Forcing the male lead to submit to me _(:з"∠)_
*
Wen Shangyu, young master of the Chancellor's residence, was hailed as a once-in-a-century talent in Jingzhou. Not only was he exceptionally gifted and widely read, he was also so handsome he seemed like an immortal, radiant as the moon. His refined elegance set him apart from the mortal world.
Then the Seventh Princess rebelled, and the court was thrown into turmoil. The disregarded Seventh Princess became an empress whom all bowed to.
The empress pointed at Wen Shangyu and declared that she wanted him brought to the palace to serve her.
The first time.
Wen Shangyu's face was tense, his back straight as a pine tree. He resisted to the bitter end.
The empress smiled faintly as she threatened him. "Young Master Wen, your entire family, from the oldest to the youngest, is in my hands. Do you dare refuse?"
The next time.
During the Flower Festival, Wen Shangyu seized the chance to leave the palace and escape. On a bustling, crowded street, the Golden Feather Guards surrounded him on all sides.
The empress strolled over and looked down at him with an ambiguous smile. "Young Master Wen, I have indulged you too much. Otherwise, how could you have gotten such an idea?"
Another time.
The empress wiped the blood he had bitten from her lips, then sighed with a smile as she brushed back her sleeve. "Wen Shangyu, if you are unwilling, there will naturally be someone who is willing."
Wen Shangyu abruptly raised his head. His fingertips trembled as he let go of his clothes.
*
Shen Ning Shuang was born to a palace dancer and was the Seventh Princess, scorned by everyone in the palace.
When she was ten, Shen Ning Shuang escaped the palace walls. While being pursued, she happened to catch sight of a handsome young man.
The young man was steeped in books, and his eyes were cool and clear when he looked up, just like the moon in the heavens.
Later.
She lay low for ten years, raised an army in rebellion, and climbed the throne step by bloody step. While purging the remaining opposition, she happened to catch sight of him again at the Chancellor's residence.
He was still as pure as the moon.
[Guide to Escape]
* The female lead is a villain and a master of psychological manipulation. She is the emperor from the start, and a career-driven woman. Her rebellion has nothing to do with the male lead. From beginning to end, she cares only about imperial power.
* A BG romance, with the plot serving the romance. There is no later arc where the female lead chases after the male lead and suffers for it. Instead, the male lead is manipulated into willingly giving in. She forces him to submit, and he suffers and suffers. He is a hopeless romantic. Watch a man as radiant as the moon struggle, then sink into darkness and become a resentful husband.
* Many supporting male characters are in love with the female lead. Expect a battle of the men and a chaotic rivalry.
* The female lead is not a virgin, while all the men are virgins.
Theme: Everyone follows their own path. Once things have gone too far, decline is hard to reverse.
