Li Qianfan could swear to the heavens.
If Katerina were to assist Su Ziyu, upon Su Ziyu's initial arrival at Longxu, by seizing the opportunity of Yang Xiao's presumed reluctance to act and causing trouble, she would be executed on the spot!
Li Qianfan continued his analysis for Su Ziyu—
"I can predict that Katerina will be the first to make a move, because she knows that the man she loved most died at my father's hands."
"Even though Old Master Hu meticulously arranged for her to give birth to Kaxi back then, her hatred for my father never truly vanished."
"On the contrary, because she was not favored much by Old Li, her hatred for him might have grown."
"Over time, her yearning for Kaxi to replace me would have intensified."
"Simply put, hatred would have blinded her."
"Once she believed today was a good day to make her move, she would undoubtedly be the first to act."
"Little did she know, she had already been designated by Grandmother as the number one target to be eliminated, in order to ensure Longxu avoided internal strife!"
"Therefore, I conclude."
Li Qianfan, having spoken so much in one breath, paused. "If she truly makes a move, she will inevitably be executed on the spot by Grandmother, who has long harbored murderous intent towards her. Kaxi will then be expelled from Longxu. If necessary, Grandmother would even hint to those around her to cut Kaxi down to prevent future trouble."
Inside the reception hall of Longxu—
Hundreds of people clearly heard Li Qianfan's analysis.
Many secretly gasped.
Katerina's eyes glazed over, her limbs turning cold and devoid of warmth.
Even the royalist faction, led by Ding Xiaolang, had not anticipated Li Qianfan's analysis to be so thorough.
Only Yang Xiao—
A faint smile played on his lips.
His beloved grandson's words were enough to prove that his intelligence was befitting of his future status as the Dragon Lord.
"As expected of my grandson, personally cultivated by me, Yang Xiao."
The great devil Yang Xiao felt a surge of pride and satisfaction.
Su Ziyu nodded subconsciously.
Li Qianfan continued, "Wife, if you pay close attention, you might notice some people around forty years old in Longxu."
People around forty years old?
Su Ziyu looked towards the dozen or so Xue Sha clad in white robes!
She asked, "Who are those people? What do they do? Do they have any unique characteristics?"
Li Qianfan replied, "Those people are the ones who helped your father-in-law conquer the world. They are derived from the Six Paths Elite Cavalry of Flaming Valley. They form the Xue Sha and obey only Grandmother. As for their characteristics? If they appear in Longxu, they will not conceal their bloody scent. They are the ones who help Grandmother eliminate certain individuals. If Katerina truly makes a move, they will appear. Kaxi will also die by their hands sooner or later."
As he spoke of killing—
The mischievous Shen Chongchong, cooperatively, stopped pestering him.
Li Qianfan's left hand, however, clutched the tattered silk and secretly pinched her leg.
It was an instinctive action.
The master was unaware—
Su Ziyu, who was in the Longxu meeting hall, was certainly unaware.
She merely scanned the expressions of everyone present.
Aside from Yang Xiao, whose lips held a semblance of a smile, everyone else's faces bore the words "shock" in large letters!
Su Ziyu felt an inexplicable surge of pride!
She desperately wanted to exclaim, "Who else looks down on my husband!?"
Not only her.
Even her assistant, Mo Hongti, stood straighter now.
Li Qianfan was not present.
Yet his "deterrence" far surpassed his physical presence!
"Qianfan."
Su Ziyu took a gentle breath and asked, "If such a situation arises, what will happen to Katerina?"
"Her?"
Li Qianfan stroked Chongchong's buttocks, pondered, "It will be like a thunderclap, instantly enlightening her that she will not only harm herself but potentially Kaxi as well. She will immediately beg for mercy. Unfortunately, Grandmother will never let her go. Thus, she will beg you."
Katerina would plead with Su Ziyu to save her!
This was Li Qianfan's analysis.
And this was what had already happened!!
Su Ziyu glanced at her, then asked Li Qianfan, "Then what should I do?"
Li Qianfan answered without hesitation, "Beg Grandmother to show leniency. Give her another chance to repent."
The hundreds in the hall—
Katerina froze, then her face lit up with joy!
Yang Xiao, however, furrowed his brow slightly.
Su Ziyu asked, "Are you sure you want me to do this?"
"Sure."
Li Qianfan said in a low voice, "Although doing so will displease Grandmother. And it might even sow the seeds of future trouble for Longxu. But you must do it."
Su Ziyu asked, "Why?"
"Why?"
Li Qianfan stroked Chongchong, then looked up at the window and said, "Because she is Kaxi's mother. And Kaxi and I share a blood bond."
My relationship with Kaxi is as thick as blood!
Li Qianfan's statement caused many in the hall to fall into deep thought.
Especially the opposition faction, led by Ye Wushuang, who felt an inexplicable sense of deep emotion.
At this moment.
No one secretly mocked Li Qianfan's emphasis on kinship as mere sentimentality!
Because everyone could tell that Li Qianfan was speaking his true feelings.
Mm.
Su Ziyu nodded and said, "If you do this, Grandmother will be displeased."
Li Qianfan remained silent.
Shen Chongchong clearly sensed his thoughts, turned and cupped his face, and subtly kissed his ear.
Su Ziyu waited patiently.
The hall was deathly silent—
Li Qianfan finally spoke, "Grandmother is too tired."
Grandmother is too tired?
The hundreds of people in the hall looked bewildered after hearing Li Qianfan utter these words.
Even Yang Xiao himself was confused.
"When Grandmother was young and vibrant, she helped Grandfather (Li Nanfang) conquer the world, facing death numerous times."
"When she became a mother and her son grew up, she helped her son fight fierce battles overseas against top experts like the European Emperor, ultimately establishing the current Longxu."
"When she became a grandmother and her grandson also grew up, she still poured her heart and soul into ensuring Longxu's stability."
"And, when necessary, she had to raise her sword against Kaxi and others."
"Tell me, what woman in this world is like Grandmother?"
"She is too tired."
Li Qianfan's voice was clear. "I want her to rest sooner, to stop worrying about her children and grandchildren. To let go of all her concerns and peacefully enjoy her twilight years. But there are only two ways to achieve Grandmother's retirement."
One.
To force Yang Xiao into retirement through sheer power.
But the success rate of this was minuscule.
Two.
To disappoint her!
"I am the Dragon Lord heir she personally trained, and Ziyu, you are my wife, the granddaughter-in-law she approved of."
Li Qianfan's tone held a hint of pride. "If the two of us do things that disappoint the Great Devil, she will feel that all her expectations of me and you have been shattered. Given her prideful nature, which leads her to suffer needlessly, after you plead for Katerina, unable to resist, she will surely shout! I will never meddle in the affairs of you two scamps again!"
Su Ziyu—
The great devil Yang Xiao—
Ding Xiaolang and others truly feared that Empress Dowager Xiao would explode.
Li Qianfan continued to speak eloquently, "Once she publicly declares she will no longer interfere, even if she desperately wants to later, she won't. In her helplessness, she will have to focus all her attention on you giving her a great-grandchild soon. At that point, with a little guidance from us, she will gradually adapt to retirement."
Is that really how it will be?
Su Ziyu looked at Yang Xiao.
Empress Dowager Xiao's expression was quite grim!
Li Qianfan added, "So, if Katerina or anyone else makes a move, and the Great Devil is about to wield her butcher's knife, you plead for them."
"Okay, I understand."
Su Ziyu nodded. "But doing so will leave a hidden danger for Longxu."
"A tremendous hidden danger."
Li Qianfan's tone was calm. "I will resolve it. I cannot let Grandmother labor for decades for her unaccomplished son, and then labor for the rest of her life for us."
Yang Xiao's unaccomplished son—
Appeared at the hall entrance at some unknown time.
Li Xiao's face was filled with rage, his golden left hand alternately forming a claw and a fist.
Ding Xiaolang saw him and felt like laughing!
Yang Xiao gently closed his eyes and sighed silently.
She could truly feel her beloved grandson's urgent desire for her to be happy and live out her remaining years in peace.
"Yes, I also believe that as long as we are united as a couple, we can solve all problems."
Su Ziyu nodded gently, then couldn't help but say, "Qianfan, why don't you give up the position of Dragon Lord heir? We just need to make them believe that you will never be a threat to them, and we will live honestly in Qingyun forever."
Yang Xiao immediately frowned.
Ye Wushuang and others looked gleeful.
Ding Xiaolang and others felt a sense of urgency—
"No."
Li Qianfan said with certainty, "It's better if you don't go to Longxu. But once you go, the future Dragon Lord can only be me!"
Su Ziyu was puzzled, "Why?"
"It's very simple."
Li Qianfan said slowly, "As long as I am here! Ye Liangxiao, Li Sanshao, Kaxi, and others who wish to contend for the throne will not engage in fratricide. They will only unite to deal with me first. That way, it will effectively prevent Longxu from suffering internal strife and a significant loss of strength prematurely! Thus avoiding a devastating blow to the efforts of Grandmother and my parents."
Yang Xiao's displeasure instantly vanished.
Ding Xiaolang and others were astonished.
Katerina and others were shocked.
Li Xiao, standing at the doorway, took out a cigarette.
Su Ziyu was taken aback and asked, "What if we can't withstand their attack?"
Li Qianfan laughed heartily, "We have to withstand it, even if we can't."
Su Ziyu persistently asked, "What if we can't?"
Li Qianfan's tone was relaxed, "There is no other path but death."
Many in the hall lowered their heads.
Because they all knew Li Qianfan was stating a fact.
Su Ziyu's voice trembled, "Qianfan, you know perfectly well that we might die doing this. Then why do you still want to do it?"
"Because—"
Li Qianfan's voice became somewhat ethereal, "I am their elder brother. I am born with the responsibility to help my father and take care of them."