Nobody Gave Anything Away for Free

I am Liu Ling'er.

My identity card is-songstress.

My special abilities in this Star Gate are-charm and illusion creation.

These are two extremely powerful abilities. Anyone, man or woman, is helpless against my irresistible allure. The Young Eunuch who played an important role in the gu-poisoning incident took one look at me and thought he had rediscovered his manhood...

But he was too stupid. Prince Huai baited him out with ease, which nearly exposed my identity.

According to the information I had, the former Prince Huai was utterly useless. He simply didn't have the brains to set a countertrap.

So I have reason to suspect that a player is now "playing" him.

Just now, in Spring Fragrance Garden, I faced my greatest crisis since entering the gate.

As everyone knows, a songstress is hardly suited to combat. Her identity skills are geared toward covert manipulation and gathering information. Unless absolutely necessary, she won't confront anyone head-on... uh, that lackey Er Leng really was strong. One slash nearly sent me to meet my maker.

Fortunately, he was all brawn and had a simple personality, making him the perfect target for charm.

I decisively chose to engage in a little "soul" resonance with him. Although the process was somewhat rushed and sloppy, it was extremely effective.

That's right. He has already fallen under my charm. Now he's an obedient dog.

Once a target is charmed, a special connection forms between us. I can sense his loyalty at all times, and the moment he breaks free of my control, I'll know.

And so, using that hotheaded fool, I played my second card.

If Prince Huai really is a player, this covert contest has become a game where whoever loses will be fully exposed-and die!

Inside a clean, tidy side chamber in Liyuan Garden.

Liu Ling'er sat before the bronze mirror out of habit, toying with a black jade pendant in her slender, delicate hands. This object was called a "Disc Order," a communication item exclusive to the imperial court faction.

In the distorted reflection, gauze could be seen wrapped around Liu Ling'er's fair left shoulder. Er Leng's blade had cut her there earlier. Had she not charmed him in time, that wound would probably have continued smoothly across her entire neck...

Liu Ling'er's fine brows were tightly knitted, her pretty face solemn as she reviewed her plan.

Her most important task now was to find the secret chamber hidden in Tranquil Heart Hall before leaving the Star Gate, obtain the Blueprints for the Former Dynasty Princess's Tomb, and investigate its secrets.

The penalty for failing the task had already been made perfectly clear. If she couldn't complete it within the allotted time, the emperor would certainly have her killed, no matter how skilled she was in bed.

From last night until now, nearly half her time had elapsed. She really couldn't delay any longer...

Tomorrow. I have to get results tomorrow!

Liu Ling'er had teammates from the real world in this Star Gate, and they were her greatest reason for believing victory was certain. Unfortunately, shortly after entering, those two had received main quests that required them to leave the residence.

Otherwise... the three of them could have joined forces and tried sneaking into Tranquil Heart Hall late at night.

But with her teammates absent, she could only rely on her wits, because the songstress identity was far too weak in combat. Although she had a lifesaving item capable of killing with a single strike, this Star Gate also contained a fence-sitter faction. Recklessly exposing her identity would very likely get her killed.

She had to find a way to sneak into Tranquil Heart Hall undetected and complete her task in secret, ensuring that her identity remained hidden.

The bait had already been sent back through Er Leng. Now she only needed to wait for "Prince Huai's" response tomorrow.

After thinking it through carefully, Liu Ling'er slowly slipped out of her clothes and climbed onto the bed, her bare body smooth and sleek.

Another sleepless night.

In the blink of an eye, an entire day passed, and evening arrived the following day.

It was Ren Ye's third day inside the Star Gate. Standing in his bedchamber, he watched drifting clouds sweep across the sky and the sun sink westward through a wooden window, his expression vacant.

Three whole days. He hadn't slept a wink. His eyes were ringed with blue, his complexion sallow. Both mind and body were exhausted to the limit, and he was already on the verge of losing his sanity.

Danger lurked everywhere. If someone wasn't planting gu, they were draining his Heavenly Pardon Qi. One moment of carelessness could cost him his life. How could he possibly sleep soundly?

"Phew!"

Standing at the window, Ren Ye let out a weary breath.

After inspecting the scene at Spring Fragrance Garden with Lian'er last night, he had returned to his bedchamber and devised a second baiting operation, which would be carried out tonight.

Tonight would decide life or death-and whether Ren Ye would still be able to see the Red-Eyed Berserker's handsome face tomorrow morning...

Footsteps sounded, and Lian'er called out brightly, "Your Highness, everything is ready."

Ren Ye turned and rubbed his face hard, clearing his head a little. "Are Tranquil Heart Hall and the bedchamber both prepared?"

"They're both ready." For some reason, Lian'er looked even prettier today, but there was inexplicably much less hair in her bun. The result was rather baldly startling.

"Mm."

Ren Ye thought carefully for a moment. "Have you checked the traps I told Er Leng to set in the bedchamber?"

"He and I checked them together. Crossbows, hidden weapons, poisonous incense... every lethal thing we could find in the bedchamber has been put in place." Lian'er stepped forward and shyly took out a handkerchief to dab the clammy sweat from Ren Ye's forehead. "Your Highness, you needn't worry too much. Whatever happens, I'll stay by your side."

This sudden flirtation made Ren Ye's heart pound even harder. He felt as though he was about to drop dead...

No, now isn't the time to get horny. He blocked out the indecent images in his mind and asked again, his expression serious, "Has anyone left the bedchamber today?"

Lian'er shook her head. "No. These maids and eunuchs are experts at reading the room. They may have sensed that something has been wrong in the bedchamber these past two days, and they don't dare go outside."

Ren Ye pondered for a while. "What about Er Leng? Is he still in the bedchamber?"

"Oh, Er Leng just went to the Guard Camp's storehouse. He said there were some extraordinary weapons there that might come in useful tonight," Lian'er replied casually.

"He went alone?"

"Yes. The other servants can't enter the Guard Camp."

"Oh." A sharp glint flashed through Ren Ye's eyes, but he didn't dwell on the matter. "Come on. Let's go to the Princess Consort's bedchamber."

At those words, Lian'er's eyes dimmed a little, but she still feigned delight as she replied, "Your Highness and the Princess Consort have been spending so much time together lately. It's truly a cause for celebration."

Ren Ye saw straight through her and answered like a true scoundrel, "Actually, no one cares for me as deeply as you do, Lian'er. This residence is fraught with danger, yet you've worked so hard to help me navigate it... I've noticed every bit of it."

Those heartwarming words instantly filled Lian'er's eyes with stars. She immediately puffed out her rather modest chest and replied with proud defiance, "Even if that old emperor offered me mountains of gold and silver, I wouldn't care. I belong to Your Highness. No one can buy me!"

What a good girl!

Ren Ye had only intended to win her loyalty, but seeing the playfulness and sincerity on Lian'er's face, he couldn't help feeling genuinely moved.

At dusk, in the Princess Consort's bedchamber.

Xu Qingzhao lounged in a rocking chair, dressed in loose Daoist robes, her smooth, delicate feet resting on a footstool. She held an ancient book in her hands and read with relish.

Creak!

The door opened. Ren Ye stepped inside with a miserable little face and wailed like a devoted son greeting his mother, "My beloved consort, you must save me...!"

Xu Qingzhao slowly turned her head, looking surprised. "What are you doing?"

"Someone planted Gu Insects in my bedchamber earlier. I wanted Er Leng to lay an ambush and catch the culprit, but it failed. My life could be in danger at any moment now. Please save me, my beloved consort."

"No." Xu Qingzhao turned her cool gaze away, her answer equally blunt.

"I'll get down on my knees...!"

"That won't help either." Xu Qingzhao didn't stir at his words, remaining reclined as she read the ancient book. "I told you, the affairs of Prince Huai's Residence have nothing to do with me."

Ren Ye looked at this woman who discarded him the moment she was done using him, clasped his hands, and asked, "If I die, who else will let you use them for two hours every day?"

"If you die, then this opportunity simply wasn't part of my fate."

The Treatise on Supreme Response had spoken of the burdens inherited under Heaven's Way and karmic retribution. Thus, Xu Qingzhao didn't wish to become entangled in difficult karmic ties with a Heavenly Pardon-Blessed One, and she had always resisted becoming too involved with Ren Ye.

That was also why she had helped Ren Ye once before and had even instructed Xue’er to refine "virility pills" for him.

They each took what they needed and owed each other nothing.

"Fine." After weighing it over and over, Ren Ye seemed to reach a momentous decision. Gritting his teeth, he raised two fingers. "Today, I'll let you use me for four hours. All you have to do is help me with one small favor. You won't need to get involved."

Xu Qingzhao looked at Ren Ye, disdain appearing on her pretty face, as though asking whether that frail body of his could really endure four hours. Did he have a death wish?!

Ren Ye immediately caught her meaning. "Rest assured, my beloved consort. I can handle four hours!"

"What do you want in exchange?" Xu Qingzhao put down the ancient book.

"For four hours, I want your strongest spell, your most powerful strike." Ren Ye pointed two fingers skyward, brimming with confidence.

"Heh." Xu Qingzhao sneered. "I told you, even if I really taught you the yin-yang arts, you couldn't possibly learn them in such a short time..."

"No. I have a secret to tell you, my beloved consort. My talent is unparalleled. I am, in fact, the reincarnation of the Yin-Yang Great Emperor." Ren Ye looked straight at her and declared proudly, "You only need to demonstrate it once, and I'll master it."

"Hmph. Arrogant!"