No need to ask what a Truth Pill is—if you ask, it’s the kind that makes you spill all your deepest secrets as soon as it hits your tongue.
For example, take this man named Zhu Gangqiang, who at the age of five was already peeping at his aunt bathing, and by eight could grope Xiao Hua’s chest through her clothes—oh, and who is Xiao Hua?
A sow with a pretty hide and outstanding breeding capabilities.
At twelve, he’d already been seduced by the village’s charming widow and lost his innocence. After his family became too poor to manage, he went to work in a brothel as a pimp, learned some opera, then switched to performing female roles in a theatrical troupe.
While singing in operas, relying on his face and body, he occasionally caught the eye of the influential Mu Xi, who took him in for support. He then sang for the Young Master Heir and accompanied him in eating, drinking, and merrymaking.
Generally, someone like him can be said to have suddenly flown up onto a branch and turned into a phoenix. He should be clinging tightly to his rich patron, behaving with utmost care, especially since this patron is no ordinary figure—he could strut around with aplomb.
But when Zhu Gangqiang gained his wealth, his tail turned skyward, and he started acting all pompous. One day, he ran into Mrs. Xiao Zheng on the street, and it was a direct clash between Heavenly Thunder and earthly fire, sparking an intense green flame.
Taking advantage of Mu Xi’s absence, Zhu Gangqiang and Mrs. Xiao Zheng burned that green flame to heaven, until Mu Xi returned and Mrs. Xiao Zheng, having received the news in advance, fled to seek refuge with her sister.
Mrs. Zheng’s vision darkened and swayed, but before she could completely faint, her ears caught a ’sincere’ declaration from Mrs. Xiao Zheng, and her eyes bulged wide.
"...Not only did I cuckold my useless deadbeat husband, but the child I bore isn’t his either—it’s my brother-in-law’s!" Mrs. Xiao Zheng looked horrified, trying to cover her scandal-spewing mouth, but her hands were twisted back by a guard.
Mrs. Xiao Zheng’s face twisted in pain, and she wailed loudly.
Assistant Zhao, under the lethal glare of his wife, felt his legs go weak and collapsed to the ground, his gaze shifty.
He wanted to say it was all an accident; would his wife believe that?
Then he thought, as a man of his stature, what’s the big deal about having a mistress?
Mrs. Zheng thought: I’ve lost all face; time to faint!
Mrs. Zheng fainted out of sheer anger.
"This play is truly delightful, far more enthralling than any opera you could stage; full of twists and turns, so thrilling," Mu Xi clapped her hands and said to Assistant Zhao: "Lord Zhao has disregarded all that is decent and the natural order of things, this Princely Heir will make sure to present a thorough report of Lord Zhao’s illustrious achievements to the Holy Emperor."
Hmph, the Deputy Magistrate of Li City may as well be replaced by someone from another faction.
What, isn’t this just telling him straight that he’s about to lose his official cap and his career is over?
He wanted to faint too, but he couldn’t afford to.
"Young Master Heir, your subordinate, I’ve only made a small mistake, it was an accident..." He crawled forward on his knees.
But Mu Xi couldn’t be bothered to waste words on him and signaled her guard: "Throw this shameless hussy into a pig cage and parade her around Li City."
Mrs. Xiao Zheng sobbed for mercy: "I am innocent; it’s they who lusted after my beauty..."
Annoyed, Mu Xi swiftly stuffed a sweat towel into Mrs. Xiao Zheng’s mouth, silencing her.
Mu Xi was finally satisfied and turned to head towards her carriage, but she felt something off in the crowd. Following that sensation, she saw an androgynous young noble, who was—what?
Cracking sunflower seeds, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle?
What’s with this feeling of having put on a grand play for someone else’s amusement for free?
But that face, quite fetching.
Mu Xi changed direction, walking straight over to Qin Liuxi, stood before her, and looked at the sunflower seeds in her hand: "Tasty, aren’t they?"