In the thirtieth-sixth year of the Xuande reign, the capital city, outside the gates of the Prince’s Estate…
Wei Hao looked at Wen Yunyue, who stood beside Gu Zhan with tearful eyes. There was not the slightest trace of pity in his heart. The humiliation he had suffered at the Marquis Household that day was still fresh in his memory. A vain, status-obsessed woman like her had no right to step into the Wei family’s door.
Gu Zhan looked down at Wei Hao with disdain.
“The Wei family has long declined. You’re nothing but a commoner. What right do you have to compete with this young master for a woman? Get lost.”
If not for Wen Yunyue, he would not even bother speaking to someone so lowly.
The common people loved excitement and had already gathered at a distance to watch the commotion. Though Gu Zhan’s words were harsh, they were the truth. As the second young master of the Prince’s Estate, and the emperor’s nephew, few could compare to his status.
Because of this, Wei Hao felt even more ridicule directed at him, as though everyone was mocking his overestimation of himself.
Wei Hao clenched his fists, standing tall and straight, meeting Gu Zhan’s gaze.
“Second Young Master, have you ever heard the saying: ‘Do not bully the young when they are poor’?”
Though he was currently a mere commoner, he believed he could achieve great things with his ability.
Gu Zhan laughed as if he had just heard the greatest joke.
“Have some shame. You’re older than me, yet you talk about being young?”
Indeed, Wei Hao had already reached the age of tying his hair up in a crown, while Gu Zhan’s hair still hung loose behind him, clearly not yet an adult.
A cold glint flashed in Wei Hao’s eyes, but he knew clashing head-on would bring him no benefit. He let out a cold snort and turned to leave.
A gentleman’s revenge is never too late. The humiliation of having his fiancée taken would be remembered.
Zhang Liu rolled his eyes and leaned toward Gu Zhan, lowering his voice.
“Second Young Master, should we deal with him?”
Gu Zhan didn’t take Wei Hao seriously at all and waved a hand dismissively.
“Just a jumping clown.”
With that, Gu Zhan walked to Wen Yunyue. He reached out to take her hand, but she dodged it.
A trace of displeasure flashed in his eyes. Then he thought of something and suppressed it. In any case, she would be his sooner or later. There was no need to rush.
He softened his tone.
“Yue’er, don’t worry. With me here, that lowly man won’t dare trouble you again.”
Wen Yunyue lowered her gaze.
“Thank you, Second Young Master.”
Her voice was soft and gentle, making Gu Zhan’s heart tremble slightly. Heat flickered in his eyes.
Just as he was about to say something, his body suddenly swayed. His vision went dark, and he collapsed toward her.
Wen Yunyue thought he was trying to take advantage of her again and shifted aside, avoiding him perfectly.
With a heavy “thud,” Gu Zhan fell to the ground.
The sound made it clear he had fallen hard.
Wen Yunyue’s expression remained indifferent, showing no emotion. Only when Zhang Liu rushed back in shock did she speak with concern.
“Second Young Master?”
Before Zhang Liu could help him up, Gu Zhan pushed himself up, rubbing his forehead as he sucked in a breath.
“Damn it… who ran a red light…”
Zhang Liu didn’t hear clearly and hurried to brush the dust off him.
“Second Young Master, should we call a physician?”
Gu Zhan blinked, looking around in confusion. Before he could speak, a sharp pain struck his mind, followed by a flood of memories.
He could still see Wei Hao’s retreating figure.
Wei Hao? Wen Yunyue?
Those names felt familiar.
Before he could process it further, the pain intensified, and he lost consciousness again.
Zhang Liu panicked and quickly supported him, ordering someone to summon a physician while helping him back into the estate.
Wen Yunyue followed them inside as well. Since they were already engaged, there was no need for excessive avoidance.
Inside the Prince’s Estate, Breeze Pavilion.
Breeze Pavilion was second only to the main courtyard in the estate. It originally belonged to the heir, Gu Lin, but after the old prince passed away and Gu Lin inherited the title, Gu Zhan moved here.
Wen Yunyue followed Zhang Liu and the others into the room. Not long after, the Old Princess Consort arrived.
Wen Yunyue bowed.
“This young woman greets the Old Princess Consort.”
The Old Princess Consort did not even look at her and rushed to Gu Zhan’s bedside. Seeing the swelling on his forehead, her heart ached.
“What happened? He was fine when he left the residence earlier.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Wen Yunyue meaningfully.
Zhang Liu explained everything that had just happened.
Naturally, the Old Princess Consort would not blame Gu Zhan. Her attention focused only on the fact that he fell because Wen Yunyue dodged him. Her expression immediately darkened.
“You are truly an ill-omened woman! You’ve only just been engaged, and you already caused harm to Zhan’er!”
Wen Yunyue dug her nails into her palm. Tears fell immediately from her eyes, her delicate face becoming even more pitiful.
“It was… Yunyue’s fault for panicking and dodging, causing harm to the Second Young Master.”
The Old Princess Consort disliked such weak, tearful women even more and her expression turned colder.
Before she could speak further, Gu Lin entered with a physician, interrupting her.
“Mother, let the physician check Zhan’er first.”
Naturally, Gu Zhan’s condition was more important. The Old Princess Consort hurried inside with the physician.
Wen Yunyue curtsied.
“Thank you, Prince.”
Gu Lin did not look at her.
“This engagement was personally requested by Zhan’er. Regardless of past matters, remember your place in the future.”
Wen Yunyue lowered her eyes.
“I will remember.”
They entered the inner room one after another. The physician checked the pulse and said, “Your Highness, Second Young Master’s pulse is steady and strong. There is no serious issue. The swelling on his forehead is also minor and will heal with a few days of ointment.”
Frankly speaking, if not for the status of the Prince’s Estate, he would have complained. He was urgently summoned only to treat such a small injury.
As expected, rumors were true the Prince cared deeply for his only younger brother.
The Old Princess Consort still looked worried.
“Then why hasn’t Zhan’er woken up yet?”
“He was likely startled. Please rest assured. He will wake after a night’s rest.”
With the physician’s words, everyone relaxed.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Gu Lin nodded slightly and sent him away.
After the physician left, Gu Lin stood by the bedside, watching Gu Zhan’s steady breathing and healthy complexion, finally reassured.
The Old Princess Consort sat beside him, gently wiping his forehead.
Wen Yunyue suddenly felt unnecessary in the room.
“I will take my leave,” she said.
No one responded. Gu Lin ordered, “Yin Rui, escort Miss Wen back.”
Wen Yunyue thanked him and left.
Only then did the Old Princess Consort speak.
“Lin’er, this Wen family girl has too strong a fate. Marrying her will shorten Zhan’er’s lifespan.”
Gu Lin was startled.
“Why would Mother say such a thing?”
The Old Princess Consort snorted coldly.
“The original birth chart was definitely tampered with by the Marquis Household. I asked a master to recheck it recently. There is indeed a problem.”
Gu Zhan’s fate was too strong he could not afford it.
Gu Lin’s eyes darkened.
“Which master did Mother consult?”
“The Enlightened Master of the National Temple.”
“I will investigate this matter. Mother, do not spread it further, and do not tell Zhan’er.”
The Old Princess Consort nodded.
“Zhan’er is already bewitched by that girl. I won’t speak of it carelessly.”
Back in the study.
Gu Lin stood with his hands behind his back.
“Deal with Wei Hao,” he ordered coldly.
“Yes,” Yin Qing turned and left.
Half an hour later, Yin Qing returned to report.
“My Lord, Wei Hao has already left the capital. His whereabouts are unknown.”
Gu Lin frowned slightly.
“A cautious one… Order this: if Wei Hao appears in the capital again, no need to report kill him immediately.”
Gu Lin never spared potential enemies, even if they were currently insignificant.
Though Wei Hao was innocent in this matter, the marriage had been approved by the Marquis Household. Gu Lin would not tolerate anyone who harbored hatred toward Gu Zhan.
Late at night, Gu Zhan finally digested all the memories and woke up.
Thinking of Wei Hao’s final words—“Do not bully the young when they are poor”he felt a chill run through him.
Why did he have to provoke someone like that?
He was just an ordinary college-bound student. After finishing his exams, he planned to travel with classmates, but on the way to meet them, he was hit by a car running a red light.
And then… he ended up here.
Thinking of the original owner’s ending, Gu Zhan felt miserable.
He almost wished he had died in the accident.
He liked reading novels. Once he got absorbed, he could read through the night. After inheriting the original memories, he realized—
He had transmigrated.
This was a male-oriented novel about the rise of a man who eventually became a powerful minister.
The male lead, Wei Hao, had a tragic beginning. First, his father was assassinated while traveling for office. Then his mother died from grief soon after.
Orphaned, he went to the capital to seek refuge with his future father-in-law, only to be humiliated, rejected, and even have his fiancée stolen by a playboy, leaving him utterly disgraced.
But as expected of the male lead, he eventually rose to power. And once he gained authority, all those who once wronged him suffered miserable ends.
Unluckily, Gu Zhan was the very playboy who stole the male lead’s fiancée.
Realizing this, Gu Zhan genuinely wanted to die again.