The Cannon-Fodder Emperor's Consort Only Wants a Career

Qi Fanyuan is a disposable villain in The Rise of the Great Zhou.

He traded his intelligence for beauty, fell hopelessly in love with the fifth prince of Zhou, Xiao Chengrui, and shamelessly insisted on marrying him. Completely unaware he was being used, he put the entire Qi family's resources toward eliminating Xiao Chengrui's rivals and helping him ascend the throne. Once the deed was done, after three days as the male empress, Xiao Chengrui discarded him like garbage, tore out his tongue, crippled both his legs, and imprisoned him in the Cold Palace for the rest of his life.

Of course, Xiao Chengrui didn't get a happy ending either. Less than six months after ascending the throne, he was destroyed by his own younger brother, the seventh prince, Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu's army of half a million marched on the imperial city. He killed his brother with a single stroke and hung his corpse on the city wall for five days under the blazing sun.

When Qi Fanyuan transmigrates into the novel The Rise of the Great Zhou and reads through his own life, his contempt for his "self" practically spills off the page. He's a renowned history graduate student at A University and a famous history content creator on A Station. Could he really end up with a fate like that?

Impossible!

But, as fate would have it, on the very day he arrives, he's at a palace banquet begging the old emperor of Zhou to grant him a marriage to the fifth prince. At the critical moment, Qi Fanyuan changes his tune: "The person I want to marry is the seventh prince! I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish!"

The entire hall is stunned. Everyone thinks the young master of the Qi family has gone mad. Who doesn't know that Prince Yan, Xiao Yu, is gloomy by nature, out of favor with the emperor, and crippled in both legs? Who would want to marry him?

At first, everyone waits to see Qi Fanyuan make a fool of himself.

The fifth prince, Xiao Chengrui: "He's just throwing a tantrum. He'll come crawling back to me in five days."

The Qi family's second branch, who have always looked down on him: "A pretty face, but no brains. He insists on marrying a crippled prince who's out of favor. His life is over."

Xiao Yu is also cold and indifferent. He can't even be bothered to see his newlywed male consort. "Ignore him for a few days, then send him away. I won't keep useless people."

Qi Fanyuan's face is wet with tears, but inwardly he looks down on them all. What do romance and love matter? Eighty percent of the people at court won't live to see Xiao Yu ascend the throne. He'd better pick a side, seize his chance, and make something of himself! Palace intrigue, war, government reform: there's nothing he can't do!

But as he gets on with his career, everyone changes their tune.

Xiao Chengrui is consumed with regret and wants desperately to coax Qi Fanyuan back.

The Qi family practically breaks down his door, begging him to come home and stay for a few days.

By then, Qi Fanyuan has become Prince Yan Xiao Yu's dearest darling, a beloved consort enjoying the highest honors!

Bonus scene:

At first, everyone tells Qi Fanyuan not to marry Xiao Yu. With Prince Yan now crippled in both legs, he could never make his spouse happy.

Qi Fanyuan thinks, Great. He doesn't want to do anything with Xiao Yu either. He just wants to latch onto a powerful ally, build a career, and survive to the end.

Later, when Qi Fanyuan can't get out of bed, he cries with real tears: "Liar! You were all liars! You said he was too crippled to do anything for himself!"

The "brute" Xiao Yu tenderly kisses his cheek and shamelessly lies through his teeth: "Be good, sweetheart, hmm? Who would dare bully my darling?"

A ruthless top who can't tell the truth to save his life x a flirt who has no idea he's already gotten himself into trouble

Theme: Strive forward and never give up