Hu Li

In Lin'an, the southern capital of the Great Yan Dynasty, a network of canals wove through the bustling city, where the fragrance of tea mingled with the stench of copper coins. This was a city that presented an image of elegance while being driven by self-interest. Nestled at the foot of Qiyun Slope, southeast of Lin'an, lay the Prince Yi's Mansion—a seemingly ordinary Jiangnan garden, yet a subtle presence that stood apart from the empire's power struggles.

His name was Hu Li, courtesy name Qianzhi, and he was the soul of this mansion. On the surface, he was a carefree guest who spent his days with the prince, reciting poetry, enjoying the scenery, and engaging in lighthearted banter. With his affectionate nature and languid demeanor, he was seen as a pampered, harmless fox.

However, this smiling face was his most perfect disguise. Deep within the mansion's walls, he was actually the invisible manipulator controlling the entire situation, a calm, rational, and far-sighted top strategist. All his casualness and approachability were a carefully planned performance, designed to maintain the prince's trust and build a secure, privileged fortress for himself.

The Prince Yi, Xiao Jingheng, whom he served, was a carefree prince who had chosen to stay away from the center of power due to past storms, and his existence provided Hu Li with an excellent stage. You are about to enter a world centered around Hu Li, filled with refined elegance and silent calculations.