Shen Lingyun led Shen Qianmo into the Prime Minister's residence, his eyes flashing with calculation as he looked at Shen Qianyu and Shen Qianxin. Shen Qianmo took it all in. What she wanted was for Shen Lingyun to notice this.
She wasn't the only pawn that could be used. Although Shen Qianyu and Shen Qianxin were born out of wedlock, they were still the Prime Minister's daughters. Using them as pawns in a political marriage wasn't out of the question.
"How have you been all these years, Mo'er?" Shen Lingyun asked affectionately, holding Shen Qianmo's hand. Although his eyes were full of love, there was impatience deep in them.
Yin Youlan and Shen Qianyu watched this scene with resentment, their teeth itching with hatred. Shen Qianxin, on the other hand, appeared much calmer, with a gentle smile on her face.
"It's quite nice. I'm quite happy to enjoy the scenery in the mountains every day." Shen Qianmo smiled innocently, like a naive young girl.
At fifteen years old, she should have been so innocent and naive. In her previous life, she was indeed just as innocent. But her father used her beauty as a sacrifice to rise to power, and her husband used her influence to ascend the throne, only to discard her once and for all.
She's no longer the innocent little girl she once was. But she can't show her true self yet. She needs to deliver the most devastating blow when they're least expecting it.
"No further studies in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?" A clear hint of displeasure flashed across Shen Lingyun's face. His eyes held a look of anger at her lack of ambition; she didn't even have any talent?! She was utterly useless! If it weren't for her family's status, he would have kicked this good-for-nothing daughter out long ago!
"I still play the zither. I haven't learned anything else. I don't even remember the poems and songs I learned when I was a child." Shen Qianmo said in a low voice, looking timid.
A cold laugh escaped her lips. Even if she concealed her stunning beauty and appeared in such an ordinary manner, her father still had no intention of letting her go.
"I see. Alright, Mo'er is tired too, go and rest." Shen Lingyun seemed to have run out of patience to continue talking to Shen Qianmo. He pretended to be affectionate and patted Shen Qianmo's head before sending her away.
"Yes." With her eyes lowered and head bowed, Shen Qianmo obediently left the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence and headed towards her own courtyard.
Over the years, she has not been living in the mountains, but has gone to the most mysterious organization in the martial arts world, the Demon Palace.
At her mother's funeral, she met the Lord of the Demon Palace, who was her mother's sworn brother. He asked her if she would like to learn martial arts with him. In her previous life, she resolutely refused, but in this life, she took the initiative to ask to follow the Lord of the Demon Palace.
Because she needs to become stronger, she needs to control more power, so that she can deliver the heaviest blow to those hypocrites who have hurt her.
Of course, in order to prevent her father from becoming wary of her, she had the Demon Palace Master tell her father that she was destined for a calamity and had to recuperate in the mountains for five years before she could return to the Prime Minister's residence.
Father naturally refused. But when the Demon Palace Master said that this calamity might kill a loved one, Father immediately agreed.
What a hypocrite. He'd abandon anything if his own interests were threatened. Family ties, in his eyes, are probably worthless.
"Miss, your eldest sister and second aunt are really annoying. That second sister seems gentle, but she also seems hostile towards you. Your father is much better to you." Qianqian followed behind Shen Qianmo and muttered to herself.
"Qianqian. Sometimes, what seems best and gentlest is the most terrifying. Because it can deliver a fatal blow when you least expect it." Shen Qianmo looked at Qianqian; she was still just a naive young girl. How could she possibly see through Shen Lingyun's thoughts?
"Miss, Qianqian doesn't understand." Qianqian scratched her head, looking confused, and blinked her eyes at Shen Qianmo.
"You'll understand in time." Shen Qianmo patted Qianqian's head like an older sister, her face full of affection.
"Palace Master." A figure in cyan landed in the courtyard where Shen Qianmo lived, and no one noticed his arrival.
"Have you found out anything about the Blood Demon Pavilion?" Shen Qianmo glanced at the man in blue standing beside her, who exuded an air of superiority, completely different from the innocent and harmless woman from before.
"Shengge is incompetent." The man, dressed in blue, had sharply defined features and a cold, aloof demeanor, as if getting too close would freeze one. He was unusually respectful towards Shen Qianmo.
"Never mind. I'm sure the Bloodthirsty Pavilion will come looking for me again." Shen Qianmo waved her sleeve, signaling Shengge to leave, but a playful smile appeared on her lips.
Shengge is the Left Protector of the Demon Palace, specializing in intelligence gathering and assassinations. She, on the other hand, is the Palace Master of the Demon Palace.
Everyone knows that Mo Chi, the master of the Demon Palace, is an exceptionally refined but ruthless young master. But few know that this young master is actually the legitimate daughter of a prominent family.
“Miss, this Enchanting Blood Pavilion has quite a background.” Qianqian said, seeing that Shengge hadn’t been able to find out anything about the Enchanting Blood Pavilion.
"A martial arts organization that can rival the Demon Palace. Can it be simple?" Shen Qianmo smiled, gently stroking the tip of Qianqian's nose with his jade-like fingers.
A hint of amusement and cunning flickered in his dark eyes. There must be some connection between the Blood Demon Pavilion, Tianmo, and the royal family of Linwei. Otherwise, why would they bother getting involved in the messy power struggle in Qiyue Kingdom?
---Aside---
If you like it, please add it to your bookshelf with a simple click!
Chapter Four: The Idiot Eldest Daughter
"I'm so angry, Miss." Qianqian's fair cheeks were flushed red, her fists were clenched tightly, and she looked indignant.
"What's wrong? Who bullied my Qianqian?" Shen Qianmo looked at Qianqian's innocent face with doting eyes.
Qianqian has been by her side for the past five years, helping her through the most difficult five years. She and Qianqian are like sisters. Although this girl is simple-minded, easily angered, and sometimes a bit reckless, if anyone dares to bully Qianqian, she will make them wish they were dead.
"Miss, you don't know what people outside are saying about you! They all say that Shen Qianmo, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion, is an uneducated woman. She can't write a single poem or song. She's completely incompetent in all arts and crafts." Qianqian looked indignant, wishing she could go up and beat those people up for Shen Qianmo.
"Is that so?" Shen Qianmo chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in her eyes. She hadn't expected them to be so quick to slander her.
Shen Qianxin is a cunning and calculating person; she wouldn't do something so rash. It seems most likely that it was Shen Qianyu and Yin Youlan who did it.
"Miss! Why are you still laughing? How dare they slander you like this! My young lady is proficient in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, and chess!" Qianqian was puzzled to see that Shen Qianmo was still laughing. She took Shen Qianmo's hand and knew that if anyone dared to slander her like this, they would not have a good ending.
"Let them talk if they want. It saves me the trouble of spreading rumors myself." Shen Qianmo still acted as if it were none of her business, with a faint smile on her lips.
"Miss, you've confused Qianqian. Qianqian doesn't understand why you took the disguise pill and why you pretended to know nothing." Qianqian was completely bewildered by Shen Qianmo's attitude, grabbing her hair and stomping her feet.
"Silly Qianqian. Only by being ignorant and incompetent will my father not use me as a pawn in a political marriage. Because a woman like this cannot hold the prince's heart." Shen Qianmo gently stroked Qianqian's head, a sarcastic smile on her lips, but a cold glint in her eyes.
"Huh? Miss's father seems to love her so much? How could he treat her like a pawn? How could there be such a father!" Qianqian said, full of confusion and indignation.
"Qianqian, the darkness of the royal court is not so easy to explain." Shen Qianmo looked at Qianqian with affection. Perhaps she shouldn't have taken her away from the Demon Palace, but she couldn't bear to leave Qianqian alone in the Demon Palace.
"Miss, you're so pitiful." Qianqian hugged Shen Qianmo and rubbed against Shen Qianmo's neck like a child.
"Pitiful? I'll make them pitiful." Upon hearing Qianqian's words, Shen Qianmo's lips curled into a smile, exuding a bewitching yet ruthless aura.
Qianqian has always understood Shen Qianmo's personality. She cares deeply about those she cares about, but is indifferent to those she doesn't. Anyone who dares to hurt her or those around her will inevitably come to a bad end.
"Yes. They are so wicked, Miss, don't go easy on them." Qianqian said, holding Shen Qianmo's hand with an indignant expression.