Pei Rong was the eldest young master of the Northern Garrison General's residence. When he was seventeen, he learned that his birth mother had once been a courtesan at the Chunxiang Brothel.
The scandal spread throughout the capital. Pei Rong became a thorn in his father's side and a target of his mother's resentment. The soldiers thought he knew nothing of strategy or martial arts, and even his closest friends stopped seeing him.
Heartbroken and disillusioned, Pei Rong decided to leave the general's residence. But when he went to the ancestral hall to say goodbye, he saw everyone surrounding Pei Luan, who had just been welcomed back into the family, and showering him with praise.
The newly crowned top scholar wore a crimson official robe. Though he had grown up in a brothel, he was handsome and poised. With him around, no one cared that Pei Rong was leaving. Only Pei Luan asked for permission to keep him there.
Pei Rong had never studied, but he couldn't bear being humiliated either. He stormed out in a huff, yet Pei Luan gently persuaded him to join the Iron Cavalry Camp for training.
At first, Pei Rong was fairly obedient. But the soldiers often teamed up to tease him for his fair skin and pretty looks, saying he was just like a girl. Furious and on the verge of tears, he had only Pei Luan to help him get revenge. Pei Luan even taught him to write and practice martial arts.
So Pei Rong came to think he had misjudged him.
Later, Pei Luan was given an aphrodisiac. Clumsily, Pei Rong helped him overcome its effects, then cried all night. Heartbroken for him, Pei Luan introduced him to the Imperial Academy, helped him befriend the teachers, praised him to everyone at home and beyond, and even helped him become the Crown Prince's adviser.
At some point, Pei Rong began to blush whenever he looked at Pei Luan, and Pei Luan would gaze at him tenderly too. That night, Pei Rong was as docile as ever, but when he woke, sore all over, he was in the Imperial Prison.
It turned out the general's residence had been raided that night, and as the eldest son, he was exiled to Lingnan.
In the darkness, Pei Luan laughed and chatted with the Second Prince. Pei Rong cried out and demanded an explanation, but the Second Prince grew impatient and casually killed him.
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The emperor was gravely ill, and the court had submitted to the Second Prince. The general's residence followed Pei Luan's lead. The Crown Prince returned anxiously to the Eastern Palace, where he finally received good news: the commander of the Iron Cavalry Camp had woken after falling unconscious with a high fever.
The Crown Prince wept like a child. "My son..."
Pei Rong was certain he had died, but when he opened his eyes, he was alive.
The Crown Princess scolded the Crown Prince. "You're far too softhearted. How can you claim the throne like that? Stop crying."
She held Pei Rong in her arms and comforted him tenderly. The Crown Prince grinned foolishly and decided to hold a grand banquet to celebrate the heir's recovery.
At the banquet, Pei Luan looked as if he had been struck by lightning when he saw Pei Rong. When Pei Rong stepped out to relieve himself, Pei Luan followed him all the way behind a rock garden, only for Pei Rong to slap him hard across the face.
Pei Rong ran back to the banquet in tears and hid in his Crown Prince father's arms. He watched the young man in purple robes and a jade belt kneel beneath the golden steps, staring at him with eyes that seemed to weep blood.
Pei Rong ignored him.
He would make Pei Luan pay for every drop of blood.
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The protagonist will live a life of wealth and privilege as a prince. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess love him dearly, and he...
Theme: May you be loved, or learn to love yourself, and have a happy, warm life.