Su Ziyu was not wrong.
Ever since Li Qianfan returned from Lingnan, the two of them had spent little time together.
Or rather, their so-called meetings in the past few months had been through video calls.
Yet Li Qianfan and a certain empress, two people who should never have been entangled from any angle, were now, due to various irresistible reasons, spending their days together in Si Jiu, living like a pair of inseparable lovebirds.
How could this have happened?
Who arranged (created) these irresistible reasons?
Ever since Su Ziyu first heard about their rumored relationship, she had subconsciously started pondering this question.
But she refused to believe Li Qianfan would do such a thing, and dared not delve deeper into the thought!
"However."
Su Ziyu said, "I accidentally overheard my mother-in-law and my husband's father discussing the Feng Shui arrangement of Longxu, and after that, I began to think about things I dared not before."
Mo Hongti understood and asked, "If this is a story, do you think the author who wrote it is 209."
Su Ziyu nodded.
"The author who wrote the story wants to transition the female lead from you to the rumored empress. This is why Qianfan is always kept by her side for many irresistible reasons."
When Mo Hongti spoke again, her voice trembled slightly, "Thus altering the main storyline that was supposed to revolve around you as the female lead? Or to put it plainly, did the author intend to have a dual female lead from the very beginning of the story?"
Su Ziyu pursed her lips, still remaining silent.
She got up, poured two glasses of plain water, and brought a blanket, covering her legs.
She felt a bit cold.
In fact, the temperature in the guest room was quite pleasant.
Su Ziyu felt cold because Mo Hongti was helping her analyze the things she had previously been afraid to consider.
Mo Hongti then lit a cigarette.
After taking several deep drags, her trembling heart gradually calmed down.
Anyone in her shoes would be afraid.
A living person could possibly be a character in a story.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not change the author's pre-set outline.
"If our analysis is correct. If the author (209) must create a dual female lead around Qianfan in the story. Then."
Mo Hongti paused before continuing, "Your mission as the female lead is to manage Longxu well for Qianfan at home. The rumored empress, as the other female lead, will be responsible for assisting Qianfan in conquering the world outside!"
It had to be said.
Mo Hongti's mind worked incredibly fast.
Su Ziyu had only told her that the story's female lead seemed to have shifted from her to the rumored empress.
Mo Hongti immediately followed this line of thought and analyzed the possible dual female lead storyline.
The crucial point was—
Both she and Su Ziyu felt that this storyline was the most logical, and most suited to the mysterious and even more enigmatic storyteller, 209!
"Yes, this is the dual female lead setup."
Su Ziyu felt much warmer now and said softly, "Sister Hongti, do you still remember the original intention behind Grandmother bringing us to Longxu?"
Mo Hongti certainly remembered.
The reason Yang Xiao had brought Su Ziyu to Longxu was to make all the ambitious individuals who were still coveting the position of Young Master of the Dragon Ruins see the harsh reality.
According to the plan, Yang Xiao would take Su Ziyu to Longxu for a brief appearance, stay for a few days, and then return to Qingyun.
But in reality?
"Not long after we arrived at Longxu, Qianfan went to the Black Water Forest."
Su Ziyu said, "And as a result, we were stranded in Longxu. Gradually, what was supposed to be a brief appearance turned into us naturally helping Father-in-law with his official duties, transforming the visit into an internship at Longxu."
"More importantly!"
Mo Hongti's eyes also lit up, "When we helped Father-in-law with his official duties, we were extremely adept, as if we were born for this line of work! Also, the concubines who once looked down on us due to our humble origins, now treat us much better. Your prestige in Longxu has also gradually grown. In fact, Father-in-law even asks you to make many important decisions independently."
She was right.
As Su Ziyu took on more and more responsibilities.
As her error rate in handling official matters decreased.
With the passage of time, more and more people within Longxu sincerely acknowledged her as the Young Madam.
Li Xiao's workload naturally decreased significantly.
He had ample time every day to go out and enjoy himself.
It was rumored that Xiao Chuo, who was far away at the Interpol Headquarters in the United States, would give birth to another brother or sister for Li Qianfan in seven months.
What kind of person was Li Xiao?
He was a lazybones who would rather sit than stand, and rather lie down than sit.
With a smart and capable daughter-in-law helping him handle those bothersome official duties, he could truly let himself go.
Currently.
Li Xiao's biggest dream was for Su Ziyu to take over all official duties, allowing him to become a completely free man!
When that day came, Li Xiao would take his women and live in seclusion in Kunlun Fiery Valley.
From then on, he would live a happy life like Li Nanfang, who at sixty years old was still roaming the world, chasing after foreign young girls.
Yes.
Li Xiao, the founder of Longxu, now viewed Longxu as a gilded cage that imprisoned his freedom.
Kunlun Fiery Valley was Li Xiao's ultimate destination in this life.
It was under these circumstances that—
Su Ziyu, who originally only intended to make a brief appearance at Longxu, had to go on early duty, handling the massive volume of official business for Li Xiao every day.
It was exhausting.
Yet Su Ziyu had to admit that she enjoyed this feeling of holding great power!
"Especially with the main palace, the Moses family, the Mark family, and the Rhodes family all cordially inviting me; and after Qianfan helped Su Nan Yin establish her residence in Si Jiu that day, all these families went to offer their congratulations. This also signifies that the world's major powers are supporting Qianfan's succession. My position in Longxu has become increasingly stable."
Su Ziyu said, "I cannot help but suspect that my grandmother, mother-in-law, and father-in-law, who approved of me the first time they met me, were also arranged by the author of the story (209, not Yang Xiao). The ultimate goal was for me to peacefully help Qianfan stabilize Longxu."
Mo Hongti nodded repeatedly.
"But Qianfan cannot stay in Longxu all day. Nor can he inherit Longxu by just idling around. He would not be able to command respect. For him to win the heartfelt admiration of his brothers, he must strive and fight outside. And his acquisition of Kobe from the Moses family was his first step in conquering the world."
Su Ziyu added, "He will undoubtedly conquer more territories in the future. But he needs someone by his side who is loyal to him, who cares for him deeply, who is ruthless towards his enemies, possesses foresight, and is resourceful, to assist him wholeheartedly."
"This person should ideally be a woman."
Mo Hongti interjected, "In official matters, she must absolutely stand on Qianfan's side, offering him advice. In private life, she must use her feminine tenderness to keep Qianfan's body and mind in optimal condition. She would be both his most capable subordinate and his personal secretary."
"And so—"
Su Ziyu pursed her lips, "The author arranged for the rumored empress, who is capable of this task, to appear by his side from the vast sea of humanity. Thus turning this story into a dual female lead narrative."
Mo Hongti, however, asked, "Why must she be chosen? Not to mention others, but take Du Junlin for example. I feel that Du Junlin is quite outstanding, both in terms of ability and her sincerity towards Qianfan."
"Because."
Su Ziyu lowered her gaze, "Let alone Du Junlin, even including you and me. All of us lack three crucial things compared to the rumored empress."
One.
A life experience that has weathered countless storms.
Two.
Possessing rich experience in struggles (specifically in high society, or elite family feuds).
Three.
Enjoying significant influence in the martial world.
Whether it was the young Su Ziyu or other young girls like Du Junlin.
They could not simultaneously fulfill these three most important aspects.
The young Su Ziyu and others either lacked experience in elite family feuds, or lacked fame, and also lacked the experience of weathering major storms.
On the other hand, the mature Chu Yazhi could barely fulfill all three.
But Chu Yazhi's reputation and influence in the martial world, if brought to the highest level, would become a joke!
As for the rumored empress?
She had seen enough storms; she possessed rich experience in the intricate power struggles within the top elite circles.
The crucial point was that her personal prestige was on par with Mo Xie Zheng Dong, Yang Xiao, and Li Wujiang!!
"Therefore."
Su Ziyu continued, "To make the readers of the story accept her as one of the dual female leads, responsible for accompanying Qianfan in his conquests outside, the author (209) made her appear with an inexplicable miracle of reverse aging. She became younger and more beautiful."
As she spoke, she picked up her phone, opened it, found a photo, and handed it to Mo Hongti.
This photo was secretly taken by Old Man Su on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.
It was a moment when Li Qianfan and Su Nan Yin were entertaining distinguished guests together.
Mo Hongti looked at the photo—
After a long while, she said with a bitter tone, "They look very well-matched standing together."