Pearl in Her Mouth

Ming Shu was a spy, but she was the worst at her job and not too bright either. Apart from her pretty face, it was hard to find a single good thing about her. Yet the organization assigned her to watch the imperial eldest grandson, Pei Yan, claiming that the less clever a person was, the less likely they were to arouse suspicion.

So she infiltrated the eldest grandson's residence and became Pei Yan's personal maid.

She swore she would use this chance to prove to the organization that she was the best spy there was.

Pei Yan was the orphaned son of the deposed crown prince. He was ruthless, cruel, and mercurial. They said servants were often dragged from his residence with their skin beaten to ribbons, and even passing dogs had a layer of skin peeled off.

Ming Shu lived on tenterhooks every day, feeling as if the King of Hell himself was checking in on her at any moment. Even her hand trembled as she ground the ink. To her surprise, Pei Yan's long fingers climbed onto the back of her hand and gently, suggestively caressed it.

Ming Shu's heart raced. "No one told me this line of work required me to offer myself up..."

She had no choice but to humor Pei Yan with false affection, all so she could send information to the organization every now and then. Little did she know that Pei Yan would stew every carrier pigeon she used to pass along messages.

Later, Pei Yan eliminated his rivals and ascended the throne, while the secrets Ming Shu obtained as a spy grew more and more significant.

Afraid her identity would be discovered, she tried to escape, only to be dragged back into his arms again and again. His fingertips delicately caressed every inch of her skin as he murmured, "A Shu knows my secrets. I want to know the secrets of your body, too."

Ming Shu was forced to submit, enduring his "punishments" time and again.

*

Pei Yan was a man who had clawed his way out of a pile of bones. The weeds in his heart had long grown waist-high, but then a little maid suddenly appeared at his side, with bright, sparkling eyes and every thought written plainly on her face.

Since she wanted to be an excellent spy, he would play along.

But somewhere along the way, he gave her the empress's throne, and placed the imperial seal in her hands.

Please add my upcoming novel, "After Failing to Seduce the Cruel Minister"

Jiang Ci was a hostage princess sent from the Northern Jiang Kingdom to the Jin Kingdom. In truth, she was merely the Northern Jiang emperor's adopted daughter, sent in place of the real princess.

The Jin emperor assigned her residence next to the Qingyuan Marquis household, claiming she would study etiquette under a young lady of the marquis household, but the real purpose was to keep an eye on her. They said the heir of the marquis, Pei Yu, held the highest office, was sinister and ruthless, and had no interest in women. Worst of all, he hated the people of Northern Jiang more than anything.

Every time Jiang Ci entered the marquis's residence, she would silently pray: Buddha, please don't let me run into Pei Yu. Please, please...

Then one day, a secret letter arrived from Northern Jiang, ordering her to get close to Pei Yu, bewitch him, and seize the Jin Kingdom's military plans.

Jiang Ci: I'd rather hang myself with a rope.

Before long, gossip that Jiang Ci was smitten with Pei Yu had spread throughout the capital. The Northern Jiang princess was infatuated with the heir's good looks and devoted to him, sending him winter clothes when it was cold and iced drinks when it was hot. She even personally embroidered pouches and handkerchiefs for him.

But Pei Yu told her, "Don't waste your time. I will never fall for you."

Jiang Ci thought to herself: Hmph, who wants your love? If it weren't for those military plans, I wouldn't give a damn about you.

She kept bringing her homework to Pei Yu for help every day, trying to get closer to him. She even pretended to fall into the lake, hoping Pei Yu would come to her rescue, only to hear him say, "How utterly improper."

But at some point, Jiang Ci stopped coming to the marquis's residence and stopped attending lessons.

Pei Yu had grown used to her chatter at the residence and her daily attempts to curry favor by asking for help with her lessons. Why had that bright, vivacious face stopped appearing?

When she didn't come, he sent people to find out what she was doing.

His spies reported that the princess slept until late morning every day and had invited quite a few handsome young men to her residence. She said every one of them pleased her.

Pei Yu's face turned ashen: "Then what am I?"

Theme: A good life comes from striving hard.