The emperor is biased and wants to kill me, but you chickened out when the army is at the city gates

According to the investigation report provided by the monkey, Liu Hongmei's abilities were rated as "A-level" or "Superior", which is the highest evaluation.

After reviewing her resume in detail, Qin Xuan agreed with this.

"Your Highness, are you telling the truth?"

Liu Hongmei had a misconception that things were turning around for the better.

She served the Third Prince for nearly five years, but all she received in return was endless exploitation and threats.

She knew that if she lost her usefulness one day, she and her only son would be silenced by the Third Prince. This was why she volunteered to come to Beining City three years ago.

Unfortunately, the Third Prince was shrewd. Although he agreed to her request, he left her only son in the capital as a hostage.

"I know Qin Zhen has an intelligence organization called 'Young Phoenix,' which you established, right?"

The reason why Qin Xuan values ​​Liu Hongmei so much is precisely because of this.

The organization "Young Phoenix" was composed entirely of courtesans, with members spread throughout various prefectures and counties of Daqi, continuously providing Qin Zhen with all sorts of intelligence.

In particular, the Meiyuge in Kyoto was the most prestigious music and dance academy under Liu Hongmei's management, attracting a large number of important court officials.

Qin Zhen won over many officials through this method.

"Your Highness, you already know even this much?"

Liu Hongmei was incredulous and her eyes widened.

Three years ago, although Qin Xuan was stationed at the border and not in the capital, how could Qin Xuan, as Qin Zhen's rival, not have some spies in the capital?

When he left Kyoto, he still had many of his own men who had not yet been mobilized.

Otherwise, even if the four major chambers of commerce knew where Huang Lin lived, how could they have so easily managed to take him away from Qin Zhen's nose?

"I not only know, but I also know the inside story of what happened back then."

Qin Xuan's gaze was deep, his eyes revealing a shrewd insight into the ways of the world: "Three years ago, you left the capital not only to protect yourself, but also because of the betrayal by your close friend, whom you considered a sister."

"Furthermore, I can also tell you that when you first pledged allegiance to the Third Prince, it was she who secretly revealed that you had a child."

The next sentence struck Liu Hongmei like a thunderbolt, leaving her frozen in place.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Green Willow would never do this to me. I'm her savior, and I've always treated her like my own sister."

Liu Hongmei shouted somewhat out of control, but she could still sense the cruelty of the truth in Qin Xuan's eyes.

"I've said what I needed to say and given you the terms. The rest is up to you."

Qin Xuan wouldn't act rashly to recruit someone, especially an enemy, without absolute certainty.

The series of events that happened to Liu Hongmei became a good prerequisite for Qin Xuan to recruit her.

Because she harbors hatred in her heart—hatred for Qin Zhen and hatred for her former best friend Su Luliu—she will have absolutely no intention of rebelling in her subsequent actions.

"Your Highness, I am willing to abandon darkness and embrace the light, but I have one condition."

After a moment of confusion, Liu Hongmei finally revealed her habitual, charming smile once again.

"Even if you don't tell me, I know what your demands are: you are to kill Su Luliu."

Qin Xuan said directly.

Liu Hongmei nodded slightly, all the grievances and resentments that had been building up in her heart for so long now turning into the motivation for revenge.

“In Kyoto, I had someone fake your son’s death, but you still have to act as if you are being blackmailed.”

Qin Xuan reminded her, and a hint of surprise flashed in Liu Hongmei's eyes. At the same time, her fear of Qin Xuan increased.

She initially thought that Qin Xuan would directly save people, which would help her, but it would also cause new trouble and make it difficult for her to stay in Wan Hua Lou.

"Make arrangements in the next couple of days. I will have the guards of Tiangong Workshop cooperate with you so that your spies can obtain the secret recipe for honeycomb briquettes."

Honeycomb briquettes were something the Daqi court had always wanted, especially Qin Zhen, who hoped to use them to regain the support of Emperor Qin Tian of Daqi.

"Is Your Highness trying to exploit the secret recipe for honeycomb briquettes?"

Liu Hongmei truly lived up to her reputation; she immediately guessed Qin Xuan's intentions.

Qin Xuan nodded approvingly: "I will give you a half-true, half-false secret recipe. The honeycomb briquettes made with this recipe will burn much less effectively, and thick smoke will be emitted when they burn to the second half."

"Your Highness, please forgive my rudeness, but even if the court used a fake secret formula to produce fake honeycomb briquettes, once they are sold, someone will inevitably complain. At that time, apart from making Qin Zhen angry, there will be no great profit."

Liu Hongmei was very adaptable to her role. Now that she had agreed to join Qin Xuan's camp, she immediately began to think about it.

“You’ve thought this through well, but His Highness will find a way to get Qin Zhen to stockpile a large quantity of honeycomb briquettes.”

Zhao Luoying also recognized Liu Hongmei's talent and offered an explanation.

Liu Hongmei nodded slightly and said nothing more.

Seeing her reserved demeanor, Qin Xuan offered a timely reminder: "There's no need to be so nervous around me. As long as you sincerely work for me, you'll get everything you want."

He paused, then added, "Your son will arrive in Beining City in two days. You can come and pick him up yourself."

"You'll come pick me up yourself?"

Liu Hongmei was stunned. Did this mean she could reunite with her son immediately?

She could hardly believe her ears, and for a moment she lost control of her emotions, falling to her knees with a thud: "Your Highness's kindness is immense, Hongmei is willing to repay it with her life!"

"I look forward to your performance. I'll give you three months to take control of the young phoenix."

Qin Xuan got up to leave, adding as he left, "This is the Princess Consort. You can contact her if you need anything in the future."

Qin Xuan thought to himself that Zhao Luoying clearly didn't like him coming to brothels, so it would be best to leave these kinds of things to her in the future to avoid causing trouble for himself.

Zhao Luoying was taken aback at first, but then she understood her lord's thoughts. Feeling slightly touched, she couldn't help but whisper to Qin Xuan as they went downstairs:

"Your Highness, I simply dislike these courtesans, but if it's a lady from a respectable family like Hua Mingyue, Your Highness is welcome to marry her."

"But let me make this clear beforehand: I am the princess, and those who come later can only be concubines."

Hearing this, Qin Xuan couldn't help but burst into laughter: "You're pretending to be so generous now, but you might really be furious later."

"Hmph, I wouldn't be that petty!"

“You are a prince, and you will ascend the throne in the future. It’s impossible for me to be the only woman. That won’t do.”

As Zhao Luoying pondered, although she was certainly reluctant to part with Qin Xuan, the concept of women in this era was different. Even housewives in ordinary families had to consider the continuation of the family line and take the initiative to choose concubines for their husbands.

"Let's not talk about that. Keep a close eye on Liu Hongmei. She's a rare talent."

Qin Xuan chuckled and shook his head: "If she can win over all the young phoenixes, it will be of great help to our next move. So, you should support her unconditionally, both in terms of manpower and financial resources."

"I understand, Your Highness, please rest assured."

Zhao Luoying nodded, then asked, "Your Highness, now that Liu Hongmei has been subdued, shouldn't we send someone to the capital of Daqi to implement that plan?"

Qin Xuan nodded, a smile playing on his lips: "It's time to put it into practice. Now I'm going to make the Great Qi court feel the pinch."