Chapter 15: Nothing Comes for Free

I am Liu Ling'er.
My identity card is: Songstress.
My special ability within this Star Gate is: Enchantment, the creation of illusions.
These are two extremely formidable abilities. As long as one is human, regardless of gender, they cannot resist my myriad charms. The little eunuch who played a key role in the poisoning incident only had to glance at me once before he believed he had regained his masculine vigor...
But he was too foolish and was easily baited by Prince Huai, which nearly led to my identity being exposed.
According to the information I possess, the previous Prince Huai was a complete waste who lacked the intellect to set counter-traps.
Therefore, I have reason to suspect that there is now a player "role-playing" him.
Just now at Chunxiang Garden, I encountered the greatest crisis since entering the Star Gate.
It is common knowledge that a songstress is certainly not skilled in combat. My identity skills are primarily geared toward covert manipulation and information gathering; I would not engage in a head-on confrontation unless necessary... Ugh, that dim-witted lackey really was strong; with just one strike, he nearly sent me to the afterlife.
Fortunately, he is brawny and simple-minded—the perfect target for my enchantment.
I decisively chose to perform a "soul" resonance with him. Although the process was a bit hurried and sloppy, it was indeed highly effective.
That's right, he has been enthralled by me and is now a docile dog.
When a target is enthralled, a special connection forms between us. I can feel his loyalty at all times, and I would immediately sense it if he were to slip out of my control.
Thus, I used this blockhead to play my second card.
If Prince Huai is indeed a player, then this secret contest has turned into a game where whoever loses is thoroughly exposed—and will die!
...
In a clean, tidy room within the Li Garden.
Liu Ling'er sat habitually before a bronze mirror, her slender, jade-like fingers toying with a black jade pendant. This object is called the "Disc Decree," an exclusive communication tool for the Imperial Court faction.
In the distorted surface of the mirror, one could see gauze wrapped around Liu Ling'er's fair left shoulder. This was from the cut the lackey dealt earlier; if not for her timely enchantment, that wound would have likely slid smoothly across her entire neck...
Liu Ling'er's dark brows were tightly furrowed, her pretty face etched with gravity as her mind replayed her plan.
The most important task right now is that she must find the secret chamber hidden in the Tranquility Hall before leaving the Star Gate, obtain the construction blueprints for the former dynasty princess's tomb, and investigate the secrets therein.
The penalty for failing the mission has been stated clearly: if she cannot complete it within the allotted time, no matter how skilled she is in her craft, the Emperor will certainly have her killed.
From last night until now, more than half of the mission time has passed; she really cannot afford to delay any longer...
Tomorrow, there must be a result by tomorrow!
Within this Star Gate, Liu Ling'er has real-world teammates, and this is her greatest reliance for her belief in certain victory. However, it is a pity that those two received their main quests shortly after entering and had to leave the Prince's Mansion to complete them.
Otherwise... the three of them joining forces could have attempted to sneak into the Tranquility Hall late at night.
But now that her teammates are gone, she can only rely on her wits, as the combat capability of the Songstress identity is too weak. Although she possesses a "one-hit kill" life-saving item, there is also a fence-sitting faction in this Star Gate; if she exposes her identity rashly, she will very likely die.
She must find a way to sneak into the Tranquility Hall unnoticed and complete the task covertly, thereby ensuring her identity remains unexposed.

The bait has already been cast through the lackey; now, she waits for "Prince Huai's" reaction tomorrow.
Liu Ling'er thought it over carefully, then slowly shed her clothes and climbed onto the bed with a smooth, graceful posture.
...
Another sleepless night.
In the blink of an eye, an entire day passed, and it was the evening of the next day.
This is the third day since Ren Ye entered the Star Gate. Standing in the bedchamber, watching the drifting clouds and the setting sun through the wooden window, his expression was quite vacant.
Three whole days. He hadn't slept once; his eye sockets were bruised, his complexion sallow, and both his spirit and body were exhausted to the extreme. He was on the verge of losing his mind.
Dangers lurked everywhere—either poisoning or having his "Heavenly Amnesty" energy drained. If he were the least bit careless, he could lose his life. How could he possibly sleep soundly?
"Hoo!"
Standing at the window, Ren Ye let out a long, weary breath.
After he and Lian'er finished observing the scene at Chunxiang Garden last night, he returned to his chambers to devise a second fishing plan, to be implemented tonight.
Tonight would decide life or death, and it would also determine whether Ren Ye would see the handsome face of the red-eyed berserker tomorrow morning...
A sound of footsteps arrived, and Lian'er called out crisply, "Your Highness, everything is ready."
Ren Ye turned around and rubbed his face vigorously to wake himself up a bit. "Are the Tranquility Hall and the bedchamber both prepared?"
"Everything is set." For some reason, Lian'er looked even prettier today, but the hair on her bun had mysteriously thinned, looking quite balding.
"Good."
Ren Ye thought carefully. "Have you checked the traps I asked the lackey to set in the bedchamber?"
"I checked them with him. Crossbows, hidden weapons, poisonous incense... everything that could be found in the palace to kill has been properly arranged." Lian'er stepped forward, shyly pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from Ren Ye's forehead. "Your Highness, you don't need to be too anxious. No matter what happens, Lian'er will be by your side."
This sudden flirtation made Ren Ye's heart palpitate even more strongly; he felt he was going to die of shock...
No, now is not the time for such distractions. He blocked out the unhealthy thoughts in his mind and asked seriously, "Has anyone left the bedchamber today?"
Lian'er shook her head. "No. These maids and eunuchs are experts at reading the room. They must have sensed that the atmosphere in the palace has been off these past two days, and they don't dare go out at all."
Ren Ye pondered for a long time. "What about the lackey? Is he still in the bedchamber?"
"Oh, the lackey just went to the Guard Camp warehouse. He said there were some supernatural weapons there that might be useful tonight," Lian'er replied casually.
"He went by himself?"
"Yes, the other servants can't get into the Guard Camp anyway."
"Oh." A glint of light flashed in Ren Ye's eyes, but he didn't dwell on the question. "Let's go. To the Princess Consort's chambers."
Upon hearing this, Lian'er's eyes dimmed slightly, but she still feigned joy and replied, "Recently, Your Highness and the Princess Consort have been interacting frequently. It truly is a joyous and congratulatory thing."
Ren Ye saw through her at a glance and replied in a rather callous way, "Actually, no one is as deeply devoted to me as Lian'er. The mansion is full of crises, yet you have been working so hard to maneuver on my behalf... I see all of this."
These heartwarming words instantly filled Lian'er's eyes with stars. She immediately puffed out her not-so-large chest and retorted with a proud, coquettish air, "Even if that old Emperor promised me mountains of gold and silver, this servant wouldn't care for it. I am the Prince's person, and no one can bribe me!"
What a good girl, Ren Ye thought.
He had intended to buy her loyalty, but seeing the playfulness and sincerity on Lian'er's face, he couldn't help but sigh with genuine emotion.
...
At the hour of the Rooster (5 PM to 7 PM), at the Princess Consort's chambers.
Xu Qingzhao lay lazily on a rocking chair, dressed in a loose Taoist robe, her smooth, jade-like feet resting on a footstool, reading an ancient book with great interest.
"Creak!"
The door opened. Ren Ye shuffled in with a dejected face, crying out like a dutiful son seeing his mother: "My beloved Consort, you must save me...!"
Xu Qingzhao turned her head slowly, looking surprised. "What are you doing?"
"Earlier, someone cast a Gu-poison in my bedchamber. I wanted the lackey to set an ambush to catch the thief, but it failed. My life is in danger at any moment now. Please, save me."
"No." Xu Qingzhao withdrew her cold gaze and replied quite bluntly.
"I'll kneel to you...!"
"Kneeling is useless." Xu Qingzhao didn't move, just continued reading while lying down. "I said, matters within Prince Huai's mansion have nothing to do with me."
Ren Ye looked at this heartless woman and asked, "If I die, who else can let you spend an hour a day?"
"If you die, then it is simply not my destiny."
The *Scripture of the Supreme Response* once mentioned that the Heavenly Dao bears the burden of cause and effect. Therefore, Xu Qingzhao did not want to get entangled in complex karma with someone who possessed the "Heavenly Amnesty" destiny, and she had always resisted getting too close to Ren Ye.
This was why she had helped him once before and even had Xue'er refine "virility pills" for him.
It was merely a case of each taking what they needed and owing nothing to each other.
"Fine." Ren Ye deliberated repeatedly, and only after appearing to make a great decision did he grit his teeth and hold up two fingers. "Today, I will let you have two hours, and you only need to help me with one small favor, without getting involved in the situation itself."
Xu Qingzhao looked at Ren Ye with a faint, disdainful expression, as if asking: With that frail body of yours, can you even handle two hours? Are you trying to kill yourself?!
Ren Ye caught her meaning instantly. "Don't worry, my beloved Consort. Two hours—I can handle it!"
"What do you want in exchange?" Xu Qingzhao put down the ancient book.
"For two hours, I want your strongest spell—your strongest strike." Ren Ye pointed his two fingers toward the sky, full of spirit.
"Heh." Xu Qingzhao sneered. "I've said it before: even if I were to actually teach you the arts of Yin and Yang, you couldn't possibly learn them in such a short time..."
"No, I have a secret to tell you, my beloved Consort. I am actually a genius of peerless talent, the reincarnation of the Great Emperor of Yin and Yang." Ren Ye looked directly at her, speaking proudly. "You only need to demonstrate it once, and I will be able to learn it."
"Hmph, arrogant!"