Chapter 1
On the second day of the eleventh lunar month in the seventeenth year of the Da Qi Yonghe era, the year's first heavy snow began falling at dusk over Wenyao Pass, the most perilous stronghold on the northern frontier. Snowflakes drifted down from the cold, grey sky and continued for an entire day, carried by the wind onto people's bodies and faces.
The snow was heavy and the cold severe. Even with padded cotton clothes on, the cold still bit deep into the bones.
Cheeks left bare quickly turned red, went numb, and lost all feeling in the bitter wind. And if someone covered the lower half of their face, leaving only their eyes exposed, the warm moisture from their breath would soon freeze a thin layer of ice onto their eyelashes.
In short, this was northern border weather – winter came early, and the cold was harsh.
During this time, everyone inside the pass would try to stay curled up on the heated brick beds inside their homes. Unless absolutely necessary, they wouldn't go out. The ground, untouched by footsteps, would quickly be covered by snow.
When the snow stopped and people emerged, everything would be a vast expanse of white. Walking on the snow-covered ground produced a satisfying crunching sound. In past years during this season, as people cleared the snow from their doorways, they would exchange cheerful greetings. When they opened their mouths to speak, white mist would puff out from their lips, briefly obscuring their faces before dissipating into the air.
But this year, that ordinary scene of Wenyao Pass did not appear. Many silently cleared the snow from their own doorways, but their gazes repeatedly lifted past the layers of white snow toward the General's Mansion. In their hearts, everyone silently prayed that General Shen Yi, who guarded the northern frontier, would survive this calamity.
Though hope was faint, in the northern frontier, the Northern Frontier Army was privately known as the Shen Family Army. Many people knew only of General Shen Yi and not the emperor. They wanted the general who protected their safety to be safe as well.
Da Qi had just gone through a national mourning. On the twenty-second day of the ninth lunar month, Emperor Qi Ying of the previous reign had suddenly contracted an acute illness and died in the palace at the age of thirty-seven. His posthumous title was Jing, and he was historically known as Emperor Taizong of Qi.
For Emperor Jing to die at this age was considered young, but the people of Da Qi were not truly heartbroken over his passing. Emperor Jing had ascended the throne at twenty. The circumstances of his ascension were highly suspicious. Some said the late emperor had discovered his ambition and wanted to depose him, so he killed his father and seized the throne. Others claimed this was slander.
Many rumors circulated about this matter. Emperor Jing never defended himself regarding these accusations, nor did he arrest the scholars who accused him of being so unfilial as to kill his father and usurp the throne. But this did not mean Emperor Jing was a benevolent ruler. On the contrary, his methods were quite brutal and bloody.
Whether Emperor Jing killed his own biological father before ascending the throne was unclear to others, but after his ascension, beneath his dragon throne truly lay a mountain of white bones and rivers of blood. Apart from his sixth younger brother, who was born simple-minded and was titled Prince Ying, all of Emperor Jing's other brothers were either killed or imprisoned under various pretexts – in short, thoroughly eliminated.
Even the offspring of those brothers were all exiled and forced to change their names and surnames.
Emperor Jing was temperamental and autocratic. Those who obeyed him were given important posts; those who did not were executed. During his reign, both inside and outside the court, everyone lived in fear. Emperor Jing was handsome, but he was also promiscuous and deeply fond of beautiful women. His harem was filled with countless beauties. He sometimes acted rather absurdly and was fond of consuming elixirs, vainly seeking immortality at a young age.
In the end, immortality remained out of reach—dying young turned out to be true.
Upon Emperor Jing's death, the secret edict inside the brocade box behind the plaque in the palace hall named the Third Prince, Qi Junmu, as his successor, written in the late emperor's own hand. With the new emperor's ascension, both the court and the wider realm were bound to see a changed order. Everyone waited for the new emperor's first move – to see who would feel his flames and from that discern the new emperor's character and temperament.
When news of Emperor Jing's death reached Wenyao Pass in the northern frontier, the Beirong barbarians happened to be invading the northern frontier. General Shen Yi, suppressing his grief, led the troops to face the enemy. Beirong's land was poor and sparsely populated, dense with forests but lacking rivers. Most people there survived by hunting.
Many had been entering deep forests to hunt since childhood, developing sturdy, rugged physiques. They were renowned as fierce warriors who feared neither battle nor death.
Every winter, when food became scarce in Beirong, they would raid the borders of Da Qi, stealing from the common people to survive the winter. When news of Emperor Jing's sudden death reached the border, the morale of the Northern Frontier Army crumbled. On the battlefield, General Shen Yi was wounded by a sword from Beirong General Huhe Lie. The blade was poisoned. Shen Yi led the Northern Frontier Army in retreat back inside Wenyao Pass.
While gravely ill from his wound, Shen Yi, out of gratitude for Emperor Jing, sent an urgent memorial to the new emperor requesting permission to return to the capital to see off Emperor Jing at his funeral procession. The new emperor rejected Shen Yi's request. Citing unstable troop morale after Emperor Jing's death, the new emperor ordered the wounded Shen Yi to lead the Northern Frontier Army in retreat to hold Wenyao Pass and to keep the gates closed regardless of what the Beirong did, lest they suffer defeat.
The new emperor had his reasons for this. Since ancient times, if a border victory coincided with a new emperor's ascension, it would be considered a double blessing from heaven, proof of the emperor's wisdom. But if they faced defeat, people would call it divine punishment for the emperor's lack of virtue. Such a situation, mishandled, could destabilize the new emperor's position and breed future trouble.
To play it safe, many people sought the most cautious approach at such a critical time.
The Northern Frontier Army followed the new emperor's orders and remained inactive inside Wenyao Pass. But the Beirong took the opportunity to plunder and slaughter Da Qi's common people. Shen Yi's son, Shen Nian, stood on the city wall for an entire day. The next day, in the capacity of Junior General, he led troops into battle, fought a great battle against the Beirong, and drove them back.
It was already mid-October by then. News of this matter naturally reached the capital. The new emperor issued an edict harshly condemning Shen Nian for defying orders and committing the crime of deceiving the emperor. He ordered Shen Nian to immediately return to the capital alone.
By this time, Shen Yi's injuries had become difficult to treat. He was gravely ill, feverish, and his fever would not break. Shen Nian again defied orders, refusing to return to the capital alone. At the same time, weeping bitterly, he submitted another memorial on his father's behalf, stating that he was defying orders and willing to enter the capital with his father to accept punishment.
The northern frontier was thousands of li from the capital. Even with fast horses riding day and night without rest, messages took several days to travel back and forth. But this time, the new emperor's edict was long delayed in reaching the northern frontier.
During this time, the Beirong continuously harassed Da Qi, forcing Shen Nian to fight battle after battle, forcing him to repeatedly deceive the emperor and defy orders, thereby creating weapons to use against him.
Of course, Shen Nian was no pushover. He had no shortage of tricks to deal with such situations. In the end, he used a feigned injury to lure out Huhe Lie and ordered his men to shoot the Beirong general down with a volley of arrows. He then cut off Huhe Lie's head and hung it on the walls of Wenyao Pass, avenging Shen Yi.
But even so, Shen Yi's condition continued to worsen. He grew weaker, and the time he remained awake grew shorter.
After this heavy snow arrived, other places were blanketed in white with few people moving about. But inside the General's Mansion, people hurried back and forth. Snow did not even accumulate on the path to Shen Yi's bedchamber—proof of how many had walked there.
Shen Nian now stood before his father's door. Snow fell behind him, quickly dampening his cloak. He was barely twenty years old, with a refined, handsome, and scholarly appearance. His fingers were pale and clean, with prominent knuckles – not at all the sort of hands one would imagine cutting off a head to hang on city walls. They looked more suited to writing poetry on fine rice paper. And his eyes naturally looked as if they were smiling, with a gentle curve and deep affection.
But now, those once warm eyes were heavy with gloom, filled with restlessness and anxiety.
No one knew how long passed before the door opened and a white-bearded physician stepped out. The old man's expression was grim. Seeing Shen Nian, he gave a slight shake of his head and said gravely, "Young General, the General wants you to go in and speak with him."
From the old man's head shake, Shen Nian understood his father's condition was dire. Suppressing his grief, he said, "I am grateful for your efforts, Physician Ye."
The old man sighed softly, shook his head, and left with his medicine box on his back.
Shen Nian pushed open the door and entered. The room was thick with the smell of medicinal herbs.
As Shen Nian approached the bedchamber, he saw that his father Shen Yi, normally pale-faced, now had a healthy red complexion – just like a man in perfect health.
A brazier of fire burned in Shen Yi's room. He was leaning against the headboard, staring at a handkerchief. The handkerchief was old and tattered, its edges frayed from years of constant handling. On it, embroidered in gold and silver thread, was a single character. The embroidery was worn, but it looked like the character bo (帛). Shen Nian could not make it out clearly.
But now, he had no mind for such things. His greatest concern was his father's condition.
Shen Yi was also young—just one year older than Emperor Jing. In his youth, he had been a companion to Emperor Jing in his studies and had once saved Emperor Jing's life. Later, the Shen family sided with the wrong faction in the struggle for the throne, placing Shen Yi on the opposite side from Emperor Jing.
After Emperor Jing ascended the throne and wiped out his brothers in the palace, the Shen family branch that Shen Yi came from either committed suicide or was exiled. In a rare act of mercy, Emperor Jing remembered that Shen Yi had once saved his life. So he sent Shen Yi alone to this desolate border region, and spared his parents, wife, and children.
Of course, they were never given important roles again. But because Emperor Jing had a bloody way of doing things and a habit of turning against people on a whim, Shen Yi’s father grew despondent day by day and soon died of a broken heart.
Emperor Jing once said drunkenly that since Shen Yi had chosen the wrong side, he had been born in the Northern Frontier and would die there as well—his bones would not be allowed back to the capital. This was somewhat against the rules, but whatever Emperor Jing said was the rule, and no one dared to object.
Over the years, Shen Yi guarded the Northern Frontier steadfastly, earning countless military honors for Da Qi. With those merits came steady promotions. Each time he was rewarded, he was allowed to return to the capital for a visit. In all these years, he had gone back only a few times.
Now he was the General Who Guards the North. Compared to Emperor Jing’s own brothers, his fate had been quite fortunate.
And now this fortunate man was on the verge of death.
Shen Yi had handsome, heroic features. His skin was rough from years of northern winds, yet he was still good-looking. Even now, frail and sickly, even after more than a decade of harsh weather at the border, his skin not so fair as the nobles in the capital—he remained a very handsome man.
He looked at Shen Nian with clear eyes. But both of them knew that his rosy, spirited complexion was nothing but an illusion.
Shen Yi coughed twice, flecks of blood landing in his palm. Without a word, he closed his hand, tucked it by the bedside, and said softly, "If His Majesty won't let me return to the capital, don't submit any more memorials. If the Emperor doesn't want me back, then bury me here in the Northern Frontier. Keeping watch over this land from here won't be too boring."
His tone was calm, yet carried a faint trace of loneliness and bitterness. Not being allowed to enter his family home while alive, nor return to the capital after death—this was unfair to Shen Yi. Emperor Jing had done many absurd things; this was just one more, neither too many nor too few.
In a way, Emperor Jing’s "mercy" toward Shen Yi was an even crueler form of torment.
Shen Nian’s heart sank. At the border, he had grown used to seeing partings between life and death, yet facing the loss of his own father still pained him. He lowered his gaze and tried to keep his tone as usual: "Father, don't overthink it. The people from the capital were delayed a few days—probably because the Northern Frontier's weather suddenly turned bad, and they aren't used to it. The new emperor has just ascended the throne, and after all, we won a battle here. He has to save face."
Shen Yi shook his head but didn't argue. He looked up at the snow flying outside the window. Lost in thought, a hint of nostalgia appeared in his eyes. Then he said quietly, "After I die, the Emperor won't make things too hard for you, at least for the sake of his reputation. When you return to the capital, hand over the military tally. We don't know this new emperor's temper yet. If the situation turns bad, resign from your post immediately. I know you have pride, but your life must come first. Also, you and your mother have never seen eye to eye. Once you're back in the capital, you'll have to deal with her every day. Show her respect, but you don't have to yield on everything. Your grandmother—your grandmother's heart is on your side.
Shen Nian’s expression cooled slightly. He said, "Father, when we return to the capital, you can say these things to Mother yourself." Shen Yi wanted to continue, but an itch in his throat seized him, and he broke into violent coughing.
He covered his mouth at once, but blood seeped through his fingers, dripping onto the bed covers. Just then, a servant announced from outside that an imperial edict had arrived from the capital.
Shen Yi lifted his head abruptly toward the door. Ignoring Shen Nian's concern, a flicker of hope appeared in his eyes—hope that he himself didn't even notice. Shen Nian understood what his father truly longed for. He wanted to return to the capital, but the emperor's decree would not allow it, not even under the excuse of escorting Emperor Jing's funeral procession.
Shen Nian had thought no edict would come. But after so much delay, it had finally arrived at the Northern Frontier once again.
He already knew what it would say: a harsh condemnation, accusing him of ambition and disrespect toward the emperor, and ordering him back to the capital immediately. He had planned to refuse the edict, but when he saw the faint, hopeful look in Shen Yi’s eyes, he let the messenger in.
No matter what, he had to let Shen Yi leave in peace. If the edict’s wording was harsh, he could always have the reader soften it. Shen Nian thought through many scenarios—his assumptions based on the new emperor's previous behavior. But this edict caught him off guard.
The new emperor had approved Shen Yi’s return to the capital to pay respects to Emperor Jing, with Shen Nian accompanying him. The eunuch delivering the edict smiled like a temple Buddha—no threats were needed at all—and spoke warmly of the new emperor’s concern, urging them to return soon.
Shen Nian found the edict so surreal, so wholly unexpected, that it felt like a trap—a Hongmen Banquet.
Shen Yi, however, had not expected such a turning point. He accepted the edict, looking at the new emperor's sharp, forceful handwriting. It reminded him strongly of Emperor Jing.
When he saw the words "Shen Yi shall return to the capital," his heart surged, his eyes blurred, and all he could think was: What does the capital look like this year? In his mind, he was suddenly back inside the capital—young again.
He stood within the palace walls, watching people pass by. Everyone back then was still so young. So many things had not yet happened. They were carefree youths who could still laugh and talk freely, none with blood on their hands.
Shen Yi’s thoughts wandered far. But to those watching, only a moment passed before the edict slipped from his hand and fell to the ground. The people nearby rushed to him in alarm. Standing by his bedside, Shen Nian called out hoarsely, "Father..." But no one answered him.
Shen Yi, leaning against the headboard, had perhaps recalled something beautiful. His expression was peaceful, a faint smile at the corner of his lips. Then cries of grief rose from the general’s mansion. White silk was once again draped over the gate.
On the second day of the eleventh lunar month, in the seventeenth year of Yonghe of Da Qi, General Who Guards the North Shen Yi died of severe wounds at the Northern Frontier. Grief spread across the frontier. By then, just one month and ten days had passed since Emperor Jing's death.
In just over a month, Da Qi had lost an emperor and a general. And gained a new emperor and a new general.
Both inside and outside the court, the winds of change blew, and silent undercurrents stirred.
And at that very moment, the new emperor, Qi Junmu—whom Shen Nian had briefly thought of—was lounging lazily before his imperial desk. All the doors of Qianhua Hall were wide open.
From inside, he could see outside. It was the eleventh month. Though the imperial capital had not yet seen snow, the weather was cold. Qi Junmu wore a white fox-fur cloak over his shoulders. He was exceptionally handsome—refined and elegant, with clear, sharp features. Only his lips were somewhat thin, giving him a rather cold and heartless look. The white fox fur made his complexion seem as smooth as jade.
It should have been a beautiful scene. But what was happening at the main entrance of Qianhua Hall was far from beautiful. A eunuch lay pinned down on a bench, his limbs restrained and his mouth gagged, as he was being caned.
Qi Junmu had ordered him caned to death, so naturally no one dared to let the eunuch live.
The pinned eunuch gradually stopped struggling as his life slipped away. Soon his body went stiff on the bench. The man covering his mouth quickly felt for a pulse, then knelt and reported in a trembling voice that the eunuch was dead.
Qi Junmu propped his head on his hand and gave a casual "Mm." The dead eunuch was quickly dragged away, leaving a trail of blood across the floor. This eunuch had been the adopted son of Ruan Jiqing, Qi Junmu’s personal attendant. Ruan Jiqing was ill that day and couldn’t serve the emperor, so his adopted son took his place. But in the end, not only did the young eunuch fail to win any favor—he lost his life.
In Qianhua Hall, the other eunuchs and maids dared not make a sound, their heads bowed. Under Emperor Jing's cruel rule, the palace servants had looked just like this—heads bowed, not daring to breathe. When the new emperor first ascended the throne, he treated his attendants generously, showed filial respect to the Empress Dowager, and listened to his ministers' advice. Everyone said the new emperor was gentle-natured and would be a good ruler.
Those serving him felt it most keenly. A kind master meant far less fear—at least they could sleep soundly at night.
But no one expected that this gentle new emperor would stay gentle for only a month. That morning, he woke up and ordered a eunuch caned to death simply because the tea was too hot and had scalded him.
Eunuchs always tested the temperature of the emperor’s tea. But when the emperor said the tea was hot, no one dared argue that the temperature was fine. The newly ascended emperor’s uncompromising nature was exactly like Emperor Jing’s. His methods… his methods were just as bloody, just as terrifying.
Qi Junmu gazed at the bloodstains before the hall. A strange, excited gleam appeared in his eyes. He thought: This is only the beginning. Those who were bought and placed beside me with ill intent, who wanted to slowly poison me and destroy my health—I will eliminate them one by one.
This is only the start.
After the eunuchs cleaned the blood from the entrance, someone from the Empress Dowager’s palace arrived to report that the Empress Dowager was ill.
Qi Junmu lowered his eyes, hiding the sinister look within. He stood and said slowly, "The Empress Dowager is unwell, and you servants have been negligent? Prepare my imperial palanquin."
The palace attendants hurried to make preparations.
As Qi Junmu rode in his palanquin toward the Empress Dowager's palace, he thought of many things—including, from his previous life, how he had wanted to become a wise ruler remembered through the ages, and how wretchedly he had died.
He also thought of the absurd fact that he had returned from death to the age of eighteen. Finally, he thought: Though the timing is a little late, I am standing here again.
Many things could still be done in time. Many things were not yet too late. And certain scores would be settled slowly. He had time. He was in no hurry.
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