Whilst that was a factor for me to hate on him, i hated mostly because he went back on his promise on the Empress. She (the original) sacrificed a lot for him and he turned his back on her because of a new chick.
But isn't it normally like that though? She isn't even the Empress, merely a Noble Consort (probably two or three ranks below Empress) So she probably changed so significantly that the Emperor lost whatever feelings he had for her. (I'm not making excuses for her, just that, given the times, it's expected the Emperor did what he did.)
I think it's because the empress was supposed to be the emperor's only love, and his most favored woman in his harem. And they loved each other. And then the emperor turned his back to her just because the other chick showed up and didn't even try to resist.
She isn’t the empress, just a noble consort. The distinction is made because her rank is far inferior so she lost the harem game just like that. She got played by the reborn female lead, and the Emperor is a stupid idiot. But cheating, no. Unfortunately, that’s how it was in ancient China. They’ve done worse things to concubines and the Emperors either 1) has no clue or 2) didn’t care cos he’s got three thousand women all ready for him.
Basically he should be judged by how standards were at the time. I never understood why people are complaining that he ‘cheated’.
http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/cheating_men_must_die/hs/mpn_chapter-2063833/pg-5/
It also might be because she made so many sacrifices and did so much for the emperor, which isn't really cheating, but it's a reason why people might hate him.
And they were also married for 4 yrs, so maybe that's also why it's cheating? Idk how ancient china worked.
http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/cheating_men_must_die/hs/mpn_chapter-2063833/pg-4/
It must be a mistranslation. Probably she entered the harem for four years. That’s why they fussed over the Phoenix sign - it’s the symbol of an Empress.
I'm pretty sure it was just a mistranslation, because only the empress can wear red peonies on their robes.
In c2 MC mentions that the pink hair girl (Lui Ruyan) got the MC's family to fall into ruin- the emperor let it happen because he favoured Lui Ruyan. The Arc is her retaliation for the emperor taking her for granted after she got her family and body ruined for nothing.
Why do people call the Emperor a cheating scum though? Back in the ancient times, it was expected, even encouraged, for the emperors to 'spread his seeds' to his harem concubines, to raise heirs for the throne. Wasn't it expected for Emperors to sleep with various concubines, hence why ladies always fight for favor.