Keep your voice down. Are you trying to look glamorous dressed as a forced lover?

When Li Qingyan got into trouble, Song Qinian disguised himself and left the palace, ignoring his family's objections, to search for him personally.

He searched the area around Qujiang all night, and then went to Lijiang after dawn. He didn't dare to rest for a moment, and his feet were blistered and then he popped them.

When news of Li Qingyan's return to the palace reached him, he breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a wave of lingering fear.

He was more certain of his feelings than ever before, and he regretted it more than ever before. He had acted impulsively and shouldn't have made things so tense with her.

He couldn't even imagine what it would be like to lose her. He rushed back to the palace, wanting to tell Li Qingyan his feelings and that he loved her.

But he saw Shen Lue.

My burning heart gradually cooled down.

The pain in his feet told him clearly that this was not a dream.

He stood silently for a long time, his heart churning with emotions he couldn't quite describe—anger, bitterness, or embarrassment.

When Li Qingyan looked over, Song Qinian's face was expressionless, only his fingers were tightening.

He didn't question me, only lowered his eyes slightly, his tone eerily calm: "This person looks quite like me. What is Your Highness's purpose in seeking him out?"

Was he someone she could replace at any time?

Li Qingyan: "..."

Song Qinian had refused before, but damn it, she was still feeling guilty.

"There was no particular purpose; I just wanted to save Ji Mingzheng."

But Li Qingyan herself knew this explanation was far-fetched. If Shen Lue wasn't like Song Qinian, she definitely wouldn't have brought him back.

Unlike Song Qinian, Shen Lue was not qualified to be a candidate.

So, a stand-in is still a stand-in; it's never as good as the original.

Li Qingyan doesn't really like to judge Song Qinian through other people's eyes, as it's unfair to both Song Qinian and Shen Lue. This is quite different from Tang Fei's situation.

She thought that if possible, the original would be better.

Seeing Shen Lue so emotionally out of control, Song Qinian was probably concerned, right?

She had just opened her mouth when Song Qinian spoke first.

"I see."

Song Qinian's lips twitched slightly. Afraid of losing his composure, he quickly left, unaware that the light in Li Qingyan's eyes had completely disappeared.

He didn't want to lose face in front of his substitute, and even though he was almost bursting with anger, he managed to suppress it.

Li Qingyan looked at Song Qinian's back, opened her mouth, but in the end didn't say anything.

Song Qinian couldn't really help her much, but unfortunately he didn't like her after all, so there was no point in saying anything more.

She remained silent, and Shen Lue stood to the side, equally silent.

From their first meeting, Shen Lue keenly noticed the unusual look in Li Qingyan's eyes, as if he were looking at someone through him.

He thought it was just his imagination, but it turned out to be true.

Only at this moment did he realize that he resembled Song Qinian, the most famous young master in the world, and the prince's concubine, Song.

He had heard his name countless times; he was an opponent he had studied and was determined to defeat.

He was surprised and shocked, but he was much calmer than Song Qinian.

Seeing the weariness in Li Qingyan's eyes, he quickly and tactfully took his leave.

Li Qingyan didn't stop her; she was indeed quite tired.

She pressed her temples and gave the order: "Investigate Shen Lue."

The following day, information about Shen Lue appeared on Li Qingyan's desk.

After just one glance, Li Qingyan raised an eyebrow; something was interesting.

Of course, similar information also appeared on Song Qinian's desk.

When Song Qinian saw the contents, surprise was evident in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by gloom.

"These are all things that can't be shown to the public."

Li Qingyan became interested and had someone summon Shen Lue.

"Shen Lue, your enemy is the Shi family?"

Her eyes were filled with expectation. "Please tell your story, young man."

"Yes." Shen Lue took a deep breath, not at all surprised that Li Qingyan was able to find out: "My mother used to support my studies with embroidery. After she went blind, her income dropped sharply. So I went to participate in poetry competitions to supplement the family income, but I was targeted by Shi Junyan of the Shi family. They used my mother as a hostage to force me to write poems behind the scenes to promote Shi Junyan's reputation."

"It was originally agreed that as long as Young Master Shi and Young Master Song were equally famous, they would let me go back and recommend me for a government position."

"But Young Master Song entered the palace, and in the end, they couldn't suppress him. They tried to kill him to silence him, and my mother was also silenced by them."

"I escaped by sheer luck, filled with boundless hatred, and only wanted revenge. However, I was still too weak compared to the Shi family, and I also contracted... a strange illness."

Shen Lue dared not and could not hide his strange illness: "I cannot walk in the sunlight. Whenever I am in the sunlight, my face and body will be covered with red rashes. After a long time, it feels like I am burning up. I have become someone who cannot be seen in the light. I am studying medicine on my own, but I have not yet found a solution."

No wonder people say it's karma.

Li Qingyan's gaze fell on his neck and the back of his hands. Just a moment ago, while he was standing in the courtyard, his neck had been exposed to the sun for a short time, and red rashes had already appeared.

She couldn't help but think of Song Qinian again.

Song Qinian is also allergic.

This little story is really interesting; the stand-in they found even had to match their flaws.

When Song Qinian saw Shen Lue yesterday, his face was very unpleasant, probably because he felt uncomfortable. After all, no one likes having a stand-in. But now that he has realized it, he should be very happy.

With someone to replace him, he is getting closer to his goal of leaving the palace.

At first, she wasn't sure if Shen Lue resembled Song Qinian, and thought he might be a bit lacking, but when she saw that he was actually Shi Junyan's ghostwriter, she knew that this person was definitely a sure thing.

This Shi Junyan was none other than the young master from the prestigious family in Qiu Nanxing's backyard.

Although the Shi family is also a first-class family, it is always slightly inferior to the Song family. Shi Junyan was born with the mission of surpassing Song Qinian, but unfortunately he was always just short of it. Song Qinian was too popular and always firmly held the title of the number one young master.

He only took over Song Qinian's position as Vice Minister of Revenue after Song Qinian entered the palace.

"As far as I know, Shi Junyan himself is also outstanding."

Since he took over the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he has never made a mistake.

"He is indeed excellent, skilled in practical matters and policies, but not good at elegant poetry, unlike Young Master Song who is so well-rounded."

Li Qingyan suddenly realized: "That's why I came to find you."

"Yes, Mr. Shen has some knowledge of poetry."

Shen Lue thought to himself, no wonder Shi Junyan always took pride in ordering him around, and couldn't help but laugh when he saw him obeying. It turned out that he couldn't compare to him, so he used him as a substitute for Young Master Song to suppress him.

"I grant your request for revenge. Go ahead with your plans, and I will do whatever it takes to help you. If you need any assistance, just let me know."

Recalling the plot, this was the most glorious time for Shi Junyan. Song Qinian, who had always been superior to him, entered the palace, and he began to surpass others. He was also won over by the Prince Xian and finally won Qiu Nanxing.

This person appears to be a respectable gentleman, but in reality, he loves to spy on others, especially when Qiu Nanxing is having intimate moments with others. He has many methods for doing so.

He could play with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting in creative ways, turning them into tools for their pleasure. As soon as readers saw him, they knew he had something new to offer.

His role in the original book is also very important. If Shen Lue successfully takes revenge and Shi Junyan is brought down from his pedestal, it means that the female protagonist's important harem has been dealt with once again.

The female protagonist's faction will be weakened again.

Li Qingyan smiled happily; Shen Lue's appearance meant that the plot was once again tilting in her favor.

She thought that once she had tested Shen Lue's abilities, she could use him as soon as possible, and if he was suitable, she would include him in the candidates for passing the test.

Most stand-in literature features a stand-in who becomes the protagonist, so choosing him shouldn't be a bad choice.

Shen Lue wanted to avenge himself, and she wanted to use him to get through the checkpoints. It was a win-win situation, with no talk of feelings and just pure cooperation. That was fine.

Thinking this, Li Qingyan unconsciously tapped her fingers on the table. She had learned this action from Song Qinian, and she started using it naturally.