Hidden Ailment

[Scheduled for Revision]

In his previous life, Lin Ji exhausted himself trying to find out why the good grain his father had sent out of the capital years ago had turned into cartloads of coarse, moldy grain. He wanted to clear his father's name and protect his mother and younger sister. After joining the Second Prince's service, Lin Ji became his eyes and ears. He married Qi Ying, the Marquis of Guangxin, who was stationed far away on the frontier, and did everything he himself despised and scorned.

He schemed until the day he died, only to discover that he and his family had been treated as pawns, manipulated at will and sacrificed whenever convenient, mere stepping stones on someone else's path to wealth and power.

Reborn, Lin Ji decided to trip them up before they could get started.

When his superior at the Ministry of Revenue brazenly lied, that called for a beating. Lin Ji rolled up his sleeves and charged over, delivering a slap.

Lin Ji: "Hey, old man, be honest."

When his unhinged relatives took the chance to steal his belongings, no problem. Lin Ji immediately went and robbed them right back.

Lin Ji: "If my home is gone, yours is too."

When the Second Prince came to manipulate him into marrying into another kingdom, easy. Lin Ji flourished his brush and wrote the Second Prince's name on the list of marriage candidates.

Lin Ji: "Your Highness is benevolent. I have no such virtue, so please go marry in my place."

From now on, he could be short of wood in the Five Elements, or he could be shameless.

Just as Lin Ji thought he had changed his fate, news of victory arrived from the frontier. Qi Ying, his husband in his previous life, had led his troops to a great victory over the Northern Di and gone straight to the emperor to ask for permission to marry him.

The emperor agreed.

The Ministry of Rites said it was no problem.

His relatives said it was wonderful.

But had anyone asked what he thought?!!!

Before Lin Ji could say a word, Qi Ying suddenly clutched his chest. His eyes reddened and his lips drooped. "Your Majesty, I suffer from a hidden ailment and have little time left. I have only this one wish..."

The emperor: "You two are getting married tomorrow!"

Qi Ying: "You got it."

Lin Ji: Oh no, this shameless rascal can't beat that master of the green tea act!

Green-tea general (though not very skilled) x shameless strategist (genuinely forced into madness)

Qi Ying x Lin Ji

A few notes:

1. This is an imaginary ancient-world setting with plenty of liberties, so apologies in advance.

2. This is not a typical rebirth story.

3. Older gong, one-on-one romance, and they dote on each other, dote on each other, dote on each other.

4. Some topics involve fields the author isn't familiar with. Please point out any errors in the comments.

5. Fictional story with no real-life basis. There will be a crossover story later.

Update schedule:

Resting every Saturday. Updates at 12:00 noon on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and at 18:00 on Thursday.

Theme: Keep striving to live, even in adversity.