My Husband is a Villainous Male Supporting Character

Zheng Shanci, a modern library worker, transmigrates into the body of a cannon-fodder character in a novel titled Secret Affair. In the story, he is destined to marry Yu Lanyi, a spoiled and arrogant young master from the prestigious Changyang Marquis Mansion, after a scandal forces the union. The original plot dictates that Zheng Shanci will eventually conspire to kill Yu Lanyi, only to be discovered and executed, clearing the path for the novel's protagonists, Ye Yunchu and Yu Shiyan, to live happily ever after. Upon waking in a private room at a banquet hosted by Assistant Minister Pei, Zheng Shanci realizes he has been locked in with Yu Lanyi, who intended to trap the male lead, Ye Yunchu, but was instead deceived by a bribed maid who swapped the target.

The incident causes a public scandal that threatens the reputation of the Changyang Marquis Mansion. Yu Lanyi, furious and humiliated, believes Zheng Shanci schemed against him to climb the social ladder. However, faced with the pressure to restore family honor, the Changyang Marquis and Yu Fulang decide that the only solution is to marry Yu Lanyi to Zheng Shanci immediately. Zheng Shanci, aware of the original tragic ending and possessing a pragmatic mindset, accepts the arrangement to survive. He understands that resisting would likely lead to his death at the hands of the powerful Marquis family, so he agrees to the engagement, hoping to navigate the situation with minimal conflict.

As the engagement proceeds, the dynamic between the two men remains tense. Yu Lanyi continues to view Zheng Shanci with suspicion and hostility, while Zheng Shanci maintains a polite but distant demeanor, focusing on securing an official position through the Ministry of Personnel. The Changyang Marquis imposes a strict condition on Zheng Shanci: he is not allowed to take concubines or mistresses until he is thirty years old and has produced no heirs. This arrangement, intended to protect Yu Lanyi, is accepted by Zheng Shanci, who has no interest in a polygamous household and values his own principles of loyalty.

A key turning point occurs when Yu Lanyi, having his confinement lifted, goes horseback riding in the suburbs with his friend Lü Jin. He encounters Zheng Shanci fishing by the river. A sudden rainstorm forces them to seek shelter in a nearby pavilion. During this encounter, the hostility between them slightly eases as they share a moment of quiet companionship. Zheng Shanci helps Yu Lanyi avoid getting wetter and ensures he stays warm, demonstrating a level of care that confuses the young master. After the rain stops, Zheng Shanci departs quietly to avoid further gossip, leaving Yu Lanyi with mixed feelings about his future husband.

The story follows Zheng Shanci as he prepares for the Ministry of Personnel assessment, competing against other scholars for the position of County Magistrate in Xinfeng County. Despite the political intrigue and the lingering tension with Yu Lanyi, Zheng Shanci remains focused on his career and survival. The narrative sets the stage for a complex relationship where both men must navigate societal expectations, family pressures, and their own prejudices. While the original plot suggested a tragic end, Zheng Shanci's presence introduces uncertainty, as his modern perspective and deliberate actions begin to alter the course of events, potentially changing the fate of all characters involved.