YWTGU -Chapter 25 This Honey Trap! Am I Falling for It? Or Am I Falling for It?!

Night fell.

In front of the Prime Minister’s residence, two rows of large red lanterns hung high, casting a bright glow over the bluestone pavement.

Li An adjusted his robes and looked at the imposing mansion before him, wearing the expression of a man heading alone into hostile territory.

A banquet like the Hongmen Feast?

Hah! I, Li An, walk straight toward the tiger even knowing there’s one in the mountain.

“Young Master, should I follow you inside?”

Behind him came Hongmei’s cool voice.

Ever since she found out that Li An had “lost his innocence” in the palace, Hongmei had reverted to this frosty attitude, offering him no pleasant expression at all.

Li An immediately waved his hand. He was about to enter the residence to be threatened by the Prime Minister, after all.

Bringing Hongmei along would be inconvenient. He certainly didn’t want her knowing that he had “had a private affair” with the Empress last night.

So he instructed her:

“No need. Just wait outside. There are too many eyes and ears in the Prime Minister’s residence. It’s less convenient if you go in. Besides, the Prime Minister wouldn’t dare harm me in his own home. I’ll be safe.”

Hongmei frowned. Though somewhat displeased, she nodded.

“Then I’ll wait for you out here.”

Only then did a trace of warmth enter her voice—she clearly still cared about him.

Li An smiled and nodded before stepping into the Prime Minister’s residence.

…

Inside the study of the Prime Minister’s residence.

Wang Fu sat in the seat of honor, holding a teacup, a faintly smug smile on his face.

Mr. Zhou stood quietly to one side, though a trace of cold hostility flickered in his eyes.

“Lord Li has arrived!”

A servant announced from outside.

Wang Fu immediately set down his cup and rose, his face breaking into a broad smile.

“Ah! Lord Li! Please, come in! Come in!”

He personally went to the doorway and grasped Li An’s hand, radiating enthusiasm.

“I’ve been waiting for you day and night! I was just telling Mr. Zhou that I feared Lord Li might still harbor resentment toward me and refuse to come!”

Hearing this, Li An felt nauseated inside.

This old fox’s acting really is impressive.

If I didn’t know what he was plotting, I might actually believe he was this courteous and humble.

“Prime Minister, you are too kind. I am truly humbled.”

Li An cupped his hands politely, wearing a proper smile.

“I am unworthy of such an honor, that Your Excellency would personally invite me.”

“Ah! Now you’re being distant!”

Wang Fu led him inside as they spoke.

“These past days, I’ve been pondering your ‘Memorial Urging His Majesty to Surrender’ speech in court over and over.”

“The more I thought about it, the more I realized—you were right!”

“These past years, I’ve indeed grown complacent. I’ve failed the court, failed the nation, failed His Majesty—and the people of Great Qi.”

His sigh was so heartfelt it seemed utterly sincere.

Li An sneered inwardly.

Ah, so this is the part where you pour me a bowl of sweet talk.

“You overpraise me, Prime Minister.”

“I spoke too bluntly in court that day and may have offended you. I hope Your Excellency will forgive me.”

“Not at all! Loyal words grate on the ear but benefit action! I’m not someone who can’t take criticism.”

With that, they continued exchanging pleasantries until they reached the reception hall.

A lavish feast had already been laid out, filling the table.

“Come, come! Lord Li, please sit!”

Despite being Prime Minister, Wang Fu personally poured wine for Li An. “Tonight we won’t talk about official matters—just drink and chat!”

Li An hurriedly put on a flustered expression and raised his cup, all the while calculating inwardly.

When is this old fox going to show his cards?

I’m still waiting for you to threaten me.

…

After three cups of wine and some idle conversation, Wang Fu set down his cup. The smile on his face faded slightly, his tone turning serious.

“Lord Li, I invited you here today because I have some heartfelt words to share.”

Li An’s heart stirred.

Here it comes?

“Please speak, Prime Minister.”

Wang Fu sighed meaningfully.

“You are young and talented. I truly admire you.”

“But in the court, talent alone is not enough.”

“You also need someone to recommend you. Someone to look after you.”

He paused and looked at Li An pointedly.

“Do you understand what I mean?”

Li An sneered inwardly.

So you’re trying to recruit me?

Fine. I’ll put on a little ‘a loyal minister serves not two masters’ performance.

He set down his cup and spoke solemnly:

“I appreciate Your Excellency’s kindness. I understand your intention to recruit me.”

“However…”

“I do not belong to any faction.”

Wang Fu frowned slightly. “Oh? So you consider yourself above it all?”

Li An lifted his head, his gaze steady.

“My loyalty is to the sovereign. My devotion is to the nation.”

“I serve as an official for the sake of Great Qi’s realm and its people—not for personal glory, nor for any faction.”

“My arguments in court were never meant to target anyone. They were purely for strengthening Great Qi.”

His voice rang firm and righteous as he concluded:

“So I ask that Your Excellency not harbor improper intentions toward me.”

Wang Fu’s expression shifted.

Mr. Zhou snorted coldly from the side. “Lord Li certainly speaks boldly—and aspires greatly.”

Li An didn’t even look at him.

“I know Your Excellency is powerful, with disciples and former subordinates throughout the land.”

“But I would rather be a solitary, incorruptible minister than curry favor and form cliques!”

“This is my bottom line. I ask for your understanding.”

He bowed deeply.

Silence filled the study.

Wang Fu’s expression fluctuated. His fingers tapped lightly on the table in irritation.

Li An, meanwhile, felt smug inside.

How’s that? My righteous loyalist persona solid enough?

Now show your leverage, old fox.

…

After a moment of silence, Wang Fu suddenly laughed.

There was a faint chill hidden in that smile.

“Lord Li truly is… unyielding.”

He slowly rose and walked toward Li An.

“Since you refuse the toast…”

“Then you’ll have to drink the penalty.”

Li An’s heart jumped.

Here it comes!

But on the surface, he feigned confusion.

“What do you mean, Prime Minister? What penalty? My mouth is my own. If I don’t want to drink, I won’t drink—toast or penalty makes no difference.”

Wang Fu dropped the smile and snorted coldly.

“I’ve heard that you stayed overnight in the palace last night?”

Li An’s face immediately changed—just slightly—as he hurried to explain:

“I merely drank with His Majesty and had too much. I rested in a side hall. Nothing serious.”

“A side hall?”

Wang Fu’s smug smile returned.

“I heard you came out of Cining Palace.”

At that, Li An acted as though his fur had bristled. His face changed drastically.

He shot to his feet and demanded:

“What do you mean by that?!”

Wang Fu smiled leisurely.

“Calm down. Sit. Let’s talk slowly.”

Li An refused to sit, his voice trembling as he argued:

“Prime Minister! You are slandering me!”

“I am utterly loyal to His Majesty. How could I commit such treason?!”

Wang Fu looked at Li An’s panicked state and felt immensely satisfied.

He was now even more certain—Li An must have done something with the Empress in Cining Palace.

The boy is guilty after all.

Just now he was all righteous—now his true colors show.

“Lord Li, Lord Li…”

He lowered his voice smugly.

“My men personally saw you leaving Cining Palace, your clothes disheveled, your expression flustered.”

“What would you call that? If His Majesty found out…”

Li An’s face turned pale with fear.

“This… this must be a misunderstanding! I drank too much and walked the wrong way…”

“The wrong way?”

Wang Fu sneered. “You can wander into the Empress’s chambers by mistake?”

“Do you take me for a three-year-old?”

Li An swayed and dropped back into his chair.

In Wang Fu’s eyes, Li An was now cornered, cold sweat forming on his brow.

“Prime Minister…”

Li An’s voice grew hoarse and choked.

“What… what do you want?”

Ding!

【Li An has successfully deceived the Prime Minister! Superb acting!】

【The Prime Minister believes he has leverage over Li An—exactly as Li An intended!】

【The Emperor of Great Qi planting a spy inside the Prime Minister’s residence is about to become reality. Mutual distrust between ruler and minister increases. National fortune declines!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -1000】

【Current National Fortune: 51,379】

Wang Fu looked at the thoroughly subdued Li An and felt immensely pleased.

Forcing such a supposedly iron-willed loyal minister to bow his head—what an achievement.

After being scolded bloody in court before, he had finally won one back!

“Don’t be nervous, Lord Li.”

He returned to his seat and sipped his wine leisurely.

“I’m not trying to harm you. On the contrary, I want to help you.”

Li An looked up, hope flickering in his eyes.

“Help… help me?”

“Of course.”

Wang Fu smiled.

“Illicit relations with the Empress—that’s a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans.”

“And I’m not the only one who knows. Many palace servants likely saw something. If His Majesty learns of it, you’ll have nowhere to be buried.”

“But…”

He paused meaningfully.

“If you are willing to cooperate with me, I can keep this matter quiet. I’ll take care of the palace insiders as well. It will never leak.”

Li An immediately put on the expression of a drowning man grasping a straw.

“If Your Excellency is willing to help me, then your meaning is…”

“Simple.”

Wang Fu set down his cup.

“From now on, you are my man.”

“When I tell you to go east, you do not go west. When I tell you to bite someone, you bite.”

“Understood?”

Li An lowered his head in humiliation, silent for a moment.

Then, as though resigned, he bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Prime Minister, for saving my life. I shall never forget this grace.”

“From this day forward, I will serve you like a loyal hound!”

Wang Fu smiled in satisfaction.

“Good! Good! Good! A wise man knows when to submit! Get up, get up!”

He personally helped Li An to his feet and patted his shoulder.

“We’re on the same side now. No need for thanks.”

On the surface, Li An nodded gratefully.

Inside, however, he was screaming in exasperation.

Same side?

Heh. Just you wait, you old fox. I’m about to start fleecing you.

…

The two of them sat back down, and the atmosphere immediately became much more cordial.

Wang Fu poured Li An another cup of wine and said with a smile, “Lord Li, with your talent and capability, I’m not the only one in court who wishes to win you over.”

“Especially the Imperial Uncle—he’s been eyeing you like a tiger watching its prey.”

Li An instantly put on a look of surprise. “The Imperial Uncle?”

“Yes!”

Wang Fu let out a cold snort. “That Liu De has long wanted to bring you under his command.”

“Unfortunately for him, I was one step ahead.”

“If he finds out I’ve already taken you in, won’t he be furious?”

Li An hadn’t expected Wang Fu to bring this up first—he’d been wondering how to steer the conversation toward the Imperial Uncle’s recruitment. Seizing the chance, he put on a thoughtful expression and offered a suggestion.

“Your Excellency…”

“I have an idea.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it.”

“Instead of letting the Imperial Uncle sulk after learning that I’ve pledged myself to you… why not grant him his wish?”

Wang Fu froze. “Grant him his wish? What do you mean?”

Li An leaned in and lowered his voice.

“Think about it. The Imperial Uncle wants to recruit me simply to gain another ally in court.”

“So what if… I pretend to accept his offer?”

Wang Fu’s eyes lit up immediately.

“You mean—”

“Exactly.”

Li An nodded. “I’ll feign allegiance and earn his trust.”

“That way, any movement on his side—you’ll know at the first sign.”

“Isn’t that far better than rejecting him outright?”

Wang Fu was stunned for a long moment.

Then he slapped his thigh and laughed. “Brilliant! Lord Li, you truly are a talent. What a mind you have!”

“So you’ll be my spy planted inside the Imperial Uncle’s residence. Once you gain his trust, you’ll naturally gain access to many of his secrets…”

Ding!

【Li An successfully fooled the Prime Minister!】

【The Prime Minister sends Li An to the Imperial Uncle’s residence as a spy!】

【Court factions will grow even more chaotic!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -1000】

【Current National Fortune: 50,379】

I’m more than just your spy in the Imperial Uncle’s residence, Li An mused.

A spy within a spy. A spy within a spy within a spy. A spy within a spy within a spy within a spy!

I’m a four-layered double agent, alright?

With the Emperor, I’m spying on the Prime Minister.
With the Prime Minister, I’m spying on the Imperial Uncle.
With the Imperial Uncle, I’m pretending to be someone he recruited.
And at the deepest level, I’m actually a spy sent by Northern Yan to ruin Great Qi’s national fortune.

Even Li An was starting to get dizzy keeping track of all his identities.

“Your Excellency is wise!”

Li An cupped his hands. “However…”

“However what?”

“If I’m to infiltrate the Imperial Uncle’s inner circle, I’ll need some operational funds.”

Wang Fu blinked, then understood. “You brat—you’re asking me for money?”

Li An grinned and held up two fingers. “Not much. Two hundred thousand taels will do.”

“Two hundred thousand?!”

Wang Fu nearly jumped up. “Why don’t you just rob me outright?!”

“Your Excellency!”

Li An said earnestly, “This is for your grand cause!”

“If I’m to enter the Imperial Uncle’s inner circle, I’ll need to give gifts, host banquets, grease palms up and down.”

“All of that costs money! And I’m strapped for cash—my salary barely covers the expenses of the huge Top Scholar’s residence.”

“Besides, if I appear too shabby, how will the Imperial Uncle believe I’m sincere?”

Wang Fu was rendered speechless.

After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth. “One hundred thousand. No more.”

“Your Excellency…”

Li An looked aggrieved. “Do you not trust me?”

“I’m staking my life and fortune on you!”

“How can I get things done with only one hundred thousand?”

After relentless persuasion, Wang Fu finally relented.

“Fine, fine! Two hundred thousand it is!”

“But!”

He glared at Li An. “If you dare deceive me, I’ll make sure you die without burial!”

“Rest assured!”

Li An thumped his chest. “I am absolutely loyal to Your Excellency—without the slightest second thought!”

Ding!

【Li An successfully swindled 200,000 taels from the Prime Minister!】

【The mighty Prime Minister of Great Qi reduced to an ATM!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -500】

【Current National Fortune: 49,879】

Wang Fu looked at Li An’s solemn oath and felt something was off.

But he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Forget it. With such a fatal leverage in hand, the boy won’t be able to stir up much trouble.

…

Meanwhile—

In the Prime Minister’s residence, at the embroidered pavilion in the rear courtyard.

“Sister Moran!”

Liu Wanqing—the daughter of the Imperial Uncle and one of the Four Great Beauties of the capital—stormed in complaining. “Do you think my father has lost his mind?”

Wang Moran was embroidering. She looked up with a gentle smile.

“What’s wrong, Sister Wanqing? Why such anger the moment you step in?”

Liu Wanqing plopped into a chair, fuming.

“It’s my father! He told me to come here to visit you. Hmph!”

She snorted. “As if! He clearly sent me to seduce that so-called new Top Scholar, Li An!”

Wang Moran covered her mouth and laughed softly.

“Oh? That Top Scholar Li? I’ve heard of him too. Father is hosting him for wine tonight.”

“Exactly!”

The more Liu Wanqing spoke, the angrier she became. “As soon as Father heard Li An was invited here, he dragged me over.”

“He said, ‘Wanqing, you’re one of the Four Great Beauties of the capital—go and win that Li An over.’”

“Win him over? Please!”

She rolled her eyes. “Men are all the same. Not a single good one among them!”

Wang Moran set down her needle. “You haven’t even met Lord Li. How can you say he’s no good?”

“Do I need to?”

Liu Wanqing pouted. “They say he urged His Majesty to sell official posts in court.”

“He even sold offices to hooligans and mingles daily with all sorts of riffraff.”

“What kind of good man could he be?”

Wang Moran smiled without replying.

Liu Wanqing continued grumbling:

“And now my father wants me to use a beauty trap. What does he take me for?”

“He’s the one who wants to recruit Li An. Why should I be the one seducing that stinky man?”

“Men are all terrible!”

Hearing her repeat that line countless times since entering, Wang Moran couldn’t help laughing.

“With your beauty, Sister Wanqing, what man wouldn’t fall at your feet?”

“Tch.”

Liu Wanqing snorted. “As if I care.”

Wang Moran’s eyes gleamed mischievously. She leaned closer.

“Since Lord Li happens to be here tonight…”

“How about we stroll through the garden on purpose?”

“I’m curious too—what does this Li An look like?”

Liu Wanqing paused. “You want to see him?”

“Mhm.”

Wang Moran blinked. “Aren’t you curious?”

“A man who commands such attention from both your father and mine must have some ability. And if you visit the Prime Minister’s residence without even meeting him, how will you report back?”

Liu Wanqing fell silent for a moment.

Truth be told… she was curious.

Who exactly was this Li An?

Top Scholar overnight, and already stirring the entire capital upon entering officialdom.

“Fine!”

She stood up. “Let’s go take a look.”

“But I’m just looking—not seducing him!”

“Of course, of course,” Wang Moran replied with a smile. “You have your principles.”

The two exchanged a grin and headed toward the garden hand in hand.

…

In the garden, moonlight flowed like water.

Li An and Wang Fu strolled along a path, chatting as they walked.

“Lord Li, the two hundred thousand taels will be delivered to your residence tomorrow,” Wang Fu said. “Now that you’ve taken my money, make sure you do the job well.”

“Rest assured, Your Excellency.”

Just then, footsteps sounded from behind a rockery.

“Moran, slow down…”

A crisp voice rang out.

Two figures emerged.

The one in front wore a light veil over her face. Her figure was graceful, her eyes clear like autumn water.

Even her silhouette and bearing were enough to stir the heart.

Li An was raising his cup when he looked up—and met those eyes.

He froze.

This… this is way too beautiful.

In his previous life, she’d be on the level of Liu Tianxian.

And in ancient dress, with no trace of performance—completely natural, effortlessly radiant.

“Oh!”

Liu Wanqing pretended to just notice them. She bowed slightly. “My apologies for disturbing you, Prime Minister. I came to see Sister Moran and didn’t realize you had a guest.”

Her voice was like a lark’s song—clear and melodious.

Yet her gaze flickered toward Li An, subtly examining him.

Wang Moran smiled lightly beside her. “Father, this is Sister Wanqing from the Imperial Uncle’s residence. She came to visit me.”

“We were bored in the pavilion and came for a stroll—didn’t expect to run into you and Lord Li.”

Wang Fu understood instantly.

That old fox of an Imperial Uncle moves fast.

This beauty trap… perfectly timed.

He glanced meaningfully at Li An and murmured with a smile,

“Lord Li, it seems… the Imperial Uncle has truly spared no expense to recruit you. See? The beauty trap has arrived.”

Li An also immediately understood.

Well, well. The Imperial Uncle is really willing.

Such a delicate beauty…

This beauty trap—should I fall for it? Or… should I fall for it?