After Killing My Way to the Top, I Became a Treacherous Minister

Cold, ruthless, revenge-driven strategist bottom vs. beautiful, love-struck transmigrated top

Meng Hexian vs. Xu Shen [Slow burn.]

Ancient-style court intrigue + court politics + two strong leads + personal growth + mutual teasing + devoted to each other + transmigrated top

Content warning: The protagonists are not purely good people. Their actions fit the times they live in, and they stop at nothing.

Meng Hexian takes on a difficult case, one that could easily make him a sacrificial pawn in the struggle between two factions.

As he investigates, he repeatedly runs into Xu Shen. Xu Shen watches his movements, learns his secrets, and appears at his side time and again.

Out of regard for their childhood bond, Meng Hexian keeps yielding and letting things slide. At last, his patience runs out. He decides to kill the man who has been disrupting his composure.

Xu Shen is a modern-day office drone who transmigrates to a feudal era.

Confident yet wary, he knows that military generals rarely meet good ends. In the capital, he plays the part of a spoiled wastrel who courts trouble, while secretly goading his father into rebellion.

At first, Xu Shen wants to get leverage over Meng Hexian, preparing to bring down the Meng family.

But later, he repeatedly cleans up after him, even going so far as to expose plans he has spent years laying.

Early on: scheming and using each other, then turning on each other at every opportunity.

Later: pouring heart and soul into making plans, all to carve out a path to survival for the other beneath imperial power.

In love:

Meng Hexian: I never thought even this untamed soul of mine could embrace the blazing sun.

Xu Shen: You are the only moon in the world. I would gladly be a passing cloud, if only to make your wish come true.

In their ambitions:

Meng Hexian: I won't cling to life by a thread. I will become the beacon fire, and tear down this hypocritical dynasty.

Xu Shen: You think I'm a blunt blade, too indecisive to act? I'm a sharp blade, and I have never truly pledged my loyalty to the throne.