In the capital, Elvark, there stands the 13-floor hotel built in Hanok style. I am Master Ruby from Midnight Blue Hotel.... more>>

…….. and the innkeeper #1 eliminated by the Villainous Top.

‘That could be me!’

「Crawl. And Swallow My Desire」. This place is the world of a BL webnovel with such a title.

“I can’t die like that. I’ll live until the time I poop on the wall.”

But it’s not easy.

The head of the rebel forces, the Villainous Top, is scheming treason in my hotel.

***

“Please tell me what you want. I shall have it placed into your hands.”

“Anything?”

“Anything. My Master Ruby.”

The head of the rebel forces and the Villainous Top, Eligos. There was something I want from him.

“Eligos. Stop the rebellion. You cannot become the Emperor.”

“In return, there is also something I want.”

Eligos, whose arm was wrapped around me, slowly stooped his head down, and we closely sensed each other’s breath. His firm fingers dazedly rubbed my lower lips. The moment I looked at Eligos with reddened eyes, his arm that had been on my waist tightened. Eligos, who laid me down on the bed in an instant, gave me a beautiful smile.

“Ruby. I wish for you to have me tonight.” <<less

Died in the end times war, reborn as a commoner's daughter in an ancient official's family. The family scheming belongs to others, the fighting for favor belongs to others. Li Xia's daily routine is just asking for monthly allowances from her auntie to spend on eating, drinking, watching opera, and living a carefree life.... more>>

After accidentally saving someone during the Lantern Festival, Li Xia's carefree life is gone. During the day, she is a young lady of an official's house who does not step out of the main or secondary gates, at night, she turns into a righteous hero who punishes villains and eliminates evils. <<less

Qin Zheng transmigrated into the role of the Princess Consort,... more>>

but Qin Zheng, an engineer dispatched to a foreign country, didn't get the script for a palace drama, nor did she have the chance to experience the luxurious life of a Princess Consort.

Because, the nation had perished.

A eunuch held three feet of white silk and said, "Your Highness, the city has fallen. Please leave with dignity."

Qin Zheng: "..."

What kind of beginning was this?

In order to avoid being forced to commit su*cide, Qin Zheng had no choice but to go to the bed of her half-dead husband, the Crown Prince, and pretend to be deeply affectionate, shedding a few tears to delay time.

Emperor Chu Chengji, founder of the Great Chu Dynasty, was valiant and skilled in warfare.

He conquered the northern barbarians and drove out the southern savages, ushering in the prosperous era of Xuan Chu.

He spent his entire life in battles, without a wife or concubines.

Consequently, after his premature death, only a young scion from a collateral branch was selected to succeed him.

He departed during the peak of his prosperous reign, only to open his eyes and find himself at the time of his nation's demise!

He was reincarnated as the current Crown Prince, his own nephew of many generations.

Learning that the territory he had opened up in the past was directly lost, the Emperor of the founding dynasty couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.

How useless were these descendants?

Back then, he could establish this long-standing empire single-handedly, and today, he could rebuild it!

As for this stunningly beautiful Princess Consort, who cried so pitifully in front of him, the Emperor of the founding dynasty was extremely disdainful:

"Women would only hinder his speed of restoration!"

Later, the Emperor of the founding dynasty would knock on the door of the Pepper Room every night and ask, "Azhen, can I come back to sleep?" <<less

One night, Oscar picked up the key to a safe he had once desperately searched for. The person who came with it became a living key was a woman, extraordinary in every aspect. Her tearful eyes, naive actions, even her name and appearance. The woman was oddly irritating. He was even displeased at having to ponder how to describe that irritation. So, he wanted to temporarily put it out of sight, in a place where it couldn't be seen.... more>>

“I... want to be by your side.”

It was too ridiculous to be sincere, and far too pathetic to be temptation.

Therefore, the one who was ensnared was undoubtedly an idiot.

Even when subjected to all kinds of insults, the woman approached until the end. On those small, soft palms, which knew no calluses, Oscar von Reinhardt was played with.

So, I must hold you accountable.

To you, who never had sincerity, not even for a single moment.

Until the very end...

To you, who even hid your name from me,

I will hold you accountable, very cruelly.

Oscar von Reinhardt – The head of the Reinhardt dukedom, with black curly hair and blue eyes. He owns the railway that crosses the Norfolk continent and the largest steel company on the continent. He is willing to do anything for his goals, even if it means kissing the back his enemy’s hand. He has brought his ruined family back to prominence through extreme efficiency. Therefore, he spurns himself for falling for the wiles of such ridiculous seduction, nor can he forgive the woman who made him feel this way.

Han Seo Ah – A mixed-race individual with brown hair and brown eyes. She has been an outsider from the moment she formed her first memory. Her appearance stands out, to the point she is suspicious of her birth. The starting point of her sin was when she came into existence. Therefore, she wishes to atone for all her wrongdoings; to her grandfather, and to that man whose mere presence makes her heart flutter. <<less

“I can help you become anything you want. What is it that you desire the most?” he asked with a soft voice while sweeping the hair from her forehead.... more>>

“You really thought that I’d sincerely embrace someone as lowly as you?”

Embarrassed, she avoided his gaze and clenched her hands until they turned white.

“Even your thoughts are silly. You are well aware of my identity…”

“Yes, I know.”

“Then say it. Who am I?”

The hand that was playing with her hair traveled down past her chin and ended up around her throat. Testing the strength of his grip, he slowly started applying more pressure and forced her to look at him. Her breathing became painful as he lifted her up by the neck until her heels raised slightly from the floor.

“I also hold your sister’s fate in the palm of my hand.”

He could see it in her eyes, something inside her had broken.

Her eyes, which once resembled the starry night sky, no longer held any stars.

As he watched the light in her eyes fade away, he relaxed his hands.

She wouldn’t try to escape him anymore. He knew this instinctively.

This feeling, which was similar to being doused in warm water, is definitely what he’s been craving.

It wasn’t anything like lust.

Yes, it was definitely a craving.

After he acknowledged his feelings, he began to desire to possess her entire world.

“If I can’t have you, I’ll ruin you.” <<less

As part of the imperial family, every move by Chu Yuan in this game of chess is made with apprehension, fearing that with a moment of inattentiveness, the whole match will be lost in a single move.... more>>

Ascending to the throne at eighteen, not half a year passes before civil strife erupts in Yun Nan. Though the thoughts of the old guard at the imperial court are not exactly identical, they are all waiting to see how the new emperor will put an end to this.

Unexpectedly, before this side could make a move, a few thousand miles away, the King of Xi Nan, Duan Bai Yue, had already personally commanded troops to attack in all directions; not half a year had passed when peace was restored.

Sparse moonlight shines into the palace; Chu Yuan stamped the wax seal himself, and had a secret letter sent urgently to Yun Nan 800 miles away — this time, what must we(1) give in exchange?

Brush marks passed through the back of the paper; it almost can be seen, when writing this line, how angry the young emperor was.

Duan Bai Yue spread out a piece of paper unhurriedly, replying with only one word.

You.

Note (1): Chu Yuan is using the royal ‘we’ here.

The Emperor’s Strategy is the fourth book in Yu Xiao Lan Shan’s Jianghu/Strategy series. Each book is standalone, but there are character cameos and mentions that don’t disrupt the flow of the main story of each book.

1st book: Everywhere in Jianghu is Wonderful
2nd book: The Jianghu is Full of Local Tyrants
3rd book: The Bandit’s Strategy
4th book: The Emperor’s Strategy
5th book: Return Together <<less

Where am I? So many zombies! What happened to me? What happened to this world?... more>>

"Ding! Divine Pick-Up System activated!"

"Ding! Picking up done! Obtained Power attribute*10!"

"Ding! Picking up done! Obtained Dominating World Lv1!"

"Ding! Picking up done! Obtained the Spatial Talent!"

After crossing over to the doomsday, Long Chen found out he could actually enhance himself by picking up the attributes that dropped by others. That's too amazing and incredible!

Strength can be picked up, speed can be picked up, defense can be picked up, even supernatural abilities, techniques, and martial skills can be picked up. Even the girls...

Haha, the girls still shall be pursued by himself. Anyway, it's impossible for him to go cultivate, impossible in the rest of his whole life. Only by picking up attributes can support his life.

How to survival in this doomsday? Whatever, I will become invincible by picking up. <<less

Grace, the third prince born in a country where force is used in a turbulent world, has been given a non-combat power gift called “World Library”.... more>>

Grace tries to explain his usefulness by using the knowledge of “World Library”, but he continues to be ridiculed by being compared with his two older brothers who have excellent fighting abilities such as “Kensei” and “Masei”. After continuing, he was banished to the undeveloped land.

Grace was forced to cultivate in a land full of demons with a few companions, but his fate changed drastically when he met a girl lying asleep in the ruins.

“Is this a golem?”

“I’m galatea … not a golem, a robot.”

He learned about the existence of knowledge from another world by touching a girl who calls herself a robot. As a result, He was able to know the knowledge of another world.

In this way, he mixes the knowledge of this world with the knowledge of a far more civilized world, mass-producing rifles, developing agriculture in ways that were unthinkable in the past, and the new Mythril alloy. He created metal and developed his territory at a non-standard speed, starting the “Industrial Revolution.” <<less

We follow the journey of Oliver, a young boy trapped in a life of emotional detachment, toiling away as a s*ave in a treacherous mine.... more>> However, everything changes when he stumbles upon the enigmatic realm of black magic, a profound study that delves into the very essence of human emotions. As Oliver delves deeper into the intricacies of this forbidden art, he begins to unearth a profound connection between the magical arts and the intricate tapestry of human sentiments. Through his exploration, Oliver’s own emotional landscape undergoes a profound transformation, stirring dormant feelings within him that he had long suppressed. <<less

After crossing over to Naruto World, Shiranui Yuuji found that there was an incomparably terrifying Godzilla in his body.... more>>

“You are Tailless Bijuu? Your chakra is astonishing…. What a coincidence, so am I.”

“You know Bijuu’s coat? I don’t have Bijuu’s coat, but I do have Godzilla Coat-”

“Bijuudama is terrifying!! It can destroy a mountain as soon as he sends it down?”

Hiss, that Bijuudama scared Yuuji, he quickly moved his hands to form seals,

“Nuclear Release – Atomic Breath!”

When Yuuji turned into Red lotus form, Godzilla pressed Nine-Tailed to the ground.

“Nine-Tailed, your strength is too strong. You need to be fried…”

Nine-Tailed, “?”

“What Jinchuriki are you exactly?” <<less

“I ask with all my heart. Please marry me.”... more>>

After his tragic death, the sidekick Prince Renato regressed to the past. He approached the Khan Kingdom’s diplomatic ambassador, grand prince Khalid, who helped him in his life before regression, to change the future.

Renato offered a contractual marriage with good conditions, and Khalid finally agreed to the marriage after much deliberation, but……

“I hate complicated things like a contract or a deal. So please let me ask you just one question.”

Renato’s answer at this moment would change everything. Khalid fixed his gaze on Renato and opened his mouth with a more serious expression than usual.

“Do you need my help?” <<less

I spent my life playing a game.
I hit the wall, stuck in second place for the rest of my life.... more>>

[Can you live as yourself, using your own nickname?]
DarkLord of Underworld: Even if a man can’t eat, he can survive!

Out of the blue, I received a message and was possessed by the game.
As the worthless son of an Underworld Boss!

“Yes, bloodline is also a power, as long as you can use it. My ability is ‘Famiglia’.”

The game addict never disappears. Overwhelming violence, endless wealth, connections in the other world. I, I’ll use anything to stay alive! <<less

If you had a diary that could predict the future.... more>>

How would you use it?

These words are written on the first page.

[Do not open this diary.]

[Unless you are mentally prepared for a terrible ending.]

These words are written on the second page.

At this moment, the black diary with two pages stuck to it is in Chu Jiang's hand. After careful consideration, he finally slowly opened the cover.

......

The world is experiencing a mysterious revival, with strange things and mysterious events happening everywhere. This is a story about a deceased person, it all begins with him obtaining a strange diary. <<less

At the beginning of the imminent doom, Lu Mi, who had crossed to a different world, was thrown directly into the abyss rift with hellish difficulty, with only a blank book in his hand——... more>>

[The Book of Solomon’s Keys]

[As long as the target voluntarily writes their name on this book, you can gain knowledge and abilities from the other party]

Looking at the monsters that filled the abyss, Lu Mi slowly revealed an apologetic and polite smile.

After a frenzy of upgrades, Lu Mi was finally able to leave the abyss and return to the outside world.

****

In the year 2277 of the new calendar, countless pitch black cracks appeared in various places, and monsters of all sizes poured out from the abyss behind the cracks.

As a result, the entire world entered an era of tyranny, and countless extraordinary beings emerged, causing the world to fall into madness.

Among the top tier monsters, there is a group that is particularly different – they are all looking for the owner of a book.

[He conquered us in the abyss, and we offered him all our names so that he could summon us at any time and use our abilities, knowledge, and power]

[But then he suddenly disappeared – We need to find him! We should find him! We will definitely find him]

[There is only one throne in the sky, and he is the only person qualified to compete for that position! We are his most loyal supporters]

At this time, Lu Mi was being interviewed for his new job at the newly established Extraordinary Guild——

Interviewer: “What is your opinion on the ‘Dominator of the Four Pillars’ and’ Lord of the Future Abyss’ mentioned by those monsters?

Lu Mi：“……？”

Who is that?

After all the trouble, I finally returned to a comfortable life. My pursuit for the rest of my life is to slack at work and have three insurances and one fund. Who is adding drama to me again! <<less

【 Pure-hearted doggie Alpha x Rich and powerful CEO Omega 】 ... more>>

Ran Hang is a conscientious Alpha. He has never lost his temper with anyone since he was a child. The most outrageous thing he ever did was provide a temporary mark for an Omega who unexpectedly went into heat that night.

The man was dressed in a suit and leather shoes, exuding an aura of aloofness and abstinence from head to toe, but a hint of redness could be seen at the corner of his eyes.

Ran Hang blushed as he heard the long-forgotten beatings of his heart.
This fleeting heartbeat lasted only ten minutes, as the other person stuffed him a sum of money and left without looking back.

It wasn't until the man sought him out again and handed Ran Hang a temporary marking contract that Ran Hang learned the man's name.

——Huo Siming.
The heir to a top-tier wealthy family who holds the reins of City A's business district.

·
It is well known to everyone that Huo Siming, the newly-appointed heir to the Huanyu Group, has a weird temperament and a deep-seated dislike for Alphas. One day, someone heard through gossip that a young Alpha had been seen entering and exiting Huo Siming's private residence. Everyone was stunned and speculated about how miserable the fate of this Alpha would be.

However, someone saw the Alpha not only sitting in Huo Siming's luxury car intact, but also snatching the cigarette from the other person's hand, "Mr. Huo, didn't you agree to quit smoking?"
Huo Siming's expression was gloomy, but he didn't say anything and even allowed the other person to kiss the corner of his mouth.

Everyone: ...Impressive.

.
Huo Siming hated the smell of all Alpha pheromones, except Ran Hang.
At first, he just wanted a stable temporary marking partner.

In the end, the other person became more and more controlling later on:
"Mr. Huo, skipping breakfast is not good for your health."
"Mr. Huo, drinking on an empty stomach is not good for your health."
"Mr. Huo, smoking is not good for your health..."

Huo Siming, unable to bear it any longer, wanted to say, "Who do you think you are to control me like this?" Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a reminder pop up on his phone—a to-do item: get the marriage certificate.

He had no choice but to suppress his anger temporarily and take the person to get it done first.

Almost forgot.
He would have to tolerate him for a lifetime.

.
Gong is a 20-year-old male university student who is 188 cm in height and has eight-pack abs. He has a rather puppy-like personality, blushes easily, but is capable.
Shou is a real domineering boss with a bad temper.
【The synopsis might be adjusted, or it might just stay like this if I don't feel like doing so】

Reading guide:
1. Self-written, sweet story, 1v1, sc
2. Perspectives serve the plot (and more to cater to the author's preferences xp), be cautious if you prefer gong-centric or shou-centric stories!
3. Neither the main text nor the extras involve childbirth

Content tags: Qiangqiang, fantasy space, devotion to only one person, sweet story, relaxed

One-sentence summary: Pure-hearted doggie vs. Rich and powerful CEO

Intention: Work hard and create a better future <<less

Jiang Hao, who is a high school student, was struggling for his college entrance exam...... more>>

However, this day, a super decomposition system appears in front of him suddenly.

By decomposing different kinds of items, he can unlock and use any types of talented abilities, even the power of controlling the time and space.

"Ding! Decomposing a math book, obtained one crystallization of mathematics!"

"Ding! Decomposing an ant, obtained the ability: Superpower!"

"Ding! Decomposing a spider, obtained the ability: Danger Sense!"

"Ding! Decomposing a female ghost, obtained the ability: Divine Footwork!"

......

From that moment on, Jiang Hao began his journey of adventuring this world. This strange world wasn't simple as he thought.

With the Super Decomposition System's help, he explored the truth of world step by step, and unlock the secret in the deep. <<less

“Introduce yourself!”... more>>

The smile on Aoba’s face slowly converged, and he became extremely serious, which made his face in the shadow of the backlight even more terrifying.

“My name is Yamanaka Aoba, fourteen years old and live in the Anbu dormitory. I work in the Konohagakure Intelligence Division, I have no sense of existence and live an ordinary quiet life every day…”

Aoba transmigrated to the world of Naruto, became an ordinary Yamanaka clan member. Due to his frail body, the clan arranged for him to become Anbu in the Konohagakure Intelligence Division and conduct mind-reading interrogation work.

When he didn’t know how to pass the level, he awakened the Mind Reading System. Not only could he read memory, but he could also get rewards!

Aoba learned from the memories of those who need to be interrogated that the ninja world was far more dangerous than he imagined, so he decided to grow wretchedly in the Konohagakure Intelligence Division and would never waver before becoming invincible ninja world.

This is a story of an ordinary person who lives in the world of Naruto! <<less

Jin Runcandel is the youngest son of the greatest Swordmaster. After he gets himself kicked out of their clan, he meets a tragic fate…but before he dies, a God gives him a second chance. Now he must use his new power for good.... more>>

Will Jin become the world’s strongest Swordmaster and live up to his greatest potential? <<less

The Dark River, capable of assassinating royalty and nobility in the court and wiping out powerful sects in the wild, is the most feared organization of assassins in the martial world. However, the Patriarch, the leader of the Dark River, is aging and gradually losing control over the organization. During a mission to kill the Second Master of the Tang Clan, the Patriarch is severely injured. Several faction leaders within the Dark River send out assassins, attempting to kill the Patriarch, while the Patriarch seeks out physicians to prolong his life. This race against time, concerning life and death and the future of the assassin organization, begins. Fate brings two young men, who crawled out... more>> of the piles of corpses and share a deep bond, to stand on opposite sides...

This is also a prequel novel but is set after Shao Nian Bai Ma, approximately 8 years before the start of Shao Nian Ge Xing. <<less

An ambitious man walking on a path of tactics that are filled with sharp knives,... more>>

A nobody cutting his way through thistles and thorns on a path of salvation,

A scholar-official who is always vigilant during his journey of managing disorders.

An idealist who is ready to risk any danger to reach his goals during his journey of salvation.

This is a story about power and conspiracy, the battlefield of the imperial court, love and hate, ideals and beliefs first broken and then established. <<less

As a self-professed no-lifer, Yuri idles his days away in front of a computer. This all changes the moment his life in Japan comes to... more>> an abrupt end and he finds himself reborn in the strange new world of the Shiyalta Kingdom. His new life includes everything he once lacked: loving parents, a comfortable home, and a promising future breeding and raising birds on his dad’s ranch. For centuries, the kingdom he now calls home has enjoyed peace and prosperity, shielded by friendly nations that, like Shiyalta itself, were established with the collapse of a once-great empire. War is a distant problem, relevant only to Shiyalta’s ruling families whose warriors periodically set out to join the fighting upon massive birds trained by Yuri’s dad and others. But this peaceful existence can’t last forever. Something rotten lies at the heart of the kingdom, and it doesn’t take someone with Yuri’s exceptional intelligence to realize that those distant battles will only remain irrelevant for so long. <<less

[Mind Reading + Pet of the Group + Transmigration into a Book + System + Pretending to be Weak to Strike Powerful Enemies + Cannon Fodder’s Counterattack]... more>>

Xiao Chuchu transmigrated with a palace scheming system and foreknowledge about the future into the early-passing cannon fodder princess in the book.

Her Father Emperor would be poisoned to death, her Mother Consort forced to die in burial with Father Emperor, her elder brother and entire maternal family – loyal officials – would meet cruel fates!

The Xiao Dynasty would soon be destroyed under the new Emperor’s hand.

[Mother Consort ah, you did not fight or snatch, yet still incurred the jealousy of the Imperial Noble Consort, who issued an order for you to be buried alive with Father Emperor!]

[Elder brother ah, accomplished in both civil and military affairs, yet still viewed with suspicion by the new Emperor after Father Emperor’s death, plotted against and killed at the border pass.]

[Maternal grandfather ah, clean and honest your whole life yet still falsely charged by the new Emperor with six major crimes, your whole family exiled and killed!]

[Father Emperor ah, you were poison-swapped and killed while concocting elixirs and seeking the Dao by the Imperial Consort. After your death, the new Emperor abolished old laws, killed hundreds of loyal officials, imprisoned top generals, borders lost, people struggling to survive! Our ancestors’ legacy destroyed in less than two years!]

As Xiao Chuchu suckled milk, her Father Emperor, Mother Consort, elder brother, and maternal grandfather were all dumbstruck.

[Oh no, it’s over.]

Xiao Chuchu lamented that she was but a baby, able to do nothing.

But very quickly she noticed something amiss –

Her Mother Consort, rising higher and higher in rank, Noble Lady, Concubine, Consort, Noble Consort…much favored among the six palaces.

Her elder brother, originally unrelated to the throne, was established as Crown Prince.

Her maternal grandfather’s family, quite valued and relied upon…

Her Emperor Father still hadn’t died!

On the contrary, the treacherous Empress, Consorts, and new Emperor met their ends prematurely…?

How could things turn out this way?

Xiao Chuchu didn’t understand.

Soon her Father unified six nations ahead of time, opened maritime prohibitions, started mutual markets, took the Silk Road…the Xiao Dynasty rose to great power! <<less

My favorite novel character died.... more>>

After being abandoned by the heroine, he lost his emotions and could no longer use his abilities. While he was weakened, the North collapsed. The novel depicts a happily ever after for the main characters, without even bothering to confirm the location of his body.

I've possessed the villainess, Scheuer, and decided that I'd rather he gets his emotions back before meeting the heroine, so I headed North.

"Duke, would you hold my hand? Or perhaps give me an autograph. I promise to keep it as an heirloom."

"If you want my autograph, then the Lady should also sign here."

"What's this?"

"A marriage registration form."

Pardon?

"Just like right now... the Lady's behavior makes me feel nervous."

...Do I possibly have a chance? <<less

At the age of nineteen, when Qi Yan returned to the Qi family, the rumor mill spun eight hundred tragic tales about his past. Soon, people noticed that he had a bodyguard by his side, accompanying him everywhere.... more>>

————

At a banquet, someone saw Lu Fenghan standing next to the Supreme Commander, drawing a circle of admirers around him.

"This young general looks familiar..."

"He looks a lot like the former bodyguard of the young master of the Qi family!"

"How could General Lu stoop to being someone's bodyguard? Ridiculous!" <<less

When he was young, Fang Linyuan entered the palace. He saw a graceful figure in a single glance, and fell deeply in love. He was in unrequited love with Princess Huining for many years. ... more>>

Afterwards, he followed his father to guard the borders, and captured eighteen Beijiang cities, despite his young age. He returned in victory. All of it was for the sake of asking for Princess Huining’s hand in marriage.

Before, Huining’s mother had been ruined. Huining was thin and reclusive, having suffered neglect and humiliation. Yet she was still cold and unbending, like a pearl fallen in the mire.

Now, she was in the bloom of youth, striding through the palace with a vibrant crown. Her suitors filled the palace to bursting, yet no one could catch her eye.

That day, an imperial edict was declared to the realm, and the princess’s refusal was not allowed.

That night, the light of the red candles swayed, and a razor-sharp dagger met Fang Linyuan’s neck.

“Listen to my orders, or you’ll die without a complete corpse.”

Beneath the veil sounded the cold and unfamiliar voice of a young man.

***

Fang Linyuan received his long-sought wish, but the angel he dreamed of marrying as a boy turned out to be a man.

It turned out that Princess Huining, Zhao Chu, had been in disguise for many years, enduring humiliation and trials, just in order to protect himself in a den of tigers. He was waiting for a chance to take power and steal the throne.

And his marriage was nothing more than another layer of his disguise.

Fang Linyuan had nowhere to express his bitterness. He could only swallow his resentment and tuck away the sincerity he had paid in vain, wanting nothing more than to never see the false princess again.

But the marriage certificate was already written, and not only did he have to see Zhao Chu day after day, but he also had to put on a show of harmony and mutual respect with the false princess.

Fang Linyuan could only suffer patiently, being Zhao Chu’s false husband on one hand while waiting for war to arise on the other. Once it did, he would lead an army out of the capital, never to return.

But before the fires of war arose, there came the day when Princess Huining took power.

The throne was beneath him, and the officials bowed to him. Zhao Chu no longer needed to be Madam Fang.

Fang Linyuan offered him divorce papers, intending to retire from the capital and guard the borders.

Yet he saw Zhao Chu rip the divorce papers into tiny pieces with a cold expression, his eyes forbidding. Zhao Chu asked him why he started this mess only to abandon it at the end.

“But you’re a man,” Fang Linyuan explained.

Beneath the red candles, Zhao Chu’s face was luminous, just as when he had first seen him.

“Men have their good points.” <<less