Jiangnan, meaning south of the Yangtze, is the wealthiest region in the entire Great Song Dynasty.

Most importantly, before the previous dynasty, the capitals of three kingdoms were all in Jiangnan.

And because part of Nan Zhou’s territory is also in Jiangnan, Chen Mo was not surprised when Ji Xi’er mentioned that the last Red Sun Bell was hidden in Jiangnan.

There would definitely be no wars started anytime soon; a period of rest and recuperation was needed, so Chen Mo planned to take Jiang Ruoqing to Jiangnan once the wedding was over.

After learning everything, Chen Mo began contemplating how to deal with Ji Xi’er.

To truly kill her, Chen Mo felt somewhat reluctant, after all, they had shared intimacies, and Ji Xi’er was incredibly beautiful. Most importantly, she was broad-minded; none of the women around Chen Mo could compare, not even Xu Miaozhen.

Now she was a cripple, and the Black Shadow Killer Organization was nearly wiped out. Once he found the Nan Zhou Treasure, she would no longer be able to stir up any trouble, and Chen Mo would not have to fear her threatening those around him.

"Let’s keep her around and teach her slowly..."

With this thought flashing through his mind, Chen Mo said to Ji Xi’er, "Come with me."

For the first time, Chen Mo took Ji Xi’er out of the dungeon, asking Chun Lan to take her to bathe and change into clean clothes.

Ji Xi’er was not lacking in looks, so when Chun Lan was bathing her, she curiously asked about her, and upon learning that she was Empress Dowager Hu, she was stunned.

Coincidentally, Zhao Jiangning came looking for Chun Lan with something to discuss. She recognized Hu Mei’Er, so the moment she saw Ji Xi’er, she recognized her at a glance: "Hu... Empress Dowager Hu?"

"Prince De Ning!" Although Ji Xi’er was under the control of the Charm Skill, the memories in her mind remained, and she was relatively aware, though lacking independent will, with her mind infused with a directive always to obey Chen Mo’s orders.

"Chun Lan, what is Empress Dowager Hu doing here?" Although Zhao Jiangning knew that Empress Dowager Hu was in the master’s hands, seeing her at the Chen Mansion still surprised her greatly.

"The master handed her over to me, to take her for a bath. She was previously held in the underground by the master." Since they were all trustworthy people, Chun Lan had nothing to hide.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiangning was taken aback, seemingly guessing something, both surprised and as if it was expected.

One must know that "Hu Mei’Er" had a reputation as a seductress in the harem because not long after entering the palace, she gained Zhao Ji’s favor and was made a Noble Consort. Everyone believed she used some sort of witchcraft to charm Zhao Ji, thus receiving such favor.

In any case, Zhao Jiangning did not have a good impression of "Hu Mei’Er."

Before this, due to Xiao Yunxi, with Xiao Yunxi being neglected by the emperor, Zhao Jiangning suspected that this was somehow related to Hu Mei’Er.

Zhao Jiangning feared that Chen Mo might have also fallen under the spell cast by "Hu Mei’Er."

...

On the other hand, Chen Mo received a letter from Loulan, a secret letter from the head of the Jin family.

Sternly declaring that he release Yue Yuxi, with threats of consequences if he didn’t comply, such as sending another army to press the border, and if any harm befell Yue Yuxi, they would tear him to pieces and kill Wei Ying.

As for the one billion silver taels in compensation, that was out of the question. Instead, the Great Song should pay Loulan two billion silver taels in compensation. If they didn’t have that much silver, they could use the heads of the imperial family to pay the debt, with a note attached stating how much silver Xiao Yunxi was worth...

Although the letter’s content was to let him release Yue Yuxi, the true intention was to provoke Chen Mo, thereby achieving their own goal.

"Do the Jin family’s tactics seem clever..." Chen Mo smiled slightly, having Yue Yuxi brought to him, then showing her the secret letter from the Jin family. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

After reading it, Yue Yuxi’s face instantly darkened.

Although the letter urged Chen Mo to release her, its wording was clearly meant to provoke Chen Mo, hoping he’d refuse to let her go, or in a fit of rage, kill her, which would be even better.

By doing so, the Jin family could seize power more effectively, even claiming authority over the military under the guise of avenging her.

Furthermore, if Chen Mo were not provoked and did release her, the Jin family’s influence would soar.

Look, without any effort, I have brought the king back.

And if she truly returned to Loulan, the political power would likely already be controlled by the Jin family and other aristocrats, and she would be imprisoned again, becoming a captive.

In this case, whether Chen Mo was provoked or let her go, the Jin family and other aristocrats would still benefit.

"It seems you understand the letter’s meaning as well." Chen Mo smiled and said, "Now, even if I release you, you can’t return to Loulan."

Seeing Chen Mo’s schadenfreude expression, Yue Yuxi was immediately angered: "If I can’t return, what advantage does that give you? You too cannot save Wei Ying."

"No, as long as I hold you in my hands, whether attacking Loulan in the future, or if Loulan invades again, putting you on the front line can to some extent curb Loulan. I don’t believe they dare to kill their own king."

Chen Mo was confident that neither the Jin family nor other Loulan aristocrats wanted to bear the disgrace of regicide.

"Bastard..." Understanding Chen Mo’s intention, Yue Yuxi clenched her teeth in anger.

"Still daring to insult me." Chen Mo curled his lips: "This letter made me quite angry. Although not to the point of killing you, this anger must be discharged."

"You... what do you intend to do?"

"What do you think?"

Chen Mo turned her around, placed her hands on the wall, raising her behind.

Yue Yuxi struggled, her skirt immediately tightened, forming a perfect arc under the dim candlelight in the room. Chen Mo’s lips curled slightly, lifting his hand to give a light pat.

"Smack..."

A soft crack sounded in the room.

Yue Yuxi instantly struggled like an enraged lioness, turning her head back furiously: "Bastard, I’ll fight you to the end..."

Smack—

Met with a heavy slap.

Yue Yuxi’s cursing became more intense.

Yet seeing her slightly flushed face, Chen Mo was stunned: "You... you actually enjoy this."

Having said that, he lifted her skirt, raised his hand, and patted her backside again, immediately finding her body suddenly slackened as if she lost all strength, going a bit limp.

This made Chen Mo certain he had uncovered Yue Yuxi’s hidden trait.

...

After the Charm Skill was lifted, Ji Xi’er collapsed.

The greatest secret hidden in her heart was known to Chen Mo, which meant her last hope for restoring her country was utterly snuffed out.

The defenses in her heart instantly collapsed, life lost its direction, existence lost its meaning.

Her soul was adrift.

And at that moment, Chen Mo appeared before her, constantly cajoling her.

It was essentially to draw an enemy in, to rebuild her life’s goals, that is, to seek revenge on him. Only by giving her a purpose to live could he slowly cultivate her.

"Think about it, if you die, how would you face your ancestors..."