When Qin Hao was seventeen, he had a dream.
In the twentieth year of Tiancheng, the emperor fell gravely ill, and the struggle for the throne grew fierce. After months of chaos, a new emperor ascended the throne and ruthlessly purged his political enemies and their supporters.
Qin Hao's family was implicated and landed squarely on the purge list.
To keep his family safe, Qin Hao, the youngest son of the prime minister's household, decides to earn a place in the residence of the future emperor, the crown prince. He hopes to grow closer to the prince so that, once he takes the throne, he will spare Qin Hao's family.
Crown Prince Gu Chuheng, known as Mingde, was prophesied by a fortune-teller at the age of twelve to die young. Everyone praises his kindness and virtue, yet the baseless prophecy has made others avoid him.
As the Eastern Palace selects its officials, Gu Chuheng spots a familiar face among a crowd of idle noble scions from who-knows-where.
It is none other than the youngest son of the current Right Chancellor.
As a crown prince who was quietly pushed out of the succession struggle long ago, Gu Chuheng can only assume the newcomer has been sent to spy on him. He despises the man.
On the new recruit's first day in the palace, Gu Chuheng points to a spy who has just been killed, blood splattered three feet high, and threatens him: "If I catch you betraying me, this will be your fate."
Qin Hao: ...
Wasn't the crown prince supposed to be generous and benevolent, treating his servants well?
The court's fortunes are ever-changing, and so is life in the Eastern Palace.
After several failed attempts to test Qin Hao, Gu Chuheng grows even more suspicious and is determined to make him show his true colors.
Meanwhile, Qin Hao is determined to make a good impression on the crown prince. He works diligently and complains about nothing, eventually earning a chance to accompany him on an investigation outside the palace.
But an accident sends Qin Hao tumbling into the water. In a moment of desperation, he grabs the crown prince, who has jumped in to save him, and kisses him.
Once safely rescued, Qin Hao sees the future emperor, the crown prince himself, change expressions several times before finally saying, "How dare you."
Qin Hao curls into a ball, looking wronged. "I... I've never kissed anyone else."
Gu Chuheng gazes at Qin Hao's pallid little face and rosy lips, his expression complicated as his heart suddenly begins to race...
The struggle for the throne grows ever fiercer.
Qin Hao sticks close to the crown prince, rooting out corrupt officials and controlling floods.
As they spend day after day together, Gu Chuheng gradually gives his heart to Qin Hao without even realizing it.
Meanwhile, Qin Hao rises swiftly through the ranks, becoming a rising star at court and attracting the attention of the officials around him.
When Gu Chuheng learns that Qin Hao has been taken to meet a potential match, his sense of crisis explodes. He rushes over and pulls Qin Hao away.
Qin Hao, who had been admiring flowers with someone and has no idea what's going on, is shoved aside: ?
Ignoring all appearances, Gu Chuheng warily glances at the court official's daughter, who is clearly falling for Qin Hao, then at the utterly clueless Qin Hao, who still has no idea what's happening. Overcome with jealousy, he declares, "You two can't be together."
Qin Hao: ??
Wait, does joining the crown prince's household mean I can't even make friends?
Bright and bold, slow-to-realize-his-feelings, beloved-by-everyone bottom x outwardly gentle and courteous, but warm-faced and cold-hearted, overbearing top
Theme: Love life, and stay hopeful even when you're at your lowest.
