Chapter 562: with translation of chapter title

The elder who had just spoken reacted the most, leaning forward slightly, muttering to himself: "Isn't that the senior advisor from the M Guo royal family?"

Although he holds no real power on the surface, he is in fact one of His Highness Qing An's closest confidants; his standing within the M Guo royal family is pivotal, granting him direct access to the upper echelons of the monarchy, and his influence far outweighs that of the many superficially glamorous nobles.

Jun Chenling's brow lifted.

His gaze swept past the long table and landed squarely on him, the corners of his mouth holding a proper, faint smile, his manners impeccable: "His Highness Xun Li is well; His Highness Qing An said he has prepared a small gift over here and ordered me to come specially to deliver it."

Though the words were polite, everyone present sensed there was more to it.

Even though His Highness Qing An is away, he specially sent his own confidant to make the trip… This gesture is less a courtesy and more a clear statement of intent.

Some felt their hearts sink: How does His Highness Qing An know what's going on over here?

Jun Chenling: "What gift?"

Just moments ago there had been a subtle tension, but now it fell completely silent.

Those who had been lurking in the shadows, planning to probe a few words in private after the meeting, also withdrew their thoughts.

They remained in their seats, hoping more than ever that the meeting would end on its own.

Jun Chenling kept his usual businesslike tone: "Since no one has any other opinions, let's proceed as originally planned."

The other royal family members nodded in satisfaction.

Le Ke La seized the moment, his Atmosphere imposing, saying: "If anyone has objections, report them privately to the Duke's Mansion after the meeting."

One member of the royal family chimed in: "His Highness Xun Li is wise, the Duke is wise!"

Those below echoed the sentiment, their attitudes doing a complete 180‑degree turn.

The one who had opposed most vehemently now shouted the loudest in praise: "Everything's settled—what other opinions could we have, right, everyone…"

"Right, right, right."

"From now on, Y Guo will be entrusted to His Highness Xun Li; with His Highness overseeing it, we can also rest easy."

Jun Chenling once again experienced a spectacular face‑change.

Le Ke La, unwilling to waste more time on meaningless business, rose first: "Today's meeting ends here."

People rose one after another, and many, before leaving, couldn't help but utter a few insincere pleasantries, desperately trying to recover from their earlier faux pas.

Le Ke La strode straight out of the conference room, clearly eager to see his precious granddaughter.

Jun Chenling remained seated, watching those backs disappear one by one at the door.

Only when the conference room was left with him and the M Guo envoy did he slightly turn aside, his imposing presence fading by half, and asked: "Does your Highness have some business? What's the gift?"

The envoy smiled and said: "His Highness says, when you have time, bring Princess Mingxi back to M Guo to have a look—he's come up with something fun over there."

Jun Chenling: "……Not taking her."

He had just thought that Qing An had finally made progress, even sending someone specially to keep an eye on Y Guo's movements to back him up.

The result? He merely wanted him to send his sister back.

He should have realized earlier—this person's constant phone calls today could hardly be about anything serious.

"His Highness says he's newly built a garden over there, specially planted with the blue roses the princess mentioned offhand last time."

As soon as those words were spoken, Jun Chenling's brow twitched.

He remembered that the blue‑rose comment came from his sister chatting casually with Qing An during the summer break—just a passing remark, yet the man had actually gone and planted them.

Damn, they're all bought.

Jun Chenling feigned indifference as he asked: "Have the flowers in his garden taken root? The climate in Y Guo isn't exactly kind to blue roses."

Roses naturally lack the key gene for synthesizing blue pigment, so pure natural blue roses do not exist in nature.

To see blue roses, aside from dyeing, the only way is through genetic‑engineering cultivation; such natural blue roses are extremely rare and costly, yet he went and planted an entire garden of them?

The envoy, a little proud, said: "In M Guo it's different—Y Guo is hard to keep them alive, but here they've survived and bloomed several batches; His Highness has the gardeners send him photos every day."

And they really did survive.

Jun Chenling didn't want to discuss it further, reverting to his cold demeanor: "Let him come pick it up himself."

The envoy's formerly proud expression froze—because His Highness had asked the princess, and she didn't want to go, which is why he'd been sent.

Jun Chenling looked at the envoy's embarrassed face, rose from his seat, and said: "I understand his intention; later I'll ask the princess what she wants—if she's willing to go, I'll make the arrangements."

The envoy's face fell again: "His Highness asked, and the princess doesn't want to go!"

Jun Chenling had already seen through his thoughts: "She doesn't want to go, and none of us can make her—if Your Highness truly wishes to see her, you should come yourself."

The envoy's face fell yet again: "His Highness can't come over himself, which is why he sent me to ask."

In short, he finally left with a few subordinates, looking embarrassed.

He had to go back and tell His Highness that His Highness Xun Li said the princess doesn't want to go.

The conference room door closed, Jun Chenling opened his phone—apart from his sister's messages, there were a dozen or so from Qing An.

The newest one was clearly the envoy's progress report just given; he had sent: 【How could you do this!】

He understood the subtext—"Why don't you coax your sister over?"

Jun Chenling thought the man was dreaming.

He handed the signed document to the attendant beside him: "Take it to the Duke's Mansion."

The attendant took it with both hands, about to bow and retreat, but Jun Chenling suddenly changed his mind: "Never mind, I'll do it myself."

Le Ke La had just returned to his rooms when Jun Chenling stepped into the Duke's Mansion.

As he walked down a long corridor, faint footsteps and low‑voiced attendants' conversation could be heard in the distance.

He didn't pause, turned a corner, and saw a figure standing by the window.

Jiang Liangjin was gazing blankly out at the courtyard beyond the window; hearing the movement, he turned his head, saw it was him, and gave a slight nod: "Brother Ling, still not resting?"

Jun Chenling walked a few steps closer: "Just finished the meeting—why aren't you resting yet? Has your sister gone to sleep?"

Jiang Liangjin replied naturally: "She's asleep; I can't sleep, so I came out for a walk."

Jun Chenling added offhand: "Perfect—I was just wondering whether to go look for her; do you have anything planned for tomorrow?"

Jiang Liangjin placed the water cup on the windowsill, "She wants to go to the seaside; let me see which side is good for photos. She's taken a liking to two spots and plans to visit both."

Jun Chenling hummed, "Then you guys have fun; around here I basically have a manor near the seaside. Tell me which side you want to go to, I'll have people prepare it, and you can stay there."

Jiang Liangjin did not decline, "Thank you, Brother Ling."

Jun Chenling waved his hand, "No need to be polite; just take good care of my sister."

He narrowed his eyes, "If you see any strange people tomorrow, don't pay attention; there are many people here in Y Guo, all sorts of identities, not worth worrying about. Your bodyguards are all here, right?"

Jiang Liangjin heard the implication in his words and said solemnly, "Understood, the bodyguards are all here; Brother Ling, don't worry."

Jun Chenling nodded, took out his phone, tapped a few times, then turned it toward them.

On the screen was a photo of a man's side profile, wearing a dark cap; from the outline you could tell he was a Y Guo person.

"This person might appear near the seaside tomorrow; just avoid him, no need to start a conflict."

Jiang Liangjin nodded, indicating he had memorized the features.

Jun Chenling put away his phone, "Then it's all set."

It was already late; he didn't linger, turned toward the stairs, planning to go find Le Ke La, "Get some rest early."

"Hmm, you too."