[A story about joining hands with the heir of an enemy state to preserve peace]
[Melancholy, sickly marquis who is the bottom x pure-hearted, loyal foreign heir who is the top]
After three years adrift, Qi Mushan, the son of a disgraced official, is finally cleared of his family's name when the new emperor reopens the case. But in his fifth year as Marquis of Jing'an, he is framed and left with a chronic illness.
Though he hasn't long to live, at least he has nothing left to worry about in this life... right?
In a forest on the border, Qi Mushan, on a diplomatic mission as an envoy, happens upon Mu Xuanji, heir to Nanming, who has come to investigate a case. At just one glance, his heart jolts. That face looks just like the childhood friend who once haunted his dreams.
Trying to suppress his racing heart, he asks tentatively, “Did you ever live in Wanping?”
But the reply is a calm, “No. I've never left my hometown.”
...He really must be muddled from illness. That boy died eight years ago.
Never mind. At least it isn't him. That will make it easier to leave this world when the time comes.
But later, when his illness takes a turn for the worse and he lies at death's door, Mu Xuanji kneels by his bed, gripping his hand tightly. With reddened eyes, he murmurs hoarsely, “Mushan, don't leave me...”
-
Mu Xuanji was taken hostage as a boy. After faking his death to escape, he returned to his homeland and reclaimed his position as heir.
Everyone assumes he'll hate the state of Zhao, and that his brief affair with the frail man from Zhao is nothing more than a fleeting romance. Surely he'll tire of him soon.
Who could have expected that six months later, the heir still wouldn't be tired of him, and would even chase him all the way to Zhao?
Hey, that's an enemy state!
[Reading Guide]
1. At first, the top thinks the bottom hasn't recognized him, so he's pretending not to know him.
2. Not everyone is hostile toward the other country.
3. The bottom is frail but has a remarkably strong will.
4. Both leads are somewhat beloved by everyone in their respective countries. Some side characters may have one-sided crushes, but the two leads only have eyes for each other.
5. The plot and romance are split about evenly. Please go easy on the elementary-school-level mystery and political scheming.
6. His illness can be cured. Happy ending!
Theme: After hardship comes sweetness. Love life, and love yourself even more
Okay, you know, I was laughing so hard that my nose bleeds [covering my face and crying] Mu Xuanji met a top-notch succubus at the banquet hall, and after thinking about it, he tried his best and couldn't resist 🌈
What love words are the young couple whispering, let me listen too 😳😳 Xuanji is showing off her flowers and trying to attract Mushan's attention 😳
"Master! Stop writing!" Jiang Yanchi knelt down by the desk, almost pleading, "It's just a reply, and it's already the third day!" I can't stand it. It's so funny. Who knew that one second Xiao Qi was still saying "something big happened" and the next second he saw this paragraph of redemption. It's so funny. Help me. It takes three days to write a letter.
It's just a matter of your will! The sweetness makes me faint [Fanfan]
People of minority languages cannot stand this kind of bargaining with foreign languages [angry]
The ending is so beautiful that I cried.
Finished scattering flowers 🧋 🧋 🧋 From now on, the country has peace and the heart has something to rely on.
The final plot is cute [touch your head]
What the princess said was what Mushan once said to Xuanji, right?[Purple Sugar]kswl
I accidentally broke into Tianjia...