Chapter 013: Trouble Has arisen

The bed was pink, with velvet covering it that resembled clouds in the sky. Just sitting lightly on it would cause it to sink slightly. Not to mention a person—even a kitten thrown on it would find it hard to turn over.
The beaded curtains beside the bed were slowly pulled open, revealing pink light that shone on the velvet, adding enticing hues to its pure white surface.
Du Fan sat by the bed and glanced at Eileen, who was lying on her side. Though her face showed little expression, her alluring figure ignited flames in his heart.
Staring at her, Du Fan smiled gently and said, “Are you very afraid of me?”
Eileen’s expression was indistinguishable between indifference and indifference. She gave Du Fan a cold look and replied flatly, “Of course, I’m extremely afraid of you, my respected Lord Du Fan…”
Her tone lacked any emotion, as if she weren’t facing a person but a stone.
Yet this tone only made Du Fan admire her even more. He slowly reached out, lifted Eileen’s chin, and exhaled, saying, “Are you always this cold to every guest?”
Eileen shook her head in disgust but still gritted her teeth and said, “Only to you!”
Du Fan laughed heartily, a playful glint in his eyes. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her full breasts, squeezing them hard. His strength was so great it seemed he might tear through her clothes.
As he squeezed, he chuckled softly, “Do you like this feeling, Miss Eileen?”
Tears streamed from Eileen’s eyes as she recoiled. Her lips, already pale, turned even whiter. She tried to push Du Fan’s hand away but was powerless, only able to moan faintly, “No… stop… it hurts…”
A strange look flashed in Du Fan’s eyes. This woman was so similar to Ringo—only one had been offended by him in a fit of anger, while she was in this situation?
Du Fan, Du Fan… Do you want to force your way on her again?
Du Fan laughed inwardly. If necessary, he certainly wasn’t short of women. But this woman here…

Letting go, Du Fan patted Eileen’s delicate cheeks. After a moment, he chuckled and said, “Don’t be so nervous… I’m not very interested in women, so I won’t do anything to you… But this place is so interesting—I’ll definitely come here more often from now on!”
He got off the bed, glanced back at Eileen, and said calmly, “Well, I’ll be leaving then. Let’s meet again if we have the chance in the future!”
With that, Du Fan didn’t care about anything else. He pushed open the door and strode out.
Outside, he still shook his head slightly and sighed. He really was being too kind this time… Under normal circumstances, he would never have been so polite!
Thinking of this, Du Fan grew increasingly annoyed. He hurried downstairs, determined to leave this place as soon as possible, lest he lose control and force himself on that woman again!
What an enticing woman!
He sighed to himself.
After passing through the long corridor and reaching the main building, then going downstairs, Du Fan’s mind was still filled with strange thoughts, and he didn’t pay much attention to his surroundings.
When he reached the entrance of the Elven Residence, he suddenly saw someone dart out from the side. Upon seeing Du Fan, the person’s anxious expression relaxed a bit. They sized Du Fan up and, seeing that he was unharmed, sighed and said, “Young Master Du Fan, I’m relieved you’re fine!”
Du Fan looked closely and realized it was Old Mark. Realizing what had happened that day, he understood it was only natural for the family to send someone to pick him up.
Glancing back at the Elven Residence, he noticed that most of the guests had already left, with only a dozen warriors remaining outside the gate.
Du Fan approached one of the warriors and asked in a low voice, “Is Prince Fischer still inside?”
The warrior bowed and replied, “My lord, Prince Fischer left earlier. He said there was an urgent matter in the palace that required his attention. If you need anything, you may leave freely; he will visit you when he has time.”
Du Fan nodded, thought for a moment, then bid farewell to Old Mark and left together.
Outside the Elven Residence, members of the imperial city’s defense forces were already checking around. When they saw Du Fan and Old Mark approaching, an officer-like man tried to step forward, but upon recognizing Du Fan, he respectfully stepped aside.

After coming out of the alley, Du Fan saw that the Green family’s carriage had been waiting for a long time. Armored cavalry were stationed all around the carriage, looking fully prepared for battle. Du Fan frowned slightly but said nothing. Instead, Old Mark led him to the side of the carriage before mounting his own horse. Once inside, before Du Fan could say anything, he saw Duke Green sitting at the very back of the carriage, staring at him with a grave expression. The Duke glanced at his son for a few moments before letting out a low sigh. He pointed and said, “Sit down.” Du Fan nodded respectfully and sat down on one side, saying politely, “Thank you, Father.” The Duke sized Du Fan up from head to toe, then chuckled lightly and said, “Du Fan, I heard that Miss Eileen from the Elven Residence is willing to meet you. It seems you have quite a reputation!” Du Fan broke into a sweat. Being caught by his father at such a place, and yet he spoke like this—Du Fan really couldn’t tell if it was praise or sarcasm… He didn’t dare reply and could only nod. Seeing that Du Fan didn’t answer, the Duke didn’t say much more. He simply rested his chin in his hand and continued calmly after a while, “Du Fan, you’ve gotten into trouble!” Du Fan was stunned and said, “Father… I…” The Duke waved his hand and looked at Du Fan carefully, asking, “Are you injured?” Du Fan heard concern in his father’s voice and shook his head, saying softly, “No, it’s just… I’m sorry, Father. I didn’t expect you to come pick me up in person…” “I was handling military affairs at the military office,” the Duke sighed. “But as soon as I received the report, I couldn’t stay put and had to come here myself. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to do it.” Du Fan smiled bitterly, lowering his head, and said, “I’m sorry, Father. Have I disappointed you?” The Duke shook his head and thought for a moment before saying, “If I’m not mistaken, wasn’t Prince Fischer supposed to invite you to hunt in the royal forest? How did you end up in such a place? And cause such a big fuss?”

Du Fan immediately recounted everything that had happened since he was called out by Prince Fischer that day. By the time he mentioned his conflict with Prince Leopold, Duke Green had already begun to frown slightly. By the time he talked about Prince Fischer’s attempts to win him over, Duke Green’s expression had turned extremely grim. Of course, Du Fan omitted the few words he had exchanged with Eirwen recently—after all, it wasn’t right to repeat such things verbatim to his father!

After Du Fan finished speaking, Duke Green sighed, his face grim, and said, “Du Fan, you really have caused a huge disaster this time!”

Du Fan was stunned and asked, “Why?”

Duke Green looked at Du Fan and said slowly, “Although Prince Fischer’s information was correct, it was several steps behind the times. Not long ago, the Lani Empire and our Gavin Empire went to war again, and the empire suffered another crushing defeat. The Southern Army now has less than 100,000 soldiers left! Now, the Lani Empire has sent an additional 100,000 troops and has broken through the defenses of the Southern Plains. Their army is gathered in key military towns, waiting only for supplies to be replenished before marching northward!”

Looking at Duke Green’s expression, Du Fan felt a chill run down his spine. With his insight and experience, he knew full well that if the Lani Empire managed to defeat the Gavin Empire once more in such a short time, it could only mean bad news!

There were only two implications in this news: First, the Southern Army had been utterly decimated by the Lani Empire, meaning that large areas of the empire’s southern territory were now completely exposed to their attacks. If they wished, they could seize half of the country at any time. Second, under such circumstances, calls for peace from within the empire would surely intensify. Even that stubborn old emperor would likely have to yield under these conditions. In other words, the time of great change mentioned by Prince Fischer might already be just around the corner!

In such a situation, if the Gavin Empire wanted to make peace, it would have to curry favor with Prince Leopold, who had come to negotiate peace!

But Prince Leopold had been injured by Du Fan while he was indulging in pleasure—no matter who else was with him, it was Du Fan who injured Leopold, and there was no denying that fact!

This situation was extremely unfavorable for Du Fan, the Green family, and the entire Gavin Empire!