The Crown Prince Really Isn't Sick [Book Transmigration]

A little stuck while trying to fill in the plot holes. Enter at your own risk.

Check out my upcoming story: "Following My Master to Scavenge Trash"

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On the very first day after transmigrating into a book, Chu Xu is snatched away to an imperial residence by Xuan Zhihe, the notorious wicked chancellor, and forced to impersonate the missing crown prince.

All because he has a face identical to the crown prince's.

In the original story, Xuan Zhihe is the great villain who schemes against the male lead at every turn and competes with him for the female lead. The crown prince Chu Xu is impersonating is a total cannon-fodder character, destined to be executed for treason once the plot gets moving.

“...” What is this ridiculous melodrama of a plot and setup?

To stay alive, Chu Xu decisively chooses to help the villain rather than offend him or the male lead:

If Xuan Zhihe tells him to go east, Chu Xu won't turn back until he runs into the eastern wall.

If Xuan Zhihe tells him to play the crown prince, he promises to portray the sickly prince so convincingly that even his own father won't recognize him.

If Xuan Zhihe tells him to warm the bed, he doesn't even ask... Huh?!

There is a problem here. He can't do this. He absolutely can't!

With the plot already completely off the rails, Chu Xu seizes the moment while Xuan Zhihe is busy changing the dynasty and makes a snap decision: Run!

To hell with the great villain, to hell with being cannon fodder. He's off to live a free life!

The former dynasty falls and a new emperor ascends the throne. Just as the old court officials and the people in the city are growing anxious over the change of dynasty, they see the new emperor hurry out of the city with a company of men.

???

Rumors immediately spread through the city, and everyone has their own theory. At last, someone in the know reveals the truth, and the story becomes unanimous: the new emperor has gone to capture a remnant of the former dynasty.

If the new emperor is going after him in person, he must be a major remnant. He'll probably die a horrible death, everyone thinks.

A few days later, however, they see this great “remnant” nestled in the new emperor's arms, held close with unmistakable affection and possessiveness, riding into the palace in the imperial carriage with great fanfare.

Everyone: “...?”

This remnant is incredible. He managed to win over their new emperor in just a few days.

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· Xuan Zhihe (gong) x Chu Xu (shou). Pronounce Xuan as “xuan.”

· I'm terrible at writing blurbs. Feel free to give it a try~

· Set in an alternate era, with plenty of original worldbuilding. No need to overthink the details; everything serves the plot.

· No need to tell me if you drop the story. Please avoid harsh comments; friendly suggestions are welcome.

"Following My Master to Scavenge Junk"

In his previous life, Xu Ziqing was the head disciple of Tianwen Sect. He always fulfilled his duties and put his heart and soul into serving the sect, yet his reputation was ruined, his fellow disciples turned against him, and he eventually died at the hands of the very people he had taken such care of.

He could only swallow all his regret and resentment. He thought he would sleep forever, but when he opened his eyes again, he had returned to the day he joined the sect.

This time, Xu Ziqing doesn't hesitate. Instead, he becomes the disciple of his Fifth Martial Uncle from his previous life, the much-maligned and disdained Zhenren Xuanyu, Guan Xiangyuan.

He hadn't known his Fifth Martial Uncle well in his previous life. He chose Guan Xiangyuan as his master only to avoid repeating his past mistakes.

He thought this elusive master would leave him to his own devices, but Guan Xiangyuan takes him out of the sect to gain experience.

Only, the kind of experience Xu Ziqing had in mind doesn't seem to match what his master means by it...

Watching his master charge into the middle of a battle between cultivators and expertly start scavenging trash... No, wait, picking up the magical artifacts and spirit weapons dropped by the cultivators, Xu Ziqing is at a loss for words.

His bargain-bin master even proudly teaches him, “Apprentice, follow my moves, and we'll make a fortune today.”

Xu Ziqing stares blankly at his master, who is as graceful as the breeze and moonlight, carrying a tattered sack over his shoulder.

Destroy this world already.

[Created 20000917, tentative]

Core message: No matter how difficult life gets, you have to keep going!