4D chess moments with Emperor Jinglong, this man took planning for the future to the next level when used one of the gongs, Shen Qi, the imperial secret service, to infiltrate the evil organization and become a spy even if it means sacrificing the time and destroying the trust with the MC to lure out the real bad guys.

MC using his wits and knowledge to take down political opponents (unintentionally at the first few chapters) but his current fragile body remains his major weakness.

The conclusion of decades-long political drama was just perfect. Emperor Jinglong tasked Shen Qi to take down this evil organization ran by a chess enthusiast and the half-brother of the Emperor by becoming a wild chess piece. Of course, both gongs had to confront their pissed 'wife' to apologize.

Shen Qi, Yu Wang/Zhu Jingcheng (Yu Wang is a title), Jinghong Zhui (but he went berserk because of a poison).

There isn't much of a romance between MC and Zhu Helin. Most parts of the novel show that MC sees Zhu Helin as a little brother so it seems one-sided at first. Character development wise, Zhu Helin is pretty well-written, seeing his growth from prince to Emperor. He tries to act like his father, thinking MC likes his father because of the maturity the man carries but MC sees through him.

The romance development between MC & Emperor Jinglong grows on me. It was pretty well-built because Emperor Jinglong showed restraint with our MC not wanting to stifle his freedom and success with his desires. The smut involves a daddy kink because Emperor Jinglong is a 30s dad with a teenage and toddler son. Huge age gap but that's pretty common back then.

The last gong, Aletan, is introduced a little later than the other gongs. The CN fandom nicknamed him 196 (his height) and is pretty much proclaimed 'dead' mid-way in the novel until his reintroduction as an amnesiac tribe lord who must find his significant other to marry and consummate their marriage to not die. Their relationship develops when both parties do not remember each other but I think he's the only one who completed his 'marriage' with the MC but ancient Chinese dynasty laws probably wouldn't recognize it.

Three of the gongs are related to each other. Emperor Jinglong and Yu Wang are full brothers, the latter is the younger while Zhu Helin (future Emperor Qinghe) is Emperor Jinlong's son.

Some of the gongs are proficient in martial arts/qinggong - Jinghong Zhui, Yu Wang, Shen Qi and Zhu Helin.

Eventually, there is no fix 1 x 1 and MC couldn't really choose because he loves them all as revealed when he accidentally drank a poisoned wine. MC nearly returned to his original world after 'dying' but the calls by his lovers forced him to return.

MC meeting the original body's parents along with Shen Qi and Jinghong Zhui at the extras. Owner of MC's current body resembles his mother. Zhu Helin (then Emperor Qinghe) beat the queue by meeting MC's parents in this world to request MC's hand in marriage.

the MC declared his support for the crown prince. Because there'll likely be a struggle for the throne later. But then nothing really develops from that for a while.

Since he reincarnated, all he wanted was to live his life out as a "dandy" and fool around (with women). In the beginning, he acts like that, but later he actually starts acting like a minister. However, his claims to being a "straight man" are really just talk, and it's like the author threw those in for "drama" or something, kind of pointless. Like it would have made sense by itself if he just didn't want to get involved with the mls (because some of them are just creeps), he doesn't really need another reason. Same with the transmigration thing, like the author threw it in for an added trope. They could adjust a few minor things, and the story would still make sense without it.

Imperial Crown Prince, Zhu Helin: MC becomes his companion/teacher sort of thing. Their relationship is super sweet at first because the crown prince is like a clingy little brother. However, it kind of becomes clear that the crown prince likes the MC in that way. I didn't like this one because the MC is 17 and the crown prince is only 14, and the MC was in his 20s before he reincarnated and thinks of the crown prince as a kid.

Fourth Imperial Brother, Yu Wang: He's the brother of the emperor, and he's known for playing around with the young, handsome officials. I think he likes the MC at first because the MC is good looking and gained recognition from the emperor. Apparently, Yu Wang is also secretly super powerful as a war general, so the emperor keeps him in the palace so he doesn't pose a threat to the throne. For some reason, he kept on saying he'd wait for consent and everything would be consensual, but then he r*ped the MC. So, yeah

Commander, Shen Qi: I hate this guy. He was the first one to sleep with the MC, but it happened when the MC was under the influence of alcohol and aphrodisiac, so it's basically non-con. Plus, pretty much every time the MC tries to refuse something, he threatens to "force himself" on him. Yeah... that's not funny. Also, the MC seems fine with it for some reason??? Like he doesn't stay away from this guy and stays "sworn brothers".

Emperor Jinglong: Yes, that's right. The crown prince's father and the other guy's older brother. He's in his mid-late thirties I think, and he has a consort who literally gave birth in one of the chapters. Unlike the other ones, I do applaud his self-control. He doesn't do anything to the MC because he doesn't want to ruin the mc's "bright future" by making him a kept man or something. However, it's pretty clear that the emperor likes the MC... but luckily I haven't read about it developing any further.

Assassin-Turned-Bodyguard, Jinghong Zhui: He's my favorite. He got really injured and the MC found him and saved his life. He decides to devote himself to the MC and act as his bodyguard. He is super sweet, kind of like puppy dog energy. He likes the MC, but he controls himself and doesn't act like a creep like some others *cough*Yu Wang*cough*Shen Qi.

Newest Addition: Aletan: Some guy from an outside tribe, idk too much about him since he just showed up in the past some chapters. I think he's a new addition since the MC keeps saying he's handsome.