The Regent and the Imperial Astrologer Are Having an Affair

1. Bad Influences The Prince Regent of Chu Jing is a pauper buried in debt, though he looks prosperous on the surface. The Prince Regent doesn't care. Looking prosperous is still being prosperous, isn't it? That was until he found out just how astronomical his debt to the State Preceptor was! The Prince Regent... The Prince Regent remained perfectly calm, stroking his chin as he considered whether he could get away with not paying. After all, he was afflicted with a Gu poison and wouldn't live long anyway. If he skipped out on his debt, what could the monk possibly do to him? The State Preceptor... The State Preceptor was still working hard to find an antidote for the Prince Regent... Do you have no conscience at all?! 2. A Little More Serious The former emperor, the Prince Regent's father and the young emperor's grandfather, was a lavish spendthrift who squandered money like water. At long last, he kicked the bucket and went to his grave with his beloved burial treasures, leaving his nephew and son with an empty treasury and private coffers, plus IOUs as numerous as snowflakes... Trouble plagued Chu Jing both at home and abroad. The Prince Regent had to guard against people trying to usurp the throne, raise a child, and earn money to pay off the debts, all at once. The Prince Regent learned just how hard life could be. It felt like trying to pluck stars while walking on foot! At long last, the internal unrest had mostly settled and the young emperor had grown up. Just when the Prince Regent thought things might get a little easier, he discovered that the young emperor had been raised into a child who still couldn't be weaned! The Prince Regent, who had been acting as his wet nurse, propped up his chin and wondered: Where had his stick-based education gone wrong? Young Emperor: Uncle is the best. Uncle is always right. Uncle loves me most! Prince Regent: ...No, I love the State Preceptor most. The young emperor turned pale, raised a hand to wipe away his tears, and cried, "I'm going to jump off a building! Sniffle, sniffle!" It's hard being an uncle these days, hard being a prince regent, and even harder being both an uncle and a prince regent! A down-on-his-luck Prince Regent who has no money and half a life to spare, is dirt poor, stubbornly saves face, and makes himself suffer, as the bottom; VS. a taciturn monk who's bad with words, has more money than he can spend, and is cool and good-tempered, as the top. A little plug for my other novel: Transmigrating Through Dimensions Zhuo was caught off guard and transmigrated through time and space, shattering the scientific worldview he'd held for twenty-four years. Just as his stomach began to rumble, a giant golden-red bird flew over the endless forest. As Qi Zhuo was wondering how to kill the bird and fill his stomach, it landed and transformed into a handsome man with snowy white skin and fiery red hair. Qi Xi was born amid great anticipation. His dream was to fly out of the Endless Forest and travel the world, so he often sneaked away, only to be caught and brought back. He never gave up, repeating the cycle over and over. His curiosity was stronger than that of a cat that had been killed. He'd eagerly try anything he came across. For example, when he saw the Gentleman Cat eating cat food, he got curious and tried a bite himself. And when he saw humans grimacing as they drank Chinese medicine, Qi Xi had to try some too. Afterward, he began to question his life! This seemingly foolish man had his people wrapped around his finger, and they all called him the lively, adorable little prince, if a little naive. Qi Zhuo: (⊙o⊙) So there really are people this two-faced in the world! I guess I've seen too little of it. A noble and aloof-looking top who's a drama queen on the inside VS. the cheerful, clever bottom, a little prince of the bird clan. Note: A blend of Eastern and Western elements in a fictional world. Theme: Debts must be repaid. It's only right.