Your Majesty, Stop Pretending: The Empress Knows You’re Faking It

[An ancient-style marriage-first, love-later romance: a scheming, lovestruck yandere tyrant x a sunny, healing, straightforward empress, with an age gap] Chi Xinian pacified Xizhou and quelled the northern rebellions, dutifully leading the Chi family's iron cavalry in battle for Great Jing for six years. Yet just as the realm was at peace, the emperor grew wary of her, and she had no choice but to enter the palace as his bride, bringing her military authority with her. Everyone thought she had it rough. They said all her life's achievements had come to nothing, and that the emperor's favor was merely a mirage bought with military power. But holding her jade-like fingers and gazing at her lovely face beside him, Chi Xinian felt that six years of hard work had been well worth it for the chance to win the favor of such an unattainable beauty. Yan Chujing had an ulterior motive, so he had to put on a gentle face and play his part. He would thoughtfully blow on Chi Xinian's hot tea to cool it, prepare a hand warmer for her when the weather turned cold, and always stand by her side to support her. Whenever Chi Xinian teased him for acting too insincerely, he would look aggrieved and say, “How can the empress doubt My sincerity?” Yan Chujing had always thought his plan to make her empress, seize her military power, and keep the Chi family in check was brilliant. He had never thought there was any genuine affection between him and Chi Xinian. But watching her get along with the people in the palace and win everyone's affection left him unusually vexed. Later, he even discovered that he was the least favored member of her little harem!