The Scheming Emperor's Beloved Little Grass

[A doting, self-deluding emperor gong × a timid, adorable, slow-witted, bashful sensitive-plant spirit shou] Ye Mian was a sensitive-plant spirit who had come to the imperial palace to absorb spiritual energy and cultivate. His daily routine consisted of sunbathing, enjoying the breeze, and watching the emperor scold people. That was because the emperor’s spiritual energy was especially abundant when he was scolding someone. The emperor really loved scolding people. He scolded them during court, after court, and even while reviewing memorials. Whenever that happened, Ye Mian could absorb plenty of spiritual energy. So every day, Ye Mian eagerly watched the emperor scold people in secret. Until one day, Ye Mian saw the emperor ask an imperial physician for help with his insomnia. Ye Mian panicked. Mortals could die if they didn’t sleep well. Then Ye Mian wouldn’t have any spiritual energy left to absorb! So the little sensitive plant took human form at night, secretly climbed onto the emperor’s bed, and cured his insomnia. He hoped the tyrant would get a good night’s sleep. * Emperor Xiao Li of Jing ascended the throne at a young age. He eliminated corrupt eunuchs and powerful relatives, pacified the Xiongnu, and brought floods under control. By the time he came of age, he had put the Jing Dynasty in excellent order. But every night, Xiao Li was unable to fall asleep. The Imperial Medical Academy was helpless, and even the renowned doctors summoned from among the people had no solution. Then one day, the emperor’s insomnia mysteriously vanished. Everyone said His Majesty was blessed with the good fortune of Heaven, but only Xiao Li knew that a soft, tender sensitive plant secretly climbed into his bed every night. * One night, just as Ye Mian climbed onto the emperor’s bed, the emperor suddenly opened his eyes. Ye Mian was so startled that two leaves popped out of the top of his head. “I’m a big monster. Y-You can’t scold me!” The emperor reached out and pinched the plump, tender green leaves. “Big monsters grow leaves now?” The leaves snapped shut. The little sensitive plant blushed and stammered, “Y-You can’t touch there!” “I can’t?” Ye Mian immediately backed down. “O-Other people really can’t touch them. You can touch them once, at most…” The emperor’s phoenix eyes darkened. He pried open a leaf with his forefinger and scratched the plump little leaf cushion hidden beneath it. “Mm…” Ye Mian’s fair toes curled tightly, but he didn’t dare move. “Are you done yet?” “Ye Mian has rendered meritorious service by treating my illness. I hereby promote him to the rank of Beauty.” Ye Mian blinked in confusion. What did Beauty mean? Was the emperor saying he was good-looking? It was only much, much later, when the emperor issued an edict making Ye Mian empress, that the sensitive plant realized a Beauty was one of the emperor’s consorts! But he’d only come to absorb some spiritual energy. How had he ended up giving himself away too? [Reader’s notes] 1. The dynasty is fictional, with plenty of original worldbuilding. Please don’t overanalyze~ 2. At heart, this is a cute, lighthearted bedtime sweet romance, with practically no political intrigue! 3. Strong gong, weak shou; both are virgins. It won’t be very long. Thank you for enjoying it! Theme: May you sleep well tonight