Su Ling leaned back in her chair, looking languid.
Shang Qi, unusually talkative, looked at Wen Shangyin, who wasn't looking at him, and then turned to Song Lian. "Do you want to be the boss? If you do, kill him, and I'll let you take his place."
This was sowing discord.
Shang Qi was too lazy to dirty his own hands, so he decided to use a borrowed knife for murder.
When it came to ruthlessness, Shang Qi was second to none.
His goodness and kindness were awakened only after he met Su Ling.
Any kindness he showed to others was also because of Su Ling, a reflection of his affection.
Upon hearing Shang Qi’s words, Song Lian's first instinct was to be tempted.
But then, he obediently dismissed this unrealistic thought.
While Shang Qi's words were tempting, he wasn't foolish enough to take them at face value.
No matter how wrong Wen Shangyin was, he was still Shang Qi's elder brother. If he were truly brainless enough to kill Wen Shangyin, then, without a doubt, Song Lian would be next to die.
Rather than kill Wen Shangyin and then be in mortal danger himself, it was better to resolutely support Wen Shangyin and preserve his own life.
Thinking this, Song Lian looked at Wen Shangyin, and Wen Shangyin happened to look at him as well.
Their eyes met, and Song Lian said to Wen Shangyin, "Don't worry, Master Yin, I will always be loyal to you."
After declaring his loyalty and stance, Song Lian looked at Shang Qi. "I grew up with Master Yin since childhood, and we share a deep bond. I could never do something like kill Master Yin to gain favor and seize power. Rather than me betraying my trust and doing something against my conscience and morals, it would be better for Third Young Master to kill me first. I'll wait for Master Yin on the road to the underworld."
With these words, Song Lian's attitude was clear.
He would not kill Wen Shangyin to seize power. If they were going to force him to kill Wen Shangyin, it would be better to kill him first.
Wen Shangyin was deeply touched by Song Lian's unwavering loyalty. But he had no idea that Song Lian's loyalty was merely a means to preserve his own life, a choice made out of helplessness.
Song Lian was a strategist, exceptionally intelligent.
It was a pity that while he was very smart, Wen Shangyin didn't often heed his advice.
After stating his attitude and position, Song Lian fell silent and turned to look at Wen Shangyin.
Wen Shangyin also looked at Song Lian, and the two looked at each other with mutual appreciation.
Su Ling smiled, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
As she smiled, Wen Shangyin and Song Lian both looked at her in unison.
Wen Shangyin, annoyed, directly questioned Su Ling, "What are you laughing at?"
While Wen Shangyin dared not question or provoke Shang Qi, he felt he could question Su Ling.
Su Ling rested her chin in her hand, lazily looking at the naive Wen Shangyin. "I'm laughing at how stupid you are."
Su Ling didn't elaborate on why she thought Wen Shangyin was stupid.
Sometimes, unspoken implications are more imaginative and open-ended than complete explanations.
Wen Shangyin was inherently suspicious, and this would surely make him doubt and suspect Song Lian.
Song Lian's heart sank. He knew very well that Su Ling's actions were meant to sow discord, and they were already effective.
But even though he knew, he couldn't say anything, nor could he explain anything.
Wen Shangyin originally wanted to ask Su Ling why she called him stupid, but then he glanced at Song Lian, a vague understanding dawning on him.
With this thought, Wen Shangyin felt a surge of displeasure, but he didn't show it on his face. He still needed Song Lian at the moment.
Wen Shangyin looked at Su Ling, the only woman present. He felt she might be reasonable. "My people and I are imprisoned. Your presence here indicates that the people in this prison area have been dealt with. We are allies. You should release us, not stand here as victors, mocking us and driving a wedge between us."