How To Survive as a Villain

At dusk, General Huang Yue’s residence looked gloomy under the twilight white moon. After listening to the words of his subordinate, Huang Yue thoughtfully tapped his fingers on the table, and said: “When did this happen?”

The subordinate said: “It happened today. After His Majesty went to the morning Court, he was stopped by Xiao Jun Wang on his way back to the Imperial Bedchamber. According to what people said, Xiao Jun Wang first cursed at the Emperor. When he was coldly ignored by the Emperor, Xiao Jun Wang suddenly took out a dagger from his sleeve, and tried to stab the Emperor’s chest!”

Huang Yue let out a meaningful sigh, and said: “What happened to him afterwards?”

The subordinate said: “He was temporarily put in house arrest. Because the Emperor can’t see blood during the ancestor worship period, his death sentence was changed to house arrest.”

Huang Yue nodded his head, and went back into pondering over the situation.

Before, when Huang Yue sent a letter to Xiao Jun Wang, he felt that Xiao Jun Wang wasn’t in a desperate situation. However, it seemed that Xiao Jun Wang was indeed quite desperate, to the point of betting everything on a single throw.

As Huang Yue’s fingertips slowly tapped on the table, the afterglow outside the window was gradually slanting to the West. Until finally, the yellow sun dissipated, and the dust landed on the ground. At that moment, Huang Yue’s fingers tapped heavily on the table, and as he raised his head, he said: “Bring me a brush and ink, then send this letter to Xiao Jun Wang.”

The subordinate was surprised: “General Huang?”

Huang Yue said: “From the moment I decided to scheme to obtain the throne, every step I took was with thought of how to take the next three steps. I didn’t dare to move forward or step back, for fear that everything would come to an end if I made the tiniest mistake, and I would end up dying without a place to be buried. Rather than being cautious, I’ve been more like a turtle hiding its neck. I, Huang Yue, have never believed in fate, but this time, I want to believe for once. I want to take a gamble, even at the risk of my own life, and give it a go.”

Throughout history, there were countless heroes and villains, but only one thing is certain: The winner is the Monarch, and the loser is the enemy¹.

The seemingly calm and peaceful days of the actual turbulent waters passed one day after another, like the treacherous wind and strange clouds². Until finally, the day when the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom will have to worship his ancestors alone, arrived.

At midnight, the moon has curved to shine upon the whole country. Some homes were happy, and some others were worried. As for Tian Xiang, she had been unhappy for the whole day. After having dinner, Xiao YuAn decided to tease her: “What’s the matter? How can such a young girl frown so hard, to the point where she’ll be able to put a piece of paper between her eyebrows?”

Tian Xiang simply shook her head and said nothing.

Xiao YuAn knew she was worried about him. In order to make Huang Yue believe in him, he had to pretend that he wanted to assassinate Yan HeQing. It could even be said that everyone in the Imperial Palace was now talking about how he would be given the death sentence after Yan HeQing finished worshipping his ancestors.

Xiao YuAn couldn’t say much, but he wanted to appease her: “You don’t have to worry, I mean it.”

Tian Xiang simply sobbed but didn’t speak. After nodding her head, she picked up the dishes, and tidied up the bedding for Xiao YuAn. Then she got up and walked out of the bedchamber.

The last few days, Xiao YuAn had been under house arrest and was unable to move freely. Since Xiao YuAn was really bored, he asked Tian Xiang to bring him some books; but he, who read them with great interest a few days ago, wasn’t able to read a single word today.

Because tomorrow was the day Yan HeQing will worship his ancestors. If everything goes according to plan, Huang Yue will try to assassinate Yan HeQing tomorrow. Therefore, he’ll end up exposing his scheme, and will be caught in one fell swoop!

Xiao YuAn turned the pages of the book until it produced a loud sound, then he placed it on the table and held his head with one hand as he stared at the candle in front of him in a daze.

As the night went on, Xiao YuAn saw that it was almost the right time, so he gently blew out the candle and stood up.

Instead of going to bed, he tiptoed to the window with small steps, as he held his breath and squatted.

After a while, the window casket of Xiao YuAn’s bedchamber was gently pulled open.

When Yan HeQing came in through the window, he saw that the bedchamber was dark and he was slightly stunned. Suddenly, he could hear the sound of breathing and a black shadow jumped on top of him, catching him off guard.

After the two of them struggled for a while, Xiao YuAn clasped Yan HeQing’s hands and pressed him against the wall as he said with a smile: “I’ll devour you!”

Yan HeQing looked indifferent as he said: “Come.”

Xiao YuAn kissed him as he thought: ‘How could such a charming and fierce Stallion Male Protagonist fall into my hands? Instead of being part of a bitter love drama as the Secondary Male Lead, I’m in a fascinating plot where he enters through my window every day?’

‘I am, indeed, losing my mind!’

‘I am, indeed, moved to tears!’

‘Indeed, something to lament for again and again!’

‘Indeed…. Oh my god, my Yan-ge is too cute!’

Xiao YuAn leaned against Yan HeQing’s ear as he held his chin with one hand. He wasn’t as tall as Yan HeQing, so he could only slightly press down his chin. The moonlight was as thin and cool as water, illuminating Xiao YuAn’s unrestrained smile: “Young lady, you’re quite charming. Who’s this young lady’s family?”

“How old are you? Do you have any matchmaker offerings?”

“If not, what do you think of me?”

“I’m inexperienced, but I’d like to make this young lady happy.”

“Young lady, you should consider me.”

“What is it? Young lady, say something.”

Yan HeQing: “……”

When the young pampered wife didn’t reply, President Xiao bowed his head and smiled. Xiao YuAn was then suddenly picked up by Yan HeQing, who took him to bed, and Xiao YuAn couldn’t stop himself from laughing out loud at the thought of Yan HeQing’s expression. As he covered his abdomen and trembled with laughter, he swayed from side to side. Since Yan HeQing could keep steady, he fell to the bed with Xiao YuAn.

Xiao YuAn panted twice, trying to stop laughing. As he reached out to pull up the quilt to cover the two of them, he held Yan HeQing’s hand and laid face to face with him.

At that moment, Xiao YuAn said: “Yan-ge, tomorrow we’ll have to deal with Huang Yue.”

Yan HeQing: “Mm-hmm.”

“Are you worried?”

“No.”

“Then, are you afraid?”

“Not afraid.”

Xiao YuAn leaned his head towards Yan HeQing and asked: “Yan-ge, is there anything that you’re afraid of?”

Yan HeQing looked into Xiao YuAn’s eyes, and after a long silence, he slowly nodded his head.

Xiao YuAn was surprised: “You actually have something you’re afraid of? What is it?”

Yan HeQing said: “The black hair in the morning that turns white as snow in the evening³. The old trees that withered into wood, and a man dressed with luxurious clothes becoming old, lonely and powerless.”

“Ah? Why are you afraid of those?”

“You’re no longer by my side.”

Xiao YuAn stopped breathing for a moment, but then he pressed his forehead against Yan HeQing’s: “Yan-ge, you don’t have to be afraid.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Yan-ge, I’ve been so bored lately. Since I had to stay in my bedchamber all the time, I had a lot of chaotic thoughts. I’ll tell you about them the day after tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Yan HeQing gently kissed Xiao YuAn’s forehead and eyes. Until finally, he kissed his lips, tenderly and lovingly. After the kiss, the two of them fell asleep with their foreheads touching each other.

The next day, the ceremony of worshiping the ancestors of the Southern Yan Kingdom arrived. Since this ritual was a national event in the Southern Yan Kingdom, even Tian Xiang, who was arranged to serve Xiao YuAn, had to help. In the end, she had to leave Xiao YuAn alone in his bedchamber, who was already anxiously waiting for any news.

When the time for Yan HeQing’s worshipping alone came close, the door of Xiao YuAn’s bedchamber was suddenly pushed open. Xiao YuAn thought that it was Tian Xiang who had returned. However, when he was about to ask about the situation outside, he became stunned.

Because the person who came in uninvited wasn’t Tian Xiang, but a subordinate of Huang Yue.

Huang Yue’s subordinate walked in and placed a set of Imperial Guard’s clothes in front of Xiao YuAn. Then, he said: “I’m grateful that Xiao Jun Wang is willing to lend us his troops, so how could Xiao Jun Wang miss the fun today?”

Xiao YuAn’s heart thumped, as his hands hanging by his sides clenched slightly. Then he laughed and said: “But I’m under house arrest, His Majesty’s orders. I can’t go out at will.”

The subordinate laughed: “Xiao Jun Wang doesn’t need to worry, I’ve made some arrangements outside. As for the Emperor, General Huang will determine the situation after today. What is Xiao Jun Wang worried about? You just have to change your clothes and follow me. Time doesn’t wait.”

Xiao YuAn clenched his hand, but on the surface he looked calm: “Right, then please wait a moment.”

After saying that, Xiao YuAn took the set of Imperial Guard’s clothes and went into the inner room. Only then did his eyebrows frown tightly.

It seems that Huang Yue hasn’t completely let down his guard against him. If he goes to Huang Yue at this time, Xiao YuAn is afraid that he will be imprisoned in a dilemma.

But, if he doesn’t go, everything will get revealed! If that were to happen, Xiao YuAn and Yan HeQing’s hard-working efforts for a month would go to waste!

Xiao YuAn gritted his teeth as he picked up the Imperial Guard’s clothes and hurriedly changed.

I’m back~ ✧⁺⸜(●˙▾˙●)⸝⁺✧ʸᵃʸ ✨

Ahhh xya and yhq are so damn cute together my heart can’t take it!!

Footnotes

1. 胜者为王，败者为寇 shèng zhě wéi wáng，bài zhě wéi kòu; A Chinese saying handed down from ancient China to the present day. It means that in the fight for power/the throne, the one who wins is in the right, and is called a Monarch; while the one who loses is an oppressor who’s called the enemy. It basically means that the winner has power in his hands and no one dares to denounce him, but, on the other hand, the loser has a hard time defending himself.
2. 风谲云诡 fēng jué yún guǐ; A metaphor for a complex and uncertain situation / mysterious and strange.
3. 青丝暮成雪 qīng sī mù chéng xuě; It’s the feeling of sorrow of the irreversibility of the passage of life in time. From the poem《将进酒》by (李白 lǐ bái) Li Bai [701-762], from the Tang Dynasty [618-907].