Prologue
The Yúnlan Northern Empire was a land of towering mountains shrouded in mist, where hidden sects devoted themselves to mastering martial arts, medicine, and weapon forging.
Its armies were feared across the continent.
Every blade and arrow coated with deadly poisons could wipe out thousands on the battlefield, making the mere mention of Yúnlan enough to strike fear into the hearts of its enemies.
The previous Emperor of Yúnlan passed away after a long battle with a heart disease that had consumed half of his heart before it was finally discovered.
At only twenty-two years old, Crown Prince Yúe Yuān ascended the throne.
Now twenty-five, he had transformed the Yúnlan Northern Empire into one of the continent's greatest powers.
Under his rule, countless kingdoms had fallen beneath Yúnlan's banners, and his name alone was enough to make rulers think twice before declaring war.
Standing faithfully beside him was his only remaining family-His younger brother, Prince Yúe Hé.
At just eighteen years old, the young prince was a ger, blessed with delicate flower petals upon his chest that shimmered beneath the moonlight.
Although his appearance was gentle and refined, his temperament was anything but.
Anyone foolish enough to mock him-or threaten those he loved-would quickly discover just how ruthless he could be.
Yet even Emperor Yúe Yuān could not protect his brother forever.
Nearly twenty years earlier, the late Emperor of Yúnlan and the late Emperor of the Dōnglin Empire had forged a political marriage to secure lasting peace between their two great nations.
That agreement was finally about to be fulfilled.
Prince Yúe Hé...
...was the promised bride.
Neither emperor had expected fate to play such a cruel joke.
Instead of the princess they had anticipated, Yúnlan welcomed the birth of a rare ger-someone equally capable of bearing children.
Unwilling to become a pawn in someone else's arrangement, Yúe Hé fled Yúnlan and concealed his identity.
His journey eventually brought him to the Dōnglin Empire, where he disguised himself as a eunuch.
Unfortunately for him...
The Emperor of Dōnglin quickly took notice.
Rather than lowering his head like everyone else, the young eunuch openly challenged the Emperor whenever they met.
His sharp tongue, fearless spirit, and stubborn pride slowly captured the ruler's attention.
Curiosity became fascination.
Fascination became possessiveness.
Before long, the Emperor found himself willing to tear down every wall around his heart...
...all for one seemingly ordinary eunuch.
-------
The Dōnglin Empire rivaled Yúnlan in strength.
While Yúnlan dominated through poison and weapons, Dōnglin was renowned for its mastery of martial arts and the ability to manipulate objects with extraordinary precision.
Its fertile coastal plains, prosperous merchants, brilliant scholars, and disciplined soldiers had allowed the empire to flourish for generations.
Upon the Dragon Throne sat Emperor Dōng Chuān.
Twenty-eight years old, he was a ruler whose mere presence suffocated the entire court.
Decisive.
Merciless.
Absolute.
For more than five years, he had ruled without an Empress, a harem, or a single concubine.
Few dared question why.
Only two people knew the truth.
During a campaign against the northern barbarians, Dōng Chuān had been poisoned.
The toxin left him incapable of responding to physical desire, no matter how many renowned physicians searched for a cure.
Even after five years...
Nothing had changed.
Unable to father an heir, he kept the imperial harem empty, guarding the secret from everyone-including the Empress Dowager and the officials of the court.
He had long since accepted that he would never know love.
Until he met one reckless eunuch.
A young man who feared neither death nor the Emperor himself.
To Dōng Chuān's astonishment, the impossible happened.
His body-silent for years-responded.
Only that eunuch could awaken feelings he believed had died forever.
Only that person made him forget he was an emperor...
...and allowed him to simply be a man.
What Dōng Chuān didn't know...
...was that the fearless eunuch was no eunuch at all.
He was one of the rarest people in the world-
A ger.
And more importantly...
He was Prince Yúe Hé, the younger brother of Emperor Yúe Yuān of the Yúnlan Northern Empire..
The very person destined to become his Empress.
Author's Note 📌
Greetings, dear readers!
Welcome to my new story!
I'm Dragon Water Prince, also known as Thunderstorm, and I'm excited to begin this new journey with all of you.
If you enjoy the story, I'd truly appreciate your support through your votes, comments, and reviews.
Every bit of encouragement motivates me to keep writing and improve with each chapter.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the adventure ahead!
