Chapter One: The Donkey Slain After the Mill Is Finished

The Great Qi Empire.

The Supreme Court.

“Your Majesty, after a joint trial by the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate, it has been confirmed that Zhao Luoying is guilty of ten crimes, including concealing military reports, deceiving the emperor, acting arbitrarily, and executing ministers without authorization!”

Xu Zhi, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, spoke in a deep voice: “Zhao Luoying has been granted imperial favor for generations, yet she disregarded Your Majesty’s grace and committed monstrous crimes. Her offenses are grave beyond measure. I beg Your Majesty to pass judgment!”

Though Zhao Luoying, the accused, was shackled and bound in heavy chains, her stunningly beautiful face showed not a trace of fear.

“The scout sent to deliver news to the capital fell into bandit hands, and that’s considered concealing intelligence? As for acting arbitrarily, that’s even more laughable! The court’s appointed supervisor knew nothing of military affairs, yet insisted on interfering; if I hadn’t made decisions on my own, if I’d listened to those incompetents, would we have won a single battle?”

Qin Xuan’s voice thundered through the Supreme Court: “And as for executing a minister without authorization, that man colluded with the Jurchen. If I hadn’t killed him, should I have waited for him to open the city gates to the enemy? These ten crimes are baseless slander. I beg Father Emperor to see the truth!”

“Sixth Brother, the joint trial by the three judicial offices has already established Zhao Luoying’s crimes, with irrefutable evidence. As her husband, you should put righteousness before family, not quibble on her behalf!”

The Third Prince, Qin Zhen, spoke in a solemn tone.

Zhao Luoying was well aware of the fate that awaited her, yet she didn’t want Qin Xuan to be implicated. Her voice was calm, yet tinged with sorrow: “My lord, this matter concerns you not. I alone will bear the consequences of my actions.”

Qin Xuan’s gaze locked onto Emperor Qin Tian, resplendent in his dragon robe. He knew only the emperor could save the woman he loved.

But Qin Tian’s eyes, meeting Qin Xuan’s, held none of their former warmth—only a coldness devoid of feeling.

Qin Xuan closed his eyes, his body trembling as memories flooded back.

He was from the modern world; his parents had died in an accident, and he’d grown up relying on the charity of neighbors, working his way through school. After serving in the military, he sat the college entrance exam, using his demobilization pay for tuition.

Graduating from a prestigious university, he thought his life would finally change, but overwork led to his sudden death.

Fortunately, Heaven granted him a second chance in the Great Qi Empire.

His predecessor bore the same name, Qin Xuan, the sixth prince of the current dynasty. Born of a lowly palace maid from the Xinzheku, he was despised from birth. His royal brothers beat and berated him daily; even higher-ranking eunuchs treated him with disdain.

Refusing to live in humiliation, his predecessor joined the army when the Jurchen invaded the south years before, and the empire’s fate hung by a thread. Gravely wounded in battle, he died from his injuries, allowing Qin Xuan from the modern world to take his place.

Qin Xuan cherished this new chance at life. He gave his meager salary to the soldiers and used modern methods to train the troops, turning the Great Qi’s oft-defeated army into a formidable force.

For generations, Zhao Luoying’s family had served in the military. Her father and brother had both perished at the hands of the Jurchen, leaving her with a blood debt to avenge.

Qin Xuan and Zhao Luoying joined forces, leading the Divine Strategy Army to halt the Jurchen advance and launch a counterattack!

After three years of war, they drove the Jurchen back and reclaimed the four northern provinces.

“By imperial decree, Zhao Luoying is stripped of her titles and reduced to commoner status. In light of the Zhao family’s generations of service, she shall be beheaded in public rather than executed by slow torture!”

Qin Tian’s verdict shattered Qin Xuan’s reverie. Hearing the punishment decreed for his beloved, rage surged in Qin Xuan’s heart.

“Father Emperor, last month you summoned me and Luoying back to the capital. Was it only to execute her today?” Qin Xuan disregarded all decorum, his voice cold.

Over the past three years, Qin Xuan had achieved one victory after another, earning great merit. Qin Tian’s attitude toward him changed; the emperor wrote frequently to express concern or send rewards and supplies.

He even conferred upon Qin Xuan the title of King of Chu—the most illustrious princely title in the realm.

Just last month, Qin Xuan was stationed at the frontier, preparing to destroy the Jurchen once and for all. Qin Tian wrote, declaring the land at peace and summoning Qin Xuan back to learn the arts of governance.

Qin Xuan believed this was the emperor’s way of grooming him as crown prince.

Qin Xuan cared little for the throne, but his brothers knew only how to scheme against each other, not how to rule. For the sake of the people, he brought his beloved Zhao Luoying back to the capital.

The Divine Strategy Army, meanwhile, was placed under the command of the emperor’s trusted aides.

In hindsight, it was no more than the old ruse: “Encourage him—heirs are often plagued with illness!”

“Insolence!” Qin Zhen slammed the table. “Sixth Brother, you are truly audacious, daring to blame Father Emperor! Zhao Luoying’s guilt is proven beyond doubt. His Majesty’s decision is impartial. Out of regard for your achievements, you are spared implication, yet you complain!”

Qin Tian sipped his tea in silence, but his cold gaze revealed his resolve.

Qin Xuan clenched his fists. He needed no further evidence to know this was all Qin Zhen’s plot.

Unable to defeat Qin Xuan directly, Qin Zhen targeted Zhao Luoying instead.

If Qin Xuan did nothing and watched Zhao Luoying be executed, he would lose all respect, falling from revered hero to a man who couldn’t even protect his own woman.

But if Qin Xuan resisted, he would be defying the emperor, and being stripped of his titles would be the least of his punishments.

“My lord, to have met you in this life is my greatest honor. Please, say no more. I don’t wish to drag you down with me. My lord, let us meet again in another life.”

This legendary heroine, invincible on the battlefield, now choked back tears as she bid Qin Xuan a final farewell.

In a feudal age, without military power, one was powerless against the emperor.

“Guards! Take her away and carry out the sentence!” Qin Zhen nearly leapt from his seat in excitement, issuing the order in Qin Tian’s stead.

The prepared guards approached Zhao Luoying.

“Wait!” Qin Xuan forced down his rage and looked at Qin Tian. “Half a year ago, your son won a great victory, slaying tens of thousands of Jurchen and forcing them back to their stronghold. At the time, Father Emperor promised to grant me one wish.”

Qin Tian narrowed his eyes at Qin Xuan. “I did say that, but Zhao Luoying’s crimes are too great. Your wish cannot be to pardon her from death.”

“The day after tomorrow is the anniversary of Luoying’s parents’ deaths. Before she is executed, I wish for her to pay her respects to them one last time,” Qin Xuan said in a steady voice. “That is my wish. I beg Father Emperor to grant it.”

“Qin Xuan, you put Father Emperor in a difficult position!” Qin Zhen shouted, afraid that something might change in two days.

Qin Tian’s brow furrowed. He wished to be rid of Zhao Luoying at once, but in reason and feeling alike, Qin Xuan’s request was not excessive, given his unparalleled achievements.

“This is my only wish, Father Emperor. Two days from now, should you execute Luoying, I will utter no complaint,” Qin Xuan declared with righteous conviction.

“So be it,” Qin Tian said. “You and Zhao Luoying are not to leave the city for these two days. The execution will take place thereafter.”