The Young Imperial Physician Loves Gossip, and the Tyrant Can Hear His Thoughts

[Historical romance + woman disguised as a man + mind-reading + tyrant emperor + gossip + palace intrigue + sweet romance + wish fulfillment] To uncover the truth behind her father’s wrongful death, Song Qian disguises herself as a man, enters the Imperial Medical Bureau, and assumes the name “Song Linshen.” She has only one rule for survival: stay far from power and close to the gossip. The Noble Consort poisons the Empress? She quietly steps back while carrying the medicine, memorizing the recipe in her head. Prince Yi secretly keeps a private army? She squats behind a wall, munching sunflower seeds as she finds out how many there are. Investigate the case and get revenge! Once those two things are done, she’ll run.

But somehow, the tyrant Xiao Yanzhi, who claims to be ill and skips court, can hear her thoughts.

“Your Majesty, this medicine will restore your strength. Please take it slowly.” Song Qian lowers her eyes as she serves the medicine.

In her mind, she scoffs: [Restore what? His qi and blood are so strong he could smash through the city walls. Who is he fooling with this weak act?] [Prince Yi sent another assassin to the Eastern Palace this morning. Does this dead emperor really not know?] [Whatever, I’ll sneak into the imperial kitchen later and steal a jug of peach-blossom wine...]

Xiao Yanzhi holds the medicine bowl, his fingers tightening slightly. Who is the traitor? Who is colluding with enemy nations? Listening to her thoughts, Xiao Yanzhi roots out the empire’s hidden enemies one by one.

One day, as Song Qian prepares medicine, her collar slips, revealing the delicate curve of a woman’s collarbone. Xiao Yanzhi suddenly pins her against the medicine cabinet. “Imperial Physician Song, why aren’t you calling me a dead dog pretending to be sick anymore?”

Song Qian’s face changes. Oh no, he can hear me! He’s been hearing me all along!

The tyrant leans close to her ear, his voice low and husky. “I know every word you’ve ever said about me by heart.”

“You like sneaking wine? I have a twenty-year-old cask here. Stay, and you can drink it.” All she wants is to enjoy the gossip and run away, but he offers her his entire empire. “Don’t run. I’ll let only you hear my thoughts, too.”