Winning the male lead

The only thing that comforted Le Tian was hearing that Zhu Chuchu was doing quite well in the Zichen Hall.

Lin Le Tian, as a eunuch, seemed to wield great power, surrounded by splendor and influence, but in truth, he relied entirely on the emperor’s favor. He was well aware of this fact, which was why he schemed endlessly to eliminate his rivals, even at the cost of harming loyal officials. His goal was to keep the emperor firmly within his grasp, deliberately nurturing the emperor’s spoiled, willful nature so that he would rely solely on him.

In essence, it was holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords.

But now, he couldn’t afford to take that approach.

The only person ranked above him was Zong Yan, and only Zong Yan had the qualifications to help him complete his mission. Yet with his temperament, how could he possibly hold onto the throne for eight years?

Lin Le Tian, after all, was born into poverty. His narrow vision led him to believe that sheer ruthlessness and cruelty would allow him to maintain control over the court for years.

Even if he managed to keep a tight grip on the Yong Dynasty, the neighboring states bordering it wouldn’t sit idly by while a eunuch manipulated the government.

Give it three to five years, and both Zong Yan and he would be finished. And when that time came, he—just a powerless eunuch—would be left completely vulnerable, at the mercy of others.

Fortunately, he had arrived early. Lin Le Tian had yet to go too far, and many pillars of the court remained intact.

✅ Raising a Wise Emperor Plan (X)
✅ Raising a Cuckold Plan (√)

Le Tian: “I have it so rough…”

“Your Grace, we’ve arrived at Zichen Hall,” a young eunuch softly announced from outside.

The pressure of raising a child suddenly hit him full force!

He massaged his temples, took hold of his hand warmer, and stepped down from the sedan, supported by a young eunuch. The palace maids and eunuchs they passed all bowed respectfully.

“Little Lin!”

Zong Yan came sprinting over, crashing headfirst into his arms. The frail Le Tian almost coughed up blood from the impact and barely managed to say, “Your Majesty, maintain your dignity.”

Zong Yan ignored him, tilting his head up with a pout. “Little Lin, you’ve been spending too little time with me lately. I’m so bored.”

Le Tian reached out to adjust Zong Yan’s jade crown. Zong Yan wasn’t satisfied with just that; he grabbed his hand and pressed it against his own cheek, closing his eyes like a puppy enjoying its master’s affection.

“Your Majesty, my hands are cold,” Le Tian averted his gaze, decisively pulling his hand back to warm it over his hand warmer. “Summon the meal.”

Le Tian specifically named Zhu Chuchu to serve the meal, guiding her almost step by step. Despite her young age, she was intelligent and quick-witted, executing her tasks with remarkable precision. Le Tian was deeply satisfied, and his gaze toward her grew noticeably gentler.

Le Tian: “My daughter is amazing!”

System: “You’re really treating the female lead like your own daughter, huh?”

But Zong Yan wasn’t pleased. He slammed his jade chopsticks onto the table, his face dark with displeasure. “Little Lin, do you still have me in your eyes?”

Le Tian gently responded, “Your Majesty is always in this servant’s heart. Chuchu is a good child. With her by Your Majesty’s side, you won’t have to feel so lonely when I’m not around. I beg Your Majesty’s understanding.”

He picked up the jade chopsticks again, gracefully presenting them to him, his gaze soft and affectionate like autumn rain. “Your Majesty, please eat.”

Zong Yan was immediately pacified and obediently began his meal.

The aroma of the imperial feast filled the air, teasing Le Tian’s nose. He nearly drooled. He couldn’t stand it.

“Cough, cough.” he lightly covered his lips, pretending to cough.

Zong Yan immediately panicked. “Little Lin, what’s wrong? Have you caught a cold?”

Le Tian waved a hand dismissively. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The night wind merely made my throat a little scratchy.”

“You’ve been running back and forth every night—of course you’d catch a chill! Your health is already weak,” Zong Yan said anxiously. “Summon the imperial physician at once!”

The physician arrived, took his pulse, and, as expected, gave the same old diagnosis: weak constitution, shortness of breath, internal cold, external exposure. In short—Lin Le Tian was frail and feeble, needing intense nourishment and rest.

Zong Yan’s face turned red with worry. Zhu Chuchu, too, bit her lip, her eyes filled with concern.

Le Tian coughed a couple more times for effect, reassuring the two children, “It’s an old ailment, Your Majesty. No need to worry.”

Zong Yan gritted his teeth. “This is all my fault!”

He was the youngest son of the late emperor, born to an unremarkable status and the least likely candidate for the throne. He only ascended because of Lin Le Tian’s machinations. To keep him under his control, Lin Le Tian had once staged a dramatic “rescue from drowning, leaving behind a lingering illness” act. As a result, Zong Yan had always been deeply concerned about his health.

“Your Majesty, mind your words,” Le Tian’s tone grew slightly sterner, as if he didn’t want to hear Zong Yan blaming himself.

Zhu Chuchu, who had been quietly thinking for a while, suddenly stepped forward and knelt. “Your Majesty, this servant has a request.”

Zong Yan raised a hand. “Speak.”

Zhu Chuchu glanced at Le Tian and, seeing that he didn’t object, mustered her courage.

“Your Grace is constantly traveling between the Eastern Depot and the palace, which is truly exhausting. I beg Your Majesty’s grace—please allow Your Grace to stay outside the palace at night.”

Zong Yan instinctively wanted to refuse, but when he heard Le Tian cough again, his heart softened.

Lin Le Tian had helped him during the darkest times of his life, always believing in him. He was his everything—his sky. How could the sky let him suffer?

He hesitated and said, “You make a valid point, Little Lin. From now on, if you’re busy late, stay at the Eastern Depot and don’t come back to the palace.”

“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.” Le Tian smiled and bowed, pleased with the outcome.

Mission accomplished, oh yeah!

Living in the palace was truly suffocating and exhausting. He always had to maintain a certain demeanor and take care of the child. But the Eastern Depot was different—it was his turf, and he had the final say.

He also didn’t want Zong Yan to keep relying on him so excessively. He wanted to send talent to his side to properly teach him.

Zong Yan grabbed Le Tian’s sleeve, with a touch of pleading in his voice, and said, “sleep with me tonight, please?”

…If you were seven or eight years older, I’d be more than happy to, Le Tian thought to himself. He smiled and gently pulled his sleeve away, speaking in a tone that couldn’t be refused. “Your Majesty, that wouldn’t be proper.”

Zong Yan’s face fell.

“Your Majesty, tomorrow I will present you with a grand gift. Will that be acceptable?” Le Tian smiled mischievously.

Zong Yan, still somewhat unamused, replied, “I’m not that easy to please.” But then he couldn’t help asking, “What is it?”

Le Tian’s smile remained. “It’s a secret. I want to give you a surprise.”

As he prepared to leave, he gave Zhu Chuchu a few instructions, telling her all about Zong Yan’s likes and dislikes. She carefully noted everything. “Your Grace, don’t worry. I’ll do my best!”

Good girl, sob sob sob. He coldly patted her little face, only to be immediately warned by the system: “Watch your behavior.”

Le Tian sighed. “Fatherly love, do you understand fatherly love?”

System: “Heh.”

The next day, Le Tian’s grand gift arrived in front of Zong Yan—Hanlin Academician Yang Qianyi and General Fu Yuan, E Tai.

“We have come under the command of the Nine Thousand Years to teach Your Majesty.”

Zong Yan: “…”

Le Tian leisurely sat in the sedan heading towards the Eastern Depot, flipping through documents. “Little one, enjoy the three-year literary and five-year martial arts study package.”