[A perpetually battered bottom who thinks living is fine and dying is fine too x A sharp-tongued widower with separation anxiety who is too proud to admit it]
A one-sided secret crush becomes mutual. The top is a little unhinged.
Though Meng Wuyu was a prince, his mother came from a lowly background, and he was bullied relentlessly from childhood. One bitter winter, he jumped into a pond to save a friend and was left with a chronic illness.
His friend said he loved him and wanted to protect him from all troubles for the rest of his life.
Meng Wuyu accepted his feelings. That lasted until their armies faced off. His friend lured him into a trap and used him as a hostage to threaten the Jing army into retreating. Meng Wuyu had lived in seclusion for more than a decade, but he still knew that his country came first. On the city wall, he drew his sword and killed himself.
When he opened his eyes again, he had been reborn in the body of a spy.
Of the spies sent to the Prince Regent's residence, he was the only one left alive. According to the intelligence, the Prince Regent killed one person every day, and today was his turn.
Meng Wuyu: ...
Might as well die.
He hurled himself at a pillar. He heard the dull crack of breaking bone, yet his head was perfectly unharmed.
He looked up in confusion. A hand with distinct knuckles was blocking the pillar.
The man was refined and noble, as cold as a mountain in winter. He looked down at him, his gaze deep and scorching, fixed firmly on him.
Meng Wuyu froze. "Qi Huaizhi?"
The notorious, brutal and ruthless Prince Regent was Qi Huaizhi?
The Qi Huaizhi he had known was cold and distant, but never anything that could be called "brutal and ruthless." Could eight years really change a person so completely?
Uneasy, Meng Wuyu wondered whether the Qi Huaizhi before him would recognize him.
As their eyes met, Qi Huaizhi raised his bloodstained fingertips and lightly brushed them over Meng Wuyu's features. His voice was low and hoarse.
"Meng Wuyu, have you gotten addicted to trying to die?"
Meng Wuyu: "..."
Fine.
Time had changed you beyond recognition, but your sharp tongue was exactly the same.
Qi Huaizhi had risen from the illegitimate son of a Duke's household to become the Prince Regent of Great Jing. He had fought countless battles and never lost. Everyone said he was ruthless in his methods and impossible to read.
He especially despised the Rong tribesmen. Every spy sent by the Rong met a miserable end.
Yet lately, a spy had remained at the Prince Regent's side, and he doted on him.
The spy was indeed beautiful, delicate and frail, but he was also bold enough to address the Prince Regent by name and order him around.
The advisers in the residence speculated that the spy was still useful, and His Highness was merely humoring him.
Just wait and see what would happen to him later.
Until one day, Meng Wuyu stayed out all night before returning to the residence.
Qi Huaizhi appeared silently behind him and gently pressed a finger to the back of his neck.
"If you run again, I'll want to lock you up."
Meng Wuyu: "...Are you joking?"
Qi Huaizhi smiled gently. "Yes. Just pretend I was joking."
-
It was said that in the Battle of Luocheng, the Seventh Prince gave his life for his country. Braving a rain of arrows, the Prince Regent rode toward the city wall and brought back the Seventh Prince's body.
After retaking Luocheng, Qi Huaizhi disappeared for three days and three nights.
Someone once saw him before the three thousand steps leading up to Bodhi Temple.
He kowtowed at every step, silently making his way up to the temple.
They say Bodhi Temple is especially efficacious. If you sincerely pray for someone who has passed away, you can bring them peace and ensure that their next life is smooth and free of worry.
Qi Huaizhi prayed for his Wuyu.
P.S.
One-on-one, mutually devoted, happy ending.
In his previous life, Meng Wuyu had no romantic feelings for the cannon-fodder top. He accepted him only because he was moved by his kindness.
Theme: Love life.
