The city was covered in a powder-like snow. This time of the year will always be the loneliest time for a young man who was living alone. Xiao Bai stared out of his rundown apartment's window as the little snowflakes floated down, one by one to the ground.

Xiao Bai let out a frustrated sigh as he thought about how the things were in his life. Xiao Bai was a 21year-old guy who lived on his own; he stopped going to school at the age of 15 and was forced to do hard work in order to support himself. His parents owned a mediocre business but unluckily both of his parents died in a car accident leaving the 10-year-old Xiao Bai in his maternal aunt's care. 

At first, his aunt’s family was nice to him and cared for him but that was until all the assets of his parents were transferred to Xiao Bai; his aunt, as his legal guardian, managed to get her hands on the money showing her true colours. They began to abuse the poor boy. Xiao Bai endured all of it for 5 years, until he grew tired of being a white lotus and decided to run away from home.

It wasn’t even a home – it was a place full of monsters that hurt him and used him to get all his money. It was hard for him at first but he strived to get a job and somehow managed to get himself a rundown apartment to take shelter and enough money to buy food and other basic necessities.

As he snapped out of his rather sad past, Xiao Bai decided to go out and buy something to at least reward himself for making it into another year. He pulled his old coat from the rusty rack and go out on the cold night. 

"Woah! I never knew snow could be this beautiful!" he murmured, amazed as he stepped outside on pile of snow that could be seen everywhere. He was somewhat annoyed for being always ignorant about these things for the sole reason that he just wanted to survive in this scary world making him forget to appreciate the beautiful things around him. But one thing was for sure, his heart was surely slowly turning cold the moment he faced his reality. Cold just like this winter season. 

After a while of looking around, he bought some snacks and two bottles of liquor from a nearby convenient store, and walked out to see an old beggar who was silently walking on the cold streets alone and was only wearing a thin layer of clothes. He eyed the old beggar who went ahead to lie down on a cardboard under a shabby looking shed. On a whim, Xiao Bai decided to go and talk to him. 

As unfortunate he was, he had to harden his heart to protect himself. But, at the end of the day, he was still a human and found it unbearable to see others suffer. He couldn't help but feel a little pity for the poor man. Then and there, he decided to have a little chat with the beggar since he didn’t really feel like going back on that empty apartment yet. 

"Mister, do you have it hard too? I mean, are you having a hard time in life?", he asked as soon as he sat on one of the concrete benches and the old man looked at him devoid of any feelings as if he was looking at a void. Xiao Bai also looked at the man and handed him a bottle of liquor and some snacks.

The old man saw this and his eyes sparkled at the offer. He reached out at a lightning speed making Xiao Bai startled. The old man suddenly started talking with a hoarse voice due to the temperature, "You know I don't really have it hard. I get to live and breathe every day; I think it's good enough." 

He spoke while chugging the liquor and Xiao Bai also decided to drink his share. Xiao Bai replied enviously, "Must be nice!" 

"Hey mister, do you have a family? How about a special someone?" he continued after a short pause while blankly staring at the snow outside of the shed's roof. 

"I don't. But I knew in my heart that my family is always there, and that I will always cherish them no matter how many lifetimes have gone." The old man replied and also looked solemnly at the snow. The old man gave such an abstract answer but Xiao Bai could feel that he was really serious. After a while of Xiao Bai's silence, came a series of soft sobs and the old man looked at him questioningly. 

"I wish I could feel that with my family as well", Xiao Bai laughed languidly then continued, "All my life I yearned for that feeling but all they gave me was pain, all they wanted was wealth, and my bastard ex dumped me a month ago after I caught him cheating with my best friend." 

He laughed again but this time he was laughing at how an idiot he was. All this time he should have guessed that her aunt is aiming at their money and that his so-called "B.F.F." only got close to him to hook up with his boyfriend, no scratch that, ex-boyfriend. Xiao Bai knew in himself that crying for this reason was obviously pointless but those two slags have been his support along the way, they made a huge impact in his life only to be betrayed. 

"You know if someone took something away from you then you should just steal it back; if not then force them to give it back to you. Well, you should just let go of your ex-boyfriend though. I believe someone is there just waiting for you." the old man advised him, chugged the remaining alcohol, laid down on his cardboard and fell asleep. 

When Xiao Bai saw this, he also laughed and thanked the old man for the short acquaintance then got himself up to go home. "If someone took something away from you then you should just steal it from them; if not then force them to give it back to you."

This sentence had been in his head for a while now, and in his heart, for some unknown reason, he became uneasy. He got too immersed at what the old man told him that he forgot that he was walking at the middle of the road and suddenly came a blinding light approaching him at full speed.

Then- beep...beep...beep Xiao Bai stared at the incoming car and smiled to himself. 

'Does the world think that I'm very pitiable and wants me to rest already?', he thought. 

He held his chin up as he waited for the impact to happen and finally closed his eyes with an accepting smile on his face.

Xiao Bai fluttered his eyes trying to open them. And after a few more attempts he finally managed to take a clear look at his surroundings. The land he saw was very vast and was covered with a thick layer of snow that slightly emitted a light due to the moonlight. 

'Am I in heaven?', he thought and then let out a giggle as if ridiculing himself. 

"Xiao Bai!!", a distant voice called his name and his ears perked up to see who was calling. Could it be the god of death? "Xiao Bai!!", the voice called out again and this time it was nearer and, in his sight, came a lady in cloak and was holding an oil lamp on her right hand. Xiao Bai stared at the silhouette of the lady wandering in the wide until she saw Xiao Bai's lying figure and rushed to his side. " Xiao Bai, aare you alright?", the old lady asked him but he didn't respond and stared at the lady's face instead. The lady seemed to know him and she is obviously not a god of death. "Who are you?", after he finished his words, the lady looked into his eyes with disbelief. 

"This little kid, you already made me worried sick when you ran away from home!... I'm sorry for keeping it a secret until now", the lady replied like she really knew Xiao Bai. 

Then it hit him- HE UNDENIABLY DIED ALRIGHT!!! He knew for sure that he would certainly die from being hit by a car that fast, if he was still in his original body and he survived the accident then he should be at the hospital. But judging from the old lady's words and looking at his surroundings, it seems that he was looking for Xiao Bai the whole time. It was rational to think of this. 

'Oh No!', Xiao Bai mentally slapped his self and thought of the one and only thing that was happening to him- Did I just transmigrate?! The old lady mentioned that the original ran away into the cold night and maybe froze himself to death letting the modern Xiao Bai's soul to enter. Thinking of this made Xiao Bai's head to throb and a severe headache hit him as images and unfamiliar scenes played in his head. Scenes that are obviously not his and he was not familiar with. 

[Xiao Bai's POV: the original host] I grew up only with my mother on my side. We lived in an isolated place so there are no neighbours nearby and I don't have anyone to be friends with. In short, I had spent a lonely childhood and all I did for entertainment was playing on the mountain and hunt some animals for food, I also did the heavy works because my mother is not getting any younger and I have to give a helping hand. My mom taught me how to read and write and when I was younger, she would always tell me stories about the capital. Yes, the capital where the royalties, nobles, and rich merchants lived. 

I always wished to visit the capital with my mom but we were not fortunate enough to be able to enter. She said that the capital was well-protected by a tall gate and no one can enter if they are not a noble or a royal, and even those rich merchants need a proper invitation before they could enter. But she would always boast that she once worked at the palace and she would always tell me many stories about the lady she served.

But unluckily her lady was gone and she wouldn't tell me the reason. It was okay though, I knew that she missed the lady that treated her like a sister despite their position in the empire, not to mention that this lady is the one that insisted my mom to learn how to read and write. 

I was currently at the mountain near our house. The whole mountain was covered in white and the trees with no leaves on them gave it an additional touch. I was planning to hunt for some food in the mountain's forest and stock a lot of meat before the snow gets harder, because I couldn't imagine myself eating only vegetables for the whole winter.

Finally, I went back home holding three rabbits and a deer and smiled at my success. I was planning to surprise my mother so I entered the house through the window in the back of the house and sneakily went to the kitchen but mother was nowhere to be found, so I tried to look in the living room and saw her standing at the door and talking to someone I didn't know. I was about to call her when I heard my name from the stranger and decided to listen a

little bit more. 

"Xiao Bai is turning 15 tomorrow. You should tell him already, I know that he'll understand", an unfamiliar male voice said. 

"I know that he deserves to know the truth but I couldn't bring myself to tell him,” My mother replied with a shaky voice and I couldn't help myself but to feel nervous. 

"But the palace needs him. The people are waiting and he is the only hope," the stranger persuaded my mom then she started to sob. 

"I raised Xiao Bai alone and I've already seen him as my own son. That's why...That's why I can't just go and tell him that I'm not his real mother," after my mother finished her sentence, she immediately choked hard on her sobs and I was unable to process the situation. 

'What? I'm not my mother's son?' I thought, my tears falling down as I cried quietly and all of the food that I hunted slipped from my hands causing a sound that caught their attention. My mom, whom I had thought to be my real mom, saw me and I could see that she was petrified. Maybe it was due to my frustration but I shouted at her. 

"You lied to me?!" She tried to talk but her cries drowned her voice. Honestly, even though my mom lied to me I'm not mad at her I was just frustrated at the thought that all those years I actually was living in a lie. So, I ran past them at full speed and ran without knowing where I was headed to. All I wanted now was a peaceful place to help me clear my mind. And when I regained my sanity, I scolded myself for shouting at her. I was exhausted physically and mentally but I tried to find my way home since the sky was getting darker, but as the night took over the day the cold also reigned in the entire place. The chill was creeping its way into my body and I fell on the ground covered with snow, numb. I tried to stand up but my legs were weak and I slumped helplessly in the cold snow. I stared into the dark blue and cloudy sky as a teardrop escaped and slid on my cheek. 

"I'm sorry mom," I whispered into the cool wind wishing that it could deliver my message. 

…………………………………………

The author has something to say: I'm gettin' excited for our MC HAHAHA... 

Male Lead: I'm also excited to meet my wife. 

MC: You're wife? Sorry, but I won't fall in love again. EVER.

 Author: Are you sure? [Evil laugh] 

[ML also laughs at the background] 

MC: "..."

After the series of events that entered Xiao Bai's mind, he finally woke up only to find himself in a familiar yet unfamiliar room.

"Seems like I'm in his room..No it should be my room now."

He looked around and found a full body-lengthed mirror just beside the bed and decided to take a look at his appearance, since he really didn't clearly saw it on the original owner's memories.

He stood infront of the mirror for a moment then stared at his new face. Then he smiled with satisfaction.

Xiao Bai couldn't help but think,  Not bad for a 15 year old boy.

This body was 30℅ of Xiao Bai's features while the remaining 70% is even more outstanding and could even be compared to top models and handsome actors in Xiao Bai's world.

With a pair of peach eyes that seemed to be pitiful yet accompanied by a deep color of pure darkness, a pair of eyebrows that maximizes the beauty of his eyes, a perfect arc of nose, and a full yet not too pouty plum lips.

One could say that he obtained such an androgynous beauty.

Also add the fact that this young man's body cannot be compared to those of the same age, his body was fit and had muscles just enough for a healthy body, not too thin and not too ripped.

While getting busy analyzing his appearance, someone knocked on his room that made him snap back to reality.

He hesitated to answer due to the fact that the other person might realize that he was not the original Xiao Bai anymore.

Xiao Ling with a low voice called out, " A-bai, can you please let me talk to you. I know you're upset and confused so-...."

Before Xiao Ling, Xiao Bai's adopted mom, could finish her sentence, the door suddenly opened and revealed the youth who was gently smiling at her. Xiao Bai opened the door wider for Xiao Ling to enter his room.

Xiao Ling sat on a chair at the end of the bed while Xiao Bai sat on the edge of his bed. No one talked first and the air became denser.

Xiao Bai lowered his head trying to remember how to act like the original, which took him some time that made it look like he was angry about the whole thing.

Xiao Ling shot his head towards his mom and decided to just act like himself and just reason that he changed because of his trauma. Yeah, sounds like a plan.

Xiao Ling, " Xiao Bai, please listen to mother first."

Xiao Bai gently smiled and said with a soft and caring voice, "Mom, I'm not mad and I forgive you. Whatever happened I'm sure that there is an important reason behind that. Besides, you're still the one who raised me so basically you are still my mother. So lets stop the drama, okay?"

Xiao Ling also stared at him and couldn't believe how this boy could say such mature words but after she saw the gentle and sincere smile plastered on the youth's face, all the uneasiness, doubts and guilt gradually dispersed.

"Such a silly child", Xiao Ling stood up and sat beside Xiao Bai then ruffled his hair affectionately which starled Xiao Bai.

It opened all his past wounds. He ridiculed himself in his heart for thinking that he already moved on from the death of his parents. At the thought of his deceased mother, unciously he cried silently.

He wanted to feel a mother's warmth which he only experienced for a short ammount of time. And involuntaryly he embraced Xiao Ling and cried even harder.

Xiao Ling pat his head and said affectionately, "Look at this big baby, acting all tough a while ago and now weeping like a child".

Xiao Bai, " Mom, I want to know the truth about who I really am. Please tell me".

He let go of his mother's embrace and looked at her, full of seriousness. Xiao Ling just nodded with helplessness and said that he will know all the truth from the middle-aged man that his mom was talking to.

She also excused herself that she had to tell the middle-aged man about this and needed to go down the mountains and will be back late. Of course, Xiao Bai didn't want his mom to down the mountain alone and also because it was currently snowing but to his surprise there was acrually a carriage outside with a driver that the middle-aged man left in case Xiao Bai calmed down and find him.

Now Xiao Bai was alone in their house. He took a stroll in the whole house and his stomach grumbled.

Xiao Bai: "....", seems like I need to find food.

Luckily his mom left some dumplings and Xiao Bai ate happily. He was getting bored of pacing back and fort, he also couldn't stroll outside because of the snow.

He suddenly missed his cellphone and wished that the technology in this era was better.

He abruptly stopped when he thought of the word ERA. Now that he realized that he didn't have any idea if what dynasty he is in right now!

For the remaining hours, Xiao Bai thought of the possible things that triggered his soul to enter someone's body and about the future steps he had to take.

Xiao Bai don't have enough idea about this transmigration thing and was only mentioned by his friend, which obviously he did not listen to because he don't find it interesting.

All he knew about it was that when the owner of the original body died untimely and he/she still has important things to do then a soul that died at the same time but in a different timeline will cross the dimensions and fulfill the unfinished mission.

That is why he is brainstorming many possible outcomes.

Xiao Bai finally glanced outside and saw that it was already dark then wondered why her mother haven't come back yet. He waited and waited then finally he heard the gallops of horses that are approaching.

When he was about to open the door, it was already forced open by a familiar man, yes the man that Xiao Ling talked to earlier. The man has an anxious expression that made Xiao Bai confused.

Before he could utter a word, he was already pulled by the man and thrown inside the carraige where he saw his injured and unconcious mother, stained with blood.

His face became white in horror and shot a questioning look to the man who was sitting on the opposite side of the carraige.

The middle-aged man gave him a brief explanation, " This is the doings of the palace's guards under the emperor's order, he ordered them to kill you".

" Why would the emperor kill me? I don't know him!?". He asked more confused.

This situation confused him because he really haven't seen the original body having contact with other stranger since he was young.

Middle-aged man, "You must have already known that you are an adopted child of A-ling. Correct?"

Xiao Bai only nodded and decided to shut up and let the man explain the situation. Besides his mother is currently injured and have no time to panic.

Middle-aged man just look at him for a second then continued, "I am Zhao FengSheng. You're maternal uncle..".

After hearing this Xiao Bai immediately gave the man an " Seriously?!" look and Uncle Zhao just nodded.

The man who claimed to be his uncle explained while casually glancing at the place where they came from, "It might be unbelievabe but I am your mother's older brother.

Before she became the empress, our family was a powerful noble with hundreds of thousands of private soldier.

Your grandfather was a loyal subbordinate to the emperor so even though we have the power the overturn the throne my father chose not to make violence.

Eventually your mom would always visit your father and they got married."

Seeing that the pursuers haven't caught up yet, he continued, "Then a cunning concubine came and poisoned your father then planned to murder you as well but your mother sacrificed her life to save you and for you to save the kingdom...To make things short, the current emperor has probably been eyeing me and noticed that I've been visiting you more often and got the idea of my nephew to be alive." 

Xiao Bai, "hmm.. I think I get it. So what's your initial plan?"

Well if this was still the original owner then he might not process the things but this was a different Xiao Bai so he was calm enough to understand the situation.

Zhao Fengsheng took a quick look at the weak woman inside their ride witha pained look then looked back at his nephew, " For now, we must go back to my home base. The base is at the outskirts of the northern borders. In normal days it would take us three days but in this weather, it might take a week. And A-ling is injured, we should take refuge to the first town along the way to treat her". 

In a few hours they arrived at a small town. After entering the gates of the town they immediately searched for a physician and an inn.

"Physician Jia, how's my mother?". Xiao Bai asked worriedly after seeing that the physician already finished tending Xiao Ling's wounds.

"She'll be okay. She lost a bit of blood but after a few days of rest and taking the proper medication she'll be alright". The physician answered, picked his bag that contained his medical tools, then bid his farewell to young man and headed outside where Uncle Zhao was waiting to escort him back and maybe perharps to pay for his labor.

After the man's figure disappeared, he suddenly sighed, relieved that Xiao Ling is out of danger.

She may not be the true mother of the original Xiao Bai, he still cherished her like a genuine mother that he even said his sorries before he died, so naturaly the current Xiao Bai wouldn't mind taking care of her on his stead.

"Xiao Bai, come out for a moment.", Zhao FengSheng's voice invaded Xiao Bai and nodded then walked out of Xiao Ling's room.

He arrived and saw his uncle, zhao fengsheng, who was already sitting and pouring him a cup of tea then he also sat the opposite side of the man.

Xiao Bai picked up the cup that his uncle placed infront of him then took a sip and put it back down, "Uhmmm Mr. Zhao FengSheng, how should I address you?".

"Uncle Zhao is fine. If you won't mind, of course", he said then gave a hearty laugh.

Xiao Bai immediately went to serious mode after that, " Uncle Zhao. Can you please tell me the situation of the kingdom right now?"

Uncle Zhao: "..." This kid! He has the aura of a king. That seriously caught me off guard.

Xiao Bai who was an adult that was used to always be serious in his life, forgot that now he was still just a 15 year old brat. He actually made Zhao Fengsheng think the other way around.

Zhao Fengsheng cleared his throat then started mentioning all the crisis in the kingdom. From the additional taxes the seems to grow every month making the poorest of the poor have no choice but to sell one of their children to pay, the governmemt officials who've done nothing but watch the peopld suffer, the emperor who always spends his whole day and night at his concubines, he doesn't even attend the morning court and let his advisor and personal head eunuch to take his place! Even the ministers doesn't do their work properly and always slack off and so on.

At the whole conversation, xiao bai just nodded his head and would sometimes tell his own opinion.

The situation was actually simple to understand but not thay easy to find a solution, they say that the more simple it is, the more there might be traps hidden behind it.

Each ministers have their own private soldiers and they are currently very satisfied with the current emperor because they can live a carefree life while still recieving money from the people.

So if he wanted to overthrow the throne, the ministers might take action and help the emperor so it is better to prepare first then work in the shadows.

As the saying goes, "Move in  silence, and let your success shout for you."

..........

Author has something to say: So I decided that our ML (male lead) will take his appearance in the 5th chapter or so😅.

ML: You're such a meanie. I want to meet my wife now~.

Author: Shut up..Or else you won't even have a chance to neet your wifey.

ML: Ahhh you're bullying me...Wife, look she's bullying me~*acts cute and pitiful*

MC: *shrugs and left*

Author: hahahaha

ML: 😭

[Many years ago]

"Your highness, Grand general Zhao has arrived."

The head eunuch whispered to the emperor and replied that the grand general can enter.

Once the doors opened, it revealed a very muscular man with a very define face structure. Behind him followed two teens, one male and female.

They followed their father, the grand general, towards his highness' throne with caution not to disturb.

They bowed in front of the emperor and greeted at the same time, "Your Highness, the emperor, your subordinate greets you, and have come back alive from the frontline."

The emperor frowed, " Zhao LiWen, how many times did I told you that there's no need to be polite, we are disciples under the same teacher so we are basically brothers."

Zhao LiWen stood up and smiled towards the emperor, "Hahaha, you're still the same as ever~. By the way, I have bought my children today to ask your permission to marry them off. You see,  they are already of age and I'm not getting younger as well."

The emperor eyed them and smiled towards Zhao LiWen, "Oh sure, let them come to me."

The two teens walked up to his highness and introduced theirselves.

"Greetings Your Highness, my name is Zhao FengSheng. I am the oldest son of the Zhao household."

"Greetings to you as well Your Highness, I am Zhao LuXuan."

"Hello to you Feng-er and Xuan-er. I am Wang HanYu. Just call me uncle yu.",  the emperor introduced himself.

Wang HanYu, "so Feng-er, so do you have someone you fancy?"

Zhao FengSheng shrugged and said firmly, "sorry uncle Yu but I don't plan to marry someone. What I want is to accompany my father in the frontlines, I want to be a respected general just like him."

The emperor was surprised that the young man was very sensible and shot a glance towards his friend, LiWen, as if asking if he is allowing his child to be a soldier.

LiWen just helplessly smiled and nodded.

The emperor got his appoval and appointed Zhao FengSheng as a general and could train directly from the grand general himself. And as usual the eunuch would record his verdict as proof.

The emperor then put his attention to the young lady. Looking carefully, she was actually really pretty, a goddess in short.

Emperor, "how about this young lady, do you have someone that you fancy?"

Zhao LuXuan answered with her head down, "Unfurtunately uncle yu, but this lowly me doesn't have anyone in mind and wants the emperor to decide for me."

If someone else have said this, then it would sound that she has ulterior motives, knowing that the emperor would certainly pick a respectable and rich noble but when LuXuan said this it really sound like she is seeking for advice and giving full trust to the man.

The emperor stopped for a moment then said happily, "very well then, Zhao LuXuan in the day of the coronation if the crown prince, you shall bond with him as an empress."

The hall was quiet for a second then both the Zhao father and daughter knelt down and bowed.

LuXuan, "Uncle Yu, this lowly me doesn't deserve such kindness, please think carefully."

Zhao LiWen, "Yes HanYu, please think carefully. The empress position is not something that could be given casually."

The emperor was not angered by their action because he himself knew that it was ridiculous, " I know that Xuan-er is qualified enough to be an empress, she came from the house of the respected grand general who brought uncountable victories to our country, she also has a beauty that could overturn the kingdom, she is kind and humble, and I'm pretty sure smart like his father as well. Don't worry, his brother will be by her side when the time comes. Don't forget her brother is a future grand general."

••••••••

Everyday LuXuan would visit the crown prince, Wang Yujin,  in order to build a harmonious relationship along the way until they get married.

The fated day of their marriage came and the whole kingdom rejoiced for having a fantastic empress and hailed the father emperor for his wise decision.

But as a custom that has been passed down since the older generations, the emperor shall marry many concubines in order to ensure his foothold in his country and gain amnesty towards the other kingdoms. Thus he married the 3rd princess from the neigboring kingdom of Li empire, Princess Li Shun.

Princess Li Shun visited the Wang Kingdom a few days later after they notified the emperor. She was infamous for her unmatching beauty and talent in playing instruments. So the Emperor, Wang YuJin, agreed to this and married her three days later.

However, Wang YuJin never came to consummate her that evening making her in rage.

She waited for Wang YuJin to at least come visit her but he never came. She asked some of her servants to know where Wang YuJin would spend his time, and yes indeed, the emperor would always visit his empress and pamper their first born child.

'Why! Am I not pretty? Why won't he even look at my way? Is it because of that LuXuan?! She's just a daughter of a general! I am a princess! A princess! How can she be more important than me?'

Thoughts like this always appear in Li Shun's head and the more she thought about it the more she was enraged.

Then 5 years had past. And in this years Li Shun has been secretly adding a weak poison in Wang YuJin's food. The poison affects the health of the person from inside out then the person will worsen if he is having stress or any emotional and mental disturbances.

So why did she even bother giving a weak poison rather than a strong one? That's because she's waiting for her own child to grow up then kill the whole royal family and finally push her own son in the throne, such a cunning being.

By now, LuXuan's son should be 5 years old and Li Shun's son should be 4 years old. The emperor is also starting to weaken day by day, making the ministers panic.

Li Shun was now peacefully sitting at the pavilion standing in her courtyard and leisurely sipping in her tea, "Is the preparations done?"

"Yes. All we need now is to wait for the right time.",  answered by Li Shun's personal servant.

'Tonight. I'll get everything from you. I'll rule this coutry. I'll let you know that I'm not someone who should be just cast aside.'

•••••••••••

The night came and darkness engulfed the kingdom. The emperor was cuddling his son and wife inside his chambers. Giggles and laughters echoed throughout the place. For Wang YiJun his family is making him strong.

A while later, a knock disturbed the joyful scene, " Your Highness. The court needs your presence, there is an emergency that needs you."

LuXuan, after hearing this words looked at her husband with a worried expression. Wang YiJun just cupped her face and comforted her, telling that whatever this is will be alright.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"The Emperor has arrived!" The head eunuch announced his arrival and the minister's voices immediately died down.

Wang YiJun walked to his sit and looked down at his subordinates before talking, "What ruckus is happening that all of you are restless?"

The General Zhao FengSheng saluted before saying, "There was an unknown group of people who are attacking the palace. They seem to be a force that was planted in the capital. At first, we thought that they are just civilians who are rebelling but it seems that they really intend to bring this palace down."

All of this is making Wang YiJun's head hurt.

'Who would plan to take me down? Is it one of my ministers? A noble? Or perhaps—!'

Before finishing his train of thoughts, his line of sight blacked out. The poison has reacted and made him faint.

The people inside the court panicked. They brought the emperor back to his room and let the royal physician to tend to him.

After they ensured Wang YiJun's safety, th ministers decided to temporarily put Zhao FengSheng incharge.

Zhao FengSheng instructed the soldiers to triple the defence inside while he resist the enemy outside.

Everyone was cautious and was preparing theirselves if ever the enemies arrive but Li Shun was calmly reading a poem inside her chamber.

••••••••••••

"My Lady, His highness is in his chamber and it seems that he is accompanied by Her majesty inside." The servant reported while bowing her head respectfully.

Li shun said with a grin plastered on her face, "Perfect. Now it's time for the real drama."

Li shun trotted outside with her gorgeous robe swaying as she moves then headed to the chamber.

Without further a do, she entered the royal chamber without permission and gave LuXuan a mischivious gaze that also disappeared in a second.

LuXuan felt that something was odd but kept her calm and asked,  "what brings the emperial concubine to His Highness' chamber?", emphasizing the word 'concubine' as if saying that Li Shun don't have any right barge inside as she please.

Li Shun stared at LuXuan with disdain and then look at the lying YuJin and smiled then looked back at LuXuan again.

"Do you know why YiJun suddenly became weak?",  Li Shun asked, dropping all the manners.

LuXuan was speechless and didn't what she meant by her words before she could ask Li Shun already continued.

" It's because in the past 5 years I've been secretly poisoning him. A slow acting poison that would slowly bring him to his death."

LuXuan was shock then confuse, "W–why would you do such thing?!"

Li Shun laughed hysterically, " Simply because my ego and pride said so. I am a princess, and yet, you people dared to treat me like an invisible creature."

She then pointed at YiJun, "This person didn't even glance at me for the last 5 years! Now is his time to rest...Eternally."

Li Shun gave a signal to someone outside and immediately two bulky man came and reprimanded LuXuan, she struggled for a long time but in vain.

While on the other side, the princess walked slowly towards YiJun, she stared at the man for a second and fetched a vial inside her robe then poured the liquid in YiJun's mouth. LuXuan was screaming on the side to stop.

However, because of all the commotion and noice, the sleeping child on the side cried for his mother. Li Shun looked at the owner of the cry and sneered at it, "someone silent that vermin down!"

LuXuan immediately knelt down and begged desperately, "please don't hurt my son."

Li Shun looked down on her and felt pleasure surge into her body, "and because you knelt down respectfully, I'll let your child live for a little longer but make sure to quite him down."

She then ordered her soldiers to lock the mother and son pair in the underground dungeon.

In the cold dungeon, the two persons were sitting in the most corner, LuXuan, removed her outer robe and wrapped the little bundle up after making sure that he was asleep.

LuXuan was in a daze for a while, everything happened in a fast pace and she just couldn't keep up. Finally, YuJin's face surfaced in her thoughts.

A tear came falling down after another until she was a mess, weeping quietly, "My dear husband, please rest in peace."

Going back to Li Shun's side.

She was currently at the emperial court, crying pitifully, gaining the sympathy of the ministers and other on-lookers.

A few minutes ago, she broke into the court with a messy make-up on her pretty face, well it's not that messy but one could easily think that she maybe cried with deep sorrows.

She first heave a deep breathe, as if trying to calm herself, but then immediately broke oncr again making her more pitiful to watch.

"The—the emperor! H—he's gone!" She said in between her sobs. The ministers immediately inquired her about what happened.

A eunuch brought her a cup of water to appease her sobs, and she calmed down,

" the inside of the palace didn't know what was happening yet, that is why I was still enjoying at my pavilion, when—when I saw that the royal physician came out from the royal chamber.

I got alarmed snd quickly asked him what happened. He told me about the attack outside and what happened to my dear husband. I was so worried so I came to his room.

There I saw His Highness, lying weakly in his bed. Then he whispered his last words to me, catching his last breaths. He said "Please make sure that this kingdom's people is safe",  then he passed away."

There was silence afterwards, then one of the ministers stepped out and asked, "what about the empress?"

Li shun clenched her fists, the anger in her eyes was visible.

"The Empress? She is nowhere to be found....How could she disappear just like that? Even abandoning her husband in the middle of the situation."

After she finished a man with black clothing opened the doors and hastily made his way towards Li Shun, "My lady, I have an important news."

"He is my trusted subordinate whom I personally put incharge to investigate Her Highness." Li Shun announced.

The man slightly bowed to the ministers to show courtesy and spilled the tea he was holding.

"According to the intel that I have collected a while ago. Her Majesty is the one behind this attack. She wants the Emperor to die, in order for her son to succeed the throne as soon as possible, she was afraid that His Highness might favor Princess Li Shun's son thus she wants to firmly grasp the power early on."

One of ministers asked, " How can that be. Her Majesty's brother is currently fighting and you're saying that he is fighting his sister's people?.

"That was because they wanted to show the people that they are actually protecting the palace in order to gain the people's support and to seize the throne smoothly."

Immediately the ministers went into heated discussion.

After a while, another minister asked, " Emperial Concubine Li, your subordinate mentioned earlier that you have a son. But we have never heard this news before."

Li Shun wiped her stained cheeks and asnwered, "Yes. It was because I birthed my child in secrecy. Everyone of you must know that the Harem is a dangerous place where scheme is everywhere, this, I know very well because I was also a royalty that lived inside the harem and all I wanted was my child to live well. Who would have expected that Her Majesty have known my secret and planned this."

Even without further explanation, the ministers are all scholars with high IQ and thus understood the situation.

One by one they discriminated the Empress as a wolf dressed as a sheep or a two-faced white lotus.

Li shun who was watching in the sidelines was rejoicing that her scheme was quite working perfectly. Now it's time to manipulate everything from behind.

One of Li Shun's man who was hiding in the corner, seeing that their plan worked, went to the battlefield and told them to retreat.

..................

A/N: One more flashback chapter and we'll be back to our main characters😘

Author: Also please follow this humble author! Come on guys, help me encourage them to give us a follow *smiles sweetly*

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Author: *speechless* *hugs xiao bai*

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Author: Don't wanna!

ML: *pries author away and replaced author to huh Xiao Bai*

Xiao Bai: *Yeets ML a hundred meters away*