After the Canary Escapes

[Powerful Lead Takes What He Wants]

Everyone at court says Xie Jia is lucky. She passed the imperial examinations, caught the Crown Prince's eye, and rose rapidly through the ranks from the very start of her career.

But only Xie Jia knows how dangerous it is to serve in the Eastern Palace.

Disguising herself as a man is the least of her crimes against the emperor. She is also a spy planted in the Eastern Palace by Prince Han's household. Since the Crown Prince has no interest in women and never accepts beauties offered from the provinces, Prince Han came up with this plan as a last resort.

In her three years as an official, the Crown Prince has been alternately cold and warm toward her, but has treated her exceptionally well. He is also a true heir, skilled in both letters and arms, and held in high regard by all.

But Xie Jia is not loyal to the Crown Prince.

Of course, she has no intention of obeying the ambitious Prince Han, either.

She only focuses on counting the salary and rewards she has saved up, determined to find a chance to run away.

Then she can fly wherever she wants, rich and carefree.

As Xie Jia hoped, she gets her chance when the Crown Prince moves to purge the spies planted by Prince Han's household.

She learns of the news in advance and immediately gathers her money and valuables. If she fakes her death, Prince Han's household will surely assume the Crown Prince killed her and stop looking for her.

Everything goes perfectly, until several guards surround her outside the city gate.

Nervously, she clutches the money pouch in her sleeve and spots a familiar figure on the city wall.

She is taken back to the Eastern Palace.

Knowing when to yield is the mark of a wise person, so Xie Jia makes an impassioned show of loyalty. "Y-Your Highness, I am grateful for your recognition. I can turn against them and serve you instead. I will be absolutely loyal."

Lu Zhao says nothing, only leisurely flipping through the list of spies from Prince Han's household.

Under Xie Jia's anxious gaze, he speaks. "I hear that my uncle, Prince Han, was planning to give you to me anyway?"

Xie Jia freezes as he laughs in anger, steps down from his throne, and approaches her one step at a time.

"If we could both get what we want, why go to all this trouble?"

He lifts her chin. "Am I right, Xie Jia?"

From the male lead's perspective:

He fell in love with a little fox.

No matter how he tries to tame her, she never warms up to him.

Message: Stand on your own two feet.