The Rebirth of a Concubine's Daughter and Her Heartless Lover!

Bai Yueqin's visit

"Bai Yueqin?" A strange look flashed in Shen Yiyao's eyes, but her tone remained calm. She quickly recalled the name: Bai Yueqin, an old acquaintance of the Shen family, one of Shen Qianyun's close allies. She had once been highly valued by Shen Qianyun and deeply trusted. However, Shen Yiyao didn't know much about this person. Most importantly, Bai Yueqin had engaged in secret dealings with other powerful figures in the family while Shen Qianyun was away.

This kind of person is not an insignificant person.

She stood up calmly, straightened her sleeves, turned her eyes, and said slowly: "Please ask her to come in."

Soon, Bai Yueqin was ushered into the main hall. Dressed in a moon-white gown, she exuded elegance, yet her eyes held a profound and mysterious gaze. Her steps were light, and as she entered the hall, she seemed at odds with the surrounding atmosphere, as if, in this mansion rife with intrigue and power struggles, she maintained a certain elusive composure.

"Greetings, Miss Shen." Bai Yueqin bowed slightly upon entering, her voice soft yet dignified. She glanced at Shen Yiyao, as if observing her changes.

Shen Yiyao didn't rush to respond, but stared at her calmly for a long time before she slowly spoke: "Bai Yueqin, after all these years, you are willing to come to see me in person. I am really surprised."

Bai Yueqin smiled slightly, her expression still gentle, as if this conversation hadn't caused much tension. "Ms. Shen is very different today. I came to visit you today because of something." She paused and gently brushed her sleeves. "I had some dealings with Shen Qianyun in the past. I wonder if Miss Shen is aware of this."

Shen Yiyao's heart moved, but a cold smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Of course I know. Although Shen Qianyun is dead, his past is still part of my control over the fate of the Shen family. Bai Yueqin, what do you want to say?"

Shen Yiyao's heart was on edge. Although she remained calm on the surface, she was already wary of Bai Yueqin's true intentions. Her eyes became sharper, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "What suggestions do you have? Tell me."

Bai Yueqin finally revealed a meaningful smile. She pulled a densely packed scroll from her bosom and gently placed it on the table. The seal on the scroll didn't reveal any special markings, but Shen Yiyao keenly sensed that the woman before her posed more than just an ordinary threat.

"This scroll contains a great secret that Shen Qianyun has revealed to me," Bai Yueqin said slowly, her voice low but filled with an irresistible allure. "Shen Qianyun is dead, but the secrets he left behind are far more dangerous than we imagined. If Miss Shen can cooperate with me and unlock these secrets, the Shen Mansion will regain its glory and even be able to destroy those forces lurking in the shadows."

Shen Yiyao raised her eyebrows, a chill running through her heart. Bai Yueqin's tone was calm, but her words were filled with threats. The "secrets" she mentioned were undoubtedly the most hidden parts of Shen Qianyun's power structure. Once these secrets were revealed, they could trigger a more complex power struggle and even completely change the future of the Shen family.

"What exactly are these secrets you are talking about?" Shen Yiyao asked in a low voice. Although her tone was gentle, her eyes were sharp enough, as if she wanted to pierce every detail of Bai Yueqin.

Bai Yueqin paused briefly, as if considering how to put it. Then, she slowly spoke, "These secrets not only concern Shen Qianyun's private life, but also the power base accumulated by the Shen family over hundreds of years. You should understand that the reason Shen Qianyun is able to maintain his position in the Shen family is not only due to his own abilities, but more importantly, the support of the forces behind him. And these forces include not only relatives and powerful families within the Shen family, but also external partners."

A flash of enlightenment flashed across Shen Yiyao's eyes, and her mind began to work rapidly, realizing what Bai Yueqin meant. "Are you saying that these partners behind Shen Qianyun are the real masterminds controlling the fate of the Shen family?" she asked in a low voice.

Bai Yueqin nodded, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "Yes. Shen Qianyun is not fighting alone. The forces he relies on are far more powerful than you can imagine. These forces are currently in a delicate balance. If anyone dares to challenge this balance easily, it will inevitably trigger a shocking storm."

Shen Yiyao frowned slightly, feeling an inexplicable heaviness in her heart. Her original goal was to quickly seize power in the Shen Mansion, but if these external forces were truly as Bai Yueqin had described, then wouldn't the fate of the Shen Mansion be in the hands of others?

"So what do you mean by cooperation?" She looked at Bai Yueqin sharply, her tone threatening. "If you can provide me with sufficient benefits, I can consider cooperating with you. Otherwise, today's conversation may end here."

Bai Yueqin wasn't the least bit flustered. Instead, she smiled softly, as if she had anticipated this. "Miss Shen is indeed decisive. I like that." Her eyes grew deep. "The cooperation I offer not only involves Shen Qianyun's secrets, but also includes a complete list of external forces. This list contains every external force that has ever interacted with the Shen Mansion, including those enemies you now need to defeat. With this list, you will be able to establish yourself within the Shen Mansion and completely destroy those enemies hiding in the shadows."

Shen Yiyao's eyes suddenly sharpened, sparkling with excitement and curiosity. "Are these lists you mentioned true or false?" She gently grasped the scroll on the table. "How are you going to give them to me?"

Bai Yueqin smiled faintly and slowly pushed the scroll toward Shen Yiyao. "Of course, I can't give it to you unconditionally. I will only give you this list when the future of the Shen family and my interests are aligned. This process requires mutual trust and cooperation between us."

Shen Yiyao was silent for a moment, then raised her head and looked at Bai Yueqin with burning eyes. "What do you want?" Her voice was low, revealing a majesty that could not be refused.

Bai Yueqin's smile became increasingly mysterious, and she waved her hand gently: "It's too early to discuss this now. Let's start with mutual trust and take it step by step. You and I will definitely become the strongest alliance."

Shen Yiyao suddenly felt a strange premonition, as if a larger web of power was closing in on her. Bai Yueqin was a crucial link in this web. She needed to carefully consider the pros and cons of this partnership, but she also knew that perhaps only by joining forces with Bai Yueqin could she uncover the deepest secrets of the Shen Mansion and fully control the fate of this city.

"Okay, Bai Yueqin." Shen Yiyao finally agreed in a low voice, with a cold and resolute tone, "Let's cooperate. But remember, if you betray me, you will bear the consequences."

Bai Yueqin smiled faintly, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes. "I understand, Miss Shen."

A contest of power and strategy has finally begun.

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Chapter 21: The Game of Reality and Illusion