It was precisely because of this trust that when the current emperor keenly noticed something amiss with the shops under Qiu Liuyue’s control, he decisively chose to have You Qi quietly approach Qiu Liuyue to investigate the truth.
As for You Qi’s cross-dressing, that was entirely his own idea.
You Qi shrugged: “Compared to a grown man, a frail and delicate woman is far more effective at lowering the other party’s guard. Moreover, since the target is a woman, approaching her as a woman would naturally be easier. After all, women are generally more wary of unfamiliar men, while they tend to let their guard down more easily around other women. Who would’ve thought…”
Who would’ve thought they’d encounter someone as unique as Qiu Liuyue—a bizarre case who welcomed handsome men with open arms but remained highly suspicious of women, especially those who were attractive, to the point of outright rejection.
You Qi sighed and helplessly rubbed his handsome face, lamenting with a mix of melancholy and shamelessness: “In the past, this excellent face of mine has been a great asset in my missions. But now, it’s become the biggest obstacle in my path. Truly, fate plays cruel tricks!”
Chi Huai rolled his eyes, clearly not in the mood to indulge him. He sighed sorrowfully: “So, the mastermind behind that mysterious shop has already caught the attention of the higher-ups, and the success they’ve achieved isn’t even due to their own abilities?” He had initially thought Qiu Liuyue was a brilliant business talent and had even hoped to engage in meaningful conversations with her. Who knew the truth would turn out like this?
You Qi completely abandoned his previous persona of quiet elegance, grace, and aloofness, shamelessly clinging to Chi Huai (pulling him into an embrace) and cheerfully said: “It’s alright, my dear Ah-Huai. Even if Qiu Liuyue is a fraud, you still have me, don’t you? Your man here is both clever and capable!”
Chi Huai, slightly flustered, pushed You Qi away: “Ahem, anyway, are you going to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to investigate Qiu Liuyue?” As for You Qi’s true gender… Chi Huai found it strangely unimportant, despite the fact that this person was supposed to be his fiancée—or rather, fiancé.
Chi Huai mused inwardly: Could it be… that I’ve always had a preference for men, but it just never surfaced before? Otherwise, why would I still feel this way about Ah-Qi even after learning he’s a man? But when we first met, he clearly looked like a beautiful girl. Ah, love truly is baffling.
Seeing that it was about time, You Qi led Chi Huai toward the Hundred Flowers Pavilion while discussing the various oddities and inconsistencies about Qiu Liuyue. Gradually, their conversation shifted to the Duke’s residence, the Qiu family.
Speaking of the Qiu family, You Qi shook his head with amusement: “The Duke’s residence has grown increasingly ambitious. The higher-ups, out of respect for the Qiu ancestors’ contributions during the founding of the dynasty and the family’s subsequent lack of major achievements, have always treated them with leniency. Little did they expect this would only fuel their arrogance.”
With no real capability yet endless desires, the Qiu family, in You Qi’s eyes, was practically courting their own destruction. They prided themselves on acting cautiously, leaving no traces, unaware that the higher-ups saw through everything. It was only out of respect for their ancestor’s legacy that they tolerated the family’s behavior.
Yet the Qiu family remained oblivious, growing ever more reckless.
You Qi mocked: “Without the ability, they still delude themselves into thinking they can restore the Qiu family’s former glory. Their ancestor became a founding hero, earning illustrious merits, and now they aspire to the same by attaching themselves to a prince, scheming for the so-called ‘dragon’s favor.’ But they lack even the most basic discernment.”
Chi Huai looked surprised: “They… want to meddle in that?” Though Chi Huai was only involved in commerce, his family had long been imperial merchants in the capital. As the current head, his insight was sharp, and he knew well that getting entangled in the princes’ power struggles was far from wise.
To his question, You Qi gave a straightforward answer: “Yes, exactly. They’ve thrown themselves into it, and they’ve chosen the Second Prince.” When mentioning the Second Prince, You Qi’s tone carried a hint of complexity.
The Second Prince was a complicated figure. As royalty, he appeared glorious and noble to outsiders, but the reality was far more intricate, known only to those involved.
Hearing this, Chi Huai’s expression turned pensive: “It seems this long-standing Duke’s residence is headed for complete collapse.”
The current emperor was a diligent and benevolent ruler—in other words, an extraordinary workaholic. Under his leadership, the Great Zhou dynasty flourished, its strength growing ever more formidable. The Crown Prince, as the eldest son, had been meticulously educated by the emperor since childhood. He had experienced the battlefield and gone incognito to observe commoners’ lives, making him an outstanding heir in every aspect.
The emperor had few children, and among them, the least accomplished was undoubtedly the Second Prince, born to the Noble Consort.
Ahem. Despite his noble birth, the Second Prince was a bona fide wastrel. The Noble Consort came from a powerful family and was notoriously domineering. Were it not for the virtuous and dignified Empress keeping her in check, she would have turned the imperial harem upside down long ago.
Resenting the Empress for her higher status and her son’s superior position, the Noble Consort harbored deep hatred. Unfortunately, while the emperor granted her the title of Noble Consort, he gave her little real authority. The Empress, however, firmly controlled the harem, rendering the Noble Consort’s tantrums futile.
The emperor and Empress had grown up together, sharing a deep bond. The emperor respected and cherished his wife, and her family’s influence was no trifle. Thus, no matter how much the Noble Consort fumed, it was all in vain.
Frustrated by her repeated failures, the Noble Consort grew increasingly twisted. Her palace became the least desirable place in the harem for maids and eunuchs. Were it not for the Empress’s oversight, who knew how they would suffer under the Noble Consort’s cruelty.
Raised by such a mother, the Second Prince was hardly fit to be heir. As a child, he endured much hardship under the Noble Consort until the Empress intervened, improving his life somewhat.
Subjected to extreme indoctrination from a young age—incessantly pushed to become emperor—the Second Prince developed a rebellious streak, transforming into a pleasure-seeking wastrel beyond redemption.
Ironically, compared to his mother, the Second Prince preferred the Empress, holding genuine respect for her. He also shared a fraternal bond with the Crown Prince, refusing to oppose them as his mother demanded.
Yet some things were beyond his control. You Qi had witnessed the Second Prince sneaking to the Empress and Crown Prince, acting like a clingy child. Fortunately, the two were kind-hearted, patiently tolerating his antics.
You Qi shook his head helplessly: “I suppose the one pulling the strings behind the scenes is the Noble Consort. Truly digging her own grave.”
“Indeed,” Chi Huai sighed. How could the Noble Consort fail to see what was so obvious? Or perhaps she did but refused to accept it, deluding herself instead. After all, you can’t wake someone who’s pretending to sleep.
The Noble Consort might appear noble and her family powerful, but their position was as precarious as walking a tightrope over a cliff—one misstep, and all would be lost.
The current emperor was both capable and principled. Though not one to slaughter loyal subjects, he was no pushover either. The Noble Consort and her family were likely nearing their downfall. The only pity was the Second Prince, saddled with such relatives.
You Qi patted Chi Huai’s shoulder reassuringly: “Don’t worry. The emperor isn’t one to punish the innocent for one’s crimes. The Empress and Crown Prince are benevolent, and the Second Prince has never crossed any lines. I’m sure they’ll spare him.” You Qi understood these matters far better than Chi Huai.
Chi Huai sighed softly and said no more.
The two continued walking, chatting intimately. Thankfully, both were in disguise—otherwise, rumors of Chi Huai “being amorously involved with a mysterious man before marriage” would have spread like wildfire.
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