The sweet-faced, cultured-but-devious Xiao Feng'er VS the penniless prince Dawu, who's devoted to public service
In front of Meng Qiwu, Chu Feng says, “Awu, it hurts so much. I'm crying from the pain. A kiss and a hug are the only things that'll make me feel better.”
After Meng Qiwu leaves, Chu Feng says, “It's just a knife wound. It won't kill me.”
In front of Meng Qiwu, Chu Feng says, “Awu is amazing. You have to protect me, okay?”
After Meng Qiwu leaves, Chu Feng says, “Consort Jing? Kill her. The Vice Minister of Justice? Kill him. Anyone who schemes against Awu? Kill them all.”
In front of Meng Qiwu, Chu Feng says, “This lantern is so pretty, and that child is adorable!”
After Meng Qiwu leaves, Chu Feng says, “Little prince, drink this bowl of soul-snatching soup. Remember to come after me for revenge in your next life.”
Meng Qiwu: “I like Xiao Feng'er best. He's such a good, pure person, nothing like those people who stop at nothing.”
But Chu Feng... had never been a pure person.
Behind his kind and gentle facade, he stirred up the court, fomented infighting, murdered the emperor, and plotted rebellion, becoming the hidden force behind the throne and court.
After Chu Feng rebelled and murdered the emperor, Meng Qiwu put down the revolt and stabbed him with his sword, laying his crimes bare before the world. He shackled him and paraded him through the streets, then hung him from the city gate for all to whip, as a warning to the realm. When had his Xiao Feng'er become like this?
Only later did he discover that beneath Chu Feng's treacherous facade, he had been killing corrupt officials and deposing foolish rulers, all to give him a magnificent realm.
Chu Feng: “I alone am a traitor, a rebel, disloyal and unjust. May you henceforth rest on soft pillows beneath high rafters, with no more worries. May peace reign throughout the land, and may you enjoy the splendor of this realm.”
He ascended the throne as emperor, but his Xiao Feng'er was nowhere to be found...
(There is a little bit of a 'chasing his wife to the crematorium' arc later on, but the male lead isn't a scumbag! The overall tone is lighthearted.)
I like the character of Xiao Feng'er and this short novel. It is the only two-male protagonist novel that I have read so far. You can bear everything for love, but always keep good intentions.
Each flower catches the eye, at least I like it very much, I cried several times while reading it, and the short story is not wordy, it is very interesting!