Elegance Beyond Compare in Jian'an and Yongning

A parent's love for their child means planning far ahead for them. At first, his Imperial Father was determined to put the Crown Prince on the throne. From the time he was young, he kept him by the Crown Prince's side, paving the way for his future. When he grew up, his father arranged for him to marry a legitimate daughter of the Ula-Nara clan. He knew all too well that among his brothers, his wife's family had the most distinguished standing, outranked even the Crown Princess's. His Imperial Father had gone to great lengths for him. Fearing that the Crown Prince might become wary of him, he kept him in check, but never truly reprimanded him. He once thought he would follow the path the Emperor had chosen for him. Unexpectedly, as events took a turn, he ascended the throne. With his hands clasped behind his back and an arrogant look on his face, he said to the Emperor, "I didn't contend for the throne because I didn't want to. If I did, none of your sons could beat me." For apart from his Imperial Father, who else had the right to make him kneel? There were plenty who contended for the throne, but who could govern this land, scarred as far as the eye could see? But time was not on his side. He still had so many ambitions left unrealized. He had yet to truly see his realm. How could he be willing to die? It was this unwillingness that kept his soul from passing on. He watched his good son refuse to observe even twenty-seven days of mourning, watched him overturn the verdicts against the Eighth and Ninth Princes and trample his own dignity underfoot. He could not help but laugh aloud. Was this retribution? Revenge for his own fraudulent ascent to the throne? The more he had once cherished and valued Hongli, the more he loathed him now. The more anguish he felt, the more desperately he wanted to live. Though it pained him, he still wanted to watch: to see the Qing Empire endure its long, troubled years... He watched his good son debauch the imperial concubines, watched him chase glory, watched the treasury run dry, then watched him spend the rest of his life in extravagant excess. He watched him indulge in male lovers, puffed up with pride until his own son brought about his death. He watched the Qing Empire move step by step toward its fall, his expression calm, neither sorrowful nor joyful. In his heart, he knew that such a corrupt Qing Empire deserved to fall. He watched the times change with cold eyes. A thousand years, ten thousand years passed in silence. He remained in the old city of Beijing, watching clouds drift over quiet courtyards, witnessing all the vicissitudes of life, seeing the city destroyed and then rise again. His heart was still as a lake. With a smile in his eyes, he bid farewell to the Forbidden City and wandered everywhere, witnessing prosperity and seeing through to desolation. Later, he traveled through time and space, witnessing joy and sorrow, love and hate. Later still, he became Zixin. Now, he is Di Xin. Theme: