Evergreen, Yet Still Awake

Pairing: The deeply calculating rebel strategist Liu Xuan × the utterly loyal, fallen-country general Song Jing

Content notes: Long, slow burn, a touch of ensemble cast, a touch of mystery-solving, flashbacks, traditional political scheming, slight gore, the tiniest hint of horror

After the Battle of Nicheng, Song Jing won a great victory and unified the realm.

He fulfilled Liu Xuan's lifelong wish, but Liu Xuan died...

After Liu Xuan's death, Song Jing, whose country and family had been destroyed, once again found himself all alone.

But Liu Xuan had given him his life, and Liu Xuan wouldn't let him die.

So he had no choice but to live, to live in pain,

to protect Taozhou for Liu Xuan and preserve a haven for him...

Song Jing thought he would have to live like this for the rest of his life,

but he unexpectedly found himself back in his younger body?

"Big brother, are you asleep?"

That night, the familiar "knock, knock" sounded outside Liu Xuan's window again.

Sitting at his desk, Liu Xuan watched the shadow at the window furtively take out a thin bamboo stick, slide it through the crack, hook the latch, and gently lift it. With a creak, the window swung open...

Song Jing opened the window a crack, slipped inside in a flash, then tiptoed over and shut it. When he turned around, he said,

"You're still awake, big brother..." Song Jing jumped when he saw Liu Xuan leaning back in a round-backed chair.

In the moonlight, Liu Xuan reclined against the armrest, one hand supporting his forehead. His eyes were faintly red as he smiled. "As it happens, I can't sleep tonight."

A breeze swept past, and dewdrops fell in strings from the lotus leaves into the still lake...

Ripples spread across the water, and something beneath its surface seemed to change.

Had that arrogant young general really become his sworn enemy's little sidekick?

And had that cold, heartless cripple actually smiled at the young general he hated most?

This time, Song Jing didn't want to repeat the same mistakes.

Character notes:

Liu Xuan (courtesy name Changqing, childhood name Zixia) × Song Jing (courtesy name Gaoyang, childhood name Chuner)

Also known as: A mad fox (Liu) × a silly tiger (Song)

Or: Eight hundred brain cells and always grumpy × one-track-minded and clueless

Note: After being reborn, Song Jing's judgment will mature somewhat.

Notes:

1. Set in an imaginary era. Don't overanalyze the history.

2. The era is accepting of male love, though it is unconventional, and people still believe in carrying on the family line.

3. The story is mostly told from Song Jing's perspective, but the POV isn't fixed, and supporting characters will get their own stories, too.

4. Updates every other day. When chapters are close to 5,000 characters, updates may be every two days. I'll let you know in advance about exceptions like weekly updates. Occasionally, there may be daily updates.

5. The cover image is by Mu Lingxiang, and the character images are by Qiuqiu Chi. They are for display only. This work respects the artists' original designs. Please don't copy the character designs.

Theme: Who needs fame and fortune?!