It's Actually Not Easy Wanting to be a Supporting Male Lead

Translated by Eve

Edited by Wuxian

Because there was a person sleeping on the bed, even if he were to be beaten to death, Sui Yuan could not 'share a bed' with this stranger. Thus, he hastily escaped to the study in dejection. Afterwards, he slept on the couch in the study, feeling wronged.

The next day, when the beauty slowly woke up, she was stunned to realize that she seemed to have offended her husband, causing him to run off to the study to sleep in anger. Immediately, she felt unwell all over!

Therefore, once he woke up from his sleep, Sui Yuan saw a beautiful person crying, tears like raindrops on her pear blossom face as she knelt down before him and stammered, begging for forgiveness. She trembled as if she was a quail drenched from the rain. All that saw her felt heart-broken and all who heard her wept tears.

Sui Yuan："……………………"

Sui Yuan didn't have the patience to coax this unimportant character. He, who had a pile of matters pressing down on his mind, waved his hands with indifference, chasing the person out. In any case, he was a rampant, temperamental master, according to his current character settings and he could use this as an excuse for why he would no longer step foot in his own rear court. This way, even if Zhao Xihe investigated, he would not be too difficult to deal with.

The pitiful woman lost favour for some baffling reason, and even caused all of the women in Xu Tu's rear court to fall out of favour at the same time. Everyone who heard of this piece of news was stunned! They could not understand just why the little overlord was making trouble out of nothing!

"What's the matter? Are you tired of them?" The Second Prince, Situ Gui rapped against Sui Yuan's shoulder with a folding fan, intimately narrowing his eyes as he looked at him.

"En, tired of them," Sui Yuan poured himself a cup of wine and suddenly raised his head downed it.

——It is said that people like to drink when they feel gloomy, to borrow the power of alcohol to make their worries disappear. However, the problem was that he had drank so much but he didn't feel anything at all, how do you explain this? QAQ

Situ Gui felt rather dumbstruck while he gazed at his own family's little brother. He had always known that Xu Tu, this youngster, had grown up well. He was beautiful, with red lips and white teeth. Even this unexpected kind of boorish, free and unrestrained drinking posture was forcibly made into a sort of beautiful sight by him. While he watched, he swallowed and his Adam's Apple bobbed. Even Situ Gui, who believed that he didn't harbour any interest towards males, cannot help but be attracted, heart itching. Only after exerting a tremendous amount of effort could he avert his gaze.

——I need to remain calm! He still had to vie for the Emperor's throne! He could not allow himself to have a taint on his record such as rumours of homosexuality! Moreover, he really couldn't enjoy Xu Tu, this little overlord, ah!

After warning himself several times, Situ Gui's expression finally returned to normal. He swept a glance at Sui Yuan's eyes that had turned slightly red due to the influence of alcohol and proposed with malicious intentions, "How about I invite you to The Spring Moon House tonight? It's on me. I heard that they received a wave of new people and the quality is not bad."

Sui Yuan paused. After realizing what kind of place 'The Spring Moon House' was, his gaze became rather shifty. Actually, he was a little curious, "…Not going. I'm also tired of that."

"…It can't be that you, this prodigal son, is planning on coming back home, cleansing your heart and limiting your desires?!" Situ Gui was somewhat astonished, "Or could it be that you've fallen for someone, feel like you want to explore new waters, different from your previous wild life, and thus decided to guard your body like it's jade?"

Sui Yuan："……………………"

——Since he can't explain it, then he won't explain it, ba. In any case, this could be treated as foreshadowing, whether he follows the plot and acts accordingly, pursuing the protagonist shou and being reluctant to part from him, or for when he gets to be genuinely together with Zhao Xihe….

"Is this true or false?!" Seeing Sui Yuan's attitude which was practically that of silent, tacit agreement, Situ Gui felt stupefied and could not help but blurt out, "Is it a man or a woman?!"

Right after saying that, Situ Gui wanted to slap himself—what he wanted to actually say was 'whose family does she belong to' ah! QAQ Who knew that because he had been seriously pondering the issue over homosexuality just now, he would blurt out the wrong thing as soon as he opened his mouth!

Although he was the Emperor's child and his status was slightly higher than that of Sui Yuan, an adopted son, Situ Gui had grown up alongside Xu Tu and their feelings were more intimate and full of trust compared to his feelings towards his blood brothers who were eyeing the throne with covetous eyes. Situ Gui would never exhibit the arrogance of a prince when Xu Tu was around—it was very normal for them to banter and fool around. Thus, the second he made a mistake, Situ Gui had already prepared himself to get beaten up by Xu Tu.

Who'd have expected that Xu Tu would only glare at him, "Pesky! It has nothing to do with me!"

Situ Gui："……………………"

——Save me! As soon as he woke up, he discovered that his brother suddenly seemed to have turned gay, how do you explain this! I'm waiting online, hurry!

This Heavens-startling piece of gossip frightened him and made him fall in a daze. Only after a few seconds was Situ Gui capable of thinking again. Before he was able to inquire more deeply, he saw Xu Tu's manservant run over, huffing and puffing, informing them that the Emperor urged him to quickly enter the palace.

Situ Gui's expression vanished in an instant, and he slightly furrowed his brows, "Why is Emperor Father calling for you?"

"I don't know," Sui Yuan was also baffled.

"What bad thing did you do recently? Could it be that our arrangement encountered a little problem and it was discovered by people?" Situ Gui asked several questions, but Sui Yuan could only shake his head through it all. The two people's discussion revealed no clues and he could only brace himself.

"I'll follow you into the palace," Towards his good brother, Situ Gui was still very loyal. Xu Tu did things on his behalf, so he naturally would not let Xu Tu shoulder the responsibility of their misdeeds by himself. If anything happened, it would be better for the two of them to suffer the punishment together.

"No need to worry," Seeing that Sui Yuan looked gloomy, Situ Gui clasped him on the shoulder, "Perhaps Emperor Father has heard about how you had recently began to cultivate your moral character and was especially concerned about it, ne?"

"Go die!" Sui Yuan rolled his eyes, "Do you think that Emperor Father is as bored as you!"

——After transmigrating through so many worlds, to suddenly have a senior he had to call 'Emperor Father' made Sui Yuan feel a bit embarrassed.

Seeing Sui Yuan's expression turn lax, Situ Gui also did not dare tarry. He accompanied Sui Yuan back to his residence to change into court clothes before entering the palace together at top speed. Of course, he didn't know that Sui Yuan was only troubled over the sacred etiquette that came with entering the palace.

It wasn't that Sui Yuan had never seen an Emperor before. In the first world he experienced, he was a frequent visitor of the palace. Only, at that time, his status was high and the Emperor spoiled him with affection. He did not demand him to stand on ceremony. However, this world was not the same.

Although the Emperor of this world regarded Xu Tu as his own child, in actuality, it was just on the surface for the most part. It was just for the ministers to see, to avoid making them feel disillusioned. Xu Tu was all alone. Although he was an adopted son, he had both status and rank. However, he did not have much influence in reality. Even with the Emperor's favour, he could not cause any big waves. He was the perfect tool for the Emperor to appear like a benevolent ruler.

Thus, although Xu Tu depended on the Emperor's doting to act arrogant, despotic and domineering, actually, he was very afraid of this majestic, extremely grand Son of Heaven. It was like how prey were sensitive to danger. He was always obedient and quiet before the Emperor.

Nominally, they were adopted father and son. In reality, they were Lord and his minister. Xu Tu was always aware of his identity and was thus never lacking any manners when faced with the Son of Heaven. Even his "hedonistic son" manner of acting was but a self-defense mechanism. It was to avoid appearing too ambitious, which would end up provoking the Emperor's fear of him.

Sui Yuan made his way into the palace alongside Situ Gui while painstakingly drawing important matters to focus on from 5237. He had them directly inserted into his brain. Only then was he able to step into the palace.

Afterwards, they were blocked at the entrance to the Imperial study.

After the Imperial bodyguards respectfully and solemnly greeted them, they tactfully expressed that the Emperor only wished to meet with Prince Xu Tu. If the Second Prince had matters to discuss, they would like to ask that he report a while later.

Situ Gui's heart thumped. He subconsciously looked at Sui Yuan with an expression of concern. Sui Yuan revealed an uneasy look but his heart was extremely calm.

Aside from refusing to step into his own rear court, he had not done anything outside of the scope of the plot. Even if the Emperor wanted to punish him, it would probably be a perfunctory punishment over some trifling matter. After all, the Emperor's disease was currently in its incubation period and had yet to erupt. He was in the prime of his life right now. Even if the princes were beginning to stir, they did not dare to act too unrestrained. The cabinet ministers were not in a hurry to take sides and gamble with the lives of their families either. Thus, it still seemed peaceful and joyful on the surface.

Since Xu Tu was lively and frisking about until the end of the battle for succession in the story, then nothing major would happen to him right now and thus he need not worry at all.

——This was the advantage of having a guide…although Lord Plot always collapsed…collapsed in all kinds of ways….

After throwing a pacifying gaze in Situ Gui's direction, Sui Yuan fixed his lapel and entered the Imperial study.The whole way, he carried a deferential posture, not daring to even list his way and saluted the Emperor in a manner that showed that he knew his place. Then, he waited for the Emperor to call him to rise.

The Emperor："…………"

Sui Yuan："…………"

The Emperor："………………"

Sui Yuan："…………QAQ"

——What happened to seeing him as your own son?! The floor is a bit cold and my knees hurt a bit, how do you explain this?!

While Sui Yuan was wondering why the other was making trouble out of nothing, he finally heard a deep and low divine voice, "En, you may rise, ba."

Sui Yuan felt that perhaps it was because Xu Tu had done something in the past that made the Emperor feel unhappy. Thus, this was the Emperor showing off his strength for a bit. He did not dare to complain as he rose and stood with his hands at his side.

"Do you know why Zhen has called you here?" The Emperor's voice was extremely dignified and indifferent. Sui Yuan seemed to be able to perceive the other's gaze atop of his body and unexpectedly felt an intense pressure to serve and submit to him.

Sui Yuan："……………………"

——This was unscientific! How could he be suppressed by a character within a story?! Even if the other was an Emperor and currently controlled his life or death, Sui Yuan could act afraid but should not actually feel afraid of the other, ah….

Seeming to have noticed Sui Yuan's absent-mindedness, the Emperor became quite discontent and his voice instantly lowered, "Xu Tu!"

" Erchen hears!” Sui Yuan reflexively responded. He subconsciously wanted to raise his head but forced himself to ender, "Erchen…Erchen does not know."

The Emperor snorted, his tone relaxed, "Come here."

Sui Yuan raised his head slightly and swept a glance out of the corner of his eyes. He could not even see what the Emperor looked like before he lowered his head again. He only knew that the other had beckoned him over.

Sui Yuan hesitated but still moved forward. Afterwards, he stopped at an appropriate distance. Unfortunately, the other evidently did not like Sui Yuan 'taking the initiative' to act deferentially and his voice immediately darkened, "Why are you so far away? Can it be that you're afraid Zhen will eat you? Come to Zhen's side. Don't make Zhen speak a third time!"

Sui Yuan quivered and immediately complied with his words, hurrying forward a few steps. He had just caught sight of the bright, yellow clothes when he was suddenly dragged forward by a great strength and fell into the honourable embrace of the person before him.

Sui Yuan："！！！QAQ"

——WTF! He's never heard of Xu Tu having this kind of relationship with the Emperor, ah?! Save me!

While Sui Yuan's mind was in chaos, the person who held him had already placed his chin on his shoulder and let out a series of hard to suppress chuckles. After a moment of shock, Sui Yuan's mind began to work again and went, "………………"

He deeply sucked in a breath and tried his best to restrain the anger churning inside of him, "What the heck were you trying to do?! You scared me to death, OK?!"

"Hahaha…sorry, sorry. Your pitiful, obedient appearance was just too interesting. I couldn't help but want to tease you a bit, ne!" The Emperor nipped at Sui Yuan's ears, looking at it with satisfaction as it flushed. He applied a little bit of force and carried him onto his knee, "Come on, call me 'Emperor Father' once more? This name really makes one's heart itch and makes me feel impatient, ne…."

Sui Yuan, who was about fourteen/fifteen years old at present, had only begun to grow up. He looked especially small and exquisite before a matured man. Although Sui Yuan with a mature appearance could make people brazenly and relaxedly do adult things with no misgivings, to occasionally sample the taste of him as a youth had a sort of thrill that stemmed from committing a taboo, making people feel like they wanted to stop but couldn't.

This kind of young and inexperienced appearance evidently would make those queer uncles become restless and want to fondle him admiringly, let alone when he called out 'Emperor Father' so softly. He was a part of Sui Yuan's Creator, so was it really too much to be called 'Emperor Father?'

Sui Yuan rolled his eyes at Zhao Xihe's teasing and did not know what kind of naughty thoughts were boiling within the mind of the person beside him in secret. In the instant he had sensed that familiar aura, he had naturally relaxed. That is, until he thought of the other's identity and began to shift uneasily.

Zhao Xihe immediately hugged him tight, indicating that the spot he had just been rubbing against was dangerous.

Sui Yuan froze and did not dare move.

Coughing softly, he awkwardly turned to glance at Zhao Xihe and decisively shifted the other's attention away, "Why did you choose to become the Emperor? Is he also considered a supporting male lead?"

"He doesn't count," Zhao Xihe smiled softly, shaking his head. He was admiring the scene of Sui Yuan obediently sitting in his embrace while indifferently responding, "I actually am not confined to choosing supporting male roles. After I realized my identity, my authority was completely switched on and I can now choose any identity that I like. It's just that before, I didn't want you to suspect me so I only chose supporting roles. Since I've already told you everything, I no longer have to restrain myself and can choose any role, be it the male lead, supporting male leads, cannon fodder, or passerby characters."

Sui Yuan nodded his head in understanding. He felt that Zhao Xihe's gaze on his body made his hair stand on end, but at the same time, he sighed faintly in relief. His aloof and noble Creator would not be so perverted and weird as Zhao Xihe, ne! Indeed, Zhao Xihe and his Creator were not the same…even if they were connected, they were not the same existence.

"As for why I chose to be the Emperor…naturally it was because his power is the greatest, ah," Zhao Xihe raised his eyebrows into a smile, "The battle for succession is extremely dangerous. Since you are easily conned with that IQ of yours, and also have a halo specialized in destroying the plot, it is only natural that I chose the identity with the highest authority. Only then can I guarantee that you will be safe and sound. Even a prince is not good enough. Only as the Emperor can I be assured."

Although he was mocked a bit, he still minded his Creator a bit at present so Sui Yuan, who could not let loose before Zhao Xihe right now, forced himself to endure his impulse of becoming hostile and silently grinded his teeth.

Zhao Xihe's gaze darkened when Sui Yuan wasn't looking. Although he was rather frustrated, he could not rush things. More haste, less speed. He had plenty of time to get Sui Yuan used to his new identity.

——Right now, he would enjoy his beloved's obedient appearance, ba!

"Although the Emperor's identity isn't bad, you will die real soon, ah…" Sui Yuan felt rather vexed. Although he was not quite daring enough to face Zhao Xihe right now, when he thought about how he may leave this world early and leave himself here on his own, Sui Yuan felt an unspeakable gloominess.

"Don't worry. How could I leave you here all on you own, without a care, ne? Naturally, I will be able to accompany you," Zhao Xihe kissed Sui Yuan's cheek in a comforting manner, then gently lapped at his young lips, "In the plot, the Emperor had an acute sickness. When the disease erupted, the sickness lingered and made him confined to his sick bed before dying. Naturally, I can cure it. This body is also in its prime years so, with my care, it is not difficult to live on in this body until your mission ends. It is also possible to live until the end of the story, too."

"But if you live, then what about the battle for the throne? How will the protagonist gong become Emperor?" Once he knew that Zhao Xihe would not die, Sui Yuan immediately focused on the plot.

Zhao Xihe narrowed his eyes in discontent, silently cursing the innocent Lord Plot that was getting attacked for just existing several hundred times, and responded in a bad tone, "I can act sick for a period of time and under the pretext of having an unsuitable body, start the battle for succession. In the end, I can abdicate and hand my position over to that Situ Yu. This should be fine, ba?"

Zhao Xihe snorted once. It was evident that he held no goodwill towards the protagonist gong that wanted to snatch his position as Emperor from him. After experiencing so many worlds, he had practically developed an innate vigilance—all protagonist gongs were his rivals-in-love that wanted to snatch his Sui Yuan away. All of them were b*stards that acted recklessly!

"Only, even if I abdicate and become the Emperor Father of the reigning Emperor, he better not think of trying to get out of my control!"

Sui Yuan silently lit a candle for the protagonist gong who hadn't even done anything but was seen as a thorn in Zhao Xihe's side. He could just see what a life of suffering he would endure under the watchful eyes of this 'Emperor Father'.

"Also…" Zhao Xihe sneered, before his tone became tender in an instant, "I heard that you have a harem of wives and concubines that are as delicate as flowers and as refined as jade in your rear court?"

——Sure enough, it's come! As soon as he opened his eyes in this world, Sui Yuan knew that this day would come! For this reason, he had been wracked with anxiety.

"Don't tell me, you didn't hear about how I recently haven't set foot in my rear court at all?!" Sui Yuan painstakingly tried to prove his innocence.

"Heh, if I didn't know that, then did you think that those women would be alive right now?" Zhao Xihe raised his brows, looking extremely sinister yet charming—his imperious aura leaking out of him!

"However, don't you also have quite a large harem?" Sui Yuan was attacked by this imperious aura but argued on strong grounds, "Your harem contains three thousand beauties. It's many times bigger than my rear court and yet I didn't say a thing!"

Zhao Xihe saw the shy and angry Sui Yuan who was red in the face and raised his chin, placing a loving kiss on those gorgeous red lips, "Zhen is willing to dismiss his harem for you. There are three thousand ladles of water within the sea, but I only need the single ladle that has you."

"Begging you to not cause a fuss, QAQ" Sui Yuan simply wanted to cry from Zhao Xihe's teasing, "An old fart of an Emperor that isn't willing to die is already terrible enough, please let off those girls in the harem, ba! They still have many scenes to act out! Lord Plot is about to die despite this being only just the beginning. You shouldn't make it give up treatment, ah!"

Zhao Xihe："……………………"

——To encounter such an unromantic lover who fundamentally would not follow his train of thought…he could only go 'hehe'….

Eve: ZXH with that daddy kink… and also dkm to SY destroying the mood. RIP.

Wuxian: SY is too tsundere for his own good.