Candlelight flickered in the Golden Chimes Hall, illuminating the alluring figure on the dragon throne. Ye Jincheng lounged lazily against the couch, idly tracing a finger along his temple. The corners of his eyes were flushed, as if with drink. He was clearly the despised ruler everyone called a fool, yet his face was beautiful enough to captivate the world.
At the foot of the steps, Pei Jinghong stood in a black, fitted outfit, one hand on the sword at his waist. His dark eyes were fixed on that dazzling figure. He had once wanted to pierce the reckless emperor's heart with his sword and seize the scorching-hot imperial seal. After all, he was the one who should rule this land.
But when the tip of his sword touched Ye Jincheng's neck and he saw those glistening eyes, his murderous intent abruptly turned into an even more overwhelming desire to possess him.
“With a face like yours, Your Majesty, wouldn't you be better off as an obedient puppet?”
From then on, power slipped away, and the inner palace became a cage. Ye Jincheng concealed his sharpness, lowering his eyes and bowing his head, his lashes trembling as he meekly resembled a phoenix with broken wings. Yet a wildfire smoldered in his eyes. Pei Jinghong kept this peerless beauty all to himself, watching him endure and maneuver under his control. He thought he had the whole situation in hand, unaware that behind that docility lay an emperor's long-planned retaliation.
Did he want to unite the realm, or keep this dazzling beauty all to himself in the cage?
Was he seeking to reclaim his throne and power, or had he already lost sight of what he wanted in their standoff?
Blades and swords gleam behind embroidered curtains. With every clash and confrontation, power struggles and obsession burn ever fiercer.
