Chapter 2102: Her New Identity

It would be a pity for someone of your caliber, Consort Mei, not to take on this task.

He Lingchuan clasped his hands on the table, fixing his gaze on her. "However, I must warn you, this mission is extremely dangerous. A moment's carelessness could lead to utter destruction. You'll be deep in foreign territory, and we might not be able to reach you in time."

"Oh, dangerous!" Consort Mei's beautiful eyes seemed to sparkle even more. "That sounds quite interesting."

"I had two agents who went to Mu State and disappeared shortly after, as if they vanished into thin air."

"Don't worry, I'm not them." She gazed at her slender, spring-onion-like fingers. "Is there a main target? Who should I approach to most easily gather information?"

"The Chief Regent of Mu State's Council of Regents is currently Guo Shaoping. He made a mistake recently, and he might make another one soon."

The question "How do you know?" almost escaped Consort Mei's lips, but she held it back; there was no need to ask.

"Chief Regent Guo's temperament is rather conservative and introverted; he's good at maintaining the status quo but lacks assertiveness, which doesn't suit the current external situation." In He Lingchuan's view, Guo Shaoping's problem wasn't merely making mistakes, but his governing style being "out of step with the times." "There's constant talk in Mu State's official circles that he won't remain Chief Regent for long, and the Mu Emperor is likely to appoint a new one. I agree with that assessment."

He Lingchuan then briefly explained Mu State's Council of Regents system.

Consort Mei understood. "So, the Chief Regent basically calls the shots on major state affairs in Mu State?"

"At least on the surface," He Lingchuan corrected. "Ultimately, the Mu Emperor still makes the final decision on major policies."

Consort Mei quickly grasped the implication. "So, the Emperor wants me to go undercover now, in anticipation of a new Chief Regent?"

"Going now is better than waiting until then."

"Who do you think will succeed him as Chief Regent?"

"Many favor Tang Heyuan, believing he has sufficient qualifications and extensive experience in governance; the Mu Emperor often praises him. However, in my opinion, You Huan is the most likely candidate." He Lingchuan was putting himself in the Mu Emperor's shoes, thinking that if he were the Emperor, he would likely choose You Huan from the Council of Regents to be the Chief Regent. "This man is only twenty-eight this year. He rose to fame at a young age and had a smooth political career, becoming a Councilor in the Council of Regents at nineteen. Therefore, his temperament is bold and somewhat arrogant, unlike Guo Shaoping's. Furthermore, five years ago, he served as Deputy Chief Regent, meaning he was the Chief Regent's assistant. He's very familiar with everything a Chief Regent does."

"He was selected as Deputy Chief Regent at twenty-three?"

"Exactly. Although it was only for three years, it was enough to make other Councilors in the Council of Regents extremely envious. He's a talented individual, and after taking office, many of his proposals were excellent. Mu State saw good results after implementing them, from administration to economy."

"When You Huan became Deputy Chief Regent years ago, he hosted a grand banquet for guests at his home, with continuous feasts lasting three days and three nights—quite a flamboyant display. The Mu Emperor might not dislike such a personality," He Lingchuan added. "But I'm not asking you to 'take him down,' but rather to get close to his younger brother, You Su. Even if You Huan isn't appointed Chief Regent, both brothers are deeply involved in politics, so approaching You Su will still be very valuable."

"You Su also holds office in the Mu court, and the brothers share a close bond. You Huan likely discusses national affairs with his brother frequently." He paused. "You Su's wife passed away two years ago, and he hasn't remarried. He has a playful nature; in his youth, he often competed with other noble youths in Mu Capital and even got into fights a few times."

"So, he's easier to approach?"

He Lingchuan nodded. "What identity would you prefer to use when infiltrating Mu Capital? I can assign specialists to arrange everything for you and provide you with a team."

Consort Mei replied without hesitation, "A widow."

Dong Rui: "..."

He Lingchuan, however, nodded. "The identity of a widow certainly offers many conveniences."

Such a beautiful 'widow,' worldly yet unattached, presented many opportunities.

Consort Mei rested her chin in her hand, lightly tapping her delicate cheek with her fingertips. "And what about this future Chief Regent You?"

"Don't try something too difficult," He Lingchuan warned her. "Gathering intelligence is like walking a tightrope; it's already very dangerous. You don't need to add extra difficulty for yourself."

"Alright," Consort Mei said with a smile, not pressing the issue. "I'll do as you say."

"I'll arrange a plausible background for you, in case anyone checks," He Lingchuan cleared his throat. "You will be the fifth daughter of the Mei family from Xueyou City in eastern Mu State, named Mei Fangfei."

Consort Mei was surprised. "Is there really such a family, such a Mei Fifth Daughter?"

"Absolutely authentic. No matter who investigates locally, or even goes to the Mei family's home to verify, there will be no discrepancies." The Great Emperor of Nine Hells had spoken; if he said it existed, then it certainly did. "Because the Mei family lost three children in a row, fearing bad feng shui, the fifth daughter, Mei, was sent to be raised in a manor in Libian from a young age. At fifteen, while playing by the water, she was swept away by a flash flood. Her family believed she had died, but in fact, you were carried by the floodwaters to Baiyangting, rescued and taken in by a wealthy merchant named Tao. Later, he divorced his wife and married you. Unfortunately, the good times didn't last. Tao Ying's businesses were severely impacted and rapidly declined during the Dragon God War, and he himself unfortunately died of an illness. Unaccepted by your husband's family, you were forced to leave Baiyangting and seek a livelihood in Mu Capital."

"This is perfect!" Consort Mei rubbed her hands together happily. "This role was tailor-made for me, wasn't it?"

*That scoundrel! Just moments ago, he said she could choose her identity. Bah! Hadn't he already tailor-made a widow's identity for her? Did he predict her prediction, confident she would choose a widow's identity, or did he never intend to let her choose at all?*

The most brilliant part of the background he arranged was that the details about the Mei family and Tao Ying were entirely real, so there was no fear of investigation. It was simply that the real Mei Fifth Daughter had likely perished after falling into the water at the Libian manor, and she would now take her place.

The Tao family, in particular, would gnash their teeth whenever she was mentioned, calling her a vixen or a vicious little woman, making the story incredibly vivid. If anyone in Mu State were to investigate, they would uncover countless facts, all guaranteed to be true.

Truth mixed with fabrication, reality intertwined with falsehood. The best lies are ninety percent truth and ten percent falsehood.

In contrast, the identity Yuan Guang had arranged for her years ago to approach Old Prince Chun had flaws, and she had to patch them up herself. Just on this point of cunning, the difference between him and He Lingchuan was immediately clear.

He Lingchuan smiled without speaking. Creating these backgrounds took considerable effort and time; otherwise, he would have invited Consort Mei much sooner.

"Once you're in Mu Capital, what kind of shop would you like to open?" Dong Rui interjected. "Cosmetics, jewelry, or clothes?"

Consort Mei shook her head. "Those kinds of shops are mostly frequented by women. If they see me, they might not want to enter."

Women repel women.

"It would be best to open a restaurant, an inn, a teahouse, or a private residence; information circulates quickly in such places." Consort Mei's eyes darted around, appraising the teahouse they were in. "Hmm, let's start with a teahouse, and then perhaps an elegant courtyard or an antique shop."

An antique shop is a place that deals in antiques and miscellaneous items, essentially also functioning as a pawnshop.