Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

The legendary author, Invincible Demon King F, has joined the platform with his new work, "Joy of Life: I, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!"

Northern Qi, Shangjing City.

Winter has arrived, and the cold wind, carrying snowflakes, has turned this majestic northern city into a desolate, silvery-white landscape.

In the seemingly ordinary cellar of a silk shop's backyard, flickering candlelight illuminated several somber faces. This was a secret outpost of the Northern Qi's Imperial Guard, and also one of the key points of communication between Princess Li Yunrui and the Northern Qi authorities.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dark red official robe was examining the newly declassified intelligence in his hands by candlelight, his brow furrowed. He was Shen Zhong's confidant, in charge of the intelligence network against Nanqing.

"That crazy woman..." the middle-aged man muttered under his breath, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "She actually wants us to investigate Lin Gong? Isn't Lin Gong one of hers? How did he end up here, and now she's questioning us?"

"Sir, something's fishy about this," a black-clad scout whispered. "According to our informants in the city, a few days ago someone did see a man who looked exactly like Lin Gong at 'Drunken Immortal Abode.' He was very generous and had several skilled guards with him. And..."

"And what?"

"Moreover, the jade pendant hanging from that man's waist was indeed a family heirloom of the Lin family. Our people tested it, and although the man tried his best to conceal it, his accent was undoubtedly Mandarin from the capital of Nanqing."

The middle-aged man took a deep breath, his doubts deepening: "That's strange. If Lin Gong has truly joined us, why doesn't he go through the proper channels to find the Empress Dowager or Lord Shen? Instead, he's hiding in the shadows like a lost soul?"

"Reply to that woman." The middle-aged man stopped, his tone chilling. "Tell her that Lin Gong is indeed in Shangjing, but he's under protection, and we can't contact him. As for the Luo Wang... tell her to be careful. This blade is too fast, too wicked. We, the Northern Qi, don't want to get burned."

He didn't ask about Luo Wang, because he knew that neither the Empress Dowager nor Lord Shen would investigate Luo Wang just because of a single sentence from the Princess.

……

Nanqing, Kyoto.

First Division of the Forensic Science Institute.

Zhu Ge stared at the mountain of files in front of him, his face ashen, as if he had swallowed a fly. Meanwhile, Fan Xian, sitting opposite him, looked relaxed, crunching on a pear he'd bought from a roadside stall.

"Lord Fan, are you turning the capital upside down?" Zhu Ge said coldly. "These past few days, you've mobilized your men to run rampant, arresting over a dozen so-called 'spies,' only to find that most of them are just smuggling merchants. Aren't you afraid His Majesty will blame you?"

"Lord Zhu, you are mistaken." Fan Xian swallowed the pear in his mouth and said with a smile, "His Majesty gave me the imperial sword, instructing me to rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free. Besides, what's wrong with smugglers? Smuggling also harms the national interest. Catching them while we're at it is a great achievement."

"You..." Zhu Ge was speechless with anger.

Just then, Wang Qinian, like a quail caught in the rain, hunched his neck and ran in from outside, carrying a pile of wet documents in his arms.

"My lord! My lord! We've made a discovery! A major discovery!"

Wang Qinian, beaming with excitement, didn't even bother wiping the rain from his face. He shoved the documents in front of Fan Xian, "The 'Drunken Immortal Abode' on the banks of the Liujing River that you asked me to investigate so thoroughly—it really does have a problem!"

Fan Xian's eyes narrowed, and the pear in his hand suddenly lost its aroma: "Speak."

"I led a few brothers, under the pretext of tax inspection, and searched the entire Drunken Immortal Inn inside and out," Wang Qinian said in a low voice, mysteriously. "In the pleasure boat where the courtesan Si Lili used to live, we found an extremely hidden compartment. Although it had been emptied out, I managed to pry out some burnt paper ash from the gaps in the compartment."

As he spoke, Wang Qinian carefully took out an oil paper package from his pocket. When he opened it, he found several scraps of paper the size of fingernails inside.

Fan Xian leaned closer to examine it closely and saw several special symbols faintly visible on the tattered paper. These were the secret codes used exclusively by the Northern Qi Imperial Guards!

"Good heavens." Fan Xian's lips curled into a cold smile. "As expected, it's the darkest place under the lamp. Who would have thought that the most extravagant pleasure quarters in the capital were actually the lair of Northern Qi spies?"

"Not only that," Wang Qinian continued, "I also found out that on the night Lin Gong had his accident, this pleasure boat briefly left the Liujing River, and its whereabouts are unknown."

"And that Si Lili is currently at the Second Prince's residence."

"Li Chengze..." Fan Xian murmured the name in his heart, and the image of the Second Prince, who was always barefoot, eating grapes, and had an innocent look on his face, appeared in his mind.

"My lord, should we...continue investigating?" Wang Qinian asked cautiously, observing Fan Xian's unpredictable expression. "That's the Second Prince's residence. If we force our way in..."

"Force your way in? Do you think I'm that stupid?" Fan Xian rolled his eyes at him, rewrapped the tattered paper, and stuffed it into his pocket. "Without enough evidence, forcing my way in would be suicide. However, this is enough for me to file a complaint with His Majesty."

Fan Xian stood up, dusted himself off, and his eyes gleamed.

"Prepare the carriage, let's go to the palace!"

……

The Imperial Study.

Emperor Qing looked at the scraps of paper and report presented by Fan Xian, his face revealing neither joy nor anger. He continued wiping the arrowheads, as if that were more important than matters of state.

"You mean, Zuixianju is a stronghold of Northern Qi, and that Sili is a spy for Northern Qi?" Emperor Qing asked calmly.

"Your Majesty, the evidence is conclusive," Fan Xian bowed and said. "Although the place is deserted, the secret document cannot be faked. Moreover, I have discovered that Si Lili is currently in the Second Prince's residence."

Emperor Qing stopped what he was doing, raised his head, and looked at Fan Xian with a deep gaze.

"What are you trying to say? Are you trying to say that the second son is a traitor?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not," Fan Xian lowered his head. "I am merely stating the facts. Perhaps the Second Prince has been misled, or perhaps... there are other hidden reasons. But Si Lili's identity is questionable, and her remaining in the Prince's residence is ultimately a hidden danger."

Emperor Qing remained silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"Deceive him? That second brother is as cunning as a monkey, who could deceive him?"

Emperor Qing tossed the arrow back onto the table with a crisp "clang." "Perhaps he saw through Si Lili's identity long ago. He brought Si Lili into the manor simply to tell me that he was watching me. This kid is trying to outsmart me."

Fan Xian felt a chill run down his spine, somewhat unsure of Emperor Qing's attitude.

"Alright, I understand." Emperor Qing waved his hand. "You don't need to concern yourself with Si Lili's matter. Since the Second Prince likes to keep her, let him keep her. I want to see what tricks he can pull. You continue your investigation, and remove all the spies in the capital, one by one!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

Fan Xian left the Imperial Study, stood on the long palace corridor, looked at the gloomy sky, and let out a long breath.

"Li Chengze... what exactly do you want?"

Fan Xian's unease grew stronger. He felt like a fly wandering aimlessly through a maze, while Li Chengze was the giant sitting atop the maze, smiling down at him.

……

The Second Prince's Mansion.

The air was exceptionally fresh after the rain, and the chrysanthemums in the courtyard were in full bloom.

Li Chengze seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood today, and he specially changed into a light purple brocade robe, making him look extremely noble.

"Lili, pack your things, I'll take you to a nice place."

Li Chengze pushed open Si Lili's door, leaned against the door frame, still holding a bunch of grapes in his hand, and ate them with relish.

Si Lili was sitting by the window in a daze when she heard the sound and her body trembled violently.

These past few days, she's lived like a frightened bird. She's heard some rumors circulating outside: the Censorate is making arrests like crazy, and Zuixianju has been shut down. She knows her identity has probably been exposed.

The man in front of her must have known all along, but instead of handing her over, he kept her in his mansion like a caged bird.

This unknown fear was more tormenting than simply killing her.

"Your Highness...where are you going?" Si Lili asked, trying to remain calm as she stood up and bowed.

Li Chengze spat out a grape seed and said with a smile, "Go see Wan'er. She said she wants to talk to someone. I thought you're skilled in all the arts, so it'll be good to go and cheer her up."

"Enter...enter the palace?!"

Si Lili's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She was a spy for Northern Qi and an agent of the Luo Wang (a secret police organization), both identities being filthy and shameful. Moreover, her activities as a spy for Northern Qi were likely already exposed. Letting her into the palace now? Wouldn't that be like walking into a trap?

"What? You don't want to?" Li Chengze raised an eyebrow, his eyes instantly turning cold. "Or do you think my residence is too small to accommodate someone as important as you, and you want to spend some time in the Imperial Censorate's prison?"

"No... Lili wouldn't dare!" Si Lili was so frightened that she immediately knelt down. "Lili will go and prepare right away."

"That's more like it." The gloom on Li Chengze's face instantly disappeared, and he returned to his lazy demeanor. "Dress up nicely, don't embarrass me."

……

The Royal Villa, Lin Wan'er's residence.

At this moment, she was sitting in the pavilion, idly feeding the fish.

"Wan'er!"

A clear, melodious voice called out.

Lin Wan'er's eyes lit up, and she turned her head sharply. She saw Li Chengze striding towards her, followed by a graceful beauty.

"Second cousin!"

Lin Wan'er cheered and ran to meet him, lifting her skirt.

"Slow down, it's only been a few days, don't fall again." Li Chengze reached out to support Lin Wan'er, his eyes full of doting affection.

"I'm completely healed!" Lin Wan'er twirled in front of Li Chengze, her skirt fluttering like a happy butterfly. "Look, I can run and jump now, and I have a great appetite!"

"Alright, alright, our Wan'er is the best." Li Chengze smiled and patted her head, then stepped aside to let Si Lili behind him pass. "Come, let me introduce you. This is Miss Si Lili, who is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I brought her here especially to keep you company."

Lin Wan'er looked at Si Lili with curiosity.

Si Lili's palms were sweating with nervousness. This was the royal villa, and the woman before her was the prime minister's daughter and the apple of the princess's eye.

She was a spy from an enemy country who could lose her head at any moment.

"Lili greets the Princess." Si Lili suppressed her fear and bowed gracefully, her posture impeccable.

"Sister Lili is so beautiful!" Lin Wan'er exclaimed sincerely, stepping forward to take Si Lili's hand. "Second cousin is so kind; he knew I was bored by myself, so he specially asked you to come and keep me company."

Feeling the warmth of Lin Wan'er's palm, Si Lili felt a mix of emotions.

This naive and kind-hearted princess had no idea who she was dealing with.

The three took their seats. Si Lili played the zither, while Li Chengze and Lin Wan'er played chess.

The melodious music could not conceal the unease in the player's heart.

"Second cousin, that was a risky move of yours," Lin Wan'er said, frowning as she looked at the chessboard. "If I had captured that piece, you would have lost."

Li Chengze held a black chess piece, glanced at Si Lili who was playing the zither with a half-smile, and said calmly, "Dangerous, isn't it? Fortune favors the bold. Sometimes, what seems like a dead end can actually lead to survival if you put yourself in a do-or-die situation. Don't you agree, Miss Lili?"

The music abruptly stopped, emitting a piercing tremolo.

Si Lili turned pale and quickly stood up to apologize: "Lili's skills are not good enough, and I have disturbed Your Highness and the Princess's enjoyment."

"It's alright." Li Chengze waved his hand and put down the black piece in his hand. "The music is disordered because the heart is disordered. If the heart is calm, even wind and rain can be a melody."

Lin Wan'er listened with a mixture of understanding and confusion, feeling that her second cousin always spoke in such a profound and unfathomable way.

Si Lili felt a chill run down her spine. He was warning her! He was telling her that her life was in his hands; if she obeyed, she could survive even if she was put to death; if she disobeyed…

"Second cousin, you always bully Sister Lili." Lin Wan'er pouted, somewhat dissatisfied. "It's Sister Lili's first time here, don't scare her."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more." Li Chengze affectionately pinched Lin Wan'er's cheek. "I'll listen to Wan'er."

Watching the two interact intimately, Si Lili felt an indescribable sense of absurdity.

One is a cunning and ruthless prince who controls everything, and the other is an innocent and naive princess who is kept in the dark. She, the "outsider" who knows the truth, is caught in the middle, becoming the most awkward and dangerous prop in this drama.

But little did they know, the innocent princess was not an innocent little rabbit... the most innocent one among them was actually herself.

……

Guangxin Palace.

"Snapped!"

With another sharp crack, a priceless blue-and-white porcelain vase shattered on the ground.

Li Yunrui, with disheveled hair, paced back and forth in the hall as if he were insane.

"You found it? You really found it?"

She suddenly grabbed the kneeling palace maid by the collar, her nails digging deep into the maid's flesh. "Is Lin Gong really in the capital?"

"Yes...yes, Your Highness." The palace maid cried out in pain, tears streaming down her face. "The Northern Qi sent word that Young Master Lin is under protection, and they can't reach him. And...and Fan Xian's situation..."

"What's wrong with Fan Xian?!" Li Yunrui screamed.

"Fan Xian... Fan Xian raided Zuixianju, and... he even presented the evidence he collected to His Majesty," the palace maid said, trembling. "It is said... it is said that the evidence points to Miss Si Lili in the Second Prince's residence."

"Si Lili..."

Li Yunrui released his grip, staggered back a few steps, and collapsed onto the soft couch.

"Okay, okay!"

She suddenly burst into laughter, a shrill and manic laugh. "Fan Xian is investigating me, my elder brother is pressuring me, Lin Ruofu hates me. Tell me, does the second prince know Si Lili's identity? What is he keeping her by his side for?"

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