This man is more manly than Shen Junbai. Shen Junbai is frail and delicate, clearly a submissive type, but Dongfang Wuche looks like a dominant one. So she can't back down, she can't give in the slightest. She must have her own courage. She can be unconventional, but when it's time to act, she must act decisively, without any hesitation, especially towards the male lead.

Qiao Qiu felt that the plot was going a bit strange. As a woman, shouldn't she be opposing the female lead? Why was she always opposing the male lead?

Could it be that the guy she likes was actually a woman in the original body?

Qiao Qiu suddenly felt a little horrified.

After adjusting herself, Qiao Qiu looked at the man in the mirror again. He was tall and handsome, with deep, captivating eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. A slight smirk played on his lips (the kind that flirts and then leaves without taking responsibility). This smile was dangerous, but to women, it was irresistible; they would be like moths drawn to a flame, willing to burn to ashes without hesitation.

Qiao Qiu dressed as usual, wearing a four-clawed python robe of the finest palace brocade, with a white silk robe underneath. He wore a purple-gold crown symbolizing his status as the crown prince and white boots embroidered with auspicious clouds in gold thread.

"Ji Xian".

The door to the sleeping quarters was pushed open, and a handsome man in purple robes walked in, respectfully saying, "Your subordinate is here."

"Give the order to organize all the princes' information again and hand it over to me."

"Yes." Dongfang Wuche was the same; he would ask for information on all the princes whenever he had nothing to do. Ji Xian had become indifferent to this kind of pressure.

"Go down."

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

Qiao Qiu picked up the fan from the table and left the bedchamber. Dongfang Wuche always hated being born into the royal family, yet he couldn't bring himself to hate his father, the emperor.

Because while he was manipulating imperial power, he was genuinely sincere towards him.

Born into royalty, Dongfang Wuche was unable to experience normal family affection, a fact that has always troubled him.

After leaving the East Palace, the eunuchs followed her all the way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation before standing outside to wait.

Dongfang Wuche was promoted to Crown Prince at the age of ten, saw through the inner and outer court at the age of twelve, began to build his own power at the age of thirteen, and now at the age of twenty-three, he has become an important spokesperson in the court.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!" the eunuch at the door announced.

Many ministers had been waiting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a long time. When they saw Qiao Qiu enter, whether they were sincere or not, they all stepped forward to pay their respects and said, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"No need for such formalities, sirs." Qiao Qiu smiled slightly, but the smile was devoid of any warmth.

The ministers were also sensible and made way for Qiao Qiu.

Qiao Qiu walked to the front of the hall and saw her several imperial brothers—the Second Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Sixth Prince.

Among the princes, all those over the age of eighteen are allowed to participate in court affairs. The Sixth Prince just turned eighteen this year and couldn't wait to come to the court, which shows how competitive he is.

To Qiao Qiu's surprise, all the princes were alive. In the cutthroat world of the imperial harem, what an incredible survival rate that must have been!

"Greetings, Eldest Brother." Regardless of what these princes thought in their hearts, they had to put on a show of brotherly affection and respect towards Dongfang Wuche.

"Hmm." Qiao Qiu nodded and glanced at the best-looking younger brother among them.

Dongfang Wuye stood at the very back, neither showing off nor revealing his abilities. However, his face was indeed handsome, exquisitely beautiful, reminiscent of a poem: "A gentleman of noble character, as if cut and polished, as if carved and refined."

White robes seem to be the standard for male protagonists, and Dongfang Wuye is also dressed in white, with ink-wash patterns on his clothes, which is very beautiful. It suits him perfectly, and the color doesn't overshadow his other brothers. He looks well-behaved, yet unforgettable.

"As always, my eldest brother arrived at the perfect time," the Second Prince said with a smile, opening his folding fan.

Dongfang Wuye noticed that Dongfang Wuche's gaze had briefly passed over him, but when he looked up, the gaze had already shifted elsewhere.

Today, Dongfang Wuche was as dazzling as ever, tall and handsome, full of masculine spirit, spirited and composed, as if he had everything under control. To him, facing his brothers was like watching children play house.

This state of being was a dream that was out of reach for him.

Qiao Qiu smiled slightly, tapping her fan against her palm, and turned to meet Dongfang Wuye's gaze.

The gaze she gave him, like a hunter eyeing a white rabbit, made Dongfang Wuye's heart pound wildly. He quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at her.

"Arriving early is useless, and arriving late will only lead to Father's scolding." Qiao Qiu looked away, somewhat speechless. How could someone as pathetic as him become the emperor? Was his luck a little too good?

Qiao Qiu thought of Dongfang Wuche.

Well, with someone like that helping you cheat, it's hard not to become emperor.

"Alas, even someone as outstanding as my elder brother is scolded by Father every day. We, the lowly soldiers, should just play it safe and protect ourselves," the Fourth Prince sighed.

Qiao Qiu looked at him. If she remembered correctly, the palace coup that followed was orchestrated by this guy.

He keeps talking about protecting himself, and no one believes him the first time, but if he says it repeatedly, it has a subtle influence. When others think he's not dangerous, he launches his attack.

Qiao Qiu glanced around and realized that none of the princes here were good people, and none of them were suitable to be placed on the throne.

Although there was a legitimate emperor appointed by the emperor, Dongfang Wuye did not serve the country and its people after becoming emperor. Instead, he was manipulated by his ministers and was timid all the time.

If that doesn't work, she'll raise a little bean sprout. Maybe after these coups, the little bean sprout will grow up and inherit the throne?

Qiao Qiu thought this idea was feasible.

Don't tell anyone yet. Go to the Imperial Study after court and take a look.

An eerie silence hung over the brothers, and the ministers exchanged bewildered glances.

This atmosphere was soon broken.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

The ministers quickly lined up in two rows, and the princes stood with the crown prince. When they saw the bright yellow dragon robe, they all knelt down.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"My esteemed subjects, please rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The emperor glanced at the obedient Dongfang Wuche with his head bowed, and raised his eyebrows in surprise. How did his son change his ways?

Few noticed the emperor's momentary loss of composure. He clenched his fist to cover his mouth, coughed lightly, and looked at the chief eunuch, Gui Gonggong, who was serving him.

Eunuch Gui immediately understood, stood in front of the hall, and loudly announced: "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a minister stepped forward to report that bandits were causing trouble in the Nanxia area.

Banditry is a recurring problem every year, and the emperor has long been fed up with it. The ministers are also sensible and don't bring it up every time. This time, however, the situation is clearly much more turbulent than the previous ones.