Qian Renxue Asks Ye Yunxi for Guidance

The matter of subduing the Four Great Families? She had long since cast it to the back of her mind!

At this moment, her entire head was filled with the little vixen before her who was infuriating enough to kill!

Why did she have to provoke her like this every single time? What exactly had she done wrong? Could she not just treat her properly?

Seeing this, Ye Yunxi was not afraid in the slightest; instead, she laughed even more merrily:

"What? Is the Crown Prince so embarrassed that he's turned to anger? Am I not speaking the truth?"

She leaned in, deliberately lowering her voice, her breath as fragrant as orchids:

"Look at you, getting angry just because you can't win an argument, acting just like a child. Where is there any trace of a Crown Prince's demeanor? Even a well-bred child wouldn't get as angry as you. As the future emperor, you must learn to maintain control over your temper."

"If the Crown Prince cannot manage it well, why not hand the throne over to me? I shall become the first Empress of this Heaven Dou Empire."

"You!"

Qian Renxue's chest heaved violently with rage, and the finger pointing at her trembled. Yet, looking into those watery peach-blossom eyes, the full force of her fury simply could not be unleashed.

She finally understood: this little vixen was doing it on purpose! She was intentionally steering the conversation off course, intentionally infuriating her!

Just then, a crisp notification sound from the system rang out in Ye Yunxi's mind.

[Ding! The fun drinking game mission has been successfully completed!]
[Mission objective achieved: Successfully provoked Qian Renxue into a frenzy without using soul power to cheat!]
[Reward issued: Soul power increased to level 68 Soul Emperor! Sober-as-a-Judge Constitution permanently enabled!]

A majestic, warm current instantly surged through her entire body. Her previously stagnant soul power swelled, and the bottleneck was shattered as easily as if it were made of paper.

The pressure of a level 68 Soul Emperor radiated faintly, making Ye Yunxi feel so comfortable she almost hummed aloud.

She suppressed her laughter, looking at the livid, ash-faced Qian Renxue before her, and felt a bloom of joy in her heart.

Seeing her shoulders shaking from holding back laughter, how could Qian Renxue not know she had been played? She took a deep breath and gritted her teeth:

"Fine, Ye Yunxi! You did this on purpose!"

"What do you mean, on purpose?" Ye Yunxi blinked, looking entirely innocent. "I was merely speaking the truth. The Crown Prince wouldn't be so petty as to be unable to hear the truth, would he?"

Qian Renxue: "..."

She had truly fallen for it! Fallen into the hands of this little vixen, completely and utterly!

Watching Qian Renxue's frustrated and helpless expression, Ye Yunxi finally couldn't hold it in and let out a "pfft" of laughter, the cunning in her eyes impossible to hide.

"Ye Yunxi, stop laughing!"

Qian Renxue's face flushed red. She felt incredibly humiliated to be mocked by a mere Ye Yunxi.

"Do you think this Crown Prince doesn't dare to strike you? Even if you tell others, this is merely a private family matter. Don't forget, while you are out there, you are mine, and I am your husband!"

In a fit of pique, Qian Renxue picked up a nearby branch.

"Calm your temper, Your Highness. Ye Yunxi is only speaking the truth. Besides, I have a way to subdue the Four Great Families, but if you keep bullying me like this, I shall have to remain silent."

Ye Yunxi feigned a bullied appearance, looking at Qian Renxue with tears in her eyes.

Under the dim candlelight, tears slid from the corners of Ye Yunxi's eyes, causing Qian Renxue to throw the branch aside in frustration.

"Ye Yunxi, stop putting on an act! Since you have a plan, tell me quickly! I am about to be angered to death by you!"

Qian Renxue scolded. Already flushed from the alcohol, she now felt somewhat dizzy and lightheaded.

"Your Highness~"

"Sometimes, when you don't know your own limits, do you really think you can outdrink me?"

Qian Renxue looked at Ye Yunxi's charming and moving appearance, her ears turning red. She could only silently accept the disadvantage and sit back down to ask:

"Then, Imperial Concubine, tell me: what method should be used to subdue the Four Great Families?"

Ye Yunxi put away her pitiful act and said with a half-smile:

"The Four Great Families are divided into the Strength Clan, the Speed Clan, the Breaking Clan, and the Defense Clan."

Ye Yunxi picked up her wine bowl, took a sip, and spoke slowly with a tone of absolute certainty:

"The Four Great Families may look like tough nuts to crack, but they each have their own weaknesses. As long as you prescribe the right medicine, you can take them all."

"Let's start with Tai Tan of the Strength Clan. That old man is a true forging fanatic. He is forthright and values loyalty; he responds better to soft tactics than hard ones, and he respects genuine skill."

Ye Yunxi set down the bowl, leaned forward slightly, and lowered her voice:

"Do not bring the Crown Prince's entourage to his door; it is too ostentatious, and he will only be resistant."

"Disguise yourself as a wealthy young master who understands forging, bring two ingots of high-quality black iron, and pay a visit. Just say, 'I have heard of your reputation and wish to discuss the art of forging with the old patriarch.'"

Qian Renxue frowned and couldn't help but interject:

"Discuss forging? What do I know about that?"

"You blockhead!"

Ye Yunxi rolled her eyes at her.

"Can't you study up beforehand? Just say that weapons need to 'balance hardness and softness,' and follow that line of reasoning to point out that the weapons Tai Tan is currently forging have 'sufficient hardness but lack resilience.'

Then, drop a hint that 'using subterranean earth-fire to temper metal gives weapons more spirit.' You are the Crown Prince; mobilizing imperial resources to find a place with earth-fire is simple, isn't it?"

She paused, then continued: "Once he looks at you with newfound respect, wait until he's short on iron ore and secretly send a batch of refined iron from the imperial armory. Just say, 'I don't ask for your allegiance, I only ask that the weapons forged by the old clan leader don't fall into the hands of Martial Soul Hall.'

Finally, after a few rounds of drinks, sigh and say, 'It's a pity for such craftsmanship to go to waste; let's join forces against Martial Soul Hall and let the art of forging flourish.' Give him enough dignity, and he'll surely be willing to cooperate with you."

A flash of shock crossed the eyes of Qian Renxue. She remained silent, signaling for her to continue.

She needed to understand this more deeply now and did not want to interrupt Ye Yunxi.

"Now look at Niu Gao of the Defense Clan. That guy is incredibly straightforward. His sect relies on building defensive fortifications to make a living, and their biggest worry is a lack of work and reputation."

"You should hold an open tender, announcing that you need to build border defenses and imperial villas, and let them win the bid based on their own merit.

Don't engage in backroom deals; let him win the order fair and square, and provide a 50% advance payment to solve his urgent needs."

"During construction, send troops to protect the site and prevent Martial Soul Hall from causing trouble.

After completion, go inspect it yourself and, in front of everyone, praise them by saying, 'The craftsmanship of the Defense Clan is ten times better than the Imperial Defense Engineering Bureau,' giving him plenty of face.

Finally, pat him on the shoulder and say, 'From now on, all of Heaven Dou's defensive fortifications will be handed over to you. We'll establish an Imperial Defense Engineering Bureau. I'll make you the director, with the title hereditary.' With a stable livelihood and the chance to bring honor to his ancestors, how could he not agree?"

She blinked her eyes, a faint blush appearing on her charming and moving face.

Qian Renxue's breathing grew slightly rapid; she had not expected the methods of subjugation to be so simple and direct, striking right at the vital points.

Especially when she looked up and saw the faint blush on Ye Yunxi's cheeks, her heart felt restless.

"The main issue is Martial Soul Hall..."

"For the things we do, we can just let Martial Soul Hall take the blame."

After hearing this, Qian Renxue agreed with the idea of Ye Yunxi.

She then asked: "There are two more families; why have you stopped talking?"

"Xue Qinghe, one shouldn't be too greedy. I've told you two already—are you still not satisfied?"