The Emperor's Favorite Takes the Top Scholar as a Substitute

Arrogant top who becomes a groveling mad dog x emperor who was born unable to understand love

The young emperor Ting Xu ascended the throne at a young age. He was unruly at first, but fortunately the Imperial Preceptor became his teacher and assisted him, just barely stabilizing his reign.

Sadly, the good times didn't last. On a snowy day a year later, the sickly Imperial Preceptor died in his residence.

The attendants traveling with the emperor trembled with fear, afraid he would take his anger out on them.

Who in all of Great Jing didn't know that the young emperor idolized the Imperial Preceptor, or that rumors claimed his feelings for the man went beyond those of a student for his teacher?

In the end, the rumors were never confirmed.

Because on the day the Imperial Preceptor died, the emperor's expression remained as usual. He didn't shed a single tear.

He simply sat alone beneath the long night, staring blankly at the stars.

*

Qin Fushu was the top scholar in that year's imperial examinations, handsome and brilliant, and instantly famous.

During the palace examination, the young emperor, who was rumored to be attracted to men, kept looking at him.

Some people joked in private that the emperor had taken a liking to the top scholar. Qin Fushu dismissed them with disdain.

The young emperor might not be very old, but he was decisive and shrewd. How could those people possibly see through his thoughts?

Qin Fushu thought this, but his mind couldn't help drifting back to the day of the palace examination.

The world said he had a handsome face, but they hadn't seen His Majesty, the Son of Heaven.

The young emperor was the one who truly had the appearance of an immortal.

Qin Fushu hadn't believed that Ting Xu was interested in him, but the young emperor's actions after that began to make him waver.

Wasn't he treating him just a little too well?

Everyone could see how Ting Xu favored him.

It was hard for Qin Fushu not to become immersed in it.

He simply didn't notice that the old palace servant who had served the young emperor the longest always looked at him with pity.

One day, Ting Xu invited him to admire the moon. After three rounds of wine, Ting Xu looked at him through drunken, hazy eyes, his gaze tender to the extreme.

Qin Fushu's heart pounded, and his face flushed red.

If he really ended up with the young emperor, it might... it might not be so bad.

But Ting Xu's next words shattered his fantasy.

Looking at his face, Ting Xu smiled obediently. "Imperial Preceptor, you're back."

Qin Fushu's heart suddenly turned cold, and all his fervor froze.

Only later did he learn that Ting Xu had been staring at him during the palace examination not because of love at first sight,

but because his face looked remarkably like that of the late Imperial Preceptor.

*

Qin Fushu couldn't accept Ting Xu treating him as someone else, so he deliberately distanced himself, keeping things strictly business and no longer getting close.

Ting Xu seemed a little hurt and rarely appeared before him again.

Qin Fushu was the first to pull away, but he was also the one who suffered the most.

At last, one day, he couldn't take it anymore and went to find Ting Xu.

Fine, he'd be a substitute. Ting Xu had been so young when the Imperial Preceptor died. It was only natural for him to feel such admiration.

But when he found Ting Xu in the imperial garden, he saw someone else standing beside the young emperor.

Elegant and refined, dressed in white as bright as snow.

From certain angles, he looked like the Imperial Preceptor, too.

*

"The Imperial Preceptor said he'd return before I turned twenty."

"As for that Minister of Justice... If he doesn't want to talk to me, then fine. The Imperial Preceptor wouldn't ignore me."

"If he ignores me, that can only mean he's not the Imperial Preceptor."

Reading Guide:

1. The top dotes on the emperor. Happy ending.

2. The top is a substitute.

3. The emperor is beloved by all, and there will be a romantic rivalry.

Theme: Strive to become a better version of yourself