"Let's get straight to the point. What do you want? I, the Crown Prince, can give you anything."
Qian Renxue spoke up.
She had a lot of faith in Ye Yunxi's methods. And, surprisingly, Ye Yunxi seemed to know the Four Great Sects inside out.
If she visited them one by one, she might hit a wall. But the methods Ye Yunxi had outlined would save her a great deal of time.
As long as she could win over these Four Great Families, then even if the Clear Sky Sect emerged again, it would have lost both its arms.
"In that case, come over here and rub my legs and shoulders. If you do a bad job, you can handle the remaining two families yourself."
Ye Yunxi grinned smugly and stretched out her pair of fair, clean legs, laying them across Qian Renxue's lap.
"You want me to rub your shoulders? Isn't that what a maid does? Why should I?" Qian Renxue protested.
"Because you need me. And you said that even if you didn't agree, I could still win over the Four Great Sects on my own. Xue Qinghe, remember: sometimes, lowering your head is a good thing."
Qian Renxue snorted, grabbed Ye Yunxi's legs in displeasure, and pulled them over.
"Ow! Take it easy!"
Ye Yunxi complained.
"You should be glad I'm doing it at all."
Qian Renxue shot Ye Yunxi a sidelong glance, taking in the pair of dainty jade feet and the long, slender, pale legs.
She placed both hands on Ye Yunxi's legs, then urged her to hurry up and tell her the rest.
Feeling the gentle massage on her legs, Ye Yunxi continued:
"Next is Bai He of the Speed Clan. That old man is as sly as a fox. He cares most about his clan's safety and their intelligence network."
"Send two Soul Douluo-level experts to capture Bai He's granddaughter, Bai Chenxiang. Then, have them rescue her at the crucial moment, after you've made preparations in advance. That way, you'll have hold of his weak spot.
"Meanwhile, send some people to destroy a few of the Speed Clan's outlying camps. Have them do it in Spirit Hall's name."
"Afterward, use the opportunity to invite them to move their core clansmen into Heaven Dou City. Give them a plot of land for their own residence, and station troops there to protect them.
"Then tell him, 'We'll share intelligence. You'll pass along the information I want, and I'll help your clansmen grow stronger. Bai Chenxiang can also be given an important position.'
"Finally, offer him a tempting promise: 'Once Spirit Hall is destroyed, I'll help you build the greatest intelligence network on the continent.' He's most afraid of something happening to his clansmen. If you give them security, how could he not take your side?"
At this point, Ye Yunxi deliberately paused, watching Qian Renxue's shocked and bewildered expression.
"Spirit Hall? Wouldn't that be a little inappropriate?"
"Idiot. Ever heard of impersonating someone? Some things just need to be done in secret, as long as he believes it. You and I are the only ones who know about this. No one else does, so what's there to worry about?"
Ye Yunxi smiled. After all, you're part of Spirit Hall, and Bibi Dong was going to do this sooner or later anyway. You might as well use this chance to get a head start.
Qian Renxue could only think that Ye Yunxi was full of devious schemes, and downright ruthless. But the proposal was excellent.
As long as they pinned the blame on Spirit Hall, what did any of it have to do with Xue Qinghe?
It would be easy enough to call up Soul Douluo and Soul Saint experts.
Sure enough, when you were up to no good, you had to keep at it.
"Last is Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan. That fellow is incredibly proud. He values his Soul Breaking Spear as dearly as his life, hates anyone questioning his strength, and thinks he has all this skill but nowhere to use it."
"Take a team of royal experts to his door and tell him plainly, 'I've heard Clan Chief Yang's spear is the best in the world. No one under my command can match you, so I've come to ask for your guidance.'
"Let him show off all he wants. Even if your side loses, shout in front of everyone, 'Clan Chief Yang's spear skills truly are peerless!' That'll satisfy his competitive streak."
"Then give him an important position: have him train the royal army's Assault Battalion as its chief instructor, and pass down the essence of the Soul Breaking Spear.
"Provide them with rare medicinal herbs, and support whatever research he wants to do. Dugu Bo can even help you with that.
"Finally, tell him that from then on, he only has to follow your orders, and he'll have plenty of chances to put his abilities to use. Let him show off his skills in the military camp. Tell me, wouldn't he want the chance to make a name for himself?"
Ye Yunxi finished in one breath, picked up her wine bowl, and drained it. Raising an eyebrow at Qian Renxue, she said:
"These four methods each hit the mark. Don't try to force them into submission. Just talk about cooperation and mutual benefit. You give them respect, and you bind them together with common interests.
"Once they've all received favors from you, call a sect meeting and make the point that when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold. Have them sign an equal alliance pact, and split the Four-Direction Alliance Seal into tokens. Naturally, they'll become your trump cards."
Qian Renxue stared at her, her eyes full of shock.
She had always thought that winning over the Four Great Families would take a vast expenditure of troops and resources.
She had never expected Ye Yunxi to come up with such a brilliant plan, every step striking at the clan chiefs' weak spots.
Looking at Ye Yunxi's radiant smile, Qian Renxue could only think that this little vixen was not only stunningly beautiful, but incredibly clever, too.
The wine was going to her head, and Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed even redder. She took a deep breath and gritted her teeth.
"You little vixen. You really do have some talent."
Ye Yunxi raised her chin proudly.
"Of course! Otherwise, how could I be worthy of becoming the Crown Prince's Imperial Concubine? But... I've given you such a wonderful plan. How are you going to thank me?"
"Thank you? I'm rubbing your shoulders and legs, and you still want more?" Qian Renxue felt Ye Yunxi was being far too greedy.
"One thing has nothing to do with the other. And the methods I've told you aren't foolproof. When the time comes, I'll definitely have to make an appearance myself."
"I think I'd be more useful than you, Crown Prince."
She would have to make an appearance herself for these things. Besides, sometimes it would show how seriously they took the matter if both the future emperor and empress went.
As she was thinking, her legs were suddenly yanked, and she fell straight to the floor.
"What are you doing?"
Qian Renxue didn't answer. She just took a rope and tied Ye Yunxi's legs together.
"Are you crazy? I told you all that, and this is how you treat me?" Ye Yunxi was dumbfounded. You're really burning the bridge after crossing it!
"I've had enough of you! You think I was really going to indulge you? If I hadn't been waiting for you to finish explaining those four methods, I would've taught you a lesson long ago."
Qian Renxue called over two maids and tossed them a rope.
"Tie her hands and take her to the side hall next door. Let her think about what she's done."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The two maids didn't dare disobey. They quickly tied Ye Yunxi's hands.
"Qian Renxue, just you wait! Next time you need me, I'll change my surname to yours!"
Ye Yunxi's cries echoed throughout the residence, but Qian Renxue simply pretended not to hear.
After the two maids returned, she said:
"You two, pour all this wine into the Imperial Concubine's mouth as well. Keep going until she's drunk."
There were two more updates at dawn. From now on, updates would be around one in the morning.
I've been busy these past few days, so the updates have been a little late.