After Being Reborn, He Only Wants to Stay Away from the Emperor

[A stoic, hardheaded top who only wants to run away vs. a gloomy, manipulative little tease bottom who only wants to keep the chancellor]

*

In his previous life, Li Jian was a wise and respected imperial tutor, a powerful minister who held sway over the court, and the person the young emperor depended on and loved most.

At least, that's what Li Jian thought.

But overnight, the emperor's favor turned, and the powerful minister fell from grace.

Only then did Li Jian realize that the young emperor had wanted to tear him limb from limb all along. How could he ever have loved him?

Despite his unwillingness to accept it, after ten years as a minister, Li Jian endured endless torment before taking his own life in prison...

*

When he opened his eyes again, the delicate, young emperor was sitting by his bed, trembling as he stared at him?

Li Jian had... been reborn!!

Reborn at the exact moment the emperor was about to turn eighteen and get married, when Li Jian, overcome with jealousy, had held him and kissed him...

Did he really have to be reborn at this exact moment?! Did he really have to go and kiss him?! Did he really have to let the emperor find out about his improper feelings?

*

To save his life, Li Jian thought of nothing but resigning and running away every day at court.

He tried to resign once, twice, three times... The young emperor got angry and gave Li Jian's thigh a hard pinch. "You kissed me, Chancellor Li, and now you want to run? You have to take responsibility for me!"

Li Jian was on the verge of tears. "I never kissed you... I didn't! And even if I did, it was in my past life. I don't remember it anymore!"

"Take responsibility!"

"Your Majesty..." Li Jian's thigh hurt, and he stammered, trembling, "Actually, I was drunk that night... I mistook you for someone else."

"Is that so?" The young emperor smiled faintly. "I knew you wouldn't admit it! In that case, let's get drunk again!"

*

When Li Jian opened his eyes again, the young emperor was lying naked in his bed!

It's over! The sky is falling!

He'd slept with the emperor again!!!

What should he do? Would the young emperor sentence him to castration?

Reading Guide:

1. This is a fictional setting. Don't overanalyze it; the focus is on romance.

2. A bittersweet push and pull: he runs, the other chases, and he can't escape.

3. This story includes fantasy elements and explores the reason for the rebirth.

4. I won't abandon a story once I've started writing it, so read with confidence.

Theme: When love runs deep, there are no regrets.