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Gu Rong was the heir of the Xiao Royal Residence. Tired of family strife, he gave up a bright future that was within easy reach and retreated to the mountains of Jiangnan for a semi-hermit, semi-reclusive life of self-cultivation.
Unfortunately, he didn’t end up becoming much of a hermit but instead met a young gentleman with similar ideals and exceptional eloquence.
The two of them spent their days brewing tea and playing chess in the mountains, discussing everything from the Hundred Schools of Thought to the grand affairs of the world, from astronomy and geography to profound philosophies. Eventually, one thing led to another, and their discussions ended up in bed.
Their bodies were perfectly in sync and as they slept together more and more, emotions inevitably followed.
So, they agreed to spend their lives happily in that mountain cottage, to grow old together as a pair of immortal lovers.
But the good times didn’t last.
A year later, the old emperor fell critically ill and the court’s situation took a sharp turn. A letter came in haste from the Xiao Royal Residence, summoning Gu Rong back to take charge and do everything possible to prevent the rumored cruel and increasingly powerful crown prince from ascending the throne.
Gu Rong couldn’t abandon his family. He looked at his gentle lover, sound asleep beside him, and could only leave behind a breakup letter and slip away.
***
Xi Rong was the current crown prince. He had grown up amidst blood and storms, and once, while escaping an assassination attempt, he accidentally entered the mountains and met a stunningly beautiful man.
They had a wonderful connection and after much effort, he managed to win the beauty over, spending every day entangled with him in deep intimacy.
But fate is fickle.
News broke that the old emperor had been assassinated. His brothers were all eyeing the throne hungrily, each wanting to seize it for himself.
Xi Rong had no choice but to think seriously about returning to court.
Just as he was fretting over how to convince his mountain-loving beauty to go back with him, he woke up one day to find that the beauty had left him a breakup letter first.
Xi Rong: Heh.