Chaos in the Mortal World

A veteran minister of three reigns, a chancellor of the highest rank, renowned throughout the realm. Behind red walls and beneath green-tiled roofs, the imperial palace was where he spent his entire life. The imperial relatives and nobles were merely admirers trailing after that man; the late emperor’s edict was simply a declaration of devotion by his side; love and hatred entangled were nothing but the helplessness of being forced to stay beside another. Emperors are only human, yet they cannot afford to be ruled by their feelings. What did it matter that he had served as both general and chancellor? After seeing a thousand sails pass, he found nowhere to seek the waters he longed for. Once peace came to the realm, he had nowhere left to call home. Zhao He was a legend. Gaozu cherished him more than his own descendants, and died by his side; Taizong adored him to the point of obsession, and died still calling his name; Yingzong yearned for him and never took an empress, even until Zhao He’s death. Who was Zhao He? He was Gaozu’s nephew by marriage, Taizong’s cousin, and Yingzong’s uncle. To be loved by royalty once was worth more than a thousand other things. What had he done to deserve the favor of three generations of emperors? Was it his beauty? Perhaps. His cleverness? Perhaps. His talent for pleasing others? Perhaps. The mortal world is a tangled mess, and fools bring trouble upon themselves. A noble gentleman, gentle as jade. Those who reach too far are humiliated; those who love too deeply do not live long. Dear readers, for various reasons, the story was initially written half in jest. The first twenty chapters have now been revised, so please enjoy.