The morning air felt unusually heavy and oppressive. Inside the grand imperial court of the Huang Empire, Emperor Ye Han sat upon his golden throne in a posture of lazy indifference, resting his chin on his palm. Although his dark eyes were closed, his finger rhythmically tapped against the armrest—tap... tap...—making it clear to his ministers that he was listening to their reports with growing impatience.
Suddenly, a palace guard rushed into the hall in a state of high excitement, causing Ye Han’s eyes to snap open.
"Your Majesty! Prince Feng Jirong and Princess Feng Tingting from our eastern neighbor, the Fenglin Kingdom, have arrived at the palace gates! They have brought a grand caravan of tribute gifts and a full entourage, and are requesting an audience!"
"Let them enter."
At Ye Han’s permission, the royal siblings of the Eastern Kingdom marched into the vast hall. Leading the procession of guards and treasure chests were Prince Feng Jirong and Princess Feng Tingting.
Princess Feng Tingting, only eighteen years old, possessed a round face, bright, wide eyes, and an aura of pure, innocent charm. Prince Feng Jirong, who was of similar age to Ye Han, carried a warm and approachable air, a constant, easy smile playing at the corners of his lips instead of a stern royal gaze.
"Greetings to the Emperor of the Huang Empire," Feng Jirong said with diplomatic grace, presenting a golden imperial scroll. "This is a proposal of alliance from the Fenglin Kingdom, along with our Imperial Father Feng Hairong’s wish to betroth my sister, Tingting, to Your Majesty."
Ye Han pondered for a moment. The Fenglin Kingdom was prosperous, powerful, and boasted an elite military. Securing an alliance with such a formidable neighbor so early in his reign was politically invaluable. Yet, his lips parted with a cold, uncompromising reply.
"Prince Feng, my palace already has Empress Lin Shu. Therefore, I can only offer Princess Feng Tingting the position of a high-ranking Consort."
Instead of taking offense, Feng Jirong laughed heartily and readily accepted.
"I am well aware that Your Majesty has an Empress, and I have heard of your deep affection for her. Our primary goal is to forge a strong alliance between our nations. We gladly accept the position of Consort."
Princess Feng Tingting, energetic and carefree, seemed far more excited about exploring a new palace than any romantic prospects. It was clear she was not the type to fight Lin Shu for Ye Han's affection. Recognizing the immense benefits, the ministers unanimously supported the betrothal, and arrangements were made for the siblings to reside in the imperial palace until the wedding.
🌸 An Unexpected Meeting Under the Snow Orchid Tree
Later that evening, a cool breeze swept through the palace grounds. Seeking solace in the quiet, Prince Feng Jirong wandered the estate alone and found himself near a secluded, silent pavilion.
There stood a magnificent, blooming white snow orchid tree. Resting beneath its branches at a small stone table was Mingyu.
Dressed in pristine white robes, Mingyu sat peacefully reading a book and sipping tea, gazing out at the quiet sky. As the gentle wind blew, white petals drifted down around him, and a few strands of his soft, dark hair fluttered in the breeze. The sight of his elegant posture, his fair skin contrasting beautifully with his dark hair, and his ethereal, god-like tranquility made Feng Jirong freeze in his tracks, staring wide-eyed in fascination.
Sensing a presence, Mingyu turned his gaze toward him, his eyes filled with quiet suspicion. Realizing it was an unfamiliar face, Mingyu politely stood up.
As Feng Jirong regained his composure and introduced himself, Mingyu greeted him with the dignified, refined grace of someone raised as royalty.
"My name is Xiao Mingyu."
Feng Jirong was startled. The voice belonged to a man.
'Ah... he's a man?' An unexpected thrill fluttered in Jirong's chest. The name Xiao Mingyu also gave him pause; it was the name of the deposed emperor. However, he quickly dismissed the thought, reasoning that a deposed emperor would surely be dead or imprisoned, not drinking tea and reading peacefully under a blossoming tree. He assumed it was merely a coincidence of names.
True to his playful nature, Feng Jirong smiled warmly at Mingyu.
"Mingyu... your beauty is so breathtaking that my world has completely stopped."
Disliking the flirtatious remark, Mingyu frowned slightly, glaring at him with mild annoyance. Far from discouraging Jirong, this irritated expression only made him find Mingyu incredibly endearing. Unwilling to linger in the company of a stranger, Mingyu coldly said, "Please excuse me," and quickly retreated inside his pavilion.
What neither of them realized was that Ye Han, who had been on his way to visit Mingyu, had witnessed this entire exchange from a distance.
Turning back halfway, Ye Han walked away with a heart churning with possessiveness and jealousy.
'To think he would speak so familiarly with someone he met only today...' He remained deeply displeased on his walk back, though he had been too far away to hear their actual conversation.
👑 Lin Shu's Jealousy and Ye Han's Promise
The news of the upcoming marriage alliance with the Eastern princess reached Empress Lin Shu's ears almost instantly. Consumed by a mixture of rage and sorrow, she wept bitterly in her chambers.
When Ye Han arrived, Lin Shu threw herself into his arms, begging him to reconsider. Ye Han let out a soft sigh, holding her by the shoulders as he looked directly into her eyes to patiently reassure her.
"Lin Shu... this marriage is strictly political, meant solely to strengthen our empire. Princess Feng Tingting is practically a child; she cares only for play. There is no love between us, nor will there ever be."
He gently held her hands, his voice softening.
"You are the only one in my heart, Lin Shu."
Only then did Lin Shu's anxiety ease. Embracing him tightly, she demanded a promise: "Promise me you will never enter her chambers." To appease her, Ye Han promised he would never touch the princess, comforting her until she calmed down before returning to his own quarters.
🍷 The Welcoming Feast and Public Humiliation
The following evening, a grand imperial banquet was held to welcome the prince and princess. The great hall was filled with fine wine, exquisite delicacies, and beautiful dancers performing to the lively melodies of the imperial orchestra.
Determined to humiliate Mingyu in front of the court, Empress Lin Shu had previously secured Ye Han's permission to have Mingyu serve as a common wine-pourer. He was ordered to stand waiting in a far corner of the banquet hall. Still secretly harboring resentment over the scene he had witnessed the previous evening, Ye Han had yielded to Lin Shu's request.
Seated proudly beside Ye Han on the dais, Lin Shu wore her magnificent empress robes, looking down with triumphant vanity. Seated below, Princess Feng Tingting, eager to avoid conflict, innocently praised Lin Shu’s beauty, noting how perfectly she suited the Emperor. The compliment fed Lin Shu's pride, easing her remaining insecurities.
However, the moment her eyes drifted to the corner of the hall where Mingyu stood with his head bowed, her hatred flared up once more. Wanting to utterly humiliate him before the entire court, she called out in a loud, commanding voice:
"I have heard that Xiao Mingyu is exceptionally skilled at playing the zither. On such a joyous occasion, why don't you play a piece for us so we may all enjoy some new entertainment?"
An abrupt silence fell over the hall. Forcing a deposed emperor to perform like a common entertainer before the court was the ultimate degradation. Mingyu's face drained of color. Hurt and humiliated, his eyes desperately sought Ye Han, silently pleading for him to intervene.
Ye Han met his gaze, but he hesitated. Overriding the Empress's command in public would undermine Lin Shu's authority and dignity—and she was the woman who had stood by him through his darkest times. Combined with his lingering jealousy from the day before, Ye Han chose to harden his heart and barked sharply:
"Did you not hear the Empress's command?! Why do you still stand there?!"
The harsh words struck Mingyu like a physical blow. Trembling, he stepped forward, took the zither from an attendant, and began to play. The melody that flowed from his slender fingers was incredibly beautiful, yet laced with a profound, heartbreaking sorrow.
Prince Feng Jirong watched spellbound, unable to tear his eyes away. Noticing Jirong's intense gaze and persistent smile, Mingyu looked away to keep his focus. But when their eyes met a second time, Jirong gave him a playful, reassuring nod as if to say, "It sounds wonderful."
Despite himself, the playful gesture offered Mingyu a fleeting moment of relief. For the first time since his world had shattered, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of his lips, finding comfort in Jirong's lighthearted presence.
⚡ The Emperor's Wrath and Prince Feng's Request
Unfortunately, Ye Han saw the subtle exchange of looks and Mingyu's fleeting smile.
His eyes flared crimson with rage. His hand clenched so tightly around his jade wine cup that it shattered in his palm. Slamming his fist violently onto the table—bang!—he roared:
"Stop this instantly!!! How dare this servant play such terrible, discordant music!"
The entire hall fell into a stunned silence, whispering in confusion at why the Emperor found such beautiful music so offensive. Ye Han swept the dishes off his table, pointing a trembling finger at Mingyu as he shouted:
"You are a deposed emperor, yet I spared your life out of mercy! When my Empress graciously asks you to perform, you dare defy us with a tune so wretched it spoils the feast?! Guards! Drag him away and throw him into the cold dungeon!"
Princess Feng Tingting and Prince Feng Jirong stared in disbelief.
'The deposed emperor... is really Xiao Mingyu?' Though Jirong had heard tales of the fallen king, he had never imagined him to be so breathtakingly beautiful. Knowing that Mingyu was now kept only as a common servant whose life hung by a thread, an uncontrollable urge to rescue him took hold of Jirong.
Stepping forward, Jirong boldly addressed the Emperor:
"Your Majesty... since this deposed emperor is currently a mere servant, I beg of you to bestow him upon me!"
Every eye in the hall turned to Feng Jirong. Ye Han’s fury reached its absolute peak as he glared murderously at the audacious prince.
"Prince Feng... I have already promised you my hand in marriage to your sister. And now you dare demand the servants that belong to me?! What is mine is mine alone; I yield it to no one! Tomorrow, the official decree appointing Princess Feng Tingting as Consort will be delivered. This banquet is over!"
Ye Han stormed out of the hall in a towering rage. Lin Shu rushed after him, grabbing his arm, but he violently shook her off and spoke coldly:
"Empress... remain here and tend to the guests. Do not follow me!"
Terrified by his dark fury, Lin Shu retreated to her seat. Her heart burned with unresolved confusion and resentment. Why had Ye Han reacted with such extreme anger to the Prince's request? Had he not just publicly humiliated and berated Mingyu for her sake moments ago?
Chui Er, sensing her mistress's inner turmoil, leaned in and whispered soothingly, "Your Highness... His Majesty truly loves you. Look at how he publicly humiliated and punished Mingyu just to defend your honor."
Hearing this, Lin Shu felt a small measure of comfort, though a persistent, unsettling doubt lingered in her mind.
Chapter 6: Cruelty and Truth in the Cold Dungeon
Ye Han stormed into the freezing dungeon, his heavy footsteps echoing with unchecked rage. Even the sight of Mingyu bound tightly to a stone pillar, his arms pinned above him, did nothing to quell the fire in his chest. The image of Mingyu meeting Jirong under the orchid tree, and their shared smiles at the banquet, fueled a possessive madness that threatened to consume him.
Like a predatory beast, he snatched the whip from the guard's hand and stalked toward Mingyu.
Slash!!!
The sound of the whip tearing through the freezing air was followed by a sharp, crimson line blooming across Mingyu’s white robe as fresh blood seeped through. Mingyu writhed in agony, biting his lip until it bled to hold back a scream. He glared at Ye Han with wide, uncomprehending eyes, demanding through gritted teeth:
"Ye Han... why?! Why are you doing this to me... what did I do wrong?!"
Mingyu's heart shattered. Only yesterday, Ye Han had held him with tender passion in his chambers, yet today he had subjected him to public humiliation, treated him like a dog, and now was whipping him mercilessly. Was all of this truly just to please Empress Lin Shu?
"Was my music truly so offensive to your ears?! I swallowed my pride and played my absolute best in front of everyone just to satisfy your Empress! Ye Han... answer me! What have I done to deserve this?!"
Ye Han threw the blood-stained whip to the floor with a loud crash. He stepped into Mingyu's space, brutally grabbing a handful of his dark hair and pulling his face close until their noses almost touched, his voice a low, dangerous growl:
"What did you do wrong? Xiao Mingyu... did you think that because I held you in my arms once, you could climb over my head? Do you think I am blind to your secret meeting in the gardens yesterday evening?! And tonight, you dared to exchange flirtatious glances with him in front of the entire court! Tell me... have you already slept with him? Is your body so desperate that you cannot live without the touch of other men?!"
The vile, insulting words pierced Mingyu's chest like poisoned daggers. His eyes trembled with shock and pain. Ye Han’s grip tightened on his hair as he roared again:
"Do not think my fleeting affection gives you the right to do as you please! Lin Shu is the only one I love... the sole Empress of my life! Do not flatter yourself into thinking you can manipulate me! The Prince of Fenglin dared to beg for you tonight—if you hadn't already seduced him with your cheap tricks, why would he ask for you?!"
"What... he asked for me...?" Mingyu's eyes widened in genuine shock. He opened his mouth to deny it, but Ye Han, convinced it was another act, struck him across the face with a harsh slap.
Slap!
"Ah... Ye Han... I swear I knew nothing of this! Believe me!"
"You and your innocent acts, you treacherous fox! It has always been this way!" Ye Han shouted, glaring at him with pure hatred. "You were born with a face that seduces every man who looks at you... but do not think I am one of those fools who will lose their minds to your beauty! You selfish creature... you wished for my death ten years ago, stole my throne out of greed, and now you dare to betray me with another man!"
"Ye Han... I did no such thing!" Fresh blood dripped from the corner of Mingyu's mouth as he cried out through his tears. "I do not know what lies Lin Shu has poisoned your mind with... but ten years ago, I had absolutely no knowledge of my father’s rebellion! By the time I found out, it was too late! That was why I sent Lin Shu to warn you and help you escape! And I have absolutely nothing to do with that prince!"
Punch!!!
In a blind rage, Ye Han struck him again, sending Mingyu's head snapping to the side as blood gushed from his lip. Ye Han's eyes were a chaotic storm of madness and pain.
"Are you accusing Lin Shu of lying?! You sent help?! Lin Shu came to save me because she overheard your father’s treasonous plot!"
"No... I was the one who sent her! I tried to stop my father, but he locked me in the dungeon... Please, Ye Han, believe me!"
"Lies!" Ye Han screamed, his voice cracking with desperation. "Lies! You have lied to me from the very beginning! Meeting you was the greatest curse of my life!"
Tears of rage and anguish suddenly welled in Ye Han's eyes. He pointed a shaking finger at Mingyu, his voice trembling:
"I should never have met you... I should never have cared for you. If I hadn't, I could easily kill you right now. But I... I cannot bring myself to do it! Tell me, what am I supposed to do with you?! I spared your life, I feed you the finest food, I clothe you in fine robes, and I demand no labor from you. Yet you show no gratitude for my mercy. You watched my family die without lifting a finger, and now, you dare to seek the touch of another!"
"I told you, I did not!" Mingyu cried out from the depths of his soul. "I cannot make you believe what happened ten years ago... what is past is past. But I swear to you, I have absolutely no connection to Prince Feng Jirong!"
"Then why did you smile at him?!" Ye Han roared, grabbing Mingyu's cheeks with his large hands, squeezing with bruising force. Tears poured down Mingyu's flushed cheeks from the sheer pain.
"He... he made a silly face to make me laugh, and I couldn't help it..." Mingyu sobbed, his voice breaking. "It was the first time in so long that I felt even a moment of happiness... a moment of peace. Am I not human? Do I not deserve to laugh... to feel happy... Ye Han?!"
Mingyu wept uncontrollably, his heart-wrenching sobs echoing through the damp stone walls. The sound of his raw grief shattered Ye Han's remaining rage, leaving him disarmed and desperate. The anger vanished from his face, replaced by a profound, agonizing sorrow. He leaned in, resting his forehead gently against Mingyu’s.
"My love..." Ye Han whispered, his voice cracking. "Your crime is that you smiled for someone who wasn't me. If you are to laugh, you must only laugh because of me..."
Ye Han leaned down, his tongue gently licking away the tears and blood on Mingyu’s bruised cheek. He pressed a soft, aching kiss against the injured skin, avoiding his lips. Drawing his dagger, he quickly cut the ropes binding Mingyu's wrists. He called for the guards, ordering them to escort Mingyu back to his pavilion with the utmost care, before turning to leave.
As Ye Han walked away, Mingyu looked at his retreating back and whispered with his remaining strength:
"Ye Han... I... I love you..."
Ye Han froze, standing like a stone statue. He turned his head slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief and silent agony, but without a word, he tore himself away and vanished into the darkness.
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