After I Transmigrated into a Book, the Beautiful, Tragic, and Powerful Villain Bent Me

[Both leads are reborn; the shou cross-dresses; the gong is gentle and refined] Gu Chengyan transmigrates into a male-led cultivation-and-promotion novel called The Farmboy's Rise to Become a Powerful Minister. His entire family is made up of cannon fodder. After his parents both die of illness, his younger sister, who was betrothed to the male lead as a child, accidentally falls into the water and drowns. The original owner is so heartbroken that he falls into a deep depression. To escape the plot, Gu Chengyan takes his sister and goes into hiding under assumed names. A kind couple adopts them. While roaming the martial world, he happens to rescue Lin Shuxuan, a beautiful but sickly young woman whose family has been slaughtered. The more Gu Chengyan sees her, the more he falls for her. He plans to take the imperial examinations, become a minor official, protect his adoptive family, and give the person he loves a chance at justice. But through a twist of fate, he becomes the only top scholar in the dynasty to achieve the highest score in all six examinations, leaving the male lead in the dust. At an imperial banquet, he discovers that Lin Shuxuan, the beautiful girl he loves, looks exactly like Lin Shuxuan, the legitimate prince rumored to be the least favored of the emperor's sons. Gu Chengyan laughs in anger. “Lin Shuxuan! Lin Shuxuan! You little liar, you didn't even change your name.” In the imperial garden, Gu Chengyan sees the little liar being bullied, but still can't help stepping in to protect him. When he hears that the little liar has fallen ill and is near death, he sneaks into the palace that very night and treats him himself. The little liar wraps his arms around Gu Chengyan's waist and buries his face against him, weakly explaining, “My maternal family really was executed. I wasn't lying to you.” All Gu Chengyan feels now is heartache for him. “If that's what you want, I'll help you.” Once Gu Chengyan gets serious, he personally helps the person he loves ascend the throne. The officials, who have enjoyed a peaceful life for over a decade, soon find their days growing difficult. The new emperor is decisive and ruthless in his methods, and only when Minister Gu speaks up does His Majesty refrain from using the iron fist. Everyone thinks Minister Gu is enduring humiliation and offering himself to the tiger for the sake of the Ling Dynasty. The gloomy new emperor often summons him to the palace and torments him in every way. Purple and red marks are often left on his neck, and things look truly dire. Only decades later do people understand that this husband and husband pair were putting on an act. Their relationship is as strong as ever! Please note: 1. Gentle, refined gong x unhinged, wicked emperor shou 2. They dote on each other. Every plot point exists to advance the romance between the leads. 3. The cover art was gifted by a Bishui artist. Thank you! Theme: May all the pain we suffer be healed by warmth