Mistaking You for My Beloved

Throughout his life, Fang Wanchen was respectful, disciplined, cautious in speech, and meticulous in conduct. He rose from county magistrate to chancellor of the realm, lived through the darkest era of the Great An dynasty, and single-handedly helped a young emperor establish a golden age of revival. But his achievements overshadowed the throne. When the young emperor took power, he forced Fang Wanchen to relinquish his authority. Fang Wanchen had labored tirelessly, turning himself into the last blade his student could wield to hold on to power. He intended to retire once his work was done. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. He went too far in his retreat and nearly died. As a catastrophic flood raged and his breath grew faint, he watched the student he was proudest of, the emperor himself, dash toward him, crown shattered, hair loose, sword discarded and armor dragging behind him, screaming Fang Wanchen's name in anguish, each cry dripping with grief. Every tearful cry of "Teacher" held a deep longing buried through countless autumns and winters, a tender passion suppressed over countless days and nights. Fang Wanchen realized what the emperor felt for him and couldn't help cursing his own stubborn life. Why hadn't he just died? Emperor An, Zhou Jin, was a ruler of grand vision and military talent who governed with diligence. He was the favored student of the current chancellor, an enlightened ruler revered by everyone in the Great An dynasty, and he followed the laws and proprieties in every word and deed, never crossing the line... until one day, his teacher no longer wanted him. A devoted imperial tutor and chancellor who works himself to death for his country x a disciplined, reserved, and principled emperor who rules with diligence Two overachievers / younger man / teacher and student A prequel spanning four kingdoms [An upright emperor, bound by propriety for years, becomes an obsessive gay man. His strict imperial tutor is so shocked that he goes back to his old profession and tries to straighten out his student.] Blurb dated 2023.12.13 Theme: Govern diligently and outwork everyone. That's how you rise above the rest.