With satisfaction, Qiu Liuyue watched the bustling and frenzied scene below, observing the red-eyed guests who were throwing money around recklessly. She nodded arrogantly, adjusted her male attire, and stepped out of her exclusive room at the top of Baihua Tower, ready to inspect the lower floors.
Perhaps too entranced by the prosperous atmosphere and the scent of extravagant wealth, Qiu Liuyue failed to notice her surroundings and collided with an elegant and handsome man at a corner.
The man was exceedingly polite. Realizing he had bumped into someone, he quickly steadied Qiu Liuyue and offered sincere concern and apologies: “My apologies, young master. It was my carelessness that caused this collision. I hope you can forgive my oversight and not hold it against me.”
Though she had been bumped into, Qiu Liuyue was unharmed. But did that mean she would let it slide? Absolutely not!
However, just as she was about to make a scene, she heard the man’s deep, seductive voice and caught sight of his handsome face. Instantly, her anger dissipated. She straightened her attire and cleared her throat: “Ahem, it’s really nothing. We’re both men, after all—no need to make a fuss.”
The well-dressed man who had collided with Qiu Liuyue concealed the mockery and contemplation in his eyes, maintaining the demeanor of a refined gentleman. Casually, he struck up a conversation with Qiu Liuyue. One was deliberately flirting, while the other subtly played along. Soon, a connection was established between them.
After seeing Qiu Liuyue off, the well-dressed man no longer hid his sinister aura. His gaze at her retreating figure was as cold and eerie as a venomous snake. Returning to his temporary residence in the capital, he prepared to discuss the next steps of his plan with his advisors.
Unbeknownst to him, however, his actions were far from secret. Shortly after his return, a shadowy figure slipped away under the cover of night to deliver gathered intelligence to You Qi.
At this moment, You Qi was no longer the cheerful and considerate man he appeared to be in front of Chi Huai. His expression was cold and domineering, exuding the authoritative presence of a high-ranking official: “Tell him there won’t be a second chance. This time, punishment suffices. If it happens again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
The kneeling messenger shuddered, bowing his head even lower: “Understood, my lord.” He knew his comrade had narrowly escaped death this time, spared only by the lord’s momentary leniency.
You Qi glanced at the intelligence: “Dismissed.”
“Yes.” With that, the room was left to You Qi alone as he reviewed the gathered information.
After finishing, he slammed his palm onto the table in fury: “How audacious! They’ve truly underestimated their own ambitions.”
To the south lay a small, secluded kingdom, its terrain easily defensible but difficult to attack—a classic example of a lawless land where the wicked thrived. Calling itself a sovereign state, it wreaked havoc on its neighbors, oppressing the people and stirring endless grievances.
During his campaigns years ago, the current emperor had once encountered this small kingdom. At the time, the mighty Great Zhou had no interest in engaging with such a minor power. But witnessing the suffering of Zhou’s people under their tyranny, the then-crown prince had decisively led an attack.
Though the terrain was indeed advantageous for defense, it was not impregnable. The emperor, a brilliant strategist, and his fearless soldiers overwhelmed the kingdom despite its mastery of poison and geographical advantages. Even their vaunted poison arts were dismantled by a traveling physician who later established a medical practice in the capital.
Like frogs at the bottom of a well, their vision was narrow. Mistaking their small world for the entirety of existence, they preyed on the weak but crumbled instantly when faced with true power.
The previous emperor, though not as formidable as his successor, was a prudent ruler with self-awareness. After deliberation, it was decided not to outright annex the kingdom but to gradually erode it through cultural and political exchanges, avoiding a desperate last stand.
While Great Zhou had no fear of their final retaliation, minimizing risks was always preferable. The plan had been progressing smoothly, and soon, the kingdom would be seamlessly integrated into Great Zhou.
But while Great Zhou was content with this steady progress, the kingdom’s ruler was not. Without his kingdom, how could he maintain his dignity, wealth, and glory? Dissatisfaction festered, and schemes brewed in the shadows.
To prevent their mischief, You Qi’s organization had been monitoring their movements. The well-dressed man who had spoken with Qiu Liuyue was none other than the next ruler of that southern kingdom. His presence in the capital should have been reported to You Qi immediately, yet it was only by chance at Baihua Tower that You Qi discovered his whereabouts. This negligence spoke volumes about the laxity of those assigned to oversee the kingdom.
Upon investigation, You Qi learned that the assigned agent had fallen in love with the kingdom’s princess—the well-dressed man’s sister. Though he hadn’t leaked critical information, his partiality had delayed You Qi’s awareness.
Enraged, You Qi saw this as no different from treason. Yet, rather than act rashly, he punished the agent under a pretext and let him go. A double agent, if handled well, could prove useful. You Qi smirked darkly.
*You Qi: If you dare play games under my watch, be prepared for me to turn the tables.*
After dealing with the would-be traitor, You Qi secretly dispatched a team to surveil the well-dressed man. They not only located his hideout but also uncovered his true purpose.
Thanks to their insider in a secret organization, they had learned (mistakenly) that Qiu Liuyue had ties to an overseas group plotting against Great Zhou. Hoping to ally with them to overthrow the empire and secure their own rule—and profits—they sought to connect through Qiu Liuyue.
Knowing her fondness for handsome men, the well-dressed man had prepared meticulously before secretly arriving in the capital to approach her and, by extension, the organization.
Thus, their “chance encounter” at Baihua Tower unfolded, with the man feigning ignorance of Qiu Liuyue’s poor disguise and engaging her in pleasant conversation. Little did he know this single meeting would expose him to You Qi’s scrutiny, unraveling their entire scheme. *Light a candle for them.*
Glancing at the sky, You Qi realized he wouldn’t be seeing his beloved Ah Huai today. Cursing under his breath, he threw himself into urgent official duties. Tomorrow, he’d have to submit a detailed memorial to the emperor.
You Qi sighed wistfully: “I wish I could retire and spend every moment glued to my dear Ah Huai.”
But sighs aside, work had to be done. After all, You Qi took his responsibilities seriously.
Meanwhile, Chi Huai was also burning the midnight oil. As the young head of the Chi family, many matters required his attention. Once a workaholic with little interest beyond business and profits, Chi Huai had changed since falling in love.
Now, work took a backseat as his thoughts revolved around You Qi. Unwilling to let duties encroach on their time or mental space, Chi Huai began quietly planning to groom a successor. His younger brother was old enough to step up. Nodding in satisfaction, Chi Huai envisioned a smoother future.
Elsewhere, the peacefully sleeping Chi younger brother suddenly sneezed loudly—yet it didn’t wake him. Rolling over, he continued dreaming blissfully, unaware of the trials awaiting him.
As Chi Huai handled work and plotted his brother’s training, he had no inkling of the colossal “surprise” awaiting him tomorrow. Having recently enjoyed others’ dramas, Chi Huai was about to star in one himself.
The next day, due to the southern kingdom affair, You Qi was summoned to the palace to discuss countermeasures with the emperor. Though reluctant to part, the two men went their separate ways. Chi Huai took the opportunity to inspect the Chi family’s shops.
As long as he remained family head, the responsibility was his to bear—and Chi Huai was no shirker.
While examining a pastry shop’s backroom, a commotion erupted outside.
Frowning, Chi Huai asked the shopkeeper: “What’s going on out there? Why the noise?”
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