There’s no fixed setup. I go with whichever premise feels the most exciting, and there’s no set idea that the whole book has to be about saving the world or anything like that.
First: The mature and steady Xiao Hou and the proud, calculating crown prince
People in Chang’an say that the current emperor has been blessed with good fortune since childhood. When his father became emperor, he was made crown prince, and his ministers went on to conquer the grasslands and the Western Regions. The country enjoyed favorable weather and bountiful harvests, and ruler and ministers lived in harmony.
But Li Chengqian’s life was far from smooth. His father doted on him when he was young, then grew suspicious of him. His mother cherished him, but died early. His brothers turned against him. The only good fortune in his life was meeting Xiao Yan.
“Xiao Yan has never taken me seriously!”
“I’m not stupid enough to make an enemy of him.”
“Xiao Yan, I really do like you.”
“I’m a cripple now. He can do whatever he wants to me. Xiao Yan isn’t in Chang’an, so he can deal with me without any scruples.”
“Your Highness, I’m begging you, please? Take pity on me. Let’s have the physician take a look, all right?”
Second: An undercover police officer and the drug lord’s son who trusts him
“He Huai, if you ever lie to me, I’ll use the shooting skills you taught me to kill you!”
“I would never lie to you, Young Master.”
“I have nothing to do with that liar. I owe you all nothing that he needs to pay back. He doesn’t deserve to speak for me!”
“Dad, I’ve never begged you for anything before. He didn’t know there were drugs inside. Please get someone to let him out.”
“Gu Huaizheng, don’t forget who you are. You’re the youngest leader in the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau. Who are you speaking up for?”
“Gu Huaizheng, I really regret meeting you.”
“I should call you Young Master Gu, right?”
There is no fixed plot, you can write as long as the character setting makes you feel