The Character the Emperor Created for Himself Has Crumbled

Xuan Ling bears a blood feud. For eighteen years, she has disguised herself as a man and passed herself off as the son of the prime minister’s household. With her scheming minister father backing her all the way, supplying her with heartfelt advice, weapons, money, and connections, she enters the court and takes on powerful ministers.

The first time Xuan Ling entered the Eastern Palace, the hall was full of high-ranking nobles, but the crown prince stood alone like a crane in the snow. Gentle and composed, he smiled with warmth in his eyes, making the whole palace feel a little warmer. Xuan Ling thought he looked easy to fool and figured that making him an ally would improve her odds of revenge.

She drew closer to the crown prince step by step, helping him weather the bloody struggle for the throne. Whenever danger came, she was always the first to draw her sword and shield him. To protect her own life, she secured his promise to give her a golden death-exemption token once he became emperor.

Later, as the battle for the throne drenched the land in blood, she secretly helped him deploy troops and then took her revenge by claiming her enemy’s head. Thinking she was proving her loyalty, he pressed half a tiger tally into her palm. "Once I ascend the throne, I’ll make you a marquis."

But on the night before his coronation, she shed her male attire, changed her appearance, and left the palace, leaving behind a golden death-exemption token and a plain note: Your Majesty, the realm is yours. I’m leaving.

The new emperor clutched the token and stood all night in the empty bedchamber. From that day on, the composed gentleman was gone forever.

Later, the new emperor sent out every last one of his secret guards, shaking the martial world. Never had a wanted criminal caused such a commotion at court.

Xiao Yu had studied the classics since childhood and was a dignified young gentleman. After meeting Xuan Ling, he realized that a person could live with such shameless audacity. Later, when she deliberately drew close to him, he fell for her. After struggling for a long time, he finally admitted through red-rimmed eyes that he was in love with a man.

Just as he had accepted his fate, he discovered that she was a woman. Even after accepting that he had been deceived, he still wanted to marry her, but she simply left. Xiao Yu regretted it. A cold gleam entered his refined eyes. If he had known, he would never have given her even a shred of freedom.

[Extra Scene]

Xuan Ling is captured. Trembling, she points at the new emperor as he approaches, trying to sound tough.

Xuan Ling: I have a golden death-exemption token. You can’t go back on your word!

Xiao Yu: The token only exempts you from punishment. I’ve already arrested everyone in the prime minister’s household. Your father-in-law is in prison cursing you. He says if he’d known you were a pretender, he should have locked you in your rooms to embroider.

Xuan Ling: ...

Blurb saved on 2021.03.25. Screenshot taken.

Theme: Learn to cherish the present.