This ML is obviously horrible. He isn't the worst since I've seen much worse especially from Chinese webtoons that are fond of romanticizing abuse but he is no good either. He knows her situation with her family and being plotted against and knows that group is her only strength but is still trying to steal that sole power away. I understand an emperor wanting to get more power but hurting her while claiming she is "the empress" is the worst. It would've been better if he was forthcoming about this and told her "give me power and you'll gain power as the empress" or something like that but hurting her then giving her medicine for the injury he caused is so unsightly