My Husband Is A Stranger (BL)

Rui could not sleep.

The flickering lanterns cast long shadows across his chamber walls, their dim glow doing little to soothe the storm within him. He sat by the open window, gazing at the imperial city bathed in moonlight. Somewhere beyond the palace walls, the people of the empire slept peacefully, unaware of the struggles brewing within the court.

His fingers tightened around the edge of his robe.

Li Yuan's words still echoed in his mind.

"I want you at your strongest."

Why?

What did the emperor see in him—beyond a trophy, beyond a political statement?

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Rui turned as the wooden panels slid open, revealing a familiar face.

Chun.

His former attendant from Yue, the only one who had survived the fall of his kingdom and had somehow remained at his side even now. Dressed in simple robes, Chun bowed deeply before stepping inside, closing the door behind him.

"Your Highness," he whispered. "I bring news."

Rui straightened. "Speak."

Chun hesitated for only a moment before moving closer, lowering his voice. "There are whispers in the court. Some ministers are displeased with your presence. They do not believe you should hold power in the empire."

Rui's jaw tightened. He had expected resistance, but it was happening faster than he anticipated. "Who?"

"Minister Zhang is among them," Chun said. "He has been meeting with certain generals in secret. I do not know their plans yet, but they are watching you closely."

Rui exhaled, forcing his emotions into check. Zhang. The same man who had challenged him at the wedding feast. He had known that man was dangerous.

"They want to remove me," Rui murmured.

Chun nodded. "And not just from the court. Some believe you are a threat to His Majesty himself."

A chill ran through Rui's veins.

Li Yuan was not an easy man to manipulate. But if enough powerful figures turned against him, even an emperor could be overthrown.

Silence stretched between them before Chun spoke again.

"Your Highness… what will you do?"

Rui glanced at the window, watching the clouds shift across the moon.

He had two choices.

He could remain passive, waiting for these men to make their move—allowing them to dictate his fate as they had dictated his kingdom's destruction.

Or…

He could move first.

His fingers brushed against the cool silk of his sleeve, where his cultivation energy pulsed faintly beneath his skin.

His strength was not just for survival.

It was time to use it.

A Game of Power

The next morning, Rui made his way to the imperial garden, where the court gathered for morning discussions. He walked with measured grace, his silver hair catching the sunlight, his robes flowing like water. The moment he entered, the whispers began.

Minister Zhang was already there, standing among a group of noblemen. His fox-like eyes flickered toward Rui, a polite smile masking his true intentions.

"Your Highness," Zhang greeted, bowing slightly. "What an honor to have you join us this morning."

Rui met his gaze without flinching. "Minister Zhang. I hear you have been quite busy lately."

A flicker of surprise, quickly masked. "A minister's duty is never done."

"Indeed," Rui said smoothly. "Though I wonder—does that duty include secret meetings with discontented generals?"

The air around them grew tense.

Zhang's smile did not falter, but his fingers curled slightly at his side. "I do not know what you mean, Your Highness."

Rui took a step closer, lowering his voice. "I think you do."

A sharp silence stretched between them. The nobles who had been chatting moments ago now watched in uneasy anticipation.

Zhang's expression darkened. "You speak boldly, Your Highness."

Rui tilted his head. "Is that not what His Majesty admires most about me?"

Zhang inhaled slowly. "You are an outsider," he murmured. "No matter how much power you gain, you will never truly belong here."

Rui smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Then perhaps it is time I stopped trying to belong."

Zhang's eyes flickered with something unreadable—concern, perhaps. But before he could respond, a new voice cut through the tension.

"Is there a problem here?"

Li Yuan.

The emperor strode into the garden, his golden robes flowing behind him. He exuded effortless authority, and all present immediately lowered their heads in respect.

"None at all, Your Majesty," Rui said smoothly. "Minister Zhang and I were merely discussing the nature of loyalty."

Li Yuan's golden gaze flickered between them.

Zhang bowed deeply. "Of course, Your Majesty. Loyalty is the foundation of any great empire."

Li Yuan smiled, but Rui recognized the sharp edge to it. "Good. Then I trust there will be no misunderstandings."

A warning.

Zhang clenched his fists before forcing a smile. "Naturally."

Li Yuan held his gaze for a moment longer before turning to Rui. "Walk with me."

Rui followed as the emperor led him away from the nobles, toward a secluded path lined with cherry blossoms. They walked in silence for a while before Li Yuan finally spoke.

"You are playing a dangerous game."

Rui smirked. "So are you."

Li Yuan chuckled. "True." He glanced at Rui, expression unreadable. "You should be careful with men like Zhang. He is not one to make idle threats."

"And yet, you do not stop him," Rui noted.

Li Yuan exhaled. "Because I need to see who else is in his shadow. If I cut him down now, another will rise in his place. But if I let him think he is gaining ground…"

"He will expose his allies," Rui finished.

A slow smile spread across Li Yuan's lips. "Clever."

Rui met his gaze. "Then allow me to play my part."

Li Yuan's amusement flickered into something else—something deeper. He studied Rui, as if seeing him in a new light.

"You truly intend to fight for your place here," he murmured.

Rui did not look away. "You gave me no choice."

Li Yuan smirked. "No. I did not."

For a long moment, they stood there, two forces locked in silent understanding.

Then Li Yuan turned. "Very well," he said, walking ahead. "Let us see what you are capable of, my consort."

Rui inhaled deeply before following.

The game had begun.

And he was ready to win.