However, Situ Jinghao could guess his thoughts just from his expression, which truly surprised him. He had always thought that this younger brother lived under his protection, innocent and understanding everything, but he never expected that this younger brother would be so intelligent.
“Jinghao is actually very intelligent. It’s just that he doesn’t want to scheme against people.” Shengge said of Situ Jinghao, her gaze softening and her tone even carrying a hint of doting affection.
"Then, take good care of yourself while your brother is away." Situ Jingyan looked at Situ Jinghao, a smile playing on his lips, and spoke in the manner of an elder brother.
Situ Jinghao nodded silently. He shouldn't always live under Situ Jingyan's protection; he needed to learn to protect himself and not become a burden to Situ Jingyan.
"Qingsong and Hongmei will also be going. Contact Qingzhu if anything happens." Situ Jingyan handed the Enchanting Blood Tower token to Situ Jinghao. Perhaps it was time to give this younger brother a chance to grow. Tianmo should be fine while he was away. He was giving this to Situ Jinghao simply to give him a chance to gain experience.
"Where did Miss Hongmei go all this time?" Situ Jinghao asked with a frown. Hongmei used to be responsible for protecting him. Although he didn't have any other feelings for Hongmei, she disappeared after his poison was cured. He originally thought that Hongmei had been sent to do other tasks, but when he heard Situ Jingyan mention the Blood Demon Tower just now, he didn't mention Hongmei at all, so he couldn't help but be curious.
A hint of helplessness flashed across Situ Jingyan's eyes. He tried his best to control his emotions and sighed, saying, "Hongmei has left the Enchanting Blood Tower. She said she has things she wants to do."
Upon hearing Situ Jingyan's words, Situ Jinghao assumed that the helplessness and regret in Situ Jingyan's eyes were because Hongmei had left the Enchanting Blood Tower. Without giving it much thought, he smiled and said, "It's a good thing to be able to do what you like. Jingyan, don't feel sorry for yourself."
"Yes. We still need to prepare for our trip to Nancheng, so we'll be leaving now." Situ Jingyan lowered his gaze, burying all his emotions in his dark eyes.
Leaving the Qifu Palace, Shen Qianmo sighed softly. Following Hongmei's instructions, they hadn't told Situ Jinghao about Hongmei risking her life to save him. Situ Jinghao also assumed that Hongmei had simply left the Meixue Tower to do what she wanted, which was perhaps for the best.
Since it's something that can't be changed, why add two more people to suffer?
“Hongmei would be very pleased to see Jinghao now.” Shen Qianmo smiled faintly. Hongmei’s actions had indeed deeply moved her, but as Hongmei herself said, this was a choice she made for herself, a choice she made for herself.
A thin layer of mist clouded Situ Jingyan's dark eyes, and a slow smile curved his lips as he softly said, as if tinged with a faint sorrow and regret, "Yes. Certainly."
They smiled at each other. Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan simultaneously gripped each other's hands.
So many people who love each other cannot be together. So many people who love others cannot receive their love in return. It is so difficult for them to meet, fall in love, and be together.
Having grasped each other's hands, they would never let go. They were the kind of people who, once they made up their minds, would never change.
Back at Rumengxuan.
"Are you ready to deal with the Southern Frontier?" Situ Jingyan raised an eyebrow, looking at Shen Qianmo with a hint of tenderness. Originally, he married her to give her the glory of an empress and all his love, but now, he has to let Shen Qianmo accompany him to face one danger after another.
For a fleeting moment, he began to feel weary. The world seemed to be becoming more and more of an unattainable dream for him. His desire to possess the world seemed to be fading, and it seemed that having Shen Qianmo by his side was the most real happiness and joy.
"Is Southern Xinjiang ready to deal with us?" Shen Qianmo raised a smug smile, her dark eyes gleaming. Since Southern Xinjiang dared to attack Tianmo, she would make them pay the price. No one had ever offended her, Shen Qianmo, and escaped unscathed.
Situ Jingyan's lips curled into a wicked smile, and a hint of arrogance and swagger flashed in his eyes. With an air of dominance over the world, he said coldly, "Indeed, those who have harmed the people of my Tianmo should know what the price will be!"
"The Holy Clan of Southern Xinjiang, do you really think you're omnipotent?!" Shen Qianmo's tone was absolutely arrogant, her eerie red robes fluttering in the wind, intertwining with Situ Jingyan's red robes, creating a harmonious match.
"My Mo'er." Situ Jingyan reached out and pinched Shen Qianmo's nose, his eyes and brows full of doting smiles. Suddenly, a mischievous smile appeared on his face, and he said with ill intent, "It seems like it's been a long time since I've been intimate with Mo'er."
Seeing Situ Jingyan's mischievous smile, Shen Qianmo's arrogance was instantly replaced by shyness, her face turning bright red as she said coquettishly, "Jingyan is teasing me again."
Situ Jingyan pulled Shen Qianmo into his arms, his fingertips caressing her back. He rested his chin on her shoulder, inhaling the scent of her hair, and said in a seductive, slightly husky voice, "I'm not joking."
Shen Qianmo felt Situ Jingyan's body temperature rising higher and higher, and the hand that was stroking her back changed from a gentle caress to an urgent and domineering one, making her face blush even more intensely.
"Mo'er." Situ Jingyan's voice was tinged with desire as he looked at Shen Qianmo with alluring eyes.
Hearing Situ Jingyan's call, Shen Qianmo felt as if something was about to burst forth from her heart, and her breathing became somewhat rapid.
Situ Jingyan slowly released his hold on Shen Qianmo, gazing at her flawless face. Her delicate, jade-like features appeared even more alluring against the backdrop of her red dress. Her cheeks, flushed with shyness, held an alluring quality, and the way she gently bit her lip only further stirred his heart.
Finally, unable to resist, he took Shen Qianmo's soft lips into his mouth, and Shen Qianmo's moans were swallowed up in Situ Jingyan's passionate kiss.
Just as the two were deeply engrossed in their kiss, a noise outside startled them.
Situ Jingyan glanced at the doorway, his dark eyes flashing with anger. He released his grip on Shen Qianmo and looked at the doorway with a gloomy face, asking, "What is it!"
"Master, an unknown person is attempting to infiltrate the Blood Demon Pavilion." Qingzhu's voice outside the door was icy, yet tinged with doubt. What's wrong with Master? Why is he so inexplicably angry? Judging from his tone, it seems he wishes he could chop him to pieces? What did he do to anger Master?
"Hmph! The Southern Frontier Holy Clan is quite capable!" Situ Jingyan was already indignant because his plans had been ruined. When he heard that someone wanted to infiltrate the Enchanting Blood Tower, he knew without a doubt that it was someone from the Southern Frontier Holy Clan. Only someone from the Southern Frontier Holy Clan would have such courage and ability.
"Pass down the order. Strengthen the defenses of the Blood Demon Tower. You and Hongxing should be extra careful. I will be leaving the palace in the next few days. Report anything to Situ Jinghao." Situ Jingyan coldly relayed the order. The Southern Frontier Holy Clan was forcing him to take action; they dared to bully him.
Hongxing is the woman who succeeded Hongmei as one of the four protectors. She manages the Enchanting Blood Tower together with Qingzhu. Shen Qianmo has never met Hongxing, only heard that she is an extremely gentle and reserved woman.
"Report to the Sixth Prince?" Qingzhu seemed somewhat surprised and asked in return.
He knew his master and the Sixth Prince had a good relationship. He also knew the Sixth Prince was a reliable person. But these were matters of the Blood Demon Pavilion! The Sixth Prince was simple-minded; how could he possibly handle such complex affairs? Had he misheard?
"Do as I say!" A hint of displeasure flashed across Situ Jingyan's eyes.
Qingzhu stood at the door, utterly bewildered and incredibly frustrated. Why did he feel that his master seemed very angry?! Had he asked a question he shouldn't have?
"Is there anything else?" Situ Jingyan's voice rang out again. Qingzhu touched her nose and replied, "No, that's all."
"Pfft." Shen Qianmo couldn't help but laugh when she saw Situ Jingyan's dark face.
Seeing Shen Qianmo's teasing expression, Situ Jingyan became even more embarrassed and annoyed. He pulled Shen Qianmo close and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Mo'er seems very happy?"
Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow and looked back, a smile playing on her lips. She said, "It's quite interesting to see Jingyan get angry, it's rare to see him like this."
Seeing the playful look on Shen Qianmo's face, Situ Jingyan kissed her as punishment, domineeringly pursuing her lilac.
Groans continued to be heard, and everything was shrouded in an ambiguous atmosphere.
Two days later, Situ Jingyan, Shen Qianmo, Shengge, Qingsong, and Hongmei set off together towards Nancheng.
The Linwei Imperial Palace at this moment.
"Situ Jingyan and Shen Qianmo went to Nancheng?" Yan Xiuling raised an eyebrow, a hint of calculation and worry flashing in his eyes.
“Yes. Shen Qianmo will go as the Empress of Tianmo, while Situ Jingyan and his entourage will accompany her in secret.” Qinglian replied with her eyes lowered, her light pink dress making her look very serene.