Zhili clapped his hands and said, “Bring her in!”
Sauron immediately widened his eyes, waiting for the illegitimate daughter Zhili had spoken of.
Seeing Sauron’s expression, Zhili burst into laughter and said, “Oh, no, I misspoke. I meant bring it in. After all, this is your territory, Sauron. How would I dare bring your daughter here?”
He did not dare, for if he did, Sauron could forcibly keep the daughter by military force, and Zhili would be completely helpless.
Grand Eunuch Li Chenglian walked in, holding a scroll painting in his hands.
“Open the scroll and let Count Sauron take a good look. Is it his daughter?” Zhili smiled.
Li Chenglian slowly unrolled the scroll.
It was actually a three-dimensional sketch portrait, and in colour too. The artistic skill was remarkably profound.
“I should actually thank you for this. You started the painting revolution, allowing us to now see such lifelike portraits.” Prince Zhili said.
In this world, it was Sauron who had founded the three-dimensional sketch portrait school.
However, those who surpassed him in painting accomplishment were countless. Whether the court painters in the royal palace or the specialists under Zhili who painted gold banknote plates, all exceeded Sauron.
Once the technique of three-dimensional sketch portraiture was revealed, those genius painters could comprehend it, and quickly surpass the master.
Therefore, when Sauron saw the portrait before him, it could completely achieve over ninety percent photographic effect.
This was a little girl of about five years old, extremely, extremely beautiful, shockingly beautiful.
She was rather small in stature, appearing thin and weak, with a tiny face and large eyes.
Most crucially, her brows, eyes, and nose all resembled Sauron’s.
It was the kind where one glance told you she was Sauron’s daughter, yet she was not completely identical.
The contour of her face should resemble her mother’s. And her small mouth was only half like Sauron’s, the other half like her mother’s.
“With just one look, you should know she is your daughter.” Zhili smiled.
Sauron said nothing.
Of course, he could say this portrait was forged, that the painter had imagined it based on Sauron’s face.
But he understood the art of painting very well. A portrait with such vivid spirit and lifelike charm absolutely required a real person as reference to paint. It was impossible to create from imagination alone.
Therefore, there truly was such a little girl. And she was indeed Sauron’s illegitimate daughter.
Sauron took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Prince Zhili said, “Well then, what do you think of the transaction I proposed? One is your mother, one is your daughter, both your closest relatives, in exchange for Tu Lingchen and Count Tuli Wen. Very, very worthwhile.”
Sauron opened his eyes and smiled, “Your Highness Zhili, these two people, your mother and daughter, are so important. You are actually willing to bring them out in exchange?”
Zhili said, “You misunderstand. They are not in my hands. I merely know where they are. I am willing to exchange the whereabouts of these two people for Tu Lingchen and Count Tuli Wen. Those two fell into your hands for my sake. Naturally I must do everything possible to rescue them.”
In winning people’s hearts, Zhili had always performed remarkably well.
After the defeat in the war to destroy the Suo Clan, his first reaction was not to assign blame, but to find ways to rescue Tu Lingchen and Tuli Wen. Thus, the nobles and vassals loyal to him would likely weep with gratitude.
One simply did not know how long Prince Zhili had held these two cards of Sauron’s mother and daughter, that he had only now been willing to play them.
Sauron suddenly bowed deeply and said, “I beg Your Highness Zhili to tell me the whereabouts of my mother and daughter. Sauron would be eternally grateful.”
Zhili said, “It is simple. You release Tu Lingchen and Tuli Wen, and I shall tell you.”
Sauron said sincerely, “But those two truly are not in my hands. I cannot conjure two living people for you. Perhaps they truly did die in that naval battle.”
Upon these words, Zhili’s face suddenly changed, his gaze contracting, his expression turning gloomy and cold as he stared fixedly at Sauron.
A minute later, a smile reappeared on Zhili’s face. He slowly smiled and said, “Count Sauron, I truly underestimated you. You are far more ruthless than I imagined, able to abandon even your mother and daughter.”
“I of course wish to reunite with my mother and daughter, but I truly do not have Tu Lingchen and Count Tuli Wen in my hands.” Sauron continued bowing, “I beg Your Highness to tell me the whereabouts of my mother and daughter, I implore you. I am willing to pay any price in exchange.”
“Hehe.” Zhili slowly rose and looked towards Sauron’s face. But Sauron kept his head completely lowered, preventing Zhili from seeing any expression.
“Count Sauron, I never thought you would also be such a heartless person.” Zhili said, “This is strange. If you are a heartless person, why were you willing to risk your life for the Rock Queen, turning back to the Rock Island palace? And now, you actually disregard your own mother and daughter. Why is this? Is there some doubt in between?”
Sauron’s heart trembled.
Prince Zhili truly had a mind as fine as a string. He had actually caught even this tiny crack.
Sauron said, “But I truly do not have Tu Lingchen and Count Tuli Wen in my hands…”
Prince Zhili waved his hand, stopping Sauron from continuing his performance, and said, “This transaction remains valid, but you must act quickly. Further delay may be somewhat late.”
Sauron’s heart jumped. What did Zhili mean by this?
What did he mean by further delay would be somewhat late?
Zhili offered no explanation, but directly ended the meeting and rose to leave.
When he reached the door, Zhili turned again and said, “Moreover, do not attempt to find your mother and daughter yourself. It is absolutely impossible to find them.”
Sauron stood in place, his mind in chaos, watching Prince Zhili depart.
Only after quite a long while did he come to his senses, and immediately went to find his elder sister Suo Ningbing.
…
In the attic of the Tianshui City Lord’s residence.
Inside were only Sauron and Suo Ningbing.
As usual, Suo Ningbing sat on Sauron’s lap, gently nestling in his embrace.
Their intimate moments were always brief and precious. And as more and more people came to the Tianshui City Lord’s residence, their opportunities to be together grew increasingly rare.
But now there was no time for sweetness. Sauron told Suo Ningbing about Zhili’s transaction.
“What?” Suo Ningbing said tremulously, “Fu Yaner actually gave birth to a daughter, and it is actually yours? She, she had already been reported dead at the time.”
Ningbing was like this. She completely regarded Sauron as Sauron.
Then Suo Ningbing said, “The reason I did not tell you about this matter in detail is because I felt it was too sinful. And I thought Fu Yaner was already dead, that she would have no further connection with you in future.”
Then Suo Ningbing continued, “Thinking about it now, it is normal that Fu Yaner did not die. She was Grandfather’s most doted-upon granddaughter. Grandfather would not truly kill her.”
Sauron said, “That bastard Sauron, being philandering is one thing, but causing such sin, he truly deserves to die.”
Suo Ningbing shook her head and said, “Sauron is usually quite a bastard, but in this matter… he should be considered wronged.”
“Wronged?” Sauron was astonished.
Suo Ningbing said, “After Sauron was beaten by Grandfather and sent back, he told me that although he and Fu Yaner had some ambiguous feelings at the time, she was after all about to be married, and moreover she was his cousin. So he did not truly take any action. The reason the two of them broke through the boundary and ate the forbidden fruit was completely because they were framed.”
“Framed?” Sauron’s gaze contracted.
Suo Ningbing nodded and said, “Yes, framed. Sauron told me that night he had just drunk two cups of wine when he felt his entire body burning hot, as if he had lost his mind. When he woke again the next day, he was already naked and in bed with Fu Yaner.”
Sauron said, “That bastard, he needs someone else to drug him to sleep with a woman. He definitely felt his sin was too heavy, so he lied to you.”
Suo Ningbing cupped Sauron’s face, kissed his lips, and said softly, “Little brother, although Sauron is a bastard and philandering… he is still one to dare to act and take responsibility. Before me, there are some matters he might conceal and not speak of, but once spoken, he does not lie. Although he cannot compare with you in any aspect, in terms of this temperament and character, I can still guarantee.”
No one knows a younger brother better than his elder sister. Since Suo Ningbing said so, it seemed that in the matter of Sauron and Fu Yaner, someone had indeed played dirty back then.
Moreover, based on his understanding of bastard Sauron. Although this person was philandering and playful, he was not a bad person. That was why he would let Yan Naier go and choose to break up with him.
This person would not do things that trampled upon the bottom line.
But now, it was useless to argue whether Sauron and Fu Yaner were framed back then.
The key point was that Sauron’s illegitimate daughter had already been born into this world, and she was innocent.
“Little brother, whether Mother is still in this world or not, even if she is still alive, she chose to leave home when we were very young, abandoning us siblings.” Suo Ningbing took a deep breath, her emotions complex, and said, “This represents that she has already made her choice, so…”
Sauron said, “I know. Whether she returns home or not is already irrelevant.”
Suo Ningbing nodded and said, “But that little girl is the flesh and blood of our Suo Clan. We must bring her home. Now the Suo Clan only has the two of us. To have one more is a tremendous blessing. We absolutely cannot let the little girl suffer outside.”
“I know, Elder Sister.” Sauron said, “I will certainly bring her home.”
Suo Ningbing said, “Moreover, she is your daughter. Do you know that?”
Sauron was astonished…
Suo Ningbing said, “At that time, you only agreed to impersonate Sauron for three years. Now two years have passed. What… what are you thinking in your heart?”
Sauron did not know why Elder Sister Suo Ningbing brought up this matter.
However, nearly two years had passed since he changed his face to become Sauron. If the term was three years, then he would indeed soon have to become Lanling again.
Sauron said, “I already have a good plan in mind. In one year, it should more or less take shape.”
Suo Ningbing trembled and said, “You, you truly still plan to become Lanling again?”
Sauron said, “At the very least, the identity of Lanling must appear in this world. Although, for the most part I will still be Sauron in future.”
Ningbing immediately became agitated and said tremulously, “I will not allow it. You are Sauron for your entire life. You are my younger brother for your entire life, and the master of the Suo Clan for your entire life.”
Then Suo Ningbing said softly, “And think about it, what if Yan Naier discovers? She loves you so much, completely regards you as her life. Once she knows, she… she truly will not be able to live.”
Sauron said, “But I still need to marry you in the identity of Lanling, openly and honourably marry you. Rest assured, I will certainly plan everything well. There will be no flaws whatsoever.”
“No…” Suo Ningbing said, “I will not allow you to do this. Not even the tiniest risk can be taken. Elder Sister can do anything for you, and is willing to do anything for you.”
Suo Ningbing’s gaze burned hotly and she said, “I can serve you. I can bear children for you. Even if necessary, I can suddenly die of a sudden illness, then secretly hide away and become a secret wife for you outside. But you are not to mention becoming Lanling again. Not even the tiniest risk will I allow you to take.”
“But…”
Before Sauron could speak further, Suo Ningbing’s small mouth kissed him, sealing his lips. Her fragrant, tender little tongue drilled in, actively engaging in a deep kiss with Sauron.
After kissing for several minutes, Suo Ningbing’s delicate body suddenly grew burning hot. She said tremulously, “Little brother, didn’t you always want Elder Sister before? I… I want you very much too. Every time after you tease me, I spend the entire night having those kinds of dreams, and every time I have to get up and change. I… I truly want you very much. Today Elder Sister will give herself to you, alright?”
Suo Ningbing was about five years older than Sauron. Although still pure and flawless, she was completely like a ripe peach, ready to fall with the slightest touch.
Moreover, she had always been completely devoted to Sauron both in body and mind. At first when Sauron took advantage of her, she was still somewhat reserved. Later, she completely allowed him to do as he pleased, even enjoying it.
So as long as Sauron was willing, Suo Ningbing was that ripe peach, ready to be plucked at any time.
But Sauron had an obsession. He must marry Suo Ningbing openly and honourably in the identity of Lanling, then complete the wedding night.
In his heart, he had always wanted to give Elder Sister Suo Ningbing a complete love.
And now, to break Sauron’s obsession, to prevent him from taking the risk of splitting himself to play Lanling again, Suo Ningbing actually offered herself voluntarily.
Then, before Sauron could react, she actively unfastened her garments, revealing her snow-white, beautiful upper body. Then she drew Sauron’s face into her embrace, pressing it against her bosom.
Sauron was first startled, then a raging flame ignited in his heart.
He fiercely embraced Suo Ningbing, opening his mouth to bite and suck.
His other two large hands drilled into Suo Ningbing’s skirt, fiercely tearing it away.
The two people, like dry firewood meeting fierce fire, completely burned ragingly, completely entangled.
Under this burning passion, Sauron’s mind lost all reason.
Originally, he had always used his mental power to envelop everything within a hundred metre radius. If anyone entered this range, he would know.
But now, he was completely entangled and burning with Ningbing. His entire mental power lost all defence.
This was the highest attic of the Tianshui City Lord’s residence. No one would break in.
But…
Just at this moment, a stunningly beautiful, otherworldly figure drifted in.
Seeing the scene before her, the visitor was completely stunned.
It was Princess Zhiyan. She had an extremely important matter to discuss with Sauron, so urgent that she did not even have time to send someone to announce her, but directly came up herself.
Because the matter had truly happened too suddenly, too urgently.
Moreover, her cultivation was too high. Not the slightest energy or mental power leaked from her body.
Moreover, she and Sauron had come to this attic several times before. When discussing important matters, they often did so here.
However, she had never imagined that after entering the attic, she would witness such a passionate, burning scene.
And moreover, it was Suo Ningbing and Sauron, this pair of blood siblings.
Immediately, she was completely, completely stunned…
Completely unable to believe her eyes!
How, how could this be?
Zhiyan had never imagined that such a scene would occur!
So the rumours were actually true!