"It seems Jingyan is quite confident," Yan Xiuling raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips. "What if I were to tell Nalan Rong now that his chief bodyguard is actually Emperor Tianmo, Situ Jingyan, in disguise?"
That was incredibly provocative. In fact, Yan Xiuling could have easily done that, and told Nalan Rong without anyone noticing. That way, Situ Jingyan and Shen Qianmo's plans would likely fall apart, and they might even end up fleeing in a sorry state.
Yan Xiuling, however, did not do that. Instead, he said it directly. He did not want to use any tricks or schemes against Situ Jingyan, so he directly and provocatively said it.
"Hmph! Now, it's all too late. Do you think Nalan Rong can escape my grasp?" Situ Jingyan's dark eyes were filled with domineering confidence, and a wicked and arrogant smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
He had already made all the necessary arrangements in the Li Kingdom's palace. He was just waiting for Shengge and Yunxin to conquer the cities of Li Kingdom and send him messages by carrier pigeon. If Yan Xiuling insisted on causing trouble for him at this time, he wouldn't mind changing his plans. Although the effect might not be as good as the initial plan, it wouldn't make much difference.
In short, the Kingdom of Li is already Situ Jingyan's! No one should even think about taking it.
"You're quick." Upon hearing Situ Jingyan's words, Yan Xiuling understood that Situ Jingyan had already arranged everything properly, and no matter what he was doing now, it was too late to change anything.
Ultimately, he was still a step behind Situ Jingyan. He had rushed over day and night as soon as he received the news that Shen Qianmo had been imprisoned by Nalan Rong, yet he was still so much slower than Situ Jingyan. It seems that Situ Jingyan had been protecting Shen Qianmo all the way to Li Kingdom.
I always thought this love would be a burden to Situ Jingyan. But now it seems that's not the case. Qi Yue's capital is becoming even more prosperous under Shen Qianmo's rule, and the Li Kingdom will probably fall into Tianmo's hands soon.
"You're too slow." Situ Jingyan glanced at Yan Xiuling with a mocking look and said without any mercy.
Upon hearing this, Yan Xiuling was not angry. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she said calmly, "Then I should thank Nalan Rong for inviting me to the palace to watch this good show."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qianmo shook her head slightly, looking regretful, and said, "I originally planned to watch the showdown between you and Nalan Rong, but unfortunately you saw through it so early. It's a good thing you got to see this show."
Yan Xiuling was both angry and amused by Shen Qianmo's words. He had lost such a lucrative prize as the Li Kingdom for no reason, and now he was the one who got to watch this good show?!
You should know that the State of Li was originally something Linwei wanted. Now, watching helplessly as what they wanted to eat ends up in someone else's stomach, they're actually supposed to be grateful to them for showing them how it got into their bodies?!
"Haha. Mo'er, you really are something." Situ Jingyan couldn't help but laugh when he saw Yan Xiuling's face turn pale and then red, his eyes full of doting affection. His Mo'er was just like that, full of little schemes, and even he couldn't get the better of her when she spoke. Truly, she was just exactly to his liking!
"Am I wrong?" A sly glint flashed in Shen Qianmo's eyes as she looked at Yan Xiuling with feigned innocence.
“Sister Qianmo is quite right. Then I’ll watch how you take over the Li Kingdom.” Yan Xiuling’s composure was no joke; a smile immediately appeared on her lips, her eyes clear and pure.
Seeing how quickly Yan Xiuling's expression changed, Shen Qianmo also suppressed her smile. Yan Xiuling was truly not simple. Even after losing such a large piece of meat as the Li Kingdom, he didn't lose his composure.
It seemed nothing could shake his resolve, nothing could make him lose his composure. He had a baby face that looked innocent, but he was actually more cunning than anyone else.
A few days later, Nalan Rong hosted a banquet for two distinguished guests visiting the Li Kingdom: Empress Tianmo and Emperor Linwei. Nalan Rong sat in the seat of honor, with Shen Qianmo and Yan Xiuling on either side of her.
Seated at the lower level were Yao Yuanshan and other important ministers.
"It is truly an honor for my Li Kingdom that Empress Tianmo and Emperor Linwei could come to visit our royal palace." Nalan Rong raised his usual wicked smile, his narrow peach blossom eyes looking at Shen Qianmo and Yan Xiuling with a hint of calculation and smugness.
Hmph! No matter how powerful Situ Jingyan and Yan Xiuling are, they are still subject to his control.
"Not at all. Your Majesty the Prince of Li is so kind, I naturally cannot refuse." Yan Xiuling smiled faintly, looking at Nalan Rong with indifferent eyes, deliberately emphasizing the word "kindness," intending to mock Nalan Rong for only resorting to such methods.
Upon hearing Yan Xiuling's words, a sly glint flashed in Shen Qianmo's eyes, and she smiled, saying, "That's right, that's right. His Majesty the Prince of Li is so hospitable, keeping me here for several days in a row. I am truly flattered."
Nalan Rong's eyes narrowed slightly. These two were clearly working together to accuse him of using despicable methods. He could clearly see the undisguised sarcasm and mockery in Shen Qianmo and Yan Xiuling's eyes.
Damn it! Now that he's a prisoner, he still dares to be so arrogant towards him?! So what if his methods are despicable?! If it weren't for the fact that Li Kingdom's current strength is no match for Tianmo and Linwei, would he need to resort to such methods?!
Striving to calm her emotions, Nalan Rong smiled, a hint of ruthlessness creeping into her narrow eyes. With a sinister air, she said, "Empress Tianmo and Emperor Linwei have come from afar, so the Li Kingdom naturally has to extend its hospitality."
Shen Qianmo's lips curled slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. Nalan Rong was threatening them. He was telling them that they were now on Li Kingdom territory, under his control.
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. However, Linwei is very busy with state affairs, and I am afraid I cannot stay any longer." Yan Xiuling smiled calmly.
These words, seemingly polite, were actually a threat wielding the power of Linwei to coerce Nalan Rong. If Nalan Rong dared to make any move against him, Linwei would undoubtedly send troops to annihilate the Li Kingdom. Nalan Rong could imprison Yan Xiuling to restrain Linwei, but if anything happened to Yan Xiuling, Nalan Rong couldn't afford the consequences.
Yan Xiuling's meaning was clear. He wanted Nalan Rong to see his own strength clearly, and not to think that controlling him meant controlling Linwei. His next sentence was an even more blatant expression of his contempt. He wanted to leave; how could Nalan Rong possibly stop him?!
Upon hearing Yan Xiuling's words, a flash of anger crossed Nalan Rong's eyes. She narrowed her light blue eyes dangerously and said with a hint of threat, "What does the Emperor of Linwei mean by this?! Is it because my Li Kingdom has not been hospitable enough? Why is he in such a hurry to leave?"
Yan Xiuling raised an eyebrow, looking at Nalan Rong. His light-colored eyes revealed no emotion, and his ambiguous smile made it impossible for anyone to fathom his feelings and thoughts, which even made Nalan Rong feel a little flustered.
After a long while, Yan Xiuling slowly smiled and said, "Of course not."
Upon hearing Yan Xiuling's reply, Nalan Rong's eyes returned to calm.
Yan Xiuling chuckled inwardly. He wasn't leaving only to see what methods Situ Jingyan and Shen Qianmo had to reclaim the Li Kingdom without wasting military resources. If he really left, would Nalan Rong's threats be enough to deter him?! Then he, Yan Xiuling, wouldn't deserve to be called the Emperor of Linwei, nor would he deserve to be Situ Jingyan's only rival.
"How is Empress Tianmo? Is she settling in well in Li Kingdom?" Nalan Rong then turned her gaze to Shen Qianmo, a hint of smugness in her eyes.
A mocking smile slowly spread across Shen Qianmo's lips, her dark eyes brimming with amusement. Just now, Yunxin and Shenge had sent messages by carrier pigeon, announcing the capture of several cities in the Li Kingdom. They were just waiting for Situ Jingyan to make his move so they could put on a good show.
“Not used to it.” Three simple and concise words. Shen Qianmo met Nalan Rong’s gaze fearlessly, her dark eyes filled with provocation and arrogance.
Shen Qianmo's arrogant words sparked discussion among the ministers sitting below. It seemed that neither Empress Tianmo nor Emperor Linwei respected their emperor. This was outrageous! They were already in their Li Kingdom, so why were they still acting so arrogantly?
Nalan Rong frowned upon seeing Shen Qianmo's reaction. He knew Shen Qianmo's personality and had witnessed her methods and ruthlessness before. However, under such circumstances, Shen Qianmo shouldn't be behaving this way unless she was absolutely certain.
"However, I quite like the gift that the Li Kingdom gave me." Shen Qianmo's tone was indifferent as she slowly raised her eyes. Her dark eyes were filled with absolute domineering and arrogance, and her deep gaze was like a beam of light shining on Nalan Rong.
A gift?! Shen Qianmo's words immediately sparked discussion among the ministers below. How could their Emperor give Empress Tianmo a gift?! Even Nalan Rong's expression changed. When did he give Shen Qianmo a gift?! The ambiguous smile in Shen Qianmo's eyes made him feel very uncomfortable, as if he were being firmly controlled by Shen Qianmo.
"I don't understand what Empress Tianmo means." Nalan Rong raised her eyebrows, her smile unchanged, but her eyes held a hint of seriousness and inquiry.
Shen Qianmo glanced around at the Li Kingdom officials sitting below, a slow smile curving her lips. Her smile was bewitching and captivating, yet also ruthless and bloodthirsty.
The court officials below were all mesmerized. They all knew of Empress Tianmo's stunning beauty, but they never imagined she could smile so beautifully, as if simply looking at her would make them lose their souls.
But that exquisite smile was also so sharp that one dared not look directly at it. Like the beautiful red spider lily, it was stunningly beautiful yet eerily alluring, carrying a deadly allure.
"Hehe, then I'll make it clearer." Shen Qianmo's smile grew increasingly sinister, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes. She slowly unfolded a piece of paper in her slender hand. Before the courtiers below could even see what it was, Nalan Rong was the first to change her expression.
"Military deployment map! It was you!" Nalan Rong glared at Shen Qianmo through gritted teeth. So it was Shen Qianmo who took the military deployment map, and she even tricked him into thinking that Yan Xiuling had taken it, causing him to keep an eye on Yan Xiuling and forget to monitor Shen Qianmo. But Mo Yi clearly said that Shen Qianmo was not acting strangely, so what was going on!