Chapter 1: The Palace Examination Ruined (1)
The seventeenth day of the winter month in the first year of Chengtian.
It was a time of national mourning, and the first snow fell in Fengxiang City. Spiritual flags were fluttering and paper money was flying.
Two rows of soldiers rang gongs to clear the way. A tall man in armor looked solemn and held the spirit tablet in his hands.
Following closely was a heavy coffin carried by sixteen people, and there were civil officials, military generals, palace maids, eunuchs, and followers like clouds.
The people in the city tied white cloth strips around their heads and helped each other out.
"Master Zhu just came to the school a few days ago to see the children studying, how come..."
"Master Zhu is only 20 years old and still so young..."
"Blessings, sir... congratulations, sir!"
For a moment, the whole city was in mourning.
At the same time, the "Master Zhu" they mentioned——
Zhu Qingchen was wearing a bright red official uniform and holding a white crane feather fan, floating above his own coffin.
Yes, that's right, the short-lived guy who died was him.
Zhu Qingchen looked at the crying people, then at his colleagues who were also shedding tears, and waved his feather fan at them, trying to fan away their tears: "Don't cry, we'll see each other again in the next life."
But they couldn't hear what Zhu Qingchen said, and they cried even harder.
Zhu Qingchen sniffed and said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have died so early, I was wrong, don't cry..."
Suddenly, a surprised voice came from behind him: "I found you! The best teacher in the world!"
Who? Who is talking to him?
Zhu Qingchen quickly turned around and looked around.
A small blue ball of light rushed in front of him: "I'm here!"
Zhu Qingchen was startled and sat on his coffin: "Who are you?"
The little light ball said: "I am a system from the Book Transmigration Bureau. I am responsible for assisting the host, traveling through various small worlds, and completing tasks."
Zhu Qingchen was confused: "Could you please explain it more clearly?"
"There are many novels in the world, which you also call "huaben". There are thousands of characters in the huaben, and their fates are different. Our mission is to enter the books, become their teachers, and change their fates!"
"Hmm..." Zhu Qingchen seemed to understand, "But why me?"
"Because you are the best teacher in the world. The theme of our mission is 'Being a Teacher'!"
“But I’ve never been a teacher.”
"How is that possible?" The system flew to the front of the funeral procession, stopped in front of the tall man holding the spirit tablet, pointed at the "Prince's Tutor" on it, and said confidently, "I checked before I came here. 'Prince's Tutor' is the best teacher in this world!"
“…”
"Is it possible that this is a fictitious position?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Zhu Qingchen was a little skeptical of its ability and tried to hide behind the man holding the spirit tablet: "Can I not go?"
The system glanced at the man and said, "Complete the task and you will gain health points. When your health points are full, you can be resurrected and break out of the coffin. You and your friend will have another chance to meet again."
Zhu Qingchen immediately stood up and raised his hand obediently: "I want to sign up! Let me sign up!"
The system is very satisfied: "Very good, very motivated."
A feather of light popped out from the small light ball and flew in front of Zhu Qingchen.
Like a butterfly flapping its wings, it touched his forehead.
A prompt sound of [Host Binding in Progress] came from the air.
Zhu Qingchen is eager to try, I am ready, I am ready!
"System, is The Analects a storybook? Can I travel into The Analects? I want to meet the Master."
system:?
"What are you talking about?"
"Doesn't it count? Then how about Laozi? Meeting Laozi is also OK."
system:? ?
"Don't interrupt!"
"Zhuangzi? Mencius? Han Feizi?" Zhu Qingchen clasped his hands together and looked at it expectantly. "It would be even better if I could meet these 'Zi' at the same time and have a drink or two. I can prepare the drinks, but they have to pay the bill."
system:? ? ?
"Are you here to do a mission or to make friends? No 'zi'! Not a single 'zi'! All I have here are 'After the Gloomy Sufferer Jumped off the Tower', 'Wet Rose' and 'Sir, I Don't Love You Anymore'!"
Zhu Qingchen: “…”
These books all sound weird.
system:"……"
This prince's tutor also looks strange.
Is it too late to regret now?
The next second, a notification sound of [Binding Successful] was heard, and a light gate appeared out of thin air.
Wait a moment……
Zhu Qingchen and the system looked at each other, and before he could regret, he was sucked in by a strong whirlwind.
*
When he opened his eyes again, Zhu Qingchen was lying on a soft bed with a silk embroidered curtain above his head.
It was dim in the sky and the view was not clear.
Zhu Qingchen called out softly: "System? System?"
The little ball of light crawled out from under the pillow: "I'm here..."
The feather of light that was attached to Zhu Qingchen's forehead shattered and turned into a burst of small light spots.
[Host enters the small world]
[Small World Plot Loading]
[Story reading completed]
[The plot is being transmitted...]
Zhu Qingchen was just about to get up when he suddenly felt his head sink and he fell back.
Memories that originally did not belong to him flooded into his mind like a tide.
[Book Title: After the Gloomy Received Jumped off the Tower]
[Era: Ancient Times]
[Tags: sadomasochism, court marquis, reconciliation]
In order to prevent the authentic ancient person Zhu Qingchen from not understanding it, there are small notes below.
[① Received: The lower male in pure love novels, the opposite of the “top”]
[②Fictional: The characters and environment of the novel are completely fictitious]
The protagonist of this book is named Pei Xuan.
Pei Xuan lost his father at a young age. His mother ran the family's small winery alone, raised him and paid for his studies.
Pei Xuan was also very hardworking. He started learning at the age of six and took the imperial examination at the age of sixteen. He studied hard day and night without slacking off for a single day. He dreamed of passing the imperial examination one day and letting his mother enjoy a peaceful life.
Finally, he passed the autumn examination and the spring examination and came to the palace examination.
On the eve of the palace examination, his mother thought that their home was outside the city and far away from the imperial palace, so she took out the silver money she had saved for many years and asked him to book an inn in the city.
Little did the mother know that the inns in the city were raising their prices, and the money she had saved for a long time could not even book a woodshed.
When Pei Xuan was in trouble, King Jing saw him.
Prince Jing is the younger brother of the current emperor. He usually takes his men out of the city for hunting and often stops at Pei’s Winery.
So they know each other.
Prince Jing knew his difficulties and told him that there were many empty rooms in Prince Jing's Mansion. If he didn't mind, he could stay there for one night and go to the palace for the examination the next day, which would definitely make him in time.
Pei Xuan was very grateful and told his mother that he had booked a room. The night before the palace examination, he packed up his things and moved into Prince Jing's mansion.
That night, he had just blown out the candle and was about to rest when a man reeking of alcohol rushed in.
The man hugged Pei Xuan, and Pei Xuan struggled hard and shouted for help, which angered the man and he punched him down on the bed. It was a nightmare that night.
When Pei Xuan woke up again, it was already early morning of the next day.
He dared not say anything and could only endure the discomfort and hurried into the palace to take part in the palace examination.
It happened to be a sunny day, and Pei Xuan felt dizzy as he stood among the students under the scorching sun.
He pinched his palms tightly, trying hard to stay calm, but in the end, while talking to His Majesty, his eyes went dark and he fainted on the ground.
Not only did he fail to pass the imperial examination, but he was also exiled to the frontier by the emperor for ten years because of his misbehavior in front of the emperor.
The border was bitterly cold and the local officials were harsh. Pei Xuan was disheartened and spent three months like a walking corpse.
Three months later, Prince Jing also arrived at the border as ordered to guard the border.
Prince Jing put his arm around his shoulders and rocked him gently.
King Jing said that he had read his articles and they were very good. He also said that he was a man of natural talent and should not be so depressed.
Pei Xuan seemed to come alive, crying loudly in his arms, his tears bleeding.
After crying, Pei Xuan wiped his tears, cheered himself up, and with the support of King Jing, he dug canals, planted crops, promoted education, and defended against foreign enemies, ensuring that the people living in the border areas had enough food and clothing.
However, as Prince Jing's reputation grew, the emperor became more and more suspicious of him.
One day, Prince Jing got drunk and complained to Pei Xuan about the emperor's lack of virtue.
Pei Xuan was startled and quickly covered his mouth.
Prince Jing grabbed his hand and kissed his fingertips: "A Xuan is so talented that he should be made a marquis and a prime minister. I want you to help me."
Pei Xuan did not withdraw his hand, but nodded slightly and said, "Okay."
They decided to rebel.
In the following ten years, Pei Xuan stored grain for King Jing, won the hearts of the people, expanded the territory, and planned wars. He also fell in love with King Jing unknowingly.
On the day when the army broke through the capital, Pei Xuan rode a horse and walked side by side with King Jing, full of high spirits.
At night, a grand celebration banquet was held in the palace.
When everyone was drunk, Prince Jing took Pei Xuan back to the former Prince Jing's Mansion.
Pei Xuan recalled the nightmare he had that night and trembled all over, unwilling to go in.
But Prince Jing took his hand and forcibly led him into the room.
Prince Jing said to him, "I know that you have been secretly investigating what happened back then. From today on, stop investigating. The late emperor owed you the title of No. 1 scholar. After I ascend the throne, I will give it back to you."
Pei Xuan suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of astonishment.
Back then, he was afraid that the man was the son of some powerful official and did not want to embarrass Prince Jing, so he never told Prince Jing the real reason why the palace examination was ruined.
Then how did Prince Jing know?
Pei Xuan's limbs were numb, and he asked tentatively: "That man... is the prince?"
Prince Jing avoided his gaze, but simply held him in his arms and told him not to investigate the matter any further.
Pei Xuan stood there in a daze, and Prince Jing actually wanted to relive their old times in this room.
Pei Xuan screamed loudly and tried to push Prince Jing away, but just like that night, he couldn't push Prince Jing away at all.
After an unknown amount of time, Prince Jing stood up contentedly and asked him whether he wanted to be the number one scholar or to go to the cabinet.
Pei Xuan lay on the bed like a dead person, staring blankly at the tent.
It turned out that he had walked into the trap himself.
He himself ruined his own palace examination.
He even helped the man he hated so much to seize the throne.
Pei Xuan looked like a madman. He was wearing a thin shirt and had bruises all over his body. He rushed out the door, crying and laughing.
Prince Jing thought he was just throwing a tantrum and pretending to be crazy, so he had him sent to the cold palace and locked him up. He also did not allow the imperial physician to see him, but only sent a palace maid every day to ask him if he knew he was wrong.
Not long after, Prince Jing ascended the throne and made the girl from an aristocratic family his queen.
On the day of the banquet, Pei Xuan seemed to have regained his sanity. He escaped from the cold palace, climbed up a tall building, and stood facing the wind.
When Prince Jing, who was usually calm and composed, received the news, he panicked for the first time, called out his name loudly, and tried to catch him.
Pei Xuan opened his arms and called his name for the first time: "Fu Wenzhou, if there is an afterlife, I don't want to see you again."
Pei Xuan fell to the ground lightly like a feather. Fu Wenzhou held his body and cried like a child who lost his favorite toy.
——"After the gloomy person jumped off the city wall"
Zhu Qingchen: ???
What is this?!
[Host Mission: Become Pei Xuan's teacher and ensure that Pei Xuan can successfully take part in the palace examination]
[World Difficulty: D-Level (Novice Dungeon)]
[Task Reward: 5 HP]
Zhu Qingchen closed his eyes and fell on the pillow.
The small ball of light flew to his side: "Host, are you okay?"
Zhu Qingchen pinched his own philtrum and said, "I'm going to die again!"
The system said: "You just died once, don't pretend to be dead, get up and do the task."
Zhu Qingchen rolled over on the bed: "No, I'm already dead, scared to death."
The system said calmly: "But your student Pei Xuan is waiting for you outside..."
Before it could finish its words, Zhu Qingchen jumped up from the bed.
Zhu Qingchen got out of bed, grabbed the coat hanging on the clothesline next to him, walked out quickly, and suddenly opened the door.
Top student! Don’t be afraid, the teacher is here!
The servant guarding the door saw him coming out and hurriedly followed him, handing him a thick stack of visiting cards: "Master, those students have been waiting outside the door with their essays since before dawn. Which one do you want to see today?"
There is no character named "Zhu Qingchen" in the original book. He was sent directly in by the system when the data was modified.
Overnight, everyone's memory had this person added:
Zhu Qingchen, 20 years old, is the last disciple of Mr. Lishan.
After Mr. Lishan retired from the Imperial Academy, he recommended his student Zhu Qingchen to take over as the academic official.
Although Zhu Qingchen was young, he was knowledgeable and kind.
Therefore, whenever he had a day off, students from outside would always come to visit him with their papers, hoping to get his guidance.
Today was no exception, the students were waiting outside early.
"Hey, Brother Liu, you're here too! I invited you to come yesterday, but you said you weren't coming?"
"Just passing by, come and take a look."
"My dear classmates, could you please stop saying one thing and thinking another? Stop pushing forward!"
Zhu Qingchen put on his outer garment, gathered his long hair, and stood behind the door. He turned to the servant and said, "See Pei Xuan."
The servant responded: "...Yes!"
The servant opened the side door and just as he went out, he was surrounded by students.
The servant said in a loud voice: "Pei Xuan! Is Pei Xuan here? My master wants to see Pei Xuan!"
In the crowd, a student wearing indigo patched clothes suddenly raised his head, with a look of surprise in his eyes.
He raised his hand and held up his article high: "I am Pei Xuan!"
Other students followed suit and shouted, "Master, I am Zhang Xuan! I am Wang Xuan! Master, please see me!"
Pei Xuan:?
He had a shocked expression on his face, then quickly pushed through the crowd, like a little dog wagging its tail, making a path through the lush rice fields.
"I am Pei Xuan! Master, Pei Xuan is here!"
The system and Zhu Qingchen were watching him from behind the door.
The system was puzzled: "Strange, he doesn't look 'gloomy', why is he called 'gloomy' in the book?"
Zhu Qingchen folded his hands, stomped his right foot hard on the ground, and said bitterly: "It would be strange if I didn't become 'gloomy' after meeting Prince Jing."!
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