The damn author of 'Emperor and I' was one lazy ars***ehole! Because in the novel, the background story of the villain and the male lead weren't much any different. They both had childhood trauma. They were both unloved and ignored.

Fighting for the throne, Prince Li Chen was killed and defeated by Li Hai and triumphantly became the new emperor.

When the Duke of Hebei's House fell, Li Nian's mother committed suicide. Then the young boy was adopted by Emperor Li Hai. At the age of five, he trained him to be an assassin and spy. He grew up incapable of pain, fear and death— he became the emperor's puppet.

When Li Nian met the female lead, for the first time.. his heart skipped a beat. He thought, killing this person will be very satisfying– this arrogant and hot-tempered princess, Chu Wanwan.

'What a psycho!'

"The assassination failed nevertheless right now, Nan King is in critical condition. Your Highness, we must strike while the iron is hot."

I see. The Duke of Hebei was taking this chance, using Bai Suxin as a perfect excuse to meet my so-called father to plot against the male lead again.

"We must act decisively and take this opportunity before it goes away."

I sat down beside Bai Muro, opposite to the villain.

"Hmmn. I want to hear the lady's opinion."

I met the Duke's gaze briefly and looked away, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Everyone knows that Lady Bai and Li Han are openly affectionate to each other. How can I be certain that the lady is really on my side?"

Li Nian is a 'manly or underwear model type' while Li Han is 'pretty boy or idol type.'

If Nan King is in the slender side like Liu Yuning or Jackson Wang. The Duke of Hebei is in the muscular side like Zhou Yiwei, Jason Mamoa or The Rock.

Unlike the stone-faced male lead, this hidden villain likes to smile. Contrast to his strong and bulky appearance, Li Nian shows a carefree and sunshine personality to the public. Completely hid his true scheming nature until the last few chapters of the novel.

"Don't worry, Your Highness." Bai Muro turned his head to me.

"Xin'er, when would you stop playing with that dog prince? If I didn't know my own daughter, you could've convince me too with your damsel in distress acting to him."

Li Nian grinned. "Acting? Is that the truth?"

I glanced up, steeled myself against the villain's probing eyes and forcefully smiled back at him.

"The powerful are never faithful."

He cocked his head to one side, seemingly amused.

"You don't know how I do things, Your Highness. I always play safe; innocently watching on one side. Let the wolves fight for the meat. And when they're both injured and dead, the tiger becomes the winner and takes it all."

"Just like what they say, those who play the game do not see as clearly as those who watch." I lifted the tea pot and gracefully poured some tea into my cup.

"To put it frankly, Your Highness, I don't care who becomes the emperor. Loyalty? Affection? Who cares about that?"

I raised my cup near my nose, closed my eyes for a moment as I gently smelled the scent of the freshly brewed jasmin tea. Then drank from it.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. 'Cause since I was a child, my eyes never wavered. I only want that one precious seat beside the throne. Once I'm crowned as empress, I'll let the world know that only death will be guaranteed to all those who want to mess with me and the prestigious Bai Family."

I put down the cup and said with a determined voice. "As Fùqïn always dream for me, the world will bow to me– to his daughter."

Li Nian burst into a fit of laughter, followed by the clapping sound of Bai Muro.

"Xin'er, you are really my daughter. You never disappoint me."

From a short distance, Li Nian stared at me, as if he can see my transmigrated soul.

"Prime Minister, I want to talk to the lady alone if I may."

"That.." Bai Muro's hesitated but eventually agreed.

Right, leaving his own daughter to this wolf; what a good father?! How can a mere minister care about the ancient culture than his head?

Without an elder, it's not allowed to let a man and a woman in one room, this villain dare to disregard the proper etiquette. But who would dare disrespect a royal prince and the possibly next emperor? Unless he wants his head off!

"Lady Bai, with you, the tide turns. From now on, things will finally change."

Li Nian raised from his seat. He walked towards me, knelt in one knee, stretching his hand infront of me.

I bit my inner cheeks when I accepted his hand. The villain triumphantly smiled. He lightly placed his lips onto the back of my hand. I resisted the urge to draw my hand back from his.

Li Nian glanced up. "I told you. I finally captured you, my lady."

My eyes widened. This familiar words..

'Are you kidding me? What kind of duck-sh!t scene is this?'

The capital bustled with the topics of the departure of Li Cha to Du Empire for marriage alliance and as well as the assassination of Nan King. And the next two days, another rumors again circulated the capital.

'The goddaughter of the Right Prime Minister, for two days, Chu Wanwan is tirelessly nursing the Nan King to health. While the legitimate eldest daughter of Left Prime Minister, Bai Suxin heartlessly refused on visiting the sick prince. Closing their manor's doors to all the Nan King's servants bearing the dying message from the leader of the Nan Army. Even the Duke of Hebei request was denied. They said: Lady Bai has catch a cold and currently resting in her room.'

Public: 'What a cruel person!'