The Favored Minister

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At eighteen years old, the young marquis of the Duke’s manor, Xu Chun, had been yearning for a male companion.

He wanted someone older, who would be considerate.

He wanted someone good-looking; that was a given.

He wanted someone skilled—after all, the first time must set a good precedent.

So he could enjoy the boundless pleasures of life!

After much deliberation, he set his sights on Emperor Jiu, who was traveling incognito.

Xie Yi became emperor before he was even a month old;

At twelve, he allied with the court’s civil officials and his royal uncle to force the regent empress dowager to relinquish power, securing his own reign smoothly;

At fourteen, during the invasion by foreign tribes, he joined forces with enraged border generals to weaken the regent king, who held absolute power and could cover the sky with one hand;

By sixteen, he was already the undisputed emperor of the nine regions;

The emperor governed with ease, not meddling in trivial matters,

Approaching thirty, Xie Yi began to feel;

Life was rather dull;

Being emperor for too long was no fun, he didn’t want to live anymore.

Until he met Xu Chun, the notorious hedonistic heir, in the capital city.

It started with physical attraction, they bonded over kindness and gratitude, love grew from the heart, and they hit it off instantly.

They actually found their lives quite enjoyable together

Until one day, Xu Chun discovered…

That the emperor, who dwelled in the profound imperial palace, whose authority was unfathomable,

Was none other than Jiu Ge, who told him bedtime stories every day and coaxed him to write floral notes.

He wanted someone older, who would be considerate.

He wanted someone good-looking; that was a given.

He wanted someone skilled—after all, the first time must set a good precedent.

So he could enjoy the boundless pleasures of life!

After much deliberation, he set his sights on Emperor Jiu, who was traveling incognito.

Xie Yi became emperor before he was even a month old;

At twelve, he allied with the court’s civil officials and his royal uncle to force the regent empress dowager to relinquish power, securing his own reign smoothly;

At fourteen, during the invasion by foreign tribes, he joined forces with enraged border generals to weaken the regent king, who held absolute power and could cover the sky with one hand;

By sixteen, he was already the undisputed emperor of the nine regions;

The emperor governed with ease, not meddling in trivial matters,

Approaching thirty, Xie Yi began to feel;

Life was rather dull;

Being emperor for too long was no fun, he didn’t want to live anymore.

Until he met Xu Chun, the notorious hedonistic heir, in the capital city.

It started with physical attraction, they bonded over kindness and gratitude, love grew from the heart, and they hit it off instantly.

They actually found their lives quite enjoyable together

Until one day, Xu Chun discovered…

That the emperor, who dwelled in the profound imperial palace, whose authority was unfathomable,

Was none other than Jiu Ge, who told him bedtime stories every day and coaxed him to write floral notes.

Xie Yi became emperor before he was even a month old;
At twelve, he allied with the court’s civil officials and his royal uncle to force the regent empress dowager to relinquish power, securing his own reign smoothly;
At fourteen, during the invasion by foreign tribes, he joined forces with enraged border generals to weaken the regent king, who held absolute power and could cover the sky with one hand;
By sixteen, he was already the undisputed emperor of the nine regions;
The emperor governed with ease, not meddling in trivial matters,
Approaching thirty, Xie Yi began to feel;
Life was rather dull;
Being emperor for too long was no fun, he didn’t want to live anymore.
Until he met Xu Chun, the notorious hedonistic heir, in the capital city.

It started with physical attraction, they bonded over kindness and gratitude, love grew from the heart, and they hit it off instantly.
They actually found their lives quite enjoyable together
Until one day, Xu Chun discovered…
That the emperor, who dwelled in the profound imperial palace, whose authority was unfathomable,
Was none other than Jiu Ge, who told him bedtime stories every day and coaxed him to write floral notes.

Reading Guide:

Xu Chun is the shou, Xie Yi is the gong, an age-gap relationship.

There are domestic feuds (with stereotypical idiots), palace intrigues (clichéd and melodramatic), and court struggles (awkwardly juvenile).

Neither the shou nor the gong have perfect personas; they grow through a process, their character flaws have origins; particularly, it’s emphasized that although Xie Yi and Ji Bingyuan are both emperor gongs written by the same author, there are clear distinctions. Ji Bingyuan is older, more tolerant, mature, and rational, while Xie Yi, having been tightly controlled since childhood and hurt by family, has an avoidant defense mechanism, rejecting intimate relationships.

The values and viewpoints of the characters (main or supporting) do not represent those of the author herself.

Translator’s Note:
This is completed without extras.