The sun rose on the horizon, gilding the roofs of the Li mansion in gold. Yet the atmosphere inside the residence could not have been darker.
A scroll sealed with the imperial stamp had arrived that morning, and its contents left the entire family plunged into terrifying silence.
Li Wei watched the desperation in his mother's eyes as her trembling hands held the decree. His sister, Li Mei, was pale, as if she had seen a ghost.
"This can't be…" she murmured, her voice breaking.
*Shit…*
Li Wei ran a hand over his face, stifling a curse. He knew this could happen.
He knew Xu Feng was seeking concubines, and he also knew his sister was one of the most beautiful women in the nobility. But still, seeing the confirmation stamped on an official scroll made his blood boil with rage.
*That damn emperor… He hasn't even seen my sister in person and already wants her as another object in his collection of concubines.*
"No… I don't want to go." Li Mei began to sob, clinging tightly to her mother. "Mother, tell him no! I don't want to be his concubine!"
Their mother let out a choked sob.
"We cannot refuse an order from the emperor!"
Li Wei closed his eyes in frustration. It was true.
Defying an imperial order was a death sentence.
If they rejected the summons, Xu Feng might see it as disrespect. He could wipe out the entire Li family without a second thought.
*Damn it… we're trapped.*
His mother took Li Mei by the shoulders, her gaze desperate.
"Son… we must protect Mei!"
Li Wei frowned.
"How?" he asked, though he already sensed the answer.
His mother swallowed before replying.
"You… must take her place."
Silence thickened in the room.
Li Mei looked at her mother in shock, then at her brother, horror reflected in her eyes.
"What…?"
"Li Zhen, you must go in her stead." His mother's voice trembled, but her resolve was firm. "The emperor has never seen Mei in person… And you…"
Li Wei felt a stab in his stomach. He knew where this was going.
He had long, silky white hair. Pale skin, delicate features… an androgynous appearance.
He could pass for a woman if dressed properly.
Li Mei shook her head vehemently.
"No! I can't let my brother do this!"
Li Wei clenched his fists. Of course the idea seemed insane to him.
Him, pretending to be his sister, in the palace of a ruthless tyrant.
*What the hell am I thinking? I can't accept this. I can't.*
But then he looked at his mother and Li Mei.
His sister gazed at him with terrified eyes, tears streaming down. She had never left the mansion; she had no weapons to face a life as a concubine.
And his mother… his mother had already lost her husband. If she lost her daughter too, she probably wouldn't survive it.
Li Wei felt a knot in his chest.
Shit.
Damn it.
I hate this.
But…
If someone had to take this risk, it would be him.
He was not the real Li Zhen.
He was not a fragile, frightened child. He was Li Wei.
A college student who wouldn't let himself be trampled.
If he had to infiltrate the palace, he would do it with his head held high.
If he had to face the emperor, he would do it with a warrior's determination.
No one would subdue him.
He took a deep breath and looked at his mother.
"Fine."
Li Mei gasped.
"Brother, no!"
Li Wei gave her a small smile.
"Trust me. I won't let that emperor do anything to me."
The truth was he had no idea how he would pull it off.
But one thing was certain.
He would not be the victim in this story.
If Xu Feng thought he could subdue him just because he was "a concubine," he was in for the surprise of his life.
The sun had barely reached its zenith when the servants of the Li mansion began moving in haste. Preparations to transform Li Wei into "Li Mei" had begun.
Li Wei, seated before a large bronze mirror, stared at his reflection with a mix of disbelief and resignation.
"This is ridiculous…" he grumbled as one of the maids began brushing his long white hair.
"Young master… I mean, young miss, please don't move too much," said one of the maids with a nervous smile.
Li Wei sighed. He wouldn't get used to this.
*How the hell did I end up in this situation?*
He was supposed to be researching Emperor Xu Feng's history, not becoming one of his concubines.
"Brother… are you sure about this?" asked Li Mei, frowning. She had stayed in the room, watching everything with worry.
Li Wei gave her a calm look.
"It's the best option. Don't worry, Mei."
His sister pressed her lips together, visibly distressed.
Meanwhile, the maids continued their work.
"Your hair is truly beautiful," murmured one of them, marveling as she wove an intricate braid into his white hair. "I've never seen a woman with such ethereal beauty…"
Li Wei suppressed a sigh. He wasn't even a woman.
When they finished with his hair, they started on the makeup.
Rice powder to soften his already pale skin even more, a faint blush on his cheeks for a delicate look, and a touch of color on his lips.
"Brother… you look…" Li Mei covered her mouth in surprise.
Li Wei raised an eyebrow and looked at his reflection again.
What he saw left him momentarily speechless.
The image in the mirror was not that of a man.
It was that of a young woman with silver hair and deep blue eyes, exuding an air of elegance and fragility that didn't belong to him at all.
He barely recognized himself.
"Not bad," he murmured, assessing himself.
"Not bad?!" exclaimed Li Mei. "You look like one of those immortal beauties from legends!"
Li Wei let out a dry laugh.
"Too bad I'm not really one."
The maids offered several dress options.
"This one will give an air of innocence… but this will enhance your elegance…"
Li Wei just sighed as they dressed him. He was already in this mess, so he might as well do it right.
*Let the game begin.*
---
Li Wei never thought his life would reach this point.
Dressed in a sky-blue silk hanfu with golden embroidery, his long hair styled in an elaborate updo with delicate jade hairpins, and his face made up with such precision that even he couldn't fully recognize himself.
He looked at his reflection in the bronze mirror and sighed.
"This is too much."
"It's not enough!" exclaimed one of the maids, leaning toward him with shining eyes. "We must ensure the emperor falls head over heels for you, Miss Mei!"
Li Wei nearly choked.
"Hey, hey!" he said, raising his hands. "This is just to protect my sister, not to seduce that guy."
"But if you manage to catch his attention, it will be easier to avoid trouble," his mother interjected seriously. "If the emperor becomes obsessed with you…"
"I'd prefer he doesn't, thanks," Li Wei muttered through gritted teeth.
Li Mei, in a corner of the room, could barely contain her laughter.
"B-brother… you look… adorable."
Li Wei shot her a sharp glance.
"Careful, Mei. I could make you take my place any moment."
"No! No! I'm sorry!" she said, waving her hands with a nervous smile.
"Alright, now we need to make sure you behave like a lady at all times," his mother said with determination. "We have to practice!"
Li Wei felt a chill.
"Practice what… exactly?"
**First attempt: walking elegantly**
The maids placed a pair of embroidered shoes with thin soles on him.
"Young master… I mean, young miss, you must walk with short, elegant steps."
Li Wei rolled his eyes.
"Sure, like that's hard."
Five seconds later, he tripped on the rug and nearly fell flat on his face.
"What the hell…?! This damn dress tangles in my legs!"
The maids exchanged nervous glances.
"Maybe you need more practice…"
**Second attempt: delicate voice**
"Young miss, the emperor must not hear a deep or rough voice," explained one of the maids. "Try to speak more softly."
Li Wei cleared his throat.
"Uh… hello… Your Majesty…"
His mother and the maids looked at him disapprovingly.
"No, no, no. More delicate."
Li Wei sighed and tried again, softening his tone.
"Your Majesty… it is an honor to meet you…"
The maids nodded.
"That was better!"
Li Mei, meanwhile, had covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
**Third attempt: laughing like a lady**
"A lady must laugh elegantly, not with guffaws."
Li Wei arched an eyebrow.
"So how should I laugh?"
One of the maids demonstrated:
"Fufufu~."
Li Wei looked at her like she was crazy.
"I'm not laughing like that."
"You must!"
"Fu… fu… fu," Li Wei tried half-heartedly.
The maids paled.
"That sounded terrifying."
Li Mei was already crying with laughter in the corner.
After several hours of failed attempts, his mother sighed.
"We'll have to trust that your beauty makes up for the rest…"
Li Wei rested his head on the table.
*I'm so screwed.*
---
Still dressed in his sky-blue hanfu, his long white hair styled in an elegant braid, and flawless makeup, he stared at his reflection in the bronze mirror with annoyance.
"How is it possible I ended up like this?"
His mother's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Li Mei, you must remember that in public you cannot act like Li Zhen. You must be refined, sweet, and—"
"Yes, yes, I know, Mother," he replied with a fake smile. "I'll be the most charming lady to ever exist."
His mother eyed him suspiciously but said nothing more.
Just when he thought he'd get a breather, a servant rushed in, pale-faced.
"Madam, young miss! There's a group of men outside demanding to speak with the Li family."
Li Wei raised an eyebrow.
"Men?"
A bad feeling crawled up his spine.
---
Li Wei headed to the back courtyard, his mother and sister following close behind.
Upon opening the door, he saw a group of young men, well-dressed but with arrogant, cruel expressions.
He recognized them instantly.
*So these bastards are back.*
These were the same guys who, in Li Zhen's life, had beaten him to death.
And the same ones he, in his rightful revenge, had already thrashed before.
But this time there were more.
*What, couldn't handle one guy alone so you brought reinforcements?*
The group's leader, a young man with a scar on his cheek, stepped forward.
"Apologies for the interruption, Li family. We've heard rumors that the beautiful Li Mei has been chosen as a potential concubine for the emperor."
"That's correct," his mother said warily.
Li Wei felt growing nausea at the men's leering gazes.
"We wanted to congratulate her in person," the scarred young man continued. "And of course… spend some time with the charming miss."
Li Wei felt a burning fury in his chest.
*Seriously? They're trying this in front of Li Mei's family?*
He kept his expression serene and lowered his head with apparent shyness.
"I'm flattered by your interest…" His voice sounded soft, almost innocent.
The men exchanged satisfied looks, believing they had found easy prey.
One of them tried to approach.
Li Wei glared and, in a swift move, grabbed his wrist and twisted it.
"Argh!" the man yelled.
Before the others could react, Li Wei kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying backward.
"W-what the hell?" another exclaimed.
Li Wei straightened, his expression now ice-cold.
"You wanted to 'spend some time' with me? What a shame… because I wanted to play a little too."
The entire group stood in shock.
*How can a lady fight like this…?*
But their confusion didn't last long.
Furious at the humiliation, the men drew daggers.
"Kill her!"
*So they're really trying to kill me? Perfect.*
Li Wei smiled with chilling coldness.
The men lunged at him.
But they made a fatal mistake.
He was not Li Mei.
He was Li Wei, a man from the future who wasn't afraid to fight.
Moving with agility, he dodged the first attack and used his hanfu sleeve to trap one assailant's wrist, twisting it with a dry snap.
"ARGH!"
Without wasting time, he used the momentum to kick another in the jaw.
The rest, now more cautious, surrounded him.
*Alright… now it's getting interesting.*
Li Wei braced for the real fight.
---
The air in the Li residence courtyard grew tense, charged with adrenaline. The group of assailants now surrounded Li Wei, still disguised as his sister Li Mei, with expressions of fury and bloodlust.
"Damn it! How can a mere woman fight like this?" growled one, clutching his broken wrist.
*Idiot… if you knew the truth, you'd be even more horrified.*
Li Wei took a deep breath, staying on guard. Though his clothing and long hair made him look like a fragile lady, his stance and the way he eyed his enemies told another story.
He was not the fragile Li Mei.
He was Li Wei, a man from the 21st century, and he wasn't going to die here.
"I'll give you one chance," he said calmly but lethally. "Leave now, and I'll let you go with just one broken bone."
The men laughed.
"Hahaha! You think we're scared of a woman?"
"You asked for it," another added, brandishing his dagger.
Li Wei clicked his tongue.
"Fine. I tried to be nice."
And then he attacked.
With impressive speed, Li Wei ducked just as one man lunged with his knife. Seizing the opportunity, he kneed him in the stomach, doubling him over in pain.
The others reacted immediately.
One tried to grab him from behind, but Li Wei used his own momentum to spin and elbow him in the jaw.
Another attempted to stab him head-on, but Li Wei caught his wrist, twisting it with a crack.
"AHHH!"
*One down.*
He spun agilely, catching an opponent's sword with his hanfu sleeve and flinging it away.
The group began to back off, scared.
*What the hell is this woman?*
"Attack all at once!" shouted the leader, recovering from his shock.
Li Wei snorted.
"Oh, now you want to play for real…"
**The moment of fury**
The assailants charged him together.
Li Wei used his speed to dodge most of the blows. A punch came at his face, but he blocked it with his forearm and struck the attacker in the throat, leaving him gasping.
Another tried to kick him, but Li Wei caught his leg and slammed him to the ground brutally.
The sound of breaking bones filled the air.
In that moment, Li Wei felt a surge of satisfaction.
*This is for Li Zhen, you damn bastards.*
One of the assailants tried to stab him in the back.
Li Wei spun just in time, catching the dagger with his bare hand. The blade sliced his palm, but he didn't let go.
He looked at the man with an icy smile.
"You tried to stab me… how rude."
In one motion, he returned the strike, burying the dagger in the man's thigh.
"AAAAHHH!"
The man collapsed, writhing in pain.
The rest of the group began to tremble.
"T-this isn't normal…"
"She's not human…"
Li Wei brushed the dust off his clothes.
"I gave you a warning. Now, tell me… do you want to keep going?"
The men exchanged terrified glances.
And then, they fled like rats.
---
Li Wei stood his ground, watching the cowards disappear into the distance.
His breathing was rapid, his heart pounding… but he was satisfied.
*This is how Li Zhen's story should have ended the first time.*
He felt a sting in his palm and looked at the bleeding cut.
"Tch… annoying."
That's when he heard a gasp behind him.
He turned and saw his mother and Li Mei with eyes wide open, utterly stunned.
His mother, pale, could barely speak.
"L-Li Zhen… what was that?"
Li Mei, even more shocked, murmured:
"B-brother… since when… do you know how to fight?"
Li Wei blinked.
*Oh… right. To them, I'm still Li Zhen.*
He let out a nervous laugh and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.
"Ah… well… didn't I tell you I… took some self-defense classes?"
His mother still hadn't snapped out of her shock.
"That wasn't self-defense! That was a massacre!"
Li Wei sighed.
"Mom, don't exaggerate. I just gave them a little lesson."
"Little? You left them half-dead!"
"And they still deserved it," he replied indifferently.
His mother opened her mouth to argue, but Li Mei cut in.
"B-brother… are you okay?"
Li Wei looked at her.
His younger sister was trembling slightly, but not from fear—from worry.
He felt an unexpected warmth in his chest.
*This girl… she really cares about me.*
He softened his expression and smiled at her.
"I'm fine, Mei'er. You don't have to worry about me."
Li Mei nodded slowly, still looking uneasy.
His mother finally sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Good heavens… what madness."
But then, she looked at her "son" with something different in her eyes.
Respect.
"If you have that strength… maybe you can survive in the palace."
Li Wei froze.
Oh, right.
The palace.
Emperor Xu Feng.
He had forgotten for a moment, but reality was back.
He still had to become a concubine.
He still had to survive in the palace.
And he still had to find a way back to his time.
But one thing was certain.
He would never be a victim again.
---
The atmosphere in the Li residence was a tangle of emotions. Despite the day's tension, the family gathered for one last dinner together before Li Wei's departure to the imperial palace.
Paper lanterns illuminated the dining room with warm, dim light. The table was laden with well-served dishes, his mother's attempt to make this a memorable farewell.
But no one seemed to have much appetite.
Li Mei stared at her rice bowl, stirring it with chopsticks without eating. His mother, meanwhile, watched her son with a mix of love and desperation.
Li Wei sighed inwardly.
He knew this dinner would be tough.
He decided to break the silence.
"Well… the food smells good. Mother, Mei'er, you should eat."
His mother glared at him.
"How can you eat at a time like this?"
Li Wei blinked.
"With my mouth?"
Li Mei let out a choked laugh through tears, but his mother wasn't in the mood for jokes.
"Li Zhen! This is serious. How can you be so calm when tomorrow… tomorrow you might…?"
She didn't finish the sentence.
Li Wei set his chopsticks down and leaned back, looking at his mother calmly.
"Mother, I'm not going to die."
"You can't be sure of that!"
"I am," he stated with conviction. "I'm not the same as before."
His mother lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes.
"I don't want to lose you… I already lost your father, and I couldn't bear to lose you too."
Li Wei felt a pang in his chest.
He wasn't really her son, but… the way she spoke, the way she looked at him… it was genuine.
This love was real.
He gently took his mother's hand.
"Mother… I promise. I'll come back."
She looked at him with tear-clouded eyes.
"Don't make promises you can't keep."
Li Mei, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
"Brother…"
Li Wei turned to her, surprised by her trembling tone.
"Mei'er…"
Li Mei's eyes shimmered with tears falling silently down her cheeks.
"I don't want you to go…"
Li Wei swallowed hard.
He hadn't expected this to be so hard.
She gripped his hand tightly.
"Please… don't die."
Li Wei felt something inside him twist.
He couldn't promise something so big… but he could promise this.
He squeezed her hand back.
"I'll do everything I can to survive."
Li Mei nodded, sobbing.
His mother, watching the scene, sighed and took a sip of tea.
"It's settled then… tomorrow you leave."
The dinner continued in heavy silence.
Until Li Mei, with a trembling voice, tried to change the subject.
"Brother… I never asked you, but… how do you know how to fight like that?"
Li Wei shrugged.
"Ah, well… you know, training…"
Li Mei frowned.
"But you didn't know before…"
His mother eyed him suspiciously.
"That's true. I don't remember ever seeing you train."
Li Wei laughed nervously.
"Let's just say… I found great motivation to learn."
His mother narrowed her eyes.
"You haven't been getting into trouble, have you?"
"Of course not!"
Li Mei stared at him.
"You're not fooling me…"
Li Wei felt a chill.
*Why are little sisters so terrifying?*
He quickly changed the subject.
"Hey, Mei'er, want my duck meat?"
She frowned.
"Don't distract me with food."
His mother clicked her tongue.
"You should learn to be more discreet, Zhen'er."
Li Wei laughed nervously.
Finally, the dinner came to an end.
Li Mei was the first to stand.
"I'm going to prepare some things for you, brother…"
His mother also rose.
"I'll help."
Li Wei sighed, watching them leave the room.
Then he ran a hand through his hair.
*This is harder than I thought.*
He stood and slowly walked to his room.
When he arrived, he collapsed onto the futon with a sigh.
"Tomorrow… the real trouble begins."
He covered his eyes with his arm, feeling the weight of the day on him.
*I'll be surrounded by venomous snakes… in a place where one mistake can mean death.*
But then he remembered something.
The terrified expressions of the men who tried to kill him today.
If the emperor or anyone else planned to harm him, he wouldn't be a lamb awaiting sacrifice.
He smiled to himself.
*If the game is rigged… I'll change it in my favor.*
**An unexpected ending**
Just as he was about to drift off, the door burst open.
"Brother!"
Li Wei jolted.
"What the hell?!"
Li Mei rushed in with a serious expression.
"I have something important to give you."
Li Wei sat up, frowning.
"What is it?"
She pulled something from her sleeve and placed it in his hands.
Li Wei looked at the object.
It was… a small dagger.
"This is…?"
"For you to protect yourself," she said firmly. "I don't trust the emperor."
Li Wei looked at her in surprise… and then with a smile.
He took the dagger and hid it in his clothes.
"Thanks, Mei'er."
She nodded, but before leaving, she turned back.
"Brother…"
"Yes?"
"If anyone tries to do anything weird to you…"
Li Wei raised an eyebrow.
"Anything weird?"
Li Mei frowned seriously.
"You know… if anyone tries to touch you inappropriately… kick them between the legs!"
Li Wei nearly choked on his own saliva.
"What kind of sister teaches that?!"
She looked at him with complete seriousness.
"One who doesn't want her brother to end up as a perverted emperor's concubine."
Li Wei covered his face with one hand, feeling a mix of embarrassment and affection.
Having a sister like her was definitely both a blessing and a curse.
"Good night, Mei'er…"
"Kick hard!" was the last thing he heard before she closed the door.
Li Wei let out a sigh and collapsed onto the futon again.
*Tomorrow will be a long day…*