i've just completed The Submissive Emperor. so i'm wondering if there are other novels with this dynamic? it doesn't have to be a shou emperor specifically, actually. i'd be super happy if there is any novel where one who has more power and is typically deemed as the gong, but is actually the shou. i mostly read historical novels than other settings, but i'm open with any for this dynamic. thanks in advance!!
https://chrysanthemumgarden.com/novel-tl/tbsc/ A novel I really adore and it’s incredibly funny. But it’s not historical. MC is much more powerful and richer than the ML so he’s thought to be the gong by the public until they end up going on a show. But the people he interact often with do know that ML is probably the top.
Rebirth Turn The Prince’s Loyal Lover - I especially enjoyed the emperor's perspective at the end Back To The Beginning Of Ming To Do Charity - the romance is really only a chapter or so at the end, so not one to read solely for the romance, but it does meet your criteria