Wenren Yu coughed lightly, shook the ink-painted fan in her hand, and looked at Helian Nie tentatively before speaking.

"Your Majesty, shouldn't our primary concern right now be the affairs of Xiling and Nanli...?"

Who is more important in the princess's heart, Nan Rong or Jing Hua? What kind of sudden whim is this?

Helian Nie slightly raised his eyelids, staring coldly at Wenren Yu for a long time. Wenren Yu shivered under his gaze, closed his fan, and answered seriously.

"Of course, Your Majesty is more important. You are the princess's father and closest relative. What is Nanrong Jinghua compared to that? At most, she's just a bit better looking."

The princess's affection will only last a while; besides, in terms of looks, even Nanrong Jinghua cannot compare to Your Majesty."

After saying that, Wenren Yu secretly observed Helian Nie's expression out of the corner of her eye. This time, the Emperor should be satisfied, right?

Helian Nie stroked the white jade teacup in his hand, his chin slightly raised. Clearly, he was quite pleased with Wenren Yu's flattery. His peach blossom eyes looked at Wenren Yu, and he rarely offered such a compliment.

"Well said."

Wenren Yu chuckled a few times and nodded, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, regarding the matters of Xiling and Nanli..."

"Nothing to fear."

Helian Nie placed the white jade teacup to his thin lips, took a light sip, and his handsome face remained calm and composed. The strength of Xiling and Nanli was nothing special.

The only reason they've held out until now is because their terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack. But that ugly thing is right, regardless of whether the assassin was from Xiling or not...

Using this as an opportunity to make a fuss and cause both countries to suffer losses in their internal conflicts, or to turn them against each other and alienate them, would be a good strategy.

"It seems His Majesty has a solution."

Wenren Yu took a sip of tea, gently fanning himself with a smile. Then, remembering something, he sat up straight, his expression becoming serious.

"Does Your Majesty wish to meet Si Beitao and Empress Dongchen?"

Helian Nie placed the teacup he was holding on the golden nanmu wood table, making a slight sound. "Is there anything unusual?"

"I wouldn't say it's unusual, but the Empress of Dongchen gives me the feeling that she is not simple at all."

Mentioning Empress Dongchen, Wenren Yu subconsciously frowned. Even after being imprisoned and having her kingdom destroyed, she could still remain unmoved by temptation.

And the fact that they treated him with such courtesy upon meeting him made him feel quite strange.

Helian Nie's eyes darkened, his well-defined fingers tapped twice on the table, and his thin lips parted slightly, his expression nonchalant.

"Keep a close watch on her to prevent any trouble. Kill her in a few days."

Wenren Yu suddenly raised her eyes, and a look of astonishment crossed her face as she gazed at Helian Nie's face, which resembled a painted portrait.

"Your Majesty, didn't you say before that you spared Si Bei Tao Hua's life because you were afraid of upsetting the princess?"

Helian Nie coldly met Wenren Yu's astonished gaze, "Since you know, then do it more discreetly."

To prevent future troubles, Empress Dongchen and Sibei Taohua are nothing short of hidden dangers and malignant tumors. He is certainly not a soft-hearted person.

As for that ugly thing...

Helian Nie's narrow, peach-blossom eyes fell on Wenren Yu, who was deep in thought while fanning herself.

Wenren Yu felt a chill creep down her spine for no apparent reason; she had a feeling something bad was about to happen. Sure enough, she heard Helian Nie speak in a low voice.

"If that ugly thing ever finds out, just say that Si Beitaohua rebelled too much, and in the heat of the moment, you killed Si Beitaohua without informing me."

Having said that, Helian Nie frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and finding no flaws in his statement, picked up his vermilion brush again and began to review the memorials on the table.

Wenren Yu: "………………?"

So, I'll play the villain?