Honestly, Suleiman was a bit confused about being called in this time, and he even had some unnecessary thoughts: "Could it be that I'm being warned because I've been giving Aisha special treatment in private? Or is it because my intentional preferential treatment of Girey Family members for her sake has been discovered?"
However, these were purely his overthinking. Although Manuel had some understanding of these matters earlier, he didn't pay much attention, as Suleiman's actions, in the end, didn't violate his principles. As long as his principles weren't violated, it didn't matter to him for the time being.
Therefore, after a few casual pleasantries, Manuel got straight to the point: "Your Excellency Suleiman, what are your thoughts on Haji Giray's disposition?"
"Ha, is he testing me?" Suleiman's heart skipped a beat. However, Manuel's immediate clarification dispelled his surprise: "From the perspective of a victor."
"What does that mean?" Suleiman wondered, then tentatively asked, "Hmm, I don't understand, could you be more specific?"
"It means not considering the child," Manuel explained with a smile, then took some tea leaves from under the table and started brewing. "It's fine, I'm just asking. Here, would you like some tea? These are excellent tea leaves obtained from the Eastern Dynasty through trade routes."
"Uh, no, thank you. But it seems I can't hide anything from you," Suleiman shook his head awkwardly. "If viewed from a monarch's perspective, then Giray must die; but if viewed from my personal desires, I hope he lives to bless his children's marriages."
"Wait, I remember his daughter, little Aisha, is at most 11 years old this year, she's still a child…" Manuel heard the implication and was a bit surprised.
"Yes, the age of a budding flower."
Manuel was a bit stunned. He couldn't help but continue to ask him, "Wait, wait, wait, Your Excellency Suleiman, I remember you're older than me, so you and her…"
"I confirmed with the Girey Family, the age difference between us is about 10 years, which isn't much," Suleiman chuckled. "Oh, right. I asked about the Giray couple's opinion, and they no longer have any objections. After all, even though I'm temporarily in exile, I am still royalty of Karaman."
"Alright, this is your private matter, after all. I have no right to interfere, but I am very curious, what is it about that child that so captivates you?" Manuel suddenly became gossipy, leaning closer, looking as if he was all ears.
"Good upbringing, excellent character, and most importantly, there are some things about her that resemble my late mother." As he spoke of these, Suleiman's expression softened.
"What, you're not going to say that little Aisha could become a mother to you, are you?" Hearing this, Manuel casually quipped, then naturally raised his teacup and took a sip of clear tea.
"Hmm, it doesn't seem impossible," Suleiman pondered for a moment, then replied with a serious expression.
"Pfft!" Hearing such a shocking reply, Manuel was so startled that he spat out the tea he had just drunk.
"Uh, Your Excellency Manuel, are you alright?" Suleiman asked with a look of genuine concern.
"Cough, cough, cough… I, cough, I'm fine, cough," Manuel tried his best to clear his throat, which had just been choked by the tea. "No, it's just, Suleiman, do you know, in some strange countries, this kind of behavior could land you on the gallows!"
"I don't care," Suleiman shrugged, then casually added, "Speaking of which, if I must be put on the gallows, please choose the shortest and smallest rope for me."
Manuel was dumbfounded, "No, you're completely unyielding…"
Just as the two inexplicably shifted the topic to Aisha Giray, Manuel's order from yesterday also reached Phanagoria.
"What do we do now?" Isaac looked at this order from his brother, hesitant and unsure of what to do.
"It seems His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to reclaim the little Prince's military authority," Wolol mused, then remembered something. "Speaking of which, little Prince, as it stands, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hasn't directly targeted you, has he?"
"It seems so. To deal with the war, brother granted me governance over Phanagoria, though it's temporary." At this point, Isaac lowered his head, seemingly with some mixed emotions.
"Heh, there's nothing to feel guilty about, little Prince, you have great things to do," Wolol leaned close to his ear, like a devil's whisper.
"Enough of that, what now?" Klier, standing nearby, interrupted Wolol's murmuring and asked seriously.
"I'll accompany the little Prince back to Mangup first, as this was within our expectations. As for Your Excellency Klier, you will remain here for now and proceed according to the backup plan we previously set," Wolol chuckled.
"Alright," Klier frowned. Although it was a backup plan, the risks were too great, and he even wondered if he had boarded a pirate ship. "These guys aren't the type to plan ahead, are they?" he muttered to himself.
Isaac, standing nearby, wanted to say something, but Wolol directly interrupted him, "It's fine, little Prince, just do as we say."
Meanwhile, in Mangup, after finally diverting the conversation from Suleiman's private matters, Suleiman asked a question he was very concerned about: "Your Excellency Manuel, I have something I'd like to ask. You currently only control Southern Crimea and the Isthmus, correct? Why aren't you urgently dispatching troops to garrison other areas? In my humble opinion, the Principality's hidden dangers are not small right now."
Manuel shook his left index finger and said with a composed expression: "Your Excellency Suleiman, things are not as dangerous as you imagine. Firstly, I now essentially control ninety percent of the Principality's military power, so suppressing any potential separatist rebels would be effortless.
"Secondly, I understand my brother; he is much better than me and wouldn't do anything too outrageous. Even if those people want to manipulate him, so what? If I didn't have some fallback measures, how would I dare send him to Phanagoria? You should know that to prevent anyone from using him to cause trouble, I haven't even distributed firearms to Phanagoria.
"Also, the most important thing is—I believe that as long as the Tatars are not forced to change, they will also recognize my rule. For the subjects in newly conquered lands, as long as I don't implement harsh policies, don't raise taxes, and don't force them to change their original way of life and beliefs, they will eventually recognize my rule. Different cultures all have their reasons for existence, and as a monarch, my only task is tolerance and leniency." As he spoke, Manuel became somewhat excited.
But regarding his last words, Suleiman, who was in front of him, looked at him with a helpless gaze and reminded him: "How should I put it? Well, Manuel, from now on, I will use our friendship to remind you: Believe me, do not have too many undue expectations of infidels. I am a muslim, and I know best what our Crescent Sect followers are like."