The Nine-Bend Stairway to the Throne

Flirtatious Prince × Cold-faced Strategist

Hidden daggers lurk in the treacherous court; together, they brave the martial world and pursue their true ambitions.

The court is rife with undercurrents. Li Qingcang appears to be a dissolute playboy, indulging in poetry and wine, but in truth he plans every move carefully. Using his reputation as a flirt as armor, he maneuvers through the struggle for the throne among warring brothers. He seems to be helping his elder brother claim the Eastern Palace, but secretly bides his time, determined to tear open the festering corruption at court.

At a poetry gathering, he meets Qian Fuyi, a female physician disguised as a young man. Clever and courageous, she can use her silver needles to heal people and expose conspiracies, and she dares to face danger alongside him as his strategist.

“If Your Highness truly means it, you should be on the road to Hezhou right now.”

“Miss Qian, becoming a retainer would waste your talents. How about becoming my strategist instead?”