The Journey of Destiny

I. The Night of the Palace Coup Inside the Imperial Study, the air was thick with the scent of sandalwood. I knelt before the dragon desk, my heart aching as I looked at my father's pale face. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached for the vermilion brush on the desk, but failed several times. "Father..." I stepped forward, wanting to help him up. "No need," my father waved his hand, his voice hoarse, "I can still manage." I noticed fine beads of sweat on his forehead, and his body beneath his dragon robe was even thinner than before. The memorials on the desk piled high, yet none had been reviewed. These days, my father's health had deteriorated rapidly, and he was increasingly...