There is a saying in this world: The current Imperial Preceptor of the Xuan Kingdom, Xiu, is a master of both letters and warfare. In the literary arena, he can take on all the scholars single-handedly; on the battlefield, he can don his armor and secure the realm. Who could fail to praise his extraordinary talent, his ability to outwit even Heaven?
For twenty years, he exhausted himself plotting and scheming. On the road to the afterlife, he drank three great bowls of Granny Meng's soup.
With a carefree, "I'm off, then."
Unfortunately, the heavens were blind and paid him no heed.
He was dreaming sweetly of being born into a good family next time, living comfortably without a care, when his foot went slip-splat and he took a spectacular tumble, landing twenty years in the past.
Not a single thing he wanted to forget was gone, and not a single person he didn't want to see was missing.
Ha. Might as well die.
* The former life Imperial Preceptor, now a shameless schoolteacher gong vs. a frail, sickly, heartbreakingly endearing rich young master shou
* Reader's guide:
1. This is not a dual rebirth story. In their previous lives, the gong and shou only crossed paths once.
2. A little revenge and a little scum-punishing. Consider yourselves warned: just a little.
3. A little political scheming. Again, just a little.
4. I'll do my best to refer to historical sources and official records, but any discrepancies are intentional authorial liberties. (Bows)
Theme: The present is the best there is
