I Grew Up as Childhood Friends with the Emperor

Jiang Feng fell in love with his childhood friend, Fu Xu. They grew up together, slept in the same bed as children, were punished by their tutor together after they began their studies, rode the same horse, and drew the same bow. It all sounds wonderful, except... Fu Xu was the emperor. Although relations between men were common in Great Zhou, Fu Xu detested them. More than once, he had angrily rebuked ministers who spent the night at a male courtesan house. Jiang Feng kept his feelings proper and within bounds, burying his love and not daring to let it show in the slightest. It was enough for him to be Fu Xu's right-hand man, a close aide to the emperor, and his trusted friend. But after an accident exposed Jiang Feng's preference for men, he met Fu Xu's shocked gaze and smiled bleakly. "Yes, Your Majesty. I like men, but rest assured, I already have someone in my heart. I would never harbor improper feelings for you." The emperor's face went pale, then red. In the end, he gritted his teeth and stormed away. Jiang Feng had thought Fu Xu would distance himself from him. Instead, less than two days later, he was invited to a banquet at a general's residence. During the feast, a young general cornered him behind a flower wall and confessed, "Jiang Feng, I've been in love with you for a long time. I..." Before he could finish, someone yanked him back and flung him to the ground. A bright yellow figure furiously stepped in front of Jiang Feng. "Are you looking to die? How dare you touch my man!" [Bonus Scene 1] "Is Lord Jiang staying in the palace again tonight?" "His Majesty is always keeping Lord Jiang to discuss affairs of state. He must really trust him." The palace maids beside them shook their heads. "I don't think so. The last time I was on night duty, I thought I heard Lord Jiang crying. I wonder if His Majesty scolded him." "!!!" [Bonus Scene 2] Jiang Feng irritably shook off the arm that had wrapped around him from behind and straightened his robes. "Your Majesty, what did you promise me last night? Are you going back on your word again?" "Come on, A-Feng. Stay with me one more night." Fu Xu pulled him tight around the waist from behind, tugged open his robe with one hand, and covered his neck with countless kisses. Jiang Feng struggled twice, but soon Fu Xu's touch left his waist weak. Breathing softly, he leaned against Fu Xu's chest. Fu Xu laughed, bit his earlobe, and murmured, "That position yesterday wasn't good. It made your back ache. Let's try a different one tonight." An emperor who says one thing but means another x a gentle, good-natured minister - Theme: Keep striving forward