The Sea of Sinful Illusions, the Heaven of Bitter Partings, the thirty-third layer of heaven beyond heaven, where resentment and sorrow grow rampant. Flesh and blood, a parent's love for a child, sleeping side by side year after year: how deep can such affection be? A gifted youth, so many troubles, always lamenting the pain of parting in life and death, never knowing his lament would become a prophecy. The end of Huangchu, the dawn of Taihe: the world is so clean, yet the fruit has fallen and left people haggard.
Everyone else thought that although Young Master Pi and Young Master Zhi shared the same mother, there was still a struggle for the throne between them. That was why, when Young Master Pi ascended the throne, he gave Young Master Zhi a lofty title in name while stripping him of real power.
But they did not know how deep the brothers' love for each other truly was.
Cao Zhi always thought he would forever be his elder brother's little brother. He never wanted to grow up; he only wanted to go on living with his brother like this. But as the years passed, the boy's admiration took on a different meaning. The small affection in his heart grew and bloomed, and his desire grew without limit. Eventually, he understood: he loved him.
But how could he say it aloud?
Their father's demands lay before them, and the two were bound to compete. The cause of the nation was at stake, and the weight of responsibility rested on their shoulders. They dared not slacken even a little. With etiquette, virtue, ethics, and moral rules looming over them, how could he possibly dare...
Cao Zijian, dressed in purple, accompanied the officials and the Wei emperor to climb a tower and admire the view. He looked up, the ribbon tied behind his head fluttering in the wind. At one corner of the tower, a figure's robe billowed fiercely. There was Zihuan, dressed in black and wearing the emperor's ceremonial crown, leaning on the railing. The spirit of the young nobleman of old was still there, a smile playing on his lips, though he now bore the dignity of an emperor. He was still as handsome, still as radiant.
The Wei emperor smiled, and all the officials were delighted, gathering around to congratulate him.
Cao Zijian hid his expression. The corner of his purple robe disappeared into the shadows, and no one knew he was there.
That time, the Wei emperor called for a meeting. The brothers sat facing each other for a long while without a word. No one knew what they discussed. After that, they went their separate ways: one became a wise ruler, the other a carefree prince, and they rarely saw each other again.
Afterward, Cao Zijian never spoke those treasonous words of confession, either.
Zihuan was gone...
He returned to the place where he had once lived. Seeing white flakes filling the sky, he was dazed for a moment, mistaking them for snowflakes drifting on the breeze. He dutifully fulfilled his responsibilities as a prince, returned to his fief, and poured himself a drink from a wine flask, drinking alone before his elder brother's portrait.
The night was dark, and even his shadow was indistinct. He was left all alone.
They could not share a bed in life, nor a grave in death.
Yet he willingly wished to share a grave with him, following the example of Sanliang.
He would love Zihuan forever, as he always had and still did.
Theme: Oh, oh, oh
