“Even if I agree, Jinghao won’t agree.” Situ Jingyan pursed his lips and said.
A resolute glint flashed in Hongju's eyes as she knelt and said, "Master, just say that Hongju went to another place to carry out a mission. Jinghao won't doubt it."
A bitter, helpless smile spread across Hongju's lips. Jinghao, such a kind person, wouldn't doubt Situ Jingyan's words. Besides, Jinghao didn't care about her at all; even if she wasn't there, he wouldn't notice anything.
However, she was still willing to save him!
“Even if you were willing, you wouldn’t be able to find a woman who could exchange blood with him.” Shen Qianmo frowned, her tone somber and unreadable.
Upon hearing this, Hongju hurriedly replied, "I can do that too. Since we're already going to die anyway, what does it matter how we die?"
"No. No. It has to be someone who is related to him by blood." Shen Qianmo frowned. If it were just that, it wouldn't be too difficult, but the key is that they have to be related by blood, which means they have to be his closest relatives.
The only person who could save Situ Jinghao was his mother, Consort Liu. But how could Situ Jinghao, with his temperament, possibly be willing to let his mother die for him?! Even if he were willing, how could his venomous mother possibly allow it?!
A ruthless glint flashed in Situ Jingyan's eyes. Changing that woman's blood was simple; he didn't believe he couldn't subdue her. But, but if Jinghao found out, he'd probably rather die than accept the antidote.
But Situ Jinghao's meridians are already severely damaged. If this continues, he will eventually die from broken meridians.
Situ Jingyan frowned slightly, a hint of struggle flashing in his obsidian-like eyes. He pursed his thin lips and slowly said, "Let's talk about it after Jinghao wakes up."
"Master." Hongju called out to Situ Jingyan, seemingly wanting to say something, but after looking at Situ Jinghao lying down, she ultimately didn't say anything.
She wanted him to live, but he certainly wouldn't accept exchanging his mother's death for his own survival. He had always been such a kind person.
"Mo'er seemed very unhappy just now?! Is she alright now?!" After leaving Situ Jinghao's room, Situ Jingyan remained silent for a long time. Shen Qianmo knew that Situ Jingyan was struggling, so she did not disturb him.
But upon arriving at Rumengxuan, Situ Jingyan suddenly raised his eyebrows, a hint of mockery and delight flashing in his eyes.
Shen Qianmo rolled her eyes, looking at the mockery in Situ Jingyan's eyes. This guy, as expected, still didn't intend to give up this good opportunity to laugh at her.
"Am I unhappy?!" Playing dumb was her secret weapon. Her dark eyes narrowed innocently, and a naive smile played on her lips.
Situ Jingyan narrowed his eyes slightly. This awkward Mo'er, she won't even admit she's jealous? "So that's how it is. Mo'er mistakenly thinks I won't be angry if I keep other women. It seems I can find more confidantes in the future."
"You dare!" Seeing Situ Jingyan's smug grin, Shen Qianmo gritted her teeth and said. Daring to seek out a confidante?! One comes, I'll kill one; two come, I'll kill them both!
Situ Jingyan looked at the annoyance on Shen Qianmo's face with satisfaction and smiled happily. His eyes and brows were full of smiles. How could his Mo'er be so cute? His charming voice was close to Shen Qianmo's ear and carried a warm breath, "My silly Mo'er, you are so cute."
The warm breath brushed against Shen Qianmo's ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Her face flushed red, and she said coquettishly, "You're just trying to trick me into telling you things!"
"Who told Mo'er to always be so stubborn and unwilling to tell?!" Situ Jingyan raised his eyebrows, looking aggrieved, his captivating peach blossom eyes fixed on Shen Qianmo.
"What do you plan to do about Situ Jinghao's matter?" Shen Qianmo couldn't argue with Situ Jingyan, so she had to change the subject, but this was a topic that had to be addressed.
She could see the unease in Situ Jingyan's eyes.
"I will save him! Even if he hates me, I will not allow him to die!" A struggle flashed in Situ Jingyan's eyes before he spoke firmly.
Yes. Knowing full well that someone as pure as him would never willingly exchange his mother's life for his own, how could he just stand by and watch him die?!
"Sometimes I really don't know whether such a pure life in the palace is a blessing or a curse. And back then, when he shielded you from that cup of poison, was it a blessing or a curse?" Shen Qianmo murmured.
Back then, if Situ Jinghao hadn't shielded Situ Jingyan from that cup of poisoned wine, he probably wouldn't even be alive now.
After all, the palace has always been a place that devours people without spitting out the bones. Such a pure person was never suitable for the palace. If he hadn't shielded Situ Jingyan from that cup of poisoned wine, there would have been another cup. For such a pure person, there are plenty of ways to kill him in the palace.
If you don't learn how to kill, then you'll only be killed. She understood this principle a long time ago.
"Mo'er. I can protect Jinghao, so I can protect you too! So, don't work so hard in the future. Those schemes are not suitable for you." Situ Jingyan reached out and stroked Shen Qianmo's stubborn face, his eyes full of heartache and doting.
A flicker of emotion crossed Shen Qianmo's eyes, but he concealed his helplessness deep within his dark pupils.
Jingyan, I can never go back to who I was before. Is scheming not for me?! But I can't let go of it anymore.
I don't want to be a burden to you, nor do I want you to go to great lengths to protect me and lose sight of the bigger picture. I can protect myself. I want to stand by your side and watch the world unfold with you, instead of standing under your wings and relying on your protection.
Situ Jingyan carefully observed Shen Qianmo's every expression and movement. She hid that hint of helplessness very well, but in the end, it still couldn't escape his eyes.
His Mo'er was such a stubborn and strong-willed woman, how could she allow herself to always be under his wing?! It was all wishful thinking on his part.
"Mo'er, if you are unwilling, then come with me to conquer the world!" Situ Jingyan's lips curled into a wicked smile, his ink-black hair fluttering in the wind, and he looked domineering and confident.
When he spoke of the world, a hint of domineering arrogance and unwavering confidence flashed in his eyes.
"Okay." She replied softly, a warm smile spreading across her face. Situ Jingyan, you understand me so well. There's only one like you in this world.
The night was cool and still. Situ Jingyan had just returned to Tianmo. Although the news of his return had not been announced, there were still many things to deal with, so he went to the Imperial Study early in the morning.
She simply sat quietly under the moonlight.
"Palace Master."
A cold voice pulled Shen Qianmo from her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Sheng Ge dressed in a chilling black outfit, as if she had stepped out of an ice cellar. Her straight nose and icy eyes were even more chilling.
A hint of doubt flashed in Shen Qianmo's eyes. Was it just her imagination? Why did she feel that Sheng Ge's expression had become even colder after arriving in this Tianmo Kingdom? His icy eyes seemed to be trying their best to hide something. Looking at his fluttering black clothes, he was as chilling as a black foundation.
"Go find out the path to Fire Island. I need to go to Fire Island." Shen Qianmo knew that Sheng Ge was always cold-hearted, so she didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"Fire Island?!" The simple rhetorical question expressed Sheng Ge's doubt, but the icy coldness in her eyes remained unchanged. She really didn't know how to make this guy change his expression.
"Yes. I must save him," Shen Qianmo replied. Since Situ Jinghao was so important to Situ Jingyan, she had no choice but to save him. At the very least, she needed to find a way to obtain the Fire Fruit. As for whether or not to use an antidote, that was up to Situ Jinghao himself to decide. She was simply making sure to have the best possible plan.
Sheng Ge glanced at Shen Qianmo with her icy eyes, a hint of doubt in her dark pupils. Shen Qianmo understood that Sheng Ge was puzzled as to who was worth her taking such a risk.
A sly smile crept across Shen Qianmo's lips, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. She said with a faint smile, "I want to save a woman of unparalleled beauty. Shengge, are you interested?!"
"No." Sheng Ge rejected the question without hesitation, her voice icy.