The Same-Sex Marriage Laws of the Three Realms

● Probably a short story (100,000–200,000 characters)

Over the past ten thousand years, same-sex couples have become increasingly common across the Three Realms. To protect the interests of all beings in the Three Realms, the Heavenly Emperor has decided to promulgate the Six Realms' Marriage Laws for Same-Sex Couples. The task naturally falls to the Divine Lord of Justice, who oversees the order of the Dao.

The Zhuque clan is the last surviving branch of an ancient divine race and enjoys a lofty status. Nowadays, most members of the Zhuque clan have become partners with highly respected immortals from across the Three Realms. The Heavenly Emperor, himself a son-in-law of the Zhuque clan, is all the more determined to protect them. So he summons His Highness Chi Yu, who is studying at the Nine Heavens Academy, and Gu Yuan to help compile the laws.

Chi Yu dislikes Gu Yuan very much, because Gu Yuan never lets him pass his exams.

Gu Yuan dislikes Chi Yu too, because Chi Yu is always failing his classes. "Your Highness Chi Yu, do you have any advice on the laws I have drafted?"

Chi Yu: "No, they're pretty good. If there's nothing else, I'll head home. My mother told me to come back for dinner."

Gu Yuan: "I shall accompany you. I haven't visited the Zhuque clan in several thousand years, so I should pay my respects to your parents. Besides, your clan has the greatest say in drafting these laws. After all, every adult Zhuque in the royal family has taken a same-sex partner."

Chi Yu: "..."

Gu Yuan: "What sort of Divine Lord would Your Highness Chi Yu like to take as a partner?"

Chi Yu: "Anyone but someone like you."

Gu Yuan: "What a coincidence. With your awful aptitude, even if you offered yourself to me, I'd be afraid you'd ruin my reputation."

*

A hundred years later.

Gu Yuan: "Chi Yu, would you take me as your partner?"

Chi Yu: "The Divine Lord once said my aptitude was so poor that even if I offered myself to him, he wouldn't want me, because I'd ruin his reputation."

Gu Yuan regretted his words deeply. "I was blind. I didn't mean it. I apologize. Please don't take it to heart."

Chi Yu: "A Divine Lord's word is his bond. Aren't you afraid you'll be struck by lightning for going back on it?"

Gu Yuan: "What would you have me do before you'd agree to become my partner?"

Chi Yu: "I'll never agree, not in this lifetime."

Gu Yuan pulled Chi Yu into his arms and kissed him roughly. "You don't get to decide anymore. You're mine and mine alone for the rest of your life. If you dare become someone else's partner, I won't let you get away with it. I'll ruin every match you make, one by one. Anyway, you, Chi Yu, can only be my partner!"

[Reading Guide]

1. The Six Realms are entirely fictional. Don't look for historical accuracy; everything serves the story.

2. This blurb was written on August 13, 2021, and saved as a screenshot from Weibo.

3. Authorized artist: Shili Changhuan - Shiqi

Premise: Same-sex marriage laws in the Six Realms