This was a re-read and I somehow had it my head that the ML doted on the MC a lot more in this story than I actually saw.  The ML was mostly supportive towards the MC, especially once he got to know him, but there was some distance there because of plot shenanigans, to include concubines and a fake true love.  I'm not particularly pleased about how the issues pretty much only managed to get tidied up because of random mpreg caused by gu (wtffff....) and I would've liked it better if they had found another way to resolve the issues with the Emperor.  Or you know... not every ML has to become the Emperor.  I'm okay with that.  He was perfectly fine with not becoming the Emperor once he'd had some time to calm down and think about it.  It would've been fine, Author.  We did not need random insect-driven mpreg so that the ML could become Emperor.