She was absolutely right; that was the situation. Of course, it would be best if Nalan Rong could directly align herself with Tianmo. If Nalan Rong insisted on refusing, then the Li Kingdom would inevitably face destruction. However, the cost of destroying the Li Kingdom would be enormous. Neither Tianmo nor Linwei wanted that.
"Halt!" Nalan Rong shouted, slowly standing up. Looking at Shen Qianmo, his eyes held a mixture of scrutiny and admiration. He smiled and said, "What the Palace Master said is indeed correct. However, if the Li Kingdom does not submit to either side, then I'm afraid neither Tianmo nor Linwei will be willing to attack the Li Kingdom, right? You must know that attacking the Li Kingdom will consume a lot of troops. Just as the Palace Master said, Tianmo and Linwei are evenly matched. Who would be willing to do something that depletes their strength?"
Shen Qianmo turned around and looked at Nalan Rong, her eyes showing no panic whatsoever. Her dark eyes were like a deep pool, unfathomable, and a faint smile played on her lips as she said calmly, "Does the Seventh Prince not know the relationship between the Emperor of Linwei and the Emperor of Tianmo?! Has the Seventh Prince forgotten how Qi Yue destroyed his kingdom, and how Linwei and Tianmo divided Qi Yue between them?!"
Logically, the Li Kingdom could have preserved itself under such circumstances, gaining precious time for rapid development. But how could Situ Jingyan and Yan Xiuling possibly give Nalan Rong that kind of time?!
Moreover, the subtle friendship between Situ Jingyan and Yan Xiuling is the most advantageous factor in this struggle for the world, because they can join forces to eliminate everything and then confront each other, thus eliminating any opportunity for other forces to take advantage of their conflict to develop themselves.
Nalan Rong was indeed a clever man. It was a pity he was born at the wrong time, unfortunately encountering Situ Jingyan and Yan Xiuling. Therefore, the Li Kingdom was destined to have no chance of development. If Nalan Rong were Qi Yue's prince, then perhaps he could contend for power, but the Li Kingdom's current strength is simply too weak.
So what if they have iron cavalry?! How many of those hundreds of thousands of troops can withstand the million-strong army of Tianmo and Linwei? So what if the national treasury is full?! What is that small treasury compared to the immense wealth of Tianmo and Linwei?! So what if Nalan Rong is exceptionally intelligent?! No matter how clever he is, can he compare to the combined forces of Situ Jingyan and Yan Xiuling?!
I promise you.
But just as Shen Qianmo was about to leave Liufangzhai, Nalan Rong's voice drifted over from afar, carrying a hint of helplessness and resentment. Shen Qianmo paused slightly, a smile playing on her lips.
"Mo Chi knew the Seventh Prince was a smart man." Shen Qianmo turned around, her gaze as serene and wise as moonlight and flowing water.
Nalan Rong looked at Shen Qianmo with a hint of admiration. Rumor had it that the Demon Palace Master was exceptionally elegant yet ruthless in killing, but no one knew that the Demon Palace Master was actually such a wise person.
The reason he knew of the Demon Palace Master's wisdom and the close relationship between the Demon Palace Master and the Blood Demon Lord was because of the Heavenly Annihilation Tower and the Heavenly Palace Tower that he managed.
The most famous restaurant and inn in the world. No one knows the owner behind them. Even Situ Jingyan and Yan Xiuling don't know that the owner behind them is actually the seventh prince of Li Kingdom, Nalan Rong.
A few days ago, Tianjue Tower's subordinates reported that the Demon Palace Master had persuaded the Qi Yue court officials and promised to protect Qi Yue's capital. He originally thought it was just the Demon Palace Master boasting, but he didn't expect him to actually do it.
It was precisely because he succeeded that he understood the profound relationship between the Demon Palace Master and the Bloodlust Pavilion Master. Otherwise, how could the Bloodlust Pavilion Master, the Emperor of Tianmo, have abandoned Qiyue's capital?!
Leaving aside the immense trouble that leaving Qiyue Capital behind, its wealth alone was equivalent to that of a dozen small cities. Later, he learned that the Demon Palace Master had sent Cui Pu to secretly control Qiyue Capital. Now, the people of Qiyue Capital lived in peace and prosperity, even more so than before. Moreover, most of the people no longer had a strong sense of national identity, simply living ordinary lives. The officials, too, had settled into ordinary lives.
In this way, not only were there no bloodshed or casualties, but Qi Yue's capital was also recaptured without losing a single soldier. The methods of this Demon Palace Master are truly extraordinary.
With a nonchalant smile, Nalan Rong said meaningfully, "Likewise."
Looking at Nalan Rong's smile, Shen Qianmo felt that something was hidden behind it. However, she was unwilling to speculate too much. Regardless of Nalan Rong's intentions, the matter of Li Kingdom had now reached a good outcome. All that was left was for the King of Li to die suddenly, and then Li Kingdom could be brought under her control.
She originally intended to secretly infiltrate the palace and assassinate Prince Li. However, after meeting with Yao Yuanshan and Shangguan Pian, who pleaded with her to spare Prince Li, she refrained from doing so. After all, she had no grudge against Prince Li, and his health was already failing.
Originally, the plan was to cooperate with the Crown Prince, which is why they were in such a hurry to kill Prince Li, lest Nalan Rong and Nalan Xin make thorough preparations. Now that the plan has changed, when Prince Li dies is no longer so important.
"I take my leave, Mo Chi." Withdrawing her probing gaze, Chen Qianmo nimbly left Liu Fang Zhai.
Nalan Rong smiled slightly as she looked at Shen Qianmo's retreating figure and said to the person behind her, "Ying, the Demon Palace Master is quite a clever man."
There was no sound behind him, and he couldn't see anyone. Nalan Rong only knew that the person he called Ying agreed with his point of view. A smile crept onto his face. He always liked intelligent people, because it was only interesting to argue with them; otherwise, wouldn't he look too inferior?
The next day, around noon, Shen Qianmo lazily got up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her eyes were languid, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of cunning in her dark eyes.
"Xuanlou, good morning." Shen Qianmo greeted Xuanlou, who had been waiting outside for a long time, with a smile in a good mood.
Xuan Lou was taken aback when he saw Shen Qianmo dressed in a light yellow dress with a gentle smile on her face. He seemed to have never seen Shen Qianmo so radiant before. Her eyes and brows were filled with a faint smile, and her beautiful features were stunning.
Slightly taken aback, Xuan Lou asked with a gentle smile, "Why is Qian Mo so happy today?"
"The matter in Li Kingdom is about to be resolved, of course I'm happy." Shen Qianmo smiled faintly, looking at the azure sky in the direction of Tianmo.
Jingyan. Once things in Li Kingdom are resolved, I can return to your side. The marriage alliance is in a month, isn't it? Jingyan, wait for me.
"I will be going to the Third Prince's residence today to discuss the deal. Please have Xuanlou inform the Crown Prince of this." Shen Qianmo smiled knowingly. Now that she had decided to cooperate with Nalan Rong, she would let the Crown Prince's faction and the Third Prince's faction fight it out. She also wanted to see what Yan Xiuling would do.
The blame lies with Yan Xiuling for being too cautious. She was unwilling to control the most difficult Nalan Rong, and instead chose Nalan Xin, who was somewhat intelligent but controllable, thus giving Yan Xiuling an opportunity to take advantage of her.
Xuan Lou nodded slightly. His vacant eyes held a hint of understanding.
She stepped out with light steps and arrived at Nalan Xin's residence. She paid her respects openly and confidently. The presence of numerous guards around her did not escape Shen Qianmo's notice.
The King of Li is now critically ill and will likely pass away within the next few days. The competition among the three princes has reached a fever pitch. Naturally, a large number of secret guards are lurking around the residences of each prince.
However, the princelings probably don't realize that Nalan Rong is a formidable opponent; their vision is likely still limited to Nalan Xin.
"Brother Chi, come in quickly and let's talk." As soon as the servant went to announce his arrival, Nalan Xin came out to greet him personally, with a gentle and humble smile on his face. He appeared mild and polite, but in fact, his slanted eyes hid a sinister and ruthless nature.
Shen Qianmo pretended not to see the scheming in Nalan Xin's eyes, smiled gently, and followed Nalan Xin into the mansion, but inwardly she sneered. Nalan Xin, Nalan Xin, have you been biding your time for too long, so that seeing the throne within your grasp has blinded you?! You don't even doubt his identity?
I questioned Nalan Rong carefully last night. Nalan Xin's men haven't contacted Yan Xiuling. As long as they haven't contacted Yan Xiuling, dealing with Nalan Xin would be extremely easy.
Following Nalan Xin into the mansion, a servant brought tea. Shen Qianmo took a sip of the tea, a murderous glint appearing in her eyes, while she smiled at Nalan Xin.
Nalan Xin felt a little uneasy under Shen Qianmo's gaze, and asked with a stiff smile, "What's wrong? Does this tea not suit Brother Chi's taste?"
"Not at all." A cold smile appeared on Shen Qianmo's lips. A white pill slid down Shen Qianmo's sleeve and into the teacup. Shen Qianmo pretended to swirl the cup casually, then smiled and took a sip.
When Nalan Xin saw Shen Qianmo drink the tea, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes, and the smile on his lips became somewhat ferocious, growing even brighter. Nalan Xin said smugly, "Brother Chi, have you decided to cooperate with me?"
Shen Qianmo's smile grew even colder. A hint of icy coldness flashed in her eyes.
This Nalan Xin isn't entirely brainless. He even knew to use poison to control her. But doesn't he know who Shen Qianmo is? He dared to give her such poison?! What a joke!
"Yes. I have decided to cooperate with the Third Prince. However, the Third Prince must prove his strength to me." Shen Qianmo's dark eyes flickered slightly, concealing her murderous intent. With a faint smile, she spoke calmly.
Upon hearing Shen Qianmo's words, Nalan Xin smiled confidently and said, "Brother Chi, rest assured, cooperating with me is absolutely the right choice."
"Is that so?" Chen Qianmo scoffed inwardly, her voice tinged with disdain.
Upon hearing Shen Qianmo's words, Nalan Xin's expression immediately changed, and he said with some displeasure, "Does Brother Chi intend to go back on his word?!"
"Third Prince, you'd better watch your tone." Shen Qianmo heard the threat in Nalan Xin's tone and frowned coldly. She hated being threatened more than anything in her life!