Jiang Ying is a top-tier star and an idol who has just crossed over into film and television.
His first role is a deranged, brutal, paranoid villain: a tyrant.
He doesn't get many scenes. His main job is to distrust and suppress the protagonist's faction, before losing everyone and being stabbed to death on his throne by the protagonist.
But before he even begins filming, he transmigrates into the world of the script and comes face to face with the protagonist, known as a "saintly father":
A man who has endured every kind of humiliation and hardship, yet remains pure-hearted, upright, and kind. A truly perfect person.
The purest snow.
The brightest light.
All the officials in court will become his devoted followers.
At this moment, Jiang Ying is facing the scene where he must wound the protagonist and humiliate him mercilessly.
He grits his teeth and acts it out.
He takes the protagonist as his male consort.
*
The young tyrant's palace is full of danger.
A male consort with the protagonist's halo, a general plotting rebellion, a prince descended from the previous dynasty, a cynical chancellor, a eunuch with peerless martial arts, a dowager empress who has been undercover for years, and a broken version of him.
Fortunately, Jiang Ying read the script in advance. He knows that once the plot reaches the scene where the tyrant dies by the protagonist's sword, he can complete his mission, fake his death, and exit the story.
To move the plot along, Jiang Ying starts trying every possible way to get himself killed.
He sends the general to the most dangerous front line, kills the prince's trusted advisor from the previous dynasty, publicly reprimands the arrogant chancellor in court, and secretly adds medicine that will drain the eunuch's powers to his meals... He even painstakingly grooms the male consort, who is destined to stab him through the heart one day.
After all that, surely they'll start a full-blown rebellion soon, and he can finally wrap up his role.
But...
The victorious general kneels before him. "Your Majesty trusts me and is willing to entrust me with military authority. I will serve Your Majesty with unwavering loyalty for the rest of my life!"
The prince, now aware of his true identity, is moved to tears. "Your Majesty knew who I was, yet kept my secret all along. If I harbored any rebellious thoughts, Heaven and earth would condemn me!"
The chancellor, who had been scolded in court, says, "Your Majesty's insight is exceptional and your words are frank. You are the wise ruler the people of this land wish to serve!"
Even the protagonist, who was taken as his male consort, refuses his subordinate's attempt to rescue him from the palace. "Your Majesty is noble in character, gifted in both looks and talent, and has captured my heart. I wish to follow you forever. I desire nothing else in this life."
Only...
The male consort is troubled. Why does His Majesty never summon him to his bedchamber?
*
Gradually, Jiang Ying realizes the plot is going wrong, just like that director who keeps shouting and losing his mind.
Why are the people in the protagonist's faction treating him with increasing respect?
Why can't he trigger the scripted assassination plot, no matter how he acts?
Why was the body of that audacious dog of a guard, who flirted with him yesterday, hanging from the city wall today?
He asks the protagonist, who is bending down to take off his shoes, "Don't you think something's wrong?"
The other man looks up and smiles gently, pure and kind. "Your Majesty, don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I'll always protect you."
Don't protect me! Just kill me already!
Jiang Ying waits and waits, but the scene where the protagonist leads troops in rebellion and storms the tyrant's bedchamber never comes.
With no other choice, he fakes his death and escapes the palace.
*
After he leaves, the officials and common people are devastated by the loss of their wise ruler.
The protagonist doesn't ascend the throne as he did in the original plot. Instead, he sends soldiers everywhere to search for Jiang Ying, refusing to sleep or rest.
At last, the two meet again amid the chaos of war.
The other man holds a sword, blood spattered across his face. His gaze is deep, his expression feverish. He kneels on one knee on Jiang Ying's bed and leans close to whisper in his ear:
"Your Majesty wouldn't summon me to your bed while alive, and you won't take me with you in death. I have no choice but to defy my sovereign and throw the court into chaos."
Jiang Ying: "???!!!"
Wait, which one of us is the villain here?!
The protagonist was supposed to be a saintly man as pure as the moon. How did he turn dark all of a sudden?!
*
Jiang Ying finally returns to his palace.
The officials line the road to welcome him, shouting "Long live the emperor" and swearing eternal loyalty.
This time, he can finally play an emperor without holding back, turning the tyrant into a wise ruler.
The only blemish is that his now-darkened protagonist can never go back to being the sweet little flower he used to be.
With his back aching, Jiang Ying kicks Zhuang Xifang off the dragon bed.
"Please just go rebel already!"
I'm not filming a sex scene!
A love-starved, darkened-to-the-core but incredibly good-at-pretending seemingly innocent top x a theatrical, unhinged bottom who can make any role a smash hit
Theme: Flowing streams, lush spring in the distance. A secluded, graceful valley, where a beauty appears now and then.
Everyone's Fighting, Only I Give Up [Reborn]
Hi, Your Highness, the Mermaid Prince
The Crown Princess
Saving the Paranoid Protagonist [Book Transmigration]
Planting Red Beans on the Grave of Longing
Reborn as My Childhood Friend’s Bodyguard
Quick Transmigration: Killing the Plot
A Guide to Whitewashing the Villain [Reborn]