The Emperor Raised His Future Minister by Hand

* Both are reborn

* Feudal patriarchal emperor vs. pampered, pleasure-loving spouse

Gu Wuyu inherited the title of Duke of the First Rank while still young. He enjoyed the emperor's favor and ruled over ten thousand households. His starting point was something others could only dream of reaching in a lifetime.

The current emperor, Xiao Mingxuan, was nine years older than him. He taught him to ride and shoot, taught him to read and write, and set aside the dignity of the Son of Heaven to hum lullabies to him at night.

He was the emperor, and also the beloved man Gu Wuyu looked upon with adoration.

Then everything changed overnight.

A rebellion by former subordinates led, after investigation, to Gu Wuyu.

Gu Wuyu was confident the emperor would believe him. He thought he only had to cooperate with the Court of Judicial Review and go through the motions in prison.

But once he entered that prison, there was no way out.

Rumors spread that the Gu family had grown too powerful, threatening the throne, and that the emperor's rewards had only been a way to lull them into a false sense of security before wiping out the Gu family and its former subordinates. Now it was time to close the net.

That cup of poisoned wine was so cold...

Gu Wuyu opened his eyes and found himself back at the height of his glory.

The man on the throne beckoned him over, called him close, and drew him into his familiar embrace, letting him sit in his lap.

"Whatever Wuyu wants, I'll give him."

The emperor's voice was warm and tender.

But Gu Wuyu trembled with fear. "Your Majesty, please set me free."

He could no longer read the man at his side, who had spent so long in the seat of power.

He would never again dare to give his whole heart to anyone.

The night Gu Wuyu died, snow fell until morning.

Xiao Mingxuan stood beneath the covered walkway all night.

He had personally raised Gu Wuyu to power, stood in the cold position of an emperor, played his political games, then sent him crashing into the dirt in a single night.

But he had never intended to take Gu Wuyu's life.

Thankfully, he had returned to the year before it all happened.

He thought, this time, he would dote on him for the rest of his life.

But the fear in that young man's eyes pierced his heart.

He would make those who hurt him pay.

But he would not give him freedom.

He would give him power, status, and support, and make him a true minister whose influence reached across the court.

Theme: Be the brightest star