Chapter 001: A Night of Extravagance

In response to Qin You's confusion, what answered him was a hand, or rather, an object resembling a hand, as it merely grasped Qin You's feet, seemingly attempting to pull him away from this place

He is the Thirteenth Prince, Prince Anping, Ying Rui

Is this what they call a fleeting moment of brilliance? Qin You helplessly sighed inwardly: Must I leave like this?

His sense of touch has become unprecedentedly sensitive at this moment

In order to avoid involving more people, Qin You naturally became the sacrifice, a cold bullet pierced through Qin You's chest from behind

Ying Xuan had never seen the Yanping Emperor come to find his mother, and he could only meet the Yanping Emperor during the grand ceremony each year, yet in seventeen years, he had never spoken a single word.

For the exceptionally talented Ying Rui, Yanping Huang was simply satisfied to the utmost degree

Ying She was deposed from the position of crown prince largely due to the significant role played by Xiao Changluo, who led the civil officials and censors in vehemently attacking Ying She in the court, thereby solidifying Emperor Yanping's resolve to depose the crown prince

Emperor Yanping is now nearing his sixtieth year, having ascended the throne for thirty-seven years. He has twenty sons and thirteen daughters, among whom eight have died young. The eldest son, Ying She, is now forty years old, while the youngest son, Ying Fu, is only five. Despite his advanced age, Emperor Yanping remains vigorous and has continued to father children even after fifty, feeling a sense of comfort in his old age. He regards the imperial harem as a forbidden area, where no one is allowed to tread. A few years ago, the then Crown Prince Ying She took a liking to a palace maid and brought her back to the Eastern Palace. Initially, this was not considered a significant issue, but when Emperor Yanping learned of it, he flew into a rage, vehemently accusing Ying She of being disloyal and unfilial. He stripped Ying She of his title as Crown Prince on the grounds of corrupting the harem. Emperor Yanping, in his old age, remains resolute and, acting swiftly, eliminated the Crown Prince's faction from the court. Had it not been for the influence of the maternal uncle, Cao Fang, in the court, Ying She would have already been dispatched to a remote mountain valley.

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However, after cracking a drug trafficking case, Qin You unexpectedly discovered the secrets behind this transaction, which surprisingly involved a massive corruption and bribery scandal

Qin You shouted while following the old woman's gaze, and to his surprise, he saw a haggard beauty lying on the bed, looking at him with a face full of joy, her tear-filled eyes brimming with affection

Ying Xuan, however, did not wish to dampen the excitement of Ba Ge, "If Ba Ge is interested, he can simply ask Father for it tomorrow."

Ying Rui bears a seven-part resemblance to the young appearance of Emperor Yanping, and in addition to his scholarly pursuits, Ying Rui is exceptionally talented, adept at composing poetry and prose. At a young age, he has already gained the admiration of the esteemed scholar Huang Puyuan within the scholarly community, which brings great pride to the old Ying family, who have seized the world through military might.

At this moment, the descendants of the Qin state were completely uninterested in this unusual scenery; their attention was entirely captivated by the group of palace maids in long sleeves who were able to dance.

Emperor Yanping clearly did not notice the furtive glance cast at him by Ying Xuan, and continued to stride confidently towards his golden dragon throne. Following closely behind him was a youth of about seventeen or eighteen, whose face resembled the full moon of autumn and whose complexion was like the flowers of spring dawn, evoking intense jealousy in many women who beheld him

So this is death, why is it so crowded all around? Why does my consciousness still exist?

"Heavens, what on earth is happening? Am I not dead?" Qin You shouted loudly, but the sound that emerged was still a wailing cry, which, to the ears of those around, was particularly melodious

Ying Xuan clearly remembers that night seventeen years ago, when he thought his life was coming to an end. Who would have known that when he opened his eyes, he found himself transformed into an infant? Perhaps it was Heaven's way of compensating him for the shortcomings of his previous life, as in this life he was fortunate enough to be born into a royal family. From that moment on, Qin You became Ying Xuan, the fourteenth prince of the Great Qin Empire

However, what came into his view was the face of an old woman, her face full of wrinkles. Qin You was taken aback, unsure of how to respond

When Empress Cao passed away, Ying She relied on the support of her uncle Cao Fang in the court to maintain her position as the Crown Princess. However, with the favor gained by Concubine Xiao, her brother Xiao Changluo's career path quickly transformed into a broad avenue. He rapidly established a foothold in the court and proclaimed himself as a faction. After Xiao Changluo was promoted to the position of Right Chancellor, this faction came to be known as the Xiang Party

Upon hearing the words of Emperor Yanping, Ying Rui straightened his back even more

The entire political and legal system has been implicated, with nearly half of its members involved. Moreover, countless officials have been dismissed, including several high-ranking officials from provincial and municipal levels.

Emperor Yanping was greatly pleased upon hearing Longxin, and immediately conferred the title of Prince of Anping upon Cao Rui, whose honor and favor far surpassed that of his several elder brothers.

At this moment, the palace of the Qin State was ablaze with lights, hosting a grand banquet. A line of hunched eunuchs hurriedly brought in the delicacies freshly prepared by the imperial kitchen, and just as swiftly retreated with the empty dishes. Their movements were orderly and precise, without the slightest hint of chaos, presenting a unique scene.

Qin You struggled to open his eyelids. As his trembling eyelids lifted slightly, a burst of blinding light caused him to hurriedly shut his eyes again. However, when he attempted to open them once more, it felt as if his upper and lower eyelids were glued together, making it impossible to open them.

Your Majesty, this way you will spoil Rui'er. Hehe. The mother of Ying Rui, Consort Xiao, walked gracefully towards Emperor Yanping with the assistance of the palace attendants

The most powerful man of the Qin Empire walked in amidst the throngs of people chanting his praises.

Qin You felt as if his body had entered a warm pool, surrounded by a cozy warmth, yet it was extremely humid. The surroundings were also very cramped, as if he had been stuffed into a small box.

Long live our Emperor, long live, long live for eternity

It seemed that the old woman was dissatisfied with Qin You's foolish stare at her, so she reached out and gave him a slap on the backside. The moment her palm made intimate contact with his rear, it jolted Qin You's thoughts back to reality

"Fourteenth Brother, quickly look, quickly look, that young lady is smiling at me."

The Central Plains achieved peace due to the policies of rest and recuperation implemented by Emperor Yanping, thus formally establishing the pattern of the world being divided into three parts

Haha, not bad, not bad, winning without arrogance. Hahaha

Ying Xuan's calm heart suddenly stirred with ripples

Qin You let out a cry of pain involuntarily, but the sound was surprisingly akin to that of a child's wailing.

At that time, in a corner room of the inner palace, Ying Xuan was clenching his small fists, his little face flushed, crying loudly. His voice was exceptionally resonant, but he was not fortunate enough to be conferred a title of nobility, as his father had not even remembered his existence.

This year marks the 20th year of the reign of Emperor Yanping of the Great Qin. The sister of the Emperor of Shu, who is also the most favored consort of the Emperor of Qin, Liu, has endured the difficult passage of a difficult labor and has given birth to the 14th prince of the Great Qin Empire, named Xuan

I do not want to die yet. Qin You shouted in his heart, but after the last contraction of his throat muscles, they slowly relaxed, unable to tighten again, lying flat like a rubber band that had lost its elasticity, weak and powerless.

The moon, like a silver disc, reflects the entire sky

Ying Xuan did not know how many times he had seen his father, the emperor, in these seventeen years; he estimated it could be counted on one hand.

Ying Xuan's body is that of a simple child, yet he carries the memories of over thirty years from his past life. Deep down, he is an adult even older than his mother. He understands that in the imperial palace, the only way to survive is through patience, avoiding conflict and ostentation. Furthermore, the trauma of having become a victim due to touching upon the interests of the elite in his previous life has left him unable to let go. Thus, in this life, he is content to be an invisible person, quietly living in the shadows. If all goes well, in a few years he will be granted a noble title according to ancestral customs, and at that time, becoming a carefree lord in his designated place would not be a bad thing.

The Eighth Prince, Ying You, who has just turned twenty-five this year, shook his head helplessly and said, "Who doesn't know that in recent years, Father Emperor has become increasingly... Although she is merely a singing and dancing palace maid, she is still a member of the harem, which is a taboo."

Ying Xuan raised his head to look into the arena, and there he saw a woman whose smile was as radiant as a flower. She moved with the grace of a swallow, her arms as delicate as a butterfly dancing among the flowers. However, it was uncertain whom her smile was directed at.

On such a quiet deep night, Qin You seemed to be able to clearly capture his own breathing and was acutely aware of everything around him

If one day I can return to the Eastern Palace, I will surely annihilate the entire Xiao family. Ying She harbors deep hatred for the Xiao family, as they not only caused him to lose his position as crown prince but also made him lose the favor of Emperor Yanping. Although he is now a middle-aged man nearing forty, the feeling of having his rightful possessions gradually stripped away by others is unbearable for Ying She

On that day, a continuous spring rain fell. Inside the Zhaoyang Palace, palace maids and eunuchs were bustling in and out, full of energy. Amidst everyone's anticipation, the thirteenth son of the emperor, Ying Rui, let out a resounding cry, bringing great joy to Emperor Longxin of Yanping. A well-meaning eunuch beside him suggested, "Today, as the thirteenth son of the emperor was born, the gentle rain falls outside and a light breeze caresses the face, which officially signifies that our Great Qin Dynasty will enjoy favorable weather and peace, a sign of great fortune."

Yingxin and Yingshe were both born to the former Empress Cao. After Cao's passing, Emperor Yanping began to favor Consort Xiao exclusively. Although he did not establish her as Empress, all matters within the harem were decided by Consort Xiao.

Qin You's life has been exceptionally brilliant. From a young age, he consistently achieved the best academic results in his school, with the top position always belonging to him. After graduating from university, driven by a strong passion, he resolutely applied to the police academy and became a proud people's police officer. Due to his numerous significant contributions, he has garnered considerable attention from the higher-ups.

"Isn't it just a matter of writing a few pretentious and insipid poems? What is so remarkable about that?" The Crown Prince Yingshe heavily slammed his wine cup onto the table

Today marks the thirty-seventh year of Yanping, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, which coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Although there is a slight autumn breeze, it cannot hinder the overflow of warmth and affection

Haha, my beloved consort is joking. Rui'er is Li Taibai, the old winner of mine, so naturally, I must care for him with great affection. Haha

"Haha, alright, alright, the young prince is crying. Congratulations, Your Highness, congratulations, Your Highness, another dragon son has been added for His Majesty." The old woman, upon seeing Qin You crying, immediately had her wrinkled face bloom like a chrysanthemum.

Qin You instinctively resisted, but unfortunately, the hand-like object gripped his foot tightly. A great force pulled Qin You's body away from the warm pool, and a wave of coldness instantly surged over him

Ying Xuan quietly watched the scene on the high platform where a father and son displayed their filial piety, feeling a pang of bitterness in her heart. In her previous life, her mother worked tirelessly day and night so that she could attend university, yet by middle age, her mother was already gray-haired, just as she was about to enjoy a life of comfort. But she herself had died. In this life, although her mother no longer had to worry about daily meals, their life remained so impoverished. Why is it that, despite being a consort, others can enjoy wealth and honor?

Consort Xiao smiled as she personally poured a glass of wine for Emperor Yanping, Ying Rui, and herself. The three raised their cups, exchanged smiles, and drank it all in one go

"Elder brother, please be cautious with your words." The Fourth Prince, Ying Xin, who was sitting next to Ying She, turned pale and hurriedly tugged at Ying She's sleeve to remind him

It is not only he who has been deprived of favor in this situation, is it not?

From the moment of his birth, Ying Xuan seemed to have never received the attention of Emperor Yanping, as he was born simultaneously with the thirteenth prince, Ying Rui, whose mother was the most favored concubine, Concubine Xiao. Emperor Yanping had almost all the midwives and imperial physicians in the palace gathered at the Zhaoyang Palace where Concubine Xiao resided, while Ying Xuan's mother was left in a desolate state, attended only by a few midwives who were over fifty years old.

Accompanied by the melodious sound of the piano in the venue, the ladies danced gracefully with their long sleeves, countless delicate petals fluttering about. Hundreds of beautiful women gathered and dispersed amidst the rain of flowers, their dance light and elegant, ethereal as if they were celestial beings. Their jade-like hands lingered gracefully, the skirts flowing like a painting, pairs of smoky eyes seemed to speak yet held back, drawing continuous applause and cheers from the audience

Although Emperor Yanping is nearly sixty years old, he walks steadily; however, the graying hair at his temples and the age spots at the corners of his eyes are somewhat striking.

The struggles within the harem are far more brutal than those in the court, and Liu Fei, the mother of Ying Xuan, is inherently mild-mannered, desiring only to raise Ying Xuan in peace and stability. Consequently, the people in the palace naturally tend to overlook her.

Ying Xuan slightly raised her head, secretly observing the most powerful man in the Great Qin Empire, who was also her biological father in this life. However, upon seeing his face, which was not particularly well-maintained, she felt an overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity.

Ying Xuan is the fourteenth son of the emperor, and his mother is the biological sister of the emperor of Shu. He is quite good-looking, a typical petite woman from the Shu region

After Ying She was dismissed, the struggle for the crown prince once again took center stage in the court of the Qin state

Ying Xuan's birth was originally destined for great wealth and nobility, but unfortunately, at the time of his birth, the Qin and Shu states were already at odds, and Ying Xuan's mother was relegated to the cold palace, thus rendering the prospects of great wealth and nobility nothing but an illusion

Just as Qin You had not yet reacted, a loud "smack" echoed, and he felt a heavy slap on his backside. Instantly, he felt a sharp pain, and miraculously, his eyes flew open.

Emperor Yanping was the fourth emperor of the Qin Empire. After the founding of the nation by Emperor Qin Taizu, the establishment of the capital in Xijing by Emperor Qin Taizong, and the continuous expansion and annexation by Emperor Qin Shizong, Emperor Yanping ascended the throne. He changed the previous generations' militaristic and iron-fisted approach, ceased territorial expansion, and issued a decree emphasizing the selection of talent. He vigorously promoted scholars from humble backgrounds and encouraged agriculture and commerce. Within just a few years, the treasury of the Qin state saw its silver reserves surge from 7 million taels to 80 million taels.

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone feel free. Although Emperor Yanping is nearly sixty years old, he is still full of energy. "Rui'er, come sit beside your father." Emperor Yanping gestured for Ying Rui to sit next to him.

The unique, piercing voice of the eunuch announcing "The Emperor has arrived" echoed through the hall, and the duck-like tone instantly silenced the previously bustling crowd, causing everyone present to kneel in unison

"Father Emperor, Liao praised me, and I feel ashamed." Although Ying Rui felt that he had not done anything to be ashamed of regarding the praise from Emperor Yanping, he still stood up ceremoniously, putting on an appearance of being unworthy of such praise

When Qin You was sent to the hospital, he had already fallen into a coma. At this moment, awakening was merely the final flicker of a dying flame.