Joy Before the Palace [GB]

[Emperor x Beloved Minister]

In her previous life, with the Dowager Consort's protection, Shang Tingge defeated her imperial brother and ascended the throne as a woman. Little did she know that the seemingly kind Dowager Consort would spend three years feeding her poisonous concoctions, leaving her half-mad and half-witted, a useless shell of herself.

On a winter solstice night, the wind cut to the bone. Shang Tingge was unusually lucid and saw the new male favorite at the Dowager Consort's side feeding her hot porridge, one spoonful at a time. She narrowed her eyes and grabbed his wrist. Before she could say a word, he turned red around the neck and fled in a panic.

After that... Shang Tingge lost her mind completely. The last time she regained her senses was in a damp, rotting dungeon.

The Dowager Consort coldly slapped Nangong Jin, who was being held down by guards nearby. "I only just found out you entered the palace willingly because you liked her. No wonder you refused to let me touch you. You filthy couple deserve to die together."

A guard drove a blade into Shang Tingge's heart. Even the gods could not save her.

Before she died, she saw Nangong Jin scream and struggle violently. Somehow, he broke free of his restraints and charged over in a frenzy. He snatched the blade from the guard and, without hesitation, turned and stabbed the Dowager Consort straight through.

He fell to Shang Tingge's side, weeping as he tried to staunch the blood gushing from her wound, but how could he possibly stop it?

Shang Tingge stared wide-eyed as the Imperial Guards executed him on the spot.

Reborn, Shang Tingge had already been force-fed poisonous concoctions for another year. Her body was damaged, but at least there was still hope of saving it.

But that was not the most urgent matter. She went to the Dowager Consort's chambers and, just as expected, found her embracing a young man who had only just entered the palace, about to engage in an illicit affair.

When the Dowager Consort saw the emperor barge in, she hurriedly grabbed her clothes and demanded to know what she was doing.

Shang Tingge smiled. "How fortunate. I find your male favorite quite to my liking, Dowager Consort. Why not give him to me?"

*

Nangong Jin had never imagined he would get another chance at life.

To save the one he could never speak of, he entered the palace again.

This time, to avoid repeating the past, he stained himself with blood and killed everyone who posed a threat to her. Burdened by his crimes, he no longer hoped that one day he might stand openly by her side.

Even when Shang Tingge questioned him relentlessly, he showed no remorse. Instead, he sneered. "Your servant is destined for a miserable death, of course. But... I pray Your Majesty will live a long life."

He meant every word. He only made himself look so vicious to hide his love.

Shang Tingge ordered her men to seize him and lock him in a dark room.

Nangong Jin knew he was done for this time, but... dying at her hands would not be the worst ending.

But... several days passed, and he remained unharmed.

She started showing up every night, even more... punctually than when she visited her consorts.

**

Both leads are reborn; gender-swapped faux forced-pursuit romance, with the male lead playing hard to get.

The male lead has always had a secret crush on the female lead. He's insecure, gloomy, and obsessive.

They both suffered greatly in their previous life, with some angst. After being reborn, the female emperor pursues her husband and takes revenge. Sweet romance, happy ending, one-on-one, gender-bender.

Theme: Cherish the person in front of you.