Long version:
The emperor is in the prime of his life, yet frail. In the three years since his ascension, he has been ill for all three. His close courtier, Kong Juan, uses this as an excuse to take charge of the government. Ruthless and decisive, he enters and leaves the inner palace as if it were his own home.
Rumor has it that when Kong Juan is tired, he dares to lie on the emperor's bed, and when angry, he dares to strip the emperor. Several times, he has driven the young emperor into such a desperate corner that he could only sleep in a side hall, enduring abuse until he was reduced to skin and bones.
The people of the realm grieve that the emperor is trapped in the inner palace and hate Kong Juan for wielding such power. Once, a loyal official dared to accuse him before the emperor, only to be executed on the spot.
As the man's head rolled away, blood splashed across the beaded curtain. Under the horrified gazes of the onlookers, Kong Juan leisurely mounted the steps, arrogantly blocking everyone's view with his body.
He knelt on the ground, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the blood from the emperor's boot. Smiling, he said slowly, "The traitor has been executed. Your Majesty, do not be afraid."
The emperor was terrified and did not dare utter a word.
-
In everyone's eyes, Yan Yu is a puppet in Kong Juan's hands and the most spineless emperor of the dynasty. He has no power whatsoever, must get Kong Juan's approval for everything he wants to do, and has no control over what he eats, wears, or where he lives. At any moment, Kong Juan might kill him and seize the throne.
No one knows that the puppet emperor and the treacherous minister currently in power share a far from ordinary relationship in private.
The frail emperor, his clothes in disarray, kicks the powerful minister who climbed into his bed off the dragon throne, then smashes a wine cup against his head, sneering and taunting him viciously: "I never thought you were so disgusting, Minister Kong. Do the people outside know you prefer men and spend every night trying to climb into the imperial bed?!"
Kong Juan merely sighs and rests his face in Yan Yu's palm, perfectly composed.
"...Your Majesty."
"The outsiders also don't know... that for three whole years, you have spent every night beneath this sinner, begging for pleasure."
Short version:
Many years ago, in a snowy field, the young crown prince lifted the curtain of his carriage and happened to see a slave collapsed by the roadside. Moved by compassion, he took him back and taught him poetry, books, etiquette, and the classics.
Many years later, ruler and subject face each other across a curtain, as cold as ice and frost, like enemies who hate one another.
Time flies by, and so much time has passed that even they themselves are about to forget.
Once, after all, they talked by candlelight late into the night and admired one another... They never had to look at each other with hatred.
● Frail, hot-tempered beauty of an emperor, bottom x beautiful, obsessive top with power over the court
● A tragic, intense love story of hatred and passion, with angst, physical and emotional torment, and all the classic melodrama... Written to indulge my own tastes. Writing it was cathartic.
● I plan to let loose with this one, so there are no content warnings. I know I ship a couple who are each other's first love, made for each other and destined to be together. Readers with strong preferences about their ships may want to stay away.
Theme: Those who do not understand me ask what I seek
Burying the White Bones
A Collection of Musings
The Sleeping Beauty's Funeral Offering
I Lay My Sword at Your Pillow and Pray for Peace [Reborn]
I'm a Sword Cultivator with No Feelings [Outline]
Pearl Red on a Beauty's Bones
After Being Kidnapped by the Great Demon
The Immortal Lord Once Practiced the Heartless Dao