Captured by the Emperor After a Successful Faked Death - Chapter 1

Xie Chengyun was an anti-fan of The First Emperor Through the Ages.

He hadn’t originally been an anti-fan; he used to be a loyal reader who would diligently check for updates and immediately post long, glowing reviews the moment the author released a new chapter.

He would squirm under his covers while reading, capable of showering the author with praise for an entire year without ever repeating the same compliment.

He particularly loved Zhu Yunyin, the Long Aotian (protagonist with god-like plot armor) of the story. Like every other Qidian protagonist, he possessed a tragic background, invincible subordinates, and a beautiful harem.

And, he also had an antagonist “Father-in-court” with the same name as Xie Chengyun himself.

“It’s just sharing a name,” Xie Chengyun would wave his hand, indicating it wasn’t worth mentioning.

But the Xie Chengyun in the book was truly a fool. The old Emperor had entrusted the young Emperor to him, even having the child kowtow and address him as “Father-in-court”—Father-in-court! One must know that the last person to receive such treatment was Zhuge Kongming.

It was a pity, however, that Xie Chengyun was no loyal official like the Marquis of Wuxiang, and Zhu Yunyin was no Liu Adou who could not be propped up.

Although he didn’t know how the story ended, based on the current plot development, Xie Chengyun was destined to die a miserable death. He would surely be subjected to all ten severe tortures; being skinned and deboned would be considered getting off lightly.

“What? You ask why I don’t know the ending?”

Because Shi Shini abandoned the book—abandoned it! Abandoned it! Aaaaaah!

“Great author Shi Shini, why aren’t you updating?”

The first month, Xie Chengyun comforted himself: The author is busy with real-life matters, it’s fine, it’s fine.

A year passed, and Xie Chengyun still tried to deceive himself: The author must still be handling things. Soon, soon, an update is coming.

Three years flowed by like water; Xie Chengyun could no longer comfort himself.

By the fifth year, the child next door had already grown old enough to go out and play on his own and would even sweetly call out, “Uncle Xie,” when he saw him.

But even so, Shi Shini had not updated.

Xie Chengyun successfully converted from a fan to an anti-fan, becoming active on all major social media platforms to curse Shi Shini and The First Emperor Through the Ages.

What was The First Emperor Through the Ages? It was a god-tier novel that had topped the rankings for five consecutive years even without the author updating.

Naturally, he was cursed at relentlessly by the fans of the book.

Xie Chengyun, being a stubborn one, ordered a box of bottled water, instant noodles, and ham sausages, prepared to fight to the death.

“The keyboard is the stage; if you have a mouth, come and get some!” This was the last sentence Xie Chengyun said before he died and then, he was struck by lightning.

Damn it!

Could this method of death be any more hasty?

Most importantly, he still hadn’t seen the ending of The First Emperor Through the Ages! Aaaaaah!

“Shi Shini, why! Won’t! You! Update!!!!”

“Shi Shini, even if I become a ghost, I won’t let you go! Great author, even if I die, I will haunt you!”

However, Xie Chengyun would not have that opportunity. After all, we live in a materialist country that rejects the supernatural.

And so, he transmigrated.

Xie Chengyun: “…”

“Detected that the host had excessive obsessions during their lifetime. I am System 007. I hope you will abide by the character setting; do not go OOC (Out of Character), do not go OOC, do not go OOC. Have fun in The First Emperor Through the Ages.”

Following a sharp sense of falling, Xie Chengyun woke up in the darkness.

“Sir? Sir, are you alright?”

There was a chattering sound beside him, loud enough to give Xie Chengyun a headache. He forced his eyes open and discovered he was standing on a three-foot-high podium.

Damn it, how did a slacker like me end up standing here? Xie Chengyun appeared calm as water on the surface, but he was actually terrified enough to jump out of his skin.

Looking more closely, there were dozens of chairs arranged there. The students nearby were all wearing the same style of school uniforms, and he was being supported by one of them.

He braced himself to stand, but felt his limbs go weak and his head spin; everything around him was turning upside down.

“Sir, if you are ill, you can let another teacher substitute for your class. You don’t have to force yourself,” said the person holding him.

Xie Chengyun could only wave his hand. “It is of no consequence.”

“Everyone move back! Don’t crowd together; let the air circulate!” someone shouted.

After quite a while, Xie Chengyun finally regained enough strength to stand. He was helped into a chair and, holding the hot water a student had poured for him, he took small sips.

He looked at the faces full of concern and asked cautiously, “Where is this?”

The students nearby showed expressions of despair, and the classroom erupted into more chattering: “I told you to go find Mr. Han, but you didn’t go. Now look, the teacher’s brain has been damaged from the fall.”

“Then why are you still standing there? Go quickly! You only know how to talk.”

Two students immediately ran out, and someone else said, “The teacher’s brain is damaged; what are we to do?”

Seeing that he was about to be diagnosed as a fool by their back-and-forth, Xie Chengyun had to tap the table and say, “Answer my question: Where is this?”

He was a teacher, after all, and his authority still held.

The students nearby immediately quieted down, one saying timidly, “This is Liunong Academy, Sir.”

“How did I faint here?”

The student nearby looked like he was about to cry, looking at Xie Chengyun as if he were a scammer.

“I don’t know, Sir. A second ago you were still lecturing on Zhuangzi, and the next second you fainted.”

Xie Chengyun: “…”

Just then, the two students who had run out returned with someone.

That person carried a medical kit and walked with hurried steps. The moment he saw Xie Chengyun, he frowned and scolded, “Utter nonsense! You spent all night reading memorials, and instead of sleeping properly at the manor, what are you doing here? If you want to die, why drag me out of the mountains to treat you?”

Xie Chengyun was too intimidated by the lecture to speak, silently reciting in his heart: Heaven and Earth are vast, but the doctor is the greatest.

The student who had been about to cry now looked as if he had seen a savior and said immediately, “Mr. Han, please take a look at the teacher. It seems he damaged his brain from the fall.”

Xie Chengyun couldn’t take it anymore; he almost wanted to throw the water cup at the student’s head. You’re the one who’s a fool! Your whole family is foolish!

Mr. Han skillfully placed the medical kit on the table, pulled out a small cushion, and gestured for Xie Chengyun to rest his wrist on it.

It was an incredibly beautiful hand—distinct knuckles, white as polished jade, with dark-colored veins. The wrist was so thin it could be snapped with one hand.

Mr. Han took his pulse, his face dark and silent.

Xie Chengyun felt so guilty he broke into a cold sweat and dared not look at him. After checking the pulse, Mr. Han looked at Xie Chengyun and asked, “Do you remember who I am?”

“I do not.”

“Then do you know where this is?”

He had just asked that, and Xie Chengyun said confidently, “Liunong Academy.”

Just as he should have kept his mouth shut, as Mr. Han was about to nod, a student at his side interjected, “The teacher asked that question just now, so he knows the answer.”

Sure enough, Mr. Han frowned and continued, “Then do you remember who you are?”

Damn it! I’ve been here for less than half an hour, and I haven’t even looked in a mirror. How could I know who I am? I should have asked that question earlier.

Seeing that Xie Chengyun remained silent, Mr. Han understood. He said with a gloomy face, “Xie Chengyun, just keep on mistreating yourself; you’ll kill yourself sooner or later.”

“It would be fine if you died; if you died, I would finally have peace. I could go back to the mountains to live my life as a hermit, not stay with you in constant fear, I might even live to ninety-nine.”

The students nearby felt this was going too far and wanted to protect Xie Chengyun, but logically they felt Mr. Han was speaking the truth. Everyone in the classroom muttered, not daring to say a word.

Xie Chengyun? Why is this person also named Xie Chengyun? Is my name that common?

“Beep—Detected that the host has completed the novice task. Identity confirmed. System is initializing; please do not leave.”

The mechanical voice sounded in his head again. Damn it, what host? What task? Xie Chengyun felt the world go dark again and hurriedly grabbed Mr. Han’s hand. “May I ask your name, Excellency?”

The man hadn’t expected this reaction from Xie Chengyun and was stunned for a moment.

This Xie Chengyun was a “medicine jar,” taking medication year-round, so much so that even his body had a faint herbal scent. Now, his face was pale, but his lips were a vibrant red.

Seeing Xie Chengyun like this, Mr. Han couldn’t help but blush. For a moment, he forgot to pull his hand away, and stammered, “Han Cizhi. I am Han Cizhi.”

Han Cizhi, Han Cizhi, Liunong Academy. Damn it, I really have transmigrated into ‘The First Emperor Through the Ages.’

Just then, the voice in his mind sounded again: “System initialized. Greetings, Host. I am your System 007.”

“Detected that you had many regrets during your lifetime, and it so happens our company has a limited-time experience event. You will become the current Prime Minister and Imperial Tutor, Xie Chengyun. You will continue to write this story under the identity of Xie Chengyun.”

He did want to know the ending, true, but he didn’t want to transmigrate!

And if he had to transmigrate, why the antagonist Xie Chengyun? Why couldn’t he be the male lead, Zhu Yunyin?

Xie Chengyun asked, “Mr. Han, may I ask who the current Emperor is?”

Zhu Shang, Zhu Shang, Zhu Shang. As long as it was Zhu Shang, he might still have a chance.

“The Emperor’s name is Yunyin; he ascended the throne three years ago.”

Ascended the throne three years ago… hasn’t he already done most of the evil deeds by now?

Xie Chengyun felt his world turn black again, thinking bitterly: It’s fine, it’s only been three years. I will properly bring warmth to the little Emperor, cultivate a good relationship, and beg for the favor of not being killed. Aaaaaah!

At this moment, 007’s voice came again: “Host must not OOC, must not OOC.”

I’m going to die anyway, why should I care so much?

The system seemed to know his thoughts, transmitting a mechanical voice: “If the host goes OOC, you will be erased immediately. Immediately erased. I repeat, immediately erased!”

Damn it! Is there no way to survive? It’s a blade if I move forward, and a blade if I retreat.

Xie Chengyun propped himself up and asked, “Sir, where is His Majesty now?”

Seeing Han Cizhi reveal a bitter expression, Xie Chengyun felt a chill run down his back.

It can’t be.

“Chengyun.”

Don’t.

“The mountains and rivers are broken; I know you are anxious, but His Majesty is, after all, young.”

Don’t, don’t, don’t.

“Challenging a great scholar in court may be impolite, but it might not be a bad thing. Besides, you did the same when you were young, didn’t you?”

Xie Chengyun was in despair. “Mr. Han, just tell me, where is His Majesty right now?”

Han Cizhi sighed and finally said, “Yesterday, His Majesty had a dispute with Dean Kang in the Imperial Study, and you punished him by making him copy books.”

Xie Chengyun felt as if he were about to faint on the floor. Han Cizhi’s voice drifted over again: “You should go take a look. His Majesty’s only reliance now is you.”

“After all, it was the late Emperor who personally entrusted His Majesty to you and even honored you as his Father-in-court. If I may say something rebellious, between father and son, what grievance could there possibly be that cannot be resolved overnight?”