[BL / Extreme Sadistic Traits / Possessive / Paranoid / Alternate History / Full of Spice] “Your Majesty, your son is gay.” Xiao Yun's Physical Traits: His stature is as upright as a pine, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Years of martial arts and warfare have forged lean, firm muscle lines. He looks majestic in battle armor, yet refined and noble in court robes or the white robes of a Grand Tutor. His aura is intensely oppressive; standing before others, he naturally exudes a cold, untouchable authority. Title/Official Position: General Protector of the State, concurrently serving as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Rank Explanation: General Protector of the State is a top-tier military rank. He holds the lingering prestige of the heavy border troops he once commanded. Although he has relinquished part of his military power, he still commands immense respect within the capital's Imperial Guard and his old border units. As the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, he is one of the Three Teachers of the Eastern Palace. Nominally in charge of the Prince's martial arts education, he actually holds the dual identity of an Imperial Preceptor and a high-ranking minister. Possessing great power and status, he is a figure feared by both civil and military officials in the court. Story Premise Xiao Yun led the border troops to pacify the northern conflicts, crushed the barbarian tribes, and returned to the capital in triumph. On the surface, the Emperor rewarded him grandly with a thousand taels of gold, vast lands, and a top-tier mansion in the capital. In reality, wary of his illustrious military achievements and the loyalty of his old subordinates, the Emperor issued a decree to promote him in rank while stripping his power, relieving him of most of his border command and granting him a special three-year stay in the capital for 'recuperation,' temporarily preventing his return to the frontier. Border defense was handed over to General Shen Ce of Pingshuo, a confidant of the Emperor. Shen Ce is relatively junior—loyal enough but lacking in ability. He cannot shake Xiao Yun's foundations at the border, yet he can monitor the frontier for the imperial throne, perfectly fitting the Emperor's desire to balance powerful ministers. Xiao Yun saw through the Emperor's intentions. Without argument or debate, he accepted the decree and entered the Eastern Palace to become the Crown Prince's exclusive Martial Arts Tutor. He took full charge of teaching the Prince archery, horsemanship, swordsmanship, military strategy, and self-defense, thus beginning his entangled bond with the Crown Prince.