After I Gave Up, the Whole Imperial Palace Doted on Me

Duan Zhi had always known he had transmigrated into a book as an unloved prince. If he didn't fight for power, he'd only become a pawn for others vying for the throne, so he chose to fight.

In the end, he lost and paid for it with his life.

Reborn, six-year-old Duan Zhi thought, Go ahead and fight among yourselves. I'm done fighting. Before I die, I should spend a few more years having fun and maybe have a passionate romance while I'm at it.

With that thought, Duan Zhi turned and saw a young companion who had just been sent to the palace, being led over to him. The two stared at each other, wide-eyed.

The young companion was the son of a great general, a decorated war hero who had saved Duan Zhi from danger several times. Unfortunately, he had been sickly since childhood and died young, even earlier than Duan Zhi. At six years old, he was kept in the palace as a hostage because the emperor feared his father, who guarded the border.

So while the others attended class, Duan Zhi passed little notes to his companion. While the others practiced archery and horsemanship, he chased after his companion to give him medicine. While the others did their homework, he took his companion to look at the stars.

Then he realized things were taking a very strange turn.

His eldest brother, who would one day be a peerless military and literary talent, kept trying to study with him, always disappointed by how little effort he put in.

His second brother, who would one day challenge heaven and earth, came to him in tears after the Grand Tutor had said just one thing to him.

And his fourth brother, who couldn't stand him, loved pestering him for stories and insisted on sleeping with him.

And that wasn't all.

The empress, who had always been cold toward him, said, "Zhi Zhi is a good child. Perhaps I should adopt him."

His father, the emperor, who had ignored him, said, "Zhi'er, you have always understood me best."

A prince from a foreign land also said, "I will marry no one but you. I am willing to follow the customs of the Central Plains, with three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts, to join our hearts as one."

Meanwhile, thanks to Duan Zhi constantly giving him medicine, his companion, who hated taking it, gradually grew healthier. But he also grew more and more attached to Duan Zhi. Even when they were older, he still wanted to share a bed and a blanket with him, and wouldn't let him get too close to anyone else.

Ten years later, the young companion had become a great general. He tore up all the letters confessing their writers' love, which had been delivered to Duan Zhi's residence, then cornered him.

"Your Highness already has me. Who else are you trying to attract?"

Duan Zhi: I never meant to attract anyone!

[Reading Guide]

1. Everyone loves the protagonist, but the romantic feelings between the top and bottom are strong and mutual. Others have one-sided crushes on the bottom. The couple grew up together.

2. The bottom's name is Zhi, courtesy name Yunhui, nickname Zhi Zhi.

3. This story is about being reborn before the timeline of the original novel.

4. One person lies flat, and the whole family lives in peace.

Theme: Reject pointless inner turmoil and strive to be yourself.