Gu Changqing wakes up one day and discovers that he has transmigrated into a book.
He has ended up in a steamy, melodramatic romance, as a beautiful musician with slender, delicate fingers.
According to his heavenly father, he must avoid the original ending, then be killed to attain the Dao and ascend to immortality before he can go home.
Gu the Foolish Beauty, Darling of Heaven, Changqing: ...?
What?!
*
In the original story, the beautiful musician is a playboy.
He gets entangled with the great general, the Imperial Tutor, and the State Preceptor, only to be suddenly executed on the spot by the villainous emperor Qi Che, who calls him the reincarnation of a demon. One sword through the heart.
Fortunately, when Gu Changqing arrives, the story has only just begun.
He decides to lie low, avoid flirting with these people, and be a good friend instead. Friendship lasts longer and might keep him alive.
So...
On Monday, he rides horses, hunts, and picks fruit with the great general.
On Tuesday, he watches the stars and moon with the State Preceptor and talks poetry and song.
On Wednesday, he makes tea, warms wine, admires flowers, and looks at paintings with the Imperial Tutor.
For the remaining days, he wanders around here and there, and soon wins the hearts of everyone in the palace.
But then...
The great general grabs him by the throat and demands to know what his relationship with the Imperial Tutor is.
The State Preceptor presses cool fingertips against his red lips and casually asks why he isn't wearing the ceremonial robes he gave him.
The Imperial Tutor makes tea and paints for him, admires flowers and the moon with him, then, unable to resist his feelings, asks him to make their relationship official. He also casually asks why Gu Changqing was alone with the State Preceptor yesterday.
Gu Changqing: ...Damn.
Why does this plot feel so damn familiar?
*
Countless men and women in the Zhao Dynasty fall for Gu Changqing, and the whole capital is thrown into chaos.
The emperor, who has watched it all unfold, pins him against the imperial bed and sneers, "You even dare to toy with me? How bold of you!"
Gu Changqing's eyes redden at the corners. "What, Your Majesty? Are you going to kill me?"
Has the day finally come when he'll be killed to attain the Dao, ascend to immortality, and be taken back to the Celestial Palace?
Qi Che pauses, kisses his forehead, and sighs helplessly. "How could I bear to?"
Gu Changqing lies there, a corpse.
He's tired. He's numb.
*
The Imperial Lord returns from his tribulation. Before he can finish absorbing the memories of his soul fragments, the palace doors are kicked open.
Gu Changqing leans against the doorway and smiles. "My lord, do you like the horns?"
The Imperial Lord is silent for a moment, then finds a clean patch of floor and drops to his knees.
*
[Pick your own content warnings]
A mutually doting, mutually faithful couple. This is a slightly silly, sweet little story. The shou is loved by everyone, and there's a love-triangle battlefield. His split-off selves fight over him so fiercely they pull each other's hair and knock each other's heads together.
2023.2.4
Theme: Treat every sincere feeling with honesty
A Villainous Male Supporting Character's Work Report [Quick Transmigration]
The Survival Guide for the Irresistibly Charming
I Went Viral on a Parenting Variety Show with My Green-Tea Tricks
Strike Down Your Beloved First
An Atypical Scumbag and Doormat [Quick Transmigration]
He Lost His Memory After We Married for Alliance
Changing the World Through Filmmaking (Zerg)