The Marquis's Reborn Survival Guide

Three years ago, Emperor Xiao Chen of the Zhou Dynasty issued three imperial edicts summoning Ling Ye Han, Marquis of Jingbian, back from guarding the frontier, but none could bring him home. Three years later, an imperial edict arrived at the border with a portrait attached. Ling Ye Han rode six horses to death, rushing day and night to the capital. Before he could even step into Zichen Hall, he heard the announcement from within: His Majesty had passed away. Then Xiao Chen’s personal eunuch led a child of three or four to him. The child was the one in the portrait he held, and looked so much like him. Was this his and Xiao Chen’s son? “His Majesty’s decree: Crown Prince Xiao Lin is to ascend the throne, with Marquis of Jingbian Ling Ye Han assisting in the administration of state affairs.” Ling Ye Han never imagined that the next time he saw Xiao Chen would be when he escorted him to the imperial mausoleum. “His Majesty had Luo blood and could bear children. There was a palace revolt during childbirth, and he was grievously injured. He held on for three years, but in the end, his strength was spent.” Ling Ye Han assisted the emperor for more than ten years, consumed by regret each day. He died in the second year after his son took charge of the government. But when he opened his eyes again, he had returned to the third year of Yuan Chu, when the realm had just been pacified, and he had just refused the three edicts summoning him to the capital. Without hesitation, Ling Ye Han returned to the capital at once. This time, he would stay by Xiao Chen’s side and protect their child. When the court was in turmoil, he would stabilize it. When the border was in danger, he would lead the army north. In short, no one would be allowed to trouble Xiao Chen. Though Xiao Chen was angry, Ling Ye Han wore him down day after day until he was permitted to attend to him personally. Just as Ling Ye Han thought he could finally stay by the emperor’s side in peace, a bout of chills swept through him. When he awoke, the man’s gaze was cold and his words colder: “Marquis Ling, return to the border. You needn’t concern yourself with me.” Ling Ye Han went cold all over. Xiao Chen, who in his previous life had never seen him again before his death, had returned too. P.S. Powerful yet frail emperor as the receiving partner, younger love interest, childbearing. The rebirth happens around Chapter 4. It’s best to read the chapters together for maximum angst. I have a soft spot for powerful characters who get seriously injured. If you like that kind of character, give this a try. Coming next: historical danmei, My Imperial Brother Is Sick Again Xiao Han, a top lawyer renowned for never taking criminal cases with sentences under ten years, was done in by bootleg liquor and transmigrated. Most people transmigrate as emperors or princes. He got the short end of the stick: he became the ten-year-old only son of a rebel leader at the end of a dynasty! When he arrived, his father, the rebel leader, had just ambushed a prison cart and rescued a marquis exiled by the court. Word was that the marquis had defied the court’s order to suppress refugees, and had resolutely led his troops to drive back the northern Hu who were advancing south to massacre villages. He held the northern border, and was charged with disobeying the imperial decree. The whole realm felt the injustice. By rescuing him, his father won the hearts of the people and other rebel kings. “Lin’er, he’ll be your older brother from now on. How about letting him teach you to read and write?” Xiao Han was moved to tears. He was a top student, yet here he couldn’t even recognize a few characters. A teacher from out of town had arrived, and he wouldn’t be found out. Wonderful. Shen Ting had arrow wounds and injuries from torture. He was unconscious for seven days, and when he woke, he found a fair little boy staring at him with wide eyes, holding his hand and calling him “big brother.” At first, he thought the rebel leader wanted to use him. But then he realized the leader’s son seemed to have the potential to become a wise ruler. From then on, Shen Ting devoted himself to looking after the little dumpling. When the child was sleepy, he soothed him to sleep. When he was sick, he gave him medicine. He taught him to read and write, military strategy, and how to govern the realm. Shen Ting was very earnest. Xiao Han was suffering, because he wasn’t a little dumpling! Shen Ting was exactly his type, and his intentions were anything but pure. But he was only ten... He’d have to wait until he grew up! Six years later, his father unified the south and ascended the throne, and he became crown prince. Less than a year later, his father passed away and he inherited the throne. Shen Ting became a prince of a different surname and led campaigns in the south and north despite his grave illness. After the realm was pacified, Shen Ting supported selecting officials through the imperial examinations, making him a thorn in the side of the aristocratic clans. Day one: “Your Majesty, Prince Yongning is secretly stockpiling weapons, building up his troops, and plotting treason.” Day two: “Your Majesty, Prince Yongning’s cold has worsened. He’s unconscious.” The emperor left his ministers behind and went straight to the prince’s residence. When framing him didn’t work, they tried to stuff women into the emperor’s harem. The ministers had only just submitted a memorial proposing a grand selection when Prince Yongning fell seriously ill again. This time, the emperor brought him into the palace himself. With an adult prince staying in the palace, how could the consorts enter the harem? Whenever this prince fell ill, the emperor would grant him everything he asked for. He let him establish official schools, promote the imperial examinations, and curb the power of the aristocratic clans, carving out a path for countless poor scholars. A little scene: The prince’s residence Emperor Zhou Wu, clad in a black imperial robe, held a thin, sickly man in his arms and fed him medicine. A cold hand gripped his wrist, and a weak voice spoke: “I’ve made things difficult for Your Majesty.” “What are you saying, brother? Take your medicine. As long as you recover, you can personally oversee next year’s spring examination, all right?” After the emperor left, an attendant softly tried to persuade the man in bed: “My lord, His Majesty treats you so well. Why wear yourself down?” “Even the closest bonds can’t overcome the divide between ruler and subject.” The palace “Your Majesty, the prince didn’t take his medicine for two days after catching a cold. That’s why it got worse. I’m afraid...” “Afraid he did it on purpose to make me worry.” “I wouldn’t dare say so.” “Get up.” The figure in black stood alone atop the ninefold palace. Shen Ting didn’t believe in a future emperor’s vows, nor that an emperor could remain true to one person forever. So he was willing to use even his own body. He would spend his whole life making the emperor believe that an emperor could be faithful to one person. After all, this was the person he’d fallen for at first sight. Theme: Don’t do anything you’ll regret.