After failing the imperial examinations, Xiao Mu was weighed down by sorrow and could only drown his worries in drink and pleasure. When his money ran out, he made a living selling calligraphy and paintings and writing erotic plays. To his surprise, he became famous and a highly sought-after literary genius.
The emperor summoned him, the regional princes admired him, and the civil officials fawned over him... But when he stepped into the heavily guarded palace, he learned that an unending hell awaited him.
"Among these piles of moss and green tiles, I once slept away the night in pleasure, and watched fifty years of rise and fall pass before my eyes.", The Peach Blossom Fan
Please note:
1. This is a multiple-love-interest story, with lots and lots of supporting-character bottoms, most of them powerful heirs. It's about a great talent being fought over by powerful people. The top suffers both physically and emotionally, and is bad in bed. Proceed with caution.
2. Set in an alternate late Ming era. This is not written out of loyalty to either the Ming or Qing dynasty; I'm simply interested in that period of history. Apart from the place names, everything else is fictionalized. Please don't compare it with historical fact.
3. This may be a tragedy.
Theme: This tender attachment to flowers and moonlight is the one thing he cannot see through
