Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 584: Childhood Engagement

Chapter 584: Chapter 584: Childhood Engagement

Mu Yan tightly held Zhan Lan’s hand, "It’s not that, what I want to say next, I hope you won’t get angry."

Zhan Lan quietly looked at him, Mu Yan’s gaze somewhat flickered.

"The daughter of the Sect Leader of the Shadow Sect was a childhood engagement arranged by my mother for me, but before marrying you, I went to break off the engagement. I have absolutely nothing to do with that woman."

Zhan Lan smiled indifferently, "Alright, Mu Yan, is there anything else you’re hiding from me?"

Mu Yan’s palms were sweaty, he knew that Zhan Lan would definitely be angry once she found out, but her calm demeanor instead made him feel uneasy.

"Lan’er, we just met a few times in our childhood, and there were no entanglements as we grew up. Moreover, the engagement was something set by my mother and the Shadow Sect Leader, it had nothing to do with me!"

After experiencing the Qingcheng incident, he understood that what women and men care about can be different. Some things must be explained to Lan’er in advance to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

Zhan Lan crossed her arms and looked Mu Yan up and down, "You say I have many suitors, but it seems you have even more—Qingcheng, the Sect Leader’s daughter, and perhaps in the future, some foreign princess!"

Mu Yan embraced her, "Lan’er, in this life, I only have you."

Zhan Lan snorted coldly, "We’re about to go to Yuzhou, if you like it there, feel free to stay!"

Mu Yan released her and lightly pinched her cheek, "You little ungrateful one, I’m going to Yuzhou for you."

Zhan Lan held a smile on her lips, "Alright, I know, with your character, being able to inform me in advance is a pretty good performance."

Mu Yan smiled with his brows and eyes, holding Zhan Lan’s hand as they left the secret chamber together.

...

Early the next day, a group of four emissaries arrived at Luyu City in Eastern Wei.

Huang Gun was the first to jump off the carriage, rubbing his sore butt from the bumpy ride and stretching lazily, then looking towards the city gates in the distance.

At the city gate, Eastern Wei’s officials and guards had long been waiting.

Lu Zhong lightly coughed, glancing disdainfully at Huang Gun, "Mr. Huang, mind your demeanor."

They were representing the honor of Dayu, and Huang Gun did not act as an emissary should.

"Lord Lu, rest assured, I will not shame our Dayu!" Huang Gun said with a cheerful smile.

"Hmm." Lu Zhong was in a red official robe, not a crease on it.

Huang Gun followed behind him, imitating his official gait.

Based on Dayu’s envoy list, the Eastern Wei emperor dispatched four ministers in response.

The first was Scholar Wang Mingzhe, the second was Left General Xie Yuanzhang, and two scholars from the Hanlin Academy, Liu Yi and Zhang Fan.

Xie Yuanzhang looked at Scholar Lu Zhong, reputed to be erudite, appearing very refined and elegant.

The man beside Lu Zhong, whom Xie Yuanzhang had seen before, was none other than Zhan Hui, the elder brother of Dayu’s current empress. One could see traces of the young Zhan Beicang in him; indeed, he was of the Zhan Family.

He noticed the person walking to Lu Zhong’s left rear moved somewhat strangely, a serious expression yet exuding a sly impression. This person must certainly be Minister of Public Works Huang Gun, reputed to have fought many victories alongside Dayu’s Empress, though quirky, he was a formidable figure.

On Zhan Hui’s right rear, Wang Qingchen’s robes fluttered gracefully, his distinguished demeanor caught Xie Yuanzhang’s eye for a moment, a promising young gentleman indeed.

The group, led by Eastern Wei officials, found their seats in the drawing-room.

"You all arrived a day late, was there some delay on the road?" Scholar Wang Mingzhe seemed gentle but was actually reproachful.

Lu Zhong responded with a smile, "No delay, since the esteemed ministers were busy a few days ago, we took an extra day to allow you time to handle court affairs."

Wang Mingzhe’s smile froze on his face, with seemingly courteous words, the tension already palpable.

"You’ve had a long journey, perhaps we should postpone our talks until tomorrow?" Wang Mingzhe intended to exert pressure on Dayu’s envoys.

Lu Zhong restrained his smile, "Delaying another day, could it be that Lord Wang has yet to finalize his negotiation stance?"

Wang Mingzhe squinted; Lu Zhong sure had a sharp tongue.

Xie Yuanzhang did not speak, silently observing; the legendary Scholar Lu Zhong indeed had a knack for argument, leaving Scholar Wang speechless with a single retort.

He glanced at Zhan Hui sitting opposite, though young, Marquis Zhongyong Zhan Hui possessed remarkable steadiness.

His and Zhan Hui’s roles were merely to demonstrate military strength on behalf of their respective countries; the negotiations were to be left to the civil officials.

Wang Mingzhe sensed the discord and burst into hearty laughter, "Lord Lu jests, peace talks between two nations should naturally be conducted with magnanimity, showcasing the demeanor of great nations. We are both here for peace, where would there be any prolonging?"

Wang Qingchen smiled faintly, Wang Mingzhe furrowed his brow.

Eastern Wei Hanlin Academy Scholar Liu Yi immediately addressed Wang Qingchen, "Is this Lord Wang Qingchen? Eastern Wei is full of sincerity in these peace talks with Dayu, what, if I may ask, does Lord Wang find amusing?"

Wang Qingchen went straight to the point, "If Eastern Wei stops harassing our Dayu’s border populace, Lord Wang’s words would be truly moving, enough to bring tears to my eyes."

Eastern Wei’s other Scholar, Zhang Fan, a proud disciple of Wang Mingzhe, retorted at once upon hearing Wang Qingchen’s sarcastic remark, "Eastern Wei harassing Dayu’s populace? Where’s your evidence? You’re a man of learning, why speak without basis!"

The Eastern Wei soldiers dressing as merchants to harass the populace was merely a test of Dayu’s tolerance.

"I wouldn’t call it speaking without basis, more like trying to conceal what’s obvious." Wang Qingchen’s expression remained gentle, yet each word was a slap to Eastern Wei.

Dayu stood with justice on their side, naturally, they could speak with strength.

Zhang Fan and Liu Yi exchanged glances, deciding to jointly tackle this top scholar of Dayu.

After a quarter-hour, Lu Zhong quietly observed Wang Qingchen verbally sparring with the opposing scholars, facing two from Eastern Wei, fully unfazed.

Wang Qingchen, looking at the parched lips of Zhang Fan and the furrowed brow of Liu Yi, continued, "You have seen that our Dayu’s Emperor and Empress have always governed with compassion, ruling through force when necessary. Since the founding of Dayu, their benevolent rule means, if not for their imperial initiatives, warfare wouldn’t be resolved through mere words. Their love for the people seeks peace, thus today’s negotiation."

Wang Qingchen’s eyes were resolute, pressing on, "Therefore, our Dayu demands Eastern Wei to retreat thirty miles, and we shall also retreat thirty miles, with both nations ceasing interference and invasion!"

Zhang Fan and Liu Yi, already at fault for Eastern Wei’s harassment of Dayu’s borders, found themselves speechless under Wang Qingchen’s verbal assault.

Eastern Wei Scholar Wang Mingzhe regarded Wang Qingchen deeply, recognizing that this man’s words could rival the sharpest blade.

Xie Yuanzhang lowered his gaze, attentively listening to the showdown between Wang Qingchen and the two Eastern Wei scholars, who were utterly outmatched. It seemed only their teacher, Scholar Wang Mingzhe, could contend with him.

Lu Zhong glanced sideways at Wang Qingchen, internally marveling at this young talent!

Within a quarter-hour, Wang Qingchen made his points rationally and effectively, entirely avoiding Eastern Wei’s grasp. He evoked both the Emperor and Empress, showcasing Dayu’s might, and clarifying that the talks were for the sake of Dayu’s people.

With a balance of firmness and gentleness, this youth was certainly teachable.

Suddenly, he noticed Huang Gun nearby, almost nodding off, causing Lu Zhong’s eye to twitch; he couldn’t fathom what this person was truly here for!