My Husband Is A Stranger (BL)

The grand hall fell into silence as Minister Zhang took the scroll from the attendant's hands. Every eye in the court was upon him, waiting to see how he would respond.

Rui remained still beside Li Yuan's throne, his expression unreadable. He had seen the faint tension in Zhang's fingers as he unrolled the document. Whatever was written inside was meant to corner him.

Li Yuan's golden eyes gleamed. "Minister Zhang, do you recognize these names?"

Zhang's throat bobbed as he read. "These are… names of various ministers and generals, Your Majesty."

Li Yuan nodded. "Men who have spoken against my rule. Men who have expressed doubts about my leadership."

A ripple of unease spread through the court.

"I have no interest in punishing those who offer wise counsel," Li Yuan continued. "But treason disguised as advice… That is another matter."

Zhang's fingers clenched around the scroll. "Your Majesty, I would never—"

"Would you not?" Li Yuan's voice was quiet, but there was an unmistakable threat beneath it.

Zhang hesitated. He knew denying too strongly could arouse suspicion, yet admitting even the smallest involvement would mean his end.

Rui watched with careful eyes. This was Li Yuan's game—one of slow suffocation. Zhang was trapped between silence and survival, and the emperor knew it.

A bead of sweat slid down the minister's temple. "I… I have only ever served the empire's best interests, Your Majesty."

Li Yuan leaned forward. "Then prove it."

A long pause.

Then Li Yuan gestured to the scroll. "Denounce these men. Sign your name at the bottom, confirming their disloyalty."

A sharp intake of breath echoed through the court. Rui nearly smiled.

This was brilliant.

By forcing Zhang to name his own allies as traitors, Li Yuan was turning him against them. If Zhang refused, he would seem guilty himself. If he agreed, he would lose any trust he had built with those who secretly supported him.

Zhang's face paled. "Your Majesty… these are my colleagues. Accusing them without proof would—"

"Proof?" Li Yuan echoed. "Do you question my sources?"

The entire court held its breath.

Zhang opened his mouth, then closed it. He had no choice.

Slowly, with visible reluctance, he took the offered brush and signed his name.

Li Yuan smiled. "Good."

The scroll was taken away, and the emperor leaned back, satisfied. "You may return to your place, Minister Zhang."

Zhang bowed stiffly and stepped back.

Rui met his gaze as he passed.

The fury in Zhang's eyes was unmistakable.

This was not over.

A Private Conversation

That night, Rui found himself once again in Li Yuan's study. A single candle flickered between them, casting long shadows along the walls.

"You enjoyed that," Rui murmured, sipping his tea.

Li Yuan smirked. "Did you not?"

Rui set his cup down, tilting his head. "It was… effective."

Li Yuan leaned forward. "You disapprove?"

"Not at all," Rui said smoothly. "I admire efficiency." He paused, then added, "But you have only wounded Zhang, not killed him. A cornered man is the most dangerous kind."

Li Yuan chuckled. "I am counting on it."

Rui's brows lifted slightly.

The emperor studied him. "Zhang will retaliate. He will seek alliances outside the court—perhaps even among the sects."

Rui's expression turned thoughtful. The cultivation sects were powerful, independent from imperial rule. If Zhang managed to sway one to his side, it could change everything.

Li Yuan leaned closer. "I will need you by my side when that time comes."

Rui met his gaze, holding it. "And if I chose my own side?"

Li Yuan's smirk deepened. "Then I suppose I will just have to make sure you never want to."

The room fell into silence.

The tension between them was no longer just political.

Rui exhaled slowly. "We shall see, Your Majesty."

Li Yuan's golden eyes gleamed. "Yes," he murmured. "We shall."