If you're made a fake emperor, why did you change the country's name?

The night breeze flowed along the eaves, and candlelight shone from inside the house.

On the window, a slender figure was illuminated by candlelight, sitting quietly, exuding a unique charm.

Inside Ji Yue's room at the Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

She rested her chin on her hand, gazing absently at the flickering candlelight on the table.

The flame flickered and reflected in her eyes, making her think of something, and an unnatural blush rose on her cheeks.

"Hmph, you stinking beggar!"

She muttered a soft, coquettish remark, tinged with a hint of embarrassment she herself was unaware of.

No sooner had she finished speaking than a voice that was neither male nor female rang out from behind her without warning.

"What's wrong? Did that beggar annoy you, Madam?"

Ji Yue felt her hair stand on end, and like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she instantly sprang up from the stool, dodging several meters away, and looked warily toward the source of the sound.

From the shadows of the room, a hunched figure slowly emerged, a perpetual fake smile plastered on his face.

It's Grandpa Hai.

Upon seeing who it was, Ji Yue's tense body relaxed, but her face darkened.

"What are you doing here?"

"Naturally, I've come for His Majesty's sake." Eunuch Hai slowly flicked his sleeve. "This old servant is ordered to see what Princess Ji Yue's attitude is towards the Prince now."

A mocking smile appeared on Ji Yue's face.

"Hasn't everything gone as His Majesty wished?" she said coldly. "The so-called poison has become an aphrodisiac, and now the whole capital is buzzing about my affair with that beggar. Isn't your prince satisfied yet?"

Hai Gonggong's cloudy eyes darted around, sensing the displeasure in her tone, and he already had a guess in his mind.

His smile remained unchanged, and he first apologized.

"Regarding the aphrodisiac, it was my subordinates who failed to properly inform you. This old servant apologizes to Madam."

"But His Majesty hopes that Princess Ji Yue can spread some more word for the sake of the 'big picture'."

"I refuse."

Ji Yue answered crisply and decisively.

"I've done enough for him, and I've already repaid the debt from three years ago. As for the rest, let him figure it out himself."

Hai Gonggong frowned, a hint of threat creeping into his fake smile.

"If the princess continues with this attitude, I'm afraid next month's medicine..."

"medicine?"

Ji Yue glared at him as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world, and her anger, which had been building up for three years, exploded instantly.

"Zhao Yu promised me three years ago that he would get the real antidote for my brother!"

But it's been three years!

To this day, all they've given me is fake medicine that can only prolong my life!

Do you really think I, this princess, am so easily fooled?

She pointed to the door and shouted sternly.

"Get the hell out of here!"

The fake smile on Eunuch Hai's face finally crumbled, and he gave her a deep look.

"I hope the princess will not regret this."

As soon as he finished speaking, he swayed and disappeared into the shadows. There was only a soft creak at the window before he vanished without a trace, as if he had never been there at all.

Ji Yue's face was ashen, and her chest heaved violently.

But she quickly realized something, her face paled, and she hurriedly shouted towards the door, "Someone come here!"

The Imperial Guards guarding the door immediately pushed it open and entered.

"Go check out my brother's secret room!"

"Yes."

The Imperial Guards accepted the order and left, returning shortly afterward.

"Princess, all is well."

Ji Yue finally let out a long sigh of relief and slumped into the chair.

She paused for a moment, then looked up at the expressionless Imperial Guard and spoke in an annoyed tone.

"Go back and tell your emperor to send me some capable people!"

"You bunch of Grandmasters can't even spot a single person? You're utterly useless!"

The Imperial Guard showed no emotion on his face, merely cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Your subordinate obeys."

After saying that, he turned and left without any hesitation.

"Really..."

Ji Yue watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but mutter another complaint.

"Although he is a piece of trash, he is a true loyal follower. He doesn't even react when you scold him to his face."

I have no idea how that stinking beggar managed to train such a group of people.

……

Inside the imperial palace, in the sleeping quarters.

Zhao Yu crawled out of bed, let out a long sigh, and picked up an antique-style cigar that had been prepared beforehand from the bedside.

I lit it with a tinderbox, took a deep drag, and then exhaled a beautiful smoke ring.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the blanket stirred, and a delicate head peeked out.

That rosy little face was cute and alluring; it was none other than Xiaoyue Beier.

She nestled lazily in Zhao Yu's arms, a satisfied blush on her face, her voice soft and sweet.

"Your Majesty is amazing."

Zhao Yu smiled upon hearing this and reached out to pinch her smooth cheek.

"No, you're more talented."

"Your Majesty is naughty."

Xiaoyue Beier gave a coquettish cry and snuggled closer to him.

Zhao Yu laughed and placed the cigarettes on the tray beside him, preparing to have another three hundred rounds with her.

Just then, Wei An's hushed voice came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard requests an audience."

Zhao Yu stopped moving.

After thinking about it, he decided to deal with the important matters first.

"Bei'er, stay by yourself for a while, I will come and teach you later."

"Mmm~" Xiaoyue Beier swayed coquettishly, the scenery was delightful.

But Zhao Yu did not linger.

He patted the beauty in his arms, then got up, dressed, and walked out of the inner palace.

A member of the Imperial Guard knelt on one knee in the hall.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report from the Prince of Zhennan's residence."

The Imperial Guards recounted in detail the suspected visit by a Celestial Being late at night, as well as all of Ji Yue's reactions and requests.

When Zhao Yu heard Ji Yue ask him to send several experts at the Celestial Realm, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

The Imperial Guards of the Celestial Realm?

The only Celestial Realm expert he could actually use was Qiu Ping.

But now Qiu Ping has to keep a close eye on Miyamoto of the Imperial Hospital, so it's impossible for him to spare the time to protect Ji Yue.

Zhao Yu looked at the letter and began to think.

Since Zhao Yu sent Eunuch Hai to probe, it means that the Zhennan Prince's Mansion is most likely being watched.

Ji Yue is not important to me right now, but she is still important.

At least we need to use Ji Yue to prevent Zhao Yu from overthinking things and falling into his trap.

We must send a skilled expert to oversee the situation.

But where do people come from?

A name suddenly popped into his mind.

Consort Shen, Shen Miaochu!

That woman, ranked second on the Liang Dynasty's beauty list, was a saintess of the Daoist lineage, and her strength was an unfathomable Celestial Realm expert.

A slight smile appeared on Zhao Yu's lips.

Sending Shen Miaochu to help guard the Zhennan Prince's Mansion is the most suitable option.

Moreover, judging by the time, this imperial concubine should be seeking him out for "dual cultivation" by now.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yu gave an order to the kneeling Imperial Guards.

"By imperial decree, effective immediately, the number of guards at the Prince of Zhennan's residence shall be doubled."

"As for the experts at the Celestial Realm, I will personally arrange for them to go tomorrow."

"Yes, sir!"

The Imperial Guards received their orders, and in a flash, they disappeared into the night.