The Little Imperial Uncle is Devious and Difficult

Liu Qingxu is a woman from the twenty-first century who transmigrated into the body of the legitimate daughter of the Protector General in the Jade Swallow Kingdom. Her original host had been poisoned to death by her half-sister, Liu Yuanyin, who sought to eliminate the only obstacle to becoming the sole daughter of the General's mansion. To avoid an unwanted marriage to the Crown Prince, Liu Qingxu's father had sent her to Shunhe Temple under the pretense of treating a serious illness. While living in the temple, Liu Qingxu leads a double life, maintaining a facade of a sickly noblewoman by day while conducting secret business operations at night to accumulate wealth and prepare for her eventual departure from the kingdom.

Her quiet life is disrupted when she rescues a wounded man, Yan Siyuan, who collapses in her quarters while being hunted by assassins. Yan Siyuan is actually Prince Zhen, the Little Imperial Uncle and a powerful figure in the royal family. After saving his life, Liu Qingxu presents him with an exorbitant medical bill totaling eighty thousand taels of silver. When Yan Siyuan cannot pay immediately, she forces him to sign a labor contract, binding him to work off his debt under her command. Yan Siyuan, initially furious at her audacity and greed, is forced to stay in her quarters to recuperate, leading to a tense and comedic dynamic between the employer and her reluctant servant.

Meanwhile, the political situation surrounding Liu Qingxu intensifies. The Crown Prince, Yan Rongxi, visits the temple and insists on marrying her, declaring that he will wed her memorial tablet if she dies before the ceremony. Simultaneously, the Second Prince, Yan Rongtai, expresses deep concern for her health and proposes marriage. Liu Qingxu, having no interest in marriage or any of the princes, views their attention as a severe hindrance to her plans. Her half-sister Liu Yuanyin, desperate to become Crown Princess, conspires with their father to force Liu Qingxu into a marriage that will remove her from the equation.

The conflict escalates when Liu Jingwu arrives at the temple and pressures Liu Qingxu to choose between the Second Prince and Prince Zhen. Unaware that Yan Siyuan is Prince Zhen, Liu Qingxu chooses him strategically, believing his reputation for cursing wives will deter the Crown Prince and provide her with a shield against her father's schemes. She plans to use the marriage as a delaying tactic while she escapes the capital. Yan Siyuan, however, is enraged by her choice and her subsequent declaration that marriage would only hinder her wealth accumulation. He realizes she has no genuine interest in him and becomes determined to teach her a lesson once he recovers.

As Liu Qingxu attempts to manage her secret business and protect the orphaned children at her Laughing Academy, she discovers that three of her students have gone missing. This crisis forces her to rush into the city, breaking her curfew and drawing the attention of the guards. Yan Siyuan, observing her dedication and mysterious activities, becomes increasingly curious about her true nature. He decides to return to the capital with his subordinates to investigate her secrets, setting the stage for a complex entanglement between the calculating noblewoman and the vengeful prince.

The story unfolds with Liu Qingxu navigating the treacherous waters of royal politics while trying to maintain her independence. Yan Siyuan's presence in her life complicates her plans, as his status as Prince Zhen makes him a key player in the very court she wishes to avoid. The tension between them grows as Yan Siyuan seeks revenge for her insults, while Liu Qingxu struggles to keep her double life hidden from the man she is now contractually bound to serve. Their interactions reveal a clash of wills, with Liu Qingxu's modern pragmatism challenging Yan Siyuan's traditional authority.

As the narrative progresses, the missing children become a central plot point, linking Liu Qingxu's personal mission with the broader dangers of the capital. Yan Siyuan's involvement in her affairs deepens, blurring the lines between employer and employee. The romantic and political entanglements with the Crown Prince and Second Prince continue to pose threats, forcing Liu Qingxu to rely on her wits and Yan Siyuan's protection. The story sets the stage for a journey where Liu Qingxu must balance her desire for freedom with the growing complications of her new life in the Jade Swallow Kingdom.