Composing himself, Shen Qianmo smiled knowingly and said calmly, "The Seventh Prince of Li Kingdom. I do not know him."
A playful smile graced her face, but a flicker of wariness crossed her mind. Nalan Rong's mind was deep, his methods shrewd. He must have already guessed her identity, which was why he deliberately waited for her here.
“Why be so polite, Palace Master of the Demon Palace? Didn’t we meet this afternoon?” Nalan Rong’s light blue eyes were filled with a sharp light, and the playful smile on her lips gradually faded.
Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow at him. Was he about to lay his cards on the table? Then she might as well play along and see what he really wanted to do.
"The Seventh Prince is indeed exceptionally intelligent." Shen Qianmo smiled meaningfully. She had underestimated Nalan Rong's talent. Oh well, his identity being exposed wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps she could change her plans.
The two exchanged a smile, a sly glint in their eyes.
Avoiding eyeballs on the street, the two entered a secluded side room in Liufangzhai. The room was elegantly furnished, but its elegance also subtly revealed an air of dominance.
"What does the Seventh Prince want to say?" Shen Qianmo sat down gracefully, casually picked up the tea on the table, poured himself a cup, smelled the aroma, but didn't drink it. He just held the tea and looked leisurely at Nalan Rong.
Nalan Rong raised an eyebrow, looking at Shen Qianmo who was calm and composed. Did she not know how many people were lying in ambush around Liufangzhai, yet she could still remain so calm? With an appreciative smile, Nalan Rong said, "I also know a little about the relationship between the Demon Palace Master and the Emperor of Tianmo. I also have some guesses about the purpose of the Demon Palace Master's trip to Li Kingdom this time."
After Nalan Rong finished speaking, he did not continue to talk about his thoughts. Instead, he picked up his tea, took a slow sip, and did not say anything more. He just looked at Shen Qianmo with a profound and inscrutable expression, as if waiting for her reaction.
Shen Qianmo quietly looked at Nalan Rong, her dark eyes revealing no emotion. This Nalan Rong was indeed extraordinary; she had even managed to find out about her relationship with Situ Jingyan. It seemed that relying on Lin Wei and the Third Prince to deal with Nalan Rong was impossible.
Situ Jingyan has never interfered in the internal affairs of the Li Kingdom, presumably because he has recognized Nalan Rong's exceptional abilities and sees no need for intervention. It would be easier to let Nalan Rong and Linwei fight it out. So, in that case, she might as well give them a little push.
Recalling what Yao Yuanshan and Shangguan Pian had said at the General's mansion, Shen Qianmo smiled. Perhaps this wasn't so bad after all.
"If the Seventh Prince has nothing more to say, then I will take my leave." Setting down her teacup coldly, Shen Qianmo looked up at Nalan Rong. She knew, of course, that many people were lying in ambush around them, but she wasn't afraid, because she was certain Nalan Rong wouldn't dare to make a move.
Now that Nalan Rong is talking to her like this, it proves that Nalan Rong is not absolutely certain of seizing power in the Li Kingdom. Otherwise, why would she bother to come to her? Moreover, Nalan Rong doesn't know her identity. If anything happens to her, Situ Jingyan will definitely not let Nalan Rong off the hook.
Even putting everything else aside, with Chen Qianmo's abilities, would she really be afraid of a mere few dozen people lying in ambush?! What a joke.
Seeing Shen Qianmo's aloof expression, Nalan Rong couldn't help but smile and said, "Why is the Palace Master angry? I've summoned you here because I have something to discuss."
"If the Seventh Prince wants to rely on the power of the Demon Palace and the weapons of the Seven Absolutes Manor, then there's no need to say anything." Shen Qianmo glanced at Nalan Rong. He was quite composed. She wanted to see just how composed he really was. With a smug smile, Shen Qianmo said calmly.
She, Shen Qianmo, had always been in control, never allowing others to lead her by the nose like this! She refused to believe that Nalan Rong wasn't anxious at all. She was determined to conquer the Li Kingdom, but she had many options. Nalan Rong, however, was different; he had no choice but to cooperate with her.
As expected, Nalan Rong's expression changed slightly after those words were spoken. She frowned, looking at Shen Qianmo. Was she really determined to help her good-for-nothing older brother?! Indeed, helping her brother would be the best way to disrupt Li's internal affairs, but what about Yao Yuanshan and Shangguan Pian's influence? Didn't she care about that?!
Raising an eyebrow at Shen Qianmo, Nalan Rong composed herself and smiled, "Palace Master, please feel free to make any requests. What you can help my elder brother achieve, you can also help me achieve."
Upon hearing Nalan Rong's words, Shen Qianmo smiled knowingly. So, she finally said it. Hmph, if she wanted Nalan Rong's help, she'd better act like she was begging. She never accepted threats, not even the attempt to coerce her with favors.
Nalan Rong deliberately mentioned Shangguan Pian and Yao Yuanshan, wasn't it just so she could show them some favor?! But she refused, and instead, she wanted to use that favor to control Nalan Rong.
“In that case, it’s not without room for consideration.” Shen Qianmo took a sip of tea, her dark eyes filled with cunning, her smile undiminished. “I’ll just say this on behalf of Yao Yuanshan and Shangguan Pian to thank the Seventh Prince for his kindness.”
Yes. Yao Yuanshan and Shangguan Pian owe their current status entirely to Nalan Rong's recommendation. The Prince of Li's true heir is not the Crown Prince, nor the Third Prince, but this youngest son. That's why he has always pretended not to like this son, actually to better protect him.
As for Yao Yuanshan, a man of unknown origin, who rose step by step to the position of Grand General, besides his illustrious military achievements, Nalan Rong also played a significant role. Nalan Rong was Yao Yuanshan's true benefactor.
She was quite surprised when Yao Yuanshan said these things in the courtyard. She hadn't expected Nalan Rong to have secretly cultivated so much power. It seemed that Li Kingdom's current situation was no accident.
Since that's the case, there's no need for her to expend so much effort fighting against Nalan Rong. After all, eliminating Nalan Xin would disrupt the relationship between Li Kingdom and Linwei, rendering the so-called marriage alliance between Tianmo and Linwei unnecessary. Cooperating with Nalan Rong wouldn't be a bad thing. After all, cooperating with a smart person is much easier.
Nalan Rong raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing Shen Qianmo's words. Shen Qianmo was threatening him! Shen Qianmo was Yao Yuanshan and Shangguan Pian's savior. Although Yao Yuanshan and Shangguan Pian were his people, it was hard to guarantee that they wouldn't betray him because of the life-saving grace they owed him. If he lost his military power, his strength would be greatly weakened, and the situation would be out of his control.
A sharp glint flashed in Nalan Rong's eyes, but her face still held a smile. "So, what exactly does the Palace Master want?"
"It's very simple. Hand over the Imperial Seal to me, and the Li Kingdom will submit to Tianmo." Shen Qianmo's eyes held a hint of natural domineering arrogance, and a haughty smile played on his lips as he spoke calmly.
Chapter Seven: Unexpected Changes
Nalan Rong's expression changed drastically. Shen Qianmo was making outrageous demands! Was she asking the Li Kingdom to submit to Tianmo?! How could that be! He would absolutely not agree. Besides Yao Yuanshan's military power, he held many other things that Shen Qianmo was unaware of.
Otherwise, how could he have so easily known that Shen Qianmo was the Demon Palace Master?! And how could he have known that the Demon Palace Master and the Blood Demon Lord had a close relationship?!
If Nalan Rong were to become the king of Li, he would be a true and dignified King of Li. If Li were to submit to Tianmo, could he still be considered a king?! What had he been working so hard for all this time?! It was a pity that Li was currently weak and powerless; even with his extraordinary talent, he had no way to contend with Linwei and Tianmo.
A smile played on her lips, but a hint of anger flickered in her eyes. "Is the Palace Master joking?!"
Shen Qianmo saw the anger in Nalan Rong's eyes, but seemed not to see anything at all. The smile on her lips did not diminish, and her dark eyes looked at Nalan Rong with a clear gaze. Her tone was leisurely and unhurried as she said, "Does the Seventh Prince think Mo Chi is joking?!"
"You want the Li Kingdom to submit to Tianmo?! Impossible! Even without your help, I can still take the throne of the Li Kingdom!" Nalan Rong finally lost her temper. The smile disappeared from her narrow peach blossom eyes, and a hint of malice appeared in the corner of her eyes. She said angrily to Shen Qianmo.
Shen Qianmo nodded slightly, showing an expression of agreement. Her dark eyes held a hint of sarcasm and a warning as she spoke calmly, “The Seventh Prince is not wrong. However, you must know that Linwei is supporting the Third Prince. If Tianmo stands idly by, you may not be able to obtain the throne. Even if you do ascend the throne, do you think Linwei will easily let Li Kingdom go? Although Li Kingdom is already powerful, it is still far inferior to Tianmo and Linwei.”
Shen Qianmo's tone was neither abrupt nor sharp. It seemed as if he was casually analyzing the situation, but a hint of seriousness flashed in Nalan Rong's eyes.
Shen Qianmo was absolutely right. Li Kingdom was much stronger than other small countries, but compared to Tianmo and Linwei, it was incomparable. If he ascended the throne, he would inevitably offend Linwei, and Li Kingdom would have to ally with Tianmo to deal with Linwei. But if he didn't agree to Shen Qianmo's conditions now, it would be the same as offending Tianmo as well, cutting off Li Kingdom's escape route.
Seeing the resentment and struggle in Nalan Rong's eyes, Shen Qianmo remained calm and composed, a hint of confidence flashing in her eyes as she said firmly, "The Seventh Prince is a smart man; I don't need to say more, he naturally understands the current situation. Tianmo and Linwei will inevitably vie for the throne sooner or later. Their duel cannot tolerate the interference of any other country. The reason we are keeping Li Kingdom alive now is merely to check and balance the other side before they are fully prepared. Once they are ready, Li Kingdom will surely be destroyed."
Nalan Rong's expression darkened further. Shen Qianmo, however, continued calmly, "I admire the Seventh Prince's talent. However, he was born at the wrong time. The Li Kingdom is only so big. Even with extraordinary talent, it's impossible for the Li Kingdom to stand against Tianmo and Linwei in just a few years. Moreover, aren't the emperors of Tianmo and Linwei both exceptionally brilliant?! Is the Seventh Prince confident that he can protect the Li Kingdom under such circumstances?! Whether to submit to Tianmo now and rely on Tianmo, or to become cannon fodder in the future, is something Your Highness should consider."
Nalan Rong stared coldly at Shen Qianmo. He understood Shen Qianmo's thoughts perfectly, but he couldn't refute them at all. Yes, if given a few years, he could say that he could make Li Kingdom strong enough to rival Tianmo and Linwei, but Situ Jingyan and Yan Xiuling wouldn't give him that time.
Li Kingdom is no match for Tianmo and Linwei, and he has no time to make Li Kingdom strong. Once Tianmo and Linwei go to war, they will inevitably eliminate any country that threatens them. At that time, Li Kingdom will be the first to be hit and will face the danger of annihilation.
If he doesn't make a decision soon, he'll ruin the entire Li Kingdom. But, must they really submit to Tianmo?!
“The Li Kingdom can pay tribute, but it will not become a vassal state.” Nalan Rong pondered for a long time before finally saying in a deep voice. This was the biggest concession he could make.
Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow slightly, her eyes remaining unchanged, her tone refined yet carrying an undeniable authority, "Seventh Prince seems to misunderstand Mo Chi's words?! What I want is submission, not tribute!"
"Don't go too far!" Nalan suppressed her anger, looking at the arrogant Shen Qianmo, a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes, but more than that, there was struggle.
"Then the Seventh Prince can think it over slowly. It's getting late, Mo Chi should go back and rest." Shen Qianmo looked at the struggle in Nalan Rong's light blue eyes and realized that Nalan Rong had taken her words to heart.