The dark, yandere emperor Pei Junshu, top x the gentle, refined chancellor Song Qingli, bottom
Song Qingli had cared about the people and dreamed big ever since he was a child. But the ruler was incompetent and treacherous officials held sway. He thought it was time to do something.
He gathered allies, forced the ruler to abdicate, and put a new emperor on the throne.
Everyone was his pawn, including the new emperor, Pei Junshu.
This was a pawn he'd carefully selected and raised from childhood.
He could see the ambition in Pei Junshu's eyes, and willingly helped him become Crown Prince and eventually ascend the throne.
He had raised Pei Junshu himself, and understood him. That was why he was willing to kneel as his subject and help him defend the realm.
"Am I a pawn to you, too? Have you ever felt even the slightest affection for me?"
Song Qingli didn't know when their relationship had changed into something else. He couldn't answer that kind of question.
To Pei Junshu, his silence was as good as an admission. In truth, he didn't need Song Qingli to answer. He already knew.
If that was the case, why should he continue to spare him?
From then on, their contest played out not only in the court, but in the bedchamber as well.
He hated how indifferent Song Qingli seemed, and was even more afraid of that indifference.
"Look, Teacher." Pei Junshu brushed aside Song Qingli's sweat-dampened hair. "Some things are best taught in person."
Song Qingli didn't answer. Instead, he closed his eyes.
Pei Junshu wasn't annoyed. He blew softly beside Song Qingli's ear and watched the tips of his ears turn completely red.
"Chancellor, is this pawn of mine... useful?"
Song Qingli was a ruthless man, especially toward him.
But Pei Junshu had never imagined Song Qingli could be this ruthless.
When an enemy nation invaded, Song Qingli was captured, but no trace of fear showed on his face.
The wind was so strong that day, it seemed to blow his tears out of him, too.
Standing atop the city wall, he looked at his beloved, whose body was covered in wounds after being tortured by the enemy, yet he couldn't bring himself to release the arrow in his hand.
The man stood in the wind, his hair tousled. His voice was calm.
"Your Majesty, do you remember what I taught you?"
The arrow remained in Pei Junshu's hand, unfired. He looked at Song Qingli, whose figure gradually overlapped with the image of the young man who had once tutored him.
The arrow shot through the wind.
He knew what his beloved, who cared for all the people, wanted him to do. In the end, he could only choke back his sobs and learn to be just as ruthless as his teacher.
The arrow pierced Song Qingli's heart.
Pei Junshu's aim was still true.
Song Qingli's lips curved into a smile of relief.
"Everything is for the people of the realm..."
Theme: For the country and its people
