I am Liu Ling'er.
My identity card is—Songstress.
My special ability within this Star Gate is—Enchantment, the creation of illusions.
They are immensely powerful abilities. Any human, man or woman, finds it nearly impossible to resist my… multifaceted charms. The young eunuch who played a key role in the Gu incident… he only needed one look from me to believe he'd regained his lost manhood…
But he was a fool. Easily hooked by Prince Huai's scheme, nearly exposing my identity in the process.
From the intelligence I'd gathered, the previous Prince Huai was a complete废物 (waste), a man utterly incapable of laying such a counter-trap.
This gives me ample reason to suspect a player is now portraying him.
Just hours ago, in the Spring Fragrance Garden, I faced my greatest crisis since entering this Gate.
As everyone knows, a Songstress is not built for direct combat. Our skills lean towards subtle manipulation and intelligence gathering. Engaging in a head-on fight is… inadvisable. And that lackey, Er Leng… he is indeed formidable. A single stroke of his saber nearly sent me to meet my ancestors.
Fortunately, he's all brawn and simple-mindedness—the perfect target for Enchantment.
I chose, decisively, to engage him in a bout of… "soul resonance." Though the process was rushed and admittedly crude, it was supremely effective.
Yes. He is enchanted now. My obedient dog.
When a target is under my spell, a unique connection forms. I can feel their loyalty, a constant hum in my awareness. The moment it wavers, I will know.
So, I used this blockhead to play my second card.
If Prince Huai is truly a player, then this shadow game has become simple: whoever loses next will be completely exposed. And they will die.
…
In my clean, tidy room within the Li Gardens, I sat habitually before the bronze mirror, a slender jade hand toying with a black jade pendant. This object is called a "Mandate Disc," a communication tool exclusive to the Imperial faction.
In the distorted surface of the mirror, I could see the white bandage wrapped around my left shoulder. A gift from Er Leng's blade. If my Enchantment hadn't been swift, that cut would have smoothly continued its path across my entire neck…
My brows were furrowed, my pretty face etched with gravity as I mentally replayed my plan.
My most critical mission is clear: before leaving this Star Gate, I must find the hidden chamber in the Hall of Tranquil Heart, retrieve the construction blueprints for the tomb of the previous dynasty's princess, and uncover its secrets.
The penalty for failure was explicitly warned. If I don't complete this within the allotted time, no matter how… skilled I am, the Emperor will undoubtedly have me killed.
From last night until now, nearly half my time is gone. I cannot delay any longer…
Tomorrow. It must be resolved tomorrow.
Within this Star Gate, I have real-world teammates. This is my greatest asset, the core of my belief in certain victory. Unfortunately, not long after entering, they both received main storyline tasks that required them to leave the palace to complete.
Otherwise… the three of us working together could have attempted a nighttime infiltration of the Hall of Tranquil Heart.
But with my teammates absent, I must rely on wit alone. The Songstress identity is painfully weak in a fight. Though I possess a one-shot, life-saving item, this Star Gate also hosts a faction of opportunists. Revealing my identity recklessly would most likely mean death anyway.
I must find a way to infiltrate the Hall of Tranquil Heart unseen, complete my task in secret, and guarantee my cover remains intact.
The bait has been delivered through Er Leng. Now, I wait to see how "Prince Huai" reacts tomorrow.
After careful consideration, I slowly shed my robes and slid, bare-skinned, into bed.
…
Another sleepless night.
Time flashed by. In the blink of an eye, it was evening of the next day.
Ren Ye's third day inside the Star Gate. Standing in his chambers, watching the flowing clouds and the setting sun through the wooden window, his expression was numb.
Three full days. He hadn't slept a wink. Dark circles hung under his eyes, his face was sallow, his spirit and body pushed to the absolute limit. He teetered on the edge of sanity. Surrounded by danger—poisonous Gu worms, having his essence drained—a single misstep could mean the end. How could anyone sleep soundly under such conditions?
Sigh!
Standing by the window, Ren Ye let out a long, weary breath.
After he and Lian'er examined the scene last night, he'd returned to his chambers and devised a second fishing plan. Its execution was set for tonight.
Tonight would decide life or death. It would decide whether Ren Ye would see the handsome, if rage-filled, face of Red-Eyed Berserker tomorrow morning…
Footsteps approached. Lian'er's clear voice called out, "Your Highness, everything is prepared."
Ren Ye turned, vigorously rubbing his face to shock himself into alertness. "The Hall of Tranquil Heart and these chambers are both prepared?"
"Everything is in place." For some reason, Lian'er looked even prettier today, though many strands of hair were missing from her usually neat bun, making it look… suddenly sparse.
"Hmm."
Ren Ye thought carefully. "The traps I had Er Leng set in these chambers… they've been checked?"
"I checked them with him. Crossbows, hidden weapons, poisoned incense… anything within these halls that could be used to kill has been positioned." Lian'er stepped closer, a shy look on her face as she pulled out a handkerchief to dab the cold sweat from Ren Ye's brow. "Your Highness, you needn't worry so. No matter what, Lian'er will stay by your side." This sudden attempt at seduction made Ren Ye's heart palpitate even more intensely. He felt like he was about to die of exhaustion…
No. This is not the time for distractions. He forcefully banished the unholy images from his mind, his expression turning serious. "Has anyone left these chambers today?"
Lian'er shook her head. "No. These maids and eunuchs are masters of reading the mood. They likely sense something is wrong these past two days and don't dare step outside."
Ren Ye pondered this. "And Er Leng? Is he still here?"
"Oh, Er Leng just went to the guards' armory. He said there might be some enchanted weapons there that could be useful tonight," Lian'er replied offhandedly.
"By himself?"
"Yes. The other servants can't enter the guards' armory."
"I see." A glint of sharp light flashed in Ren Ye's eyes, but he didn't press the issue. "Let's go. To the Consort's chambers."
Hearing this, a shadow passed through Lian'er's eyes, but she forced a look of delight. "Your frequent… exchanges with the Consort recently are truly a cause for celebration."
Ren Ye saw right through her and responded with渣 (scoundrelly) charm: "Truthfully, no one holds a deeper place in my heart than you, Lian'er. The palace is fraught with peril, yet you strive so hard on my behalf… I see it all."
The heartwarming words instantly made Lian'er's eyes sparkle. She immediately puffed out her modest chest and replied proudly, "Even if the Emperor himself offered me mountains of gold and silver, I wouldn't care! I am Your Highness's person. No one can buy me!"
What a good girl!
Ren Ye's initial intention was to manipulate her loyalty, but seeing the playful seriousness on Lian'er's face, he genuinely sighed with admiration.
…
The Hour of the Rooster. The Consort's Chambers.
Xu Qingzhao lounged lazily on a rocking chair, dressed in loose Daoist robes, her perfectly shaped jade feet resting on a stool. She was absorbed in an ancient text.
Creeak!
The door opened. Ren Ye entered, his face the picture of misery, and wailed like a filial son seeing his grieving mother: "Beloved Consort! You must save me…!"
Xu Qingzhao turned her head slowly, a look of surprise on her face. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Someone tried to poison me with a Gu worm in my chambers. I sent Er Leng to set a trap for the culprit, but he failed. My life is in danger at any moment. I beg you, save me."
"I will not." Xu Qingzhao withdrew her cool gaze, her reply curt.
"This Prince will kneel for you…!"
"Kneeling is useless." Xu Qingzhao didn't move from her reclining position, her eyes still on the text. "I told you, the affairs of Prince Huai's mansion are none of my concern."
Ren Ye looked at this woman who was so (heartless) after getting what she wanted, and clasped his hands. "If I die, who will let you use them for an hour every day?"
"If you die, then it is simply fate that this opportunity was not meant for me."
The Treatise on Response and Retribution speaks of cosmic burden and karmic consequence. Thus, Xu Qingzhao had no desire to become entangled in the inescapable karma of a Heaven's Pardon individual. Her heart resisted becoming too deeply involved with Ren Ye.
This was also why she had helped him once before and even had Xue'er concoct those "tonic pills" for him.
They each took what they needed. They owed each other nothing.
"Fine." After weighing his options, as if steeling himself for a great sacrifice, Ren Ye gritted his teeth and held up two fingers. "Today, I'll let you use them for two hours. And in return, you only need to help me with a small favor. No deep involvement required."
Xu Qingzhao looked at him (inscrutably), a trace of disdain on her pretty face, as if to say, With your frail body, can you even handle two hours? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!
Ren Ye instantly caught her meaning. "Do not worry, Beloved Consort. Two hours… this Prince can withstand it!"
"What do you want in exchange?" Xu Qingzhao set down her book.
"Two hours," Ren Ye declared, two fingers pointing skyward, full of audacious spirit, "for your most powerful spell. Your single strongest attack."
"Heh." Xu Qingzhao laughed coldly. "I told you, even if I truly taught you the arts of Yin and Yang, you couldn't possibly learn them in such a short time…"
"No. I must tell you a secret, Beloved Consort. This Prince is actually a peerless talent. The reincarnation of the Great Emperor of Yin and Yang himself!" Ren Ye met her gaze head-on, brimming with arrogance. "You need only demonstrate once, and I will master it."
"Arrogant fool!"