Zhang San suddenly opened his eyes, his heart pounding. The sunlight was blinding, and a voice was calling from a distance, “Your Highness…”

Zhang San suspected he was dreaming. Five minutes ago, he had been dozing off in math class, secretly browsing his phone to stay awake. He had clicked on a random link to a web novel called “The Evil Pet Concubine in the Book”—which seemed like trash.

Bored, he had glanced at the synopsis and was about to exit when the world spun, and everything went black.

“Your Highness,” the voice calling him grew closer, “Crown Prince?”

With a sense of foreboding, Zhang San looked up and found himself at a study desk.

A young eunuch was looking at him with concern. “Your Highness, please wake up. The Empress Dowager is coming to inspect your work.”

Zhang San: “…”

Crown Prince? Empress Dowager?

He was about to pinch himself when a regal, stern-looking woman entered, her voice icy. “How has the Crown Prince’s study been today?”

The eunuch bowed and greeted, “Empress Dowager.”

Zhang San: “…”

This is bad.

He was just a middle schooler sneaking around in class—how could he know how to speak like an ancient person?

Seeing that he didn’t respond, the Empress Dowager looked displeased. “Why do you not answer?”

Zhang San’s heart was about to leap out of his chest. He shakily pushed the half-written sheet of paper in front of him toward her and stammered, “Just, just this.”

The woman glanced at it, her expression inscrutable, and said something in a calm tone. Zhang San could only catch scattered words like “emperor,” “diligence,” and “upright.”

Half-listening, his mind was in turmoil, only able to focus on three questions: What happened, can he go back, and what should he say to avoid dying?

The woman is the Empress Dowager, and he is the Crown Prince—are they grandmother and grandson? That must be right, right?

Noticing she had finished speaking and was waiting for his reply, he nervously said, “Yes, thank you, Grand Empress Dowager.”

Three long seconds passed.

The woman nodded and left.

Zhang San exhaled slowly, realizing his back was drenched in cold sweat.

So, where should he start learning how to talk?

Meanwhile, Yu Wanyin was racking her brains but couldn’t recall the names of those candidates.

However, she came up with another idea.

Bei Zhou now lived in the Noble Consort’s palace. Besides closely protecting Yu Wanyin, he also trained the guards during his free time.

One day, Yu Wanyin knocked on his door. “Uncle Bei, what are you busy with?”

Bei Zhou, with a loving smile, said, “Making cloaks for you and His Majesty.”

Yu Wanyin: “…Uncle, you are so talented. By the way, you’ve roamed the Jianghu and stayed in a brothel; do you have any truth serum, something that makes people spill the truth?”

Bei Zhou thought for a moment. “I do have some potions, but they work just a bit better than strong liquor. They make people confused and babble, but whether they speak the truth can’t be guaranteed.”

Yu Wanyin: “If someone drinks it, will they remember what they said after waking up?”

Bei Zhou: “That’s tricky. To make someone forget, you’d need a large dose, and at that amount, the taste would be noticeable in tea or wine.”

Yu Wanyin: “No problem, I have an idea.”

She thought she was a genius, everything under control.

Taking the potion from Bei Zhou, she headed to the Imperial Study to find Xiahou Dan—now everyone knew that Noble Consort Yu was at the height of her power and could go wherever she wanted without hindrance.

Xiahou Dan was reading memorials. “A faction loyal to the Empress Dowager has impeached your father, saying he gambles and bribes. Looks like the Empress Dowager wants to make an example of him. Should we deal with it?”

Yu Wanyin was indifferent. “Deal with it, demote him.”

Xiahou Dan: “So heartless?”

Yu Wanyin shrugged. “He’s not my real dad, I’ve never even met him, and he plays no part in the story. Demoting him today might save him from worse later.”

Xiahou Dan: “Alright then.”

So it was decided.

Xiahou Dan took up the vermilion brush and slowly wrote a decree, his handwriting neat.

Yu Wanyin was curious. “You practice calligraphy?”

Xiahou Dan: “Not well, but enough to fake it. I can only write short phrases now. Want me to teach you?”

Yu Wanyin eagerly said, “Yes, please, I need to learn quickly.”

Realizing she was sidetracked, she remembered her purpose. “By the way, can you summon Xie Yong’er to your bed tonight?”

Silence.

Xiahou Dan stared at her for a long time, not speaking, the brush in his hand suspended, a drop of ink falling.

Yu Wanyin: “?”

Xiahou Dan asked slowly and deliberately, “You want me to invite another woman to bed?”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Why does this feel so weird? Like she was a poor, unfaithful man kicking his wife out to work as a prostitute—Xiahou Dan playing the wife.

Yu Wanyin’s scalp tingled. “Not really to bed, but you drug her and then get her to talk. I can’t remember the candidates’ names, but she does. She read ‘The Thousand Flowers’ and knows a few talented candidates who will be wronged. During the imperial exams next year, the prince’s list of poached candidates will come from her.”

She laid out her plan.

Xiahou Dan reluctantly said, “Fine, but you hide nearby, watch the whole process, and don’t leave.”

He gave her a resentful look.

Yu Wanyin’s scalp tingled even more.

When did Xiahou Dan start acting strange? After they came back from the brothel, she guessed.

It must be the suspension bridge effect, definitely.

Yu Wanyin typically read romance novels to pass the time, but she had long since outgrown the belief in the “dominant CEO falls for me” trope. As a corporate drone, she understood the true nature of the world. There’s a barrier between social classes, and CEOs are usually too clear-headed to waste time on charity cases.

Unless it’s because they’re in a survival game, and having read the script gives her more value than a mere corporate drone?

He needs to establish a closer connection with me. She coldly analyzed the situation, suppressing any inappropriate feelings she might have had.

Yu Wanyin hesitated for a moment and said tactfully, “Mr. Xiahou, you don’t need to do this. We’re already in this together, and I’ll help you to the end.”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

Xiahou Dan said nothing more, waving her off. “I still have some memorials to read. You can go back now.”

Yu Wanyin took a few steps and then glanced back, feeling that his posture conveyed a certain loneliness.

Xie Yong’er was sewing a new sachet when the emperor’s chief eunuch, An Xian, came to deliver a message: “His Majesty has summoned you to his bedchamber tonight. Please prepare yourself.”

Xie Yong’er was stunned.

Since Yu Wanyin’s rise to power, Xiahou Dan had not summoned anyone else.

Her first reaction was that something had happened to Yu Wanyin. She sent her maid to gather information and learned the latest news: Yu Wanyin’s father had been demoted, and Yu Wanyin herself had fallen out of favor.

Xie Yong’er thought to herself, emperors are indeed heartless.

Yet this heartless emperor was summoning her.

Xie Yong’er was annoyed. Her private interactions with Xiahou Bo had already made her develop feelings for him. But this brilliant chosen one did not fall for her as easily as she had imagined, instead remaining distant and ambiguous.

Already in a bad mood, this decree was the last straw.

At this moment, her maid announced, “Noble Consort Yu is here.”

Yu Wanyin sat in the hall, looking devastated.

Xie Yong’er asked about her father with feigned concern, and Yu Wanyin, teary-eyed, replied, “I always said that in this palace, we’re all just helpless leaves floating in the wind. Yong’er, I heard you’re summoned to the emperor’s bed tonight?”

Here it comes, Xie Yong’er thought. What palace drama is she planning?

But Yu Wanyin’s next words were, “You must feel so bitter now.”

Xie Yong’er: “…”

Xie Yong’er was almost moved.

She had to remind herself repeatedly: these characters don’t understand my mental pursuits; they’re just pretending to understand to act their part.

Yu Wanyin saw the changes in her expression and continued her script, “Listen to me. If the food or drink in the bedchamber tastes strange, don’t consume it.”

Xie Yong’er asked, “Why would you say that?”

Yu Wanyin whispered, “Do you know why the emperor only has one son after all these years? The Empress Dowager insists that every concubine who serves in the bedchamber must drink a contraceptive potion. When the time comes, pretend to drink it and find a way to dispose of it, or you will never conceive the emperor’s child…”

I’ll definitely drink it! Xie Yong’er thought.

The Empress Dowager’s chief maid had received orders to make Yu Wanyin drink the contraceptive potion.

The recipe was complicated, and some ingredients had to be procured discreetly. Fortunately, the chief maid had done this before and soon prepared a package of powdered medicine. The next step was to mix it into a soup or tea; once consumed, it would render the concubine infertile for at least a year.

But she couldn’t find an opportunity.

Yu Wanyin now ate and drank only in the Noble Consort’s palace, which was guarded more tightly than the emperor’s own quarters.

The chief maid was fretting when she heard news: Yu Wanyin had left the Noble Consort’s palace and was heading to the emperor’s bedchamber.

Wasn’t Xie Yong’er supposed to be summoned tonight? Going there now to compete for favor seemed foolish. If the emperor was already tired of her, why would he see her?

The chief maid sneaked to the bedchamber’s back door and inquired with a familiar maid. The maid whispered, “The emperor let Noble Consort Yu in.”

The chief maid: “…”

What’s going on? Summoning two concubines at once, does the emperor intend to…?

Recalling the treatment of previous concubines, the chief maid shuddered and dared not speculate further.

The maid took the powder. “Sister, who should take the contraceptive medicine?”

The situation was unexpected; the chief maid only had one dose. She hesitated and decided to follow the Empress Dowager’s order to avoid responsibility. “Give it to Noble Consort Yu.”

Xie Yong’er hadn’t arrived yet, and Yu Wanyin put on a show of jealousy and sorrow for the palace maids.

Xiahou Dan impatiently waved his hand and dramatically declared, “Then you stay too. Both of you together.”

Yu Wanyin: “Thank you for your mercy.”

The palace maids were shocked.

Yu Wanyin got rid of the palace maids, then leaned towards Xiahou Dan and whispered, “I brought the truth serum.”

Xiahou Dan: “OK.”

Yu Wanyin sat next to him as a young maid obediently served a cup of hot tea.

The maid’s hands trembled slightly, but Yu Wanyin didn’t notice.

Xiahou Dan dismissed the maid and watched Yu Wanyin take the truth serum from her sleeve and pour it into the tea.

Yu Wanyin: “Make sure she drinks it.”

Xiahou Dan: “I’ll try. What if she refuses?”

Yu Wanyin was confident: “Just tell her to drink it. She will.”

She shook the tea until the powder dissolved completely, then placed it on the small table by the emperor’s bed.

As she turned to leave, the young maid emerged from a corner, looking terrified at the tea.

Not only did Noble Consort Yu not drink the tea, but she was also going to give it to Xie Yong’er? Could she have discovered the contraceptive in it? Impossible, the contraceptive was tasteless and would blend perfectly with the tea.

Or perhaps Noble Consort Yu was so cunning that she anticipated the Empress Dowager’s move and was using Xie Yong’er as a scapegoat?

The young maid had a hold on her from the chief maid and dared not defy her. Seeing the task about to fail, she gritted her teeth and stealthily picked up the tea.

Yu Wanyin prepared the truth serum and returned to sit with Xiahou Dan for a while. Seeing it was getting late, and Xie Yong’er should arrive soon, she said, “I’ll hide in the side room to avoid suspicion. When the serum takes effect, call me.”

Xiahou Dan: “Relax and have some snacks while you wait.”

Yu Wanyin hid behind the screen, and a maid quickly brought snacks.

Yu Wanyin dismissed everyone and leisurely began eating sunflower seeds.

Xie Yong’er arrived and gracefully paid her respects.

Xiahou Dan was lounging at the front of the hall, maintaining his usual neurotic and dangerous demeanor. He shot Xie Yong’er a sinister glance and, without any pleasantries, curtly said, “Come.”

Xie Yong’er, feeling humiliated, followed him to the dragon bed deep in the bedchamber. Xiahou Dan sat on the bed, his pale fingers tapping the teacup on the table. He barked another word, “Drink.”

Here it was, the contraceptive tea that Yu Wanyin had mentioned.

Xie Yong’er was eager for this, so she grabbed the cup and downed it in one go.

Xiahou Dan: “…”

That eager?

Xie Yong’er swallowed the tea, not detecting any unusual taste, and internally criticized Yu Wanyin for her misinformation.

Seeing her drink so eagerly, Xiahou Dan, who was about to conduct some “business,” hesitated and said, “Lady Xie.”

Xie Yong’er paused, “Your Majesty?”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

Couldn’t you drink it a bit slower to give the truth serum time to take effect?

Xiahou Dan had to speak again, “At the palace banquet the other day, I was quite impressed by your performance. Since you enjoy elegant music, why not sing a song to liven up the atmosphere?”

Xie Yong’er thought disdainfully: Could you even appreciate the songs I sing?

She took a moment to prepare, and then began singing with a lonely elegance, “When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in hand, I ask the blue sky…”

Xiahou Dan started pinching his thigh.

Xie Yonger’s song echoed through the empty bedchamber, drifting into the side room.

Yu Wanyin, who was munching on sunflower seeds, choked and coughed, then took a sip of tea.

“Pfft—”

Xiahou Dan waited through half the song, seeing Xie Yonger’s eyes still clear and actions normal. He couldn’t help but glance at the teacup she had just drank from.

Suddenly, faint coughing sounds came from the side room.

Xiahou Dan hesitated, then stood up.

Xie Yonger’s singing halted, and she looked at him in confusion. Xiahou Dan casually said, “Wait here,” and walked out.

He strode to the screen in the side room and whispered, “What’s wrong?”

Yu Wanyin, still coughing, said, “Big problem. The tea I drank just now was the truth serum, not the one for Xie Yonger!”

Xiahou Dan: “Why?”

“I don’t know. I made sure… Never mind, now’s not the time to figure this out.” Yu Wanyin handed him the teacup. “Luckily, I only sipped a little, so it’s not a big issue. Quickly, give this to her while it’s still warm.”

“She just drank one cup, and now another? Do you think she’s stupid?”

Half a minute later.

Xiahou Dan: “Drink.”

Xie Yong’er took the new cup and downed it again.

Xiahou Dan: “?”

This time, Xie Yong’er noticed the strange taste and thought this cup must be the real deal.

Just as she finished that thought, her eyes began to glaze over.

Xiahou Dan waited a few seconds, then waved his hand in front of her face, “Lady Xie?”

Xie Yong’er, dazed, murmured, “Yes.”

Xiahou Dan: “How many fingers am I holding up?”

Xie Yong’er was horrified, “Do you have a problem with your intelligence?”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

Turning, he called out to Yu Wanyin, “Come out, she’s out of it.”

Yu Wanyin had only sipped a little of the truth serum and felt nothing. The drug’s effect was akin to strong liquor; discussing toxicity without considering dosage was unscientific. She should be fine with just a sip.

Hearing Xiahou Dan call her, she put on a pre-prepared fox mask and walked to Xie Yong’er, speaking in a disguised voice, “Ma Chunchun, how have you been?”

Xie Yong’er, slumped on the floor, burped, “Who are you?”

Yu Wanyin squatted down, pretending to be on a scam call, “Don’t you remember me?”

Xie Yong’er stared at the mask for a long while and then seemed to realize something, “You know my name, you must be the author of ‘The Thousand Flowers.'”

Yu Wanyin was startled: This girl’s imagination is wild.

She played along, “Yes, I never expected you to stir up such a storm in my book…”

Xie Yong’er interrupted, “How are my parents?”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

“They’re fine. You should worry about yourself. I never expected you to stir up such a storm…”

Xie Yong’er interrupted again, “What place did my idol finish?”

Yu Wanyin turned to Xiahou Dan, who was hiding to the side.

Xiahou Dan mouthed, “Tell her what she wants to hear.”

Yu Wanyin: “First place.”

Xie Yong’er smashed the cup in fury, “Impossible! That platform is garbage, they don’t treat people right. You’re lying to me!”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

This character seems a bit too well-developed for a fictional person.

Yu Wanyin regained her composure and deepened her voice to show authority, “Let’s talk business. I never expected you to stir up such a storm, fooling Prince Duan, and messing up the plot. How do you plan to take responsibility?”

Xie Yong’er spat, “If I followed your plot, I’d be a cannon fodder and die early.”

Yu Wanyin gently persuaded, “You shouldn’t have revealed the names of those failed candidates to Prince Duan. By helping them enter the court, you saved them from unjust treatment, but also deprived them of the chance to endure hardship. As the saying goes, ‘Heaven bestows great responsibilities on those who…'”

Xie Yong’er erupted in anger, “You think I forgot the original text?”

“What about it?”

Xie Yong’er, “In the original, Li Yunxi and Yang Duo were beaten to death in sacks after exposing the cheater; Erlan was discovered cross-dressing, humiliated, and driven out of the capital, eventually committing suicide in despair; and there’s more…”

Yu Wanyin turned back to Xiahou Dan, frantically signaling him to write it down: Take notes, take notes!

Xiahou Dan: I’m writing, I’m writing.

Xie Yong’er rattled off five or six names, “Heaven bestows great responsibilities? They’re just like me, cannon fodder you created and then killed off. Aren’t we allowed to fight back?”

But Yu Wanyin was no longer listening to her passionate speech.

Yu Wanyin leaned over to Xiahou Dan, looking at the names he had written, satisfied, “Exactly, it’s them. Find these people, plant the drought-resistant millet, and we won’t fear drought or inflation.”

Xie Yong’er sat on the ground, drunkenly shouting, “Dog author? Run out of things to say?”

Xiahou Dan said, “But those ambitious scholars must hate the tyrant, otherwise Prince Duan wouldn’t have been able to recruit them so easily. We need to figure out how to deceive them into working for me before the imperial exam.”

Xie Yong’er looked around, “Where is everyone?”

“Coming!” Yu Wanyin called out to placate her and then whispered to Xiahou Dan, “I’ve thought it over, it’s going to rely on your acting skills. After gaining their trust, you’ll also need to convince them to change their names. Otherwise, once they enter the court and Xie Yong’er recognizes their backgrounds, she’ll suspect something.”

“Dog—au—thor—you’ve—ruined—my—life!” Xie Yong’er sobbed.

Yu Wanyin felt a headache coming on. “I’m here, I’m here.”

She had no experience comforting a drunk person, so she squatted down and patted Xie Yong’er’s shoulder and head, “Don’t cry, things could be worse. At least you’re not as miserable as Yu Wanyin.”

The more Xie Yong’er was comforted, the more she cried, “Prince Duan doesn’t trust me at all, I’m just a tool…”

Her cries were so loud that Yu Wanyin feared the palace attendants would hear. Just as she was about to cover Xie Yong’er’s mouth, she heard her mumble something.

In an instant.

In that very moment, Yu Wanyin felt her blood run cold.

She inadvertently glanced at Xiahou Dan.

Xiahou Dan was focused on the names he had just written down, oblivious to the commotion.

Yu Wanyin’s heart pounded like a drum. She leaned closer to Xie Yong’er, “What did you just say? Sweetie, say it again.”

Xie Yong’er, sniffling, “I said he doesn’t trust me… Boohoo, I taught him to use an aphrodisiac on the deputy commander, but I overheard him telling his strategist that he plans to poison the man’s horse…”

Xie Yong’er had suggested to Prince Duan to use an aphrodisiac on Deputy Commander Zhao, a plot point in *The Demon Consort Reborn*.

According to the original text, Prince Duan should have followed her advice, using the aphrodisiac to compromise the deputy commander, leading him to assault the commander’s favorite concubine. This would result in the commander catching them in the act, creating enmity between the two.

The deputy commander, being a brainless fool, would have no choice but to ally with Prince Duan for self-preservation, eventually helping to eliminate the commander and take his place. Prince Duan would then control the deputy commander and, by extension, the army.

Yu Wanyin remembered the plot to recruit the deputy commander but couldn’t recall the specific steps.

Hearing Xie Yong’er’s drunken confession jogged her memory—this was indeed how it happened in the original text.

—So why did Shu Yao’s record reflect a different plan?

After Xie Yong’er passed out, Yu Wanyin and Xiahou Dan carried her to the dragon bed, messing up the sheets and her clothes to create the appearance of a post-coital scene.

“She drank so much of the truth serum, she won’t remember anything when she wakes up,” Yu Wanyin said. “Just scold her a bit, say she was so scared she went mad and ranted all night. She’ll believe it.”

Xiahou Dan said, “She won’t buy it. If she went mad and I didn’t bury her, it would be suspicious.”

Yu Wanyin, feeling dizzy, waved her hand impatiently, “Then act like that, you know, ‘Woman, no one has ever dared to treat me like this, you’ve caught my attention.'”

Xiahou Dan: “… Are you serious?”

Yu Wanyin: “Just wing it… I’m tired, I’m heading back.”

Yu Wanyin hurried back to the consort’s quarters.

Her hands shook as she flipped through Shu Yao’s book, clinging to a sliver of hope, which was quickly dashed. Shu Yao’s account indeed read: “Invite Deputy Zhao for a drink, poison his horse, and have the mad horse trample the late emperor’s ceremonial gift.”

That gift was bestowed by the late emperor upon Prince Duan in recognition of his military achievements and had been enshrined in Prince Duan’s mansion’s courtyard.

Destroying a royal gift was a crime far graver than “seducing the commander’s concubine,” enough to terrify Deputy Commander Zhao into submission.

Yu Wanyin closed the book, staring blankly at the flickering candlelight.

Why?

Why had Prince Duan deviated from the original script, no longer trusting Xie Yong’er and even altering the plans he should have followed?

In her drunkenness, Xie Yong’er had revealed something crucial.

If it weren’t for tonight, she might never have noticed these small discrepancies. Even if she did, she would have assumed she had misremembered.

If not for Shu Yao’s book, she would have been left to follow *The Demon Consort Reborn*’s plot, leading Xiahou Dan in futile attempts to thwart Prince Duan’s schemes, only to fail at critical junctures, ending in ruin.

Yu Wanyin found herself trembling. She brought her hands closer to the flame for warmth, but the trembling intensified.

Why?

She thought she was ahead, why could Prince Duan predict her moves?

Was it possible that while she believed she was on the highest level, Prince Duan stood even higher, watching her with a knowing smile?

Did he know everything?

Was she just a character in his eyes?

Had his previous feigned ignorance been a ruse to confuse her?

Could he see everything that happened tonight—just like reading a book, with perfect clarity?

Then, with just another alteration of a date or location, they would again be mice toyed with under a cat’s paw.

Yu Wanyin slumped into her chair, feeling her body sink deeper into a dark mire…

Suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder.

That hand gently patted her, “What’s wrong?”

Yu Wanyin stared blankly, “I’m finished, completely finished, GG.”

“Why do you say that?”

Yu Wanyin ignored the voice, muttering to herself, “Just wait for death, don’t struggle. Prince Duan is the real person; we? We’re just lines of text, erased with a press of the delete key…”

Xiahou Dan moved from behind to face her, frowning as he observed her expression.

The truth serum had finally taken effect.

Perhaps it had reacted with the contraceptive herbs, making it hit her hard. Even with just a sip, Yu Wanyin was now in a daze, completely unaware of her surroundings.

She heard a calm voice ask, “So, do you want to give up?”

“I…” Yu Wanyin struggled to think, then had a bright idea, “I have one last option: I could raise a white flag and surrender to Prince Duan right now! Do you think he would take me in?”

No response came.

Yu Wanyin suddenly remembered another detail and despaired, “No, he already knows everything; he doesn’t need me.”

Silence lingered.

Then that voice said, “Maybe you can make him fall in love with you.”

Yu Wanyin laughed, “Taking back my female lead script? Haha, that’s impossible, he has Xie Yonger.”

“Xie Yonger is not as good as you.”

“That’s true,” Yu Wanyin objectively nodded, “Your suggestion is not entirely unworkable.”

Xiahou Dan looked at her quietly, “So, do you want to try?”

“Hmm…” Yu Wanyin fell into deep thought.

After what seemed like a century, she looked confused, “I don’t think I want to.”

“Why not?”

“He’s too scary,” Yu Wanyin lowered her head, “He’ll just play mind games until I fall in love with him, give everything for him, and exhaust my remaining value. In the end, I’ll throw myself in front of him to take a knife or an arrow, dying in his arms without regrets.”

She waved her hands, letting her imagination soar, speaking until she was tearful, “Then he sheds a few tears, buries me well, and turns to find Xie Yonger… That’s how men achieve great things!”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

Xiahou Dan gently wiped her tears away, very slowly, very tenderly, and asked, “What about Xiahou Dan?”

“Him? He wouldn’t do that, he said so.”

Previously, Yu Wanyin’s rise to power had elevated the Yu family.

Yu Shaoqing, in the court, was a lackluster official, barely considered a supporter of Prince Duan, but was often marginalized.

Seeing Yu Wanyin’s unprecedented rapid ascent to the position of Noble Consort, the previously deserted Yu mansion suddenly became lively, with those who never gave them a second glance now coming to curry favor.

Yu Shaoqing, having been a nonentity for so long, began to revel in the newfound flattery, dreaming of promotions and wealth. He started to cozy up to some high-ranking officials, using gambling as a cover for bribery.

Unexpectedly, the next day, he was caught by the Empress Dowager and immediately dealt with.

With his demotion, the Yu mansion once again became deserted.

As everyone sighed in despair, a message was announced, “Prince Duan has arrived.”

Yu Shaoqing was overjoyed.

At such a time, why would the distinguished Prince Duan lower himself to visit? Could it be that he still held unexpected value?

Xiahou Bo still appeared as the gracious gentleman, and after taking his seat, he kindly asked, “How has Lord Yu been lately?”

Yu Shaoqing wiped his tears, “I am fine, but I worry whether the Noble Consort has lost the Emperor’s favor and will have to endure hardship…”

Xiahou Bo comforted him, “I’ve heard that the Noble Consort is wise and virtuous, favored by the Emperor. Next time I enter the palace, I will inquire on your behalf.”

Yu Shaoqing thanked him profusely, waiting for more.

However, there was no more. After chatting for a short while, Xiahou Bo politely excused himself and left. From beginning to end, Yu Shaoqing couldn’t guess the true purpose of this visit.

As Xiahou Bo left the Yu mansion, two shadows trailed behind him, following him into the carriage.

“Did you find it?”

A subordinate presented a small piece of paper, “This was found in Yu Wanyin’s boudoir.”

The paper contained poetry copied by Yu Wanyin before she entered the palace.

Xiahou Bo glanced at it and then at another paper handed to him, “This was found in the library.”

After the fire in the library subsided, Prince Duan had his men enter under the pretense of firefighting, partly to confirm Shu Yao’s death and partly to search for any incriminating evidence near the body.

The men didn’t find anything on Shu Yao but brought out a piece of paper from Yu Wanyin’s desk.

The edges of the paper were charred, with a few smudged ink marks on it.

Xiahou Bo compared the two pieces of paper and smiled faintly, “What do you see?”

The subordinate hesitated, “These two pieces, were they really written by the same person?”

Xiahou Bo nodded at the papers, “Seems like it’s time to meet her.”

Yu Wanyin opened her eyes and then closed them, suddenly flipping over and burying her head under the pillow.

She had only taken a small sip of the truth serum last night, not enough to black out. On the contrary, she remembered all the conversations clearly.

Prince Duan might be on the highest level.

She initially planned to investigate this matter without Xiahou Dan knowing, but ended up telling him herself, “I could raise a white flag and surrender to him…”

Fortunately, she ultimately pledged her loyalty to Xiahou Dan, or she would probably already be in the ground by now.

However, the way she pledged her loyalty…

Yu Wanyin buried her head under the pillow, trying to be an ostrich.

After saying, “He wouldn’t do that, he said so,” she completely passed out, falling towards Xiahou Dan.

Xiahou Dan didn’t say anything more, just carried her to bed and seemingly even tucked her in before leaving.

Yu Wanyin didn’t know how to face him. She found it unbelievable.

Since coming here, Yu Wanyin had reminded herself countless times not to trust anyone, not to develop romantic feelings, not to act impulsively, and not to treat this like a game. If the chosen one dies, the book might be cut short; if she dies, the book might only lose three pages.

—So, when did she subconsciously sell herself out?

Even selling herself out was fine, but letting him know! It was like waving a handkerchief at Xiahou Dan: “I’m a foolish pawn, come and use me.”

This can’t go on…

“Miss?” Maid Xiaomei urged by the bed, “It’s time to get up, you have to meet the Empress Dowager today.”

While Yu Wanyin was getting dressed, Xiaomei chatted, “I heard that a little palace maid in the Emperor’s palace was severely interrogated this morning and then dragged out. It seems she put some contraceptive herbs in the tea, are you alright, Miss?”

Yu Wanyin reviewed the details about that cup of tea and understood the cause and effect.

“It’s fine, I only drank a little bit, most of it was drunk by Lady Xie.”

Xiaomei hesitated and then said, “She is now Lady Xie.”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Xiaomei’s eyes turned red, “How could the Emperor be so absurd, making you both stay on the same night… and then promoting her to a higher rank! How your parents must be heartbroken, boohoo…”

Yu Wanyin remembered that she had asked Xiahou Dan to act out a domineering CEO falling in love with her for Xie Yonger.

Xiaomei continued indignantly, “I heard she pretended to be reluctant and declined repeatedly, and then the Emperor said, he had never met a woman as special as her.”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Xiahou Dan certainly played his part.

During the consorts’ morning greetings, he appeared again, not giving Yu Wanyin a glance, and directly sat next to Xie Yonger.

Xie Yonger uncomfortably moved aside, and he scooted closer.

When Xie Yonger offered him tea, he took it, deliberately touching her hand.

Sitting nearby, Yu Wanyin instantly felt countless glances sneaking towards her, including the Empress Dowager’s. She played her part well, lowering her head sorrowfully.

The Empress Dowager was already planning to prepare a new batch of contraceptive herbs.

Empress Dowager: “The Flower Festival is approaching, does the Emperor have any plans?”

Xiahou Dan: “At that time, let Consort Xie perform a dance.”

He squinted at Xie Yonger, “I’ve heard Consort Xie’s music and singing, but I have yet to see your dance.”

Yu Wanyin thought: If she dances to some modern song, could Xiahou Dan keep a straight face?

At that moment, Xiahou Dan glanced at her unintentionally, seemingly imagining a similar scene, his mouth twitching slightly.

Yu Wanyin quickly looked away to avoid laughing.

Regardless, Xiahou Dan was much more reliable as an ally compared to Prince Duan.

Xiahou Dan sat for a while before leaving.

When Xie Yonger walked out with the other consorts, she found that An Xian hadn’t left with the Emperor but was waiting outside.

Seeing her come out, An Xian smiled and said, “Consort Xie, let me escort you back.”

The chief eunuch by the Emperor’s side had bet on Xie Yonger!

Yu Wanyin felt numerous gazes on her again. She gave a faint, sad smile and walked away alone.

In the original novel, this eunuch had flattered Yu Wanyin when Xie Yonger fell out of favor and had trampled on her. Later, when Xie Yonger won the power struggle, she sent him to prison.

Now, without that episode of losing favor, Xie Yonger hadn’t developed a grudge against him and instead obediently walked to his side.

After all, she was the real Devil’s Consort. Although she was annoyed by the favor, she would make full use of it.

Should she use An Xian to remove a few eyesores first?

As they walked a distance, Xie Yonger pitifully asked, “Eunuch An, could you tell me what the Emperor sees in me?”

An Xian laughed, “The Emperor said that he saw you acting crazy last night, full of vitality, unlike the other consorts. And this morning, seeing how you regarded the title of consort as dirt, he found you innocent and cute.”

Xie Yonger: “…”

So tacky!

Yu Wanyin didn’t care about this tacky little drama, she walked alone to the library.

The library was being rebuilt on the original site, and progress was slow.

She stared at the craftsmen working meticulously, her mind wandering about Prince Duan, when she heard someone call, “Consort Yu.”

Yu Wanyin turned to see a man dressed as a craftsman, who handed her an item without saying a word, “Please take this.”

Bewildered, Yu Wanyin looked down to see a letter with no sender.

“What is this…” she looked up, but the man was already gone.

Yu Wanyin went to a secluded place to open the letter, which contained only a few words: “Midnight at the imperial garden, behind the rockery.”

The letter was signed with a drawing of a turtle.

The guards around the imperial garden seemed to have been diverted. Yu Wanyin didn’t bring a lantern, navigating by moonlight, and heard a gentle voice from behind the rockery: “Wanyin.”

Sure enough, Xiahou Bo was waiting there, dressed in white under the moonlight like an immortal.

Yu Wanyin felt a bit nervous going alone. She wanted to bring someone for safety, but anyone like Beizhou or the shadow guards would definitely report to Xiahou Dan, so she had to sneak out alone.

She needed to know what level he was on to decide her next move.

Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and adopted a shy demeanor, “Your Highness, why call me like this?”

Xiahou Bo smiled but didn’t answer, instead saying, “I ran into Yu Shaoqing earlier today, he was quite concerned about how you’re doing in the palace.”

Yu Wanyin sighed, “The Emperor named Xie Yonger as Consort this morning.”

At the mention of that name, she glanced at Xiahou Bo, but his expression was unreadable in the dim light.

Yu Wanyin decided to ask directly, “What does Your Highness think of Consort Xie?”

“She is the Emperor’s consort, I dare not comment.”

“…What about me?”

“You?” Xiahou Bo slowly stepped closer, “Wanyin, we’ve known each other for so long, isn’t it time to be honest?”

Yu Wanyin put on a look of deep affection, “For example?”

Prince Duan also looked deeply affectionate, “For example, who are you really?”

Steady, Yu Wanyin thought.

Xiahou Bo: “And who is the Emperor, and who is Xie Yonger?”

Yu Wanyin couldn’t help but take a step back.

The worst-case scenario had come true.

He could see through Xie Yonger, maybe because her love-struck brain gave something away. Seeing through her might be because of a slip-up on her part. But seeing through Xiahou Dan, that actor? Impossible.

He had to be on a higher level.

Xiahou Bo smiled, “No need to be so nervous, I’ve never had ill intentions towards you. You can foresee some things, so you should know that choosing me is the wise choice.”

Yu Wanyin: “If you know everything, what do you need me for?”

Xiahou Bo paused, “You misunderstand, I didn’t come to find out anything, I came because I like you.”

Yu Wanyin found it absurd, “We’re not even the same species, how could you like me?”

Xiahou Bo seemed to hesitate, “That doesn’t matter.”

Yu Wanyin: “Huh? So you like this character?”

Xiahou Bo gently smiled, “That’s why I came to find you from the beginning.”

In the palace, a single lamp flickered.

“Consort Yu went to the imperial garden. I followed and saw her meeting Prince Duan,” Beizhou reported bluntly, “I couldn’t hear what they were saying from a distance, but the atmosphere seemed intimate.”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

Beizhou worriedly said, “If she has indeed betrayed you, should we deal with her? I know you like her, but she’s your consort, if she has a change of heart, it’s too dangerous.”

Xiahou Dan flicked the candle flame with his finger, not speaking.

The kneeling shadow guard said skillfully, “Should I take care of it?”

Xiahou Dan slowly said, “Have you ever thought that from her perspective, following Prince Duan is indeed safer.”

Beizhou was puzzled, “Why? Haven’t you already got Prince Duan’s plans?”

Xiahou Dan smiled wryly.

Last night, Yu Wanyin hurriedly left, stumbling back to the consort’s palace, then discovered Prince Duan’s secret. She hadn’t planned to tell him, but the truth serum made her spill the truth.

She trusted him, but she was too afraid of Prince Duan.

“Wanting to live is only natural.”

Beizhou sighed, “You shouldn’t let emotions cloud your judgment… Is that woman really that important?”

Xiahou Dan: “She is my lifeline.”

Beizhou and the shadow guard exchanged confused looks.

How did she become a lifeline?

The shadow guard, unaccustomed to such situations, cautiously asked, “Your Majesty, should I…?”

Xiahou Dan: “If you ask one more word, I’ll bury you.”

Yu Wanyin made her way back to the consort’s palace, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Her mind was a mess, all her plans, ambitions, and even her self-perception had shattered into countless fragments.

She couldn’t go on like this. How could she continue to play this game?

Perhaps when Xiahou Bo treats her like a book to read, he genuinely likes her as a character? Although it sounds strange, it would definitely be good news for her. He had already extended an olive branch; she might as well pledge her allegiance sooner to show her sincerity…

However, a lingering sense of unease persisted in the depths of her consciousness.

Her footsteps slowed until she came to a complete stop.

Something’s not right.

Fear gripped her mind, forcing it to start working again.

If Xiahou Bo truly existed on a higher level, why would he let them see the book from Xu Yao?

Going through the trouble of forging a book, deliberately letting them see it to make them suspicious of his identity—what good would that do him?

The simplest way to defeat Xiahou Dan would be to keep them in the dark.

Why not simply destroy the book?

Like a crack spreading across the ice, once this doubt emerged, more questions followed.

If he knew she had transmigrated, he could have said so directly. Why the repeated tests?

Did he hesitate when she said, “We are not even the same species”?

…

Yu Wanyin started walking again, her pace quickening with each step.

There was another explanation for all this: Prince Duan was still just a character in a book.

But, he had somehow sensed something unusual and suspected that they had changed internally.

To him, they might seem like demi-gods with divine insight, able to foresee the future and perceive some of his secrets.

Therefore, Prince Duan didn’t trust her, Xiahou Dan, or Xie Yonger—for him, the three of them were the same kind.

Xu Yao’s book showed that Prince Duan had altered the details of Xie Yonger’s suggestions. Was this a test to see how far they could foresee?

But he wasn’t sure if merely changing details would escape their divine insight.

So, he approached her, pretending to be mysterious to gather information and try to win her over…

Yet, one more doubt remained: how could a mere character come up with the advanced concept of “being replaced internally”?

Even Xie Yonger hadn’t identified a kindred spirit, yet he clearly suspected three people.

Can “extreme intelligence” really explain this?

Without more evidence, it was still unclear which scenario was true.

Yu Wanyin thought long and hard, making a silent resolution.