After I Transmigrated into a Book, I Fell for the Villain

Tao Ran is a minor cannon-fodder character in a political intrigue novel, with no connection to the protagonist. He exists only to highlight the villainous big shot's frail scholar persona, laying the groundwork for Gu Huaijing to return to the capital and plot a rebellion.

In the original novel, the villainous big shot is an aloof beauty with no love interest. The only time he ever felt desire was at a poetry gathering in Fayuan Temple.

Tao Ran shoved Gu Huaijing into a lake in front of everyone, then drugged the ginger soup served by a monk.

He never got to see Gu Huaijing make a fool of himself. Instead, Tao Ran was stripped naked and tied to a pillar in the temple for everyone to gawk at.

After his reputation was ruined, he made one blunder after another to get revenge on Gu Huaijing, giving him leverage. The emperor then confiscated his family estate and wiped out his entire clan, dragging the whole Duke of Ning's household down with him and making it the first stepping stone in Gu Huaijing's rise.

When Tao Ran transmigrated into the book, he was at Fayuan Temple, where Gu Huaijing was under the effects of the drug and had him pinned to the ground.

Was heaven trying to destroy him?

The thought of being stripped and paraded in front of everyone made Tao Ran feel absolutely dreadful.

He stole a glance at the prominent bulge in the villain's trousers and asked apprehensively, "Are you uncomfortable? How about I help you take care of it?" What he meant was: Please don't knock me out and strip me. If I pass out, no one will be able to help you.

Gu Huaijing sneered. "What do you think, Young Lord?"

The young heir of the Duke of Ning: his aunt was the current empress, and he was the crown prince's cousin, a true imperial relative. Just moments ago, he had arrogantly brought an old nun and claimed she was there to help Gu Huaijing relieve himself, when in reality he wanted to ruin his reputation.

But the young heir, who should have been unconscious, had suddenly woken up and completely changed his attitude. What was he up to now?

"What if I told you I pushed you into the lake and drugged you because I admired you? Would you believe me?"

Tao Ran made up an excuse on the spot. The villain had no love interest, after all, and would never fall for anyone. But inwardly, he cursed the guy. He was perfect in every way except for being far too calculating. He was clearly a skilled martial artist, so why pretend to be a frail scholar and fall into the lake? If he hadn't, Tao Ran wouldn't have needed to play out this clichéd scene as a nobody.

Gu Huaijing lifted his chin, his gaze unmistakably suggestive. "How does Young Lord intend to help me?"

Under his stare, Tao Ran's scalp prickled, and a chilly sensation crept up his spine.

After Fayuan Temple, Gu Huaijing decided the young heir of the Duke of Ning's household had something wrong with his head.

The things he did behind the scenes inexplicably pleased Gu Huaijing, and every so often he would look at him with pity.

If Gu Huaijing hadn't seen those clear eyes, utterly devoid of desire, he might actually have believed him.

Ever since arriving in the capital, the young heir had opposed him at every turn. Why had he suddenly changed?

He seemed foolish, yet repeatedly did things that astonished Gu Huaijing. What would he do next?

Gu Huaijing found himself... looking forward to it.

Until the day the world changed and a new dynasty took over.

Watching his paper-doll boy escape the fate of becoming a villain and achieve everything he wanted, Tao Ran left the capital in a staged death, feeling both relieved and satisfied.

But the new emperor personally had him tracked down and brought back, then imprisoned him in the palace.

The court officials all sighed in dismay. The Duke of Ning's household was finished. The young heir had opposed the new emperor at every turn, and this time he was surely doomed.

No one could have imagined that Tao Ran was being held in the new emperor Gu Huaijing's arms as he gently coaxed him: "Be my empress, and I'll give you the empire."

[Gentle Noble Young Master Who Transmigrates Into a Book x Aloof Beauty Villain with a Madman Inside]

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