Only after Jiang Huan died did he realize that he had given his whole heart to a dog.
He had exhausted himself, saving the court from danger again and again, until illness left him frail and broken. He did it because the emperor was the man he had entrusted his life to. But once the court was secure, the emperor's first act was to turn against the powerful man who shared his bed.
In the gloomy prison, Jiang Huan learned the truth. The emperor had always been wary of him, and had even tampered with his health.
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the year the emperor had just ascended the throne. Rebels were at the gates, and the dynasty was on the brink of collapse.
Jiang Huan, who was supposed to save the day, simply let go.
So be it if the kingdom fell. He would find somewhere to enjoy his freedom, and see how the emperor met his end along the way.
But when the rebels entered the city, the first person they sought to capture was not the emperor, but Jiang Huan.
In a palace lit by flickering candlelight, the rebel leader pressed a blade to Jiang Huan's neck. "Lord Jiang, without you, my army would have taken Shangjing at least ten years earlier. My maimed body and wretched state are all thanks to you."
Jiang Huan's heart lurched. The blade that had drawn blood suddenly fell to the ground. A restrained breath brushed past his ear. "Ruthless and decisive. I liked that about you in my previous life."
Blurb written on September 20, 2021.
Theme: Be strong and brave. Never give up in the face of adversity.
