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

The strategy is like chess, every step is carefully planned

A greater storm was brewing within Shen Yiyao. Sitting in her study, her fingers tapping lightly on the table, her gaze piercing the night sky outside the window, gazing at the lights of the Shen residence, a strange sense of urgency washed over her. Tonight, the atmosphere in the Shen residence was heavier than ever, everyone engaged in their own calculations. But she knew that only by truly seizing the initiative could she remain undefeated in this silent war.

"Nangong Xiu, how is Bai Yueqin doing?" Shen Yiyao finally spoke, her tone calm, as if she was asking about a daily trivial matter, but there was a strong threat in her tone.

Nangong Xiu appeared at the door of her study, a cautious expression on his face. He was well aware of Shen Yiyao's current mood and could not afford to neglect her. "Miss, Bai Yueqin does appear to have connections with several external forces, including several ministers hostile to the Shen Mansion. We have tracked her whereabouts. She has been frequently visiting remote locations recently, seemingly meeting with someone in secret."

"Miss, should we take action now?" Nangong Xiu asked with a hint of tentativeness in his tone.

"No rush." ​​Shen Yiyao's eyes grew deep. "Since she has chosen to betray me, I will certainly not let her get away with it. But before that, I need her to complete one last thing."

She stood up, walked to the window, and stared at the distant palace walls in silence for a long time. "I don't intend to push her too hard from the start. The best approach is to use her, to force her to reveal her true colors. A person, faced with the temptation of power, can never remain completely calm. When she thinks she has enough support, that's when she's at her most vulnerable."

Nangong Xiu nodded, a clear plan already in mind. Shen Yiyao was never one to rush into action, meticulously planning every step until the very last moment, when she would strike and completely control the overall situation.

-

Bai Yueqin, as one of her closest confidants, is particularly important at this moment. Shen Yiyao wants to use Bai Yueqin to gain access to intelligence and resources outside the Shen Mansion, but at the same time, she is also constantly on guard against whether Bai Yueqin will betray her at this moment.

Because of this, Shen Yiyao began conducting small "tests" within the Shen Mansion. She selected loyal subordinates and assigned them to closely monitor all developments within the Shen Mansion, especially Bai Yueqin's every move. At the same time, she secretly instructed Nangong Xiu to search for any signs of external forces, ensuring she had the upper hand in any struggle against them.

However, she also understood that these tactics alone were insufficient. The power struggle within the Shen residence was no longer a simple matter of loyalty and betrayal; it became a complex situation involving vast interests and unfathomable human nature. In this situation, she not only had to deal with the pressure from powerful officials, but also outmaneuvered external hostile forces to maintain the stability of the Shen residence, and even had to deal with the various undercurrents lurking behind the scenes.

-

So she began to implement the plan she had carefully planned for a long time.

-

The next morning, Shen Yiyao summoned all the core members of the Shen Mansion. She stood in the center of the hall, a gentle smile on her face, but behind that smile lay a deadly chill. "Everyone, the situation in the Shen Mansion has changed. External forces are stirring, and many within are beginning to waver. To stabilize the Shen Mansion's foundation, I have decided to conduct a thorough overhaul."

She looked at the crowd, her sharp eyes sweeping over each attendee. "Next, I will personally adjust key positions within the mansion. At the same time, I will give everyone loyal to the Shen Mansion a new chance. I hope everyone understands that the future of the Shen Mansion rests in their own hands, but betrayers will have no place."

The imposing manner in which she spoke seemed to overwhelm everyone present. The ministers looked at each other, each with their own speculations and plans. Although Shen Yiyao's words were full of intimidation, they also revealed doubts in many people's hearts.

At this moment, Bai Yueqin suddenly appeared. Her expression was normal, and she walked briskly into the hall, standing beside Shen Yiyao, with a hint of provocation in her eyes that could not be ignored.

Shen Yiyao glanced at her, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "Bai Yueqin, it seems you are also somewhat prepared."

Bai Yueqin chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with confidence and calmness. "Ms. Shen, since the situation in the mansion is tense, your plan should have already begun. However, I wonder if your plan will actually work as you wish."

Shen Yiyao's heart moved, and she felt a potential danger approaching. Her eyes became sharp, and she seemed to understand Bai Yueqin's intention in an instant.

"Bai Yueqin, don't think I can't see what you're thinking," Shen Yiyao whispered, a suppressed threat in her tone. "If you want to betray us, the Shen Mansion welcomes you to leave at any time. But if you still wish to stay here, please give me a faithful answer."

Bai Yueqin's eyes flashed with hesitation, but she quickly regained her composure. "Miss Shen, there's no need for such rhetoric. You should be aware of my loyalty."

Shen Yiyao's lips curled up slightly, a sneer flashing in her eyes. "Loyalty? Betrayal is only one step away. Bai Yueqin, I see every step you take clearly."

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly, and everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the final outcome of this game.

Shen Yiyao is ready. Every step she takes will be crucial in determining her success or failure. She knows that only by completely unmasking Bai Yueqin can she truly control the future of the Shen family and this power struggle that is spiraling out of control.

You said:

Chapter 26: Undercurrents Surge, Eve of the Decisive Battle