I, the Boy Emperor

Before his death, Wang Luo expanded the realm through ruthless conquest and purged the court. But after offending the civil officials, he was reviled as a tyrant. In the end, he drowned young, and the entire court celebrated.

Reborn in a new life, he became a little emperor stripped of power and forced to bend and weave his way among the ministers, little more than a plaything. Beyond the warm curtains, disaster struck year after year. The people were reduced to eating their own children, while foreign enemies threatened the borders and the treasury lay empty.

Wang Luo sighed.

He had only wanted to be a wise and virtuous ruler. They had forced his hand.

--

After receiving Wang Luo's pitiful hint, the prime minister sneaked into the palace in the middle of the night, claiming he had come to assist with state affairs. But the regent, who had been impatiently waiting for Wang Luo, dragged him behind the curtains instead.

The scandal spread through the court the next day. The prime minister was mortified, the regent furious, and Wang Luo rested his chin in his hand and smiled, seizing the chance to take power for himself.

He brought the finances under control and executed treacherous officials. The prime minister and regent were both exiled. For the first time since Wang Luo ascended the throne, the people had enough to eat, and they praised their wise sovereign.

Then the general led troops to force his way into the palace, trying to overpower the helpless young emperor.

Wang Luo looked as delicate as a willow in the breeze, but he had secretly mastered martial arts. Catching the general off guard, he raised his hand and took his head, then used it to launch a counterattack.

The general died uncomprehending, while Wang Luo conquered ten cities in quick succession. For the first time in centuries, the once-spineless realm stood tall among the nations.

After that, the ministers who had once looked upon the young emperor with undisguised desire and eager anticipation became fearful and devoted. They no longer even dared meet the young ruler's eyes.

Wang Luo threw himself into his work, strengthening the realm at home and repelling its enemies abroad. Everyone called him a wise ruler.

--

In the den of tigers and wolves that the palace had once been, only one person had truly cared for the little emperor.

He was the emperor's study companion, gentle and refined, with no base desires. He always looked at Wang Luo with warmth and gave him his all. Over time, even Wang Luo found himself moved, with a touch of amusement.

But later, the deep affection in his eyes turned to churning hatred. His face filled with despair as he denounced Wang Luo as a wandering ghost who had stolen another's body and deserved a miserable death.

Wang Luo was unbothered. He pinned him to the imperial bed, gripped his chin with one hand, and smiled with rapturous delight as he forcefully claimed him.

"I simply adore how devoted you are to me, my dear subject."

*Wang Luo is the gong; this is a gong-centric story.

Theme: Fight hard so you don't get taken advantage of!