Wu Guan snorted angrily. “What good does it do to tell me this? I don’t understand, and frankly, I don’t care to understand! I know my duty is to guard this place. Without our Lord’s orders, no one enters!”

“I’ve already granted you special treatment by allowing you to wait in the pass. If you’re unwilling, then so be it!”

Lord Yang was on the verge of erupting in fury.

Prefect Liu kept his head down, standing silently behind Lord Yang, too afraid to speak.

The animosity from Shao Yunduan’s men was so palpable that Prefect Liu dared not provoke them…

In the end, Lord Yang had no choice but to comply with Wu Guan’s orders. Everyone was lodged in a courtyard, tightly guarded by soldiers who forbade anyone from leaving.

The attendants and guards from Wuchang City, convinced they were acting on the Emperor’s behalf, exuded arrogance. Initially, they attempted to venture beyond the courtyard but were swiftly repelled. Cowed into submission, they resigned themselves to their confinement.

Wu Guan instructed his men to maintain a vigilant watch. Upon hearing these reports, his disdain for their arrogance only intensified.

With such an air of superiority, they expected to recruit allies?

“Hehe!”

Shao Yunduan was taken aback by the news relayed by Wu Guan from the province.

Immediately, he issued orders for a response, instructing Wu Guan to dispatch personnel to escort them. These individuals were strictly instructed not to stray from the path; disobedience would not be tolerated.

He had committed to this course of action. There was no turning back; retreat was not an option.

Even if the Second Prince were to confer upon him a title with a different surname, he would remain steadfast.

Moreover, he held the Second Prince in contempt, and with the Sun family’s influence looming, seeking refuge with the Second Prince was simply impossible.

The Sun family would never tolerate him.

However, Shao Yunduan was averse to direct confrontation with the Second Prince.

Initially, Qiao Xuan planned to feign illness and delegate the meeting to Jia Heming. However, upon reconsideration, she suggested with a smile, “Lord Jia must be swamped with various duties at present. It may place him in an uncomfortable position if complications arise. Why don’t I handle the meeting?”

Shao Yunduan’s eyes sparkled as he grasped Qiao Xuan’s hands, responding with a smile, “Indeed, why did I opt for such a distant approach? Truth be told, Jia Heming isn’t adept at such matters, not nearly as capable as my wife! I am deeply grateful, my dear wife! When they arrive, instruct Ah-Ye to accompany them with a contingent, just to be safe.”

Qiao Xuan nodded, her smile unwavering.

Additionally, Shao Yunduan dispatched two capable and astute scribes to serve as Qiao Xuan’s aides.

No one voiced any objections to Lord Shao’s arrangement.

Qiao Xuan bore the responsibility for managing the affairs of the entire Huaixi province, and she handled the logistics adeptly. Even those initially skeptical of her were now convinced.

It was evident to all that Huaixi province was amassing a considerable reserve of resources. The ongoing efforts in land reclamation and production served as the greatest assurance for everyone.

Who would dare accuse her of incompetence?

Furthermore, she was undeniably the most suitable representative for the Second Prince.

As long as the other party understood the situation, they could coexist peacefully without unnecessary friction. But if they chose to be confrontational, she wouldn’t hesitate to stand her ground.

Even if she claimed, “I’m just a woman with limited understanding; it’s all a misunderstanding!”, she could easily deflect any criticism.

Who would dare dispute the words of an ignorant woman?

Upon receiving the news, Wu Guan promptly dispatched a team of 300 individuals to escort Lord Yang, Prefect Liu, and their retinue to the provincial capital.