[BL] The Emperor Undeniably Loves His Empress

TEULHE: Parting

The ministers and officials present knelt before the Dragon Throne.

They lowered themselves to pay respect, als due to the Fear that had been ingrained into their very bones.

"Y-you're majesty! This official! P-please show mercy to the people!" An lowly official stood out from the rest as he knelt in the middle of the hall, shouting his pleas.

He was an Official beloved by the people and lived his life close to them. Because of their friendship and knowing of his status, hundreds begged in front of his household everyday crying for help. Their agony and deafening pleas haunted him in his sleep, challenging his consciousness.

He had seen with his very two eyes what had become of the common folk! His Majesty must be stopped! The Emperor's tyranny was simply too much!

But he was powerless against the sovereign ... so Official Han decided to staked his life for a miracle.

Begging. Desperate begging.

"Was this Emperor never merciful? For you to direct such words..." Was there a hint of spite in his voice? or was indifference? The Emperor's tone was like frost with the power to make their heart stop a few beats. His eyes showed not even an ounce of symphathy by his begging.

His kneeling subjects' shivered and their foreheads were pressed obviously kissing against the floor. Even this way of prostrating like this was too much and was very humiliating. But this was the daily occurrence during the morning court.

Unlike their past Ruler, this One was very ruthless.

They were present as Ministers and Officials with power yet neither were allowed to freely share their thoughts as their life always hanged on a thread, seemingly brittle and short lived.

The treatment they received were very unbecoming of their title.

"This Officials ask Your Majesty to be merciful and not raise the taxes this year! The people are starved! L-Last years famine! Due to it, our people are currently suffering to live so this Official is asking Your Majesty to exempt them from this years annual raise!"

"Your Majesty! P-please be merciful!" Other than the brave Official Han. No one spoke up to encourage him. He was fighting a lonely battle.

"For you to embarrass yourself like this, this Emperor couldn't be help but be interested on how you see him no?" His playful taunting served as a threat. His gaze lowered over them and as their unbecoming display was pleasant to his eyes.

The hall was quiet that one could hear a pin needle drop. An absolute subjugation.

"Imperial Majesty..." A gentle voice resounded through the hall. There was a lingering unique timber to it that somehow eased the atmosphere the little.

"Empress." This voice made his heart leap.

Beside the Dragon throne rests a Phoenix, The Mother of the Nation.

However, this Dynasty's mother was odd. A mother would be innappropriate to adress a once mighty General that dominated ever battlefield.

The Empress was far from a weak woman.

"Imperial Majesty, if you consider Official Han's deeds for the past year, hearing him out is quite an appropriate reward no?" Contrast to the Emperor's ruthless ways, the Empress was wise and dislike unnecessary actions.

"Will that make you happy?" The Emperor's interest didn't lie on Official Han's proposal but if agreeing to it would win his beloved's favor. The once galant General Yu Haoyang.