Zhao Yao the Con Artist

[Launching in October] [Unrestricted chapter comments] [1v1]

Quick blurb: Three hundred days of a fake eunuch and a fake consort pulling the wool over everyone's eyes

■ Real amnesia → fake amnesia ‖ Eyes open, and the lies begin ‖ A survival guide to court and harem politics

● Earthy, innocent, and highly accomplished, a rebellious puppy gong × a shrewd, exceptionally skilled, dark-to-white-to-dark, flirtatious and gorgeous shou

After adjusting her hairpins, Yu Sizhao enters the bedchamber in a splendid gown.

As agreed, for the next three hundred days, he must play a consort of noble birth who is carrying the emperor's child.

Yu Sizhao thought that with his abilities, pretending to be a woman would be a piece of cake.

Who knew the imperial harem would be so dangerous?

If Nie Yao, the man currently unconscious on the bed, hadn't accidentally drunk the bowl of poisonous medicine meant to protect the pregnancy, Yu Sizhao would be the one lying there now.

To ensure his safety going forward, Yu Sizhao needs to find a trustworthy ally as soon as possible.

But where could he find someone like that now...

Just then, Nie Yao slowly wakes up.

With an interrogation coming, seasoned liar Yu Sizhao has already prepared an impeccable explanation.

But before Yu Sizhao can say a word, Nie Yao speaks first: "May I ask who you are?"

Nie Yao's gaze is clear and bright.

He is nothing like the second young master of the Tianwen Sword Sect who tried to drag Yu Sizhao to the authorities outside the palace just a few days ago.

Yu Sizhao freezes, his pupils trembling.

What's going on? Did he lose his memory? Did the medicine make him stupid? Is he pretending? Is it real?

After testing him, Yu Sizhao realizes that Nie Yao really has lost his memory.

Well, this couldn't have worked out better!

Quickly sorting out his new plan, Yu Sizhao clears his throat and puts on a woman's voice. "What are you talking about, Eunuch? I have been your master for years. You had a fit last night and collapsed unconscious. I was worried sick."

Nie Yao lowers his gaze. His eyes linger for a moment on Yu Sizhao's hands, partly hidden by his sheer, wide sleeves, the joints slightly prominent. Then he replies, "I will never forget your kindness in saving my life. I am willing to... serve you, Your Highness."

Yu Sizhao never imagined that Nie Yao would be even harder to handle after losing his memory. His personality had turned completely upside down.

He had gone from a sensible young gentleman to a meddlesome hothead.

Whenever he came across an injustice, he would stand up for what was right, no matter which powerful people he might offend.

And he refused to do anything that went against his principles.

Even if it was an order from his master, Yu Sizhao.

With no other choice, Yu Sizhao has to keep relying on his wits to protect himself.

By day, he navigates the tangled forces of the court and harem.

By night, he carefully disguises all kinds of petty crimes as something respectable, tricking Nie Yao, the stubborn, good-hearted mule with impressive martial skills, into carrying them out.

As the days and nights pass, Yu Sizhao seems to get used to this life.

When he doesn't have to make up a story, he can watch flowers, enjoy wine, and talk about love and romance with Nie Yao in relative comfort.

One day, the imperial kitchens send over soup again after a long absence.

After everything that has happened, Yu Sizhao is now greatly favored by the emperor, holds a position just below the empress, and is popular both at court and among the people. No one would dare poison him now.

Yu Sizhao picks up the bowl and, as usual, scoops up a spoonful and brings it to Nie Yao's lips.

To his surprise, Nie Yao, long accustomed to tasting food this way, subtly draws back.

Yu Sizhao freezes, then laughs coldly and forcefully pulls him back. He pries Nie Yao's mouth open with the bowl and pours all the warm soup down his throat.

"When did you get your memory back?"

Now that the truth is out, Nie Yao no longer hides or resists. He lets Yu Sizhao do as he pleases and lets the soup spill down his clothes.

"...A month ago."

Yu Sizhao laughs helplessly.

You can only walk by the river so many times before your shoes get wet.

The land falls into chaos, the capital is breached, and the two impostors take the opportunity to leave the palace, one going east, the other west, each heading in the opposite direction.

Yu Sizhao thinks this is where they part ways.

Nie Yao will go back to become the leader of the righteous sects, while Yu Sizhao continues down his own unorthodox path.

As for the hazy feelings they shared in the palace, he thinks of them as nothing more than a fleeting dream.

But to his surprise, before half a month has passed, Nie Yao shows up at his door.

With nowhere to run, Yu Sizhao refuses to back down and asks, "What brings Second Young Master Nie here?"

Nie Yao uncorks his flask and pours out a stream of clear wine.

"To look at flowers, drink wine, and talk about love and romance."

[Reader Advisory]

* Both are pure. First love, first kiss, and first time: they are inexperienced in every sense.

* This is a fictional setting! A fictional setting! A fictional setting! Do not compare it to reality.

* Pregnant people should not drink alcohol. Even a pretend pregnant person should probably go easy on it.

Theme: This body is but a boat adrift between heaven and earth. Where in the land is freedom not found?