The Phoenix Sings in the Western Hall

[Younger top and older bottom, both powerful | Mutual devotion | Dual emperors | Unhinged hostage prince top × aloof emperor bottom] Among the nine kingdoms and five provinces, Yan rose to power and ruled the world. Rumor had it that Qin Zhao, the third prince of Qin, was born to a beautiful woman and was the least favored of all. As Qin declined, the state sent him to Yan as a hostage to prove its loyalty. Spring after spring passed; frost stretched for thousands of miles. Qin Zhao was obedient and won the King of Yan's affection. When he came of age, the king let him return home. Who could have guessed that three months later, he would eliminate every obstacle and seize the throne by murdering his father? From then on, his ambitions as a wolf became plain to see. Three turbulent years later, he had subdued seven kingdoms and forcibly conquered the five provinces, uniting the realm, before turning his elite troops toward Yan. On the day he stormed the palace gates, he killed no prisoners and seized not so much as a chicken or dog. The King of Yan sat upright, surveying him with a regal, imperious gaze, commanding respect without anger. Their eyes met. A trace of mischief and challenge made the golden steps and jade halls turn cold. Those phoenix eyes narrowed. Still using the title from old times, the king demanded sharply, “My son, are you going to kill me now?” Qin Zhao bent down and abruptly dropped to one knee. His old restraint had become arrogance, and years of honing had made his sharp features all the more ruthless, but the tenderness at his lips turned into a smile. “I'm afraid... I couldn't bear to.” “Oh?” “Ten miles of palace grounds, a phoenix crown and bridal robes, chests full of gold, silver, and jewels, plus a seal as a betrothal token.” Qin Zhao smiled brilliantly. “I... have come to escort you home as my bride.” Early story: A hostage prince top who plays pitiful and seeks affection every day to win his father's love × a stepfather bottom who acts cold but is warm inside, doting on the child Later story: A wolfish emperor top who pretends to be obedient and feigns sleep × an aloof, formidable and beautiful imprisoned phoenix emperor bottom Reader's Notes: ■The setting is a parallel Spring and Autumn period. Titles and political map are author-created. The two leads are not related in any way. When a hostage is sent to another state, he calls its ruler “Father King.” ■All affairs of state are decided by Yan Heng, and power remains in his hands throughout. The bottom will not become a retired emperor; he will remain the Son of Heaven. ■Mutual pampering|Their feelings are strong and mutual, but they express love differently|Both grow|Love and hate|Seven-year age gap|Younger top|Two strong leads|One partner physically and emotionally|Please bookmark the author's work [bowing.jpg]. Same name on Weibo: Qianbei Zhuo Other works: (Author's ad space =3 Smooch~) ■Complete, Snow Across My Lapels: Taciturn, burly, loyal dog-like roughneck top × powerful, sadistic queen bottom | The prince is responsible for all the wounds on his bodyguard (not really) ■Coming soon, The Crane Calls in the Shade: Younger top and older bottom | Pretend father and son, actually master and student | Brutal, autocratic emperor top with many wicked schemes × stern-faced, devoted imperial tutor bottom (He was so smart and talented, but grew up crooked) ■Coming soon, The Sunken Sword of Loulan: Domineering, forceful, robust, unhinged top × resourceful, battle-scarred, beautiful and formidable bottom | A younger sister sent off for a political marriage gets detained (After I was injured in battle, did my arch-enemy start obeying my every command?) Theme: Cultivate oneself, keep one's family in order, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.