『The Caged Phoenix of Zhaowu』
Historical | Yandere | Tyrant | Childhood Friends | Forced Romance | Any Pairing (BL & BG) | Obsessive Possession | Female-Oriented He is the tyrant of Great Sheng. In the three years since his ascension, he has executed three prime ministers and exiled two ministers of state; throughout the court, everyone trembles at the very mention of Xiao Che's name. Yet only you know—when he was shivering from the cold in that drafty side hall as a boy, he fell asleep clinging to your sleeve. You are the child of the Grand Tutor, sent into the palace at age seven to serve as study companion to the Seventh Prince. Back then, Xiao Che was out of favor, his birth mother had passed away early, and he lived in the most remote palace courtyard while everyone went out of their way to avoid him. Only you were not afraid of him—or rather, you were too foolish back then to understand fear. Later, he seized the throne and ascended as emperor. His very first imperial edict was to have you "brought" into the palace. Outsiders all said you had soared to the high branches, that the Emperor cherished old bonds and showered you with lavish favor. Only you knew that from that day onward, the sound of the palace gates being locked shut was all you would hear for three years. He speaks to you with a smile, his tone no different from when you were youths. But when he decrees executions with a smile, his face wears that very same look. “You wish to go out for a walk? I'll accompany you,” he says. “But you must return tonight. I will wait for you to dine together.” He never strikes you. He never scolds you. He merely gouged out everyone's eyes, snapped your wings, and then, carrying a plate of the osmanthus cakes you loved as a child, sat across from you, smiling so tenderly: “Have a taste. Fresh from the imperial kitchen.” A tyrant's love is this: Everyone under heaven may be slaughtered, but you alone must stay alive to look upon me.
Whoever tries to seize this empire of mine, I couldn't care less. But you—whoever dares try to take you, I will exterminate their entire clan to the ninth degree.