Rose of Deceit

Completed. Coming soon: After the Beautiful Wastrel Is Forced to Take the Throne, a sweet historical danmei romance. Please add it to your favorites. Blurb at the end.

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Blurb:

In Zheng Boyu's eyes, Ling Jiao was beautiful, ignorant, and vulgar. Even when he dressed himself in pure white, he was still the tackiest of all the white roses.

He knew that love was too much to ask for with someone like Ling Jiao.

So he let him draw near and cling to him, but never gave him false hope.

But later, Ling Jiao left.

Before leaving, Ling Jiao told him, "Young Master Zheng, even the most down-and-out person has the right to love someone else."

Please note:

1. This is part of the same-universe series as next door's Runaway Fake Young Master [Entertainment Industry]. The protagonists of both books know each other and will cross paths, but this story stands alone.

2. Playboy top x social butterfly bottom, one-on-one, neither is a virgin.

3. This story is not suitable for readers who dislike melodrama, are feeling emotionally low and easily affected, have a lot of triggers, or are top- or bottom-stans.

4. Comments from rsgj characters and the author will be deleted.

Coming soon: After the Beautiful Wastrel Is Forced to Take the Throne

Everyone knows that the current Crown Prince, Li Zhaoyu, is brilliant in both letters and arms, wise and good-natured, and the undisputed choice to inherit the throne.

Then, in a sudden coup, the emperor died and the Crown Prince was poisoned to death in the palace.

The newly appointed Prince of Pingnan, Yun Yin, was ruthless and decisive, and had been close friends with the former Crown Prince. On the day of the coup, Yun Yin led his troops to crush the rebellion and personally executed the eldest prince, who had murdered his father and younger brother, at the foot of the steps.

From that day on, the throne stood empty.

Just as everyone wondered whether this formidable prince would seize the throne for himself, Yun Yin entered the palace.

Three days later, the seventeen-year-old new emperor ascended the throne. Beneath his crown was an astonishingly beautiful face.

*

After the new emperor's coronation, the Prince of Pingnan stepped back to serve as regent and assist him. The officials felt both relieved and worried.

They were relieved that the new emperor, though raised in the Cold Palace, was indeed a son of the emperor. But they worried that he was all beauty and no political acumen, a complete wastrel.

The court officials discussed it among themselves, but the Prince of Pingnan swiftly silenced them.

Everyone thought the Prince of Pingnan had been bewitched by the new emperor's beauty.

Li Zhaoyi thought otherwise.

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Born in the Cold Palace, he had been bullied by servants and neglected by the imperial family from childhood. Everyone except Yun Yin.

When he was little, Yun Yin saved his life. He remembered him for seven years, believing him the kindest person in the world.

After being pushed onto the throne, he let Yun Yin have his way with him.

When Yun Yin told him to apply himself, he studied politics diligently.

When Yun Yin wanted him to be obedient, he listened like a cat.

When Yun Yin wanted him, he gave himself to him, still filled with joy, even though Yun Yin had never said he loved him.

Until one day, palace attendants whispered that the new emperor, like the former Crown Prince, had a cinnabar mole on his wrist.

Everyone understood.

He was longing for his old friend and seeking comfort in a substitute.

*

Rumors of a secret romance between the former Crown Prince and the regent spread throughout the city, but Yun Yin paid them no mind.

He had raised a kitten, pretty and pampered, utterly dependent on him. At first, he had only thought the kitten's looks were lovely. But as he raised him, he truly fell for him.

Li Zhaoyi was willful, so Yun Yin indulged him.

Whatever Li Zhaoyi wanted, Yun Yin found for him.

He taught him the arts of rulership and balance, and taught him, little by little, to give up his own power.

Then Li Zhaoyi ran away right under his nose.

Yun Yin: .

He'd spoiled him too much. It was time to rein him in.

Please note:

1. Ruthless, calculating top x beautiful, hardworking but somewhat insecure and pitiful bottom. A little melodrama, genuinely sweet doting, and an older-top-raises-younger-bottom dynamic.

2. One-on-one, fake substitute. The top and the former Crown Prince were just friends.

Theme: Only sincere devotion can bring you the reward you want.