Lu Yan nodded and patted him on the shoulder.
He then turned and walked out of the prison, with Chen Qingwan following closely behind.
Her face was still somewhat pale, and her eyes were full of curiosity as she looked at Lu Yan.
"Lord Lu, I really understand you less and less."
Chen Qingwan couldn't help but speak up.
Lu Yan chuckled softly and shook his head, saying:
"I'm just a small-time strategist."
Chen Qingwan gave a soft snort.
I pinched my nose, trying to block out the pungent smell in the air:
"Aren't you afraid that Tu Rong will betray you? After all, he's from Java."
Lu Yan waved his hand dismissively:
"People's hearts are a scale. Tu Rong did not receive the respect and care he deserved in Java."
"Now that he sees hope here, he won't give up easily."
"Moreover, his disappointment with the King of Java was deeper than we imagined."
Chen Qingwan frowned slightly:
"It is said that the king of Java was greedy and lustful, so it's no wonder that Tu Rong was disheartened."
"Yes, he even used the people he trusted most to eliminate dissidents."
"Such a king will eventually suffer the consequences of his own actions."
Lu Yan said calmly, his tone full of sarcasm.
The two walked to a spacious and quiet place, and Chen Qingwan finally couldn't help but ask:
"Lord Lu, I have a feeling that you are still plotting something with Java."
Lu Yan smiled slightly and shook his head, feigning ease:
"Don't worry, Miss Chen, I have no secret plot."
"Since Java's defeat, they haven't caused any more trouble."
He paused, narrowed his eyes, and spoke in a gentle tone with a hint of teasing:
"I'm a person of principle; if someone doesn't offend me, I won't bother them."
Chen Qingwan turned her head to the side, winked playfully, and then revealed a meaningful smile:
"What a pity, I thought you were planning something earth-shattering."
Lu Yan turned and walked towards a patch of grass not far away. A gentle breeze fluttered his clothes as he murmured:
"However, I heard that Java is working hard to develop its economy, so it seems they haven't completely given up their ambitions."
Lu Yan and Chen Qingwan walked along a sunlit path.
The atmosphere was quite relaxed, and amidst the laughter and conversation, it seemed as if all the gloom had vanished.
However, at that moment, a subordinate rushed in and hurriedly reported:
"Lord Lu, Princess Mingyue has arrived in Shannan Prefecture."
Upon hearing this news, Lu Yan frowned slightly.
A look of confusion crossed Chen Qingwan's eyes.
She had no idea why the princess of Beixiang Kingdom had suddenly come to visit at this time.
Before long, Princess Mingyue arrived gracefully, surrounded by her attendants.
She wore a light pink dress, and her hair was adorned with exquisite pearls and jade.
The moment those bright eyes saw Lu Yan, they shone with a light like the morning sun.
"Lord Lu, it's been a long time. You are still as dashing as ever."
Princess Mingyue spoke with a light laugh, her voice as clear and melodious as a spring stream.
Lu Yan nodded slightly, but his words carried a hint of amusement.
"May I ask what brings you to Shannan Prefecture this time?"
Princess Mingyue smiled slightly, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Chen Qingwan beside her, and she couldn't help but ask:
"And who is this young lady?"
"Oh, this is my friend, Miss Chen."
Lu Yan answered casually, seemingly unwilling to elaborate further.
Chen Qingwan nodded slightly to Princess Mingyue, a meaningful glint in her eyes.
"Lu Yan, I have come here this time hoping that you can make peace with the Northern Xiang Kingdom and stop attacking us."
Princess Mingyue looked at Lu Yan, her tone gentle yet earnest.
Lu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, as if he had anticipated the princess's words, and responded calmly:
Princess Mingyue has probably misunderstood something.
"If your Northern Xiang Kingdom hadn't provoked us first, openly demanding barbarian lands, how could I not have been forced to retaliate?"
Chen Qingwan listened attentively, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
This calm and composed demeanor, which uses gentleness to overcome strength, is precisely the slightly magical charm of Lu Yan.
She couldn't help but nod to herself inwardly.
Lu Yan always seemed to handle the situation of joining and leaving the group with ease.
Princess Mingyue sighed softly, a hint of pleading in her eyes.
"Lord Lu, I am truly sorry. I failed to dissuade my father in time, which led to the outbreak of war."
Her tone was gentle, but tinged with regret.
"However, our Northern Xiang Kingdom has decided to offer your dynasty some benefits as a gesture of reconciliation. We only hope..."
"You just want me to return Jianmen Pass to you, right?"
Lu Yan interrupted calmly, a smile playing on his lips, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
He already knew the other party's intentions; he was simply waiting for the proposal to come.
"Your plan was quite good, but unfortunately, you started this battle yourselves."
Princess Mingyue was speechless, as if her secret had been revealed, and she didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"This Jianmen Pass originally belonged to your Beixiang Kingdom, didn't it?"
Lu Yan turned to Chen Qingwan, his tone unwavering.
"But you sent troops to attack my Shannan Prefecture, and as a result, Jianmen Pass fell into my hands. Do you expect to take it back?"
Chen Qingwan couldn't help but smile slightly.
This man always does things unpredictably; every word he says contains seven parts truth and three parts sarcasm.
Princess Mingyue looked embarrassed and avoided eye contact.
Then she suddenly mustered her courage, with a touch of stubbornness.
"Lord Lu, I'm begging you, I'll do anything you ask, I'll be your slave, I'll do whatever you say."
Lu Yan paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion.
"Oh? That's interesting. How exactly does Princess Mingyue intend to serve as a slave?"
Upon hearing this, Princess Mingyue's face instantly flushed crimson, and she stammered for a while before whispering.
"I...you're not allowed to laugh when I tell you."
Chen Qingwan couldn't help but let out a soft hum.
He reveals his true nature when he sees a beautiful woman; a leopard can't change its spots.
Lu Yan continued to gaze intently at Princess Mingyue, awaiting her answer.
Princess Mingyue took a deep breath and mustered all her courage to speak.
"I'm willing to stay in Shannan Prefecture and manage internal affairs for Lord Lu, as long as you're willing..."
Lu Yan gently shook his head, interrupting her.
"Staying in Shannan Prefecture is not a simple matter. Do you really think it's child's play to say you're willing to be a beast of burden?"
Princess Mingyue was shocked. She had thought Lu Yan would accept the proposal, but she was surprised to be rejected.
“However…” Lu Yan’s tone changed.
He said it half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"If you really want to stay here, it's not impossible. Just make sure your Northern Xiang Kingdom stops harassing my Shannan Prefecture."
A glimmer of joy flashed in Princess Mingyue's eyes, as if she had found a glimmer of hope.
She lowered her head slightly and said firmly:
"Very well, the Northern Xiang Kingdom will never harass Shannan Prefecture again."
Lu Yan smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.
A playful glint appeared in his deep eyes.
Princess Mingyue's words seemed to be exactly what he had expected.
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