The winter night was bitterly cold, and the white funeral banners in the mourning hall snapped in the gale.
Chu Xuan’s eyes flew open. Agonizing pain surged through his chest like a blazing fire. It was the same feeling as when the Third Prince’s poisoned wine had burned through his insides in his previous life!
“Your Lordship… You’re awake!” Hong Xiu, the maid kneeling beside the coffin, cried out in a trembling voice. Her tear-streaked face was full of disbelief.
Chu Xuan looked around, his heart pounding.
This was the Prince of Zhenbei’s residence, when he was seventeen!
In his previous life, the news of the old emperor’s death had just reached the northern frontier at this time. His father, Chu Xiong, led 300,000 Chu troops to the capital to pay his respects, only for them all to be ambushed and wiped out. As for him, the “frail heir,” he was framed and eventually murdered with poisoned wine while being exiled…
“Hong Xiu, what is today’s date?” Chu Xuan clenched his fist, bloodshot veins spreading across his eyes.
“It’s winter, the twenty-third year of Yongchang… His Majesty, His Majesty has just passed away!” Hong Xiu choked out.
Just as he thought! Chu Xuan sprang to his feet.
The old emperor’s death had been suspicious in his previous life. The Third Prince and the chancellor had joined forces to forge an imperial edict, pinning the crime of regicide on the Chu family, whose accomplishments had made the throne fear them. This time, he would never let history repeat itself!
“Pass down my order! Seal off every channel in and out of the residence. Any spies from the capital who sneak in are to be killed without exception!” Chu Xuan’s voice was as cold as iron.
Hong Xiu froze. Since when had the heir become so ruthless?
At that very moment, commotion erupted outside the residence.
A squad of Imperial Guards barged into the courtyard. Their commander raised a golden warrant. “By the new emperor’s decree, the Prince of Zhenbei is guilty of treason. Heir Chu Xuan is to be taken to the capital at once!”
Chu Xuan sneered.
The new emperor? The Third Prince couldn’t even wait three days before trying to wipe out the Chu family!
He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the sabers at the guards’ waists. “I, the prince”
