"Is power really that important?" A hint of confusion flashed in Shen Qianmo's eyes. Why do people have to scheme against each other for power? Is power really more important than family, love, or even life itself?
So what about Situ Jingyan? As an ambitious emperor, the world must have been very important to him.
"If one day you had to choose between the country and me, what would you choose?" Shen Qianmo knew this question was naive, but she still wanted to ask. Although she could guess the answer, she just wanted to hear it, as if the words coming from Situ Jingyan's mouth had a special power.
Perhaps that's just how women are. Even knowing the answer, they still like to ask again and again, just to put their minds at ease.
Situ Jingyan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I once said that I would offer you the empire as my dowry and marry you as my empress. Tell me, which is more important, the empire or you?"
"That's different. You offer the empire as your dowry and marry me as your queen. The empire and I are both in your hands. If you lose the empire because of me, would you be willing?" Shen Qianmo smiled and shook her head. Perhaps he was willing to hand the empire over to her simply because he loved her and doted on her. However, that was still different from losing the empire.
"If I lose the kingdom, I will follow you to the ends of the earth. But if I lose you, there will be no place for me to stay anywhere. What use is the kingdom to me then?" Situ Jingyan's eyes were as pure as a piece of black jade, without the slightest impurity, radiating a sincere and warm light. He had a charming and unruly smile on his lips, but his words were full of deep affection.
But without you, there is nowhere for me to go, no matter where I am. What use is my kingdom to me?
A simple sentence, yet every word resonated deeply within Shen Qianmo's heart.
"I will not let you lose your empire for my sake." A resolute glint flashed in Shen Qianmo's eyes, his dark pupils shining like stars, and a beautiful smile appeared on his lips.
In Situ Jingyan's eyes, even the starry sky couldn't compare to the light in Shen Qianmo's eyes, and even the rising sun couldn't match the radiance of the smile on Shen Qianmo's lips.
"Let's go, we've been busy all day, it's time to go back to the inn. That little girl Qianqian must be bored these past few days." Shen Qianmo smiled, thinking that Shangguan Jin would probably ascend the throne tomorrow, and after that, everything would slowly come to an end.
“I’ve already sent Qingsong to keep her company at the inn,” Situ Jingyan said with a smile.
Shen Qianmo glanced at Situ Jingyan. Situ Jingyan wasn't the type to meddle in other people's business, so why would he send someone to accompany Qianqian? It was really strange.
Situ Jingyan gave a guilty smile. He admitted that he hated that little girl always sticking to Shen Qianmo's side, preventing him from spending time with her. However, the little girl was Shen Qianmo's darling, and he couldn't keep her under house arrest. So the best solution was to let the little girl be with Qingsong.
However, Situ Jingyan's wishful thinking backfired. Qingsong and Qianqian didn't get along at all, and the two almost got into a fight at the inn.
"You arrogant fool! Don't think I'll forget your arrogant attitude when you blocked the sedan chair!" Qianqian's clear and melodious voice came from inside the room.
"Do you think I want to put up with a shrewish and unreasonable little brat like you?!" Qingsong's cold and impatient voice rang out.
Shen Qianmo frowned and glared at Situ Jingyan, who was only making things worse.
"Miss, you're finally back." As soon as Shen Qianmo pushed open the door, Qianqian rushed over and grabbed Shen Qianmo's hand.
Situ Jingyan raised an eyebrow as he watched Qianqian so easily pull Shen Qianmo away from him. One day he would get this little girl away from Shen Qianmo.
"Master." Qingsong bowed to Situ Jingyan with a bitter face. Ever since he came to Qiyue Kingdom with Situ Jingyan, he, one of the four protectors of the Demon Blood Tower, had been reduced to a follower. Now he was even assigned to accompany a little maid. It was really... Looking up at his master's gloomy face, Qingsong felt ashamed. He was truly "angry but dared not speak out".
"Go down." Situ Jingyan's face was also cold, and he didn't even glance at Qingsong. His words were still as stern as ever.
Qingsong shook his head helplessly. Ever since his master met Shen Qianmo, he had become very abnormal. He admitted that it was indeed not easy for Shen Qianmo, a woman, to control the Demon Palace. However, there were many outstanding women. Why was his master so concerned about Shen Qianmo?
Is this what they call love?!
Qingsong, Qingzhu, Hongmei, and Hongju have been serving Situ Jingyan since childhood, working for the Enchanting Blood Tower. Their daily lives consist mostly of killing, so Qingsong doesn't understand love at all. He only knows how to practice martial arts. Only by improving his martial arts skills can he kill people more without leaving a trace, thus gaining favor and sharing his master's burdens.
"Mo'er." Situ Jingyan frowned and called out to Shen Qianmo, who was busy talking to Qianqian.
"I'll keep Qianqian company for a while. Jingyan, you should go back to your room and rest too." Shen Qianmo and Qianqian were chatting happily, completely ignoring Situ Jingyan, whose face darkened even more.
"I absolutely have to find a way to send Qianqian back to the Demon Palace!" Situ Jingyan pouted and said in a childish tone, then reluctantly left Shen Qianmo's room and returned to his own room all alone.
"Miss, the young master seems unhappy." Qianqian said somewhat sullenly when she saw that Situ Jingyan did not have his usual charming smile, but left the room with a sullen face.
Shen Qianmo looked puzzled and laughed, "How could that be? Jingyan isn't a petty person."
Qianqian felt a wave of embarrassment. Situ Jingyan was indeed not a stingy person, but when it came to things related to Shen Qianmo, he became extremely stingy.
"It seems best to keep a distance from Miss in front of the son-in-law in the future," Qianqian thought, sticking out her tongue.
Shen Qianmo glanced at Qianqian's expression, which showed a thoughtful look, before a sweet smile appeared on her lips. It seemed that Situ Jingyan was indeed quite childish when it came to love.
The next day, Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan went to a teahouse to drink tea and listen to the discussions of the common people.
"The affairs of the court are truly ever-changing. I thought the Third Prince was about to ascend the throne, but I never expected him to commit suicide!" A wealthy young man remarked with a sigh in the restaurant.
The young master beside him chimed in, "That's right. Now that the new emperor is about to ascend the throne, even the Grand General has sided with him. It's truly a case of the monkeys scattering when the tree falls."
Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan sat by the window, listening to the opinions expressed in the restaurant regarding Shangguan Che's death and Shangguan Jin's rise to power.
Shen Qianmo held her wine glass, a playful smile playing on her lips. She looked up at Situ Jingyan, her dark eyes filled with icy coldness. "Yao Shan and Shen Lingyun must be feeling pretty smug right now."
"Mo'er, how about we make a bet?" Situ Jingyan raised an eyebrow, tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp, exuding indescribable elegance and charm.
"Oh? What kind of bet?" Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow, her wicked smile exactly like Situ Jingyan's. No wonder Qianqian said she's been becoming more and more like Situ Jingyan lately.
Situ Jingyan's obsidian-like eyes shone with a shrewd, strategic light. His fingers lightly brushed across his wine glass, a wild and confident smile playing on his lips. "I bet Yao Shan won't live more than three days."
"Is that so? Then I'll bet Yao Shan will die tonight." Upon hearing Situ Jingyan's words, a knowing glint flashed in Shen Qianmo's dark eyes, and she said with a hint of cunning.
Upon hearing Shen Qianmo's words, Situ Jingyan's smile deepened, his eyes filled with doting affection. He reached out and pinched the tip of Shen Qianmo's nose, laughing, "Mo'er is getting more and more cunning."
Shen Qianmo smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Knowing Shangguan Jin as she did, she was sure he was eager to consolidate power. However, it was unwise to try and deal with others before securing her own position. If Qi Yue fell into Shangguan Jin's hands, her demise would likely be imminent.
All she did was fan the flames. Besides, handing Qi Yue over to Situ Jingyan would probably be better for Qi Yue's people. After all, if Qi Yue were to decline, it would inevitably be bullied in the future, so it would be better to hand it over to Situ Jingyan now.
The saying that a country cannot change its ruler is only true for those in power. For ordinary people, all they care about is whether they can live a stable and peaceful life.
"Shangguan Jin has secretly bribed Yao Shan's subordinates and is preparing to kill Yao Shan tonight." Another figure appeared in front of the table at some point, as black as ink, with an aura as cold as ice, sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, but without a trace of emotion.
"I understand, Shengge, you've worked hard." Shen Qianmo looked at the person who came over, who still had an icy expression, and shook her head helplessly, saying indifferently.