The Prince Panics When His Mistress Refuses to Be Exposed

Shen Qingyao is an orphaned merchant's daughter living in the Southern Capital of the Great Ying Dynasty. Despite her humble origins, she manages a prosperous teahouse and is protected by her uncle, General Liu Hui, a third-rank military officer. After being reborn into this life, she maintains a shrewd and cautious demeanor, prioritizing her business and independence. Her routine is disrupted when she encounters Song Jiuchen, the Southern Prince, who holds immense power second only to the emperor. During a chance sighting from a tavern window, Song Jiuchen fixes his intense gaze upon her, sparking immediate unease in Shen Qingyao. He subsequently arranges for her to be brought to his residence under the guise of a visit from her uncle, but she realizes too late that she has been lured into a trap.

Inside the prince's study, Song Jiuchen offers Shen Qingyao a choice: become his unofficial concubine or face severe consequences. Recognizing the danger and unwilling to submit to such a relationship, she fabricates a lie, claiming she is already pregnant and in love with another man. Song Jiuchen, initially disappointed and feeling rejected, dismisses her. However, his suspicion is piqued by her behavior and the suddenness of her refusal. He secretly orders his guard, Ye Zhao, to investigate her background and verify her claims. Ye Zhao surveils her teahouse and overhears staged conversations between Shen Qingyao and her maid, Xiao Mei, which reinforce the prince's belief that she is hiding a lover and a child.

Concurrently, Mo Niang, the owner of the rival teahouse across the street, plays a manipulative role. Having previously been attacked by a nobleman while defending her staff, she harbors resentment toward Shen Qingyao. Ye Zhao interrogates Mo Niang, who deliberately provides information that ensures Shen Qingyao’s lie appears credible while simultaneously destroying her social standing. Mo Niang’s goal is to ensure Shen Qingyao becomes the prince’s concubine, thereby stripping her of her freedom and pride. Meanwhile, General Liu Hui, unaware of the full extent of the prince’s suspicions, visits Song Jiuchen to apologize for his niece’s behavior. The prince issues an ultimatum: Shen Qingyao must confess within two days or face twenty lashes, confiscation of property, and exile, while Liu Hui will be demoted and removed from his noble status.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Shen Qingyao decides to confess. She prepares for the worst, arranging for her assets to be hidden and her maid to escape if necessary. Mo Niang sends her a note, which Shen Qingyao burns, indicating she has no allies. She arrives at the Prince’s residence with her uncle and enters the Hall of Heavenly Mandate to face Song Jiuchen. When confronted, she admits to lying to avoid becoming his mistress. Enraged by her audacity and the insult to his dignity, Song Jiuchen sentences her to the punishments outlined in his ultimatum. However, when she pleads for her uncle’s sake, he reveals that her deception has compromised his authority and trust.

In a desperate move, Shen Qingyao approaches Song Jiuchen directly, grabbing his robe and begging for mercy. Her boldness and coquettish demeanor provoke a complex reaction in the prince. He pulls her onto his lap and kisses her forcefully, silencing her intended retort. The physical intimacy shifts the dynamic between them. Song Jiuchen, intrigued by her resilience and beauty, offers her a new deal: if she willingly becomes his noble concubine, he will pardon her offense. However, he maintains that her uncle must still be punished for his concealment, resulting in a five-level demotion and removal from the nobility. Faced with the loss of her uncle’s status and her own freedom, Shen Qingyao accepts the terms, marking the beginning of her entanglement with the powerful Southern Prince.