Secluded Paradise

"Are you really willing to call a truce?" Princess Longji asked in some surprise.

"Mm! A truce, a temporary truce! But if you make any moves, then we'll continue." Shalan said.

"Are you planning to keep raising troops, preparing for something, then strike us with everything you have?" Princess Longji looked at Shalan. What Shalan was implying seemed obvious enough—it was exactly that.

"That's right! That is our plan. If we keep fighting you like this before we are ready, it would only waste manpower and resources, exhausting both the people and the treasury. Our Emperor would never agree to that." Shalan said. "What, are you afraid? If you are, then keep fighting. In any case, when the time comes, Soaring Sky Empire will not be the only side suffering losses."

"Fine, then it's settled! But let me remind you: you are not the only ones preparing. So are we. At any time, we may come back to reclaim what was originally ours." Princess Longji said decisively.

"I know, but that is not my concern. I am not responsible for such matters." Shalan replied indifferently.

"The official business is finished. Let's talk about something else!" Princess Longji said as she looked at Shalan.

What? The official business was over?

Third Brother and Seventh Brother looked at each other. These women did not seem to care much about official business; they cared more about discussing other things. Still, the official matter really was more or less settled.

As long as they had the intention of a truce, that was enough. What everyone had hoped for from the start was for them to stop fighting directly.

"Finished already? Someone still has not arrived, though that does not seem to concern you." Shalan said.

"?? Who else?" Princess Longji asked, unable to think