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### **Chapter 1: The Untouched Emperor**

🌿👑 **Emperor Wei Rong** was a figure of unmatched beauty and strength, his cold demeanor sending chills through the grand palace halls. His gaze could freeze even the most seasoned warrior in place, his words sharp enough to break the strongest spirits. Those who served him knew one thing—he ruled with an iron heart, and no one dared to approach him on a personal level.

Sitting upon his golden throne, Wei Rong scanned the room filled with ministers, their heads bowed in fear. The endless parade of petitions and state matters were nothing more than a tedious burden to him. His flawless, chiseled features remained stoic, betraying none of the frustration brewing beneath his calm surface.

"Your Majesty," began **Minister Shen**, his voice shaking, "there have been… rumors of unrest in the southern provinces."

Wei Rong’s cold eyes flickered toward the minister. "Rumors?" His voice was dangerously soft, yet it carried the weight of a blade.

The room fell silent, a heavy tension filling the air as the minister fumbled for words. **None of these matters interested him anymore.** The daily grind of ruling an empire had become dull, repetitive—there was no challenge, no intrigue.

As the court session dragged on, Wei Rong’s thoughts wandered. He longed for something—anything—that could stir his frozen heart. He didn’t know what it was, but he knew the palace's grandeur had lost its appeal. No person, no beauty had ever managed to spark warmth in his chest.

Until recently.

During one of his rare excursions outside the palace, something had piqued his curiosity. He hadn’t even laid eyes on the person, only heard whispers from the servants—a commoner, a young man whose beauty was said to rival the lotus flowers blooming by the river.

Wei Rong had brushed it off at first. **A commoner?** Someone of low status couldn't possibly intrigue him. Yet, the more he ignored it, the more those whispers crept into his mind. **Who was this person?** And why had so many people spoken of him with such admiration?

His curiosity simmered just beneath the surface, though outwardly, he remained the cold, distant emperor that everyone knew. He wouldn’t waste his time chasing rumors. But if fate brought this person to him… perhaps then, he would see for himself.

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🌸 Meanwhile, in a small, modest village far from the palace, **Xue Yan** tended to his daily tasks with a serene expression on his face. As a commoner, his life was simple, filled with mundane chores. Yet, his presence stood out in a way he never realized. The villagers often marveled at his ethereal beauty, calling him **White Lotus**, as his delicate features and gentle manner reminded them of the lotus flowers floating on the river.

Xue Yan, however, didn’t concern himself with such things. His life was quiet, and that’s how he preferred it. He knew nothing of the emperor’s court or the power struggles of the elite. His days were spent gathering herbs, helping his neighbors, and caring for the flowers by the riverbank.

But even in this quiet life, things were not always peaceful. There were those in the village who coveted his beauty and grew jealous of the attention he received. One such person was **Li Feng**, the son of a local nobleman. His eyes lingered too long on Xue Yan, and his jealousy was no secret. He made no effort to hide his disdain for the young man who, despite his humble status, had captured the hearts of many.

One evening, as Xue Yan walked along the river, tending to the flowers, he heard footsteps approaching from behind. He turned and saw Li Feng, his expression dark and menacing.

"You think you’re better than us, don’t you?" Li Feng sneered, stepping closer.

Xue Yan remained calm, his soft gaze meeting Li Feng’s. "I have never thought such things," he replied quietly. "I simply live my life."

Li Feng’s anger flared. "Don’t lie to me! Everyone in this village speaks of your beauty, but you're nothing more than a commoner!" He grabbed Xue Yan’s arm roughly, his grip tight and painful. 😡

Just as Xue Yan was about to pull away, another voice cut through the tense air—cold, commanding, and filled with authority.

"Let him go."

Li Feng’s grip loosened as he spun around, his face paling at the sight of the figure before him. Dressed in the finest silks, his face like that of a god descended from the heavens, stood **Emperor Wei Rong** himself. His gaze was ice, directed solely at Li Feng.

"Your Majesty… I…" Li Feng stammered, falling to his knees immediately.

Wei Rong ignored him entirely, his attention shifting to Xue Yan. The coldness that filled his expression for everyone else faded when his eyes fell on the young man. There was something about him, something that stirred the emperor’s heart in a way nothing else had before.

But, instead of acknowledging the strange pull between them, Wei Rong turned away, his voice calm yet distant. "You will return to the palace with me."

Xue Yan’s eyes widened in shock. "Your Majesty, I—"

"It is not a request," Wei Rong interrupted, his tone final. "You will come." There was no room for argument, but there was also no harshness in his words—only certainty.

Without waiting for a reply, the emperor gestured for his guards to escort Xue Yan. 🌸 And so, with a heart full of confusion, Xue Yan found himself leaving the life he had always known, not knowing that this would be the first step into a world of power, secrets, and a love that would bind him to the most powerful man in the empire.

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**To Be Continued...**

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Chapter 2: The Emperor’s Silent Protection

Xue Yan sat in the carriage, his mind spinning with confusion. The emperor himself had appeared, out of nowhere, to rescue him from Li Feng’s aggression. But why? Xue Yan had never even laid eyes on the emperor before today, and now he was being taken to the imperial palace, a place where he had no right to be. 🌸Wei Rong, seated across from him in the luxurious carriage, remained silent, his cold gaze focused on the passing scenery outside. His presence was overwhelming, and though his expression was unreadable, Xue Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that the emperor’s attention had been drawn to him for a reason he didn’t understand.Xue Yan carefully glanced at the emperor, hoping to find some clue to his intentions, but Wei Rong’s face was a mask of calm. His beauty was mesmerizing—sharp jawline, piercing dark eyes, and skin so flawless it was almost unreal. Yet despite his cold demeanor, Xue Yan didn’t feel the same fear that others did in his presence. There was something oddly comforting about him, a quiet assurance that, though Wei Rong’s emotions were well-guarded, he would never harm him.As the carriage rolled on, Xue Yan couldn’t help but speak up. "Your Majesty, may I ask… why you’ve brought me with you?"Wei Rong didn’t look at him immediately. Instead, he took a moment before responding. "You were in danger," he said simply, his voice steady and calm."But I am a commoner," Xue Yan insisted, his voice soft yet firm. "Surely there was no need for Your Majesty to intervene."At this, Wei Rong finally turned to him, his dark eyes locking with Xue Yan’s. "Danger is danger," he replied. "It matters not who you are." His tone was gentle, but there was a finality to his words that made it clear this conversation was not open for debate.Xue Yan fell silent, still unsure of why the emperor would care about his safety. But he didn’t press further. There was no use questioning someone as powerful as Emperor Wei Rong, especially when the answer wouldn’t change his fate. He was going to the palace now, whether he understood the reason or not.👑 Back at the palace, whispers quickly spread through the court. The emperor had returned with a commoner—a young man whose beauty was said to rival the finest nobles, yet no one knew who he was. Ministers and courtiers alike speculated wildly about the boy’s sudden appearance. Who was he, and why had the emperor taken such an interest in him?Lady Mei, a concubine known for her sharp wit and ambition, was the first to approach Wei Rong’s chief advisor, Chen Lei, for answers. "The emperor brings a commoner to the palace?" she asked, her voice laced with intrigue. "What could possibly make someone of such low standing catch His Majesty’s attention?"Chen Lei kept his expression neutral, but he too was curious. "I do not know, Lady Mei," he replied, his voice careful. "But the emperor’s decisions are not for us to question."Lady Mei smiled slyly. "Perhaps," she mused. "But the court will surely find this development… interesting." 💅🌸 That night, in the vast and opulent palace, Xue Yan found himself in a chamber far grander than anything he had ever seen in his life. The bed was draped in silks, the walls adorned with golden ornaments, and the view from the window overlooked the emperor’s private gardens—a place no commoner could dream of seeing, let alone staying in.But despite the grandeur, Xue Yan felt out of place. His life had always been simple, and the luxury of the palace seemed foreign to him. He sat by the window, gazing at the full moon 🌕, wondering what his future now held. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door."Come in," he called, standing to see who it was.The door opened to reveal Chen Lei, the emperor’s most trusted advisor. He bowed slightly before speaking. "The emperor has sent me to ensure you are comfortable, Xue Yan," he said, his tone polite but guarded.

.Xue Yan blinked, surprised by the sudden attention. "The emperor is too kind," he replied, bowing his head. "I am comfortable, but I do not understand why I have been brought here."Chen Lei studied him for a moment before answering. "His Majesty acts as he sees fit. It is not our place to question his motives. But I will say this—very few have ever been shown such favor by the emperor."Xue Yan frowned slightly, confusion still clouding his thoughts. "Favor? I am just a commoner…"Chen Lei smiled faintly. "Perhaps that is why you were chosen.

."Before Xue Yan could respond, Chen Lei bowed once more and left the room, leaving him with even more questions than before. He turned back to the window, the moonlight casting a soft glow over his face. Why would the emperor favor someone like him? What did Wei Rong see in him that made him worthy of such attention? 🤔

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👑 Meanwhile, Wei Rong stood alone on his palace balcony, his cold gaze fixed on the moonlit gardens below. His mind wandered back to the brief encounter with Xue Yan by the river. The boy’s beauty had stirred something in him—a strange, unfamiliar feeling that he hadn’t experienced before. It wasn’t just physical attraction; there was something deeper, something he couldn’t yet name.

He had always been cold, distant from those around him. His heart had never been touched by the affections of the court or the many who sought his favor. But with Xue Yan, things felt… different. He didn’t know why, and that unsettled him.

The emperor’s fingers brushed against the cold stone railing as he gazed out into the night. He had brought Xue Yan here to protect him from harm, but he knew that wasn’t the only reason. There was something about the boy that drew him in, something he couldn’t ignore.

For the first time in years, Wei Rong felt the stirrings of warmth in his heart—a warmth he hadn’t expected and wasn’t entirely sure how to handle. But one thing was certain: he would keep Xue Yan close. No one would harm him, and no one would take him away. 💖

To Be Continued...

### **Chapter 3: The Cold Emperor’s Silent Gaze**

The sun dipped low over the imperial city, casting a warm amber glow over the palace walls. 🌇 Inside the emperor’s grand hall, Wei Rong sat on his throne, his eyes as cold as the winter frost, showing no trace of the tenderness he had displayed to Xue Yan the night before. His sharp features and regal air demanded respect from every soul in the room, but there was a stark difference in the way he behaved with Xue Yan—something not even his closest advisors could comprehend.

Xue Yan, for his part, kept his head low, trying to blend into the background as court life carried on around him. **How had his life changed so suddenly?** He had gone from a simple commoner to living in the palace, and now, everyone’s eyes were on him. It made him uncomfortable, but he couldn’t deny the sense of protection he felt under Wei Rong’s watchful gaze. Even if the emperor was distant now, Xue Yan knew Wei Rong was never far.

As the court discussions continued, there was a sudden interruption. **Lady Mei**, one of the most powerful women in the court, entered with her retinue. Her beauty was striking, but it was her sharp mind that had earned her a dangerous reputation. 💅

"Your Majesty," Lady Mei greeted Wei Rong with a deep bow, her voice laced with sweetness but dripping with concealed malice. "I hear that a certain… commoner has been receiving your favor as of late. The court is most curious about this development."

A murmur rippled through the courtiers. Xue Yan’s heart pounded in his chest. He could feel Lady Mei’s eyes on him, sharp and calculating, like a predator circling its prey.

Wei Rong’s gaze remained fixed ahead, his expression impassive. "My personal matters are not for the court to discuss," he replied coolly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. His words were enough to silence the whispers, but they did little to ease the growing discomfort in the room.

Lady Mei’s lips curled into a small smile. "Of course, Your Majesty. I only wish to ensure that your judgment remains clear in these uncertain times. After all, bringing someone so… unworthy into the palace may raise questions."

At that, Wei Rong’s eyes narrowed, his cold gaze finally shifting toward Lady Mei. "I trust no one here questions my decisions."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop, and the courtiers quickly averted their gazes. Wei Rong’s presence was overpowering, and none dared to defy him.

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🌿 **Later that evening**, after the court session had ended, Xue Yan found himself wandering through the palace gardens, trying to clear his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place. The palace was beautiful, filled with riches and luxury, but it was also a den of hidden agendas, and he was unsure of his role within it.

As he walked, he heard the faint sound of footsteps behind him. Turning around, he was startled to see **Wei Rong** approaching, his robes trailing elegantly on the stone path. The emperor’s cold aura was still present, but there was something different in his eyes now—something softer, reserved only for Xue Yan. 🌸

"You seem troubled," Wei Rong said, his voice low but gentle.

Xue Yan quickly lowered his head, trying to compose himself. "I don’t belong here, Your Majesty. The court, the palace... they look at me like I’m some intruder."

Wei Rong stepped closer, his piercing gaze softening even more. "Do you think I care what the court thinks?" His tone was calm, but there was an underlying fierceness to his words. "You are here because I chose you to be here."

Xue Yan’s breath caught in his throat. Wei Rong’s presence was overwhelming, but in this moment, there was a warmth to him that Xue Yan couldn’t ignore. **Why had the emperor brought him into his world?**

"I don’t understand," Xue Yan whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "Why me?"

Wei Rong’s eyes softened, and for the first time, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Because you are not like them," he said quietly, gesturing toward the palace behind them. "You are different, Xue Yan. You see the world not through ambition or deceit but with purity."

Xue Yan felt his heart skip a beat at the emperor’s words. **Was that why Wei Rong had shown him such kindness?** But before he could ask, Wei Rong gently reached out, brushing a stray hair from Xue Yan’s face. His touch was surprisingly tender, in stark contrast to the coldness he showed to the rest of the world.

"You need not fear," Wei Rong said softly. "As long as you are with me, no one will harm you."

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But even as Wei Rong offered Xue Yan this rare glimpse of vulnerability, the world outside their small bubble continued to turn. **Lady Mei**, still fuming from her earlier confrontation with the emperor, had not been idle. In the shadows of the court, she schemed and whispered, spreading rumors and half-truths about the commoner who had caught the emperor’s eye.

The palace was a dangerous place for someone like Xue Yan, and Lady Mei knew how to manipulate the court’s suspicions to her advantage. **Sooner or later, the boy would slip—and when he did, she would be ready to strike.**

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🌙 **That night**, Xue Yan lay awake in his chambers, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—about Wei Rong, about the court, about Lady Mei’s veiled threats. The emperor had promised to protect him, but for how long? And what would happen if Wei Rong’s interest in him faded?

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on his door. Startled, Xue Yan sat up, wondering who would visit him at this hour. He opened the door to find **Chen Lei**, Wei Rong’s trusted advisor.

"His Majesty requests your presence," Chen Lei said simply, bowing slightly. "It is urgent."

Xue Yan’s heart raced. **Why would the emperor summon him so late?** He quickly followed Chen Lei through the quiet halls of the palace, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows on the walls.

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In the emperor’s private chambers, Wei Rong stood by the window, his back to Xue Yan. The room was dimly lit, and the only sound was the soft rustle of the emperor’s robes as he turned to face Xue Yan.

"You’re worried," Wei Rong said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Xue Yan nodded. "I… I don’t know how to act in this world, Your Majesty. Everything is so complicated."

Wei Rong’s gaze softened. He stepped closer to Xue Yan, his hand gently resting on the younger man’s shoulder. "You don’t need to change who you are," Wei Rong said quietly. "I brought you here because of who you are, not who the court wants you to be."

Xue Yan looked up, meeting Wei Rong’s gaze. There was something deep in the emperor’s eyes—something that made Xue Yan feel safe, despite the chaos swirling around them.

"You are not alone," Wei Rong whispered, his voice filled with a rare warmth. "I will protect you, no matter what."

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**To Be Continued...**

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