“The Great General of Li Kingdom was once the only son of General Qi Yue.” Shen Qianmo looked around and said to Xuan Lou in a low voice. Her dark eyes made it impossible to see her emotions, but Xuan Lou felt that there was a suppressed emotion in Shen Qianmo’s voice when she mentioned Qi Yue.
Xuan Lou frowned and continued to ask, "When Qi Yue destroyed the country, wasn't the entire General's Mansion wiped out? How come the General's only son is still alive?"
"He was supposed to die. I just saved him. I never imagined that my reluctance back then would lead to this situation. Is this fate's arrangement?" Shen Qianmo smiled slightly, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.
Perhaps fate is fair. Because she suffered greatly in her previous life, in this life, fate brought her to Situ Jingyan's side. Jingyan, perhaps our meeting in this life is a blessing from my previous life.
"How did you get involved in Qi Yue's affairs? Also, you just said you're one of Qi Yue's people." Xuan Lou didn't miss the emotions hidden behind Shen Qianmo's dark eyes. Shen Qianmo and Qi Yue must have some kind of connection.
Shen Qianmo glanced at Xuan Lou, and had to admire his keen observation skills. A smile played on her lips, but a hint of bitterness flashed in her eyes as she said softly, "I was originally from Qi Yue. The eldest daughter of Prime Minister Qi Yue is named Shen Qianmo, didn't you know?"
Xuan Lou glanced at Shen Qianmo. He only knew her name was Qianmo, but he didn't know her surname was Shen. Even if he did know, he probably wouldn't connect the Demon Palace Master with the Prime Minister's legitimate daughter.
The eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family, who should have been a favored daughter of heaven, why did she come to the ruthless world of martial arts?! And why is she with the Emperor of Tianmo, who killed Qi Yue?! Why does she have such strange emotions when mentioning Qi Yue?! There must be many, many things behind this. Those are all things he has already missed in the past, and now, he wants to know, but he can't bear to ask anymore.
"Let's go for a walk by the lake," Shen Qianmo suddenly sighed softly. A full year had passed since Qi Yue's kingdom fell. Six years had also passed since her rebirth. Could she still not face it calmly? Even with her outwardly ruthless and decisive demeanor, she couldn't conceal the immense trauma inflicted upon her by the past.
Only Situ Jingyan, only he could see her helplessness and vulnerability. She suddenly remembered a conversation she had with Situ Jingyan long ago.
“Jingyan, it was I who killed my eldest sister and second aunt.”
“I also plotted to kill my second sister and drove my father to his death.”
"Don't you think I'm being too heartless?"
"No, I know, my Mo'er is actually very soft-hearted. Mo'er, no matter what you do, I'll always be behind you. So, don't be afraid, don't be afraid in the future."
At that time, she didn't tell Situ Jingyan anything about her past life, yet he stood firmly by her side. Perhaps it was this unconditional trust and doting that opened her frozen heart once again.
As they reached the lakeside, the willows were already sprouting new green leaves. Ripples danced on the lake's surface. Shen Qianmo gazed at the tranquil water, and the image of Situ Jingyan flashed through her mind.
Why does mentioning Qi Yue remind her of Situ Jingyan? For her, Qi Yue was an unspeakable nightmare. During her first two years in the Demon Palace, how many times did she wake up from nightmares, how many times did she cry out helplessly in her dreams? Qi Yue was, for her, an almost unbearably dark nightmare.
But ever since she met Situ Jingyan, everything seemed less terrifying for Qi Yue. It was as if all the nightmares had vanished, because there was someone who would always be by her side, facing everything with her, and would never abandon her, even in the boundless darkness.
"You must know something about the internal strife in Qi Yue, right?" Shen Qianmo said calmly, gazing at the distant lake, as if she were talking about something else entirely.
"Hmm." Xuan Lou responded softly, looking at the hint of sadness in Shen Qianmo's dark eyes, and couldn't help but blurt out, "But it's all in the past. If you don't want to mention it, then don't. I don't want to know."
Upon hearing Xuan Lou's words, Shen Qianmo smiled slightly and gave Xuan Lou a smile.
She understood that Xuanlou simply didn't want her to bring up painful memories of the past. She had originally thought that this was the kind of understanding she needed.
Over the years, Qianqian never asked, Shenge never asked, and the old master of the Demon Palace never asked. She always believed that this was the best care and understanding. Let those hideous and terrifying past become scabbed wounds, slowly buried by time.
But in the dead of night, the pain still lingers. Those terrible past events cannot be avoided. There's only one person, only Situ Jingyan. He said, "I need to know." He said, "I will always be with you." He said, "Those are all truly in the past."
When she finally told Situ Jingyan all of this, she realized that she was not alone, and that someone would be there for her through all that hardship and pain.
Jingyan, you are indeed the only one who understands me best, and knows what kind of love I need.
In the dead of night, the bright moonlight slanted into the inn's rooms. Shen Qianmo, dressed in plain white, without any disguise, still possessed her stunning beauty. She swaggered out of the inn.
There were many sentries lying in ambush around the inn, whether they were the Third Prince's or the Seventh Prince's men. It wouldn't be difficult to avoid them, but she was too lazy to hide. By changing her appearance, even if she met them on the street, it wouldn't cause any trouble.
Strolling leisurely through the streets of Li Kingdom, Shen Qianmo walked briskly and soon arrived at the General's mansion. Her martial arts background allowed her to sense numerous sentries lying in ambush around the mansion. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, and Shen Qianmo pursed her lips before swiftly leaping into the General's residence.
"Youyou, come here, let Mommy hug you."
Inside the house, Shangguan Pian and Yao Yuanshan were leaning against each other, playing with their newborn child, their faces beaming with happiness.
Shen Qianmo stood quietly in the corner, watching them. Shangguan Pian's makeup was light and elegant, making her look like a mature woman. Her eyes and brows were gentle and graceful, and she no longer had the arrogant and domineering demeanor of the past. She must have experienced a lot in the past year.
The baby in her arms looked to be just born, very small. Although she couldn't see the baby's features clearly, even from a distance, Shen Qianmo found it very cute. When would she be able to have such a lovely child?
Having composed herself, Shen Qianmo strolled over to Shangguan Pian and Yao Yuanshan, a smile playing on her lips, and said, "Princess Pian, General Yao, how have you been?"
"Miss Qianmo?!" Shangguan Pian and Yao Yuanshan were surprised to see the woman in front of them. They had just met someone whose back looked very similar to Shen Qianmo that afternoon, and now Shen Qianmo had actually appeared in front of them that evening.
Shen Qianmo understood the gratitude in Shangguan Pian and Yao Yuanshan's eyes, and for some reason, she felt a little guilty. Back then, she had only lent a helping hand to save them, which was just a small favor. Now, she wanted them to do something else for her small favor back then. Was that really okay?
“We already met this afternoon.” Shen Qianmo curled her lips into a smile, her dark eyes concealing her emotions, leaving only calmness and profundity.
Upon hearing Shen Qianmo's words, Shangguan Pian suddenly realized, "Was that young man in blue this afternoon really you?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Qianmo's eyes upon hearing this. They actually recognized her? She thought her outfit was nothing like her usual self. But then again, she hadn't deliberately concealed her aura, so it wasn't impossible for them to guess.
“That’s right.” Shen Qianmo readily admitted, then said calmly, “My purpose in coming to Li Kingdom is to control it. I need your help, but you can choose not to help.”
After Shen Qianmo finished speaking, she didn't rush to ask for their reply, but just quietly looked at them.
Yao Yuanshan's face showed a hint of difficulty. After all, the King of Li had shown him great favor, and he couldn't bear to betray the Li Kingdom. But Shen Qianmo had saved his life, and now that Shen Qianmo needed his help, how could he refuse?
The pale moonlight fell on the three people's faces, obscuring their emotions. After an unknown period of silence, Shen Qianmo turned and left, leaving Yao Yuanshan and Shangguan Pian in the courtyard.
In the hazy night, Shen Qianmo walked calmly down the street. A faint emotion lingered between her brows, and through the dim light, it was impossible to see what was holding in her dark eyes.
A red figure flashed past her eyes. Shen Qianmo suddenly looked up and saw the same alluring face, with the same narrow, smiling peach blossom eyes. However, it wasn't him, not Situ Jingyan.
"Please wait, young master." A charming yet cynical voice rang in his ears, a glint of light flashed in his deep, dark eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Is the young master calling me?" Feigning ignorance, she suppressed her aloof and detached demeanor, revealing a gentle and refined appearance.
Nalan Rong raised an eyebrow at the young man before her. She had long suspected his identity was more than just an arms dealer, but she hadn't expected him to be the Lord of the Demon Palace. He also seemed to have some connection with the Grand General of the Li Kingdom.
“This young master looks very familiar to me.” With a playful smile, Nalan Rong looked at the handsome young man in front of her with great interest, her peach blossom eyes sparkling.
"This young master looks familiar." Situ Jingyan had said the same thing to her. It was on Qi Yue's street, when he first appeared before her. That captivatingly charming tone, that breathtakingly handsome face. Jingyan, Jingyan, I really miss you.