But before that, Great Zong would cease to exist, destroyed as a nation, and Fu Yunxi would be gone. Han Yan couldn’t let this happen. After understanding the entire conspiracy between Western Rong and the Empress Dowager, the foreseeable future was too terrifying—she couldn’t just wait for death.
“Your guess isn’t wrong.” Zhuo Qi looked at Han Yan with complex emotions. As he had thought, her political intuition was terrifyingly accurate. Her analysis had laid bare his purposes and plans completely. If it were anyone else, even his trusted followers, Zhuo Qi would have killed them without mercy. A ruler couldn’t allow others to read their thoughts. But because it was Han Yan, Zhuo Qi could do nothing. He laughed self-mockingly in his heart—perhaps Han Yan had counted on exactly this point, which was why she spoke so frankly and carelessly. He, who had lived his life proudly, had been defeated by this seemingly fragile woman. “How would you cooperate with me?” he asked.
Han Yan said, “The Western Rong ruler’s arrogance partly stems from the support of the Great Zong Empress Dowager’s faction. Because these two forces have allied, using each other, the Western Rong ruler’s power has invisibly increased. This isn’t good for you. Especially when the Western Rong ruler swallows up Great Zong—you probably won’t be his match.”
Zhuo Qi sneered, “I won’t be his match?” Though he spoke dismissively, he knew in his heart that Han Yan spoke the truth. That man indeed had the capability—otherwise, Zhuo Qi would be sitting in that position now instead of him. If they waited until that man absorbed Great Zong and grew too powerful to resist, there would be no way back.
He looked up at Han Yan. “You have a solution?” In his heart, he was skeptical. Though Han Yan was sensitive to political matters, when it came to actual battlefield warfare, she likely had no solutions.
Han Yan smiled slightly. “Divide and conquer. Destroy the Empress Dowager’s power, and without an alliance, the Western Rong ruler will be much easier for you to handle.”
Zhuo Qi was stunned. He had known this strategy all along and had expected Han Yan to present some brilliant plan, but it was just the most ordinary solution. He didn’t want just Western Rong; his original intention was to take a piece of Great Zong as well. Han Yan’s suggestion meant he would gain nothing in Great Zong, so he said, “Haven’t you forgotten? I mean, I don’t want to just settle for Western Rong—I want Great Zong too.”
“Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew. Are you sure you can swallow it?” Han Yan looked at him and said, “The Great Zong Empress Dowager isn’t as simple as you imagine. Otherwise, in this palace where her husband is long dead and she has no flesh and blood of her own, how could she sit so securely in her current position? Do you think she’s brainless?”
Zhuo Qi shook his head. “What’s in the palace doesn’t matter. Is the Empress Dowager’s scheming greater than my ambition?” He said, “Fortune favors the bold.” He was someone who dared to take risks, with an endless thirst for power in his heart. Only with supreme power could one do as they pleased and protect those they loved. Though this step was dangerous, the rewards were incomparable. He wanted this land.
Seeing Zhuo Qi’s determined expression, seemingly unmoved by her words, Han Yan remained silent for a long while before saying, “Aren’t we friends? Would you destroy your friend’s country? Do you think that would make me happy?”
Zhuo Qi was startled. When Han Yan called them friends, he felt a moment of joy. Though he knew her words might not be entirely sincere and perhaps carried hidden motives, at this moment, he felt somewhat troubled. He didn’t want to see Han Yan sad. After a pause, he said, “I won’t harm you. Come with me. I’ll let you live in the finest palace, and lead the most luxurious life. Everyone will look up to you. You’ll become as noble as I am.”
Such obvious hints—Han Yan would be a fool not to understand. She should be moved. Compared to her previous life of destitution and sorrow, such a man should be a beam of light in her life, rescuing her from darkness. Han Yan was somewhat touched by his sincerity, but being touched wasn’t the same as falling in love.
She said, “When the nest falls, how can the eggs remain unbroken? What you say sounds good, but if that day comes, I will surely follow my homeland to its end. I will hate you forever because you destroyed my life, destroyed my country. I won’t go with you. Magnificent palaces and noble status aren’t what I want.”
“Then,” Zhuo Qi suddenly sneered, “what you want is Fu Yunxi?”
Why continue to care about such a cold-hearted woman? What she wanted, what she thought about, was never him.
Han Yan didn’t speak. She only said, “Will you cooperate with me or not?”
She showed no trace of being moved, only businesslike coldness. Zhuo Qi suddenly smiled. “Cooperate with you? Of course, I’m willing.” He said, “But I have one condition—if Fu Yunxi ends up safe in the end, you must come with me to Western Rong.”
“Alright,” Han Yan agreed readily.
Now it was Zhuo Qi’s turn to be surprised. Judging by Han Yan’s expression, he had expected her to refuse mercilessly, yet she agreed so easily. Zhuo Qi was suspicious at first, but Han Yan was generally true to her word—usually doing what she promised. Though somewhat puzzled, Zhuo Qi felt slightly relieved and nodded, “It’s a deal.”
Han Yan remained noncommittal. Zhuo Qi was judging her actions based on her usual character, not knowing that her promise was merely lip service. Who could be certain about the future? Whether Fu Yunxi could escape calamity was still unknown. Moreover, with his cold poison… Her response to Zhuo Qi was just an expedient measure. Tell people what they want to hear—if Zhuo Qi chose to take it seriously, Han Yan could only apologize in her heart.
“What do we do now?” Zhuo Qi asked, knowing Han Yan already had a plan and he just needed to fully support her.
Han Yan said, “Go to the Xuanqing Prince’s Manor.” Though things were mostly figured out, some questions still needed confirmation. Fu Yunxi hadn’t told her the truth—perhaps it was time to lay everything out in the open. Her heart ached faintly. If there was no solution, what should she do?
Zhuo Qi frowned almost imperceptibly. Han Yan’s immediate thought to go to the Xuanqing Prince’s Manor made him very displeased. But he knew in his heart that stopping Han Yan was impossible—he couldn’t force her. So he reluctantly said, “Let’s go.”
Han Yan either didn’t notice Zhuo Qi’s emotional change or simply ignored it, responding without hesitation, “Alright.”