Moonlight in Frost and Ash

Political intrigue and strategy + sweet romance and angst + a crazy, possessive love interest

"Want to touch her? First, I'll chop your hand to pieces and feed it to the dogs!" Xiao Yechen crushed the impeachment memorial into dust, his eyes bloodshot. His Shadow Guards pierced the remonstrating official's wrist in an instant. "She is the woman I cherish above all else. How dare you lowly ants question her?" When he turned to Nan Ruoyao, all his fury vanished. He gently took her hand. "Don't be afraid, A Yao. With me here, no one can hurt you."

Consort Qin raised a cup of poisoned wine with a false smile. "Sister, why don't you try..."

"Crash!" Xiao Yechen's sleeve dart struck the cup with unerring precision. He strode over the shards scattered across the floor, seized her chin, and sneered. "You poisoned the glazed cup I gave A Yao?" He then forced the scalding poison down her throat. "Remember: anyone who dares touch her is wrong just for breathing!" He tossed her toward the guards. "Drag her away and cut out her tongue, so it won't sully my ears again."

In court, the ministers joined together to demand his abdication. "The empress interferes in government and throws the court into chaos!"

He pointed his sword at the assembled officials. "From this day on, if anyone dares say a single foul word about her..." A flash of cold light sheared off the offender's topknot. "I'll shave all his hair and weave it into a broom for her palace gates!"

Nan Ruoyao furrowed her brow with concern. "Your Majesty, isn't this going a little too far..."

"Not far enough!" Xiao Yechen pulled her into his arms and pressed a scorching kiss to the crown of her head. "My A Yao, you just do as you please beneath my wings. Whoever displeases you, I'll break his bones and burn them for firewood. Whoever makes you frown, I'll flatten his entire estate! This world is a playground I conquered for you!"