Shen Xuefeng has become a minor cannon-fodder villain in the palace power-struggle game The Grand Ji Dynasty 2077: cold and aloof, delicate and fragile, with a deceptively beautiful appearance.... more>>

Just as the civil and military officials of the court are working tirelessly to restore order and lead the Grand Ji Dynasty to its glorious peak—

Shen Xuefeng is diligently completing his role’s mission: to raise a tyrant.

When the time comes, he targets the Third Prince, Ji Wu, who is destined to inherit the throne, and smoothly becomes his reading companion.

While other companions are supervising study, Shen Xuefeng is ghostwriting Ji Wu’s homework;

While others accompany in reading, Shen Xuefeng is tagging along for fun;

While others offer advice, Shen Xuefeng says outrageous things:

“Your Highness is Heaven’s favored son—who says you’re unlearned? I object first!”

Ji Wu attends flower-viewing banquets? Shen Xuefeng helps notify the noble ladies.

Ji Wu sneaks off to read banned books? Shen Xuefeng keeps watch outside the scripture hall.

Ji Wu skips class to paint? Shen Xuefeng grinds ink and showers him with praise:

“The beauty in Your Highness’s painting is so pitifully lovely… wait, isn’t that my face??”

At the year-end exam, after being tortured by countless assignments, Shen Xuefeng earns top marks. Tied with him is Ji Wu.

Shen Xuefeng: …?

As he stares blankly at the rankings, Ji Wu leans over and smiles faintly:

“Xuefeng is too frail to endure all that schoolwork. So I always finish early—for both of us.”

Later, Shen Xuefeng discovers that in the original game story, Ji Wu was never meant to be a wise ruler.

He was the tyrant who usurped the throne from his elder brother.

The Crown Prince Shen was originally supposed to cultivate? Already out of the succession race.

Watching Ji Wu cheat his way straight to the position of Crown Prince—

Shen Xuefeng: …I’ll just smile and try to survive.

-------

Gong’s perspective:

Silent, violent, and a merciless killer—this was Ji Wu’s dull and grim life.

He was prepared to bide his time in the shadows and end everything when the chance came—

Until one day, a stunningly beautiful boy pointed at him excitedly:

“Dad, I want to be the Third Prince’s reading companion!” <<less