[Alternate History + Political Intrigue + Revenge]
A merchant who seems kind and loyal to the throne plots a rebellion. A newly crowned emperor relies on his veteran ministers while scheming against them at every turn. To avenge his younger sister, a loyal minister has no choice but to scheme against the emperor. In the end, imperial power reigns supreme: all their elaborate schemes were nothing more than a story the emperor had planned from the start.
Eighteen years passed. Yellow earth covered the withered bones, and white snow settled on silvering hair.
“Meng Zhao, your brother was too late after all.” The loyal minister ran his fingers over the name carved into the tombstone.
His wife stood with their children at the grave, watching the middle-aged man as tears welled in their eyes and fell onto the cold snow.
“The time has come. Execute him!” The executioner brought down his blade with practiced ease.
The rebellious merchant’s blood spattered across the snowy ground, the contrast of red against white painfully stark.
But its warmth soon vanished in the bitter wind, leaving not a trace behind.
Before long, the capital returned to its usual bustle. Those events became nothing more than topics of idle conversation. As long as people could live well, no one cared whether these men had been loyal or not.
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