Blurb: To investigate the true cause of his "girlfriend's" death, Lin Jinyao must package himself up as a high-end companion at the Liuli Palace and send himself to the bed of Mu Huacheng, the hidden emperor of Xijing.
Climbing into the imperial bed is easy enough. But once he's actually lying there, he realizes the bed is scorching hot, and it comes with restraints!
At first, he is an undercover agent.
Zhou Xu'an says indignantly, "You don't have to go this far. Come with me!"
Lin Jinyao shakes his head, his eyes as calm as ice. "There's no way out, and I won't leave! His eyes and ears are everywhere."
Later, he is a fugitive.
On a stormy night, Lin Jinyao, soaked to the skin, knocks on Zhou Xu'an's door and says, "I need to die once."
Zhou Xu'an crosses his arms and replies sarcastically, "Has your Mr. Mu finally worn you out?"
Lin Jinyao's face remains expressionless. "...Shut up. Remember to collect my body."
Later still, he is treated like an ancestor.
Mu Huacheng is troubled lately. Ever since Lin Jinyao faked his death, there's been not a single sign of him.
Every day he wears a worried frown, racking his brain for ways to force the man out. "Tell me, what would A Yao do if I found someone to start a rumor with?"
As soon as the rumor spreads, the man who was supposed to be "dead" appears before him, his gaze cool and sharper than a blade. What would I do? I'd kill you. That would get a reaction out of you!
Mu Huacheng sees his beloved bristling with murderous intent and, instead of dodging, smiles.
On the surface, I'm the one who trapped you at my side. In truth, you're the one who made me willingly imprison myself.
[Reading guide]
1. Older emperor top × cool, ruthless receiving partner. 1v1, happy ending, both sexually inexperienced. The romance is sweet with a little angst, a battle of equals, obsessive devotion, and mutual love.
2. Content warning: The top is domineering in his methods at first, but he's utterly devoted to his wife at heart. A total love-struck fool!
Theme: We both know the game we're playing, so I willingly play along.
