Liu Bian at the start, so you're called Dong Zhuo, right?

Chapter 1 Historical Figures

In the third year of Guanghe, at the Shi residence.

The courtyard remained quiet.

For seven years, no dogs were allowed, no noise was permitted, and even if a neighbor's chicken ran to the door, Shi Zimiao would frown and chase it away.

It felt like someone was holding a hand tightly to the throat of the house.

Liu Bian sat in the corridor.

He held a neatly shaved bamboo strip in his hand, his fingertips tracing the engravings on it.

The finest detail is "one day".

Beside the ten fine marks, he carved a long mark—that was a ten-day period.

After the three long marks, a small crescent moon is carved—that is January.

After twelve crescent moons, he would carve a deep notch on the back of the bamboo strip—that represents a year.

Now, there are seven gaps on the back.

Seven years.

It has been seven years since she was carried away from the inner palace in that heavy snow.

He turned the bamboo strip around, and the bamboo surface reflected the pale winter light, like a silent mirror.

Many people think that babies don't understand anything.

But he wasn't.

Seven years ago, he possessed the soul of a twenty-seven-year-old and entered the body of this baby.

He still remembers the taste of that night: the stench of blood mixed with the coldness of snow, piercing his lungs with pain.

I also remember that sharp, piercing imperial edict from outside the curtain—

"An imperial edict was issued. Now that the prince has been born, Lady He is hereby granted the title of Noble Consort."

The prince.

Noble.

The He family.

In that instant, Liu Bian rolled his eyes in the swaddling clothes: getting promoted and getting a raise by having a baby, that's such a primitive performance evaluation method.

Fortunately, no one saw it.

He couldn't quite remember what happened after that.

All I remember is being carried into the car, the canopy shaking, the wind and snow like knives, and finally stopping here—Shi Zimiao's home.

From that day on, everyone in the family called him by only two words:

"Lord Shi"

It's not a nickname or pet name.

It's more like a... code.

A prince who didn't even have a name.

Even a cat or dog has a name, right?

Over the course of seven years, Liu Bian doubted himself more than once: Was this a dream? Or had he gone mad? Or... did he have a split personality?

"tear--"

In a moment of distraction, Liu Bian's fingertip was cut by a bamboo shaving, leaving a small, bloody gash.

The pain was intense.

That's right, bamboo strips don't lie.

The cold winters and hot summers don't lie.

The slight pain in my hand doesn't lie.

He did live here, for seven years.

Shi Zimiao was a "Taoist," but he never talked about Tao.

He's more like a gatekeeper:

He taught Liu Bian to recognize characters and to recite texts.

But every time Liu Bian asked, "Where did I come from?" or similar questions—

He then started dodging the question: "Haha, the weather's so nice today, how about a piece of candy?"

They allow him to go out, but always stand half a step behind him, like a wall.

They said it was to shield him from the sun.

Why are you blocking the sun? You're not a vampire!

But Liu Bian, living in an era clearly different from modern times, gradually learned where he was through constant exposure to what he saw and heard.

The phrases "Guanghe era" and "Ten Attendants" gradually formed four characters in his ears—

During the reign of Emperor Ling of Han at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Once the era is confirmed, identity verification becomes easier.

Emperor Ling of Han lost many sons, and only two sons survived until his death: Liu Bian and Liu Xie. Now it is the third year of Guanghe, so he can only be Liu Bian.

And that "Ms. He" is the famous Empress He in history.

Liu Bian, the young emperor of Han.

As his name suggests, he only reigned as emperor for a few months in his youth before being deposed by Dong Zhuo, and then Li Ru sent him to his death with a cup of poisoned wine.

If he is indeed the historical Liu Bian, then he will sit on the dragon throne in ten years.

Then, choose to reopen.

Only then did he realize: the bamboo slips weren't for keeping track of days, but for counting down the days to come.

He didn't want to become like Liu Bian.

At the very least, I don't want to become like Liu Bian, who was sent to his death by poisoned wine.

Shi Zimiao's voice came from behind:

"Let's go, my lord, how about we go out for a stroll today?"

Liu Bian's eyes lit up. He was fed up with having to report every time he went out, especially since the last time he went out was two weeks ago.

Suppressing his excitement, he turned around and asked, "What's so special about today? You're willing to take me out?"

Shi Zimiao shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, as if looking at a real child:

"I'm afraid you'll get bored at home."

He paused, then added, as always:

"Don't wander off, and don't leave my sight."

Stepping out of the gate, the bustling atmosphere of Luoyang immediately comes into view.

This is, after all, the capital city.

The sounds of hawking, wheels, and footsteps filled my ears.

Like a bird released from its cage, Liu Bian headed straight for the candy shop.

"Taoist priest! I want this! One pack, please!"

Shi Ziming followed with a smile: "Buy, buy, buy! Why do you always buy candy when we go out? Eating too much will hurt your teeth."

Liu Bian lowered his head and munched on his food, inwardly cursing: "Ugh, it's sickeningly sweet. I want candied hawthorn berries, chocolate, ice cream..."

There's no way around it; the seven-year-old persona can't be ruined.

He could only nibble on it "sweetly".

"Let's go, it's almost noon, time for lunch."

As noon approached, Shi Zimiao pulled him into the restaurant and chose a seat by the window.

The smell of alcohol and the heat mingled with the voices of people, like a pot of boiling water.

Just as Liu Bian settled into his seat, a low, gossipy voice came from above.

"That one in the palace... has she really been made a concubine?"

"It's been erected. It was erected yesterday. It's from the He family."

"Shh! Do you want to die? How dare you say such things in Luoyang?"

The man immediately fell silent, as if a knife were pressed against his throat.

Liu Bian stopped eating the candy.

The He family.

Establish an empress.

His "birth mother" rose to the position of empress in just seven years.

This speed... is outrageously shocking.

An empress has been appointed.

Shouldn't this "dragon seed" be brought back to the palace?

Thinking of this, he looked up at Shi Zimiao.

Shi Zimiao lowered his head, but his body was trembling slightly.

Is this day finally coming?

He looked up and met Liu Bian's gaze.

Those eyes—

This has been the case for the past seven years.

Too calm.

He was so calm, unlike a seven-year-old child, that he seemed more like someone who already knew his fate.

Liu Bian asked softly, "Taoist, are you... going home today?"

Shi Zixuan was startled.

He could tell that the "home" Liu Bian asked about was not just the Shi residence.

His throat tightened, and he managed to squeeze out a sentence:

"I won't go back."

From the age of three when he began his education, this prince displayed exceptionally high comprehension.

He could copy an article after only two months of calligraphy practice, and by the age of five, he could recite the entire Five Classics.

This is a genius among geniuses.

He truly has the countenance of an emperor.

Shi Zimiao dared not treat him like a seven-year-old child at all, and assumed that Liu Bian's words had a hidden meaning, "Why did you suddenly ask that?"

"Taoist, it's been seven years. I have the right to know the truth." Liu Bian stared at Shi Zimiao, his voice soft, yet it struck Shi Zimiao's heart with a heavy blow.

His fingers, holding the teacup, turned slightly white. The rim of the cup touched his lips, but he couldn't drink a single drop.

"Lord Shi, who told you something?" Shi Zimiao panicked. He didn't know who it was. Was it someone from the palace? No, they couldn't have acted so quickly.

"I don't know what truth you're talking about. All I know is that you are Shi Hou..."

"I've heard the name 'Shi Hou' for seven years. Tell me, is it a title, or... a cage?" Liu Bian raised his hand to stop him.

Shi Zimiao's eyes finally changed.

Shi Zimiao's fingers turned white, and he brought the teacup to his lips, but he couldn't drink even half a sip.

"Lord Shi...who told you what?"

"I don't know what truth you're talking about, all I know is that you are Shi Hou—"

Liu Bian raised his hand to interrupt him.

"I've heard the name 'Shi Hou' for seven years."

"Tell me, is it a number, or... a cage?"

Liu Bian continued to press forward, sentence by sentence, like tearing down a wall:

"You won't let me run around, you won't let me out of your sight."

"You said it was to shield me from the sun, but you never let me walk to the end of the alley."

"You said you were buying rice and medicine, but every time you just went to 'pick up' them."

"Who gave it to you?"

Shi Zimiao stared intently at him.

It felt like I was getting to know this child for the first time.

But then he suddenly remembered: seven years ago, in the snow cart that night, when this child opened his eyes and looked at him, he had the same look in his eyes.

He remained silent for a long time before finally uttering a sentence:

"Living is more important than the truth."

He got up and placed fifty coins on the table.

"Let's go home first. There are too many people here."

Liu Bian frowned, but still followed.

The gate to the Shi residence opened.

Shi Zimiao had just stepped into the courtyard when he suddenly stopped.

Liu Bian didn't react in time and bumped headfirst into his back.

Two people were sitting in the courtyard.

Dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, all in black.

"Shi Zimiao?" A lean man sitting on the left looked up.

He squinted at Shi Zimiao, then looked past him and at Liu Bian behind him.

Shi Zimiao quickly bowed his head and replied, "Yes."

The lean man's voice was steady:

"Lord Shi... is he well?"

Without waiting for a reply, he got up and went into the inner room:

"Let's go inside and talk."

Shi Zimiao followed.

Liu Bian stood still, but his heart was beating very steadily.

—They came to me as soon as they opened their mouths.

These two are most likely from the palace.

Shi Zimiao turned around and whispered:

"You come too."

"The truth you seek may be revealed soon."

Liu Bian did not hesitate any longer and followed them inside.

Liu Bian and Shi Zimiao entered the room, and another man in black closed the door behind them.

Two men in black stood one in front of the other.

The lean man who had spoken earlier sat down at the head of the table, tapped his fingers on the table, and stared at Liu Bian.

"Lord Shi"

He called out in a steady voice, as if calling a name, or perhaps a secret code.

Do you recognize me?

Liu Bian did not answer, but only looked at the small pouch at his waist—it seemed inconspicuous, but it looked like an official's item.

Looking at his composure after entering the room, even Shi Zimiao didn't dare to raise his head.

Only people from the palace have this kind of confidence.

"Lord Shi is too young to recognize him," Shi Zimiao replied when Liu Bian remained silent.

The lean man hummed in agreement, not bothered by it: "It's better if you don't know me."

He took out a tiny folded piece of paper from his pocket, a faint red mark pressed against the corner, and placed it on the table, his voice still flat:

"This is the official announcement. From this day forward, Marquis Shi—enter the palace."

Liu Bian's heart skipped a beat.

All the speculation and fear of the past seven years were settled by this one piece of paper.

Shi Zimiao's fingers trembled, and he immediately knelt down: "...Yes, sir."

Liu Bian, however, remained standing still.

The lean man glanced at him, his eyes like knives: "You won't kneel?"

Shi Zimiao said anxiously in a low voice, "My lord—"

Liu Bian did not kneel. He simply raised his head, his voice steady: "Where to go? Who to see?"

There was silence in the room.

The lean man squinted at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

That smile held little warmth, but carried a hint of satisfaction:

"good."

"He bears some resemblance to His Majesty and his sister."

Liu Bian's heart skipped a beat—this was referring to the "mother" of the newly enthroned empress.

The lean man stood up, walked out, and left with a remark:

"Let's go."

Don't rush to find the answer.

He paused, turned around, and spoke as if imparting a rule:

"First, learn how to survive in that environment—"

"Think again about how to get others to live for you."

The door was pushed open, and a cold draft rushed in.

Looking at the man in black's retreating figure, Liu Bian knew he was nothing more than a lamb to the slaughter.

But stepping out of this door, he might only find himself facing even more treacherous cliffs.

At the age of seven, I entered the palace of a dynasty in its final days, and my mission was to survive.

The difficulty level is absolutely hellish.

But he had to go.