The city gates of Esnia are always bustling and busy, especially these days due to the grand wedding ceremony of Prince Fast II and Princess Wu'anxiu. Besides envoys from various countries, numerous famous performing arts groups have been invited to perform in this largest and most prosperous city on the continent. Merchant caravans from all over also hope to make a fortune, so the main road leading to Esnia is constantly filled with all sorts of horse teams and people speaking various languages.
This marriage alliance between the two countries was originally supposed to be the grandest event on the continent, but unfortunately, the Qingzhou rebellion that broke out a few days ago cast a shadow over it. More people with ulterior motives turned their attention to Qingzhou, focusing on how the Fast Empire would handle this sudden rebellion, and secretly assessing the current strength of the empire and the distribution of various forces within its borders.
The person chosen to lead the expedition to Qingzhou was quickly announced. To everyone's surprise, this person was neither a general from Prince Elnario's faction nor a minister from Gilemans' faction, but Count Shah, who had always maintained a neutral stance. He would go to Qingzhou to oversee the battle, guide and coordinate the six armies of the Southern Legion and the four armies of the Eastern Legion in suppressing those who raised the banner of rebellion.
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"Why is this person Lord Shah?"
Many people who heard this news secretly wondered what the answer to was, and it was exactly what Lynette Quill wanted to get from Phoenix Vane.
"The reason shouldn't be too hard to guess!"
Before Phoenix Vane could answer, the man beside her spoke to the beautiful woman in front of him in a very confident tone.
"Huh, when did you become so smart?"
Not only Lynette Quill, but also Obsidia Shade and Lyra Draconis were surprised. Aurelian Dragon had never seemed to show any talent in this area before, so why did he suddenly say such things today?
Seeing the disbelieving looks on the women's faces, Aurelian Dragon felt greatly discouraged. He turned to look at the beautiful war goddess to his right. Phoenix Vane was looking at him with an approving expression, her beautiful eyes holding a deep meaning.
"Phoenix understands me best!"
Encouraged, Aurelian Dragon rallied and reached out to embrace Phoenix Vane's slender waist to express her gratitude and to show that Phoenix Vane stood by her side.
"Those two guys want to drive Shah out of Esnia, and if possible, they might even use him as a tool to kill someone!"
It's important to know that Shah is one of the three highest-ranking generals in the Fast Empire's military. The Fast Empire's military currently has three top-ranking generals: General Phoenix Vane, General Aeron Skyrend, and this Pillar of State General, Shah. The first two are renowned commanders with significant military achievements, making their positions well-deserved. Earl Shah is no ordinary figure either; he is a highly respected veteran in the Fast military, far surpassing the experience of Phoenix Vane and Aeron Skyrend. Before Prince Elnario took over the military, he served as the Grand Marshal, wielding considerable power within the military. He and Cliff's father, Sterling, represent a third-party force in the court.
Furthermore, Shah was a key figure in facilitating the marriage between Fast and Wu'an, demonstrating his bias towards the Second Prince. Having such a figure in court would be a serious problem for both Prince Elnario and Gilmans; therefore, seizing this opportunity to send him away was the most appropriate course of action.
Phoenix Vane nodded inwardly. She knew that her husband was no less knowledgeable about these tricks than they were. Frankly, that's how power struggles in the court were; everyone used their own ingenious schemes, and any means were acceptable as long as the opponent could be defeated. While she understood this principle, her principles prevented her from doing such things. That's why, before encountering Aurelian Dragon, she had always led troops far away from this city rife with intrigue and treachery.
"If that's the case, then why would His Majesty agree to such a proposal?"
Seeing Aurelian Dragon's smug expression, Lyra Draconis, though already agreeing with his opinion, still insisted on finding a problem to embarrass him.
"Uh... well..."
Aurelian Dragon was speechless for a moment. He hadn't really figured it out either. Andre III wasn't a muddle-headed old man. Aurelian Dragon had already experienced his shrewdness. Therefore, it seemed a bit rash for Andre III to agree to Prince Elnario and Gilemans's proposal. Was there something he hadn't thought of?
Aurelian Dragon could not possibly fathom the Emperor's thoughts, nor could anyone fully fathom his intentions. What exactly Andre III was up to was a question that puzzled not only Aurelian Dragon but also many others.
Standing beside Aurelien Dragon, Phoenix Vane vaguely discerned the Emperor's intentions, but as his wife, she didn't want to overshadow her husband. Even if she wanted to speak out, she'd prefer to wait for the right moment. Moreover, her primary concern was that Prince Elnario and Gilemans' decision to send away Shah, a man of considerable influence, at this time must have some ulterior motive. Andre III's agreement to release Shah gave Prince Elnario and Gilemans an opportunity to act. Could it be that her father had become impatient?
Since he couldn't come up with anything, he decided not to waste any more energy on it. The man, who never made things difficult for himself, quickly put the problem aside and began to address another, much more pressing issue for him.
"How exactly can we subdue this dragon girl?"
"Aurelian, what are your plans for the security arrangements for the Second Prince's wedding ceremony?"
Phoenix Vane promptly exonerated Aurelian Dragon, shifting the topic to something everyone was also concerned about. King Andrei III had already given Aurelian Dragon full authority to ensure the smooth completion of the marriage alliance between Fast and Wu'an, but Aurelian Dragon's unjust imprisonment had caused an unexpected setback in the process.
The most worrying aspect is that Yusuf has escaped from prison. On the very night Aurelian Dragon was imprisoned, with the help of a group of unidentified men in black, Yusuf broke out and disappeared into the vast night of Esnia. Finding these people among Esnia's millions of inhabitants is incredibly difficult. What this local tyrant, who harbors such deep hatred for Aurelian Dragon, will do is unpredictable.
"I have already instructed Lu Tuxian and Fan Tong to send out all the underground forces of Esnia that they have subdued. With these omnipresent eyes and ears, Esnia's every move will be well monitored."
A fierce glint flashed in Aurelian Dragon's eyes as he continued with great confidence, "The law enforcement teams trained by Lucian Swiftfire are also ready to be deployed at any time. With Shi Yixin overseeing operations at the Eastern Governor's Office, they should be able to eliminate any troublesome issues before they arise."
Phoenix Vane smiled slightly, glanced at Lyra Draconis beside him, and said, "Aurelian, don't forget that we still have the most important force at our disposal!"
Aurelian Dragon laughed and said, "How could I possibly forget the infantry guard regiment that my little sister Dragon trained herself? She is my greatest weapon, my most important mobile force, and my most reliable support!"
To please Lyra Draconis, Aurelian Dragon used every compliment he could think of, showering Lyra Draconis with praise.
Although Lyra Draconis was very pleased, she still said in a light tone, "Don't flatter me, I'm not buying it! They're just light infantry, what great use can they be? Lord Lucian Swiftfire's lancers are the real deal!"
You're wrong!
Aurelian Dragon said seriously, "In the current situation, if we want to take action, it's definitely a matter of speed! The equipment of light infantry is indeed a bit inferior, but their mobility in the city far surpasses that of other military branches, and they can reach their destination in the shortest amount of time."
"Most importantly, under your training and leadership, the Imperial Guard's combat strength is absolutely no less than that of the enforcement team composed of lancers! In addition, their freedom of deployment is far greater than that of the enforcement team under the Eastern Governor's Office. It is no exaggeration to say that the Imperial Guard is our greatest weapon!"
As Aurelian Dragon spoke, his radiant confidence and powerful aura made everyone in front of him take notice. Sensing an unprecedented change in this man, Lynette Quill couldn't help but ask, "Aurelian, when did you learn all this?"
Aurelian Dragon smiled smugly, glanced at Phoenix Vane who was staring intently at him, and replied, "Someone as smart as me, with such a great mentor, of course I'll get better and better! Haha!"
Lynette Quill gave him a disapproving look, but seeing Phoenix Vane's approving gaze, she knew that the guy's analysis was indeed correct; he had completely grasped Phoenix Vane's intention in establishing the Infantry Guard Regiment.
Lyra Draconis was quite surprised that this man possessed such a mind; it seemed Phoenix Vane's fondness for him was not without reason. Seeing Lyra Draconis's thoughtful and receptive expression, Aurelian Dragon's heart stirred, and a thought suddenly popped into his head.
"The snow outside is really beautiful today, do you want to go and see it?"
It was rare to hear Aurelian Dragon make such a suggestion, so Phoenix Vane and the others immediately agreed. Soon, everyone was chattering about this once-in-a-century snowfall, and the scene was quite lively.
While everyone was distracted, Aurelian Dragon gently tugged at Lyra Draconis from behind. Lyra Draconis turned around in confusion and saw Aurelian Dragon make a shushing gesture to her before pulling her a few steps away.
Just as Lyra Draconis was about to lose her patience, she suddenly heard Aurelian Dragon whisper something in her ear that touched her heart.
Do you want to know a secret?
"What secret?"
Without realizing it, Lyra Draconis also started to imitate the mysterious manner of the Aurelian Dragon, asking in a soft voice.
Want to know why Phoenix likes being with me?
Lyra Draconis's crescent-shaped eyes lit up instantly; she desperately wanted to know the reason! It was precisely because she deeply loved Phoenix Vane that Lyra Draconis was so infatuated with Aurelian Dragon. What was so good about this man that made Phoenix Vane like him so much? Now that Aurelian Dragon was actually going to tell her this secret, this was absolutely what she wanted most.
Lyra Draconis sized up Aurelian Dragon, making sure he had no ulterior motives, and nodded vigorously. Aurelian Dragon was overjoyed . He already knew how to deal with Lyra Draconis's mind-reading ability, and his small test had worked perfectly. He was now more confident about his next move.
"Then wait for me in the small building in the back garden after lunch today!" Aurelian Dragon said this before leaving.
"Fine!! I guess I'll just have to wait!" Lyra Draconis had no choice but to agree, unaware that she was being led by the nose by this man.
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After lunch, Phoenix Vane and the others went to see the snow, but Aurelian Dragon made an excuse to say she would come to find them later. As soon as Phoenix Vane's carriage left, Aurelian Dragon hurriedly ran to the small building in the back garden, pushed open the door of the inner room, and Lyra Draconis was already there, idly watching the fish swimming in the lake from the window.
Upon hearing the Aurelian Dragon's footsteps, Lyra Draconis immediately turned around, her crescent-shaped eyes sparkling.
"You're only coming now? Hurry up and tell me that secret!"
Aurelian Dragon chuckled, turned around and carefully closed the door, then said to Lyra Draconis, "No one knew you came, right?"
Lyra Draconis said impatiently, "No! I've checked, there's no one else around here."
Aurelian Dragon nodded, walked confidently to the chair, sat down, cleared her throat, and said, "Alright, now I'll tell you why Phoenix likes me!"
Lyra Draconis stared wide-eyed at Aurelian Dragon, making his heart pound with anxiety. He was terrified that she might inadvertently reveal his thoughts, which would be disastrous. Following his plan, he kept his mind focused on Phoenix Vane, imagining their intimacy and her virtues.
As expected, a faint blush gradually spread across Lyra Draconis's pretty face. Clearly, she was observing Aurelian Dragon's thoughts and accepting all his imaginings. If the object were someone else, Lyra Draconis might not have felt anything, but Phoenix Vane was her favorite person, naturally capturing her attention and making her want to explore further.
From Aurelian Dragon's heart, Lyra Draconis saw another Phoenix Vane, a Phoenix Vane who had never appeared in public before. This was her most private life, and the feeling was like spying on her beloved. Lyra Draconis unconsciously developed a feeling she had never had before.
It could be said that because Lyra Draconis had placed her heart in Phoenix Vane, and because Phoenix Vane's deep affection for the Aurelian Dragon gave her a feeling of being in his shoes, it was a very strange feeling that Lyra Draconis had never experienced with Phoenix Vane before.
Aurelian Dragon had been carefully observing the every move of the beautiful dragon girl before him. Seeing this scene, he knew that things were proceeding as he had predicted, and Lyra Draconis's mind was completely captivated.
Seeing that it was almost time, Aurelian Dragon said calmly, "You know a lot of things now, don't you?"
"N-nothing..."
Caught off guard by Aurelian Dragon's sudden question, Lyra Draconis was clearly flustered, looking like a child caught red-handed doing something wrong. Her unprecedented shyness and unease delighted Aurelian Dragon. He was secretly amazed; he hadn't expected this beautiful dragon girl to have such feelings for Phoenix Vane. He'd only ever heard of such things before, and now it was happening right before his eyes—truly intriguing.
From that moment on, Aurelian Dragon knew that the initiative was now in his hands. Just as Lyra Draconis's emotions were about to stabilize, he immediately added a sentence.
"Because I bring Phoenix the greatest happiness, that's why she loves me so much!"
Lyra Draconis stared wide-eyed, but seeing that Aurelian Dragon showed no sign of continuing, she urged, "Hurry up and finish!" She genuinely wanted to know how to bring Phoenix Vane the greatest happiness; if she possessed this ability herself, wouldn't it elevate their relationship even further?
Lyra Draconis was completely absorbed in this matter, and without much thought, she nodded and said, "That's right, Brother Aurelian, please tell me! How exactly did you bring Phoenix the greatest happiness?"
Aurelian Dragon smiled with satisfaction and beckoned, saying, "Come here, I'll tell you slowly!"
"good!!"
Lyra Draconis was overjoyed. Without any apparent effort, she flew towards Aurelian Dragon, chair and all, landing steadily a foot in front of him, demonstrating her extraordinary skill.
Aurelian Dragon was secretly startled, thinking, "How did this young lady learn her kung fu?" Despite his thoughts, he looked earnestly at Lyra Draconis's fair and rosy face and said, "You've seen a lot of things just now, haven't you?"
Lyra Draconis blushed slightly, but seeing Aurelian Dragon's serious expression, she could only nod gently, admitting that she had been spying on his mind, which was tantamount to formally acknowledging that she possessed the ability to see into other people's minds.
"First of all, I really love Phoenix..."
"I love it too!" Lyra Draconis said very seriously.
"Of course there are others!" Aurelian Dragon said in a very serious tone, "Didn't you just see how happy I was with Phoenix?"
Lyra Draconis nodded, her face flushed. No one had ever told her anything about love and relationships between men and women. Back on Jade Dragon Mountain, the dragons' territory, everyone there was much older than her, and all were serious and polite, so they never discussed these matters with her. After descending the mountain, she wandered around for a while, meeting many people and gaining some understanding of relationships. However, because many people came for her stunning beauty with malicious intent, Lyra Draconis had a very bad impression of these things.
After spending time with Aurelian Dragon and Phoenix Vane, Lyra Draconis discovered that this man seemed to be preoccupied with these kinds of things all the time. Coupled with her connection to Phoenix Vane, this made Lyra Draconis's feelings towards Aurelian Dragon extremely negative. However, after spending some time together, Lyra Draconis realized that things weren't as she had imagined. Using her ability to read minds, she discovered that Phoenix Vane, Lynette Quill, and Obsidia Shade all seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, which puzzled her greatly. What was the secret behind this?
But she was too embarrassed to ask others, and others wouldn't tell her these things on their own initiative, so this question remained in her mind.
Seeing Lyra Draconis's expression, Aurelian Dragon was overjoyed. Although he didn't possess the same psychological insight as Lyra Draconis and Phoenix Vane, he was quite knowledgeable about women's psychology. Lyra Draconis's expression perfectly captured the shy and inquisitive feelings of a young girl.
Aurelian Dragon seized the opportunity and suddenly leaned close to Lyra Draconis's ear and whispered, "That's a wonderful thing. That's how I bring Phoenix Vane and the others the greatest joy!"
Before Lyra Draconis could react, Aurelian Dragon continued, "Would you like to see this skill for yourself? Would you like me to teach you?"
Lyra Draconis's delicate body trembled slightly. Her eyes were filled with confusion and surprise as she stared blankly at the face of Aurelian Dragon, which was less than a fist's distance away from her pretty face.