After witnessing the family of General Yu, the man he respected most, die before his eyes, Fushan went completely mad. Once he finally broke free of his restraints, he walked out of the tavern and stared up at the clear blue sky, his eyes vacant. He raised his sword and killed himself. When he awoke again, he was back in the days when he was still a hostage in the state of Yu, with the new emperor’s words still echoing in his ears. “Fushan, we were born into the imperial family. From the very beginning, we should have learned that power both tempts people and takes their lives. The Yu family met this fate because of power. Since you took it, you must bear its weight. That is the burden you must shoulder as Prince Guangping.” He didn’t believe it. Perhaps if all power were in his hands, he would no longer be restrained, and he could protect the people he wanted to protect forever. Given a second life, he, Fushan, would take the throne.
Shuye nudged Fushan’s arm. “What about me? You’ve been talking all this time. What about me?”
Fushan shoved Shuye’s doglike head away. “Get lost. I’ve got a career to build.”
