Come Closer, Sir, and Behold My Imperial Beauty

A (pseudo) Wanli and Zhang Juzheng substitute

A seemingly sweet and innocent, actually ruthless and deranged emperor gong × a seemingly wily, actually reserved and patient, loyal-dog chief secretary shou

Zhu Jinyu × Xu Zhixing

When he was young, Zhu Jinyu watched the beautiful older brother beside him take his hand and lead him step by step from a dilapidated cold palace to the glittering court.

“Your Majesty, from this day on, you are the supreme ruler. I will serve as your tutor, assist you, and help you build a prosperous age.”

Back then, Zhu Jinyu knew nothing of state and nation. He studied the way of the emperor only because he wanted to make his tutor smile.

Years of care and affection were like a tiny flame hidden in his heart. As he grew older, it became an all-consuming blaze.

“Teacher, I love you.”

A slap and a cold “This is improper” shattered his beautiful dream.

Xu Zhixing, you sit high above the world, untouched by dust. But I’m going to drag you down from your altar. I want to leave you just as flustered, and make you feel every bit of my longing, one piece at a time.

Years later, Zhu Jinyu lay drunk in the Wenhua Hall. In a haze, he seemed to hear his own voice, harsh and humiliated:

“I took your power and broke your pride. You should hate me, so why won’t you even look at me anymore?”