A-Xuan looked at Yizhen who was sitting behind his desk. He was writing with a brush and next to it was an inkstone.

A-Xuan bowed.

"Your majesty."

Yizhen looked up and put down his brush. He looked at A-Xuan who had his head down.

It’s been like that since this morning, for some reason he won’t look at him.

"What happened with Zhao Wei?"

A-Xuan smiled inwardly, that man is truly unbelievable. You already know what happened so why would you ask me that huh?

No wonder he’s the emperor, he plays everyone like a fiddle. That stupid sister of his thinks he loves him. Ding Liren and his father too, they’re all fools.

A-Xuan murmured:

"The imperial noble consort thought I had taken the necklace your majesty had offered her."

Yizhen was getting frustrated with him not looking up, he smiled mischievously. We’ll see how long you can keep up that game.

"Did you?"

You know I didn’t you son of a bitch!

"No your majesty."

"I had heard you were feeling unwell from one of the envoys your sister sent."

That little bitch had everything prepared, didn’t she? Except me.

"I had something to give your majesty and I did so I won’t attend court the next few days."

If he can afford to stay away from court for a few days then, of course he will.

At this point, Yizhen was beyond irritated and it became worst when he stood in front of A-Xuan.

He looked at the pin he had in his hair and lifted his head. He pinched his chin and looked at A-Xuan angry who looked back expressionlessly.

"What can I do for you, your majesty?"

Yizhen looked into his gold eyes and got the answer he was looking for. He doesn’t know if it’s because of what happened in his sister’s palace this morning or something else but A-Xuan is different.

When he entered the courtroom he already felt that his aura was unusual, it was distinct and unique but weirdly familiar.

When he stood up to his father and gave him all the proof he was surprised. Not that he would do the right thing but that he would do it in front of everyone.

All the old ministers would say that he’s not showing filial piety. He is the youngest there and he’s always been at odds with them but what happened will just make things worst.

But A-Xuan doesn’t seem to care this time.

"Where are you staying tonight?"

He knows he can’t go home or to his sister’s palace because he stood up to his father and his sister had him whipped.

"I was on my way to find an inn when his majesty called on me."

"How long are you planning on staying there?"

A-Xuan answered:

"Until I find a house."

"You can stay in the palace and we will help you find one."

"Thank you your majesty but you don’t need to trouble yourself."

No thank you he wants to get as far away as possible from him. Yizhen asked threateningly:

"Are you refusing us?"

A-Xuan looked at him, he was pouting his lips in unhappiness.

"I wouldn’t dare."

Yizhen smiled inwardly, how come he never saw this childish side of him before? He frowned and asked:

"How is your back?"

Yizhen gazed into his eyes as they flashed with pain and started to shine with unshed tears. A-Xuan looked down and murmured:

"Fine thank you your majesty."

For some reason, he felt his heart clench when he saw how sad he was. When a tear fell he lifted his head and wiped it.

A-Xuan took a step back breaking the connection and asked looking down:

"I’m tired may I please know where I will be sleeping your majesty?"

Yizhen looked at his empty hand and he had this vision that somehow A-Xuan would leave someday. The weirdest part is that he doesn’t want that. What is wrong with me?

He made a plan and he’ll follow it no matter what. He’ll let those fools around him destroy A-Xuan while he secretly collects the evidence. Once he’s no more he’ll have them all killed in his memory.

After calling for his eunuch the emperor ordered:

"Lead the minister of officials to the chambers next to ours."

The eunuch looked at him surprised, he was about to say something when the emperor ordered impatiently:

"Now and when you’re done bring back his belongings."

The eunuch bowed and left with A-Xuan. Yizhen looked at his leaving back feeling unsettled. He can still see the pain in his eyes and that tear.

He shook his head trying to clear his mind, nothing will change if anything it just means he’ll get to have more fun with him before he dies.

A-Xuan was brought into the chambers. He looked around and asked a couple of maids and eunuchs to hurriedly get his clothes at his father’s.

He doesn’t need them he just wants to see his father’s reaction. He’ll only wear things from CF.

Zhao Xu got down from the carriage and entered his daughter’s palace. He entered the main hall and saw her drinking tea.

He yelled:

"Really? This is what you do after ruining our plan?"

Zhao Wei immediately stood up and walked to her father.

"I did what you both asked me to do, you can ask my maid he was whipped 15 times. Go in his room you’ll see his bloodied robes."

"Then how could he still attend court and walk as if nothing happened? He even dared oppose me in front of the whole court."

Zhao Wei’s hands tightened into fists.

"I don’t know father, the guard even tried to stop him from leaving but he somehow took him out."

Zhao Xu frowned, maybe he underestimated his son. No, it’s impossible, even when he disagreed with him he never dares to say anything.

Despite A-Xuan’s behavior, he knows how much he craves his love and care. Maybe it’s not too late to get him on our side.

"The plan to use him as a scapegoat for the funds reserved for the dam backfired. He got proof that the governor was responsible."

In the original timeline after being whiplashed the original missed court which means he wasn’t there when his father brought up the missing funds.

After the emperor told him to investigate Zhao Xu created false proof and had his son imprisoned. There he lived a nightmare, he was even raped. After the trial, he was judged guilty and killed.

Zhao Wei assured him:

"Father don’t worry we’ll think of something else. I won’t give up until you are the minister of officials."

Zhao Xu smiled, at least he knows he can count on his daughter.

"I have to go home let me know once you speak with Ding Liren."

"I will."

Zhao Xu got in his carriage on the way home. He can’t speak directly with Ding Liren or people might suspect that they plan to rebel.

As soon as A-Xuan comes back he’ll talk to him and make sure to bring him to their side.

He’s sure that once he says that he disagrees with the way his sister treated him he’ll be happy.

Even if he’s silent he knows how much it bothers him the way his sister treats him. The original was indeed bothered by it but not once did he have a malicious thought toward her or his father.

When Zhao Xu got down he saw multiple eunuchs charging a carriage with trunks.

He looked and saw the emperor’s head eunuch.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"The emperor asked us to bring the ministers of officials’ belongings since he’ll be staying in the palace for a while."

Zhou Xu frowned.

"What do you mean? Why is he staying there?"

"I don’t know you’ll have to speak to the emperor."

Zhao Xu went back inside his house angry. What is that bastard trying to do? His he trying to show him that he’s more powerful? We’ll see about that.

A-Xuan spent the rest of the day in his chambers, he read and watched movies in his head. He is still thankful he can do that at least.

He was in bed but he was uncomfortable, he’s so used to sleeping with his husband.

He got up, put on a thin white robe, and left. After using CF he found the secluded hot spring. This place is only reserved for the emperor but who cares. Yizhen hid in the side when he heard footsteps.

Who would dare use my spring? He looked as a young man walked to the edge and looked up. He was smiling while looking at the stars. He look down and got in the water, he sighed when his body was submerged.

He disappeared underwater and when he came back up his white robe was transparent. They were sticking to his abs and his long hair was scattered on his shoulders.

A-Xuan looked up at the stars again, this is the only good thing about the ancient era. I can see the stars. He smiled and stopped when he felt someone holding onto his waist.

He grabbed the hand trying to twist it but he couldn’t, the arm around his waist got tighter. What the fuck? I used CF I’m supposed to be the strongest person in this world. If I’m not then who is it?

He turned and looked at the face of the perpetrator and met grey eyes. He had a chiseled jawline and thin lips. A-Xuan’s eyes were wide open in shock, how did I not figure that out before?

Before he could calm down over the shock of this realization he heard:

"What are you doing in our spring?"

A-Xuan calmed down and said pouting:

"I couldn’t sleep but if your majesty wants me to leave I will."

A-Xuan try to get out of his embrace but Yizhen wouldn’t let go. Yizhen looked at his pouty lips and bit them, when he pulled back A-Xuan was looking at him incredulously and his cheeks were red.

He laughed and kissed him, when he felt him pushing him he held onto him tighter. After a while, he felt him kissing back. Yizhen’s kiss was first sweet and tamed but when he felt A-Xuan’s tongue he lost all control.

He licked his teeth and pushed his tongue inside invading his mouth. When A-Xuan ran out of breath he pulled back and looked at him.

His eyes were shimmery and his cheeks and lips were red.

"You look delicious."

A-Xuan bit his lip looking down. He pushed Yizhen to get out of the hot spring.

Yizhen followed him and when he was about to close his doors he got in and closed them behind him.

A-Xuan took a few steps back as he asked uncomfortably:

"Your majesty?"

Yizhen pulled him in his embrace and kissed him again. He stopped when the kiss tasted salty. He pulled back and looked at A-Xuan. His golden eyes were sparkling and tears were running down his face.

He seemed to have been bullied by someone. For once in his life, Yizhen was taken aback.

He can handle rough, hard everything that appears impossible to most people but he doesn’t have the slightest clue how to deal with soft people like that.

He took a step back as he looked at A-Xuan like he was scared. His tears kept falling and his head was down. Yizhen looked at him for a few beats then left for his chambers.

When he was in his chambers he stood there lost. He knew that despite the strong front A-Xuan showed in court he was sensitive, but he ignored that.

He could see that after the kiss in the spring he wanted to run away from him but he still followed. A-Xuan only acted the way he did because he is the emperor and he’s loyal to him.

He didn’t want any of this, Yizhen dried himself and got into bed. He thought he would have fun with him until he dies but nothing happening is just as good.

A-Xuan looked at the closed door with a smirk. Did you think it was going to be that easy? Before he kneels and begs for forgiveness A-Xuan won’t give an inch. Knowing him he’ll go insane in a few days.

Even if it’s his husband he’s a master manipulator and ruthless so it’s no wonder he’s the emperor. He’s not going to get into a relationship with him if it’s not on equal ground, he won’t bow to him for the rest of his life.

If he can’t get that in this life he’ll finish the mission and then leave and once Yizhen dies he’ll get his soul-flake.

A-Xuan got in his canopy bed and slept peacefully while next door Yizhen kept tossing and turning.