My Lord, You Must Pity Me

Mu Chihuan hated men who loved men more than anything.

Everyone in Changjing City knew that Commander Mu, head of the Jingni Bureau, despised homosexuality. He had once cut off the arm of a Minister's son right there in the street, just because the young man had accidentally brushed the corner of his sleeve as he passed.

Northern Yong had open-minded customs, and same-sex relationships were nothing unusual. But ever since Mu Chihuan took office, every male brothel in the capital had shut its doors. Officials with husbands lived in constant fear that one day they'd anger the Commander, giving him an excuse to break into their homes in the dead of night and leave the ground soaked in blood.

In the bitter depths of winter, during the thirteenth year of the Zhaorui reign, heavy snow fell.

The heir to the Marquis of Ning'an from the southern frontier rode into the capital.

The heir was known for his charm, his many lovers, and his fondness for men. Just three days after arriving in Changjing, he took the leading courtesan at the city's largest male brothel into his arms and hosted a lavish banquet for the nobility.

Everyone knew that the golden saber in Mu Chihuan's hand had been bestowed by the emperor himself, with the power to execute princes above and officials below. They all felt sorry for the Marquis of Ning'an's heir, who had arrived in the capital ignorant of the danger he was in.

Inside the warmly lit chamber, filled with soft voices and the scent of incense, the Commander stood with his face covered in cold iron, holding his saber.

The icy blade pressed against Yue Zhen's neck, its chill making him shiver slightly.

But he wasn't panicked, nor was he afraid.

His affectionate eyes narrowed slightly, hiding the many emotions beneath them. He gazed at the impassive man before him and parted his thin lips.

"After all these years, have you forgotten your humble wife, far away on the southern frontier?"

"Husband."

Reader Guide:

Cold and ruthless Commander with a masked face, top x "I'm so pitiful, big brother, won't you dote on me?" green-tea heir, bottom

One-on-one, both leads are sexually inexperienced

No children in this one

If the story makes you uncomfortable, stop reading in time

Theme: Love can overcome anything