The Tyrant's Handbook for Self-Preservation

I am a tyrant. One day, I got a handbook.

It said my five elements were out of balance and all I lacked was a bolt of heavenly lightning. Sooner or later, I'd be struck by lightning.

Me: "..."

I've been irritable since birth, and wanted to burn the handbook on the spot.

But a gust of wind flipped it open to a page covered in the words "How to Save Yourself"...

*

I have a minister who was born gentle. When my father was still alive, he often praised him in front of me. He even said that if I wanted to achieve imperial greatness, I would need his help.

At the time, I thought that once I became emperor, I'd kill him first, as a warning to the others.

Later...

I eagerly wrapped my arms around him and asked him to share my bed, while in the darkness I propped my head on one hand and watched him with a brooding gaze.

Cheng Wushuang held the office of Grand Secretariat and knew that serving a ruler was like living with a tiger. He understood that one day the king's blade would be at his throat.

But when that day came...

He saw no blade. He only saw the lofty emperor bowing his head to him, smiling, yet with nothing but ruthless intent in his eyes.

Cheng Wushuang: ?

"Only later did I learn that if someone saves me, I can love all the people of the world." - Xie Bufan

Gentle Grand Secretariat gong x murderous tyrant shou [Blurb screenshotted, written on 2023.06.15]

[Main text is in third person]

Theme: Persevere and seek a better version of yourself