The little sister is a troublemaker

"You asked to see me?" Li Mulan glanced at Zhang, who was also surprised. "Did you say what it was about?"

The butler shook his head. "No, he is already in the banquet hall."

Zhang frowned, "Why does this General Simon want to see you? If he has something to ask, he should go to the prince."

Li Mulan thought for a moment and said to the housekeeper, "Don't neglect our distinguished guest. I'll change my clothes and come over."

The butler nodded quickly and then left in a hurry.

Zhang then stood up, looking worried, "Lan'er, is it appropriate for you to go? Do you want to inform the prince?"

"They've come to my house and specifically asked to see me. It would be inappropriate not to go. Don't worry, mother. I'm in the palace now. I'll be fine. I'll ask Uncle Zhang to take you home first?"

Zhang waved her hand, "What do you want to send? I come here every day. If you have something to do, I will go back first."

But Zhang was still worried, "Really don't need to inform the prince?"

Li Mulan smiled, "Don't worry, it's okay, I can handle it."

"Okay, then mom will go back first?"

"Well, you go back first."

After Zhang left, Li Mulan changed neatly into a purple palace dress and wore a six-tailed phoenix hairpin on her head. She looked very dignified and elegant.

She walked slowly towards him, and the aura she exuded made people dare not look directly at her. Zhang Yi followed behind her, lowering his head slightly, full of respect.

"General Duanmu, sorry for the wait."

Duanmu Zijun hurriedly stood up and bowed to Li Mulan, "Zijun greets the princess, I hope the princess is well."

"General Duanmu, no need to be polite. Please take a seat."

Duanmu Zijun then returned to his previous seat, his face showing guilt, "Please forgive me for interrupting you rashly."

Li Mulan chuckled, "General Duanmu also knows this princess's situation. Although she is the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor's Mansion, she has lived in the mountains since she was a child. She is used to being free and does not like so many etiquettes. The general can do as he pleases."

"The princess is open-minded, Zijun admires her."

Li Mulan drank two sips of tea nonchalantly, observing Duanmu Zijun's reaction with her peripheral vision, and slowly said, "I wonder why General Duanmu came to see me?"

Duanmu Zijun didn't expect Li Mulan to be so direct. A trace of discomfort flashed across his face, and then he smiled and said, "Princess, please forgive me for making fun of you. Zijun knows that you are a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush with you. This time, Zijun came to discuss business with you."

Talking about business? Li Mulan was stunned and glanced at Zhang Yi beside her without leaving a trace. Li Mulan was not surprised that Duanmu Zijun knew that someone under her was doing business, but she was surprised that he wanted to talk about business with her.

"I didn't expect General Duanmu to be a businessman? Then I am a little curious. What kind of business do you need to come in person to discuss?"

Duanmu Zijun coughed lightly, "It's like this, Zijun heard that the princess has a business genius under her, who has all kinds of businesses, even medicinal herbs and food. The princess also knows that my Ximen territory has no shortage of cattle, sheep and other livestock, but what it lacks most is food and medicinal herbs. So I wondered if there is a chance to cooperate with the princess and use cattle, sheep and other livestock to do business with the princess."

Li Mulan raised an eyebrow, "General Duanmu wants to barter?"

Shit! Is Simon so poor? Didn't he pay Daqing a lot of money to redeem the captives?

Duanmu Zijun looked a little embarrassed. "Don't be afraid of you laughing at me, Princess. We in Simon... Actually, it's no secret that we in Simon are indeed not as prosperous as Daqing. Over the years, the two countries have been at odds and have been at war for many years. On the one hand, it's because of my adoptive father Duanmu Qing, but the main reason is that we in Simon are really short of supplies. So..."

Li Mulan's eyes flickered slightly, but her face showed no emotion at all.

This Duanmu Zijuan was a little too intimate with her. She and him were not familiar enough to discuss these things. But no matter what this person was like, he looked quite pleasing and honest.

Why Simon and Daqing have always been at odds is because of supplies. Daqing has good weather, so there are abundant products and people live a rich life. But Simon is not so lucky. In order to fill his stomach, he has fought many wars, big and small, just to steal things.

Li Mulan did not immediately reply whether she agreed or disagreed, but asked, "General Duanmu is different from your adoptive father. He doesn't look like someone he trained at all."

Duanmu Zijun smiled gently, "What do you think Zijun should do? Be as brave and aggressive as Duanmu Huo?"

Li Mulan raised her eyebrows and declined to comment.

"My godfather has been fighting for so many years, but he has not gained any benefit. The lives of the people have not improved at all, and have even become more... miserable. Doesn't this prove that his idea is wrong?"

Li Mulan looked at Duanmu Zijun seriously, and her impression of him improved. "So General Duanmu wants to make some changes?"

Duanmu Zijun said gently, "It's not me, it's our emperor who wants to make some changes for the people."

Li Mulan raised her eyebrows. She had heard some things about Emperor Simon from Chu Chenfeng. She didn't think he was a kind-hearted person. If he was really kind-hearted, he wouldn't be able to sit firmly on the throne.

"So, Emperor Simon also approves of General Duanmu's move today?"

"It's good for the people, why don't you agree?"

Li Mulan smiled meaningfully, "General Duanmu is a good official who is dedicated to serving the people."

Duanmu Zijun also laughed, "Princess, you are too kind. Zijun has not accomplished anything."

"If you have the people in your heart, you are a good official. However," Li Mulan put down the cup in her hand, "I need to discuss this matter with the prince. Does General Duanmu have the patience to wait?"

Duanmu Zijun was delighted. He did not expect that Li Mulan did not refuse. "Of course I can wait. As long as the princess is willing, I can let Zijun wait as long as he wants."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then Duanmu Zijun said goodbye. After all, he was a foreign man, and it was inappropriate for him to ask for a meeting, so he left immediately after finishing his business.

After the people left, Li Mulan looked at Zhang Yi, "Uncle Zhang, what do you think?"

Zhang Yi smiled and sat down next to Li Mulan. "Master, you have already made the decision, why are you asking me?"

Li Mulan grinned, "Oh, I didn't agree to it immediately. After all, it involves the diplomatic relations between the two countries. If it is not handled well, it will cause trouble."

Zhang Yi did not directly answer Li Mulan's question, but asked, "Master, what do you think of Duanmu Zijun?"

"Although I've only met him a few times, to be honest, I have a good impression of him. However, he doesn't look like a general, but more like..."

"Like a civil official?"

"Yes, like a civil official. He is humble and polite, and looks gentle and refined, not at all like a general who kills decisively on the battlefield. Do you think Duanmu Qing really died in his hands?"

“That’s the news we got.”

"That's what the prince said too."

"So, this person is not as kind as he appears to be."

"Of course. He can't be a simple person to have managed to turn Simon's mess into what it is now. So what do you think? Should we do this deal or not?"