YWTGU -Chapter 24 What? Your Majesty the Empress, You Really Slept with Him?!

“No… no.”

He forced a dry laugh, trying to brush it off.

But Hongmei leaned in and sniffed again, her brows knitting even tighter.

“Hm? There’s still a man’s scent on you!”

Her tone grew sharper. “Young Master, when you went into the palace yesterday… did you really lose your virginity?”

“Did the Emperor of Great Qi reward you with a beautiful palace maid to warm your bed?”

As she spoke, she jabbed a finger at Li An’s forehead, her voice tinged with jealousy.

“Hmph! You heartless man. Why didn’t you bring her back to the residence?”

Hearing this, Li An felt even more guilty.

He couldn’t possibly say that he had been knocked unconscious and slept with the Empress, could he?

That would be courting death!

But then he reconsidered—he was Hongmei’s superior now!

Why should he have to explain himself to her?

With that thought, Li An immediately straightened his chest and said righteously:

“What’s wrong with that? If I favor a palace maid or two, do I need to file a report with you?”

“You’re not my superior anymore. On the contrary, you answer to me now. Got it?”

Hongmei froze.

She hadn’t expected him to say that.

A flash of grievance crossed her face, then anger.

In the end, she turned cold, and with a swift movement, leapt out the window.

Li An watched her departing figure and shrugged.

She’s angry already?

Women really are creatures who love to get angry.

Shaking his head, he noticed two letters on the table.

One was a commendation decree; the other, a secret letter.

Li An picked up the commendation and opened it.

It stated that the Emperor of Northern Yan had personally learned of Lone Wolf’s deeds in Great Qi and was greatly pleased, thus issuing special praise.

In essence, it said that Lone Wolf had completed his mission well—placing four troublemakers into Great Qi’s court and disrupting harmony between ruler and ministers.

As a reward, Lone Wolf would be granted in Northern Yan: one hundred mu of fertile land, a thousand taels of gold, ten young maidservants, and twenty servants.

The rewards would be redeemed once Lone Wolf successfully completed his mission and returned to Northern Yan.

At first, Li An was rather pleased.

Oh? The Emperor of Northern Yan is quite generous!

One hundred mu of land, a thousand taels of gold, plus maids and servants—pretty good treatment.

But when he read the final line—“to be redeemed after Lone Wolf successfully completes the mission and returns to Northern Yan”—his face immediately fell.

Redeemed after completing the mission?

Isn’t this just the classic company boss dangling stock options as bait?!

Complete the mission? The mission is to completely ruin Great Qi!

If I can collapse an entire country, would I even care about your measly rewards?

I’d have already taken billions in gold and gone back to Earth to live it up as the richest man alive!

Li An curled his lips, tossed the commendation aside, and picked up the secret letter.

This must be the new mission Hongmei mentioned.

He opened it and read carefully.

As he read, his brows slowly furrowed.

By the time he finished, his expression had turned rather grim.

“This won’t be easy…”

…

Top Scholar Residence, noon.

Sunlight filtered through the lattice windows and fell across Li An’s face.

“Hiss…”

Rubbing his sore lower back, Li An sat up in bed.

After sprinting all the way back from the palace at dawn, he had collapsed straight onto the bed without even changing clothes.

Thinking about it now, last night felt like a dream.

No—not like a dream. It truly was a “dream”!

A dream where his body couldn’t move, yet his consciousness was clear!

Ding!

【Good morning, Host!】

【Detected excessive consumption last night. Recommendation: rest more today.】

【Current status: Mild Weakness】

Rest my ass!

I’ve got a mountain of things to deal with!

Li An immediately flipped out of bed—only to realize his legs were still a bit weak.

Looks like Her Majesty the Empress really didn’t hold back last night!

What did she take me for? A power bank?

Just then, the two letters on the table caught his eye.

One was the Blackwater Terrace’s commendation; the other, the new mission’s secret letter.

“Young Master.”

At that moment, Hongmei’s figure flashed in through the window.

But her face was still icy, and she didn’t even look at Li An.

“There’s new information from the Blackwater Terrace.”

“What is it?”

“The God of Wealth asked me to inform you that the mission in the secret letter is very important. It must be completed as soon as possible.”

Li An nodded and picked up the secret letter again.

The contents were simple: find a way to persuade the Emperor of Great Qi to spend all the silver in the national treasury.

These Northern Yan superiors really dare to think big.

Spend the entire treasury?

Do they think Great Qi’s treasury belongs to Li An’s family?

“And one more thing.”

Hongmei’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “The God of Wealth asks whether you gained anything from your time in the palace last night.”

Li An’s heart skipped a beat.

Gained anything?

Of course he gained something!

He gained a night of spring dreams—and possibly an Empress carrying his child!

But could he say that?

“Nothing special.”

He replied without changing expression. “Just drank with the Emperor. Drank too much and slept in a side hall.”

Hongmei stared at him steadily, a trace of disbelief flashing in her eyes.

But in the end, she did not press further. She only said coldly:

“The scent of rouge and powder on you hasn’t faded yet.”

After saying that, she turned to leave.

“Wait.”

Li An called out to her. “You said it yourself last night—now I’m the superior and you’re the subordinate, right?”

Hongmei stopped but did not turn around.

“Then tell me—do I, as your superior, need to report to you what I did last night?”

At those words, her body stiffened slightly before she replied:

“No. It was this subordinate who overstepped.”

“There you go.”

Li An waved his hand. “You may go. I’ll call you if there’s anything.”

Hongmei bit her lip, but ultimately leapt out the window.

Not long after she left, the system notification sounded in Li An’s mind.

Ding!

【Hongmei lied to the organization because of Li An!】

【A rift has appeared within the Northern Yan spy organization!】

【Great Qi National Fortune +500】

【Current National Fortune: 53,379】

Li An stared at the notification, stunned.

Hongmei lied?

So when she reported his situation to the organization, she didn’t tell the truth?

She clearly knew last night was more than just “sleeping for a while”…

Seems that although the girl speaks harshly, her heart is still on his side.

Li An shook his head and refocused on the secret letter.

Spend the treasury…

Now that’s a difficult problem.

He frowned and paced the room.

His public persona was that of a loyal, upright official. If he suddenly advised the Emperor to squander money, wouldn’t that be slapping his own face?

Besides, the Emperor isn’t a fool. Why would he listen?

“Unless…”

Li An’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Unless he could find a “reasonable” excuse to spend the money!

A reason that would both satisfy the Emperor—and allow the silver to be spent!

…

At the same time.

In the imperial palace, at Cining Palace.

Emperor Zhao Ling’er walked in with a bright smile, her steps light and cheerful.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Guess what I just saw?”

Empress Sun Ruoxi had just finished washing up and was sitting before her dressing table.

Today, her complexion looked exceptionally radiant, a faint blush tinting her cheeks.

“Your Majesty came so early?”

Hearing this, Zhao Ling’er ran to her side with a grin and began recounting animatedly:

“I was drinking morning tea in the pavilion and happened to see Li Aiqing sneaking out from your quarters!”

“That look on his face—absolutely hilarious!”

“Acting all furtive, looking around nervously—like an adulterer with a guilty conscience!”

Sun Ruoxi couldn’t help but smile at that.

“Really? Then Lord Li’s acting skills must be quite impressive.”

“Exactly!” Zhao Ling’er laughed loudly. “I was just saying yesterday that Li An’s drunken act wasn’t convincing. Who would’ve thought that this morning…”

She suddenly trailed off.

Because she noticed something unusual hidden within Sun Ruoxi’s smile.

“Ruoxi?”

Zhao Ling’er leaned closer, curiosity filling her voice. “That smile of yours… what is it? Did I say something wrong?”

Sun Ruoxi gently set down her comb, turned around, and looked Zhao Ling’er in the eyes.

“Your Majesty…”

“Lord Li wasn’t acting.”

“What?!”

Zhao Ling’er’s smile froze instantly.

She stared at the Empress in disbelief.

“Ruoxi, you… what did you just say?”

“Not acting? What do you mean not acting?”

Sun Ruoxi simply looked at her with a teasing smile, mischief dancing in her peach-blossom eyes.

Zhao Ling’er’s mind exploded.

“You… you really with that Li An…”

“You really gave yourself to him?!”

“Your Majesty, please don’t be agitated.”

Sun Ruoxi hurriedly took her hand to calm her.

“I didn’t truly give myself to him.”

“I merely… borrowed a seed.”

“Borrowed a seed?!”

Zhao Ling’er was even more shocked. “What does that mean?”

Sun Ruoxi sighed and briefly explained the Empress Dowager’s insinuations.

As the Empress—the Mother of the Nation—after three years without issue, there had been murmurs at court. A child was needed to secure her position, and to safeguard the Emperor’s secret of being female.

“So I slipped something into the tea and, while Lord Li was unconscious… obtained what was needed. I can only hope it works.”

After hearing everything, Zhao Ling’er stood stunned.

It took her quite a while to recover.

“You mean… while Li An was unconscious, you…”

“Yes,” Sun Ruoxi nodded. “But rest assured, Your Majesty! The drug I used would keep even an ox from waking. Lord Li should have felt nothing at all. Since he doesn’t know, it doesn’t count as me losing my chastity.”

Zhao Ling’er let out a long breath of relief.

“That’s good. That’s good!”

“Otherwise, where would my dignity be?”

Ding!

【The Empress confesses to the Emperor!】

【The Emperor does not know Li An was half-conscious!】

【The Emperor remains in the dark! The imperial bloodline is about to be thrown into chaos!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -5000】

【Current National Fortune: 48,379】

Watching Zhao Ling’er’s relieved expression, the faint smile on Sun Ruoxi’s lips seemed to savor the memory of her transformation from girl to woman the night before.

Of course, she did not tell Zhao Ling’er that.

They had once been a couple in name only—confidantes in private, sharing everything without reservation.

But now, Sun Ruoxi deliberately avoided describing the thrill and beauty of that transformation.

Some things were better left as secrets.

After all, as long as Zhao Ling’er remained Emperor, the secret of her female identity would remain the highest secret of Great Qi. Compared to herself, Zhao Ling’er’s fate was even crueler—not only could she never marry, she could never, like Sun Ruoxi… find a man to… borrow… when needed.

…

At the Prime Minister’s residence.

Wang Fu sat in his study, holding a cup of tea, a satisfied smile on his face.

He had just learned the news from Zhang Tieniu.

Li An had an illicit relationship with the Empress!

A crime punishable by the extermination of nine clans!

“Prime Minister, in my humble opinion, this matter should be handled swiftly.”

Advisor Zhou suggested from the side. “While Li An is feeling guilty, we should move immediately to subdue him.”

Wang Fu nodded.

“And how do you propose we proceed?”

“First, send an invitation, inviting Li An to a banquet at the residence tonight.”

A sinister gleam flashed in Zhou’s eyes. “Test him first. If he refuses the toast… then he shall be forced to drink the penalty wine.”

Wang Fu clapped his hands and burst into laughter.

“Excellent! We’ll do exactly that!”

…

Elsewhere, in a hidden courtyard somewhere in the capital.

A secret base of the Blackwater Terrace.

Hongmei stood before the “God of Wealth,” her expression displeased.

“Hongmei, the commendation and new assignment were delivered to Li An?”

“Yes.”

“He entered the palace to see the Emperor last night. Did he report anything to you?”

Hongmei paused.

When she recalled Li An admitting that he had “touched a woman” in the palace, an uncomfortable feeling rose in her chest.

For the first time, because of Li An, she lied to her superior.

“Li An reported nothing significant. He simply drank with the Emperor, got drunk, and stayed overnight in a side hall.”

The God of Wealth nodded without suspicion.

“Good. Li An has gained the Great Qi Emperor’s deep trust. He is now the core of our Blackwater Terrace within the capital. Continue to protect and monitor him closely.”

Hongmei acknowledged, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

That Li An…

What woman did he touch in the palace last night?

…

At the Zhuangyuan Residence.

Li An was studying a secret letter, pondering how to respond, when a servant’s voice came from outside.

“Master! An invitation from the Prime Minister’s residence!”

Li An paused and went out to receive it.

The message roughly stated: The Prime Minister humbly sought talent and sincerely wished to hear Lord Li’s earth-shaking political insights and national strategies, and would accept them with an open mind. He cordially invited Lord Li to a banquet that evening.

After reading it, Li An chuckled inwardly.

Prime Minister Wang Fu, that old fox, couldn’t hold himself back!

“Humbly seeking talent”?

“Accepting with an open mind”?

After Li An had lambasted him mercilessly in court, how could he possibly submit so easily?

It was obvious—he intended to use leverage to threaten him.

Li An narrowed his eyes.

So Zhang Tieniu had already reported last night’s matter to the Prime Minister.

This Hongmen Banquet tonight was unavoidable.

But…

He glanced at the secret letter on the table—the one instructing him to “spend the national treasury dry”—and suddenly had an idea.

Right!

He couldn’t directly suggest reckless spending to the Emperor—but he could use the Prime Minister’s hand to do it!

Let the Prime Minister push it through at court and complete the mission!

And at the same time, solidify the impression that he had “defected” to him!

Killing two birds with one stone.

A faint smile curled at Li An’s lips.

Tonight’s Hongmen Banquet might just be rather interesting.

Prime Minister, are you ready?