Being a Substitute for a Reborn Lunatic Doesn’t Rattle Me One Bit

[Two male leads + resurrection in another's body + mad emperor + mistaken for his white moonlight + forced love + regret and pursuit + angst first, sweetness later + political intrigue]

Three hundred years ago, the tyrant Chu Xuan was sent to his death by Huo Qingheng, the only person he had ever cared about.

He returned to life in another's body and became an emperor in the future, three hundred years later.

At the palace examination, he saw Shen Shuyu, a newly qualified candidate

That face was identical to Huo Qingheng's.

So, in front of the entire court, he ran his sword through Shen Shuyu's chest.

He imprisoned him in the inner palace and repeatedly demanded, "Xiao Qing, stop pretending. You're him, aren't you?"

Shen Shuyu: "...I really don't know anyone called Xiao Qing."

Chu Xuan refused to believe him.

He tested him again and again, cornered him at every turn, and even wanted to destroy him with his own hands.

Later, the mad and violent emperor finally understood.

The one he loved was not Huo Qingheng from his memories, but the living, breathing Shen Shuyu before him.

The man who could laugh, make a scene, talk back to him, and slowly pull him out of the abyss.

But Shen Shuyu, who longed for freedom and always moved toward the light, said,

"Your Majesty, I wish to leave the palace."

"More than anything, I want to see the mountains and rivers beyond these walls."

Chu Xuan smiled, his eyes blood-red.

"I'll go with you to see every beautiful sight in the land."

"But you will never leave my side!"

An old-school, angsty forced-love romance in the early chapters. The top is genuinely insane, killing in a blind rage and refusing to listen to reason. The later chapters bring plenty of sweetness, mutual devotion, political intrigue, and personal growth as they join hands to shape the realm.