As soon as Qin Qianluo finished speaking, the entire palace seemed to fall into an ice cellar, enveloped in a deathly silence.

Time seemed to be under a spell, stopping abruptly. Every molecule in the air seemed to freeze, pressing heavily on everyone's breath.

An invisible and oppressive tension permeated the stillness, making one feel as if they were in the calm before a storm, with every second filled with unknown fear.

Beneath Qin Qianluo's lowered eyes, a cold glint flickered like a lone star in a cold night, its chilling light seemingly capable of piercing the heavy silence.

Like a sharp ice blade, it pierced the depths of the heart, freezing the surrounding air and sending a chill down one's spine.

Ning Yuancheng was truly taken aback. Qin Qianluo was so resilient and decisive, remaining unmoved by his subtle and veiled threats, which were full of hidden meaning and daggers.

At this moment, his heart was like a volcano about to erupt, with angry lava churning violently and burning fiercely within him.

However, unable to find a suitable outlet, he could only rage inwardly, burning his internal organs with a dull ache.

His eyes were deep and unfathomable, like a still pool, calm on the surface but turbulent beneath, as he stared intently at Qin Qianluo, who still kept her head down.

His eyes were filled with a complex expression of inquiry and doubt, as if trying to see through her seemingly calm face.

See through the layers of thoughts deep within her heart, and discover her true ideas and intentions.

And so, silence, like an invisible and enormous beast, spread rampantly throughout the hall, mercilessly devouring everyone within it.

Every second of silence felt like a thread stretched out by time, endlessly extending, making one feel as if they were in eternal darkness, suffering immense torment.

This silence is not just a lack of sound, but also a suffocating sense of oppression, as if the whole world has fallen into silent despair.

As the time it takes to drink a cup of tea quietly slipped away in this oppressive atmosphere, Ning Yuancheng suddenly burst into laughter without warning.

The laughter, like a sharp flash of lightning, abruptly shattered the almost suffocating silence, echoing for a long time in the empty and quiet hall.

Like the eerie hooting of an owl in the gloomy night, it instantly broke the deathly silence, yet brought a unique kind of horror.

He smiled as he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a deliberately crafted warmth and admiration: "King Zhao's sincerity and sense of responsibility truly make me feel ashamed of my own inferiority."

With a capable minister like King Zhao assisting me from now on, the weight on my heart can finally be lifted.

He paused slightly, his smile growing even warmer and more welcoming, like a flower blooming in spring.

Yet, deep within his eyes, there still lurked a subtle, almost imperceptible, depth and cunning.

He sighed softly, a sigh that seemed to carry endless worries and helplessness.

He seemed to be lamenting his own shortcomings, or perhaps expressing the heavy pressure of being the crown prince, before continuing.

"I have taken the liberty of inviting King Zhao here today, because I am unworthy to hold the position of Crown Prince. I am always afraid that my talents and knowledge are too shallow to bear the responsibility of protecting the country. I cannot help but feel apprehensive when I think about it at night."

At this point, he slowly raised his head, his gaze refocusing on Qin Qianluo, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

It was as if through her they saw the hope and dawn of the nation's future; their gaze held both admiration and expectation for her, as well as a hint of unspeakable worry.

"Now that I have seen King Zhao's original intention remains unchanged and his ambition is still there, I feel as if I am bathed in a spring breeze, and my previous worries and fears have also dissipated."

I only hope that in the future we can work together with King Zhao to protect this vast land and ensure its lasting peace and stability.

The moment Ning Yuancheng finished speaking, it was as if a heavy hammer had struck the silent air.

His gaze instantly sharpened like two piercing glints of cold light, fixing intently on His Highness's Qin Qianluo.

His gaze seemed to carry an unquestionable scrutiny, attempting to see through every ripple in Qin Qianluo's heart.

That gaze contained both a probing look at Qin Qianluo's words and an unspeakable sense of intimidation.

Qin Qianluo keenly caught that piercing gaze, yet remained calm and composed.

She merely curled her lips slightly, a smile as fleeting as a shooting star in the night sky, seemingly appearing unintentionally.

Yet, in an instant, she revealed a composure and calmness that came from having experienced many changes, as if everything before her was under her control.

She gracefully turned slightly to the side, like a willow branch swaying in a breeze, gentle yet dignified, and then softly opened her lips, her voice like a babbling brook in spring.

He said gently and clearly, "Your Highness's talent, virtue, and sense of responsibility have long been seen and remembered by the court officials. There is really no need for such modesty."

She paused slightly, as if calming the turmoil in her heart caused by her fervent feelings for her country.

She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling slightly, her eyes filled with determination and sincerity.

Like the brightest and most eternal North Star in the deep night sky, shining brightly, it continued to tell its story.

"I have kept your words in mind. From now on, whenever it concerns the governance of the country and the people, I will uphold my original aspiration and do my best."

The feigned smile on Ning Yuancheng's face froze instantly, as if struck by a sharp, cold wind.

Like a statue frozen in place, his face looked particularly abrupt.

His heart was like a raging sea, with waves of anger surging and mixed with undercurrents of resentment and helplessness, relentlessly assaulting his reason.

He never expected that his carefully planned move to kidnap Qin Qianluo's family would sink without a trace, failing to stir even the slightest ripple of submission in Qin Qianluo's heart.

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