When the court historian privately wrote a biography of me as a treacherous official, I have to admit I wasn't pleased.
Who wants to be infamous for all eternity?
But everything he wrote was true. Every official who read it said he had recorded nothing but facts.
I asked the emperor, "Am I a treacherous official?"
The emperor, gaunt and haggard, glared at me resentfully and cursed me to die a horrible death.
The emperor wouldn't answer, so I asked Prince Qi: "Am I a treacherous official?"
Prince Qi was already dead. His memorial tablet couldn't speak, and his grave was hardly going to answer.
With no other choice, I asked the new emperor, who had spent years in exile and was about to ascend the throne: "Am I a treacherous official?"
The new emperor said that flattering one's ruler made one a sycophant, and that I would have to flatter him first before asking.
Reading Guide:
A lawless minister who craves fame and fortune x a new emperor who fears nothing and disowns his own family
1. "Sycophantic ruler" can be interpreted as a noun: a ruler deceived by slander and flattery.
It can also be interpreted as a verb: to manipulate a ruler.
2. The blurb is in first person; the story is in third person.
3. The plot serves the protagonist. Expect wish fulfillment, satisfaction, sweetness, and a touch of universal hatred.
4. One-on-one romance, both leads are faithful, and each is crazy in their own way.
Theme: Relying on yourself is better than relying on others.
