d, "Not bad. Xishan Province is indeed quite turbulent. First, there was a natural disaster of famine, and among all the provinces in the country, Xishan suffered one of the most severe situations. Th...Chapter 1025: The Right Target

Inside the Taimiao.

Zhao Qinglan pushed Li Chen away, her face flushed with anger and shame. She raised her hand as if to slap him across the face.

But faced with Li Chen's calm expression, Zhao Qinglan raised her hand only to put it down again. That slap never had the courage to land.

"You're crazy!"

Zhao Qinglan rebuked angrily.

Li Chen did not answer.

He reached out and seized Zhao Qinglan's wrist before she could dodge, pulling her back into his embrace.

Palms pressed against Zhao Qinglan's nape, keeping her face pressed against his chest, Li Chen whispered, "Can't you just obey me once"

Zhao Qinglan struggled with all her might, but the result was, as always, nothing.

"Since you've already been so insolent by refusing to obey me, what else would you have me do if you were to comply"

Zhao Qinglan was both angry and indignant, feeling as if her innocence was about to be ruined by Li Chen.

Yet, she couldn't resist nor break free.

This left her with a feeling of inescapable despair.

"Rest assured, even if I were to be reckless and daring, I wouldn't do anything to you here."

Li Chen lowered his head, his nose buried in Zhao Qinglan's silky hair. He felt the softness of her hair and a faint, pleasant fragrance.

With the warmth and softness of her body in his arms, Li Chen felt a sense of deep relaxation wash over him, easing all his fatigue.

"Calm down and listen carefully."

Listening to Li Chen's words, Zhao Qinglan pursed her lips.

Though she struggled, she couldn't break free. All she could do was try her best to cooperate with Li Chen, hoping he wouldn't fly into a rage and do something even more outrageous.

The Temple of Heaven is eerily quiet.

Zhao Qinglan heard faint shouts of killing in the distance.

I could still hear Li Chen's heartbeat from nearby.

The heartbeat is powerful and rhythmic, a youthful surge of energy representing the peak physical condition of a man in his prime.

The distant cries of battle and the beating of hearts nearby, intertwined and echoing each other, created a strange and thrilling magic.

Zha Qinglan's heart was in turmoil.

She knew that at this time, the capital was in the midst of an uprising.

Someone is dying every moment.

And the outcome of this rebellion will directly decide the future of this empire that has endured over three hundred and sixty years of wind and rain.

"Isn't your ambition to rule the world, to dominate this empire"

Su Jinpa asked, "Why would you waste time on me here instead of dealing with the rebel army outside Or have you realized you can't win and are just going to take me down to hell with you"

"It's never a waste of time on you."

Li Chen said faintly, “As for the rebel army outside, I wouldn't let them riot for a while longer. How else would I distinguish between loyal and treacherous”

Li Chen's words startled Su Jinpa, and then she thought of a terrifying idea.

This terrifying thought made her angrily raise her head and look at Li Chen.

"Are you deliberately letting the rebels run amok, creating the illusion that the East Palace is weak in resistance Then, luring my father and them into believing victory is within reach, exposing all your hidden forces, intending to topple the palace in one fell swoop, before sweeping through their remnants"

"Li Chen, where did you get the guts and confidence Aren't you afraid of burning yourself"

Li Chen's expression was calm as he looked down and met Zhao Qinglan's gaze.

A hand, silently, slipped from under Zhao Qinglan's robe at the waist.

Having arrived at the familiar place, I grasped it firmly.

While Zhao Qinglan exclaimed in surprise, Li Chen used words to divert her attention.

"That's the idea, but it won't fool your old man. He's too sharp. But it works great on Li Yinhu, that idiot."hands of any suspicion to the greatest extent possible.But...“Zhao Xuanji and the Crown Prince are both exceptionally intelligent individuals. Such tactics might be effective against ordinary people,...