Married by Imperial Decree

A brash, cool little guy from the northern frontier, the bottom x a sly, charming scholar from the Central Plains, the top

Also known as: The Terrifying Ordeal of Lifting the Veil on Your Wedding Night and Seeing the Face of Your Archrival

Qin Buyue escorts a princess from the northern frontier to the capital for a political marriage. After taming a spooked, wild horse and saving the emperor, he is rewarded with a marriage bestowed by imperial decree to Gu Shiqing, the greatest scholar in the Central Plains.

Marriage sounds pretty interesting, and if he's the greatest man in the Central Plains, he must be a peerless martial artist, brave and invincible.

They say he's as handsome as a celestial being, too. Fine, let's get married!

Qin Buyue is thrilled. He even prepares erotic paintings and a secret sex coin for his wedding night with his husband.

·

But...

They bow to Heaven and Earth, then to their elders. The hall is packed with guests, all offering congratulations.

They enter the bridal chamber. Red candles glow brightly. The veil is lifted. Why is it you?

Qin Buyue glares at him: Pah!

Gu Shiqing's face darkens: Get out!

·

But...

The emperor has decreed the marriage.

Qin Buyue: I'll sleep in the bed. You figure something else out.

Nerd, remember to lay down a few extra cushions, so your paper-thin body doesn't fall apart while you sleep!

Gu Shiqing: Y-y-you shameless brute! What are you doing with my underclothes?

·

Later...

The two, both covered in bruises, decide to make peace.

They make peace with a hug.

They make peace with a kiss.

They lie on the bed, holding hands, hugging, and kissing, then, well... make peace some more.

Qin Buyue: We're really getting along now.

Gu Shiqing: Absolutely.

The page who brought them hot water several times that night: I can confirm they were at it from quarter past ten until nearly five in the morning. They couldn't have been more in harmony.

Qin Buyue/Gu Shiqing: Don't get the wrong idea. We were really fighting, the kind that leaves you black and blue.

Theme: Fate brought us together.