1: Two princesses...serving one husband?

(Dual female protagonists, Yandere, Husband-pampering focus, HE)

(Fictional Daxing Dynasty, but some official titles and appellations originate from the Song and Ming Dynasties, such as the Pacification Bureau, and the Flying Fish Guard is based on the Jinyiwei, etc.)

(Some settings are a bit absurd, but there is no cultivation, no system, no superpowers, no transmigration... I'm a Yandere novel author, so Yandere is the focus)

(Not a 'face-slapping' novel, and the author's political maneuvering isn't great, so don't take it too seriously)

(Please keep your brain, or the zombies will take it away...)

In the Daxing Dynasty, it was one year after the New Emperor ascended the throne. After enduring the brutality of the Struggle for succession among the seven sons, the Fifth Son of the Former Emperor finally ascended the throne by decree and quelled the rebellion.

This year, the entire capital was not immersed in the joy of the New Emperor's ascension; everyone, from high officials and nobles down to common folk, felt endangered... “Pah, what a terrible life. Now that The Emperor has ascended and is purging Rebel loyalists, let alone thieves, even a dog wouldn't dare come out on the street!”

“Don't shout so loud, aren't you afraid of causing trouble!”

Two City Patrol Soldiers were carrying lanterns, complaining, yet still patrolling the streets. The elder one spat again, still cursing: “Damn it, who doesn't know now that the Flying Fish Guard from the Pacification Bureau might pop out at any moment? A new official takes three fires to establish authority, let alone the New Emperor ascending the throne?”

“Since you know that, say less!” The younger one held his lantern and looked around. “You also know that these ancestors can execute first and report later, granted special imperial authority. Even a mere Squad Leader is probably someone no one in the capital dares to offend!”

“Come on, do you really think the people in the Pacification Bureau live a human life?” The elder voice was full of disdain. “Since Emperor Taizu unified the world and established the Pacification Bureau, these people have been doing the job of offending others! To put it nicely, they are The Emperor's eyes and ears; to put it crudely... they are just a chamber pot.”

“They have to handle the dirty and smelly work. They look magnificent wearing the flying fish robe and holding the xiuchun saber, but which of the Civil and Military Officials doesn't have a relative or close friend serving in the court? Setting aside others, those literati in the Righteous Official submit Memorials to The Emperor every few days.”

“If a disaster strikes today, it's because The Emperor is not diligent enough. If there's a flood tomorrow, it's because The Emperor is too negligent in governance. Ha, ever since Emperor Taizu established the Pacification Bureau, the Censor Officials and Supervising Censors have impeached these Flying Fish Guard members every few days.”

“No one wants to live with a chokehold around their neck. These people carry out assassinations and confiscate property—how many people have they offended openly and secretly? How many Flying Fish Guard members have you seen die a peaceful death, or have their descendants flourish?”

“Setting aside others, just look at that 'Smiling Yaksha', tsk, tsk, tsk... People say that even Prince Lanling reborn wouldn't be much better. A grown man with skin like rendered fat, more beautiful and handsome than a woman—what good is that? How many cases has he handled this year? Not to mention the distant ones, just look at...”

The voice, originally full of contempt, suddenly stopped short. The elderly City Patrol Soldier suddenly turned to look behind him, his pupils instantly dilating, followed by violent trembling.

“Why did you stop talking, Officer?”

From the shadows, a man slowly walked out, wearing a black flying fish robe, holding a standard-issue xiuchun saber in his left hand.

“What a coincidence. The 'Smiling Yaksha' you two were just discussing, who is also our Captain, happens to be having a late-night snack at a stall over there after arresting the Remnants of the Rebel Prince.” That Flying Fish Guard looked at him with a half-smile. “Officers, would you trouble yourselves to come with us?”

Not far away, at a night market stall, Mo Yingqi was holding a bowl of Wontons, eating with great relish. If not for the black flying fish robe he wore, you might even mistake him for a young master from some Marquis's manor.

His thick black hair was tied into a topknot, a black headband bound his forehead, and he wore a neat and tidy flying fish robe. Unlike the other Flying Fish Guard members, he wore no official hat. The Saber placed on the table was not the standard-issue xiuchun saber; its pitch-black scabbard and handle made it look more like a japanese sword.

With skin like rendered fat and red lips and white teeth, it was hard to imagine a man being described using terms of beauty. Yet, despite his appearance, Mo Yingqi lacked any trace of effeminacy, and a faint smile perpetually hung on his face, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.

“Shopkeeper, how much is it?”

Mo Yingqi placed the empty bowl on the table, wiped his mouth, and looked up at the trembling Shopkeeper. Hearing him speak, the Shopkeeper quickly waved his hands, his voice shaking: “Ca- Captain, this, this meal is on the house, a tribute from my humble shop...”

“Ah, don't say that. The Flying Fish Guard lives off Imperial stipends and certainly shouldn't exploit the common people.” Mo Yingqi smiled faintly and casually placed a piece of broken silver next to the bowl. “Keep the change. I just ask the Shopkeeper to temporarily step aside, alright?”

The Shopkeeper tremblingly took the silver, thanked him, and quickly ran off to hide. Only then did Mo Yingqi turn to look at the two men, leaning his left hand on his face, looking as if he were watching a show: “Officers, if you're patrolling, then patrol properly. If you truly had ability, you wouldn't be doing the work of City Patrol Soldiers; you'd pass the Imperial examinations and submit a Memorial to the Grand Secretariat, right?”

“S- S- Sir...”

“Discussing government affairs without authorization. Send them back to the barracks for forty Military canes each.” Mo Yingqi turned to look at the tall, thin man beside him, who was dressed in black, resembling a Clerk. “capital, is there anything else to add?”

“Nothing for now.” The tall, thin man shook his head, but then seemed to recall something. “According to Dynasty Law, the City Patrol Command is guilty of lax governance and can be held accountable.”

“Then hold them accountable.” Mo Yingqi stretched, casually picking up the Saber from the table. “Two people, escort them back to their unit's Commanding officer, and watch them receive their punishment. Tomorrow, capital, draft a Memorial to be submitted, impeaching the City Patrol Command.”

The two City Patrol Soldiers never imagined that a moment of indiscretion would not only get them beaten for nothing but also implicate their Superior officer! But they were helpless; the Pacification Bureau was created for exactly this purpose.

“Officers, please?” A Flying Fish Guard spoke respectfully, but his eyes were full of contempt. “Just now, the officer said we were a chamber pot. You were absolutely right. Without us, who would deal with all your... excrement, right?”

Ignoring the two men being shoved away, Mo Yingqi's gaze remained fixed on the gateway of a courtyard not far away. The main door was tightly shut, and there wasn't even a lantern lit in front of it.

“Are you sure they haven't come out?” Mo Yingqi slightly turned his head to look at the Clerk behind him. “Is the boy there too?”

“Almost certainly. Most of the Six Rebel Princes and their loyalists have already been executed, but there are still some Old officials trying their best to preserve the Rebel Prince's bloodline.” The Clerk named capital nodded. “The Master has everything ready, just waiting for the Captain's order.”

“Then just arrest them. The instruction from above is to only seize the Rebel Prince's bloodline and their Attendants.” Mo Yingqi rubbed his eyes. “I should hurry back too; I'm starting to feel tired...”

“So, when is the Captain going on a blind date?” capital asked abruptly. “My Wife...”

“Seriously, can you stop acting like an overbearing father?” Mo Yingqi was slightly exasperated. “I'm only twenty, what kind of date should I be going on?”

“You've reached adulthood, Captain.” capital said, pulling a small booklet from his sleeve. “My Wife specially selected a few Young ladies. Would you like to take a look?”

“I'm on official duty, Clerk Tang.” Mo Yingqi had no recourse against him. “Besides, do you really think everyone in the world is as lucky as you, able to marry an angel like my Sister-in-law?”

“The way you put it! My Wife and I have known each other since childhood, childhood sweethearts...”

“Enough, hurry up and get to work!” Mo Yingqi genuinely didn't want to hear his seemingly nagging but actually boastful behavior again. “You placed fifth in the Imperial examinations back then. Fine, you insisted on joining the Pacification Bureau, but why are you so enthusiastic about matchmaking?”

“Well, I see you're single, right...” A hint of coldness flashed across Tang Jingzhong's face, but he quickly steered the conversation back. “Just like you, don't we both have things we can only accomplish by relying on our position in the Pacification Bureau?”

“That's right...”

Mo Yingqi nodded, his gaze drifting into the distance, but he didn't expect the old fellow beside him still wasn't done with the blind date topic: “You better hurry up. Good girls are hard to find these days. At least you're drawing an imperial stipend, and promotion to Centurion is only a matter of time. Besides, do you really think matchmaking is easy? Nowadays, even the Legitimate Princesses are marrying one husband between two women...”

“Wait, how are those things related?” Mo Yingqi laughed and playfully punched him. “Don't talk nonsense. Discussing matters of the Inner Court—if that gets out, neither of us can afford the consequences.”

“You're the only one who doesn't know. This matter has become the talk of the town throughout the capital.” Tang Jingzhong rolled his eyes. “The New Emperor dotes most on the two daughters born to The Empress. When they were in the Imperial residence, these two princesses were always treated like precious jewels; His Majesty and The Empress never refused them anything.”

“That can't be true, right?” Mo Yingqi found it amusing. “Since ancient times, I've never heard of two princesses marrying one husband. I bet the Censor Officials and Supervising Censors are going to raise a ruckus again.”

“Hey, tell me, could it be that news of your handsomeness—comparable to Pan An—got out, and the two princesses want to marry you?”

“Get out of here with your nonsense! Not only would I not dare dream of such a thing, but if it were true, I'd eat this family heirloom Saber!”