"Where do you work? What are you doing standing here?"

Gu Cheng's cold and harsh tone startled the maid, but the thought that the prince was still alive gave her confidence. She was still a little uneasy, but her tone was anything but timid. She slightly raised her head, knowing better than to look directly at the person before her, and replied in a proper and respectful manner.

"Reporting to the General, this servant is on His Majesty's orders to guard the door. The young lady and His Majesty are still discussing matters in the study."

A meeting? Or is it a meeting with a court official and a woman in his inner quarters? What could they possibly be discussing?

Emperor An Jingxuan was truly a good emperor who indulged in women during a time of national crisis!

How could he compare to his own prince?

"This is improper and offensive to public morals!"

Gu Cheng spat out the most vulgar language he could muster, and left without wanting to stay a moment longer. He truly didn't understand what was so good about the emperor, and why his sister was so determined to marry him!

Thinking of the prince, Gu Cheng couldn't help but recall the guards' report that the courtyard was very quiet, and the food sent there was left untouched at the door. Gu Cheng sighed.

Why don't we go and see his prince? He's so proud and arrogant, and he's refusing to eat or drink anything. How can his body take it?

To Gu Cheng's utter surprise, after returning to the suburban villa, surrounded and guarded by layers of guards, the most important person in the courtyard seemed to have vanished into thin air, and not a single person could be seen.

Apart from a few empty wine jars lying around on the ground, the house was so clean that there was no indication that anyone had ever lived there.

The servant who accompanied Gu Cheng also stared wide-eyed in surprise.

"Tell me, when did the person inside disappear?"

Gu Cheng, barely suppressing his anger, asked the question slowly and deliberately, his anger burning within him.

"Well, I really don't know! General, you ordered us not to go in and disturb you, but since you left, that distinguished guest hasn't come out at all. The food is left at the door, but he never comes to pick it up. There is a smell of wine coming from outside, so... so..."

The servants trembled with fear, as if standing on the edge of an abyss. Although General Gu was as docile as a quail in front of the prince and young lady, to them, he was a ruthless killer.

"An Jingqiu, you really have some impressive skills!"

Although Gu Cheng had guessed that the Regent would not let this humiliation go unpunished, he did not expect this day to come so suddenly. Of course, even a cunning rabbit has three burrows, so how could he not have a backup plan?

"Investigate immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"

A figure in black suddenly appeared behind Gu Cheng, kneeling to receive the order before disappearing again. The servant, who clearly knew the man's identity, showed no surprise and simply served the general, who was in a bad mood, with care.

If the system were still operational, it would definitely have noticed that this person's figure was exactly the same as the subordinate Yu Ling had recently recruited!

The maidservant who was guarding Gu Wen would soon find out that the prince she longed for had already left the villa she hadn't had time to visit. She had to abandon her plan to go back and serve him, and could only wait patiently for further news.

Gu Cheng and Gu Wen had actually done a very thorough job. The secluded villa was surrounded by mountains and had only one road in and out. It was surrounded by countless identical trees forming a forest. Not to mention the threat of wild animals, even Gu Cheng would be completely lost without a guide once he entered this dense green expanse!

But who knew that what looked exactly like trees to them were, in the eyes of Yu Ling, the tree spirit, living maps!

With almost no effort, Yu Ling crossed the forest after figuring out the guard branch. Unfortunately, although the villa was in a remote location, it was still within the capital city limits. Without a travel permit, he would definitely be caught red-handed if he tried to leave!

Fortunately, Yu Ling had mastered the art of disguise from the original owner's memories, so he didn't have to worry about being discovered for the time being. However, the system kept muttering in his ear, which annoyed him.

[Ah, host, you are the dignified Regent! Is it really okay to wear women's clothes?! Waaah, host, you're suffering...]

"Shut up! Wasn't this idea yours first?"

Yu Ling simply couldn't understand the system's thinking.

[Sob, but the host is still so pitiful~]

Yu Ling thought to herself, if this system ever becomes a physical entity, I'll definitely beat it up to vent my anger!

[So, when I suggested going to Yicui Tower, the host agreed!]

Is it really okay to speak in such a cheerful tone?

Yu Ling immediately saw through the system's despicable nature: while it claimed to be aggrieved towards its host, it was actually quite honest in its heart, wanting to see him dressed as a woman and selling smiles.

"Going wouldn't hurt, after all, I am a girl, Tong'er~"

The last two words were melodious and alluring, and Yu Ling immediately uttered a daughter's voice, her vocal skills were superb.

[Aww! The host is a girl! No wonder her name sounds so feminine!]

The system screamed excitedly. Once inside, there's no such thing as gender, so even the cutest girl will be trained into a man.

"Oh……"

Yu Ling reverted to her old indifference.

"I was just kidding, you idiot!"

"Which tree spirit isn't hermaphroditic? Where does the concept of gender come from?"

Despite being dressed in men's clothing and being a true man, Yu Ling managed to exude a natural charm.

Is this beauty that transcends gender? The system thought to itself.

“However, you said my name sounds feminine?” Yu Ling’s face had turned icy.

System: [Waaaaah, I was wrong, okay, host! You're the man! You're the best!]

Although it was late at night, the courtyard of Yicui Tower was brightly lit. It was probably the most bustling place in the dead of night. Yuling knew that nobles and nobles must be disguised and staying here to play and make merry. It was not advisable to show her face. So she pretended to faint in the backyard where the maids came and went.

It must be said that this method was indeed effective. Before long, the little girl who went out to take out the medicine dregs discovered the girl dressed as a man trembling in the corner of the steps.

It's certain that she'll be dressed as a man. Although Yu Ling is highly skilled in disguise, even the most skillful woman can't cook without rice. She lacks everything—rouge, powder, silk, and satin—so she'll naturally still wear her original outfit. However, she's changed her body shape using bone-shrinking techniques, making people want to protect and pity her.

Without makeup to conceal her features, Yu Ling had to pull out her pale, sickly complexion to the extreme just to barely cover her sharp features.

The sickly beauty was naturally beautiful without a trace of lifelessness, only a detachment from all worldly concerns, delicate yet not unpleasant to behold.

If she had entered Yicui Tower, she would probably have become a top-notch courtesan of the new generation. It's just a pity that she ended up here. Although her clothes are covered in dust, the style and material are still excellent, probably belonging to a girl from an ordinary family.

"Ouch—it hurts..."

With her long eyelashes fluttering slightly, the sleeping beauty on the bed finally woke up. The sisters, who didn't have to entertain guests, gathered together and began a heated discussion about the ownership of the beauty they had found.

"Oh dear, this little girl is awake! Please be quiet!"