An Unconventional Lord-and-Subject Relationship

● A peerlessly elegant, outwardly gentle but dark-hearted younger top x a frail, patient bottom, as clever as a demon

● My take on political intrigue and an ensemble cast. Seven-year age gap between the leads.

● Neither the main characters nor the supporting cast are perfect.

● Readers with very particular preferences may not enjoy this story, so please be extra cautious ˃ ˄ ˂̥̥

As the heir of Marquis Jingchun, Jiu Fang Qingzhou was a restless child from a young age. Born to a noble family and raised in luxury, it would not be an exaggeration to say that every child in the capital did as he said.

He was skilled at catching birds, fishing, digging up trees, and pulling out weeds. When he was still little, he picked up a long sword and declared that he would roam the jianghu, become a hero, and save the people. His first lesson in saving the people was to crack the head of the spoiled young heir from the neighboring marquis's house. If his mother hadn't chased him onto the roof with a knife, he probably would have caused chaos all over the capital before stopping.

"You mean you're that Living Yama?"

The visitor held a portrait, looking doubtful. This man could barely lift a hand, carry anything on his shoulders, or walk three steps without coughing twice. Compared to the jade-faced Night Fiend who had once threatened to turn the capital of Northern Liang upside down, he looked more like a porcelain jade Buddha fit only to sit on an altar.

Jiu Fang Qingzhou gave an awkward smile. "Then your information is way out of date..."

The jade-faced Night Fiend of the capital had inherited the title of Marquis Jingchun. At sixteen, he went to war on the northern frontier, charging into battle with his blade in hand and winning glory. When he returned in triumph, flowers rained down on his horse and the entire city sang in celebration. What a glorious sight.

But five years ago, he returned in defeat. Every member of the main branch of his family perished amid the endless snow and wind on the northern frontier, leaving Jiu Fang Qingzhou alone. When his white horse finally reached the capital, its snowy mane was stained with bright red blood. After that battle, he was left a cripple.

"Anyway, that's what happened. Everyone outside keeps talking about what a cripple you are. Have you really not heard a word of it?"

*

When Prince Cong Lou Xishan made a grand show of welcoming Jiu Fang Qingzhou into his mansion, the entire capital thought that this cultured, elegant prince had finally gone mad. Who was Jiu Fang Qingzhou, after all? Ever since the emperor had taken his military command away over a single cup of wine, he had become worth less than a few silver coins. The capital's nobles were like carp crossing a river: anyone could come along and step on him.

They say that when Prince Cong went to welcome Jiu Fang Qingzhou, streets were adorned with jade, music filled the air, and flowers fell like rain upon the jeweled carriage. Given the fanfare, anyone who didn't know better would have thought a wedding was underway.

Outrageously extravagant. Simply outrageous.

Lou Xishan even added fuel to the fire. "In my opinion, this carriage is still too plain. Replace that jade disc with an imperial pearl!"

If he hadn't been stopped in time, Lou Xishan would have replaced the horse with a prized Ferghana steed, too. Jiu Fang Qingzhou was close to tears. At this rate, everyone outside would start saying the two of them were lovers.

*

Just as rumors of their romance reached a fever pitch, Jiu Fang Qingzhou discovered a secret chamber in Lou Xishan's bedroom. After walking dozens of steps, he emerged into a spacious room. His eyes fell on an array of dolls, paintings, and calligraphy. Every single one of them shared a common feature: each bore Jiu Fang Qingzhou's face.

Jiu Fang Qingzhou clicked his tongue. Who'd have thought that Prince Cong, who usually seemed as pure and serene as moonlight, had such a wild hobby?

He had originally planned to keep this to himself. Once he left the secret chamber, he would pretend nothing had happened. But before he could even turn around, he felt a scorching gaze land on his shoulder, as if it might burn through the fabric.

He turned around and met a pair of deep, piercing eyes in the candlelight.

Lou Xishan's expression remained unchanged, but he closed in step by step. "You want to act like nothing happened? I won't allow it, Qingzhou. I won't allow it."

*

"So, what exactly is your relationship?"

Even the nobles who were usually close to Lou Xishan couldn't help asking.

Jiu Fang Qingzhou: "Ruler and subject."

Lou Xishan: "Husband and husband."

They stared at each other, and the atmosphere turned strange.

Before their friend could ask another question, they spoke again.

Jiu Fang Qingzhou: "Husband and husband."

Lou Xishan: "Ruler and subject."

Jiu Fang Qingzhou wore a strained smile. "We're ruler and subject, and we're husband and husband. Sometimes we're ruler and subject, sometimes we're husband and husband."

Blurb written on August 2, 2026, and screenshotted. The title, "An Abnormal Relationship Between Ruler and Subject," currently has no duplicates on the platform. I've recorded a video as proof.

Younger top | Political intrigue | Revenge | My take on political intrigue, not hard-core | Both leads are each other's first love and have only ever been with each other

Important: "Ruler and subject" in the title does not refer exclusively to the main couple. The story includes ruler-subject relationships in the narrow sense, between emperor and subject, and the broader sense, between a lord and his advisors. There are ensemble-cast elements, but the main couple are absolutely the central characters, so rest assured.

Reader's Guide:

1. Happy ending. Fictional ancient-world setting. Readers who care about historical accuracy should proceed with caution.

2. The bottom was forced to lose all his martial arts skills. He is not the only surviving member of his clan.

3. The younger top falls first. He has a secret crush early on, and they only confirm their feelings in the middle to later stages.

4. If you dislike the premise, feel free to leave. Readers with very particular preferences should proceed with caution.

Theme: Stand on your own in the world.