The Fish I Raised on a Whim Became Emperor

Xiao Yan has always had a beloved woman in his heart. When he was exiled to Lingnan with his mother and persecuted by the empress's clan, she appeared and gave him hope. She cared for him, helped him, and encouraged him in every way... Over the years, she reached the age when women were expected to marry, but she defied her family to the death and stayed unmarried for his sake. Xiao Yan vowed that in this life, he would never wrong her, even if it meant wronging the whole world. He would ascend the throne and make her his empress. One day, the new emperor went to the estate where Ye Chutang lived in seclusion, hoping to surprise her. Instead, he found her drinking and laughing with her sisters, teasing one another about which actor was the handsomest. Ye Chutang was half-drunk, reclining against a cushion, her cheeks flushed. She told her sisters, "An excellent woman shouldn't belong to any man. Why get married? Why listen to them? Is the wine not good enough, or the food not delicious? What's most important is living freely and enjoying yourself!" Xiao Yan: "..." It was only later that Xiao Yan realized he wasn't the only "little brother" Ye Chutang had taken special care of. There were many others, and he was merely one of them who happened to work hard enough to become emperor. Fortunately, he was the emperor. #I thought I was the only one she loved, but it turns out I'm just another fish in her pond# #How to become the husband of a woman with a whole pond of fish after becoming emperor# [Independent, freedom-loving wild horse of a heroine with many little brothers, a silver tongue, and a scheming streak VS a violent, paranoid, unhinged emperor who is hopelessly in love with his beloved] [Please note:] *1. "Fish" refers to people she does good deeds for and invests in. The male and female leads are both over 20 and imperfect, each with their own flaws (see above). Love first, marriage later. Only read on if you're okay with that. *2. Sweet and satisfying, one-on-one romance, happy ending. The customs are inspired by the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, but this is a fictional setting! *3. The original text is the author's true expression. Please don't read things into it, distort the meaning, and then confront the author. I really don't mean that! Theme: Punish evil and promote good, and remain independent and free in love.