Shen Ning looked at the two shops next to Jinbaolou. Because Jinbaolou was burned down, they were also affected. Half of their houses were blackened by smoke, and half of the roof was burned away. They looked very ugly, but the case was not over yet, so no one dared to start repairs.
King Zhao knew the situation here, yet he still gave her the land deed. Clearly, he didn't really want her to actually do anything about it, but she just didn't do as King Zhao wished.
The land here is incredibly valuable; you can't buy it even if you have money. King Zhao just handed it to her like that, so why shouldn't she take it?
No matter what King Zhao was planning, she had to take a bite of this piece of fat meat that was presented to her, otherwise how could she justify the suffering she had endured in fear?
She not only wanted to eat, but she wanted to eat thoroughly, using this opportunity to reach a higher level.
Fortune favors the bold; take a gamble, and wealth may be within your grasp.
Meanwhile, Tao Ji, still feeling the pain of attending a funeral, went to apply for funds to repair Shen Ning's house, which unsurprisingly surprised King Zhao.
He quickly inquired and, after confirming that Shen Ning's younger brother was still in his hands, asked, "Has she gone mad?"
This is the first time in my life I've ever heard of someone daring to demand money from kidnappers.
Tao Ji also thought Shen Ning had gone mad: "Will the prince pay?"
King Zhao looked at her with a cold and deep gaze, and Tao Ji understood; this meant it was impossible.
"Tell her not to try anything funny, or I can't guarantee her brother will make it back alive."
Generally speaking, threatening people with blood ties is a very effective tactic; most people will obediently comply, become controlled, and follow orders.
Shen Yu is the only male heir in the Shen family and Shen Ning's only younger brother. She cherishes this younger brother very much and would never allow the Shen family line to end.
In King Zhao's mind, Shen Ning, though unwilling, would swallow her pride and agree to all his demands in order to save her younger brother.
Because of being held hostage, many people commit murder, arson, betrayal, and treason. He manipulated Shen Ning so that he could use her for his own purposes.
This diverts the attention of the Dali Temple while simultaneously causing Shen Ning to betray the Prime Minister's faction.
As I said before, Shen Ning was outnumbered and outmatched, but King Zhao didn't know that.
In Shen Ning's heart, Shen Shu and Shen Yu were both ingrates. If it weren't for the blood ties, she would have killed them both. But outsiders didn't know that.
Even those around Shen Ning believed that although Shen Shu had betrayed Shen Ning, Shen Ning, as her older sister, still cared for her wholeheartedly. Even if she ignored her, it was just for show.
Shen Yu goes without saying; Shen Ning has never treated him badly. The reason Shen Ning clings so tightly to everything in the Shen family is for the sake of this younger brother.
She could explain that the last time she beat him up was because Shen Ming's matter had upset her; she loved him deeply and was very strict with him, and she was disappointed in him for not living up to his potential.
In conclusion.
King Zhao's plan: Control her lifeline, threaten her into serving him, and incidentally use her as a shield, a pawn to be discarded at any time. Anyway, her brother is in his hands, so he doubts she would dare disobey.
Shen Ning's thoughts: This person is mentally ill. As a deeply hidden mastermind, he appeared in front of me for no reason. He seems fake, and the things he does are incomprehensible.
After deep thought: a conspiracy, a huge conspiracy.
As for Shen Yu, who was captured, well: she didn't want him to die, but she wasn't that keen on saving him either. He was completely unimportant; she didn't even take him with her when she was plotting her schemes.
The two people were thinking in completely opposite directions.
Tao Ji returned, carrying a handkerchief stained with Shen Yu's blood, and a letter of distress written by Shen Yu himself.
The letter is genuine; it was written by Shen Yu himself, and every word is a plea for help.
The fear was real; Shen Ning really didn't see much backbone in her younger brother.
"The prince said, you decide what to do."
There's no money, and next time they might send more than just Shen Yu's blood and letters.
Shen Ning carefully put away the letter, and after much deliberation, asked Tao Ji a question: "Do you know about the Thousand-Faced Demon Fox?"
Momohime subconsciously touched her cheek: "What Thousand-Faced Demon Fox?"
Shen Ning: "I was kidnapped by the Thousand-Faced Fox once before. He was playing a young actor at the time. I gave him a gold leaf as a reward, but he kidnapped me and took me hostage. Along the way, I saw him change his disguise several times, including men, women, young and old. The disguises were very realistic."
Peach Princess's gaze slowly shifted, her expression unreadable: "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Shen Ning said firmly, "I suspect that this King Zhao is a fake; he is actually the Thousand-Faced Demon Fox in disguise."
Momohime's pupils contracted in shock: "How did you come to such a conclusion?"
Shen Ning analyzed it to her logically: "I am not of high status and have little use to him. There is no need for King Zhao to come to see me in person. King Zhao is so noble. I have never seen him once in all these years. Now he actually comes to see me in person and asks me to do things for him. It looks more like a scam."
"King Zhao is physically disabled and has always kept a low profile. He should be a gentle, indifferent, and unambitious person. The King Zhao I saw that day was so frightening that I didn't dare to breathe. Moreover, he kidnapped Shen Yu. Such banditry could not possibly belong to King Zhao."
Peach Princess: "This..." If she hadn't known the truth, she would have been convinced by her.
At first glance, it makes a lot of sense.
What utter nonsense! "You thought for so long and you came to the conclusion that King Zhao was a fake?"
Is he out of his mind?
Shen Ning wasn't mentally impaired, but she firmly believed that King Zhao was an imposter, an imposter disguised as the Thousand-Faced Demon Fox.
Tao Ji: What kind of bizarre development is this? Does it mean that King Zhao is going to have to prove that he is King Zhao?
Shen Ning not only believed that King Zhao was a fake, but also hoped that Tao Ji would pass on a message to King Zhao (the Thousand-Faced Ghost Fox), saying that she could help him make money without threatening Shen Yu, since she had previously promised to support him. However, she hoped that the fake King Zhao would agree to teach her how to disguise herself.
Momohime: "......"
No, she felt a little dizzy and needed to calm down.
King Zhao was a fake, yet Shen Ning mistook the fake King Zhao for a thousand-faced fox spirit and was even willing to pay money to become his disciple. This is utterly absurd.
She held back her actions, but in the end, she did nothing. She conveyed Shen Ning's thoughts, of course concealing her identity as the Thousand-Faced Fox, and only saying that Shen Ning suspected that King Zhao was an imposter.
Unsurprisingly, King Zhao fell silent after hearing this.
What a ridiculous joke: because King Zhao lived a secluded life and Shen Ning had never met him, he had been threatening him for so long, and now he needed to prove that he was himself.
"What about her brother? Doesn't he care?"
Peach Princess: "She said she could do things for the prince, but she thinks you are a fake."
King Zhao: "..."
Although the goal was achieved, why does it feel so unsatisfactory? I feel really awkward.
Especially since he had previously said he was willing to grant Chen Ning the position of a concubine, wouldn't she just treat it as a lie and a joke?
So, does he need to prove that he is himself?
After leaving Prince Zhao's residence, Tao Ji entered the alley. A moment later, a thin young man emerged, but Tao Ji had already vanished.
The young man opened his fan, his posture elegant, and laughed through gritted teeth.
"Even Master can admit his mistakes, you unfilial disciple!"
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