Thread by @9thsouls

#ranwan royalty au where everyone thinks noble consort chu doesn’t deserve emperor mo’s favor

the consort was hardly seen in public so everyone thinks that he was a weak and pampered noble

unbeknownst to them that the general fighting for the country in war is also chu wanning

they try so hard to vie for the emperor’s affection, trying to seduce him every chance they get despite their futile attempts

after all, the throne of the empress is still empty

noble consort chu’s scarce presence in the palace and his absences in the morning greetings of the harem made everyone think that he was a rude snob who doesn’t have any respect for etiquette

this rumor circulated until it reached the court which was the perfect opportunity for the officials to push mo ran into choosing a better candidate for the position of the empress

because even though it went unsaid everyone knows that one of these days, emperor mo’s affection will elevate noble consort chu to the throne

however this only incited the wrath of the emperor, punishing everyone who dared to bad mouth the consort

they don't know, that the noble consort chu is also the highly esteemed general chu who is currently risking his life, fighting the battle up north to protect the borders

where every night as chu wanning washes the blood from his soaked robes, his heart aches for his lover

it was the best option. mo ran cannot leave the throne to others lest someone attempts to usurp his title and besides, no one else can handle the matters of the country better than him

so it was up to chu wanning to take up the mantle of war

chu wanning is the only child of the late general, the same general who taught the younger prince mo ran martial arts and how to win a battle

often times, they would learn these lessons alongside each other until they gradually became closer and eventually, lovers

hence every time the consort was in the palace, he was either resting with mo ran tending to his injuries, or spending what little time he has with his beloved entangled passionately, memorizing the sensation of mo ran against him before he was needed once again on the frontlines

because when they were younger, they both made a vow to protect the empire even if it hurts to be so far apart

and when the battle is finally won, everyone had come to finally understand why emperor mo ran holds noble consort chu wanning close to his heart so much

everyone watches in fascination as general chu, still in his armor, bows deeply in front of the throne as the emperor grants him the title of the empress, one that was meant for him to receive so long ago if it wasn't for the war

mo ran glances over his subjects and past the palace walls — everything he has, is also chu wanning's

he goes down the steps and holds chu wanning's hands, urging him to see mo ran eye-to-eye

smiling softly he says, "no one is more worthy than my wanning"

end of thread // pls do not mind the historical inaccuracies _(´ཀ`」 ∠) _