In the boudoir
"Xin'er..." Lucian Vane's voice sounded a bit tangled, a bit awkward, and a little shy.
"What's wrong? Don't move, I'm almost done." Standing behind him, Ivy Shen worked her magic, transforming Lucian Vane into an outrageously seductive beauty. Meanwhile, Adrian Night sat at the table, sipping tea and struggling not to laugh.
"Ugh, I hate dressing up as a girl!" he whined in a sugary tone, his pouty lips in the bronze mirror enough to make anyone’s heart flutter.
"Done!" Ivy quickly finished prepping him, then had him turn around to show her.
Lucian Vane pouted in protest, but turned and stood up to face Ivy Shen, his dazzling face now full of delicate Lin Daiyu-style fragility.
"Wow, Lucian, you in drag are just unreal—seriously, too pretty!" Staring at the cross-dressed Lucian Vane, Ivy Shen couldn’t help but praise him. This guy was always ridiculously gorgeous, especially those heartbreakingly seductive peach blossom eyes. But who knew he’d look even better as a woman? It was honestly jaw-dropping.
"Really?" Seeing Ivy Shen’s lovestruck gaze, Lucian Vane suddenly felt like maybe dressing up as a woman wasn’t so bad after all.
"Absolutely! Gosh, if I were a guy, I’d totally fall for you!" Ivy Shen nodded enthusiastically.
Lucian Vane grabbed her hand and threw her a flirty wink, voice syrupy: "If my wife likes this look so much, maybe next time I'll wear it in bed. What do you think?" He even bit his lip, putting on his best impression of a shy little bottom.
Ivy Shen's face instantly turned bright red.
Adrian Night coughed quietly from the side, reminding them he was still in the room.
Hearing that, Ivy Shen coughed awkwardly to cover up, then shot Lucian Vane a serious look: "Lucian, you really have to be careful."
"Don't worry, if I'm on the job, nothing's impossible. But when you sneak around the palace later, you need to be extra careful, okay?" Lucian Vane said, clearly worried.
"Let me come too, Ivy!" Lucian Vane volunteered to dress as a woman to lure the Crown Prince, while Ivy Shen stuck a birthmark-like scar on her face so she'd blend in at the palace. With everything ready, Adrian Night felt left out—and he hated it.
"Adrian, three people is already pushing it for the palace. If we add you, we might blow our cover. You know my skills, so don't worry about me. Just stick to the plan—wait for us at the rear palace gate, and we'll meet you two incense sticks after we go in." Ivy Shen reassured him.
"But..." Adrian Night started to protest, but Ivy Shen and Lucian Vane were firm.
"Don't worry, Adrian. I'll keep my wife safe," Lucian Vane promised. "I'll handle the Crown Prince quick and meet up with Ivy."
Seeing this, Adrian Night could only compromise. Now, with their whole plan set, all they could do was wait for nightfall.