My Husband Is A Stranger (BL)

The palace was never silent.

Even in the dead of night, whispers slithered through its halls like restless spirits, carrying secrets on the wind. Rui had learned this quickly. Every look, every carefully chosen word, was part of a much larger game.

And tonight, the game was about to shift.

Wrapped in a deep blue robe embroidered with silver threads, Rui stood at the edge of his balcony, gazing down at the imperial gardens below. He had sensed movement there earlier—too subtle for ordinary eyes to catch.

But Rui was no ordinary man.

He turned his head slightly. "How long do you plan to stand in the shadows, Chun?"

His attendant stepped forward from behind the curtain, bowing. "Your Highness," he said, voice hushed. "It is as you suspected. Minister Zhang moves tonight."

Rui's fingers tightened around the jade railing. "Who?"

"A small faction of generals. Loyal to him." Chun hesitated. "They are not planning a direct attack on His Majesty—yet. But they intend to stir discontent among the border armies. If they succeed, Li Yuan will be forced to send troops, weakening his hold on the capital."

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Rui's lips.

So they wanted to bleed the emperor's power little by little.

Cowards.

"Where are they meeting?" Rui asked.

"The old shrine near the western gate," Chun replied. "Under the guise of an offering ceremony."

Rui turned away from the balcony, his silver hair catching the moonlight. "Then I suppose it is time I paid my respects to the gods as well."

Chun's eyes widened slightly. "Your Highness, this is dangerous."

Rui smirked. "Everything in this palace is dangerous."

He retrieved his sword from its stand, the blade humming softly as his fingers brushed against it.

Tonight, he would no longer be a pawn in their game.

Tonight, he would move first.

A Meeting in the Shadows

The shrine was dimly lit, its once-sacred halls now a gathering place for traitors.

Rui moved like a ghost, his cultivation suppressing his presence as he stepped onto the wooden beams above, peering down at the men below.

Minister Zhang stood at the center, flanked by three generals dressed in civilian robes. Their voices were hushed, but Rui heard every word.

"We cannot wait much longer," one of the generals whispered. "The emperor grows stronger by the day. And that foreign prince—" His tone darkened. "He is a problem."

Rui's lips curved. Am I now?

Zhang exhaled. "I did not expect him to be so… bold. But it does not matter. The people will never accept him. He is an outsider, a consort in name only."

"Then why does His Majesty allow him such freedom?" another general asked, voice laced with suspicion. "Why grant him power?"

Zhang's expression twisted. "Perhaps he amuses the emperor."

A quiet chuckle rippled through the group.

Rui's grip on his sword tightened.

They think I am nothing more than entertainment?

Fine.

Let them think that.

Because when the time came, they would choke on their laughter.

Suddenly, one of the generals stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "Did you hear that?"

Too late.

Rui struck.

Descending like a blade from the heavens, he landed in the center of the room, silver fire flaring around him. The wooden floor groaned beneath his impact, sending a pulse of energy through the shrine.

The men barely had time to react before Rui's sword was at Zhang's throat.

"Continue," Rui said smoothly, his voice like silk over steel. "You were speaking of me, were you not?"

Zhang's face paled. "Prince Rui—"

"How unfortunate," Rui mused, pressing the edge of his blade against the man's skin. "It seems I have stumbled upon a most interesting conversation."

The generals reached for their weapons, but Rui flicked his fingers, and silver flames sparked in the air, circling the room like a living barrier.

"Move," Rui said, voice turning sharp, "and I will show you just how much of a problem I can be."

The men froze.

Zhang swallowed hard. "Your Highness, this is a misunderstanding—"

Rui laughed softly. "Is it?" His silver eyes gleamed. "Because from where I stand, it sounds like treason."

Silence.

Zhang's breath came shallowly, his mind clearly racing for a way out. "You… you would not kill me. His Majesty—"

"—would do nothing," Rui finished for him, tilting his head. "Not if he never found out."

Zhang's skin went white.

Rui leaned in, his voice lowering to a near-whisper. "Shall I remind you, Minister Zhang, that I was raised in a royal court far deadlier than this one?" His blade traced a delicate line along the man's throat. "Do not mistake my patience for weakness."

The generals stood rigid, fear flickering in their eyes.

Good.

Fear was a language they all understood.

Rui smiled. "Now. Here is what will happen."

He pulled back slightly, allowing Zhang to breathe. "You will cease your plotting. You will swear loyalty to His Majesty before the next court session. And you will do it convincingly."

Zhang gritted his teeth. "And if I refuse?"

Rui's expression turned cold. "Then I will not need to dirty my hands. Because by the time I am finished, Li Yuan will have your head himself."

A moment of silence.

Then Zhang exhaled, lowering his gaze. "I understand, Your Highness."

Rui stepped back, sheathing his sword. "Good."

The silver flames vanished, plunging the room back into darkness.

He turned on his heel and walked away, not bothering to look back.

Because he knew—when morning came, Minister Zhang would kneel before the emperor, his voice steady, his loyalty sworn.

And yet, Li Yuan would know.

He would know exactly why Zhang had changed his tune.

And he would know exactly who was responsible.

A Dangerous Exchange

When Rui returned to his chambers, Li Yuan was already waiting for him.

Draped in golden robes, the emperor sat near the incense burner, the soft glow of the embers casting shadows across his sharp features.

"You move quickly," Li Yuan murmured, sipping his tea.

Rui didn't flinch. "You knew."

Li Yuan smirked. "Of course."

Rui narrowed his eyes. "Then why did you let me handle it?"

Li Yuan set his cup down, golden eyes glinting. "Because I wanted to see what you would do."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, to Rui's utter surprise, Li Yuan chuckled. "You did well."

Rui arched a brow. "Is that praise, Your Majesty?"

Li Yuan leaned forward, his voice low. "It is recognition." His gaze flickered to Rui's sword. "I have given you power, Rui. And now, I see you intend to keep it."

Rui held his ground. "I do not intend to be a pawn in your court."

Li Yuan smirked. "No. You intend to be a player."

Another stretch of silence.

Then Li Yuan stood. With slow, deliberate steps, he crossed the room, stopping just in front of Rui.

For the first time, Rui felt the weight of the emperor's presence—not as an enemy, not as a ruler, but as something else.

Something dangerous.

Something consuming.

Li Yuan reached out, brushing a stray silver strand from Rui's face. His touch was warm, lingering.

"You continue to surprise me," he murmured.

Rui exhaled slowly. "Then perhaps you should stop underestimating me."

Li Yuan's smirk deepened.

"Perhaps."