face of danger, donned his armor, and led a group of old, weak, sick, and disabled men into battle..."
"Pfft—" Chen Qingwan spat out a mouthful of wine, quickly covering her mouth with a handkerchief, her face turning bright red.
Cough cough cough... Lord Lu, stop, stop! Cough cough..."
Lu Yan was startled by this sudden turn of events. He quickly put down his chopsticks and asked with concern:
"Miss Chen, are you alright? Did you choke? Would you like some water?"
Chen Qingwan waved her hand, finally stopping her cough, and glared at Lu Yan reproachfully.
"Lord Lu, could you... could you please stop exaggerating like that? His Majesty is indeed wise and mighty, but... but he's not as... as you're making him out to be..."
She couldn't find the right words to describe it, and could only sigh helplessly.
"Anyway, take your praises a little less, or the walls might be overhearing."
Lu Yan then realized that he had gotten a little carried away and awkwardly touched his nose.
"It was just a moment of excitement, hehe..."
“However,” Lu Yan changed the subject.
She took a sip of her wine, smacked her lips, and said, "Even this Empress has her shortcomings."
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