A Hall Full of Fine Clothes, Whiter Than Snow

[Cover character design posted on the Bishui Forum]

It was clearly spring, but when Pei Yingwu returned to the capital, the city was blanketed in white, dressed in mourning despite the gentle spring sunshine.

He had served Ying Zhao for thirteen years, never imagining that the emperor, younger than him, would die before he did.

He had a distant relationship with the new emperor, and the political faction he'd once offended seized every opportunity to retaliate.

Without His Majesty, who had always protected him, Pei Yingwu was left to stand alone. In the fifth year after Emperor Wu's death, the once invincible Chancellor Pei was given a cup of poisoned wine.

As he closed his eyes, he seemed to hear his emperor ask, "Do you regret it?"

"No."

To return with you, to become dust with you: what could there be to regret?

*

Reborn, Pei Yingwu looked up at the emperor on the throne, still a boy. He remembered how in his previous life His Majesty had been diligent and self-disciplined, working himself to the bone, campaigning across the land, and dying young from overwork.

He swore he would make sure His Majesty lived to a hundred.

"As long as Emperor Wu lives, the realm will know peace." Such a fine emperor shouldn't die so young.

So in this life, Pei Yingwu gave his all to his career and took on government affairs to lighten Ying Zhao's burden. In private, he fussed over Ying Zhao, checking on his health and urging him to live well, afraid he'd once again work himself into an early grave.

Ying Zhao looked at him with growing approval and relief. "With you, I feel like a fish in water."

Pei Yingwu, the model of a diligent and loyal minister: "And I feel the same, Your Majesty."

Ying Zhao contentedly took his hand. "I, too, am in love with you, Lord Pei."

Pei Yingwu: Huh?

["" The story from another perspective]

When Ying Zhao first took charge of the government, old ministers held power. The only new official who stood against the court and insisted on going his own way was the hotheaded Pei Yingwu.

He was only in his teens. Ying Zhao didn't know what special qualities Pei Yingwu saw in him to trust him so completely.

Pei Yingwu not only cared about his work, but also about his daily routine. Anyone else behaving that way would be out of line, but Pei Yingwu...

Ying Zhao glanced at the handsome and elegant Lord Pei, and decided he could accept it.

But sometimes, Pei Yingwu seemed to be looking at someone else through him. It bothered Ying Zhao, until one day Pei Yingwu got drunk in his bedchamber.

"A Zhao," Pei Yingwu said, gazing at his face. "I miss you so much."

That night, Ying Zhao dreamed of Pei Yingwu dressed in white mourning clothes, all alone, holding a vessel of clear wine, looking utterly forlorn.

He looked up at the bright moon and said, "Your Majesty, the osmanthus wine is ready. You said we'd drink it together when I came back."

But His Majesty was gone.

[The icy, commanding emperor as the younger top X the proud, aloof, and talented minister as the bottom]

Notes:

1. The top is younger.

2. In their previous life, the top and bottom shared a sincere friendship between sovereign and minister, confidants who trusted and relied on each other, with shared political ideals and convictions. I also love the kind of bond where, as the ancients said, a man would die for the one who understands him.

3. The dynasty is fictional, so please don't nitpick the history.

[Blurb screenshot saved]

Theme: Your body is the foundation of everything. Don't stay up late, and take care of your health.