Chapter 1#
The Sky Has Cracked!#
Dawn was breaking, and the morning light was dim.
In the solemn and majestic Golden Throne Hall, civil and military officials were lined up on both sides according to their ranks and titles, holding their breath and concentrating. On the throne, the founding emperor was dressed in a dark robe, exuding an air of authority without needing to be angry.
Occasionally, a high-ranking official would step forward to report, his voice echoing under the dome, every word carefully weighed, as if walking on thin ice. Under the heavenly majesty, one could hear a pin drop; only the scent of ambergris swirled like a ghost.
Of course, with the exception of Prince Rui, Li Zhao, who was openly dozing off in the court. However, Li Zhao felt he couldn’t really be blamed—this court session started at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM). Translating that to his past life’s time, it was five in the morning. Considering the time to travel from his manor to the palace, he had to wake up at least at four. This was even more excessive than 996!
Looking back on his past life, he was an orphan who, with the help of kind-hearted people, struggled his way into a top university. He lived a decent life by working part-time jobs and earning scholarships.
Who would have thought that while running on campus at night, he would be hit by an object thrown from a height? When he woke up, he found himself as a newborn baby, and a premature one at that.
The good news: He won right from the start. His mother was a highly favored Imperial Noble Consort, his maternal grandfather was the richest man in Jiangnan, and his father was the founding emperor who had just overthrown the previous dynasty’s tyranny to start a new chapter. He had to admit, his old man was truly impressive.
The bad news: He had nine older brothers. The struggle for the throne among nine sons was terrifying. He wanted to scream to the heavens, “I can’t do this!” To this end, he chose to cling tightly to his father’s leg and thus spent eighteen years in peace.
Initially, he thought he had traveled to the Sheng Dynasty, a fictional era unrelated to his original world. Only later did he realize this was a parallel world that had taken a turn after the Qin and Han dynasties.
Speaking of which, the ambergris in this hall was truly hypnotic.
Prince Fu, standing next to him, was nearly scared to death by his bold behavior. Fearing that the Emperor above would see and he would be implicated, he kept trying to wake his dear brother, but to no avail.
The sun rose over the golden palace, and the incense smoke curled. The court session was nearing its end when suddenly, a firm voice rang out from the ranks of civil officials: “I, Wang Ji, Investigating Censor, impeach!”
In an instant, everyone’s eyes focused on this Investigating Censor, who had just been promoted to the capital from a local magistrate position.
Wang Ji held his tablet, his face resolute, and spoke clearly: “I impeach Prince Rui. As a member of the imperial family, he should lead by example for the clan, yet his behavior is dissolute.
First, frequenting brothels, which harms the dignity of the imperial family. The Prince has recently and frequently visited Pingle Ward and other filthy places, indulging in pleasure and lingering there, causing gossip in the streets and tarnishing the imperial family’s reputation.
Second, bullying the weak and disregarding national laws. Yesterday, in Pingle Ward, due to a dispute over a singing girl, the Prince publicly beat Xu Tong, the son of the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, causing him to be seriously injured and bedridden.
The son of a court official was subjected to such brutality in broad daylight. Where is the law? This behavior is an open trampling of the court’s laws and makes the imperial family lose face completely.
Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to order the Imperial Clan Court to confine Prince Rui to his manor for deep reflection and to announce this to the imperial clan to set the record straight.”
The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel’s face turned pale instantly as he glared at Wang Ji.
After he finished speaking, the hall fell into silence. Wang Ji felt something was wrong. Even if no officials spoke up to refute or agree after an impeachment, it shouldn’t be this quiet. This silence wasn’t the hush of fearing the Emperor’s wrath, but an indescribable sense of subtlety.
At this time, the Emperor tapped the throne and said nonchalantly, “Little Ten, what do you have to say?”
…No response.
Seeing the Emperor’s expression becoming increasingly grim, the officials remained as silent as cicadas in winter. Prince Fu, standing next to him, bore his father’s pressure and didn’t dare to make any more small movements, only hoping his brother could fend for himself.
Swish—
A memorial flew down from the throne, landing right next to Li Zhao.
“Wang De, go, wake that rebellious son for me.”
Before Eunuch Wang could move, Li Zhao, who had just been startled awake by the sound and was still a bit dazed, sensed the bad atmosphere and immediately snapped out of it. He faked a few coughs, picked up the memorial at his feet, and glanced at it. Peeking around, he found the person standing in the middle looked somewhat familiar, wearing a Xiezhi crown.
So it’s a censor, Li Zhao thought, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Ever since he could change back into male clothes and leave the palace at fifteen, he had become a regular target of the censors’ impeachments. It was never anything major—just some eating, drinking, playing, and occasional acts of chivalry that the Censorate wouldn’t let go of.
After all, this was the capital, where the children of the powerful gathered, and there were no shortage of profligate sons. Although it was at the foot of the Son of Heaven, there were always those who, relying on their strong backgrounds, did things like bullying men and harassing women. Could a successor who had lived through socialism endure this?
Of course not! Who had a stronger background than his father, the Emperor? So, he began a grand campaign to rectify the profligate sons of the capital.
During this period, Li Zhao provided the Censorate with a lot of “performance results,” but in the end, those who impeached him usually found themselves in the wrong and were scolded by his old man, while the “victim” profligates always got another beating. Gradually, they gave up.
Come to think of it, it had been at least six months since anyone had impeached him. People from the Censorate would even run away when they saw him. This sudden turn of events actually made him feel a bit nostalgic. This unfamiliar censor might have offended someone.
Seeing his nonchalant manner, the veins on the Emperor’s forehead bulged. He slapped the imperial desk heavily. “You rebellious son! Did I have you attend court to sleep? Look at the ‘good’ things you’ve done!”
Before Li Zhao could respond, Prince Jin stepped forward. “Father, please calm your anger. Tenth Brother certainly didn’t mean it. I heard that Tenth Brother only returned to his manor at the third watch (midnight-2 AM). He must have had important matters, so it’s normal to be a bit sleepy.”
Then he turned to Li Zhao and said, “Tenth Brother should explain himself well to Father.”
The corner of Li Zhao’s mouth twitched, and he was speechless. This brother of his had been keen on tripping him up since childhood. This method of fanning the flames was the same old "green tea" path as always. He smiled and said, “Thank you, Seventh Brother.”
He stepped forward, knowing that this was the time when he absolutely shouldn’t talk back.
“Father, I know I was wrong. Please listen to my explanation. Going to Pingle Ward was actually for a dish. I recently heard that the ‘Lotus Seed Fish Bun’ made in Pingle Ward is a masterpiece in the capital. Mother loves eating fish, so I thought of showing some filial piety and learning how to make it for Father and Mother.”
“I originally wanted to invite the chef to the manor, but who knew this chef was a man of integrity? Hearing that I wanted to learn his skills, he refused to come to the manor no matter what. I couldn’t use my status to oppress him, wouldn’t that ruin the imperial family’s reputation?”
As he spoke, he peeked at the Emperor’s expression. Seeing it soften a bit, he continued, “So, I thought of following Father’s example of personally inviting the Left Chancellor out of retirement and went to Pingle Ward myself to learn from the chef. In this way, he was moved by my persistence and filial piety and was willing to teach me.”
The officials were speechless. His Majesty personally inviting the Left Chancellor is a match between ruler and minister; can your learning to cook even be compared to that, Prince?
And what do you mean by “not using status to oppress”? Then how do you count our sons/grandsons/nephews being bullied? Though it’s true they didn’t do anything good.
Then again, “a gentleman stays away from the kitchen.” Going to a brothel to learn cooking—no one would believe it if it were anyone else, but the ministers didn’t find it strange coming from Prince Rui. It was well known that Prince Rui had two major hobbies: gold and food.
There were rumors before that Prince Rui had sent people everywhere to find ingredients for a food called “hotpot.” He even pestered the Emperor to give him a dedicated imperial chef before he moved out of the palace. One could see how much the Emperor doted on Prince Rui.
Hearing this, a hint of nostalgia flashed in the Left Chancellor’s eyes, and the Emperor’s face also showed a trace of emotion. There are no fathers and sons in the imperial family, but Little Ten was different. Then he stiffened his face again: “Oh? Filial piety? Don’t let it be greed under your mother’s banner. What happened with Xu Tong?”
He knew this son. Although arrogant, he was filial and kind-hearted, and wouldn’t strike the innocent.
Li Zhao looked angry, with a hint of tattling. “Speaking of him, I feel furious. Yesterday, I finally grasped the essence and was ready to show off my skills.
Who knew that Xu Tong would chase a singing girl from Pingle Ward right in front of me and even speak wildly, ‘My father is Vice Minister Xu,’ being arrogant and lawless, and even ruined the fish I made.”
“That singing girl was of clean status, only selling her art, not her body. She was being forced by Xu Tong and turned to me for help. I was so angry that I went to reason with him.
Who knew he would even insult me? That’s why I taught him a lesson. I was upholding justice and removing an evil for the people. Father should reward me instead.”
“The fish was gone, and I had no choice but to make another dish, which is why I delayed until the third watch to return home. Because of this, I even have a bit of a headache this morning, or perhaps I’ve caught a cold. Cough, cough, cough, cough.”
The Emperor’s expression softened, but his voice was still grumpy. “You’re quite capable, aren’t you? Beating someone and having the nerve to ask for a reward? Is there no one in the government? Wang De, call the imperial physician.”
The Emperor sat up straight, his gaze turning to Censor Wang. “Minister Wang, is what Prince Rui said the truth?”
Wang Ji was stunned. He knew he had been set up, but by whom was not yet certain. Now was not the time to overthink; there was still a chance to fix it.
He straightened his back and said, “Your Majesty, I only heard rumors of the Prince entering Pingle Ward and beating a court official’s son. As for the reasons, I did not investigate in detail. It was my oversight. Please punish me, Your Majesty. However, reporting rumors is my duty. Even if it is the Prince, I do not dare not to report!”
“Minister Xu, what do you say?”
Vice Minister Xu was sweating like rain, kowtowing repeatedly. “Your Majesty, it is my failure to educate my son. I have already questioned him, and it is indeed as the Prince said. I have already carried out family discipline. My son’s attempt was unsuccessful. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy.”
The Emperor looked at the three people in the hall and spoke slowly, “Enough, I understand the situation. The son of Vice Minister Xu oppressed the people; the evidence is conclusive. However, since the evil act was not completed, I order the Ministry of Justice to arrest him immediately and handle the matter as appropriate. Vice Minister Xu was lax in discipline and will be fined one year’s salary.”
Vice Minister Xu slumped to the floor. “I… thank Your Majesty.”
“Prince Rui acted bravely for a just cause, and his sentiments are commendable. However, as a prince of this dynasty, when encountering such a matter, you should have sent someone to the authorities. How can you personally engage in a brawl like a common wanderer? Considering there was a reason this time, I will not pursue it further.”
Li Zhao bowed. “Thank you, Father.”
Hmph, he knew his father was “knife-mouthed but tofu-hearted”—every time it ended like this.
“Minister Wang has been diligent in his duties, which pleases me. Censors reporting rumors is a vital tool of the state. In the future, you must also strive for detail to live up to the trust of me and the court. This time, I will let it pass.”
Wang Ji breathed a sigh of relief. “Your Majesty is wise. I obey!”
“I hope all ministers will take this as a lesson. Those in office should conduct themselves with integrity and restrain their kin; those enforcing the law should have justice in their hearts but also pay attention to their methods; those who speak for the state should report rumors but also listen to all sides. Court is adjourned!”
The ministers said in unison, “We will listen to the sage’s words and will not fail Your Majesty’s expectations.”
Suddenly, an inner official rushed in, looking panicked. “Your… Your… Your Majesty! The sky, the sky has cracked!”
The ministers were in an uproar and looked at the Emperor.
The Emperor’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and he said coldly, “Men, summon the Imperial Astronomy Bureau. Ministers, follow me to take a look.”
The ministers folded their hands. “Yes.”