Chapter 154: Jingzhou (Part 1)
Sun Wei was startled and asked, "Am I not leaving the Prince of Yuzhang's Palace and heading to Jingzhou now?"
"Your Highness is so intelligent, how could she not understand what I'm saying?" Lü Qiuyan shook her head. "Well, I'll just put it bluntly. I want you to be my advisor to the Governor of Jingzhou. I can arrange for you to hold a proper official position, a first for this dynasty. What do you think?"
"Not so much." Sun Wei said, "The title of counselor sounds far inferior to that of Prince Yuzhang's concubine, and the salary is not high either. I'd rather be a concubine."
"But I heard when I was in the capital that the princess wanted to be a counselor in the Eastern Palace?"
"That was just a joke in front of the Crown Prince," Sun Wei said. "I'm so comfortable being a concubine, why would I worry about the Crown Prince and the Governor's Office?"
Lu Qiuyan smiled and said, "Princess, your answer is not sincere enough. I am afraid I cannot let you get off the boat."
Sun Wei also smiled.
She actually didn't have any hope, so naturally there was no such thing as disappointment.
"You're asking too much, Chief Secretary," Sun Wei said. "I've accumulated blessings for several lifetimes to earn the title of Prince Yuzhang's successor. I wake myself up laughing every night. What I just said was from the bottom of my heart. Chief Secretary, there's nothing you can do if you don't believe me."
Lu Qiuyan said, "In that case, Princess, can you tell me if you have any romantic feelings for the Crown Prince?"
He asked suddenly and directly, just to catch her off guard and reveal her flaws.
But in front of Lu Qiuyan, Sun Wei never dared to take it lightly. She would not reveal any handle.
"The Chief Secretary's doubts are too rude, so I won't answer them." Sun Xiao smiled with an unwavering expression, "I am tired, Chief Secretary, please move on."
Lu Qiuyan did not leave, but bowed to Sun Wei.
"I am sorry for being rude. I apologize to the princess."
Sun Wei looked at him: "Chief Secretary, are you still not going to leave?"
"I have one last question."
"If the Chief Secretary wants to ask, just ask your own questions and don't worry about me anymore."
Lü Qiuyan smiled and replied, "It's exactly about me."
"Changshi, please speak."
He stopped smiling and his eyes became deep and sharp.
"Can I get Jingzhou?" he asked.
"When did the Chief Secretary ask?"
"Any time is fine."
"This is quite surprising to me," Sun Wei said slowly, "After all, the Chief Secretary was so ruthless today, I thought he was very anxious."
"Everything requires timing. I believe that today is the best time for the Duke of Nanjun to abdicate. I am acting simply because the time has come, not out of impatience."
"I see." Sun Wei nodded, "I'm grateful for your advice."
"The princess has not yet answered my question."
"The Chief Secretary will obtain Jingzhou."
Lu Qiuyan smiled with satisfaction.
"That's enough." He said, then stood up and said, "I won't disturb the princess's rest. I'll take my leave."
Sun Wei couldn't help but ask, "Isn't my answer sincere enough? Why don't you let me get off the boat?"
As they walked, Lu Qiuyan said, "I was sincere, but the princess has impressed me again. I have changed my mind and decided to reward her with a trip to Jingzhou."
Sun Wei: “…”
"Scoundrel." Aju cursed.
——
The troops that went to attack Wuchang last night have returned, and their camps are now in Runan County and Nanping County.
And Lu Qiuyan's ship was about to set sail, leaving Runan County and heading for Jingzhou.
It takes two days to get to Jingzhou.
Sun Wei had nothing to do, so he simply slept for two days.
It was already evening two days later when we arrived outside Jingzhou City.
Sun Wei wondered if Sima Jun would know by now that she had been kidnapped. She wondered if he would come to rescue her.
She was conflicted. On the one hand, she hoped Sima Jun would come and rescue her, and get her out of this hellhole; but on the other hand, if Sima Jun went to Jingzhou, it would definitely delay things a lot, and he might even return empty-handed.
Looking at the sunset outside the window, Sun Wei frowned.
Perhaps because everyone knew that a war was about to break out, the waterways in Jingzhou were far less busy than those in Xunyang, and the Jingzhou wharf was even emptier.
Lu Qiuyan had already written a letter back to the governor's mansion, asking the chief clerk to arrange for people to pick him up, but there was no one at the dock.
"This seems quite unusual," A'ru muttered. "Although Huan Yi sent troops, he didn't start a war. Why is it like this?"
Sun Wei didn't say anything.
She saw Luqiu Yan send someone off the boat and leave in a hurry, probably to go to the governor's mansion to question his confidants.
After waiting for a long time, the Jingzhou government finally arrived.
"What happened?" Lu Qiuyan asked.
The chief clerk looked around and hesitantly said, "The chief clerk should go and see for himself."
Lu Qiuyan thought for a moment, then turned to ask Sun Wei, "Princess, do you think I should go?"
Sun Wei found it funny.
This Lv Qiuyan really treated her like a deity. This was her first time in Jingzhou, how could she know?
"Since the Chief Secretary has already taken control of the entire Governor's Mansion, then the Governor's Mansion is essentially his territory. Besides, he now has Huan Yi and his son in his hands. Is there anyone else in Jingzhou City that he could be afraid of?"
"Your Highness is right." Lu Qiuyan nodded, "Then please come with us."
"The Chief Secretary went to great lengths to send me to Jingzhou. Could it be that I am here to take the blame for you?"
Lu Qiuyan smiled and said, "Your Highness, you are wrong. Just now, Your Highness said that there is no one I am afraid of, so how can I be your scapegoat? Besides, I am keeping Your Highness by my side to protect her. Please don't misunderstand me."
The pier was on the outskirts of the city. By the time the carriage entered the city and arrived in front of the governor's mansion, it was already dark.
Jingzhou is a famous city, and even at night it is still brightly lit.
The Governor's Mansion was brightly lit, both inside and outside. Sun Wei dismounted from the carriage and was escorted by Lü Qiuyan's men, following behind him. With the guards clearing the way, Lü Qiuyan strode into the Governor's Mansion with his head held high.
As soon as he entered the gate, Lu Qiuyan paused slightly.
The front hall was bustling with activity. Civil and military officials from Jingzhou crowded into the hall, talking about something, but the atmosphere was quite lively.
When someone saw Lü Qiuyan coming, they hurriedly shouted, "The Chief Secretary is back!"
Immediately, a general ran out from the front hall, saluted Lü Qiuyan with a smile, and said, "Chief Secretary, look, who's back?"
Lu Qiuyan was surprised, as if he had a premonition, and walked quickly to the hall.
Soon, the crowd parted on both sides, and a young man wearing military armor appeared in front of them.
Lu Qiuyan was stunned. It was Huan An!
"Lüqiu Changshi," Huan An said, "I hope you are well."
Lu Qiuyan was quickly thinking about how to respond when he heard the door of the governor's mansion slam shut.
The guard beside him realized that something was wrong and quickly drew his sword, but saw that many soldiers were rushing in from all directions, several times more than their number.
In the firelight, the swords and knives gleamed coldly.
For a while, the two sides confronted each other and neither gave in.
"Put down your weapons!" A powerful voice cut through the noisy sounds.
Lu Qiuyan turned around and saw another figure standing in the firelight. The face he saw was even more shocking than Huan An's.
Sun Wei also looked there. The familiar face made her almost think she was dreaming.
"Prince?"
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