Chapter 539: The Capital (3) Persuasion
Chapter 539
Inside the exquisite restaurant.
Jun Mingche and Wendy were having dinner.
The two were exchanging sweet nothings, appearing very cozy.
An Nuan noticed Jun Mingche's wine glass was empty and leaned over to pour him more wine.
"Thank you," Jun Mingche had excellent manners.
When saying thanks, it wasn't just a casual remark.
Instead, he would respectfully look at the other person, speaking in a gentle tone.
An Nuan lightly smiled, "You're welcome, please take your time."
An Nuan finished pouring.
She politely took a step back.
Jun Mingche shifted his gaze from An Nuan.
At that moment, the beautiful sound of a piano performance filled the restaurant.
Jun Mingche stood up from his chair and extended his hand, inviting Wendy to dance.
The two gently swayed in the romantic restaurant.
An Nuan just stood aside, watching the sweet couple.
Occasionally, she had read some gossip news saying Jun Mingche and Wendy's relationship was very good. After all, although Wendy was now pursuing a diplomatic career, her family background was actually very ordinary. Her love with Jun Mingche was described as a Cinderella story's reversal.
Given Jun Mingche's status, Wendy was simply not a match.
An Nuan had previously thought like most people that the two were together because of their deep affection. But now it seemed that while their affection was indeed good, the more important reason might just be a smokescreen by the Jun family. To put it more bluntly, to make everyone think the Jun family had no ambitions. If they did have ambitions, they would surely find a wife of equal standing.
Just like Di Xinyao, the Princess of the Di family. If she were to marry, she would at least marry into a wealthy family.
An Nuan pondered these thoughts silently, and at that moment, she saw the two finish dancing.
Wendy whispered something in Jun Mingche's ear, then temporarily left the restaurant, likely going to the restroom.
Jun Mingche calmly returned to his chair.
He picked up his knife and fork, cutting into the steak and eating elegantly.
An Nuan stepped forward to refill his empty wine glass.
"Miss An, why don't you sit down and chat?" Jun Mingche suddenly spoke.
An Nuan's hand trembled.
She spilled the red wine directly onto the table.
"I'm sorry," An Nuan apologized.
"It's fine," Jun Mingche looked up at An Nuan. "Having the honorable Miss An serve me for an evening is my privilege."
An Nuan lightly laughed.
She didn't know when Jun Mingche had recognized her.
But she didn't feel awkward either.
Her purpose was simply to discuss matters with Jun Mingche.
The approach didn't matter.
"Sit," Jun Mingche pointed to where Wendy had been sitting. "She's gone."
An Nuan was taken aback.
She hadn't expected Jun Mingche to directly have Wendy leave.
"There are some things I think Miss An would prefer to discuss with me alone," Jun Mingche said bluntly.
An Nuan didn't beat around the bush either.
She sat across from Jun Mingche and spoke directly, "Hello Mr. Jun, I'm An Nuan, the daughter of An's Group, the wife of Ye Jinghuai. I've come to see you so abruptly today because I have something I need your help with."
"Go on," Jun Mingche smiled courteously.
Giving off a very humble vibe.
But An Nuan didn't dare underestimate him, knowing he wouldn't give her much time.
She cut to the chase, "Ye Jinghuai was framed and imprisoned. I believe Mr. Jun is aware of who was behind it. I now have evidence of Ye Jinghuai's innocence, and I hope Mr. Jun can step forward to uphold justice for Ye Jinghuai."
Jun Mingche put down his utensils.
He gently dabbed his mouth and said, "North Wen Country is a nation ruled by law. Everything is fair and just. Since Miss An has evidence, why do you need me to uphold justice?"
"The evidence I have only clears Ye Jinghuai's innocence but cannot implicate the true culprit. However, if Mr. Jun can thoroughly investigate this case, he would be able to capture the real mastermind."
"You're referring to Gu Yan Sheng," Jun Mingche stated directly.
An Nuan was slightly taken aback.
But she quickly regained her composure, "It seems Mr. Jun is quite familiar with this case as well."
"I glanced at it when I was bored," he said.
"Yes, it's Gu Yan Sheng," An Nuan confirmed.
"Gu Yan Sheng is now the Di family's son-in-law, which makes him part of the Di family," Jun Mingche looked at An Nuan. "If I move against Gu Yan Sheng now, it means I'm opposing the Di family. Miss An, you should know that the two leading families of North Wen Country have coexisted peacefully for centuries. Are you deliberately trying to stir up conflict between us?"
An Nuan pursed her lips.
She knew it wouldn't be so easy to convince him.
Jun Mingche continued, "I sympathize with your situation. But in many ways, my hands are tied."
After speaking, Jun Mingche prepared to leave.
By giving An Nuan a chance and directly refusing her, he had already done his due diligence.
Anything else was beyond his ability.
"Mr. Jun, what if I said I could force you to preside over this trial?" An Nuan called out to him.
Jun Mingche's brow furrowed slightly, "What do you mean, Miss An?"
"I mean I can have public opinion compel you to preside over this case. It won't make the Di family feel you're deliberately interfering, nor will it cause conflict between you and the Di family," An Nuan said with certainty.
"How can you accomplish that?" Jun Mingche was curious.
"In the first trial, I'll have the lawyer implicate Gu Yan Sheng, regardless of whether there's evidence. Once Gu Yan Sheng is implicated, all forces related to the Di family will automatically recuse themselves. Public opinion will then call for the Jun family to preside over this case, and you are the most suitable person from the Jun family."
"If you can do that, why come to me privately?" Jun Mingche asked.
"Mr. Jun can choose to thoroughly investigate or not," An Nuan made her point clear. "I hope Mr. Jun will thoroughly investigate."
"To thoroughly investigate would be to oppose the Di family, wouldn't it?" Jun Mingche questioned.
"I believe Mr. Jun is an upright man."
"Miss An, if you were in my position, you would understand that there are many things beyond my control," Jun Mingche refused resolutely.
An Nuan was rendered speechless.
Jun Mingche said, "I appreciate Miss An and even Ye Jinghuai. But I'm sorry, I can't help you with this."
"For the Jun family, shouldn't this be an opportunity?" An Nuan asked.
Jun Mingche's gaze sharpened.
"The Di family has been arrogant for so many years. Will the Jun family just let them carry on?" An Nuan said, "Now the Jun family can use the fairest means to stop the Di family's tyranny. Isn't this the best way for the Jun family to assert its authority?"
Jun Mingche fell silent for a moment.
An Nuan continued, "Although Gu Yan Sheng can't be considered a talent, he's still far superior to most people. The Gu family's assets may not be much, but they still exceed ninety percent of North Wen Country's population. And now the Di family is using Gu Yan Sheng to monopolize the economic market through the Gu family. If it's Ye Jinghuai's turn to suffer today, tomorrow it will be the Ye family, then our An family and the Xia family. Eventually, all four of North Wen Country's prominent families will be under the Di family's control."
Jun Mingche looked at An Nuan.
An Nuan spoke emphatically, "Are you really going to watch the Di family's power grow to the point where they can blot out the sky?"