After Spending Real Money to Raise a Powerful Official, She Got Seduced Instead

Su Jinshi is a freelance short drama scriptwriter who, after completing a demanding project, decides to take a break from work. During her downtime, she encounters an advertisement for a highly realistic 3D dating simulation game titled Record of Raising a Powerful Minister. Intrigued by the lifelike graphics and the attractive appearance of the male lead, Shen Shilang, she downloads the beta version. The game’s backstory reveals that Shen Shilang is the sole survivor of the Shen family, which was massacred fifteen years prior on false charges of treason orchestrated by Emperor Jiacheng. Shen Shilang was rescued by Wei Zhaoxian, the Great General of Guiding Virtue, who raised him as a distant relative within the Wei mansion.

Upon entering the game, Su Jinshi discovers that she can interact with Shen Shilang through her phone screen, treating him as if he were a real person present in the room. She cleans his wounds and applies medicine, earning experience points and slightly increasing his favorability. Shen Shilang, initially suspicious and hostile, perceives Su Jinshi as a ghostly presence. Despite his wariness, he gradually accepts her help, especially after she treats his high fever. Their relationship evolves from suspicion to a tentative friendship, with Su Jinshi referring to herself as his sugar daddy due to the in-game purchases she makes for his well-being.

The core conflict arises from Shen Shilang’s precarious position within the Wei household. Although Wei Zhaoxian protects him, the General’s wife, Madam Wei, and her children, Wei Jianming and Wei Ruyan, treat Shen Shilang with disdain and hostility. Wei Jianming frequently beats Shen Shilang, while Wei Ruyan harbors resentment over his indifference to her advances. Su Jinshi witnesses these abuses and takes matters into her own hands by using the game’s mechanics to prank and intimidate the bullies, causing Wei Jianming and Wei Ruyan to flee in terror, believing a ghost is haunting them.

As the story progresses, Su Jinshi learns more about Shen Shilang’s hidden strengths and strategic mind. He deliberately performs mediocrity in his studies and martial arts to avoid drawing attention and to maintain a low profile, planning to excel only during the provincial examinations. This allows him to navigate the dangerous political landscape without alerting the Emperor or his enemies. Su Jinshi’s support becomes crucial as she helps him manage household affairs, such as exposing the accountant’s corruption and ensuring he receives proper care.

A key turning point occurs when Shen Shilang reveals the depth of his trauma and his unwavering determination for revenge. He endures physical and emotional abuse not out of weakness, but as a means to keep his resolve sharp. The massacre of his family, including his grandparents, parents, and even a one-year-old nephew, fuels his desire to clear their names and bring the guilty to justice. Su Jinshi, moved by his suffering, becomes more invested in his success, using her modern knowledge and the game’s features to aid him.

The narrative also introduces Youmi, a wolfdog that Su Jinshi brings into the game, which becomes Shen Shilang’s companion and protector. This addition highlights the growing bond between Su Jinshi and Shen Shilang, as she provides him with emotional support and practical assistance. Meanwhile, Wei Zhaoxian remains unaware of the bullying, believing Shen Shilang is being well-treated, which adds tension to the storyline.

As the provincial examinations approach, Shen Shilang prepares to step onto the real battlefield of academia and politics. Su Jinshi continues to guide him from the other side of the screen, helping him navigate the complexities of the Wei mansion and the broader imperial court. The story sets the stage for Shen Shilang’s rise from a marginalized orphan to a powerful minister, with Su Jinshi as his unseen ally, working to uncover the truth behind the Shen family’s downfall and restore their honor.