Becoming the Princes' Greatest Threat

Pei Mingxia is the object of everyone's affection in the capital. The talented scholars of Huajing confide in him, while the generals regard him, the marshal's only son, as a living tiger tally, loyal to a fault.

The emperor keeps Pei Mingxia by his side and personally raises him. The princes are his study companions, and he can pretty much get away with anything, anywhere.

When he wakes up one day, Pei Mingxia discovers that he's the villainous cannon fodder in a storybook. His destined end is to die amid the princes' power struggles, then have his grave dug up and his corpse desecrated.

After some reflection, Pei Mingxia decides he's pretty much doomed. He's already offended every prince there is.

A year ago, Pei Mingxia topped the spring imperial examination, beating out the cousin personally tutored by the First Prince.

Six months ago, Pei Mingxia investigated a murder case and traced it to the Second Prince's future father-in-law, who then committed suicide in his own residence.

A month ago, the emperor sent the Third Prince to suppress bandits. In three months, he lost ten thousand soldiers and was captured.

Pei Mingxia rescued him with just thirty cavalrymen, and came away without a scratch. The Third Prince was so badly shaken that he still hadn't recovered.

The Sixth Prince is the biggest problem of all. They are about the same age, and the emperor loves to praise one while putting the other down. He praises Pei Mingxia and puts the Sixth Prince down.

The Sixth Prince took the teacher's ruler for him, covered for his blunders, let him steal his blanket for naps, and lost to him at archery every time. Pei Mingxia even kept foisting the sheep's milk he didn't like onto him.

There are too many unfortunate things Pei Mingxia has done to count. The two of them have been estranged for two years, and he can't for the life of him remember why.

Pei Mingxia sums up his role: the apple of the court's eye and the princes' greatest threat. Whoever takes the throne will make him their first target.

So he decides: then I'll become someone they can't take down! His goal is to enter the cabinet in three years and become the chief minister in five. The princes are still far too idle, so he'll put them all to work! The peace has lasted only a few years. Have the common people even had a chance to eat their fill before everyone starts stirring up trouble?

The Pei household is thriving, the court is bustling, and the government is clear and just!

Whenever the princes make a move, they get sent off to help build the country! A peaceful and prosperous realm is just around the corner!

A little scene with the princes

The First Prince scolds his cousin: "How can you help me win Pei Mingxia over if you can't even beat him in the exams?"

The Second Prince sulks: "Will Pei Mingxia think I covered for my future father-in-law and can't keep public and private matters separate?"

The Third Prince has a meltdown: "What do I do? Pei Mingxia doesn't think I'm heroic or mighty at all anymore. I'm tainted!"

The Sixth Prince can't stand all the eyes fixed on Pei Mingxia. He wants Pei Mingxia to have eyes for him alone.

It's an ambitious goal. For now, the pressing question is: what will it take for Pei Mingxia to talk to him again?

[Reader Advisory]

***Blurb posted on December 17, 2024

One-on-one romance, happy ending. The uke is adored by everyone, whether in friendship, family, or courtly life. The plot makes up half the story. The style is similar to another historical danmei novel in my profile.

Theme: Establish a foundation for the world, starting with small things