Quiet as Glazed Glass

May I, in my next life, when I attain enlightenment, have a body like crystal, clear within and without, pure and free of blemish. May its light be vast and its virtue sublime, may it rest in perfect goodness, adorned with a radiant halo brighter than the sun and moon. May all beings in darkness be enlightened, and may they follow their hearts and accomplish their aims. After losing the battle for the throne, the third prince, Yuan Jing, drank poison and died. Reborn by some mysterious force, can he erase the regrets of his unjust death? Can he swiftly rid himself of those who betrayed him? Does he have a clever plan to seize the lofty throne? Can his hardened heart learn compassion again? He hates her to the core for betraying him in his previous life. Yet who was it that led them to lean on each other for warmth? Rolling through this mortal world, his sullied body longs to be washed clean. When the calamity ends and the land is restored to splendor, he will smile as he brushes off his robes, his body like crystal, clear within and without. ...××...××...××...××...××... A few notes: (1) This story is fictional, but its characters, backgrounds, systems, clothing, rituals, forms of address, official posts, geography, and customs are all based on the Qing Dynasty. (This should save readers familiar with the period the trouble of looking things up...) (2) No character corresponds to anyone real, though some are composites. Please don't be awkward about it. I sincerely apologize if anything makes you uncomfortable. (3) I promise a happy ending. Though the way may twist and turn, there will be light at the end of the tunnel, so rest assured. (4) Readers who enjoy researching historical details are welcome to discuss anything beyond the story itself, but narrow-minded nationalism is not welcome. Feel free to check out my completed novel: Feel free to check out my new novel: