The Empress...

In the small courtyard, a dimly lit room by candlelight created a serene picture. Zheng Guozi, a kinda creepy stalker, was busy admiring his beloved's concentrated look while writing a poem. In actuality, Sun Gui was trying to remember the fate of the empress. The emperor could abolish the harem but there was no way he could abolish the empress's position. The only way for Sun Wen to be the only one in the harem was to let the empress disappear.

That was exactly what happened in the original plot. Sun Wen's system required him to be an Empress and accompanied his imperial majesty for life. Therefore, he had to get rid of the empress. For the paranoid emperor, it was easy to sow a seed of doubt between them. The empress, Wan Yingtai, was from a loyal family to the imperial blood. The only way to tip the emperor off was her 'infidelity', especially with the one the emperor hated the most, the deceased regent. He whispered words of their love affair to the emperor's ears. He even faked love letters between them. He warned the emperor to be mindful of a grieving woman when she knew that he was the cause of his death. So, when the imperial couple was having tea, he secretly checked for poison and the tea was indeed contaminated. The emperor then accused her of treason and her three family generations were executed.

'I haven't met such vicious leads for a while, they always resort to death as their solution. This modern ger is not ordinary for killing someone without remorse. I pity Wan Yingtai for just being at the seat of the empress, she didn't even have any real power in the harem because that damn Zheng Hong already gave it to Sun Wen.'

Sun Gui sighed and put the brush down. He had to think about how to get the empress out of the palace without stirring any suspicion. He needed to meet the empress first to make any further move. The candlelight was put out then he settled into bed. His eyes glanced at the corner of the room for a bit before closing his eyes. In the three months he spent here, the only long sleep he had was after meeting his lover. Now that his lover's presence was always surrounding him and watching him, he had been regaining his lost sleep for the past week.

Zheng Guozi waited for Sun Gui's breath to be even before getting out of the shadow. His thumb traced gently at the youth's plump lips and then stroked the chin with his index finger. He sat down beside the sleeping figure with adoring eyes.

In the past week, the emperor had never gone into the inner court despite the encouragement of the officials, he did not even go to his favored concubine but locked himself in his chamber. Zheng Guozi then listened to the gossip of the people in the palace, which he found disdainful before, and found out that Sun Gui had never been touched by the emperor! His hand slowly traced down to the youth's stomach and rubbed it gently.

"So skinny... You need to fatten up."

He placed a gentle kiss on the forehead and lay down with him, enveloping him in his arms.

Morning came, Sun Gui felt an emptiness as he woke up alone on the bed. However, there was not much time to dwell on it. He got into his praying clothes and walked toward the South Temple. Every three days, the empress would go to pray in the morning. It was the perfect chance to have a 'coincidental' meeting and chat over tea.

"Mistress, this concubine hopes that you have a good morning." Sun Gui lowered his head and body to the empress.

"There is no need for a salute in the temple, you can stand up straight." A tired and lifeless voice caught his ears. His emerald eyes squinted and immediately relaxed to look at the empress's appearance.

'Oh Wan Yingtai...'

Since they were at the temple, there were only a few maids attending to the empress. Meanwhile, Sun Gui had none. His eyes carefully looked up and down at Wan Ying Tai. Even if she adorned herself with excellent fabric and beautiful clothes, it could not hide the fatigue exuding from her. Her eyes were shallow with no light, her lips seemed to be chapped and pale, and her cheeks were a little hollow. If she was not wearing her exquisite cloak, no one would have guessed she was the empress.

"May this concubine have some words with the mistress inside the temple? This was the first time this concubine visit the temple. This concubine asked for forgiveness for rudeness." His words were clearly hinting that he wanted to talk alone. Wan Yingtai was silent for a few seconds before giving a monotonous answer.

"Then let's go in."

When in praying time, the empress disliked others disturbing her so none of the servants followed. They were a little surprised that a concubine was allowed in.

"What do you want?" The empress was straightforward. She was walking ahead without looking back.

"Mistress, do you want to escape?" Sun Gui was making a bet. It was risky but he could immediately tell that the empress was tired. She was tired to be in an empty position of power. In his research about her, she was an ambitious woman who wanted to see the world but as the noble daughter of the Wan family, she was married off to be the mother of the nation.

Wan Yingtai halted her steps and spoke in a low solemn voice.

"What do you mean?"

"It means that this concubine will help the mistress fake your death and create a new identity for the mistress." Sun Gui's voice was light and melodious. It made all the preposterous words he just said something easy to do.

"...What can you gain from it? You are an unfavored concubine, even if I leave, you can't become an empress." Her back finally turned to face Sun Gui. Even if her words were threatening, there was a glimmer of life breathing into those dead eyes.

"This concubine did not want to be an empress but for the empress's seat to be empty. This concubine guaranteed that the mistress would never be found out and this concubine would hold all the responsibility." Sun Gui handed a piece of paper to Wan Yingtai. The empress looked skeptical but still opened it to look. Her eyes widened at the content.

"T-This... Is it true? The nation!" Her hands trembled but not dared to rip the paper.

"Please do not worry, mistress. This concubine only wants the best for the country and the first step... is to abolish the harem."

The woman and the ger in the temple discussed their plan for two hours before returning to their respective chambers. The lifeless eyes of the empress finally had some light in them again. She was about to be free.

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A masked man jumped down from the golden roof and landed in front of the man wearing a dragon robe. He clasped his hand respectfully and kneeled on one of his knees.

"Your Imperial Highness, the diviner requested a one-on-one meeting with the emperor."

"What? He wants to meet me? When and where?" Zheng Hong jumped up from his seat in excitement. He had just returned from court and had been resting in his seat for a few minutes before this guard arrived.

"In 7 days, at dusk, in the XX tea shop." The man quickly answered, he knew how anxious the emperor had been for this diviner. This mysterious one was not ordinary to sway the emperor like this, he had thought that the emperor's fascination with Sun Wen was already big. However, this new one the emperor found was incomparable.

"Tell him I will be there." Zheng Hong was so excited that he seemed to forget the fact that the diviner knew of his identity. The emperor seemed to trash his dignity to meet up with beauties recently.

----------------------------------

"Why? Why do you want to meet him? He never cared about you. He only knew your diviner persona. Please don't go." Zheng Guozi was a big man, who might be 187 centimeters tall. He suddenly appeared in front of Sun Gui and bombarded him with words.

"Lord Regent, what are you doing here?" Sun Gui frowned at him but not actually angry.

'Stupid man, why did you jump out like this? How can I continue to live my days knowing that you stalked me? I want to pretend that I don't know!'

"Please, please don't go. Do you want the emperor position? I can give it to you, so don't meet up with another man." The big man became an abandoned dog. He got down on his knees with pitiful eyes directed at Sun Gui. He even grabbed the hem of his clothes with only two fingers, looking all cute.

Sun Gui rolled his eyes. It seemed like his husband always subconsciously knew that he had a soft spot for this appearance. The almighty regent turned into a dog just like that. He could only give out a scoff.

"My Lord, that was treason you were talking about." Sun Gui looked down at the pouted lips and shook his head."My Lord, all of the things that this servant has been doing-"

"Don't call yourself 'servant' either." Zheng Guozi disliked the way Sun Gui belittled himself by using such an address, especially with him. No matter what relationship they were having, it had to be on equal feet.

Sun Gui sent a pleasing smile for the first time to Zheng Guozi, not the usual frowning expressions. Zheng Guozi also smiled back stupidly and pat himself on the back for making him smile.

"My Lord, I have been doing all this for you and me, for our future. Don't stop me because it will be soon enough when I escape from this cage. Before that, you must not interfere at any cost. Just wait patiently, hm?" He bent down and reached his hands out to cup the face of the smiling man. Their faces were just a breath away from touching.

Zheng Guozi stared at the earnest and loving gaze that the youth sent him. It was breathtaking. The emerald eyes shined brightly as nothing could sully it, with his long lashes fluttering and the mole under his eyes giving him a seductive look. As if hypnotized, he could only nod along.