This is the ultimate villain of this story.

Although Feng Yuanji and Li Ji are both Feng Yuanchong’s right-hand men, they have never gotten along. Feng Yuanji can’t stand Li Ji’s treacherous, cunning, cruel, and ruthless character, and Li Ji never takes this ridiculous prince seriously. In his heart, the only master is Emperor Feng Yuanchong.

In fact, let alone Feng Yuanji dislikes Li Ji, there is probably no one in the entire capital who likes Li Ji. There are countless people who curse him behind his back, and only Feng Yuanji, relying on his deep XiongDi affection with the Emperor, his meritorious service to the Emperor, and his noble status, dares to express it freely…

However, in Lin Ziran’s opinion, it is a good thing that the two of them don’t get along.

Everything Li Ji has now depends on the Emperor. He is the Emperor’s confidant. If he gets close to the Emperor’s Didi, the Emperor will inevitably be suspicious. Feng Yuanji is the Emperor’s Didi. If he has a close relationship with Li Ji, the Emperor may also doubt his intentions…

Feng Yuanchong seemed distressed by the discord between the two, but maybe this was what he really wanted to see?

Li Ji has made enemies everywhere in the capital. He knows that the Emperor is his biggest supporter. He does not need and can not get too close to anyone. Only Feng Yuanchong’s trust can keep him standing in this treacherous court.

He can be bad, greedy, and tyrannical, but he must be loyal…If he uses his power to form a clique for personal gain, that would be courting death.

Lin Ziran’s brows were cold, he raised his hand to salute, and said lightly: “Wangye is joking, please.”

Feng Yuanji glanced at Lin Ziran with a sarcastic look, curled his lips, pulled the reins, and turned away.

Lin Ziran followed slowly behind, and from time to time, people would look at him a few times, but the way those people looked at him was not the same curiosity and enthusiasm as when they looked at Qi Xuan, but awe and fear.

Whoever Lin Ziran’s eyes fell on, that person would immediately lower his head and avoid him. He looked cold and indifferent, but he felt extremely excited in his heart.

Although the script says that Li Ji is notorious, it is still nice to come out and walk around in person and feel the awe and fear of others.

He feels like he is extremely awesome.

【Lin Ziran: This is the first time I feel like a top! I am so top! I think I can make it in this world!】

【System:……】

Lin Ziran and Feng Yuanji came to the outside of the palace together, and Qi Xuan’s carriage could not enter at this time.

The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate. A flawless jade hand gently opened the curtain, and a cold and beautiful man leaned out and got off the carriage with an elegant posture. He was dressed in white, with long black hair tied behind his back. His eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, and he looked radiant and bright.

Lin Ziran finally had the chance to take a closer look at him. He was indeed the most beautiful man in the world. He just stood there, as if he had an ethereal aura that made everything in the world pale in comparison…

It’s a pity that such a peerless beauty doesn’t have enough strength to protect himself. Coming to the capital city surrounded by wolves, he can only become a trophy for men to fight over.

But judging from the results, he was still very smart and chose the final winner.

Just sit back and watch others fight for him…

Eh, if he thinks about it this way, Qi Xuan is not simple either.

Lin Ziran was startled. Although the script seemed stupid and ridiculous, after watching it, he felt that none of them seemed to be at ease.

Stop thinking! He must be overthinking. Don’t let this be the case!

Feng Yuanchong had already received the news, and he and the Empress Dowager were waiting in Chunxin Palace.

Feng Yuanchong is now just over thirty years old. He has an elegant and handsome appearance, wearing a golden crown and a brocade robe. He looks gentle and generous, but his eyebrows are quite majestic, showing the demeanor of an Emperor.

Although Li Ji was very powerful outside, he was just a subordinate in the royal family.

Lin Ziran lowered his eyes and stood respectfully to one side, content to be a backdrop.

He thought to himself, this is the protagonist gong, the biggest winner of this story!

Not only did he win the victory in the brutal palace struggle, but he also killed his own Didi and finally got the beauty.

The Empress Dowager is already sixty years old, but she is in good spirits, looks healthy and kind…

As soon as Feng Yuanji entered the palace, he quickly came to the Empress Dowager and pretended to kneel down: “Your son pays respect to the Empress Mother.”

The Empress Dowager was kind and benevolent. She held Feng Yuanji’s hand without waiting for him to kneel down and said with a smile: “No need to be polite.”

After that, she asked Feng Yuanji to sit down, looked around, and said with pity: “Yuanji has been away from the border for several years. Bengong misses him very much. Look at you, child. You are tanned and suffer outside…”

(*Bengong= This Queen in place of ‘I’)

Feng Yuanji smiled and said: “After not seeing Empress Mother for a few years, your son is relieved to see that Empress Mother is doing well. This time, your son brought back a lot of specialties from the border. Your son will have someone send them to  you and HuangXiong’s palace later.”

(*HuangXiong= Imperial brother)

Feng Yuanchong smiled and shook his head: “It’s enough that you come back safely. Why bring any gifts? The palace has everything.”

Feng Yuanji raised his eyebrows: “The palace doesn’t lack anything, but it is this Didi’s intention, so please don’t refuse it.”

The three of them immediately sat there and started chatting.

What a loving mother, filial son, friendly Xiong and respectful Di.

If you only look at this scene, who would have thought that Feng Yuanji would plot a rebellion later?

Sure enough, the royal family is all fake XiongDi relations!

Lin Ziran sighed in his heart.

After Feng Yuanchong finished caring about Feng Yuanji, he turned to look at Qi Xuan, looked him up and down, and said with a smile: “Qi Gongzi is famous, and have heard of him for a long time. Today, it looks like his reputation is well-deserved.”

(*Gongzi=Son of nobility or officials)

Qi Xuan bowed respectfully, cupped his hands, and lowered his eyes, saying: “Your Majesty is too kind.”

Although Qi Xuan came here as a hostage living under someone else’s roof, Feng Yuanchong did not treat him with contempt. Instead, he smiled gently and said: “Since you are here, just stay here with peace of mind. You will like this place once you get used to it.”

After that, he instructed Lin Ziran: “Zichu, have you arranged a place for Qi Gongzi to live? He is now in your care. You must protect him well and there must not be any mistakes.”

Li Ji, courtesy name Zichu.

Lin Ziran said respectfully: “It’s ready, Your Majesty, don’t worry.”

Feng Yuanchong nodded.

He did not keep Qi Xuan and the others for long, and Feng Yuanji and Lin Ziran also said goodbye and left.

When Qi Xuan came, he followed Feng Yuanji, and when he left, he followed Lin Ziran. He was calm and unhurried and quietly followed Lin Ziran.

Lin Ziran’s men were already waiting outside the palace in a carriage.

From today on, the beauty is under his protection!

Feng Yuanji mounted his horse, looked down at Lin Ziran, raised his eyebrows and smiled: “I haven’t seen you for a long time, but Li daren’s holy favor is still there, and it seems that he has served the HuangXiong very well.”

Li Ji has a beautiful and feminine face, and Feng Yuanchong has always protected him and trusted him, so there are many rumors about him and Feng Yuanchong, and they are no longer surprising.

Feng Yuanji’s chatterbox mouth is the most unforgiving.

Lin Ziran looked neither humble nor arrogant and said calmly: “As a subject, it is my duty to serve His Majesty well.”

Seeing his stubborn attitude, Feng Yuanji sneered and rode away.

Lin Ziran looked away as if nothing had happened. In fact, many people knew that Li Ji’s success was not due to his skills in bed. It was just that there were too many people who hated him, so they could only vent their anger by discrediting him.

However, judging from the fact that Feng Yuanchong was able to order Li Ji to be killed for Qi Xuan, he actually didn’t care that much about this subordinate, right? He was protecting him now only because Li Ji was still useful. Li Ji, this knife was so convenient to use. He was still the wise ruler who stood high above. All the bad things were done by Li Ji, the cold-blooded, cunning and cruel henchman. If one day he was no longer useful… then killed Li Ji, the cruel and treacherous traitor. Maybe those upright people would praise the Emperor for being able to distinguish right from wrong…

Hmm, now that he thinks about it, Feng Yuanchong’s later execution of Li Ji was probably not due to jealousy, but perhaps it was just because Li Ji was no longer useful.

Lin Ziran felt a chill in his heart, and he withdrew his thoughts and said to Qi Xuan: “Gongzi, please get in the carriage.”

Qi Xuan’s residence had been prepared long ago. It was once the home of a fourth-rank official, who was confiscated and exterminated because he wrote a disrespectful poem. The house had been vacant until Li Ji cleared it out and used it as Qi Xuan’s residence.

The interior had already been cleaned up, servants were everywhere, and the plaque on the main entrance had also been changed.

Lin Ziran led Qi Xuan in and said slowly: “The customs and habits of the capital are quite different from those of Anhe Country. I have had people redecorate this place according to your Anhe Country’s customs. If there is anything else you need, just let me know. I will make you feel at home here.”

Qi Xuan said calmly: “Thank you for your help.”

It looks like an iceberg that has been there for thousands of years, keeping people at a distance.

Even if he is a prince, it doesn’t matter. Just because the country is weak, the eldest son of the king has to be a hostage. Although he seems to have a noble status, he is actually helpless.

Lin Ziran sighed inwardly, explained the situation, and left.

Qi Xuan is too cold.

He is beautiful, but he is not a likable person.

How did Li Ji fall in love with such an iceberg?

It turns out that face-con is the most unreasonable!

………………

Lin Ziran went home to sleep and was woken up by the system before dawn the next day.

【System: Get ready for work. 】

【Lin Ziran was confused: …】Go what, what work, go for what work?

Then Lin Ziran suddenly came to his senses. He was now an important official in the imperial court, and he was in charge of a terrifying power organization like the Imperial Guards. Of course, he was a busy man with a lot of things to do every day!

Oh my god!

Is he going to live a life of getting up early at the sound of cock-crows again?

He skipped school, but he couldn’t skip work.

He wants to cry…

【System: This kind of role is quite different from modern society and is difficult to play. In order to prevent the player’s identity from being discovered too easily, we will provide players with guidance services. I will teach you how to do it later. 】

Lin Ziran quickly understood that there was a similar situation in the first world. When he was the president, many of his tasks were guided by the system. The system’s suggestions were very reliable, and it was not a problem to complete the work smoothly…

At times like this, the system becomes particularly useful!

Lin Ziran gritted his teeth and got up.

Then he went to work with a cold attitude.

Facing a group of majestic and murderous Imperial Guards, Lin Ziran spent a frightening day under the guidance of the system.

In order to avoid the pain of getting up early, in the ancient society lacking entertainment, Lin Ziran decided to develop the habit of going to bed early.

It is very necessary to ensure adequate sleep.

Although he had to go to work, he did not forget the plot and went to see Qi Xuan every two or three days. This was his important responsibility as a loving male supporting role.

As for how Li Ji fell in love with Qi Xuan, the script probably described it like this: he had never seen such a clean and good-looking man, like an immortal who was not affected by dust. He should have been worshiped on the top of the snowy mountain, but he had no choice but to be trapped in this mud… Li Ji looked up at Qi Xuan, like a prisoner walking in the dark, and was unconsciously attracted to him…

Want to protect him, want him to stay clean like this.

Lin Ziran thought about it and simply concluded that Li Ji felt that he was not a good person and that he had no choice but to live this way… But he hoped that Qi Xuan would not be like him and fall into a situation where he had no choice but to live, so he wanted to protect the white moonlight in his heart.

Lin Ziran came to Qi Xuan’s residence and happened to see a maid coming out. He stopped her and asked: “How is Gongzi today? Is he used to living here?”

Seeing that Lin Ziran was very nervous, the maid said carefully and respectfully: “Gongzi is fine, but maybe the food here is not to his liking, and he hasn’t eaten much recently.”

Lin Ziran took it to heart, then pushed the door and walked in.

Qi Xuan was sitting on the bed in a white robe, leaning lazily, reading a book intently. He seemed to have read something interesting, and a faint smile appeared on his lips, which was like the first melting of ice and snow…

He raised his head when he heard the voice, the smile on his lips quickly disappeared, and he stood up and said: “Daren.”

Lin Ziran asked curiously: “What are you reading?”

Qi Xuan said calmly: “Just some miscellaneous notes.”

Tsk tsk, he really has an iceberg-like personality, but Lin Ziran also understands it. Although Qi Xuan was forced to come here, he is still arrogant. Who doesn’t know that Li Ji has a bad reputation?

Don’t be fooled by his indifferent appearance. He might be disgusted and impatient in his heart, but he just can’t show it.

Lin Ziran knew that he was not popular, and he knew it in his heart, so he did not plan to stay for long. Anyway, with Li Ji’s personality, even if he admired Qi Xuan in his heart, he would not show it obviously, but would only take care of him secretly…

Lin Ziran and Qi Xuan had nothing to say, so they nodded and said: “If you like reading, I’ll have someone collect some more for you.”

Then he left.

The next day, he ordered his men to find books, no matter what type of books, and sent a whole truckload to Qi Xuan. This is the benefit of being powerful, he can pamper others at will, and he doesn’t have to do it himself! Just send a man, why bother with so much hard work like in the last world?

It’s very simple to just order.

Lin Ziran rarely went there, but he would listen to his subordinates’ reports on Qi Xuan’s situation every now and then. If he knew what Qi Xuan needed, he would send someone to deliver it to him.

Ten days passed peacefully.

That day, Lin Ziran’s men came over and said: “Qi Gongzi went to the Cheng’en Marquis’s mansion for a banquet.”

Lin Ziran had no expression: “Mmm.”

Huh, wait!

Is that part of the plot starting?

【Lin Ziran: System, bring up the plot for me to see. 】

【System: OK. 】

Lin Ziran saw this and thought, oh, he almost forgot, today is really his scene!

Qi Xuan attracted attention from all sides after he came to the capital. Many people wanted to see the elegance of the best young man in the world. After observing him secretly for a while, Marquis Cheng’en Mansion was the first to send an invitation to Qi Xuan to attend the poetry party in the mansion. Qi Xuan did not want to offend the powerful and noble like Marquis Cheng’en, so he accepted the invitation to attend the banquet. At the banquet, the son of Marquis Cheng’en coveted Qi Xuan’s beauty and tried to flirt with him. At the critical moment, Li Ji stepped forward to save the beauty!

A hero saving a beauty!

Lin Ziran immediately stood up and said: “Prepare the carriage.”

………………

Lin Ziran arrived relatively late.

When the steward of the Marquis’ Mansion saw him coming, his face changed slightly, and he stepped forward cautiously and asked: “Why is Li Daren here?”

These days, no one welcomes Li Ji to their doorstep.

It’s usually bad news when he comes to your house.

Lin Ziran glanced at him with his eyes downcast, raised the corner of his lips, and said in a slightly cold tone: “Could it be that this official can’t come?”

The steward wiped his sweat, quickly stepped aside, and said with a respectful smile: “How could it be? Li Daren, please come in. If Marquis knew that you were coming, he would be very happy!”

Happy? Perhaps so happy that they can’t even smile.

Lin Ziran didn’t even look at the steward and walked in directly.

Many people were very surprised to see him coming. After a moment of hesitation, they still greeted him. No matter how much they disliked him, they had to save face and didn’t want to offend him… Everyone kept thinking in their hearts, why did this guy suddenly come here? Could it be that something bad happened to the Chengen Marquis family?

Lin Ziran had an indifferent expression on his face, walking inside as if no one was around, and remained unmoved by the fearful gazes from all around him, not to mention how domineering he was!

In fact, this is what he feels inside.

【Lin Ziran: It’s over. What should I do if I get lost? This mansion’s garden is too big! Where on earth is Qi Xuan? 】

【System: … ahead, turn left, and go to the lake.】

【Lin Ziran: Oh, oh! 】

【Lin Ziran: Wait… If I have to be a hero to save the beauty later, what should I do if I don’t know any martial arts! 】

【System: Just hit it as you like. 】

【Lin Ziran:? 】

【System: For these settings that go beyond the ordinary real world, all abilities in this world will be reserved for players. Once you start, the intelligent fighting mode will be triggered. Fighting scenes are physical instincts. Players only need to focus on the performance. We will solve other problems for you. 】

【Lin Ziran: I see. 】

He finally felt relieved. This world contains martial arts elements. Li Ji is a top master, but he doesn’t know any moves. If he encounters an accident, let alone acting, he will be exposed as soon as he starts to fight. It seems that the game has taken this aspect into consideration!

Apart from the performance issues, it’s basically point-and-shoot mode.

What a thoughtful game…

Following the system’s prompts, Lin Ziran finally saw Qi Xuan in the pavilion by the lake.

In front of Qi Xuan stood a handsome young man holding a folding fan. He looked handsome, but his skin was pale, and his eyes were blue. He looked like he had indulged himself too much. He was the son of Marquis Cheng’en.

The eyes of the son of Marquis Cheng’en were full of undisguised greed, and he laughed: “After seeing you today, I realized that the rumors are not enough to describe your peerless grace. I really admire you…”

Qi Xuan looked indifferent and turned to leave, but the son of Marquis Cheng’en stopped him, raised his hand to touch Qi Xuan’s face, and said: “Where are you in such a hurry to go? How about I chat with you about romance?”

Lin Ziran gasped when he saw this. What a scene of teasing a decent ‘woman’!

Wait, my beauty, I am here to protect you!

Lin Ziran stepped forward quickly, grabbed the wrist of the son of Marquis Cheng’en, sneered and pushed him away, blocking Qi Xuan, narrowed his eyes, and said in a cold tone: “What is the prince doing?”

The son of the Marquis Cheng’en was suddenly pushed away, and he staggered to his feet. When he saw that it was Lin Ziran, his face changed, and he said: “I was wondering who it was. It turned out to be Li Daren. I was just talking to Qi Gongzi. Do you have to intervene in this also?”

Lin Ziran looked down at him with cold eyes and said slowly: “So what?”

The face of the son of Marquis Cheng’en turned red and white, and then white and red. He really wanted to continue to hit on Qi Xuan, but if Li Ji insisted on protecting him, he would be helpless. He was indignant and said to Qi Xuan in a sarcastic tone: “Qi Gongzi has not been in the capital for a long time, but he has found a good backer. If you had told me earlier that you were Li Daren’s man, I would not have wasted my breath here…”

After saying that, he just threw his sleeves and left.

Lin Ziran snorted coldly. There were many people in the capital who coveted Qi Xuan. As for the son of the Marquis Cheng’en, he was just a small fly that was not on the stage.

But his role is to help Qi Xuan fend off these crazy admirers when Feng Yuanchong is not around!

When Feng Yuanchong also falls in love with Qi Xuan, there will be no place for him, the affectionate male partner…

Just as he was thinking about it, he saw Feng Yuanji coming in front of him.

Lin Ziran’s expression was stern. This happened one after another, but it was indeed like this in the plot.

Ai, this is the trouble of being too popular, there are always endless rivals! Just when he killed a fly, the boss came…

Lin Ziran waited attentively, Feng Yuanji was not easy to deal with.

This is the second male lead who has more scenes than him, he can only be the third male lead at best.

He turned back and said to Qi Xuan: “Let’s go.”

Unexpectedly, Qi Xuan did not move, but looked at him coldly, his eyes distant, obviously not appreciating his kindness at all… Perhaps in Qi Xuan’s eyes, he was not much different from the scoundrel just now, and being protected by the notorious Li Ji, if it got out, it might damage his noble reputation!

This is also why in the original plot, Qi Xuan never treated Li Ji kindly.

He was a bit arrogant in his bones and disdained to ask Li Ji to protect him. People said that he was in cahoots with people like Li Ji…

Lin Ziran hesitated for a moment, and Feng Yuanji came over.

Today he was wearing a dark blue brocade robe, with handsome features and an imposing manner. Without the armor, he looked less fierce, but there was still a hint of murderous intent between his brows. His deep eyes were extremely cold and sharp. When he saw Lin Ziran, he raised the corner of his lips and said jokingly: “We meet again. It’s really no coincidence.”

Feng Yuanji glanced at Lin Ziran with contempt, ignored him, turned around and tried to pull Qi Xuan, and said with a frivolous smile: “Come and drink with Benwang.”

(*Benwang= this king in place of ‘I’)

Qi Xuan also dislikes Feng Yuanji.

It was because Feng Yuanji’s troops were at the gates of the city that his father had to send him to Dasheng as a hostage. Seeing this, his face turned pale and looked extremely ugly.

How can he just stand by and watch when a beautiful man is in trouble!

Lin Ziran was immediately filled with lofty ambitions and did not hesitate to stop Feng Yuanji!

Seeing that Lin Ziran dared to stop him, Feng Yuanji immediately started fighting with him. Feng Yuanji was certainly not like those good-for-nothings. He had been through many battles and although his style was different from Li Ji’s, his aggressive moves were more difficult to resist!

Lin Ziran made a move and found that he was very smooth. This body was indeed good at fighting! But Feng Yuanji was obviously better at fighting than him. After a few moves, Feng Yuanji grabbed his wrist and twisted him behind his back! He held him in his arms with his backhand. Feng Yuanji lowered his head close to his ear and sneered: “Benwang gave you a little face, but you didn’t recognize your own position. How dare you attack benwang?”

Lin Ziran had a calm expression and spoke in an unhurried voice: “Wangye was drunk, so he did the absurd thing of asking Qi Gongzi to drink with him. I was ordered by the Emperor to protect Qi Gongzi, and had to stop it. Please forgive me, Wangye.”

He said ‘forgiveness’ but there was no sign of asking for forgiveness in his eyes. Instead, there was a hint of indifferent sarcasm, and it was obvious that he was using the Emperor to pressure him!

Feng Yuanji lowered his eyes and looked at the man in his arms. This man had a feminine and handsome face, narrow and long eyes with a cold light. He always looked sinister, but there was a faint red at the end of his eyes, making his coldness look like a red plum blossom on a snowy night…

Feng Yuanji’s eyes showed a hint of interest, and he raised his eyebrows and said slowly: “Are you threatening benwang with the Emperor?”

Lin Ziran said: “I dare not.”

Feng Yuanji narrowed his eyes and said to himself, dare not, I think you are very brave.

Lin Ziran’s eyes were cold and indifferent, and he really didn’t care. Feng Yuanji wouldn’t do anything to him. He would at most ridicule him a few times. It was absolutely impossible for him to kill him. After all, he was Feng Yuanchong’s capable subordinate.

Feng Yuanji’s target is Qi Xuan. According to the plot, he will snatch Qi Xuan away today and force Qi Xuan to drink with him…

Feng Yuanji looked into the man’s eyes, which showed genuine indifference.

Seems to be sure that he will not…

Lin Ziran waited and waited, and then he saw Feng Yuanji suddenly raised his hand to lift his chin, and said in an ambiguous tone in his ear: “But if Li Daren is willing to have a drink with benwang, it is not impossible for benwang to let him go today.”

Lin Ziran:?