YWTGU -Chapter 20 Li Aiqing, I Have an Important Task for You!

The moment Li An heard those words, his heart skipped.

Is this little emperor holding that against me?

“Your Majesty, I… I did enter the palace that day, but—”

His mind spun rapidly. “I went to see Eunuch Liu Xi. As for the position of Interrogation Officer of the Heavenly Prison… I felt none but he was suitable.”

“Oh? So you entered the palace for official business?”

Zhao Ling’er’s tone was still cold.

Li An cursed inwardly.

The emperor’s heart is unfathomable!

Is he really this petty?

But the system had just notified him that the little emperor had a favorable impression of him!

If he was speaking so harshly, he must be deliberately covering his true intentions!

Of course, he only dared grumble in his heart. On the surface, he didn’t show a trace.

“Your Majesty is wise!”

Li An immediately adopted an extremely respectful demeanor. “I truly came for official duties. It’s just that some complications arose on Eunuch Liu’s end. By the time everything was settled, it was already late. I feared disturbing Your Majesty…”

“You’re quite good at making excuses.”

Zhao Ling’er snorted, though her tone had softened.

Li An had no idea the little emperor was simply teasing him.

After all, he had been rather arrogant in court. In private, Zhao Ling’er wanted to see whether he was truly brazen—or merely pretending.

“Enough, enough! Stop flattering me. I understand what you mean.”

Li An finally let out a breath.

This little emperor is actually quite easy to coax!

Zhao Ling’er changed the topic.

“Li Aiqing, what do you think of the civil and military officials in court?”

“Who do you consider traitors, and who loyal ministers?”

Li An’s heart tightened.

That was a dangerous question.

If the emperor asks you who the traitors are—do you dare answer?

He lowered his posture and replied humbly, “Reporting to Your Majesty… I truly do not know. I have only been in court a few days. How could I possibly understand the conduct of all the ministers?”

“You don’t know?”

Zhao Ling’er’s lips curved in amusement. “Then what about your Memorial Urging Your Majesty to Surrender? Didn’t that scold the entire court?”

Li An’s old face flushed.

“Your Majesty, that… was written in a moment of indignation, out of disappointment with the entire court of Great Qi. As for specific ministers, I truly would not dare make reckless judgments.”

Zhao Ling’er pressed on.

“Then let me ask differently. How many factions do you think exist in court?”

“Over the matter of selling offices, the Prime Minister, the Grand Commandant, and the Imperial Uncle all approached you and divided up most of the positions. Surely you know how many factions there are?”

Li An steadied himself and answered firmly:

“Reporting to Your Majesty! I believe there are not two factions in court.”

“No factions?”

“My meaning is—there is only one faction!”

“What faction?”

“The faction of harming the nation for personal gain!”

His voice grew impassioned.

“On the surface, the ministers each belong to different camps. But underneath, are they not all striving to line their own pockets and secure more positions?”

“Who among them truly cares whether Great Qi prospers, whether the people live in peace, or whether Your Majesty is at ease?”

Zhao Ling’er clapped in delight.

“Good! Well said!”

“Li An, Li An! In my court, what I lack is precisely a worthy minister like you—one who truly considers the nation, the people, and me!”

Ding!

【The Emperor’s trust in Li An has deepened further!】

【Mistakes traitor for loyal minister! Mistakes national destroyer for capable statesman!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -1000】

【Current National Fortune: 76,379】

Li An secretly rejoiced.

Hey, hey… I’m obviously just flattering you!

Following your lead and cursing along—how could that not sound pleasing?

Isn’t this just basic workplace survival?

…

Zhao Ling’er continued:

“I think highly of you… but… in court, your voice alone cannot hold up the sky.”

“I summoned you privately to the Imperial Study today for this very reason.”

“You previously offended the entire court with your memorial, and now you’ve angered everyone again through selling offices. They will certainly target you.”

“I… worry about you.”

Hearing this, Li An felt a faint trace of emotion.

What a good boss!

But in the next second, something felt wrong.

Dead memories began attacking him.

These words… sounded exactly like what his former boss in his previous life used to say!

Talk about your hard work—without giving proper compensation.
Praise your bright future—without mentioning a raise.
Ask whether you’re willing to challenge yourself—meaning unpaid overtime.

So next comes the painted pie, right?

Sure enough, Zhao Ling’er’s tone shifted.

“Therefore, Li Aiqing, I have another important task for you!”

Here it comes!

The pie!

She continued:

“I have placed informants in the Prime Minister’s residence, the Grand Commandant’s residence, and the Imperial Uncle’s residence. I have already received certain news…”

“The Prime Minister and the Imperial Uncle, though they hate you, also greatly admire your talent. Several times they have considered recruiting you.”

“Even regarding the recent matter of selling offices—had you failed to gather the silver, the Prime Minister would have spoken on your behalf, to win your loyalty.”

Li An blinked, his brain momentarily stalling.

The Prime Minister wants to recruit me?

The Imperial Uncle too?

What are those old foxes plotting?

“So… Your Majesty, I’m not quite following. Hearing this… makes me a little uneasy.”

This time, he wasn’t lying. The ominous premonition felt increasingly familiar—and stronger.

Zhao Ling’er smiled slightly, her gaze filled with expectation.

“So it is very simple. After leaving the palace, I want you to pretend to pledge allegiance to the Prime Minister and the Imperial Uncle.”

“Think about it. Once you become one of their own, they will not only stop targeting you—they will even assist you.”

“My plan is this: first serve the Prime Minister, then offer him strategies. You may even feign being won over by the Imperial Uncle, and openly infiltrate his side…”

“While embedded within their forces, you can report their thoughts and intentions to me at any time.”

Whoa!

The moment Li An heard this, his face collapsed.

After all that…

The little emperor wants me to be an undercover agent too?!

And simultaneously infiltrate both the Prime Minister’s and the Imperial Uncle’s households!

Ding!

【The Emperor orders Li An to infiltrate the Prime Minister and Imperial Uncle’s residences!】

【Li An becomes a triple agent! Identity completely chaotic!】

【Great Qi court power structure grows even more bizarre!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -2000】

【Current National Fortune: 74,379】

Li An internally exploded.

He was already a spy for Northern Yan!

Now he had to become a spy for the Great Qi emperor?

Infiltrate the Prime Minister…
Then be sent by the Prime Minister to infiltrate the Imperial Uncle?

This is a spy within a spy within a spy!

On one side, a death-sworn agent of Northern Yan.
On another, a secret agent of the Great Qi emperor.
Now adding yet another layer—an informant planted in the Imperial Uncle’s camp by the Prime Minister…

Just remembering “who exactly I belong to” is enough to cause schizophrenia!

“Your Majesty… this… I need time to think…”

But Zhao Ling’er would not relent.

“Li Aiqing, what is there to think about? This is a wonderful opportunity with nothing but benefits for you!”

Li An nearly coughed blood.

Do you know how many identities I’m already carrying?!

Northern Yan assassin. Great Qi top scholar. Commissioner of Funds. Imperial Envoy for selling offices…

And now emperor’s secret agent, Prime Minister’s mole, Imperial Uncle’s insider…

Even split personalities wouldn’t be enough!

“Your Majesty… I am dull-witted… If I were exposed, would I not implicate Your Majesty?”

“It won’t happen.”

Zhao Ling’er spoke with certainty. “I trust your ability. If you can handle selling offices flawlessly and leave the officials gnashing their teeth yet helpless, infiltrating a few residences should be nothing to you.”

Li An: “…”

So I was too capable before and dug my own grave?

Zhao Ling’er’s gaze sharpened.

“Li An, I will ask you once more. Are you willing?”

The moment those words were spoken, Li An knew he had no retreat.

When the emperor personally asks, it is no longer a discussion—it is an order.

Defying an imperial decree meant exile at best, execution at worst.

“Your servant…”

Li An took a deep breath, wearing a face devoid of hope.

“Fine. Fine! I’m willing… If you want a spy—and a spy within a spy—then I’ll do it, alright?”

Ding!

【Li An officially becomes a triple agent!】

【Northern Yan spy + Emperor’s secret agent + Prime Minister’s informant】

【Ruler and ministers of Great Qi grow estranged, mutually suspicious! National Fortune declines!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -1000】

【Current National Fortune: 73,379】

【Note: Each cycle, the system will randomly select one of the host’s acquired identities and stance!】

Whoa.

Impressive.

Li An stole a glance at the system.

【Today’s National Fortune Change: -11,000】

【Cumulative Change: -14,621】

【Current National Fortune: 73,379】

【Estimated Settlement Reward: 1,462,100 taels of gold】

Over a million taels of gold!

And today he even got “promoted”!

From one spy to three!

Workload tripled—but the nation-destroying effect…

Is skyrocketing as well!

Delicious.

Exhausting—but very profitable.