I Don't Want This Throne Anymore

*

Jing Zhao was reborn.

In his previous life, he was a puppet emperor, controlled by the all-powerful chancellor Xiao Qiyun. The man surnamed Xiao pretended to be devoted and considerate, but secretly amassed troops to rebel. Once his power was great enough, he would kill Jing Zhao and take the throne himself.

In this life, Jing Zhao had the benefit of hindsight. He no longer wanted to be emperor or keep the palace treasures. All he wanted was to escape the palace and find a sliver of hope for survival.

But Xiao Qiyun wouldn't have it. He kept dragging Jing Zhao back to make him review memorials.

Jing Zhao was forced to handle state affairs in the great hall. If he didn't finish, he got no food. Afraid he would run away, Xiao kept a close eye on him himself.

Jing Zhao was so angry that his eyes welled up with tears.

Xiao Qiyun had a headache from all his crying. He rubbed the space between his brows and said sternly, "...Why are you crying? It's not like I'm making you walk through fire or climb a mountain of knives."

Jing Zhao felt so wronged that he cursed furiously. "I'm going to die anyway. Why are you making me read all this stuff?"

Xiao Qiyun: "Who wants to kill you?"

Jing Zhao poked Xiao's forehead repeatedly with his index finger, boldly overstepping all bounds. "Who else? Once your power is great enough, I'll be the first one you kill!"

+++

Ten years ago, Xiao Qiyun had received the late emperor's dying command to protect the young crown prince and help him ascend the throne. He watched over Jing Zhao as he grew up, carefully taught him civil and martial arts, shielded him from overt and covert attacks, and gave him ten carefree years.

The young emperor was obedient and quick to learn. He excelled in both civil and martial pursuits, and was a skilled rider and archer. His only flaw was that he didn't know how to keep his distance.

Outside, he was a dignified emperor. Back in his bedchamber, he'd whimper and burrow into Xiao's arms to sleep.

It was improper, but whenever Xiao Qiyun brought it up, the young emperor would throw a huge tantrum, sometimes even going on a hunger strike.

Xiao Qiyun couldn't talk him out of it, so he simply let him have his way.

Fine, fine. Sleep, then.

Until one day, the young emperor accidentally fell into the water. After being rescued, he seemed like a different person. All day long, he shouted about leaving the palace, abdicating, and running away.

He pointed at his teacher and cursed him as a treacherous minister.

Absolutely heartless.

Xiao Qiyun had to handle state affairs on the emperor's behalf while also preventing him from escaping. It was enough to give him a terrible headache.

One time, he let his guard down, and the young emperor really did escape. Xiao Qiyun's face darkened with fury. He posted wanted notices throughout the city, and finally caught the worldly little rascal in a brothel.

That night, the emperor's bedchamber resounded with smacks. The fully grown young emperor had his clothes stripped off and was spanked over the chancellor's lap.

Jing Zhao felt humiliated. Blushing with shame and anger, he cursed, "If you've got the guts, just kill me!"

A true man would rather die than be humiliated! An emperor's dignity must never hit the floor!

Xiao Qiyun was so angry that he gave him several more hard smacks. "I told you not to read so many storybooks. You hit your head, and I'm the one paying for it!"

Jing Zhao had been beaten so badly that sitting on a stool hurt his bottom. All he could do was lie on the bed, whimpering and cursing.

Beside the bed, the chancellor sat there with a dark expression, silently massaging him and applying medicine.

+++

Cold on the outside, warm on the inside, spoils his beloved rotten, domineering older chancellor gong vs. hit his head, confused memories, constant wild assumptions, silly little emperor shou.

P.S. The age gap is 13 years. The young emperor wasn't reborn or transmigrated. His memories got jumbled after he read too many novels. A melodramatic, ridiculous comedy.

.

Theme: No matter how difficult the journey, you can find a path to success.