Chapter One: The Younger Sister-in-Law

Great Qian.

Prime Minister's Residence.

"Li Yunjie, have you any last words?"

In the grand hall, a man dressed in resplendent robes sat upright, his words carrying a chilling air of authority. He was none other than Su Ming, the most powerful statesman in Great Qian.

At this moment, Li Yunjie—the man named—was bound tightly and forced to kneel in the center of the hall, looking utterly disheveled.

Today marked the first day since Li Yunjie had crossed into this world. He had been awakened at dawn by a lingering fragrance. Before he could even sort out the events that had led him into this body, several burly men had kicked down his door and dragged him from his bed.

In the confusion, he remembered that his predecessor had only just married into the family the day before, his bride being Su Ming's eldest daughter, Su Qingmeng. Yet what confounded him beyond all reason was that the naked woman lying beside him had been Su Qingmeng's younger sister, Su Xiyan.

On his wedding night, to be found in bed with his new sister-in-law—this was a stain that could not be washed away, not even if he jumped into the Pacific Ocean.

"Father, what's the point of speaking with such a scoundrel?" cried Su Qingmeng, the aggrieved sister. "Let me kill him now, and give Xiyan justice!"

Though only nineteen, Su Qingmeng was already a fourth-rank martial artist, and among the young generation of Great Qian, few could rival her prowess. Genius often comes with arrogance, and Su Qingmeng was no exception. Even her breathtaking beauty could not conceal the deadly intent in her gaze.

In contrast to Su Qingmeng's frosty demeanor, Su Xiyan, seated beside Su Ming, appeared gentle and adorable. Her large eyes brimmed with tears, fierce yet tinged with grievance. Her delicate hands fidgeted with her sleeve as she watched Li Yunjie with a pitiful expression that would arouse anyone's sympathy. Were it not for the fact that she had been mute since childhood, the gates of the Prime Minister's residence would have been overrun by noble suitors.

"If I say I’ve been wronged, would you believe me?" Li Yunjie glanced at the sword pressed to his throat and swallowed hard.

By now, fragments of his predecessor’s memories had largely merged with his own. The former Li Yunjie may have been a wastrel, but he was no fool—he would never dare provoke the Su family. On the contrary, gaining the protection of the Prime Minister’s household had always been his greatest wish.

Therefore, there must have been some foul play at work.

After a brief mental storm, Li Yunjie spoke in a low voice, "Do none of you find this matter rather suspicious?"

Su Ming arched an eyebrow, set his cup down, and said, "Continue."

Li Yunjie drew a deep breath. "First, last night I was so drunk upon entering the bridal chamber. How would I have ended up in Miss Xiyan’s room? Second, had anything happened, surely the bride would have discovered it during the wedding night—why did it only come to light today?"

His eyes fell meaningfully on the fresh blood at the base of Su Qingmeng’s right thumb. His training at the police academy told him that she must have fought someone last night.

He raised his gaze, a hint of challenge in his eyes. "May I ask, my lady, where were you last night, on our wedding night?"

"Shameless knave!" Su Qingmeng shouted. "We are not yet wed—you dare speak such nonsense!"

As she spoke, her sword pressed forward another inch, leaving a shallow cut on Li Yunjie’s neck.

"Last night, there was an assassination attempt at Prince Qiyang’s residence. As commander of the Imperial Guards, I was naturally there in person!"

Her words were forceful and proud. It was clear that this high-ranking woman general held nothing but disdain for her hastily acquired husband.

"Did you catch the assassins?" Li Yunjie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What business is that of yours?" Su Qingmeng’s tone was tinged with resentment.

Li Yunjie seemed unsurprised, giving a short laugh. "Had you caught them, this entire show would have been for nothing."

"Oh?" Su Ming tapped his cup and spoke in a low voice. "And how do you mean?"

Li Yunjie took another breath. "The assassin at Prince Qiyang’s was merely a distraction. Framing me and Miss Xiyan for an illicit affair was the true attack. With Qingmeng failing in her duty to defend the city, she is already culpable. If I am executed, the charge of adultery will be cemented—destroying Qingmeng’s future and ruining Xiyan’s reputation in one stroke. Such venomous cunning! The mind behind this is truly sinister!"

Though he embellished his words, they were not without reason.

It was clear that Su Ming was surprised by this argument. He sipped his tea, leaning forward with interest. "Then, whom do you suspect is behind this plot?"

Li Yunjie hesitated. "That, I cannot say yet."

To dare scheme against the Prime Minister’s residence, the culprit must be of considerable power; how could Li Yunjie dare to speak rashly?

"Three days," Su Ming declared, rising to his feet, his dark purple robe billowing in the breeze. "Three days to uncover the true culprit, or you will lose your head."

"Father!" Su Qingmeng protested, her emotions running high. "Why—"

"You heard him," Li Yunjie interrupted, seizing the opportunity to prevent Su Ming from changing his mind. "My lord father-in-law has given me three days."

With a shrug, he gestured for Su Qingmeng to remove the sword from his neck.

Without Su Ming’s permission, Su Qingmeng dared not act rashly. She sheathed her sword with a cold hum. "Shameless wretch—let you live for a few days more, what of it!"

With a crisp clang, the sword was put away, her anger condensed into that single, decisive sound.

"Hey! At least untie me!" Li Yunjie called after her straight-backed figure, exasperated.

Seeing she ignored him, Li Yunjie could only hop and stumble his way out, looking thoroughly bedraggled.

At the side, Su Xiyan, still in tears, was escorted away by her maid.

"Father," Su Qingmeng asked once the others had left, her face full of dissatisfaction, "do you truly believe him?"

Su Ming did not answer directly, but instead asked, "What sort of man do you think he is?"

"Nothing but a good-for-nothing, spending his days in brothels and music halls," Su Qingmeng replied with a scoff. "How could the wise and heroic Prince of Northern Tombs have sired such a wastrel!"

Her words were sharp, but there was a faint trace of disappointment in her tone.

"If that is so, do you resent me for making you marry him?" Su Ming asked, his tone meaningful.

"I would not dare," Su Qingmeng answered, bowing respectfully. "If you have arranged this marriage, Father, there must be a reason."

Su Ming sighed. "The Northern Tombs Prince’s household is already in ruins. If he is truly nothing but a wastrel, he is expendable."

He looked toward the doorway, his voice heavy. "But in that moment of crisis, he spoke with such logic and composure—that is not something a mere wastrel could do."

Su Qingmeng’s heart trembled. She recalled Li Yunjie’s earlier words, her brows drawing together in thought.

"Take this," Su Ming said, drawing a half-burned talisman from his sleeve. "It was found in your bridal chamber."

Upon seeing the sigil, Su Qingmeng’s face hardened. "This is the work of Taihu Academy!"