The full moon bathed the Huang Empire in a cold, silver glow.

Though it was deep into the night, the capital shone as brightly as day.

Tonight was meant to be a celebration.

It was the birthday of Emperor Xiao Mingyu.

The streets overflowed with people—lanterns swaying, music echoing, laughter rising into the sky. Vendors shouted, performers danced, and travelers crowded every corner of the bustling city.

At the heart of it all, a young street performer stood beneath flickering torchlight.

With a sharp flick, he snapped open his fan, his slender waist bending gracefully as his brows lifted in playful mockery. His voice rang out, clear and teasing, drawing laughter from the crowd.

“Within the golden palace halls…

A fragile jade lies pale and soft,

Skin whiter than any maiden’s blush…

Yet no heir shall ever be born.”

The crowd burst into laughter.

Some clapped. Others covered their mouths, delighted by the bold satire.

The emperor—delicate, pale, and rumored to be… less than a man.

A dangerous joke.

But before the laughter could settle—

“BOOM…! BOOM…! BOOM—!!!”

The ground trembled.

Heavy hoofbeats tore through the night like thunder.

In an instant, the festival shattered.

From the edge of the market, stalls collapsed, lanterns crashed, and a wave of black-armored riders stormed into the city.

Their presence was suffocating.

Like wolves descending upon helpless prey.

Cold, merciless eyes. Bloodthirsty blades. Flames held high.

They did not slow.

They did not hesitate.

They rode straight into the crowd.

“Run—!!”

Screams erupted.

People scattered in terror, pushing, falling, trampling over one another in desperate attempts to survive. Mothers clutched their children, elders collapsed beneath pounding hooves, and within moments—

The joyous festival turned into a living nightmare.

Fire spread.

Smoke choked the air.

Blood painted the streets.

And the rebels surged forward—toward the Golden Palace.

The palace gates did not hold.

With a deafening crash, they shattered under the force of the cavalry.

From that moment on, the once-peaceful palace descended into hell.

“Rebels! The rebels are here—!”

Servants screamed as they fled through the corridors. Some wept. Some ran barefoot. Some never made it past the blades that cut them down where they stood.

Flames climbed the rooftops.

The scent of blood filled the air.

And amidst the chaos—

One man walked forward.

Slowly.

Silently.

Ye Han.

His black armor was soaked in blood, yet his expression remained terrifyingly calm. His sharp eyes ignored the fleeing servants, fixed only on a single destination.

Xiao Tian.

The traitor.

“Where will you run…?”

His voice was low, almost gentle.

But it carried the weight of death.

Dragging his blade across the stone floor, Ye Han advanced, the harsh scraping sound echoing like a funeral bell. Guards rushed toward him—

And fell.

One strike.

Two strikes.

No hesitation.

No mercy.

Lives were cut down like falling leaves, yet not once did his gaze waver.

Because in his ears—

There were only the echoes from seven years ago.

The screams of his parents.

The fire.

The blood.

He found him.

Xiao Tian.

Trying to flee.

In that instant, something inside Ye Han snapped.

Without a word, he raised his arm—

And threw his sword.

“—!”

The blade pierced straight through Xiao Tian’s back.

A scream tore through the hall as the man collapsed to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth.

Ye Han approached slowly.

Step by step.

Looking down at the man who had destroyed his life.

“Do you remember me…?”

His voice trembled—not with fear, but with rage buried for years.

“Do you remember the king you murdered? The queen you burned alive? The child you butchered?!”

Xiao Tian’s eyes widened in horror.

“Y-You… Ye Han…?! You’re still alive—?!”

“Of course I am.”

A cold smile touched Ye Han’s lips.

“I lived… just to kill you.”

A flash of steel.

Silence.

The man’s head rolled across the floor.

Blood splattered across Ye Han’s pale face.

“Ye Han…”

A soft voice called from behind.

Lin Shu.

She stepped forward, worry in her eyes, gently reaching for his arm.

“You’re hurt… there’s blood on your face…”

For the first time—

Ye Han exhaled.

The weight in his chest loosened slightly as he leaned his forehead against her shoulder.

“I did it…”

His voice was quiet.

“But it’s not over yet.”

He walked on.

Toward the throne hall.

Toward the final person.

There, upon the golden throne—

Sat the emperor.

Xiao Mingyu.

Dressed in imperial robes, crowned in gold, he waited in silence… as if already prepared to die.

Beside him stood two young attendants, no older than fourteen. Though fear trembled in their eyes, they did not run.

They chose to stay.

To die with him.

The doors burst open.

And time… seemed to stop.

After ten years—

Their eyes met.

Ye Han froze.

For just a fraction of a second.

Because the man before him—

Was not just his enemy.

But someone he had once loved.

Mingyu’s pale face remained calm, though sorrow filled his gaze.

(…You’ve grown.)

Even now—

Even facing death—

There was pride in his eyes.

Ye Han let out a low, mocking laugh.

“Still the same, I see…”

Step by step, he approached, raising his blade to Mingyu’s throat.

“They say you’re unfit to rule.”

“So I came… to take back what belongs to me.”

Mingyu did not resist.

“Then kill me.”

His voice was steady.

“But let them go. They have nothing to do with this.”

Something snapped.

Ye Han laughed—cold, furious.

“After seven years… that’s the first thing you say?”

He threw Xiao Tian’s severed head at Mingyu’s feet.

“Or do you want to ask how I killed your father?”

Mingyu trembled.

But he said nothing.

“Kill me.”

That was all.

Ye Han’s eyes darkened.

Too easy.

That would be far too easy.

With a slight gesture—

His soldiers moved.

“—!”

Two screams.

Short.

Sharp.

Then silence.

Mingyu’s world shattered.

The two girls collapsed beside him.

Lifeless.

Blood splashing across his face.

“...No…”

His voice broke.

He pulled them into his arms, trembling.

They weren’t just servants.

They were—

His only family.

When the pain reached its peak—

It disappeared.

Leaving nothing behind.

Mingyu closed his eyes.

And waited.

For death.

But it never came.

“Take him.”

Ye Han’s voice rang coldly.

“Throw him into the dungeon.”

Mingyu’s eyes flew open.

“Ye Han—!! Kill me!”

He struggled, screaming as soldiers dragged him away.

“Kill me!!!”

But Ye Han did not look back.

He walked to the throne.

And sat down.

At last.

“I’ve taken it back…”

He whispered.

But for some reason—

His chest felt heavier than ever.

The blue sky above the Dahwang Empire was exceptionally clear today, without a single trace of cloud. The magnificent Golden Peace Palace stood proudly beneath the sunlight, its layers of golden rooftops shimmering brilliantly like countless treasures. Across the entire imperial courtyard, a long crimson carpet had been laid out, creating an atmosphere so majestic that anyone who stepped into the palace would feel overwhelmed by its imposing presence.

Today was the day...

The grand coronation ceremony of Ye Han, the man who would become the new Emperor of Dahwang, was finally taking place.

Outside the enormous palace gates, countless citizens gathered along the walls, their voices rising like waves of excitement. After more than a decade of waiting, they were finally welcoming back the true ruler who had reclaimed the throne that rightfully belonged to him.

During the years when Xiao Mingyu ruled the empire, the young emperor had possessed little real authority. Under the selfish control of his father, Grand Chancellor Xiao, excessive taxes had been imposed upon the people. Countless poor families had suffered, and the once-prosperous nation had gradually fallen into decline.

Therefore, the return of Ye Han was seen by the people as the arrival of a new hope.

Just like the citizens outside, the thousands of officials standing in the imperial courtyard were filled with excitement and anticipation.

However...

More than half of those officials had secretly served Ye Han for many years, working behind the scenes while opposing Mingyu’s reign.

To put it simply, Xiao Mingyu had only been an emperor in name—a puppet sitting upon the golden throne. Without the countless officials who secretly rebelled against Chancellor Xiao and supported Ye Han, he would never have been able to reclaim the throne today.

Only minutes before the coronation ceremony began, inside a corner of the grand hall, Minister Chen of Finance spoke with a flattering smile.

“His Majesty Ye Han ascending the throne is truly a blessing for all of us, isn’t it? The former Emperor Xiao Mingyu was nothing more than a puppet on the throne. He could barely even take care of his own health, let alone rule an entire empire. Am I not right?”

Beside him, General Liu let out a mocking laugh and slightly curled his lips.

“Of course, Minister Chen. A beautiful face alone is not enough to sit upon the imperial throne. Although he may have possessed some talent, he allowed others to control him like a puppet. Because of that, our empire was brought to the edge of ruin.”

The general paused before continuing with a cruel smile.

“Truthfully... instead of sitting on the throne, someone like him would have been better suited for a pleasure house. With that delicate and beautiful appearance of his, I’m sure countless men would have fought over him. Hahaha...”

Because of General Liu’s vulgar words, several officials covered their mouths and laughed, mocking the former emperor without restraint.

At that moment, Grand Minister Wang cleared his throat and interrupted them.

“Regardless of what happened, he was once the ruler of this empire. Even in times of change, we should not speak of him with such disrespect. Watch your words and remember your positions.”

Hearing Grand Minister Wang’s warning, the officials immediately fell silent.

Then—

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!!!”

With the announcement, the newly crowned Emperor Ye Han entered the hall.

He wore a magnificent black velvet imperial robe embroidered with golden threads. A lifelike golden dragon was woven across the fabric, appearing as though it might leap to life at any moment. A precious jade ornament hung from his broad belt, while an extraordinary imperial crown decorated with rows of pearl beads rested upon his head.

Behind the hanging pearls, his sharp eyes carried an overwhelming authority.

Ye Han’s expression was calm yet intimidating, his presence so powerful that everyone instinctively lowered their heads before him.

The moment Ye Han stepped onto the throne, thousands of officials in the imperial courtyard immediately fell to their knees. They lowered their bodies in complete submission and paid their respects to the new Emperor.

“May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years!!!”

The thunderous voices echoed throughout the palace before slowly fading into silence.

However...

While the entire court knelt before him, two officials at the front row remained standing. They stared at Ye Han with eyes filled with hatred and resentment.

They were former loyalists of Grand Chancellor Xiao.

One of the older officials looked around at the thousands of kneeling officials before him. His face was filled with anger and disbelief as he suddenly shouted:

“Why are all of you willingly accepting this rebel?!”

“Have you already forgotten what happened only yesterday? Our entire imperial palace was turned into a scene of bloodshed! The true Emperor, Xiao Mingyu, has been imprisoned, and yet you allow this rebel to sit upon the golden throne without resistance?!”

His furious voice shattered the silence of the palace.

For a moment, the entire imperial court became as quiet as a graveyard.

The officials kneeling on the ground trembled in fear. They lowered their heads even further, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Yet, upon the golden throne, Ye Han showed no anger.

Instead, he slowly stood up with a faint smile on his lips.

Behind the rows of pearl beads hanging from his crown, his eyes shone with a dangerous light—like a predator that had finally spotted its prey.

He calmly reached for the sword hanging at his waist.

Clang.

The blade was drawn.

Step by step, Ye Han descended from the throne.

“Whoosh—!”

“Ahhh!!!”

Before anyone could react, two flashes of cold light crossed through the air.

The two rebellious officials collapsed, their resistance ending instantly.

The crimson carpet beneath them was stained, and the entire palace fell into terrifying silence.

Ye Han calmly returned his sword to its sheath. He looked down at the blood stains on the sleeve of his black imperial robe and shook them away with an expression of complete indifference.

Then, standing in the middle of the palace courtyard, he looked at the thousands of officials kneeling before him.

His cold voice echoed throughout the hall.

“Now... who else wishes to oppose me sitting upon this throne?”

No one answered.

Every official trembled in fear and pressed their heads closer to the ground.

At Ye Han’s side, Empress Lin Shu had also turned pale. Even she had been shocked by his merciless actions.

Ye Han noticed the blood splattered on her face.

Despite the terrifying coldness he showed toward everyone else, his expression softened when he looked at her.

Using the sleeve of his blood-stained robe, he gently wiped away the mark from her cheek.

His gaze toward Lin Shu was gentle...

But his command to the entire empire was as cold as winter.

“Anyone who dares to stand against me will meet the same fate.”

He turned away.

“Continue the coronation ceremony.”

As evening arrived, the Golden Lotus Lake Pavilion was illuminated by hundreds of red lanterns.

The floating lotus-shaped lamps on the surface of the lake reflected beautifully beneath the moonlight.

Yet despite the beautiful scenery, the atmosphere inside the banquet hall was heavy and suffocating.

The ministers and officials enjoyed the finest imperial dishes and expensive wine, but their eyes remained fixed nervously on Emperor Ye Han.

The scene from earlier that day—the flash of his sword and the fall of two officials—still haunted their minds.

Ye Han sat upon the golden throne with unmatched dignity.

Beside him sat Empress Lin Shu, dressed in an elegant golden imperial gown.

However, beneath the beautiful appearance, her fingers tightly gripped the fabric of her sleeve.

The cruelty Ye Han had displayed earlier still disturbed her heart.

At that moment, the officials desperately tried to gain Ye Han’s favor.

They presented him with precious jewels, rare jade, and priceless treasures.

Minister Chen, the clever Finance Minister, stepped forward with a flattering smile.

“Your Majesty, on this glorious and auspicious day, please allow your humble servants to raise a cup of wine with you.”

However, Ye Han completely ignored their praises and flattery.

He simply drank his wine slowly, his expression cold and unreadable.

After a moment...

He placed his wine cup onto the table with a heavy sound.

Bang.

Then, in the middle of the celebration, he turned toward the judges and soldiers and issued a chilling command.

“The families of the two traitorous officials who died today... arrest them all and send them to the border as slaves for the rest of their lives.”

The moment those words left his mouth, the entire banquet hall became silent.

The officials froze.

Their hands trembled as they held their wine cups.

No one dared to speak.

Before the banquet ended, Empress Lin Shu received Ye Han’s permission to return to their sleeping chamber first.

Tonight was their wedding night.

Her heart beat nervously with anticipation.

When she arrived at the chamber, her maid Chui’er helped her sit before the mirror and carefully fixed her hair and makeup.

Looking at Lin Shu’s reflection, Chui’er smiled.

“Your Majesty, you are truly beautiful. You and His Majesty look like a perfect pair, like flowers blooming together beneath the golden moon.”

Lin Shu looked at herself in the mirror.

Her cheeks turned slightly red as she thought of Ye Han.

With a gentle smile, she said:

“Although Ye Han may appear cruel to everyone else... he has always been kind to me.”

Chui’er remembered Ye Han’s merciless actions earlier that day.

Her expression briefly changed, but she quickly forced a smile, afraid of upsetting her mistress.

Meanwhile, Lin Shu pressed her lips together shyly as she waited excitedly for Ye Han’s arrival.

At the banquet hall...

Ye Han sat upon the throne, holding a wine cup while staring into the distance.

He seemed completely lost in thought.

One of his fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest.

Tap... tap... tap...

The officials around him continued flattering him while speaking about politics, offering their beautiful daughters as potential imperial consorts, and discussing palace matters.

Although Ye Han’s eyes were slightly blurred from drinking, he paid no attention to their words.

Suddenly...

He stood up.

Without saying anything, he walked out of the banquet hall.

“Your Majesty... Your Majesty!”

His personal attendant, Ming Xin, hurried after him in panic.

He gently grabbed Ye Han’s sleeve.

“Your Majesty... Empress Lin Shu is waiting in the sleeping chamber. It is this way...”

But Ye Han pushed his hand away.

Ignoring the direction of the bridal chamber, he walked through the palace corridors with heavy footsteps.

His destination was not Lin Shu’s chamber.

It was the underground prison.

Inside the underground dungeon...

The air was cold and filled with the damp smell of darkness.

In the corner of the prison sat Xiao Mingyu.

Just like the day he was overthrown, his wrists were bound with heavy iron chains, and an iron collar surrounded his neck.

The magnificent emperor robes he once wore were now covered in dirt and stains.

Mingyu sat silently in the corner, hugging his knees.

His pale face showed exhaustion and despair.

Outside the prison, he could hear the cheers of the citizens celebrating and the sound of fireworks exploding in the night sky.

The entire empire was celebrating.

But he...

Was trapped alone in darkness, waiting for the moment when his execution would come.

He refused to eat the food given by the guards.

He had already accepted his fate.

Then...

From the silent prison corridor came the sound of heavy footsteps approaching.

“Leave.”

Ye Han’s cold voice echoed.

“Do not follow me. Wait outside.”

Hearing Ye Han’s voice, Mingyu’s body trembled.

Soon, the prison door opened.

Ye Han stepped inside.

The moment their eyes met...

Everything seemed to freeze.

Mingyu looked up at the man standing before him.

Ye Han wore a black imperial robe and a crown, appearing powerful and untouchable.

For a brief moment, Mingyu felt both sorrow and relief.

He was glad that Ye Han had finally reached the position he deserved.

But the difference between them now...

One was an emperor standing at the peak of the world.

The other was a prisoner bound in chains.

Ten years ago, their positions had been completely reversed.

Ye Han gripped the iron bars and looked down at Mingyu.

His hair was messy.

His lips were pale.

Yet even in such a miserable state, Mingyu remained strangely beautiful.

Ye Han’s eyes were slightly red from the wine.

But beneath the drunken haze burned something far deeper...

Ten years of hatred and resentment.

He curled his lips into a mocking smile.

Then he spoke softly.

“Your Majesty...”

“The words those officials said outside were actually true.”

“If you had gone to a pleasure house instead of sitting on the throne... you would have surely become famous.”

“Look at you... even now, in this filthy prison, even after everything that has happened... you can still remain so captivating.”

Mingyu’s heart felt as if those cruel words had pierced straight through it.

The iron chains around his neck trembled softly.

Clink... clink...

And at that moment...

High above in the palace chambers, beneath the warm glow of candlelight, Empress Lin Shu continued waiting.

She waited eagerly for the sound of Ye Han’s footsteps...

Never knowing that the emperor she loved had chosen another place to go tonight.

The underground prison.

Where his unfinished hatred awaited him. :::

​The air inside the subterranean dungeon was bone-chilling and heavy as stone, thick with the stagnant stench of dried blood and musty dust. In the pitch-black darkness, which hung as heavy as liquid tar, the only source of light was an old oil lamp in the corner, its flame flickering and trembling weakly against the draft.

​‘Clang... Screeech...’

​The massive iron gate groaned under the weight of its own rust as it swung open. At the harsh, grating sound, Xiao Mingyu, who was sitting lifelessly in the corner of his cell with his knees hugged tightly to his chest, felt his shoulders flinch violently.

​The newly crowned Emperor, Ye Han, stepped into the dungeon, his strides deliberate and unhurried. His heavy, jet-black velvet robe trailed along the stone floor, carrying with it the sharp, heady scent of imperial wine. Though his eyes were bloodshot and hazy from the alcohol, his gaze and actions remained cold and razor-sharp, cutting through the darkness like a polished blade. He did not resort to wild shouting or coarse insults. Yet, the sheer aura radiating from his silent, approaching footsteps was enough to suffocate Mingyu with psychological terror.

​Terrified, Mingyu tried to shrink back, but his spine immediately met the damp, icy stone of the cell wall. Gritting his teeth, he attempted to summon whatever dignity he had left to stand and face his captor. But before he could, Ye Han lunged forward. With a sudden, brutal motion, his powerful hand gripped Mingyu’s elegant chin, forcing his head upward.

​Ye Han’s fingers dug so deeply into his jawline that Mingyu winced in agony, his brow furrowing. Staring down at Mingyu's face, Ye Han curled his lips into a mocking, venomous smirk and murmured in a low, biting whisper:

​"Your Majesty... it seems the ministers outside were telling the absolute truth. If Your Majesty were to enter a pleasure house, you would undoubtedly become its most prized attraction. Just look at you... even in a wretched place like this, stripped of everything, Your Majesty still manages to look so breathtakingly seductive..."

​The moment the words left his lips, ignoring Mingyu’s desperate struggles, Ye Han brutally gripped the collar of the golden phoenix robe Mingyu still wore and ripped it open in one violent motion.

​‘Rip... Tear...!’

​Along with the sound of precious silk tearing apart, the heavy iron chains clanked and rattled in painful protest. The iron cuffs chafed against Mingyu’s wrists as he struggled, digging into his delicate skin and leaving thin, crimson trails of blood. As the grand phoenix robe fell helplessly to the dirty floor like a discarded rag, every shred of dignity Mingyu had maintained as a former ruler was utterly trampled and crushed into the dirt.

​Now clad only in a thin, sheer white inner robe, Mingyu’s body trembled uncontrollably against the damp draft. He looked up, his eyes wide with sheer terror, and pleaded softly:

​"Your Majesty... please, give me prisoner's garb. I will change into it myself..."

​But Ye Han acted as if he hadn't heard a word. He pressed closer, his cold palm sliding over the thin fabric and pressing firmly against Mingyu’s pale, trembling chest. Horrified, Mingyu tried to summon the last of his imperial authority, pushing against Ye Han’s hand as he commanded:

​"Remove your hand...!"

​‘Slap...!!!’

​The resounding crack of the blow echoed sharply off the stone walls, sending Mingyu's head snapping to the side. Ye Han had struck his cheek with merciless force. A tiny droplet of blood welled up at the corner of Mingyu's lips. Ye Han grabbed his chin again, squeezing even harder this time, his dark eyes burning with years of suppressed resentment as he hissed:

​"Did you forget...? Anyone who dares to look me in the eye, anyone who dares to raise their voice at me, does not deserve to live! When you sat selfishly on that high throne, treating me like a dog, did you think I would forget? Where is your royal pride now... Xiao Mingyu?!"

​Tears welled in Mingyu's eyes from the burning pain in his cheek, but he forced himself to look back defiantly, his voice trembling but unbroken:

​"Then kill me...! I am a fallen king. Keeping me alive will only be a mistake for you... Why don't you just kill me?!"

​Ye Han's eyes flared crimson with rage. Squeezing Mingyu's jaw as if to shatter the bone, he growled:

​"You talk too much, Mingyu. This empire belongs to me now, and my word is absolute law. Even your very breath belongs to me...!"

​With that, Ye Han yanked the sash from Mingyu’s waist, causing the thin white robe to slide completely off his shoulders.

​"Ye Han... what are you doing?! Let go of me... Let me go...!"

​Mingyu thrashed and resisted, but Ye Han ignored him entirely. He buried his face in the curve of Mingyu’s fair, delicate neck, kissing him with a savage, desperate intensity. His touch was wild and ravenous, devoid of any gentleness.

​"Ye Han... let go... have you lost your mind?! What do you gain by humiliating me like this... let me go!"

​Mingyu’s desperate cries echoed uselessly through the subterranean chamber. Ye Han remained deaf to his pleas, his harsh kisses burning a trail down Mingyu's neck to his chest. He marked the sensitive skin of Mingyu's chest with bruising bites, while his other hand roughly gripped Mingyu's hips, pinning him down onto the freezing stone floor.

​"You beast...! How did you turn into such a cold-blooded, repulsive monster...!"

​Mingyu’s cries of pain and hatred shattered the last of Ye Han’s restraint. His expression contorted into something terrifyingly cruel and ruthless.

​"A monster, am I? Then let me show you just how monstrous I can be. Let us see how I strip away the last of your pride...!"

​Using the weight of his large frame, Ye Han pinned Mingyu's thrashing limbs to the floor. Without a shred of mercy or hesitation, he forced himself inside.

​"Ah...!!!"

​A sharp, agonizing scream tore through the dungeon as the sudden, violent intrusion ripped through him. Hot droplets of blood began to seep from Mingyu’s torn body, dripping slowly onto the cold, unforgiving stone.

​"Stop... it hurts... it hurts so much... please stop... please..."

​Mingyu sobbed hysterically, shaking his head in desperate entreaty. Ye Han pushed deep inside him and paused for a brief moment. Mingyu, gasping for air through his tears, whimpered softly:

​"Ye Han... don't move... please, just for a moment... I beg of you... just kill me instead..."

​But the new Emperor, driven by years of bitter resentment and the heat of the wine, ignored his cries. The rhythmic, heavy sound of flesh striking flesh echoed loudly through the dark dungeon. Ye Han continued his relentless, brutal assault, claiming him violently throughout the long, agonizing night.

​It was only when the first rays of dawn filtered into the palace that Ye Han finally dressed himself in his pristine robes. He cast a final look at Mingyu, who lay pale and barely breathing on the stone floor, and walked away without looking back.

​Inside the lavish quarters of the Empress, the wedding night candles had burned down to pools of wax. Empress Lin Shu sat up in bed, having waited up the entire night. The sound of approaching footsteps startled her awake.

​"Your Majesty...?"

​Lin Shu looked at Ye Han with exhausted, weary eyes. The cruelty that had possessed Ye Han in the dungeons just hours ago was gone; his face was now adorned with a soft, gentle smile.

​Ye Han approached the bed, taking Lin Shu's hand in his and speaking in a deeply apologetic tone:

​"I am so sorry, my Empress. At last night's banquet, the ministers and I got carried away discussing state affairs, and I drank far too much wine. I ended up falling asleep the moment I reached the study. I am truly sorry for leaving you to spend our wedding night alone..."

​Seeing his gentle demeanor and hearing his soft, convincing words, the cloud of suspicion in Lin Shu's heart vanished instantly. She pouted, playing at being upset, but the moment Ye Han pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her shoulders, her anger melted away completely.

​Meanwhile, inside the grand imperial court, a suffocating silence hung over the assembly.

​On his throne, the new Emperor Ye Han was issuing a chilling, veiled threat to Minister Chen, who had been secretly embezzling state funds. Ye Han had already strategically placed his spies inside the "Golden Lotus Pavilion"—the very brothel where the ministers frequently gathered to strike their under-the-table deals. Because of this, he held all their secrets in the palm of his hand.

​By targeting Minister Chen first, he was sending a clear, terrifying warning to the rest of the corrupt officials that he knew every single one of their misdeeds. For years, Ye Han had harbored nothing but deep distrust for these politicians. However, there was one single exception: Minister Wang.

​Minister Wang had not only been Ye Han’s most loyal shadow spy since his youth, but he was also one of the few who knew the history between Ye Han and Mingyu. That was why, during the coronation ceremony earlier that day, when other ministers had openly mocked and demeaned the captive Mingyu, Minister Wang had stood up to defend him. To Minister Wang, Mingyu was still just the innocent child he had watched grow up.

​As the court dismissed and Ye Han descended the throne, his close attendant, Ming Xin, rushed over with a pale, panicked expression and whispered:

​"Your Majesty... the former King Mingyu's condition is extremely critical. He is currently burning up with a severe fever in the dungeon and has lost consciousness. He has refused every meal brought to him over the past few days, and his body is too weak to sustain him. He may not survive..."

​Hearing this, Ye Han's eyes widened in sheer panic. The realization that Mingyu was on the verge of death—battered by his own brutality from the night before and starved from his hunger strike—sent a wave of possessive fury and terror rushing through his veins. The thought of losing Mingyu triggered a desperate, protective instinct.

​"Summon the Imperial Physician immediately...!!!"

​Ye Han roared the command and bolted toward the dungeons with long, frantic strides.

​Slamming open the heavy dungeon door, Ye Han felt his heart drop at the sight of Mingyu lying there, burning with fever and barely breathing. He ordered the guards to unlock the chains immediately. Lifting Mingyu’s cold, frail body into his arms, he carried him as fast as his legs could bear toward a clean, warm imperial bedchamber.

​Once Mingyu was gently laid upon the soft mattress, the Imperial Physician arrived and began administering acupuncture. Throughout the process, Ye Han was a wreck of nerves. His eyes were bloodshot with anxiety, his mind a chaotic mess of anger, guilt, and terror.

​He paced the room restlessly—standing by the bedside, storming toward the door, and then rushing back to the bed, unable to sit still. Every needle the physician inserted felt like a blade twisting in Ye Han’s own chest.

​After what felt like an eternity, Mingyu slowly fluttered his heavy eyelids open. His face was as pale as paper, his lips dry and cracked. Standing by the bed with a tense, angry expression, Ye Han snatched a bowl of warm congee from an attendant and thrust it toward Mingyu.

​"Sit up... and eat."

​Mingyu turned his dull, hollow eyes toward Ye Han. Defiantly, he turned his face away, refusing the food. This silent rejection snapped Ye Han's frayed nerves.

​"Xiao Mingyu...!!! Are you testing my patience?! Do you really wish to die?!"

​Ye Han gripped the bowl so hard his knuckles turned white, his voice shaking with fury.

​"Do you honestly think I would let you off that easily... Mingyu?! Listen to me carefully! Your life, your body—they belong to me! Unless I permit it, you do not even have the right to die!!!"

​Ye Han barked an order to the guards to pin Mingyu down. He then used his own hand to force Mingyu's mouth open, ruthlessly pouring the hot congee down his throat.

​"Ugh... cough... hack...!"

​Choking on the forced food, Mingyu began to cough violently, gasping for air. The congee spilled over his pale cheeks, staining his clean white robes. Seeing him struggle, a pang of sharp regret hit Ye Han, and he threw the bowl onto the floor, shattering it.

​"Servants...! Bring more nourishing food immediately! And fetch a clean set of robes!"

​Ye Han roared the orders, then glared at the physician, guards, and servants standing in the room. "All of you, get out...!"

​Once the room cleared and they were left alone, Ye Han looked down at Mingyu and said coldly:

​"Change out of those soiled clothes... right in front of me."

​Trembling with shame and physical pain, Mingyu turned his back to Ye Han and slowly, shakily removed the stained robes. As the fabric slipped down, his smooth, pale back—marred by dark bruises and abrasions—was laid bare before Ye Han's eyes.

​Staring at the bruised back, a wave of complicated emotions—possessiveness, desire, and unvoiced regret—surged within Ye Han. He stepped closer, reaching out to gently trace his palm over the delicate, trembling skin.

​"Ah..." Mingyu flinched violently at the touch.

​But this time, Ye Han did not use force. Instead, he gently took the clean robes from Mingyu's hands and, casting aside his imperial pride, carefully and tenderly dressed the frail man himself.

​Moments later, servants arrived to set a lavish spread of imperial dishes on the table. Despite the delicious aroma filling the room, Mingyu sat there as still as a porcelain doll, showing absolutely no interest in the food.

​The sight made Ye Han’s anger flare up again, but as he began to raise his voice, his anger dissolved into a desperate, vulnerable plea.

​"Mingyu...! What do I have to feed you for you to eat...? Why are you so bent on dying?! From our youth until now... have you ever done anything other than break my heart?!"

​Ye Han gripped Mingyu's shoulders gently, forcing their eyes to meet, his voice cracking with emotion.

​"We have finally crossed paths again after all these years... why can't you just stay by my side? Is it because of your father, Minister Xiao...? Did he ever truly care for you?! Or is it because of your loyal maids, Su Su and Wan Wan...?"

​Ye Han let out a heavy, ragged sigh. Looking at Mingyu's pale face with desperate eyes, he completely lowered his voice, practically begging:

​"I... I have already given them both a proper, honorable burial. If you are still angry, I will bestow posthumous noble titles upon them so you can be proud. What else... what else do you want me to do for you...? Please, just eat something... my sweet Mingyu... I am sorry about Su Su and Wan Wan..."

​Under the morning light, the fierce Emperor’s eyes held nothing but a desperate, terrified plea of a man terrified of losing the only person he had ever truly loved.

​Meanwhile, in another corner of the palace, under the shade of a blooming cherry blossom tree, fate was quietly shifting.

​Petals of soft pink drifted through the air as Empress Lin Shu sat at a stone table, pouring herself a cup of tea. She was still basking in the warmth of Ye Han’s gentle words from that morning. She lifted the delicate porcelain teapot, gracefully pouring the amber liquid into her cup.

​But then, from the other side of the thick foliage, the hushed whispers of some palace maids sweeping the gardens carried over on the breeze, reaching Lin Shu's ears with devastating clarity.

​"Hey... did you hear? On the wedding night... His Majesty never even stepped foot into the Empress's palace."

​"My goodness, really? Then where did His Majesty spend the night...?"

​One of the maids lowered her voice even further, whispering conspiratorially:

​"It wasn't the study... Word has it that His Majesty was in the dungeons until the dead of night, inside the cell of the dethroned King, Xiao Mingyu. The guards said strange cries and soft weeping echoed from the cell all through the night. They say the two of them were engaged in a shameful, secret tryst..."

​‘Shatter...!!!’

​Before the maid could finish her sentence, the delicate porcelain cup slipped from Lin Shu's fingers, shattering into a thousand pieces on the stone floor.

​Lin Shu's hands went entirely cold, trembling uncontrollably. Ye Han... had lied to her. He hadn't spent the night in his study; he had spent it in the arms of Xiao Mingyu. Clenching her pale lips to stifle a cry, she stared down at the broken shards of porcelain, feeling as though her own heart had been shattered in exactly the same way.