Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 569: Follow the Main General and Get it Done!

Chapter 569: Chapter 569: Follow the Main General and Get it Done!

Huang Gun heard Zhan Lan’s words and instantly became excited, "Main General, this young master will not shy away from it! Let’s go inside and talk."

Once inside, Huang Gun poured Zhan Lan a cup of tea, and he sheepishly said, "These are flowers grown by my mother, dried and turned into tea. Drinking it makes young master like me look rosy and spring-like. Main General, you should try it too."

Zhan Lan looked at the flowers blooming in the teacup and realized that Huang Gun’s family lived in poverty, but she didn’t expect it to be to this extent.

He was the Minister of Public Works; logically, the court’s salary shouldn’t be small, yet he was eating pickled radishes and drinking flower tea, unable to even afford proper tea leaves.

Zhan Lan was very curious about where his silver went?

From what she knew about Huang Gun, Huang Gun would never use his silver for wrongful deeds. She knew his capabilities and knew he would not disappoint her.

"This time, His Majesty is sending you as an envoy to negotiate with Eastern Wei. You will go with Lu Zhong, Wang Qingchen, and Zhan Hui to Luyu City, the capital where the borders of Dayu, Eastern Wei, and Beiyue meet. If the negotiations fail, you might die in a foreign land. If you return successfully, His Majesty will surely reward you handsomely."

Upon hearing the list of people going to Luyu City, Huang Gun felt much more relieved. Coupled with his understanding of his capabilities, he immediately beamed with confidence and patted his chest, "Rest assured, Main General, this young master won’t embarrass you!"

Zhan Lan smiled, "If you’re going to do something big, it doesn’t stop there. His Majesty trusts you, right?"

Thinking about the time he secretly reported to Mu Yan, Huang Gun said awkwardly, "Of course, His Majesty’s words must be heeded, but even more so the Main General’s."

Zhan Lan nodded. Ever since she knew that Huang Gun was Mu Yan’s confidant, she had seen him in a different light.

If Huang Gun was used well, even Mu Yan could be fooled.

"I need to go with you too!" Zhan Lan looked into Huang Gun’s small eyes.

Huang Gun was surprised, "Main General, although it is a negotiation, His Majesty would never risk letting you go to another country."

Zhan Lan waved her hand, "He will agree."

"I actually need to secretly investigate some matters in Eastern Wei. I know you report my actions to Mu Yan daily, so I need you to cover my itinerary."

Huang Gun’s face twitched; Zhan Lan was asking him to be a double agent, to help Zhan Lan deceive Mu Yan while also keeping an eye on Zhan Lan for Mu Yan. One was the emperor of Dayu, the other, the empress. What he was about to do felt as precarious as balancing a knife on his nose!

"What’s wrong with taking silver from both sides?" Zhan Lan started to entice him.

Huang Gun anxiously picked at his nails, "But, what if you..."

Zhan Lan took a sip of the flower tea, her expression serious and earnest, "Huang Gun, why are you hesitating like this? It’s so unlike you. I’ve always thought your strength is not to be underestimated; you’re a guiding star, a beacon, the military god of Dayu. You ride into battle, striking fear into the enemy. You can disregard life and death for your brothers. Last time, you abandoned your parents for me to go to Western Rong. A man like you, full of valor and loyalty, is rare in this world. You and I have been through life and death together, haven’t we? Is this task difficult for you?"

Huang Gun’s gaze went from shock to excitement, then to fervor.

He never knew Zhan Lan valued him and viewed him this way.

Huang Gun was so fired up by Zhan Lan’s words, he patted his chest and assured, "Main General, I may not be a military god, but this young master carries a bit of blood and righteousness. Rest assured, I will never betray you!"

Zhan Lan lifted her teacup and stood up, looking solemnly at Huang Gun, "Huang Gun, you truly are my best brother!"

Huang Gun’s eyes brimmed with tears, his hand shaking as he lifted the teacup. He knew following Zhan Lan was worthwhile!

The pale pink flowers floated in the water glass. Both raised their cups passionately, as if downing a final strong drink before heading to the battlefield!

Zhan Lan concealed her laughter with her long sleeves. What she said just now was indeed a bit exaggerated, but it was just right for Huang Gun.

Zhan Lan put down the teacup, patted Huang Gun on the shoulder, her gaze resolute, "Gun, if we pull off this big one, the annals of Dayu will surely record your name in the finest detail!"

Although Huang Gun didn’t know what "this big one" Zhan Lan was talking about was, he instantly felt elevated. He wasn’t swaying like a weed, bending in the wind; he was toasting like a feasting warlord, willing or not! He had righteousness in his chest and the world under his feet. With the Main General, onward he went!

"Main General, rest assured, I will not let you down!"

Zhan Lan nodded, looking deeply at Huang Gun with eyes full of trust, then left the Ministry of Industry.

Watching Zhan Lan’s retreating figure, Huang Gun’s eyes reddened. He sniffed, took off his official hat, and said, "Your Majesty, even though the silver you’ve given is generous and your trust great, my Main General... she understands me!"

He put his hat back on, smelling the pickled radish in the air, and shouted in the distance, "Hey, who’s been sneaking my pickled radishes again!"

...

In the teahouse, Zhan Lan sat face to face with a man wearing a white fur cloak.

Zhan Lan studied the man’s delicate features, then asked with an elbow propped on the chair, "Silver-faced Fox, is this your true appearance?"

Silver-faced Fox gave a cunning smile, "Empress, for every identity you have, I have a face to match."

Zhan Lan curled her lips; it seemed this wasn’t Silver-faced Fox’s true face.

This was her first time sitting face to face with Silver-faced Fox. Even sitting this close, she couldn’t detect any flaws in his face; his disguise skills were indeed exceptional.

"Empress, you didn’t invite me just for tea, did you?" Silver-faced Fox’s mischievous look became serious, his demeanor reverting to that of a disguised scholar.

"Of course, it’s not just to chat over tea with an old friend."

Silver-faced Fox was startled. Zhan Lan considered him a friend? He watched her rise from obscurity to become empress.

Along the way, he had participated in some of Zhan Lan’s schemes and understood her strategies.

If they were friends, it wouldn’t be unreasonable.

Silver-faced Fox raised his teacup, "To the Empress’ words of friendship, I toast you with tea instead of wine."

Zhan Lan lifted her teacup, and they both drank. Zhan Lan smiled slightly, "I have a significant task to ask of you this time."

"Empress, you are generous. Please feel free to ask." Silver-faced Fox placed his teacup down.

"Your disguise skills are so exquisite. Can you help disguise me?" Zhan Lan inquired.

Silver-faced Fox confidently raised his hand, "Certainly."

Zhan Lan nodded, "This time I need you to accompany me to a place. It’s a bit far, but you’ll understand once we get there."

"Recently, I’ve had nothing to do anyway, so I don’t mind the distance. Though it will cost you again." Silver-faced Fox’s lips curled into a smile.

"I can surely afford to hire you." Zhan Lan smiled softly at Silver-faced Fox, and as she lowered her eyes, they darkened slightly.

He’s truly a fox, discussing money before action. She liked such an interaction style as well—she paid, and he worked; neither owed the other.