"Hmph! I won't offend others unless they offend me, but if they do, I will retaliate. Since Southern Xinjiang has given us such a great gift, we should return the favor properly." Shen Qianmo curled a bloodthirsty smile, her dark eyes gleaming with a ruthless light, like sharp blades.
Using Gu poison?! Are only the people of Southern Xinjiang skilled in using Gu poison?! Her Demon Palace's poisons are no less potent than those of Southern Xinjiang, and besides, Southern Xinjiang's expertise lies in Gu poison; their knowledge of actual poison might not be as great as the Demon Palace's. Since Southern Xinjiang has sent such a generous gift as the Flowing Wind Gu, then she will reciprocate with a generous gift in return.
Seeing the bloodthirsty smile on Shen Qianmo's lips and the cunning in her dark eyes, Situ Jingyan naturally understood Shen Qianmo's thoughts. He liked Shen Qianmo's personality—"I won't offend others unless they offend me, but if they do, I will retaliate." With a charmingly wicked yet indulgent smile, Situ Jingyan said softly, "What does Mo'er want to do?"
"Go to Nancheng." Shen Qianmo's lips curled slightly as she uttered the three words firmly.
Upon hearing those three words, Situ Jingyan's expression changed, his eyes darkened, and he immediately retorted, "No."
People from the Southern Frontier must be lurking in the Southern City now. If Shen Qianmo goes there, she will be in great danger. The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light; he absolutely cannot let Shen Qianmo risk her life in the Southern City.
A hint of worry flashed in Xuan Lou's eyes. The power of the Southern Frontier was very mysterious and extremely great, far beyond what any sect or country in the Central Plains could match. If Shen Qianmo went to the Southern City, she would inevitably become a target of the Southern Frontier Holy Clan, which would be extremely dangerous.
"In my opinion, Her Majesty the Empress is the best choice," Haoyue said calmly, even as Xuanlou and Situ Jingyan both showed expressions of disapproval.
He understood that Situ Jingyan was unwilling for Shen Qianmo to take the risk, but at this moment, Shen Qianmo was indeed the best choice. Firstly, only Shen Qianmo knew the antidote; if she went, she could respond to the next move of the Southern Frontier, preventing Tianmo from being put in a passive position. Secondly, Shen Qianmo's status was noble; as the Empress, her act of comforting the plague-stricken land would make the people feel the Emperor's boundless grace, thus reducing the likelihood of unrest. Thirdly, Shen Qianmo was the Palace Master of the Demon Palace, possessing unparalleled martial arts skills; going to the Southern City would inevitably be fraught with danger, and if it were someone else, they might not be able to arrive alive.
Situ Jingyan's face remained cold and tense, his dark eyes fixed on Haoyue. He understood perfectly well that Shen Qianmo was indeed the best choice, but how could he entrust his beloved woman to such a dangerous place?!
"Since the Southern Frontier is so hospitable, then let's give them the respect they deserve!" Situ Jingyan's dark eyes looked at Shen Qianmo, a slight smile playing on his lips. Since there was no better choice, he would accompany her. He had promised that he would never let anything happen to Shen Qianmo, so if there was any danger, he would face it with her.
Haoyue frowned slightly and asked gently, "Does His Majesty mean to go to Nancheng in person?"
"What?" Situ Jingyan's eyes remained unchanged, a lazy smile returned to his lips, and his alluring and magnetic voice rang out, tinged with displeasure.
Even though he knew Haoyue meant well, he was still displeased by Haoyue's repeated actions of putting Shen Qianmo in danger.
"I think it's inappropriate." Haoyue looked directly into Situ Jingyan's sharp eyes. If Situ Jingyan went, he would undoubtedly become the spearhead of the Southern Frontier, and the danger was self-evident. How could a ruler of a country take such a great risk?
"Inappropriate?" Situ Jingyan raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes revealing no emotion. A casual smile played on his lips as he asked nonchalantly, "Why is it inappropriate?"
"His Majesty is the supreme ruler of the nation. How can he take such a risk? The Holy Clan of the Southern Frontier is lurking in the Southern City, and the danger there is self-evident!" Haoyue said emphatically. He absolutely could not let Situ Jingyan take such a risk. If something happened to Situ Jingyan, Tianmo would be finished.
"Hmph! I can't take risks easily, but the Empress can?!" Situ Jingyan snorted coldly. He naturally understood that Haoyue was doing this for Tianmo's sake, so he only spoke up in retaliation. If anyone else dared to put Shen Qianmo in danger, he would have already crippled them.
They don't want him to take risks, but they want his beloved woman to take risks?! If anything happens to Shen Qianmo, how can he survive? How can he still have the will to fight for the world?!
"If Jingyan is worried, then secretly accompany me," Shen Qianmo said with a smile, glancing at Situ Jingyan.
She understood Situ Jingyan's intentions; he would absolutely not let her go on the risk alone. However, she was indeed the best candidate. If she didn't go, and someone was sent with the antidote, and the Southern Frontier were to use other Gu poisons, Tianmo would be overwhelmed and unable to cope. Therefore, she had to go.
But Situ Jingyan insisted on going with her. So the only option was to let Situ Jingyan go with her secretly. Haoyue was right. If Situ Jingyan went to Nancheng openly, the Southern Frontier Holy Clan would definitely do everything in their power to deal with him. If something happened to Situ Jingyan, it would shake the morale of the entire Tianmo. Tianmo couldn't afford to take that risk.
“Alright.” Situ Jingyan frowned, understanding that this was the best solution. Although this would expose Shen Qianmo to the Southern Frontier Holy Clan, he was secretly following her and staying by her side. He figured the Southern Frontier people couldn't possibly pull any tricks under his nose.
Haoyue breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Situ Jingyan's agreement. He knew Situ Jingyan's personality well; once he made up his mind, it was difficult to change it. He couldn't help but look at Shen Qianmo with admiration. He admired Shen Qianmo more and more, not only for her outstanding appearance and demeanor, but also for her extraordinary courage and ability. What was even more precious was her unwavering devotion to Situ Jingyan. No wonder their Emperor doted on the Empress so blatantly.
“While I’m not here, you and Xuanlou will still be in charge of things.” Situ Jingyan’s eyes darkened, then he smiled again and said to Haoyue.
Haoyue nodded slightly, and Xuanlou also looked indifferent. The two, one in white and one in blue, drifted away.
"Let's go see Jinghao." Situ Jingyan reached out and put his arm around Shen Qianmo's waist. They had only been married for a little over ten days, and they had already started running around for the affairs of Li Kingdom. They finally had a few days of free time, but they had to deal with the Southern Frontier. Their opponents seemed to be more and more terrifying than the last.
The Temple of Prayer for Blessings. The chill of early autumn didn't seem to reach the Temple of Prayer for Blessings. Everything was still as warm as midsummer.
"I lost again." Sheng Ge's cold yet gentle voice rang out.
"You were deliberately going easy on me, weren't you?" The gentle, melodious voice belonged to Situ Jinghao.
Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan entered the palace together. Seeing Situ Jingyan dressed in snow-white robes, which made him seem even less like a spy, and without the despair that permeated the surroundings, Situ Jingyan seemed even more stunningly beautiful.
Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, her gaze like water, and a gentle, elegant smile played at the corners of her lips. Such unparalleled beauty was breathtaking, regardless of gender.
Sheng Ge was still dressed in cold black, her face expressionless, seemingly still the same eternally icy expression. But Shen Qianmo knew that something had quietly changed. Sheng Ge's perpetually colorless eyes were now filled with a light, an indescribable light, like a stagnant pool suddenly coming to life, making Sheng Ge no longer so cold.
"You guys seem to have a lot of free time." Shen Qianmo smiled faintly. Since understanding Shengge's thoughts, Shen Qianmo has rarely assigned Shengge tasks, letting her stay in Tianmo more often. This way, she can accompany Situ Jinghao and also help Situ Jingyan.
"Does the Palace Master have a mission?" Sheng Ge raised his eyes coldly, his face still cold, as if his gentleness was only shown to Situ Jinghao.
Shen Qianmo pursed her lips helplessly, still maintaining her perpetually icy demeanor. Oh well, she didn't care anyway, since she already had her Situ Jingyan.
He glanced calmly at the chessboard on the table; Situ Jinghao's chess skills seemed quite good. The old palace master of the Demon Palace once said that a master chess player must also be a master strategist. If Situ Jinghao wanted to, he would definitely be a person with a clever mind.
"Come with me to the South City." Shen Qianmo's tone was indifferent, without giving orders or discussing matters, as if he were simply informing Shengge of such a matter.
The journey to the southern city is extremely dangerous, so we must bring our elite troops. The Demon Palace's personnel are now all under Xia Yue's management, and she only has one expert, Sheng Ge, by her side.
“Nancheng?!” Shengge’s cold eyes remained unchanged, but a hint of doubt appeared in her tone.
Shen Qianmo curled the corners of her lips. Sheng Ge was indeed different from before. In the past, when she issued tasks, Sheng Ge's answer was always a cold "Yes, Palace Master." Now, she actually showed curiosity about tasks. Not bad, not bad.
"The Southern Frontier has made its move." Situ Jingyan took over Shen Qianmo's words, his tone calm, without any hint of seriousness, yet not relaxed either.
Situ Jinghao's eyes flickered slightly. He had heard of Southern Xinjiang, a highly mysterious tribe at the southernmost tip of the continent. How could Tianmo have any connection with Southern Xinjiang?! Judging from Situ Jingyan's expression, this matter was definitely not simple. Would they be in danger on their journey?
Situ Jingyan was his older brother, and his only remaining family. Shengge was his close friend and confidante. They were both extremely important to him, and he feared losing them. A hint of worry flickered in his eyes as he asked, "Is it very dangerous?"
"Jinghao, you still don't believe me?" Situ Jingyan smiled wickedly and confidently, his dark eyes looking at Situ Jinghao with confidence and domineering aura.
Looking at the smile on Situ Jingyan's face, Situ Jinghao frowned slightly and said, "Jingyan, you're lying to me."
Situ Jingyan seemed surprised that his usually naive younger brother could see through his thoughts, and he raised his eyebrows as he looked at Situ Jinghao.
Situ Jinghao's beautiful eyelashes fluttered as he looked at Situ Jingyan with a serious expression. He smiled slightly, but there was a hint of worry in his smile. "Although you seem very confident, I still saw the worry that flashed deep in Jingyan's eyes."
Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow upon hearing Situ Jinghao's words. She had said it before, Situ Jinghao was definitely not a slow-witted person. Although he was a bit simple-minded, he was very meticulous.
"I didn't expect Jinghao to have such good observation skills." Situ Jingyan smiled and said admiringly. No one could ever see through his thoughts, and no one could ever see the things he deliberately concealed. Shen Qianmo could see through him because they were of one mind and understood each other too well; some things could be sensed without even looking.