Transmigrated to the Tyrant's Youth

[Upright, righteous loyal subject x tyrant who reforms, two ambitious schemers]

[The recipient is instinctively wary of the love interest, while the love interest is instinctively obsessed with the recipient]

Good citizen Gu Yanzhi transmigrates and is appointed by imperial decree as tutor to the tyrant.

At this point, the tyrant is only a prince, just eight years old, with a long-dead mother and little favor at court.

At their first meeting, Gu Yanzhi catches Xiao Wujiu killing someone.

Accept the decree and face the mad prince, or defy it and die on the spot.

Gu Yanzhi's heart is in turmoil, but his face remains calm. He clears his throat softly and begins the first lesson: What to do after killing someone.

First, drag the body somewhere out of sight.

Then seal off the palace grounds and investigate thoroughly.

Find out who the dead eunuch worked for, what poison was used, and sort out all the witnesses and evidence so nobody can pin the blame on you.

Xiao Wujiu stares at his new teacher like a young wolf fixing its gaze on its prey's throat.

"Aren't you afraid of me, sir?"

"Your Highness handled the situation properly. There is nothing to criticize." Gu Yanzhi has his own calculations: plotting against an imperial heir is punishable by beheading, and intentional homicide carries the death penalty.

Reasonable.

Seeing that Xiao Wujiu is willing to listen to reason and isn't as deranged as the histories say, Gu Yanzhi makes his decision:

Keep the future tyrant in check and become a meritorious official who helps the kingdom prosper!

*

In the inner palace, if you don't scheme against others, they'll scheme against you.

Gu Yanzhi teaches the little tyrant the Four Books and Five Classics, slipping in lessons on the rule of law, justice, human nature, and the ruthless tricks of office politics.

One: You can't stand firm unless you have a ruthless streak. Example: Xiao Wujiu poisons himself, and Gu Yanzhi uses the chaos to replace everyone around them with their own trusted people.

Two: Make frequent appearances before the boss (the emperor), and put on a pitiful act.

Three: Learn to act obedient and stick to your place. Example: When Xiao Wujiu is punished by the empress, Gu Yanzhi doesn't beg the emperor to intervene. He simply brings over a stool, sits down beside him, and continues the lesson.

Four: Choose the right side and keep your allies close...

"Stay by my side," Xiao Wujiu suddenly grips Gu Yanzhi's wrist. "What do you want?"

Gu Yanzhi pulls the boy's hand away, steps back to maintain a proper teacher-student distance, and bows flawlessly.

"I only wish for calm seas across the four oceans, and peace throughout the land."

Xiao Wujiu smiles faintly. "Tell the truth."

Gu Yanzhi smoothly changes his answer: "Your Majesty takes the throne, and I become a marquis or minister."

*

At an audience after his coronation, the emperor keeps Gu Yanzhi behind alone.

His voice is so gentle it makes one's hair stand on end as he asks Gu Yanzhi to keep him company "reviewing memorials / having lunch / strolling in the garden"...

With the new dynasty barely established, Gu Yanzhi is overwhelmed with work. He politely brushes off his boss: "I dare not overstep my station."

"I want to see you."

"Your servant dares not overstep his station."

That night, the emperor leads a crowd of black-clad secret guards and slips into Gu's residence over the roof beams. His long black hair loose, he draws Gu Yanzhi into his arms.

"I told you, I wanted to see you, sir." The emperor chuckles. "It's hard to meet during the day, so let's do it at night."

Gu Yanzhi trembles uncontrollably, thinking he is about to die.

He really is worked to within an inch of his life.

*

Reading guide

1. Teacher-student, younger love interest, one-on-one, both devoted to each other and each other's first love

2. More to be added if I think of anything

Theme: A harmonious bond between ruler and subject