Meng Linjie was the sharpest blade in the Celestial Secrets Pavilion, but she transmigrated into the body of a young eunuch and was sent to spy on the tyrant Xiao Zhi. She only wanted to finish her mission and make a getaway, but somehow she got far too invested. Using modern thinking, she helped him fight corruption and solve cases; using economics, she helped him bring enemy nations to their knees. The entire court praised her: “Eunuch Xiao Lin is a pillar of the state!”
Xiao Zhi had seen through her disguise from the start, but insisted on keeping her by his side. Watching her rack her brains to keep her lies straight became the only amusement in his otherwise tedious life as emperor. Then she was exposed in front of everyone and accused of deceiving the sovereign. Under the gaze of the entire court, he shielded her, his eyes dark and deep. “I knew all along. Stay by my side, and I’ll share half this empire with you. I’ll share half of myself with you, too.”
Meng Linjie: Wait, weren’t I supposed to retire in seclusion once I’d earned my merit? How did I end up giving myself away, too?
