Her initial assessment had been based on conventional thinking—powerful cultivator, growing empire, political maneuvering.
But this display suggested something far more profound.
The casual ease with which he had produced these miracles, the way he seemed to see through her every scheme, even his mysterious wives who radiated power that made her Peak Core Formation cultivation—even though she had attained it with his help—feel laughable...
'He's too shrewd,' she realized, but also turned, clearly calculating that it might just be the best time for her to secure another pawn now that the one she had invested her time in had become useless. 'Even now, he might be doing something...'
With Chen effectively neutralized, she needed a new approach. The Emperor had made it clear that he saw through her manipulations, which meant direct confrontation was suicide.
But he had also shown an interesting weakness—his genuine affection for his wives.
Specifically, for Zhao Chen's mother.
