Fengri City.

When Shen Hao first laid eyes on the "good seedlings" Zhu Shou had mentioned, he was distracted for a brief moment. They were genuinely beautiful—even at only fifteen or sixteen, they already took one’s breath away, slender and well-shaped, not precisely voluptuous but carrying an alluring charm.

And each of the two seedlings had their own appeal: one gentle, one lively, both blinking wide eyes, timid yet curious.

"They seem to look rather alike, don’t they?"

"Mm, the same age, and they’re cousins, so some resemblance is inevitable." Zhu Shou waved for both girls to sit at the desk.

One to paint, the other to practice calligraphy.

"The elder sister is skilled at landscape painting, shows some talent—her brushwork is delicate and vivid. The younger is good at calligraphy, decent comprehension. Let them study another couple of months, and their work will be just about presentable."

Zhu Shou spoke lightly, but his expression showed no small measure of pride. Good seedlings shouldn’t just be good-looking—they must be clever, too. Otherwise, what upper-tier person lacks a beauty to warm their bed? True lasting company requires conversation and inner substance.

"Lord Zhu, you truly have keen eyesight! These two young ladies are no ordinary ones!" Shen Hao glanced at the pair before him. Beneath their youthful allure, there was quite a hint of inner elegance; their paintings and writing, though not his specialty, struck Shen Hao as beautiful, certainly above ordinary standards.

The word from Chen Sheng earlier was that Bai Changqing liked to drink and compose poetry at the Flower House, and the companions he preferred were young girls, mostly lively or quiet—exact matches for the two girls before Shen Hao now.

"Naturally. I’ve worked every position here in the brokerage for so many years; I’d say my eye for people is reliable. Right now they’re still learning embroidery and bedroom arts. Half a year more, they’d be flawless, but by year’s end some things will still be lacking, I’m afraid."

"Bedroom arts? Is that really appropriate? They’ll be going out with new identities—won’t that seem awkward and unnatural?" Shen Hao felt uneasy. If these two girls were too skilled in bed, wouldn’t that be a giveaway? What proper family’s girls would learn such things?

"Hmph, shallow. The true top-grade bedroom arts are subtle yet smooth, stimulating both parties’ senses naturally—completely different from what you imagine. You’ve never seen these techniques, so it’s only natural you don’t know."

Shen Hao instantly caught the contempt in Zhu Shou’s gaze—a clear hint: had Shen Hao not been with enough women to appreciate such skills?

"Are you certain? The target this time is no ordinary man—if anything goes wrong, both our heads will roll."

"Relax, I know what I’m doing. But, what is it Xuanqing Guard is really up to? Even, even daring to plant a mole around Minister Bai. This is..."

"Enough. Don’t ask what you shouldn’t; even if you ask, I don’t know either. You think a Hundred Households Officer like me knows the inner workings? Like you, I simply carry out my orders."

Zhu Shou sighed, his face darkening. Regretful—shouldn’t have been so greedy in the past. Now, falling into Shen Hao’s hands, this Evil Star—it was like walking a tightrope.

Planting eyes and ears beside the Minister of Revenue... Zhu Shou had never dreamed of such a thing before.

"The training in reconnaissance is handled by Liu Meng, along with loyalty testing. Whatever methods Liu Meng’s used, in just two months, these girls already strongly identify as ’secret agents,’ willing to make sacrifices, and much less resistant to training mentally."

Shen Hao understood this as "identity deviation" — compared to being mere slaves, the role of secret agent was entirely different. Even if their actual tasks hadn’t changed, adopting a more acceptable identity made things easier for them.

Once an identity’s chosen, self-recognition deepens; coupled with Liu Meng’s brainwashing, the results were impressive, judging by the current situation.

After watching the girls for a while, Shen Hao felt quite satisfied. As a man, he did feel desire for them, but it wasn’t purely lust—it also carried an emotional attraction.

To be blunt, these two girls evoked the sort of feeling that made one want to have a romantic affair.

And Bai Changqing was an old man, seventy-five, Gathering Spirit Realm First Layer—thanks to cultivator genes his body still functioned, and attitude remained youthful; perhaps exactly this fresh feeling was what he’d been pursuing!

"Can you solve the identity issue?"

"Forget about backgrounds of dignitaries or nobles, that’d be too difficult. And, looking at the files you gave me, I’d say Bai Changqing is idealistic, passionate about poetry, fond of impressionistic works, and quite emotionally driven. So I’d prefer to orchestrate a chance meeting—as long as their identity can pass muster. For example, daughters of a civil servant’s household."

Shen Hao thought for a moment—Zhu Shou’s analysis wasn’t off. A "chance meeting," followed by an autumn romance? It was cliché, a bit contrarian, even.

"That works. Go ahead and arrange it. If you need anything, just tell me directly."

"Money. At least fifty thousand taels. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee people will willingly furnish identities for them."

"Fine. I’ll give you an extra ten thousand taels, sixty thousand in total. I hope you’ll handle it smoothly."

"Mm, I’ll do my best. Also, there’s something else I’d like to ask."

"Hmm? Lord Zhu, go ahead."

Zhu Shou looked hesitant, but spoke: "Lately I’ve heard that the Master’s health is failing, he’s thinking of retiring, and the higher-ups are searching for a successor. Here in Fengri City, my seniority and ability are the best fit, but I worry that someone might be appointed from above instead."

So, could you give me a little push?"

Having finished, Zhu Shou gazed at Shen Hao expectantly. He had to; rumor had it that once the Master retired, the new Master would be imposed from above, not promoted locally, so Zhu Shou had every reason to be anxious.

Shen Hao laughed, "Lord Zhu, this is no small matter. Tell you what—I’ll report it immediately. If the higher-ups agree to support you, Lord Zhu, you should also show gratitude, right?"

Zhu Shou’s request was clearly long planned. He said, "If Xuanqing Guard helps me secure the Master of the brokerage position in Fengri City, I’ll accept your previous offer and take up a Small Banner Officer title in the Black Banner Battalion."

"Oh? That would be ideal."

Shen Hao was well pleased with Zhu Shou’s "expression," though it sounded as if Zhu Shou was gaining, getting a Xuanqing Guard Small Banner Officer post for free—but in reality, it was a binding of identity, and for someone like Zhu Shou—already of high rank—it was a way to show loyalty. Where once it was by coercion, perhaps now it would be by choice.