Two male leads + live-in son-in-law + seemingly gentle but secretly ruthless emperor x obedient, sweet merchant beauty + devoted to each other + sweet romance
Told in the third person from the receiving lead's perspective.
“I offer you my empire as a bride price. Marry me, and be my sovereign.”
While investigating a case on his tour of the south, Xiao Chennan conceals his identity by becoming the live-in son-in-law of Jiangnan's richest family.
He plans to leave as soon as the investigation is over, but falls for the young man who leaves a lamp burning and waits for him at the door.
He teaches him to keep the books, takes him to admire the flowers, and stays up all night by his side when he falls ill.
Then assassins attack in the dead of night. In an instant, Xiao Chennan seizes a blade, murderous intent blazing in his eyes.
Trembling amid the bloodshed, Lin Qingyu asks, “Husband… who are you, really?”
When they return to the capital, Xiao Chennan dons the imperial robes.
He is a battle-hardened emperor who has lain in wait for ten years, ready to cleanse the court and strengthen the borders.
The entire court opposes his taking a man as empress. The Empress Dowager sneers, and powerful ministers threaten to depose him.
But in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he clasps his beloved's hand. “This empire is too heavy a burden. I need someone by my side to bear it with me.”
Later:
He reforms the imperial household, using the money saved to build a three-hundred-mile stretch of river embankment.
He establishes a fund and builds schools that give countless poor scholars a chance at life.
His adopted heir grows into a kind and wise ruler, and the emperor he supports ushers in a golden age.
In the end, the historians make an exception for “Emperor Chen”:
“Half the achievements of the Yongchang reign belong to the one at the emperor's side.”
[Reader's Guide]
1. A gentle scholar on the surface, a steely emperor underneath, as the pursuer x an apparently simple, sweet beauty who is actually clever and resilient, as the pursued. One-on-one romance, happy ending.
2. Men can marry in this setting. They have an adopted heir from the imperial clan, and there is no harem.
4. Romance tropes: marriage before love, hidden identities, growing stronger together.
They become husband and wife, and there is no doubt about their love for each other. Life is a time to come back, death is a longing for love. The love of an emperor begins with a first glance, goes deeper than getting along day and night, is determined to protect each other through life and death, and finally spend the rest of their lives together. Very simple and warm. There's nothing very sad about it, it's sweet.
It's super good-looking. Even though it's ancient and there are some gorgeous words, it's easy to understand. The author also explains things you don't understand. And the first time I read it, I grew up in love. I was completely surrounded by love. It was easy to attack and control.
It's good-looking, but it's just about kissing. It's a pity, but I can't help it. Who made this place 🍅? Oops, I didn't realize that they were five years apart after watching it. For my brain, it doesn't matter. Anyway, it's pretty good-looking. Just use the word cuo.
Totally sweet and without cruelty, the emperor's story of two people for a lifetime.
Nice looking, a sweet little article
The writing is so good, the characters' thoughts are written so delicately and realistically.
Love that flows slowly is good. Nice.
Beautiful, so sweet, I really like watching it
It's beautiful. It's beautiful. It's beautiful.