Zhao Ning was raised by the queen herself. How could she not understand her daughter's intentions when she heard this sentence?

If Ying Wuji is really that useless young master, not to mention adding a Zhao royal family member, even if Zhou Tianzi kneels at the gate of the Qian Kingdom palace, it would still be impossible to shake Ying Wuque's position as the crown prince.

But now Ying Wuji is not useless anymore. Even though he is still not as good as Ying Wuque, the situation is no longer one-sided.

If the Zhao royal family is operating behind the scenes, there may be a possibility of helping him turn the tide.

The strength of the Li Kingdom has been gradually surpassing the Qi and Chu kingdoms. They rely on balance. Even if neighboring countries fight to the death, the war rarely reaches the Li Kingdom's territory. Even the Qian Kingdom, a fierce country, is firmly locked in the west and doesn't even have the intention to conflict with the Li Kingdom.

But one must be prepared for danger in times of peace. The Qian Kingdom is currently facing attacks from both Yan and Hu. However, they are still able to subdue three countries and show signs of becoming a powerful dragon. If allowed to develop further, it will inevitably become a disaster.

If it really comes to the day when Qian and Li go to war, the balance between the Li Kingdom's internal royal family and the Wei and Han families will be broken, and that will be a big problem.

In this situation, manipulating the two young masters to fight for the throne and weaken their strength is definitely the most beneficial method.

Her old friend Ying Yue must be suppressing Ying Wuji like this to avoid such a situation.

The queen hesitated a bit: "But judging from Ying Wuji's words and actions, he may not be an easy person to control. If he discovers your intentions, I'm afraid..."

Zhao Ning interrupted with a smile: "Mother, rest assured! Ying Wuji is more aware of his situation than anyone else. It's true that he dislikes being used by others, but he doesn't reject strategies. I have directly shared my thoughts with him in our interactions. Whether he wants to become a weak king or a strong king, I won't force him."

The queen nodded: "If what you say is true, it's not impossible. It's good to see that you have some resemblance to your father. Back then, he and Ying Yue were able to put the gains and losses of the country on the table without affecting their relationship. Unfortunately, Ying Yue is in his prime now, but your father..."

There is a secret method that involves burning one's blood to enhance cultivation talent.

This is why the Embryonic Transformation Realm can extend lifespan to 150 years, but there are very few strong individuals in the Embryonic Transformation Realm who actually live to be 150 years old.

The Zhao family's secret method is even more domineering. The Li kings of each generation are all second-grade Spirit Embryos. Even if they are not as powerful as Ying Yue, they are definitely not to be underestimated by the world's powerhouses.

Of course, as a price, the Li kings of each generation cannot live past sixty.

Not only her husband, but her daughter Zhao Ning is also the same. However, Zhao Ning is a bit better off. Her lifespan has indeed been reduced, but she has also gained the opportunity to impact the first-grade Spirit Embryo.

Zhao Ning smiled freely: "Mother, don't be sad. This is the destiny of the Great Li King. Without this secret method, how could the Zhao royal family suppress the Wei and Han families for hundreds of years? If the day comes when the Wei and Han families are weakened, the Great Li will surely usher in a new era. If we can cooperate seamlessly with Ying Wuji this time, it may not be impossible for our generation to achieve great success!"

The queen looked at her daughter, feeling a bit absent-minded, as if she saw the young man with a heroic appearance from years ago.

At this time, Li Mama walked over and bowed: "Your Highness! Queen! Han Juan from the Han family requests an audience!"

"Han Juan?"

Zhao Ning pondered for a moment: "Let him in!"

After a while, Li Mama led a tired Taoist priest into the Qingjiang Hall.

Han Juan slightly bowed: "Disciple Han Juan, who was abandoned by the Supreme Observer, greets Your Highness and the Queen!"

The Supreme Observer is the leader of the Taoist school of Laozi's lineage. Although most Taoist disciples live in the outskirts, Zhao Ning, as the Li Kingdom's crown prince, is quite knowledgeable about the situation in the foreign domains. When they met some time ago, she judged from Han Juan's dying temperament that he was a disciple of Laozi's lineage, but she didn't expect him to be from the Han family.

Zhao Ning exchanged a glance with the queen and smiled faintly: "Since Prince Han has left the Supreme Observer, why do you still identify yourself as an abandoned disciple of the Supreme Observer?"

Han Juan calmly replied: "In response to Your Highness, I am first a disciple, and then everything else. I will reside wherever I choose."

Zhao Ning was not angry, but she felt that the Han family had waited for nearly twenty years only to have such a prince. It seems that there will be some excitement again.

But this is not something she should worry about. She went straight to the point: "The Taoist sage sent a letter to Li, saying that the Taoist school has important matters to discuss. Han Daoist traveled a long distance to come here for this matter, right?"

"Yes!"

Han Juan didn't beat around the bush and directly took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it over: "We have discovered something that concerns the world and want to borrow the land of Qingcheng City!"

Zhao Ning opened the paper and her expression immediately became lively: "So the Taoist school wants to suppress the limelight of the entire Hundred Schools Gathering with their own power!"

No wonder the Hundred Schools Gathering, the Taoist school not only doesn't contribute, but also wants to take advantage of other schools. It turns out they have a big move in store.

"It just happened!"

"You guys are not being modest!"

"Does Your Highness agree to this?"

Zhao Ning pondered for a moment and nodded: "I have no reason to refuse."

Han Juan breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed his dark circles: "Alright! Since the matter is settled, I'll take my leave! Also, I want to remind Your Highness that our sect's actions have been increasingly frequent recently. With the gathering of geniuses this time, please don't take it lightly."

After saying that, he bowed and left the Qingjiang Hall, as casual as visiting a neighbor's house.

Zhao Ning held the paper in her hand, her face full of excitement.

The disciples of Laozi's lineage and Yang Zhu's lineage have successively disappeared from the world, and no one knows the reason behind it.

Looking at them this time, it seems like they have a collective plan to reappear in the world.

What are they up to?

"Oh no!"

Zhao Ning's face suddenly changed.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread.com".

The queen asked, "What's wrong? The Taoist school's actions are quite significant this time. By being able to gather in Qingcheng City, they will surely enhance the reputation of the Hundred Schools' Holy Land. Don't you want that?"

Zhao Ning's face was a bit bitter: "I naturally want it, but Mother... where will the money come from?"

"..."

The queen also had a headache and waved her hand: "This matter, you should take care of it yourself. Mother will leave first!"

Zhao Ning: "..."

After seeing the queen out of the palace, she felt even more troubled. This mother of hers doesn't know how to share her daughter's worries at all.

The expenses for the Hundred Schools Gathering are already barely covered, and now these Taoist priests want to hold a separate event?

These damn people don't care about my money at all!

She pinched her chin: "It seems that I must find a scapegoat this time. The Han family is not bad..."

...

Han Residence.

Han Juan returned home and lazily lay on a recliner.

"Son, son! How did it go at Qingjiang Hall?"

A bearded man smiled and approached, none other than Han Juan's biological father, Han Zhe. He is also the head of the Han family. Apart from the ancestor who guards the fiefdom, he holds the highest position in the Han family. At this moment, he is no different from an ordinary father.

Han Juan swayed on the recliner, half-closing and half-opening his eyes, and casually said, "It's done! I just delivered a letter. I can't mess that up, right?"

Han Zhe clapped his hands in approval: "Ah, good! You truly are my son. You can handle any task."

Han Juan's expression froze. He sat up from the recliner and said, "Father, can you listen to what I just said? It was just a letter delivery. Why are you praising me like this?"

Han Zhe didn't care at all and just laughed heartily: "What's wrong with delivering a letter? If it's a letter written by the Taoist sage, can it be an ordinary letter? Otherwise, why would others not be able to deliver it, but only my son can? It's because my son is outstanding!"

Han Juan: "..."

Han Zhe patted his back: "You have just accomplished a great task. Rest well and prepare for the literary gathering. If you can grab a spot, then grab it. Even if you can't, I will arrange a position for you as an elite student."

"Ah..."

Han Juan sighed lightly.

"Master said that the mortal world is like a net. Once you get entangled, it's hard to break free. It seems to be true now. Since that's the case, I thank you, Father!"

He bowed to Han Zhe and then yawned as he left.

Han Zhe looked at the direction he left for a long time before retracting his eager gaze. He turned and walked towards the Han family's council hall.

There were already people waiting in the hall. Although there were only five people, they were the highest-ranking members of the Han family in Qingcheng City. If placed outside, any one of them would be an influential figure who could command the wind and rain in the Li Kingdom.

Seeing Han Zhe's arrival, they all stood up and saluted. After the greetings, someone asked, "Family Head! Why did you summon us so late? What is the matter?"

Han Zhe smiled faintly, "Murder!"

"Who are we killing?"

"Wuji!"