[First-person blurb, third-person story]
Imperial Emperor gong x Imperial Tutor shou
I ascended the throne at ten and ruled in person from the age of fifteen. I reigned for seventy years and lived to the age of eighty-eight. My children and grandchildren filled the palace, and my empire was prosperous and peaceful. I should have died without regrets, but I lay sick in bed for three days, and still I couldn't draw my last breath.
On the morning of the third day, I sat up under the delighted gazes of my children and grandchildren. "Summon Gu, Gu Xiujin."
I didn't know why I suddenly thought of him. I hadn't called his name in years, and my old tongue stumbled over the syllables. But I wanted to see him. I wanted to see him so badly I couldn't rest in peace without doing so.
My children and grandchildren exchanged glances. The Crown Prince shuffled forward on his knees and took my hand. "Father. Tutor Gu... passed away in the fifth year of Zhaojing."
I was stunned for a long time before nodding.
I really had grown senile. I'd forgotten that I personally issued the decree to execute the entire Gu family, and that I personally handed Gu Xiujin the poisoned wine that sent him to his death.
I'd never regretted it. The Gu family had rebelled against the throne and deserved their fate. A ruler had to be decisive and merciless. For more than sixty years, I had never thought of him. I hadn't thought of the Imperial Tutor who'd made me copy books with his cold face, nor of the powerful minister who helped me secure my throne. I hadn't wondered if he was cold when he pleaded for his elder brother in the pouring rain, or if he was in pain when he died in despair in the imperial prison.
"That's right. I didn't think of you... I don't want to see you..." My voice was so slurred that even I could barely understand it.
I knew that this time, I was truly going to die.
Amid the wails of my children and grandchildren, I slowly closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I saw the face I hadn't seen in sixty-five years. He was young and handsome, but his expression was icy.
Gu Xiujin looked at me without expression. "Your Highness, did you study too hard last night and stay up all night?"
I wiped the drool from the corner of my mouth, then leaned back lazily in my chair. "What's it to you?"
Gu Xiujin narrowed his eyes and abruptly picked up the ruler beside the desk, smacking it against the tabletop. "Sit up straight."
I didn't want to obey him, but my body wouldn't listen. I jolted upright, my back straighter than the ruler in his hand.
Damn it. I lived to eighty-eight, then went back to being eight, and I was still afraid of him.
One-on-one, both pure, happy ending
Theme: Harmony and happiness
