Yongzheng's Transmigration (Working Title)

When he died, Aisin Gioro Yinzhen felt nothing. It was like the moment he sometimes closed his eyes to rest while reviewing memorials. But when he opened them again, wind roared in his ears and the trees rustled bleakly. He was no longer in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Before he could think it through, a white-fronted tiger with glaring eyes leaped out of the tall grass and lunged straight at his face! The two guards accompanying him collapsed to the ground, their faces drained of color. Yinzhen's heart tightened. Though he had no idea where he was, years as an emperor had taught him to stay calm in a crisis. He drew an arrow, bent his bow, and fired in one swift motion. Three arrows flew in succession, striking the tiger in the forehead, throat, and belly.

The tiger crashed to the ground. Yinzhen kept his hand on his saber and stepped forward to strike a finishing blow to its vitals, continuing until the tiger lay completely still.

Before he could catch his breath, hurried footsteps sounded outside the forest. Dozens of people rushed over, all wearing flying-fish robes and carrying embroidered spring sabers. They were clearly dressed in the style of the former Ming dynasty's Imperial Guards.

Yinzhen's pupils contracted. He gripped his saber in secret, but the moment the men reached him, they all dropped to their knees in unison. "We were too late to come to Your Majesty's rescue. Please forgive us!"

Your Majesty?

Before Yinzhen could speak, a middle-aged civil official hurried forward, holding a yellow silk imperial edict. In a trembling voice, he cried, "Your Highness, Prince Yong, receive the edict!"

Yinzhen's gaze darkened. He was the emperor of the Great Qing. How could he kneel to receive an unknown decree? But the situation was unclear, and he could not tell friend from foe...

After a brief moment of thought, he stood with his hands behind his back and said coldly, "Read it."

Seeing this, the official did not dare insist. He unfurled the edict and read it aloud through tears: "Half a month ago, His Majesty personally led the army into battle, but was unfortunately defeated and captured. His life and death are unknown! The realm cannot go a single day without a ruler... Therefore, the throne is hereby passed to Prince Yong Lin Zheng, who shall assume the imperial succession immediately and bring stability to the state!"

Yinzhen's ears rang.

Lin Zheng? Prince Yong?

He glanced down at the dragon-patterned sleeves of his robe. They were in the style worn by Ming princes. He touched the top of his head: no queue, only a topknot held in place with a hairpin and crown.

Could this not be the Great Qing, but the former Ming? And had he become the Prince Yong of this time and place?

In an instant, Yinzhen's thoughts raced.

If he denied it now, they would surely take him for a rebel and cut him down. If he played along... he might use this identity as Prince Yong to take control of the situation first, then make further plans.

At last, he slowly bent his knee and lowered his head to hear the edict.

But he had already made up his mind: whoever this body belonged to, now that he occupied this position, he would seize the power of the realm once more.

Theme: This is a story I want to write.