Chapter 21: Nalan Yanran’s Transformation!

"Master, that lecher Shen Lang is truly nauseating. Can you send someone else to monitor him?"

At this moment, standing on the roof of the Shen residence and listening to the tender conversation between Shen Lang and Lv Duo, Nalan Yanran could no longer contain herself. She took out her voice-transmission token and pleaded with Shen Xiao to grant her request.

However, Shen Xiao, who was sitting in the Yangxin Palace healing his wounds, rejected her with firm resolve. "I have placed you by Shen Lang’s side not just to supervise and protect him, but more importantly, to help you learn from his conduct and worldly wisdom. Do not be misled by his superficial behavior; you must learn to observe and perceive with your heart. Otherwise, you will never break through to the Golden Core stage in this lifetime. Do you understand?"

Faced with Shen Xiao’s reprimand, Nalan Yanran looked aggrieved. She truly could not see what there was to learn from a lecher like Shen Lang. Yet, she dared not defy Shen Xiao's command. She could only bite her lip, watching gloomily as Shen Lang, having finished teasing Lv Duo, walked out of the manor with a beaming smile to meet Huang Yiyi.

Just as Nalan Yanran prepared to continue cursing Shen Lang under her breath, she was astonished to see the cynical expression on his face vanish. It was replaced by a sense of urgency, as if he were about to meet someone of great importance. As he reached the gate, he even broke into a light jog.

This transformation caused Nalan Yanran to grumble inwardly: "Huang Yiyi has already taken the initiative to call off the engagement, yet this lecher still acts like this. Could it be he wants to reconcile with her?"

While she was still pondering, Shen Lang had already reached Huang Yiyi, breathing heavily. "Yiyi, I’m sorry. I was so absorbed in my cultivation earlier that I kept you waiting."

Looking at Shen Lang’s sincere expression, the anger Huang Yiyi had felt from waiting instantly dissipated. A smile, which she deemed her most beautiful, appeared on her face: "You are my future husband; it doesn't matter how long I wait for you!"

"A pair of shameless wretches!"

With just that one exchange, Nalan Yanran was certain that both Shen Lang and Huang Yiyi were merely acting. Just as she prepared to return to Shen Lang’s courtyard to urge him to hurry to Guiyun City for serious business, a single sentence from Shen Lang left her frozen in place.

"Yiyi, what did our grandfather say? Can he support me in becoming the Emperor of the Great Qin?"

Dammit, this dog-like scoundrel actually wants to rebel? Nalan Yanran was furious. She felt her master’s good intentions had been wasted on an ingrate. Just as she prepared to apprehend Shen Lang, Shen Xiao’s words suddenly echoed in her mind: "In Shen Lang’s actions, do not look only at the surface; you must perceive with your heart!"

Reflecting on this, Nalan Yanran paused. She reconsidered, thinking that Shen Lang did not seem like the kind of fool who would openly speak of treason!

Huang Yiyi, unaware that someone was watching from nearby, saw Shen Lang ask the critical question and nodded with a beam: "We are family; of course he agrees! Grandfather even agreed to lend you three million spirit stones all at once!"

Huang Yiyi emphasized the word "lend" heavily, clearly still planning on having Shen Lang repay this investment in the future. Little did she know, Shen Lang viewed her merely as a mark and had no intention of paying it back at all. Upon hearing about the three million, he patted his chest and continued to weave grand promises: "Grandfather is truly good to me. If I become the Emperor of the Great Qin one day, not only will I make you my Empress, but I will also make the Huang family the number one family in the Great Qin! No! I will ensure the Huang family enjoys the same wealth and prosperity as the Great Qin itself, to repay the kindness of your family’s timely assistance!"

It had to be said that as a leader, Shen Lang’s ability to "paint a big picture" was truly masterful. With just two sentences, he had Huang Yiyi completely mesmerized. She immediately stepped forward, took his arm, and said tenderly, "Shen Lang, you are so thoughtful. To help you achieve your great ambition, my grandfather also asked me to bring you some important intelligence!"

"Oh?" Shen Lang was curious. "What intelligence?"

"His Majesty has also named Zhao An as one of the candidates, but he is one of Zhao Tianba’s men. Zhao Tianba has been accumulating power and wants to rebel! You can use this information to eliminate Zhao An and secure your own position as the candidate!"

Hearing this news, Shen Lang felt nothing but disdain. The moment Zhao Tianba took the mysterious sword, his system had already warned him. This kind of information wasn't even worth a single spirit stone to him.

However, to Nalan Yanran, it sounded like a thunderclap. The Zhao line had nine kings in total, all close relatives of the former emperor. Among them, Zhao Tianba was one of the most powerful. When the old emperor was slain by Shen Xiao, Zhao Tianba was the first to surrender. Even Shen Xiao believed Zhao Tianba was a man who knew when to bow to circumstance. Never did she imagine that Zhao Tianba was actually plotting treason, and that Zhao An was his man!

Nalan Yanran’s gaze toward Shen Lang changed. She suddenly felt that Shen Xiao was right. To understand a person like Shen Lang, looking with one’s eyes was useless. One had to invest genuine thought to truly grasp his painstaking efforts.

Shen Lang was unaware that his casual maneuver to swindle money had significantly improved Nalan Yanran’s impression of him. He only knew that with three million spirit stones in hand, he had to hurry and boost his strength. He didn’t want to be forced to rely on luck if he encountered a flying Golden Core cultivator in the future.

He put on a serious expression and nodded slowly: "Good, I have noted this. When the opportunity arises, I will ensure they are wiped out completely!"

"Mm, then I won't disturb your cultivation anymore, my husband. Do your best!"

Watching Huang Yiyi walk away, Nalan Yanran instantly appeared before Shen Lang, looking at him with eyes that held three parts scrutiny and seven parts confusion. Seeing this, Shen Lang understood her thoughts immediately.

He said quite directly, "I'm in a hurry to cultivate. If you have anything you don't understand, ask now!"

Seeing that Shen Lang had seen through her, Nalan Yanran did not stall. "The first question: you are setting a trap, not actually intending to rebel, right?"

Shen Lang laughed in exasperation: "Big sister, can you use your head? Would someone planning a rebellion tell the Emperor about their plans?"

[Ding, resentment from Nalan Yanran +10]

Nalan Yanran suppressed her anger, gritted her teeth, and corrected him: "I am only twenty-three, not a 'big sister'! The second question: did you see that Zhao An was suspicious from the start?"

Seeing that the resentment value from Nalan Yanran had decreased, Shen Lang laughed: "I just thought that since his surname is Zhao, there was a high probability he was related to the Zhao line. I didn't expect this brat to have such a background!"

Seeing that Shen Lang did not seem to be lying, Nalan Yanran nodded slowly: "You did well this time, helping Master identify this old fox, Zhao Tianba. However, I have a third question I want to ask you!"

"Ask away!" Shen Lang said with indifference.

"Since you don't intend to rebel, why did you borrow three million spirit stones from the Huang family, and why did you promise them so many benefits?"