1. Year 16 of the Jiaqing reign
The emperor is tyrannical, corrupt officials hold sway, smoke rises from battlefields everywhere, and the people suffer beyond measure. As heroes contend for supremacy, Marquis Dingyuan Gu Yibai wins the most support and storms the imperial capital.
That night, a great fire breaks out in the Tianqi Palace. They say the tyrant committed so many heinous acts that even Heaven could no longer stand it. The fire burns for three days and three nights.
As he lies dying, Xie Ran thinks that this is simply how his life ends. The world calls him a foolish, tyrannical ruler, cruel and inhumane. They don't know that he ascended the throne as a child, with no support from his mother's family and no power of his own. They don't know that every day of his life was like walking on thin ice.
In the end, he dies in a sea of flames and leaves behind a reputation as a tyrant.
Xie Ran doesn't consider himself a noble person. He'll even resort to unscrupulous methods. He lost and gave up a great deal for the throne, but he has never regretted it.
Given another life, he decides that the reason he lost was simply that he wasn't good at putting on an act. Being a gentleman or a sage can't be that hard, can it? Even a villain who has committed every sin imaginable will be praised by the world if he does just one good deed.
Beneath the hypocritical flattery lies ill intent. Everything in the palace disgusts him, and even the supreme power he once coveted has lost its appeal.
Xie Ran gazes at the newly assigned attendants and smiles brilliantly. His slender fingers casually point to one young man, his expression slightly absentminded.
"You stay."
No one notices his malicious smile or the interest in his eyes.
The world has forgotten that he used to be a madman.
2. Gu Yibai has a secret: he's lost his memory. He only remembers that he has to find someone, but he's forgotten who.
Before his audience with the emperor, everyone tells him that although His Majesty is cold-tempered, he is a rare and wise ruler!
Then the emperor personally appoints him as his personal guard. Some people envy him for being able to stay by the emperor's side; others pity him for being nothing but a guard for the rest of his life...
His friend comforts him, saying that at least His Majesty is tolerant, wise, and easy to get along with.
Gu Yibai gives a cold laugh, remembering how not long ago this tolerant, wise, and easygoing emperor smiled as he rewarded him by pouring hot tea over his hand.
Gu Yibai: What kind of wise ruler is he? He's clearly a madman with a terrifying temper!
No content warnings.
I'm a new writer, and my writing is amateurish, so please be patient with me. I really will be sad if you insult me. T_T
Please read with an open mind. The characters' values don't represent the author's!
If you don't like it, just hit X and move on.
Of course, I hope you lovely readers enjoy it too!! (╯3╰)
Lastly, I don't have the brains for political intrigue, so please don't blame me. (>_<)
Theme: Fate brings us together, then makes us miss each other.
