The Regent's Fake Childhood Friend

In the second year of Tianxing, Regent Mu Baku controlled the young emperor and monopolized the affairs of state. He slaughtered the former emperor's children on a massive scale, turning the palace into a river of blood. The imperial clan and court officials feared him like a demon from hell. The Third Prince, Yu Yuan, who had been missing for years, was brought back by a senior court minister at this very moment. He intended to challenge the regent, and undercurrents surged through the capital. - Yu Yuan, a university student, got lost while hiking and spent seven days living wild in the mountains. At first, he followed the ancient-dressed old man who was weeping uncontrollably and calling him "Your Highness, Third Prince" simply because he wanted a decent meal. He never expected the old man to kneel for so long that he wouldn't get up, insisting Yu Yuan lead troops to purge the emperor's court and kill the regent who was endangering the realm. Yu Yuan gazed at himself in the mirror, taking in his face, identical to the Third Prince's, and his clear, utterly different eyes. He gave a dry laugh. "Me? Fight the regent?" Not a chance! Luckily, he'd heard that the Third Prince and the regent had grown up together and were as close as brothers. Yu Yuan decided to play the part of a steadfast good friend, swearing he had no disloyal intentions and keeping his head down to stay alive. The regent likes listening to the zither? Play for him! The regent's legs always hurt? Give him a massage! The regent wants to soak in a hot spring with his brother? Scrub his back! But why is the regent looking at him more and more strangely? - Regent Mu Baku swept through the palace with the force of a thunderbolt to put a puppet emperor on the throne. The first person to die before him was the Third Prince, who had grown up with him. Everyone else believed he and the Third Prince were as close as brothers. Only Mu Baku knew how painful it had been when the Third Prince insulted and tormented him back then, and how satisfying it was later to watch the Third Prince die as a hundred poisons ravaged his insides. When the "Third Prince" appeared before him alive once more, he thought the thing he had to deal with was a vengeful ghost who had died a violent death. Without revealing his intentions, he played along with the "ghost," acting out a scene of brotherly affection. In secret, he summoned eminent monks, readied executioners, and laid a trap. He called the "ghost" to him late at night, waiting only for the moment to strike a fatal blow. But the "ghost" hugged a quilt and stared at him blankly, looking a little confused and a little afraid. Tugging at his sleeve, he asked softly, "Huh? You want me to share a bed with you? Are we really that close... Sure." Mu Baku: ...? - Ever since the regent summoned them to the capital, the eminent monks had been lying in wait outside the Third Prince's residence every night, and had barely slept. They watched as the ghostly Third Prince followed the regent around all day, his skin growing ever more radiant and rosy. Who knew how much yang energy he had sucked away? Yet the regent still wouldn't let them capture the ghost. The monks grew frantic. One night, the sound of a brocade canopy ripping and cups and plates smashing to the floor suddenly came from inside the residence. Was that the signal to rush in? The monks rubbed their hands together, ready to charge in and fight. But the palace doors creaked open. Through the gap, they saw the Third Prince sprawled among the soft pillows on a high bed, not wearing a stitch of clothing. A glimpse of enchanting spring scenery flashed past. The next moment, a tall figure blocked every prying gaze. The regent stood in the doorway wearing only an outer robe. His broad, bare chest rose and fell with his heavy breathing, covered in vivid red scratches. Looking down at them, his face cold, he rasped, "Get out. All of you." - Clear-headed and clever transmigrated shou x a muscular foreign-born dog-type gong - Reading notes: 1. I changed the blurb. I wasn't feeling inspired by the previous one, so I'm writing this book first. 2. When people point out your mistakes, be glad; when you hear good advice, bow in gratitude. Theme: Bring peace and prosperity to the realm.