This time, Lu Xuan didn't fly over to find Su Ye. Instead, he alighted from the Jade Drop Boat outside the city and slowly made his way into the city.
Due to the demonic beast horde's defeat, the number of refugees had decreased significantly. Most of them were afraid of being implicated by the demonic beast horde, so they fled their homes in advance. Now that the demonic beast horde had retreated, and with the Nine Dragons Dynasty providing them with travel expenses, some of the homesick civilians once again embarked on their return journey.
However, there were still quite a number of refugees remaining in Anping City. Some of them wanted to return home after the demonic beast horde had completely retreated, while others felt that settling down in Anping City wasn't a bad idea either.
Walking along the streets, Lu Xuan nodded lightly. Compared to the last time he was here, the situation in Anping City was much better. Everything was in order, and there weren't too many chaotic areas.
Occasionally, some refugees would quarrel with the local residents, but the patrol team would quickly step forward to mediate so that the conflict would not escalate. The conflict between the locals and the foreigners had always been a difficult one to reconcile. Once the conflict escalated, the management of the entire city would become terrible.
Part of this was because of the beast tide's retreat, but part of it was because of Long Ming's efforts. Lu Xuan left him in Anping City to test him. After all, when Long Boming grew old, Long Ming would become the Grand Steward of the Jiuhua Alliance.
Along the way, Lu Xuan walked around, and before he knew it, he had arrived at the City Lord's Office. This was also the purpose of his trip. It was after noon, and Lu Xuan figured that Su Ye would not be in the king's residence. Instead, she would be working in the City Lord's Office. Lu Xuan wanted to see how Su Ye worked. This woman, who was his wife in name but not in reality, was perhaps one of the most unique among all of his women.
In front of the Castellan Manor, Lu Xuan was stopped. A guard dressed in the Nine Dragons Dynasty's official uniform said with a solemn expression, "The Castellan Manor is a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter."
Lu Xuan smiled. He raised his head to look at the plaque with the words' Castellan Manor 'written on it. How imposing!
He turned to the guard and said, "In that case, please inform the princess that Lu Xuan requests an audience."
The guard furrowed his brows. The name 'Lu Xuan' sounded familiar, but he couldn't recall where he came from. However, judging from the man's appearance, he was probably the young master of a noble family. He had heard that many of the playboys in Nine Dragons City coveted their princess, but they were afraid of the elusive An Ping Prince, so they didn't dare to have the slightest idea. He didn't think that this person would have such guts.
"Princess Consort is very busy and doesn't have time to see guests. Please return."
Lu Xuan felt a little awkward for a moment. The City Lord's Residence was considered his own, but he didn't expect that he couldn't even enter his own house. Even the guards didn't recognize him. He was such a failure as a lord.
"Ahem, to tell you the truth, I am the Prince of Peace, Lu Xuan, so …"
Before Lu Xuan could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the guard, "How dare you! You dare to pretend to be a prince! If you dare to speak nonsense again, I will let you taste the taste of the city's prison! "
After hearing Lu Xuan's words, the guard finally remembered why the name 'Lu Xuan' sounded so familiar. Lu Xuan, wasn't that the master of the Castellan Manor, the Prince of Anping?
This brat's courage was a bit too big. He dared to pretend to be a prince in front of the Castellan Manor. Wasn't this clearly taking advantage of his princess? Just based on his words, it wasn't excessive to arrest him.
What's more, hmph, even if this person was a prince, he would still make things difficult for him. How could there be a prince like this? Such a large city, purely supported by the princess. As a woman, she was able to achieve this. No matter who you asked in An Ping City, they would definitely give her a thumbs up and admire her to the point of utter defeat.
"What's the commotion? What a scandal in front of the Castellan Manor! Kong Wu, do you not want to work anymore? The princess has just rested. If you disturb the princess, you will not be spared a hundred beatings! "
A man dressed in the uniform of a fourth-rank military official of the Nine Dragons Empire walked out from behind the manor's door. Without saying anything, he scolded the guard named Kong Wu.
Kong Wu felt very wronged. It wasn't like he wanted to quarrel here. Moreover, Commander Wang's voice is much louder than mine. If the princess is really disturbed, it will definitely be by you.
However, he naturally didn't dare to say this. He immediately threw the pot to Lu Xuan. He pointed at Lu Xuan and said, "Commander, it's not that this subordinate is making a fuss. It's this person who is pestering us. He actually dares to pretend to be a prince. This subordinate was just about to arrest him and punish him for speaking nonsense."
"Pretending to be a prince? Haha, he's quite … courageous. "The commander's voice suddenly lowered. He tentatively called out," Your Highness? "
"Yes." Lu Xuan agreed. He smiled and heaved a sigh of relief. It wasn't easy. He finally met someone who knew him. Moreover, it was an acquaintance.
"Wang Chao, I finally met you. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be able to enter my own house." The guard, Kong Wu, watched as Lu Xuan walked up the stairs and patted Commander Wang's shoulder. However, the commander still had a flattering look on his face. This guard commander was the sixth-rank armed guard, Wang Chao, who was poached by Lu Xuan from the imperial palace.
"Aiya, Your Highness, you're finally back. This subordinate missed you so much!" Wang Chao slapped his thigh and said exaggeratedly.
After saying that, Wang Chao glared at Kong Wu and scolded, "You're blind. What do you mean by pretending to be a prince? This is a real prince! You don't even know the prince. I think you don't want to be a guard anymore! "
As he said that, Wang Chao tried to go down and kick him. However, he was stopped by Lu Xuan. "Hey, why are you so anxious with him? He did things according to the rules. Moreover, it's normal that he doesn't know me. Didn't you say that the princess is sleeping? Let's be quiet and talk while walking. "
Kong Wu watched as Lu Xuan walked into the Castellan Residence with Wang Chao on his shoulder. He couldn't help but rub his eyes. "Oh my, it's really a prince. This is really eye-opening. However, no matter how I look, he doesn't look like a prince!" "I was lucky enough to see the Zhennan Prince. That aura, tsk tsk!"
However, he immediately became a little proud. "Blocking the prince in front of the Castellan Residence? Hehe, but this matter is enough for me to brag for the rest of my life!"
"Wang Chao, you're not bad. You actually reached the fourth rank in such a short time. You didn't bribe some high-ranking official in the imperial court, did you?"
"Aiyo, my prince, don't talk nonsense. It's all thanks to the princess. It's a pity that you haven't been here for a few years. Otherwise, if I flattered you more, I might have reached the third rank by now!"
"Your flattery is not bad. No wonder your rank rose so quickly. However, you should follow the princess. You can't follow me. A dignified fourth rank official is also the head of the guards. If you follow me, you'll have to fight against the beast tide."
"Your Highness, you're looking down on me. It's not that I don't want to, but the princess won't let me. Otherwise, if I get some military merits in this beast tide, I might directly be promoted to the third rank."
"You're bragging. With your strength, it'll be good enough if you can keep your life."
"Isn't it because of your protection, Your Highness …"
Lu Xuan joked with Wang Chao along the way. After passing through many bridges and corridors, they arrived at the main hall of the mayor's residence. After Wang Chao's reminder, Lu Xuan knew that Su Ye had gone for her afternoon nap. At this moment, only Long Ming was still working in the main hall.
When he saw Lu Xuan, Long Ming immediately put down the scroll in his hand. He nodded and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Young Alliance Master."
Lu Xuan waved his hand. "No need to be so polite. How's the city affairs recently?"
Long Ming thought that Lu Xuan wanted to test him. With a serious expression, he said, "It's much better than a few days ago, before the beast tide retreated. Previously, the princess had already decided on the general plan. These days, I've only been assisting from the side and dealing with some trivial matters. "In addition, there have been a few major events recently. One is the problem of settling the refugees. The princess plans to open up a piece of land in the west of the city for the refugees to settle down. She'll use labor as a discount to purchase materials from the city tax so that the refugees can work on the construction. "Secondly, some refugees in the east of the city have formed a gang. Among them are people from all walks of life …"
Long Ming talked endlessly. It was clear that he had a comprehensive grasp of the situation in Anping City. Lu Xuan didn't become impatient. Instead, he listened attentively. From Long Ming's narration, Lu Xuan already knew how difficult it was to manage a city before he could even manage it.
Most of what Long Ming said was the outline of some of the policies set by Su Ye, as well as his recent handling of some matters. There were all kinds of big and small matters. One could imagine how much work Su Ye had to handle usually, no matter how big or small.
After listening to Long Ming, Lu Xuan felt ashamed. No wonder Su Ye had lost so much weight when he saw her. It was likely that she hadn't had many good nights in the past few years.
"Alright, I understand. Continue with your work, and help the princess. When we return to the Jiuhua Alliance, I will advise you to take over some of your grandfather's affairs."
Long Ming cupped his hands again, then returned to his seat and flipped through the scrolls. Although it wasn't easy to learn so much about Anping City in such a short amount of time, it was worth it for him to receive these words from Lu Xuan.
Wang Chao listened in confusion. "Your Highness, what do you mean by young leader? The Jiuhua Alliance? Isn't that the fifth-rank sect in the north? You have a say in that place? "
Lu Xuan smacked him on the back of the head. "What are you asking? You'll find out later. Come, take me to the princess."
Wang Chao had a stomach full of questions, but he couldn't get any answers. He could only take Lu Xuan to the rear residence.
Lu Xuan learned from Wang Chao that Su Ye didn't spend much time in the rear residence of the city lord's manor. Although she was usually busy with official business, she still liked to return to the Prince of Anping's manor. Perhaps to her, that was her true home.
Wang Chao stopped in his tracks when he brought Lu Xuan to the entrance of the backyard. No one was allowed to enter the backyard of the City Lord's Residence unless summoned by the princess. This was something that everyone on duty in the City Lord's Residence knew.
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