Can you please tell the name of the novel or where I can read it?
ah i hope you don't mind MTL ing because no one has translated this (there was once before but it stopped for unknown reason)
https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=358744
but if you want something similar like this and completely translated, you can read "the governor sickness" it's also historical with politic, you will feel like you followed both lead for a life time. unfortunately they're not switch. but the mc is a manly assassin. it was really angsty story because the world is quite dark, but both lead had really good relationship unlike in this manhua. it also got a manhua
although there are a lot uncommon things here unlike in other bl, it didn't turn me off, instead it made me like this story so much.
1) ml r*aped mc, but then mc r*ped him back, an eye for an eye. i am tired of seeing bl where the mc have always to be the one suffer in the bed. ah yeah btw, they're totally SWITCH. they said it in story extra (novel). lol although both of them are reluctant when it's time to bottom and they both have complain with the other's performance. if someone has a good story with switch couple pelase rec me.l something.
2) also, BOTH had gotten married to women, and both had a son which is important because at that time period leaving a son to continue family lineage is important. in other bl, the couple usually chose not to marry opposite sex to have children, or if someone have a child, it will be the male lead again! i am happy for once that they still follow their time period custom which made me able to immerse myself, and yes that's they're really people from that time period, not a comic character with progressive mind given by the author through the fourth wall
3) they didn't have that kind of happy ever after ending. the end is kind of bitter sweet imo. i think even the author originally wanted them to not meet again in the end iirc but change her mind bc readers asked for them to meet again
4) the raise and fall of the mc and ml was kind of amazing. although i feel it's not entirely realistic but it also felt realistic. mc had reason why he wasn't punished for the treason you see, same with ml return to power, it doesn't feel like a plot armor. anyway i just really feel i had followed them for a lifetime
5) i like how both were good friend with that death friend. i feel like that person was the white moonlight for both for different reason. although i do have complain about him. but even as the emperor's ex he's not a third wheel, or have antagonistic role at all. overall all the side characters played their role impeccably. i even feel fond towards ml's son although he just showed up briefly