Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

March 26th, just past noon.

The number of "eyes" outside Phoenix Perch Villa seems to have quietly increased after the turmoil of the past few days.

Today, however, some of these gazes are no longer merely prying, but rather carry a repressive, scrutinizing sharpness.

A seemingly ordinary yet exquisitely crafted blue-curtained carriage slowly drove up to the gate of the villa.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and what stepped out was not the expected official or nobleman.

Instead, he was a handsome young man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a folding fan in his hand.

He had a handsome face, and a perfectly measured, gentle smile played on his lips.

She possesses a refined and elegant demeanor, and her every step exudes grace and poise.

It was Liu Chengming.

After getting out of the car, he did not have his attendants knock on the door, but walked to the door himself and gently knocked on the door knocker.

His movements were unhurried and deliberate, as if he were simply visiting an ordinary friend.

The gatekeeper opened the door, was clearly surprised to see the person who had come, and quickly went inside to announce their arrival.

Before long, Jinshu came out to greet them personally, with her usual polite smile on her face.

But his eyes held a hint of wariness:

"Young Master Liu, a rare guest."

My mistress is in her study; please follow me.

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Jinshu." Liu Chengming smiled and nodded, his manners impeccable.

He followed Jinshu through the courtyard.

His gaze seemed to casually sweep over the seemingly ordinary but actually subtly arranged rockeries and flowers in the garden.

His gaze swept over the few seemingly lazy but unusually calm and composed guards under the corridor, and a faint, almost imperceptible, seriousness flashed deep in his eyes.

This villa, though seemingly leisurely and elegant, is actually as heavily guarded as some princely residences.

This Lady Yehuang... is indeed extraordinary.

The study is located on the east side of the courtyard, forming its own secluded courtyard with a tranquil environment.

Jinshu stopped outside the door and bowed, saying, "Madam, Young Master Liu has arrived."

"Please come in," came a clear and calm female voice from inside.

Liu Chengming pushed open the door and entered.

The study is simply and elegantly furnished, with bookshelves covering the walls and the air filled with the fragrance of ink.

Behind the desk by the window, Shen Qingci wore a simple, casual dress.

Her black hair was tied up with only a white jade hairpin, and she was looking down at an account book.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a serene and focused silhouette on her.

Without the sharp edge displayed at palace banquets and in the imperial court,

But it adds a restrained and elusive air to his demeanor.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and put down her pen.

"Young Master Liu, please have a seat." She gestured to the tea table below the window.

Liu Chengming calmly sat down, his gaze meeting Shen Qingci's calm eyes for a fleeting moment.

There were no sparks flying, but an invisible, tense atmosphere permeated the air.

Jinshu quietly served two cups of tea, then quietly withdrew and closed the door.

Only the two of them remained in the study.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, and a moment of silence ensued.

Liu Chengming picked up his teacup, first inhaling the aroma of the tea, then taking a small sip.

He praised, "Pre-Qingming Longjing tea, excellent. Madam has refined taste."

"A gift from an old friend in Jiangnan, barely edible."

Shen Qingci said calmly, without touching the cup of tea in front of her.

"Young Master Liu's visit today is surely not for tea and philosophical discussions."

Liu Chengming put down his teacup, the gentle smile on his face fading slightly, replaced by a touch of just the right amount of seriousness and sincerity:

Lady Yehuang is straightforward and outspoken. So, I, Liu, will not beat around the bush either.

I have come today without warning, firstly to inquire about my younger sister.

He paused, his tone tinged with pain and helplessness:

"My younger sister, Ruyan, has been spoiled by my father and Mr. Liu since childhood."

After entering the palace, she... acted recklessly and committed grave mistakes.

They have brought this upon themselves.

Mr. Liu... had nothing to say.

He raised his eyes and looked at Shen Qingci, his gaze completely frank:

"In the past, the Liu family has offended the lady in many ways."

On behalf of my younger sister and the Liu family, I, Liu, apologize to Madam.

As he spoke, he actually stood up and bowed deeply to Shen Qingci.

He adopted an extremely humble posture and spoke with utmost sincerity.

If someone unaware of the inside story saw this, they might think that the Liu family had truly repented and sincerely admitted their mistakes.

Shen Qingci sat there quietly, accepting his bow.

His face remained completely expressionless, not even a tremor of his eyelashes.

Only after Liu Chengming straightened up did she slowly speak, her voice revealing neither joy nor anger:

"I accept this gift from Young Master Liu."

However, the phrase "you only have yourself to blame" is quite fitting when applied to your sister.

I just don't know what Young Master Liu meant by "offending"...

It refers to the poisoning in the cold palace back then, and to the framing through witchcraft.

Or are you referring to... the 'accident' in the side hall during the palace banquet a few days ago?

Her gaze was clear and sharp, like ice water, fixed directly on Liu Chengming.

Liu Chengming's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

But the sincere heaviness on his face remained unchanged; instead, he sighed.

"Madam is wise."

I have indeed heard about what happened in the side hall. It was my younger sister who was muddle-headed and blinded by jealousy.

Upon learning this, Liu was also heartbroken.

"Thankfully, Madam is unharmed; otherwise, I, Liu, would truly be guilty beyond redemption."

He shifted all the blame onto Liu Ruyan, who had been deposed and was now in a cold palace and could not refute his own claims.

They absolved themselves and the Liu family of any responsibility.

Shen Qingci's lips curved almost imperceptibly, a faint arc tinged with cold mockery.

"Young Master Liu, there's no need for that."

The past is subject to His Majesty's divine judgment and the impartial application of the law.

She picked up her untouched cup of tea, gently swirled it, and watched the tea leaves unfurl inside.

"Young Master Liu just said that he has two matters to discuss with you today."

That concludes the first point. Now, what about the second one?

Liu Chengming sat down again, leaning slightly forward, his earlier "sincerity" completely gone.

The tone became calm and direct, with a negotiating calmness:

"The second thing is that I want to talk to my wife about the present and... the future."

He tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the rosewood coffee table, producing a rhythmic, soft sound.

"My sister's matter is her own fault. The struggles in the harem, in the end, are nothing more than the petty squabbles between women."

He looked up, his gaze sharpening slightly.

"But Lady Yehuang should know that the foundation of the Liu family has never been in the small area of ​​the inner palace."

He paused, then said, word by word:

"The Liu family's foundation lies in the imperial court, the Six Ministries, local areas, the military, and the salt and grain transport in Jiangnan."

In the northern horse market, there are disciples, former officials, and vested interests all over the world.

These words were almost a blatant declaration and...threat.

He was telling Shen Qingci: Taking down Liu Ruyan is of little consequence.

The true power of the Liu family is vast and deeply entrenched, extending throughout the court and the country.

If you want to take action against the Liu family, you can't rely solely on the grudges within the harem.

Relying on His Majesty's momentary guilt or anger is far from enough.

Shen Qingci listened quietly, her face still expressionless, but her clear, cold eyes seemed to have deepened.

"So?" she asked, her tone flat.

"so,"

Liu Chengming leaned back in his chair, regaining his composed demeanor as a refined gentleman.

A hint of a smile even returned to her face, though it didn't reach her eyes.

"I have come today to tell Madam..."

I would also like to ask you, Madam—in this game of the harem, you have already won.

Next, the lady planned to stop while she was ahead.

With the immense wealth of Jiangnan and... the title of a young prince, could he live a peaceful life?

still……"

He paused deliberately, his gaze fixed on Shen Qingci:

"Does he really want to step into the murky waters of the imperial court and fight the Liu family to the death?"

Never die.

He spoke those four words casually, yet they carried a chilling undertone.

The air in the study seemed to freeze.

Shen Qingci finally let out a soft laugh.

It wasn't a sneer, nor a mocking laugh, but rather a kind of nonchalant smile, as if one had heard something amusing.

She put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Liu Chengming across the tea table.

"Young Master Liu," her voice was still clear and melodious, but with a hint of amusement.

"You're right, the foundation of the Liu family is indeed not in the harem."

She paused, met Liu Chengming's suddenly narrowed eyes, and parted her red lips slightly to utter the following words:

"so--"

"Our next battleground is right here in the imperial court."

Her smile deepened, but her eyes held no warmth, only a cold, predatory glint.

"Since Young Master Liu has brought this up, I'll put my words here as well."

"Your sister, Liu Ruyan, is one of the old grudges I need to settle. But the Liu family..."

She spoke each word clearly and distinctly:

"That is my true goal."

"As for knowing when to stop while you're ahead?"

Shen Qingci tilted her head slightly, as if she were truly pondering this question.

He then shook his head, his tone light and almost cruel.

No, I have always had a big appetite.

The meager "victories" of the harem are hardly enough to satisfy a craving.

She leaned back in her chair, her posture languid, yet exuding a confident air of control.

"If Young Master Liu wants to play, I'll oblige."

"The waters of the imperial court are murky, but it's precisely because they're murky that it's easy to fish in them, isn't it?"

She picked up the now-cold tea and raised it towards Liu Chengming, as if offering a toast:

"I'm very interested in the foundation of the Liu family. Let's pry it up, one branch at a time, and take a look."

"us……"

The cold smile on Shen Qingci's lips finally froze in place:

Take your time playing.

The gentle smile on Liu Chengming's face finally disappeared completely.

He gazed at Shen Qingci silently, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as an ancient well.

Exploration, assessment, apprehension, and a chilling, thoroughly ignited fighting spirit.

After a long while, he smiled too.

That smile was equally cold, devoid of any warmth.

"Okay." He only said one word.

Then, he stood up, straightened his robes which had no loose ends, and regained his demeanor as a young master from a noble family.

"The tea was excellent, and the conversation was very interesting. I, Liu, have benefited greatly today." He nodded slightly. "Farewell."

"No need to see me out."

Liu Chengming turned around and left the study with steady steps.

The door closed.

The smile on Shen Qingci's face gradually faded, leaving only utter coldness.

She walked to the window and watched Liu Chengming's moon-white figure cross the courtyard and disappear outside the door.

Take your time?

No.

She had been waiting for this day for far too long.

Liu Chengming, Liu family...

Our game has not just begun.

But...

We've already entered the halftime zone.

She raised her hand, her fingertips slowly tracing the cold windowpane.

Next, it's time to close the net.