Chapter 561: Resolution Passed

Mu Youyu turned her head, met her sister's gaze, smiled slightly, with a sense of relief.

"I don't really want to waste time thinking about it; I'm doing fine now, and I don't want these things to affect my life."

She worried the topic was too heavy and would affect her sister, so she lightened her tone: "Don't worry, sister, I won't let them bother you anymore."

Mu Youyu sensed the protective intent in her words and blinked.

That's true—since Mu Xianyan saw him that time, he hasn't appeared before her eyes again.

She pushed the untouched pudding in front of her toward her sister's hand: "Sister, could you help me taste this to see if it's good?"

Mu Xianyan's thoughts were thrown off by this sudden sharing; she lowered her head to look at the pudding, the corners of her mouth twitching up: "Sure, I'll help you test it for poison."

The topic was lightly brushed aside.

"..."

After dinner, Mu Xianyan saw the two off to their grandfather's residence.

Arriving at the place, Mu Youyu undid her seatbelt, turned around, and said, "Cousin, won't you come in and sit for a while?"

Mu Xianyan jerked her chin toward the steps: "Grandfather is still at the Imperial Palace; I'm going to see a friend. You two rest well—it's not early anymore, and if Grandfather isn't back by ten, don't wait for him."

Having said that, she didn't linger; after the two got out of the car, she turned the vehicle around and drove off along the way they had come.

Mu Youyu stood where she was, watching the two taillights fade into the distance, then turned and walked up the steps.

Jiang Liangjin followed at her side, lightly supporting her.

The attendants waited in the corridor, guiding the two through the front hall.

Mu Youyu entered her room, put down her personal bag, looked around, and saw that a dedicated staff member had already prepared a cup of warm water by the bedside.

Jiang Liangjin followed her in, stood at the doorway without going further, and said, "I'll head back to my room then."

"All right, good night."

Imperial Palace.

The lights in the council chamber burned brightly all night.

The long table's sides were filled with members of the royal and imperial families, clearly distinguished.

The royal family was numerous, occupying nearly two-thirds of the seats.

On the imperial side, only a few representatives came, but each of their seats sat right next to the main seat, silently announcing where power lay.

Seated in the main seat was Jun Chenling, one hand resting on the chairback, his green eyes deep and still, cold and intimidating.

Several collateral members of the royal family were whispering among themselves; only fragments could be heard, and from their occasional glances toward the main seat, it was clear they were not saying anything complimentary.

A royal family collateral member with reddish-brown hair cleared his throat and spoke first: "Prince Xun Li, regarding Y Guo's border mining rights, our side believes..."

Again bringing up old matters to test the waters?

Jun Chenling's voice was calm and even: "I recall that this matter was already passed by vote at last month's meeting."

The man's face suddenly stiffened, his words caught in his throat, and he unconsciously leaned toward his ally on the right, seeking support.

The other party, however, averted his gaze, pretended to admire the painting on the wall, and remarked, "This painting is really nice."

"..."

What are you hesitating for?

Good, daring to play him!

The man had no choice but to steel himself against the pressure: "The vote was taken, but recently new circumstances have arisen; we think it necessary to re-evaluate."

His wording was very proper, attempting to project an air even more professional than Jun Chenling's: "After all, it involves the interests of multiple countries; being cautious is always better."

"You say new circumstances—what exactly do you mean? Whose opinion? Which report's conclusion?"

Jun Chenling pressed on step by step, his aura oppressive: "If anyone here can produce substantive evidence proving this agreement carries major risk, we can re-discuss it right now."

The man who had spoken first lifted his head arrogantly, waiting for his several allies to speak up together and pressure Jun Chenling.

Unfortunately, he had miscalculated.

After a long while, still no one in the room spoke; he lowered his eyes in silence: "..."

Finally, a middle-aged man seated beside him took up the word, keeping his tone as gentle as possible: "Your Highness, we aren't trying to overturn the previous vote; we just think we could wait a bit longer..."

Jun Chenling raised a hand to interrupt, without continuing to press, his tone indifferent: "Does anyone question this agreement? Please raise your hand."

"..."

No one at either side of the long table dared to raise a hand.

Those royal family collateral members who had just been exchanging glances and whispering now seemed as if some invisible force were pressing down on their shoulders.

An elderly man with a hoarse voice hesitated before speaking: "Your Highness, the interests involved in this agreement are too great; we're merely worried that, should there be any oversight, it could sow hidden dangers..."

It is said abroad that Prince Xun Li governs the state competently—no mistake.

But they would rather his reputation not be so good!

In recent years, the royal family's power has been suppressed layer by layer by him, completely trampled underfoot; they can't keep sitting around waiting for doom!

Jun Chenling's eyes showed no ripple, and he struck straight at the heart: "I recall your grandson also participated in the bidding for last year's energy tender."

The old man's face suddenly tightened—how did he know this? They'd been very secretive about it.

He moved his lips a few times, then finally muttered vaguely: "That's just the younger generation's own affair."

"Is that so."

Seated diagonally opposite Jun Chenling, Lekele, who had not spoken until now, finally uttered a voice thick with warning: "We'd already agreed—no one objected? Why bring this up now? Don't waste time."

Duke Peiweika's Mansion has operated in Y Guo for a century, its foundations deep; half of the families present have either received favors from the duke's house or been restrained by its influence.

Some would rather oppose the imperial family than offend the duke's mansion!

That old man fell silent for a moment, then finally lowered his head and began to yield: "The duke is right; I hadn't considered everything."

Lekele gave a slight nod, too lazy to say more.

The meeting then continued for nearly another hour, discussing several agenda items.

Jun Chenling controlled the pace throughout, neither letting anyone dominate the topic nor letting any issue drag on too long.

"It's been so long; Your Highness Xun Li and the Duke should have calmed down by now, right?"

While Jun Chenling was still reading the meeting agenda, someone whispered a remark.

Moments later, that group began to stir restlessly again.

A young man sitting in the corner, presumably the next person pushed out to test the waters, was about to say something when the meeting room door was suddenly pushed open from outside.

Everyone turned to look, seeing a man standing at the doorway.

The visitor was about thirty years old, tall and slender, with a dignified, solemn visage; he stood still at the doorway, his gaze sweeping lightly over everyone present, without stepping into the hall, merely standing slightly sideways.

Some of those present recognized him, their expressions changing as they secretly felt wary.