A Brilliant Moon Pearl

Once, Geng Zhuo was the legitimate son of the prime minister, a man of unmatched talent and beauty who dazzled the capital and made the entire Kingdom of Jin envious.

Then disaster struck the prime minister's household, and overnight Geng Zhuo seemed like a different person.

Sent back to his hometown of Liancheng County, he spent his days indulging in fine wines, with no interest whatsoever in government affairs.

Everyone thought Geng Zhuo would remain in Liancheng County forever.

But after the new emperor, Cen Shao, ascended the throne, he overruled all objections and summoned Geng Zhuo, his former study companion, back to the capital to serve as prime minister.

The Kingdom of Jin seemed peaceful and prosperous, but the Great Marshal held all power at court, while longstanding abuses plagued the provinces. Now they had Geng Zhuo, an incompetent minister who paid no attention to the affairs of state. The officials were deeply worried: the Kingdom of Jin was doomed!

But as it turned out, the kingdom did not decline. On the contrary, it flourished.

Neighboring states offered friendship, border trade thrived, and tax barriers were abolished.

The economy was put in order, local abuses were swept away, and lost goods were left untouched on the roads.

The provinces were governed with ease, the people received equal education, and the whole realm followed their example.

People wondered how the Kingdom of Jin had changed so dramatically.

Only after the Great Marshal's faction was completely eradicated did everyone understand that Geng Zhuo's supposed indulgence in poetry and wine had all been a deliberate disguise.

In truth, Geng Zhuo had always been the celebrated prodigy of years past.

The Kingdom of Jin achieved a clear and peaceful court and a tranquil realm in just a few short years, all thanks to the secret collaboration between Geng Zhuo and Cen Shao.

Geng Zhuo was the bright moon illuminating the Kingdom of Jin, and the luminous pearl Cen Shao would cherish forever.

A poem from the Kingdom of Jin says:

A son of Liancheng can guide the state, his noble heart and heaven-given talent unmatched.

At fifteen, bereft of father, sent away to the countryside; at twenty, appointed prime minister, his mastery of statecraft on display.

Lying low for years, he spreads a heavenly net; sword in hand, he enters the palace and sweeps away its ills.

His steadfast heart shines like the sun, and his name rises to the Secretariat and the Phoenix Pavilion.

Devoted emperor top, Cen Shao x extraordinarily gifted prime minister bottom, Geng Zhuo. 1v1, no switching, happy ending.

Content warnings:

1. This is a fictional setting, so please don't fact-check it. The bureaucracy is mainly inspired by the Han, Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, but includes invented elements. Please don't associate it with any particular dynasty, place, or event.

2. Cen Shao will adopt a child from the imperial clan and make him crown prince.

3. Geng Zhuo is highly skilled in martial arts, but also a sickly beauty, and his illness is incurable. The names and effects of the herbs in the story are made up and have no real-world basis.

4. A serious court-politics story with sweet and angsty moments, focused mainly on the plot.

Theme: With my brilliant moon of a heart, I will illuminate your rivers and mountains for ten thousand generations of peace.