LOT – Chapter 63 The Vice Minister of Personnel Raids the Brothel to Arrest His Son

Imperial Physician Zhao looked regretfully at the silver needles in his hand—it was truly a pity that he didn’t get to use them this time.

The Vice Minister of Personnel wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. This sweat was partly from being scared by his son and partly from the terrifying sight of those needles.

Meanwhile, the system was still chattering away nonstop, and Lin Mo was listening with great interest.

[The Vice Minister’s son has a feminine appearance despite being male. He has no particular hobbies aside from dressing up as a woman. When disguised, his beauty surpasses that of many women.]

[He has a few arch-enemies in the capital. Since these enemies frequent brothels, the Vice Minister’s son came up with a rather vicious plan—he disguised himself as a courtesan in a particular brothel, aiming to seduce them and steal their hearts. Once they fell head over heels, he’d suddenly reveal his true identity.]

Lin Mo: …

Everyone else: …

It was a clever idea, sure—but wasn’t the price of carrying it out a bit too steep?

Lin Mo was now genuinely curious about the Vice Minister’s son’s appearance.

[Is this guy really that good-looking? Pretty enough to become the top courtesan in a brothel? He must be no ordinary beauty.]

As he spoke, Lin Mo glanced at the Vice Minister. That man wasn’t particularly handsome, so his son probably didn’t take after him—must be more like his wife.

[He is indeed very attractive,] the system replied.

[The competition to become the top courtesan was fierce, but he outshone everyone and managed to captivate those enemies completely. I imagine that when they discover his true identity, one of two things could happen.]

[What two things?] Lin Mo asked.

The others were equally curious about the possible outcomes, many of them sneaking glances at the Vice Minister.

Even Emperor Xuande was carefully studying the Vice Minister’s face. Hmm, decent-looking, nothing extraordinary—so his son definitely didn’t take after him.

[The first possibility is that, upon learning the truth, those men will beat him half to death. The second is that they’ll fall hopelessly in love with him despite everything, and their orientation will forever be changed.]

Lin Mo clicked his tongue twice.

[Why do I feel like it’ll be the second scenario? Anyone who can ‘turn’ straight men must be something else entirely.]

The Vice Minister: …

Unfilial brat! No wonder he refused to come along—he stayed behind to make trouble at home!

Meanwhile, in the brothel, Qin Zheng—currently seducing those men—suddenly sneezed.

He had a vague sense of unease but quickly brushed it aside. “Whatever, never mind,” he muttered to himself. Right now, those bastards were already completely smitten. Maybe tomorrow or the day after, he’d reveal his true identity and scare the wits out of them.

Just imagining their shocked faces made Qin Zheng almost burst out laughing.

“Beauty, what’s got you smiling so happily? Come on, tell us so we can enjoy it too.”

One man caressed Qin Zheng’s hand, utterly mesmerized.

True, the “beauty’s” hands were slightly larger than theirs, and the figure a bit taller than most women—but everything else was perfect.

In fact, the slightly taller frame only added to the beauty’s elegance and poise!

Suppressing his disgust, Qin Zheng pinched his voice and said sweetly, “Just enjoying my time with you gentlemen—isn’t it lovely?”

The group eagerly nodded. “Yes, yes! There’s nothing more wonderful than this evening!”

After eating, Lin Mo and the system cheerfully wandered off, leaving behind a group of people—and the Vice Minister—with rather complicated expressions.

Emperor Xuande looked meaningfully at the Vice Minister. “My dear official, perhaps you should return home now. I fear your son may cause a great disaster if this continues.”

The others didn’t even dare to imagine what was going on in the brothel at that moment.

Honestly, the lengths this son was willing to go to in order to take revenge on a few enemies—it was way too much.

The Vice Minister thanked the emperor, then quickly made preparations to leave.

Emperor Xuande even thoughtfully assigned a squad of guards to escort him.

Of course, the others were a bit tempted to go back with him too—but they’d only just arrived a few days ago, and leaving now would be inappropriate.

Minister Lin watched the Vice Minister ride off at full speed and suddenly felt… comforted.

Tsk, at least their own mischievous brat never cross-dressed to seduce people.

Really, comparison puts things into perspective—his own child didn’t seem so bad now.

The Vice Minister galloped through the night and finally reached home around midnight.

“Where is that little bastard?!”

He burst through the door, shouting for his son. His wife jumped in fright.

“What’s going on? You’ve only been gone a few days—why are you back in the middle of the night? Are you looking for Zheng’er? He said he was spending the night at a friend’s place.”

The Vice Minister laughed in rage. “Spending the night at a friend’s? He’s at a brothel!”

Without another word, he stormed off in the direction of the brothel, leaving his wife dumbfounded.

What does he mean, a brothel? Zheng’er has never even gone near one!

Qin Zheng, meanwhile, had already gotten the men completely drunk. Listening to them drunkenly profess their love, he was smug beyond belief.

“That’s what you get for being bullies all the time! You deserve this! Just wait till I show up tomorrow morning in men’s clothes—you’ll be scared half to death!”

He was just changing into his male attire when the Vice Minister arrived.

“Unfilial son! Get out here right now!”

The sudden appearance of an official in the brothel caused an uproar.

The Vice Minister immediately asked the madam which room the courtesan was in. Frightened, she pointed to the one at the very back.

Another customer for the top courtesan? She really was popular.

Qin Zheng was just about to change when the door suddenly burst open.

Seeing his furious father, his face turned pale.

I’m doomed! Why is he back?! He’s supposed to be at the royal hunt!

The Vice Minister stared at his son, dressed flamboyantly and thick with makeup, and his head started pounding.

He stormed over, grabbed Qin Zheng by the ear, and dragged him out.

“Dad! Dad! Let go! I swear I didn’t do anything! I just got them drunk, that’s all! I’m still pure!”

He would never really risk his body—just used his looks to lure them in.

“You little brat, shut up and come home! I’ll deal with you later!”

All the patrons could see was a government official yanking the new courtesan by the ear and dragging “her” out of the room.

From what they heard, this new courtesan was likely a noble-born young lady.

No wonder she only performed but never sold her body. Her flute-playing really was extraordinary—so she must have been a refined, highborn lady.

Was it a new trend now for noblewomen to show off their beauty and talents in brothels?

No one understood, truly—but one thing was certain: she really was stunning.