The Little Prince

Huo Yu took up arms with his father and elder brother, men of humble origins. He fought through years of chaos and warfare, and by the time he ascended the throne, more than ten years had passed.

His friends and family had all died in battle. The only one left was the young son of his sworn elder brother, his last remaining comfort.

He vowed to raise his little nephew well, watch him marry and have children, then entrust this vast empire to him. That way, when he met his late brother and sister-in-law in the afterlife, he would be able to face them.

Damn those eminent scholars who taught him. What had they taught his well-behaved darling? Somehow, the boy had learned to climb into his imperial bed.

The youth nestled beneath the brocade quilt, showing only one smooth shoulder. His long black hair spilled loose around a lovely, radiant face.

This was the treasure Huo Yu had cradled in his hands and raised like a precious jewel. He couldn't, and shouldn't, harbor even the slightest improper thought about him.

But one day, the youth stood before him with red-rimmed eyes. "Since Imperial Uncle doesn't love me, please grant your nephew permission to marry Zheng Yu, the top-ranked graduate. After the wedding, I'll move out of the palace and establish my own residence."

Huo Yu's face darkened. He crushed the jade pendant in his hand.

What sort of nobody dared lay a hand on his person!

*

After Pei An's parents died, Huo Yu took him in and raised him by his side.

When Pei An was little, he cried at night. Huo Yu would hold him and soothe him while deploying troops in the military tent.

Later, when the realm was unified and Huo Yu became emperor, Pei An became a prince second only to the emperor, The Outcast.

He had sat on the emperor's throne and slept in the emperor's bed.

The emperor gave all his affection to him alone. Huo Yu had even openly said that one day he would hand the imperial seal to Pei An.

But Pei An didn't want any of that.

At some point, he had developed feelings for his uncle.

He didn't want the realm. He wanted to be Huo Yu's empress.

But when Huo Yu learned how he felt, his gaze turned suddenly cold, and for the first time, he berated Pei An harshly.

Pei An cried in private, wiped his tears, then turned around and petitioned for an imperial decree to marry the top-ranked graduate, Zheng Yu.

The emperor, who had once gone on and on about moral principles and the boundaries between uncle and nephew, now sat high on the throne, his face dark, his gaze ominous and full of possessiveness as he stared at Pei An.

"I forbid it!"

*

Prince Chen had a huge argument with His Majesty and insisted on moving out of the palace.

The emperor was livid, but he still had the old residence renovated, opened the imperial treasury, and sent out a steady stream of treasures, afraid Prince Chen might be even slightly uncomfortable in his new home.

The secret guards sent reports to the palace three times a day.

What Prince Chen had for breakfast, whether he ate well. Where he had lunch, which restaurant he went to, whether it was clean. Whose banquet he attended that night, whom he spoke to the most, and how many times he smiled at someone.

On the fifth day, the emperor could finally take no more and went in person to the prince's residence.

Prince Chen was no longer as carefree as before. He was dignified and courteous, every word and action measured. Seeing this only made the emperor's expression grow darker.

The emperor dismissed everyone else and strode over. He took Prince Chen's hand, squeezed it gently, and lowered his voice. "You've lost weight, darling. Stop being mad at me and come back to the palace."

The youth withdrew his hand and smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. But I am your nephew, and truly shouldn't remain in the inner palace."

"We must observe proper etiquette. I wouldn't dare overstep."

The emperor's expression turned utterly grim in an instant.

*Bonus Scene

"You wore a black jade pendant yesterday, and today Zheng Yu's wearing a black ring. What, did you two plan it together?"

Pei An was speechless at the accusation.

But Huo Yu only grew more worked up. He wrapped an arm around Pei An's waist, tightening his hold again and again, then turned his head and gently nibbled Pei An's earlobe.

"Don't see him again."

Pei An was furious and wanted to kick him, but Huo Yu had left him weak in the waist and legs, without a bit of strength.

His lips had been kissed swollen too, all red and pouty.

Huo Yu held him close and bent his head to peck at him again and again.

"Good boy, you're mine."

(Formerly a paternal, old-fashioned founding emperor who becomes an obsessive romantic top x spoiled, sunny little prince bottom)

*

Theme: Struggling onward