The Emperor's Trusted Aide

Wu Xiaorong is a hardworking farmer.

He was handsome, literate, and trained in martial arts. If his family hadn't been dirt poor, matchmakers would have worn a path to his door.

One late night, his eldest brother, who had joined the army, suddenly returned alone, bringing with him a refined young man.

"The fighting at the border is fierce. Xiao He lost his whole family. He'll stay with us from now on. Take good care of him until your big brother comes back."

Wu Xiaorong looked at his brother's armor, caked in blood, and asked anxiously, "Brother, are things all right for you in the army?"

"Don't worry, everything's fine." His brother tossed him a brand-new silver spear. "I'm leaving. Take care of yourself. If the fighting reaches here, take Xiao He and head south. Understand?"

Wu Xiaorong nodded and watched his brother leave.

Beneath the still darkness of night, he looked at the unfamiliar young man and quietly held out his hand. "I'm Wu Xiaorong. I'm eighteen this year."

"I'm Xiao He. I'm twenty-two." The young man smiled, exceptionally gentle. Wu Xiaorong had never met anyone so graceful and serene. He immediately made a solemn promise: "Don't worry. I'll look after you from now on."

Ten years later, the peerless General Wu returned to the capital in triumph.

The emperor, seated high upon the dragon throne, looked down at the figure kneeling motionless below and suddenly remembered the bamboo-fenced courtyard destroyed in the chaos of war.

The emperor asked, "General Wu, you've won a great victory. What reward would you like?"

Wu Xiaorong did not raise his head. "I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant me permission to retire and return to my hometown."

The whole court erupted in an uproar.

Three days later, the general was fined three months' salary and ordered to remain at home in reflection for showing disrespect to the emperor. The emperor himself came to deliver the imperial decree.

"General, do you have any complaints?"

"I wouldn't dare."

"Good, then."

The emperor dismissed the attendants, closed the door, removed his court robes, and let down his hair, revealing pale, smooth skin. He called softly, "Husband."

The loyal, valiant general Wu Xiaorong (gong) and the seductive, poisonous beauty Zhao Heyai, aka Xiao He (shou).

The shou is a little twisted, and there are scenes where he effectively keeps the gong confined, but when he's not losing it, he's extremely nurturing (wipes mouth).

Theme: Wait for me to claim the kingdom and offer it to you, beloved.