Lords and Ministers in Bed

The new emperor ascends the throne and introduces a new system, allowing women throughout the realm to take the civil service examinations just like men. Only Tan Yunmeng feels a pang of regret. After all, she has served at court as a man for years.

Tan Yunmeng was once a valiant Imperial Guard beside the eldest princess. She defended the northern frontier, destroyed Zhu Liang, and pacified Western Shu. She was the dynasty's strongest pillar and sharpest blade.

Unfortunately, after the Pseudo-Liang rebellion, she suffered severe injuries and came close to death. She would never again be able to take the battlefield.

Just as peace settled over the realm, the eldest princess ascended the throne. Tan Yunmeng, who had helped her claim the throne, became her advisor. She could train new soldiers, offer counsel, and enjoy a quiet retirement.

But who could have guessed the new emperor would refuse to let her retire, choosing her to tutor the Crown Prince instead?

Lu Wuchou, the Crown Prince of the dynasty, was born to wealth and privilege, arrogant and proud.

The new emperor had admonished him time and again to curb his pride and impatience, but old habits die hard. The young man was hot-tempered and impossible to rein in.

The three tutors of the Eastern Palace in the capital were downcast every day, all fretting over him.

Forced into the role, Tan Yunmeng stepped forward and bowed. "Your servant, Tan Yunmeng, has come by order of the new emperor..."

Before she could explain why she was there, the arrogant Crown Prince gave a couple of cold laughs. "Oh, Mother actually found her lover a position as my tutor. Our dynasty must really be short on talent."

Tan Yunmeng: ???

Crown Prince Lu Wuchou had heard that the valiant guard Tan Yunmeng had helped the new emperor end the wars, and was adored by women throughout the realm.

Unfortunately, she had been gravely wounded in the Pseudo-Liang rebellion and could no longer wield a sword.

He had imagined Tan Yunmeng as a strapping, eight-foot-tall man with a thick beard, the very image of a tough soldier.

Who knew that when they met, she would be a handsome young man with a face like jade, red lips, and pearly teeth?

That alone would not have been a problem. But one day, in his spare time, Lu Wuchou saw the new emperor embracing Tan Yunmeng, the two of them whispering intimately, cheek to cheek.

Seeing his mother so enthralled by a handsome man, Lu Wuchou grew displeased and left in a huff.

He secretly vowed that he would never let Tan Yunmeng have a single easy day.

The new emperor fell gravely ill, and the Crown Prince took charge of the government.

Every day after court, Tan Yunmeng's tablet lay quietly beneath the bed, while above it her robe hung half open and her breathing came in unsteady gasps.

Lu Wuchou held his tutor by the nape and covered her lips with his own. Her racing pulse beat against his palm.

"My dear tutor, could we skip history and statecraft in today's lesson?"

Theme: It has always been you I love