Her resilience was like a towering mountain, making his threats as futile as an ant trying to shake a tree, which truly angered and annoyed him.

His eyes were panicked and anxious, like a wild beast trapped in a cage, pacing back and forth in the hall.

His thoughts raced wildly through his mind like untamed horses, each idea like a sharp blade cutting into his heart.

Suddenly, a figure flashed through his mind like lightning—a key figure who might be able to break the deadlock.

This fleeting thought caused a cunning glint to flash in his eyes, like a wolf lurking in the dark, searching for its prey.

A new plan immediately formed in his mind, and he began to secretly plot his next move.

After a moment of silence, he suppressed his inner resentment, took a slow, deep breath, as if trying to force the anger back into his heart.

He tried his best to adjust his facial muscles, attempting to recreate that fake smile, but the smile appeared incredibly forced.

The curve of his lips seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, and every movement was unnatural.

He coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and tried to make his voice sound calmer.

Then he continued, "Then I will thank King Zhao in advance."

He paused slightly, a subtle, calculating glint flashing in his eyes, like a trap hidden in the fog, waiting for its prey to take the bait.

He blinked slightly, a hint of reverence in his eyes, and continued, "There is another matter I would like to trouble King Zhao with: please convey my humble opinion to Chancellor Su—"

At this point, a genuine expectation appeared in his eyes, and his tone became increasingly earnest, as if he were describing a beautiful blueprint.

"If I could have the two gentlemen working together with one heart, I would feel even more confident and have more strength to protect our country in the future."

He looked intently at Qin Qianluo, emphasized his words, and solemnly said, "I hope Prince Zhao will convey my regards to this trust and entrustment."

When Qin Qianlu heard Ning Yuancheng's words, it was like a sharp bolt of lightning striking her world without warning.

In an instant, her body trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible force.

Subconsciously, she looked up at Ning Yuancheng in disbelief, her eyes widening instantly, the shock and disbelief in her gaze almost overflowing.

In that instant, she felt as if she were in an absurd dream, and Ning Yuancheng before her seemed to be a complete stranger to her.

The words that came out of his mouth were like babbling from the abyss, so absurd that they threw her thoughts into chaos for a moment.

However, after years of growth, she had developed composure and self-control, which surged into her heart like a powerful undercurrent.

She was acutely aware of her loss of composure at that moment. In this seemingly calm but turbulent situation, any outward display of emotion could have unpredictable consequences.

So, slowly, with each movement as if carrying a tremendous weight, she lowered her head again.

The movements were slow and heavy, as if they were being mercilessly pressed down by the giant hand of fate, carrying a deep sense of helplessness, sorrow, and powerlessness in the face of the situation.

At this moment, the chill in her heart was like a raging wind in the dead of winter, carrying a bone-chilling cold that surged rapidly from the soles of her feet.

The chill was like a sharp and icy blade, piercing straight through her body without any obstruction, traveling upwards to the top of her head.

Every inch of her skin trembled slightly under the chill.

The trembling spread outwards like ripples on the surface of water, as if her whole being had been instantly frozen in an endless, cold world.

Silence, like a silent yet enormous beast, lurked in every corner of the hall, casting a heavy and oppressive shadow over the entire space.

The air seemed to solidify, becoming thick and difficult to breathe.

Time seemed to slow down in this suffocating chill, and every second felt incredibly long.

After a long while, she slowly and laboriously opened her mouth, her voice slightly hoarse due to the complex emotions surging within her, as dry as sandpaper being rubbed.

But within this hoarseness lies a deliberately suppressed calm, a calm like the stillness of the sea before a storm.

On the surface, all is calm, but beneath the surface, undercurrents are surging, and she is desperately trying to maintain her crumbling inner defenses.