Guide to the Sickly Strategist’s Death Seek - Chapter 1

The world is in turmoil, the nation is falling apart, and the mountains and rivers are heartless…

No.

That’s not it—

“Resentful bones are born into sinking, but the national shame is not for me.”

The weather, which had been sweltering for so long, had recently turned slightly cool. Yet, what caused an endless, piercing chill to wrap around one’s body now was not the wind and yet, it was exactly the wind.

The Imperial Palace seemed on the verge of shattering. A fire had started from an unknown source, burning with intense vigor. The people within the palace had gone mad, scurrying about in a chaotic frenzy, tearing at themselves while crying out in despair—

“The resentful bones are born,”

“The resentful bones are born! But not for me!!!”

At the very center of this captive scene, a speck of ink bloomed, bleeding into the hair of a person whose luster was pale and translucent—a sight terribly out of harmony.

Ruan Jinyu ran out of the hall. He did not know what had happened until he saw the flames spreading across the horizon and his ears were filled with the discordant, turbulent shrieks of the dying. Ignoring everything else, he took off running.

He could not die in this palace.

The Imperial Palace, usually heavily guarded, was now a pot of chaotic porridge. One didn’t even need to think to know that everything was in disarray; everywhere was a mess.

The Imperial Teacher, who was usually respected by all, was now ignored. This title of “Imperial Teacher” could no longer protect him.

Those maddened palace maids and eunuchs ran everywhere, yet few ran toward the main palace gates.

Upon leaving that palace hall, Ruan Jinyu did not head for the main gate either. Instead, he moved against the flow of people, running in the opposite direction toward a more remote location.

This place happened to be right behind the Taisheng Hall, where the monarch held court.

At the very last step, Ruan Jinyu slammed to a halt. Before him, at the head of the palace corridor, sat a man atop a tall horse. He held a sword stained halfway with blood, and his body was draped in a murderous aura forged from the fusion of the endless dark night and the blazing firelight. The newcomer looked down at him from above.

Clearly, the man’s eyes were fixed entirely on him, yet Ruan Jinyu felt that in the man’s gaze, he was no different from a corpse in this corridor strewn with the dead.

Soldiers marched past him, their feet treading upon corpse after corpse. The sound of iron armor and blades clashing together enveloped his entire being.

“If they aren’t dead yet—stab, thrust, cut, or slit.”

The voice was heart-chilling, soaking into the very bones.

He spoke of these things with such casual indifference.

An Imperial Teacher should not have spoken; this man’s rebellion had nothing to do with him. Yet, the Imperial Teacher couldn’t help but open his mouth. “If the Fourth Prince rebels, he still shouldn’t trample upon his fellow countrymen so. You are still the Fourth Prince, after all.”

Ruan Jinyu was freezing; he was cold, so cold he was even shivering slightly. These words, however, were spoken with a gentle yet stern tone.

the Fourth Prince quirked an eyebrow, his gaze never leaving Ruan Jinyu. After hearing those words, he didn’t grow angry. Instead, he let out a clear, weary, and mocking laugh.

The Imperial Teacher had originally thought that facing him now meant certain death, which was why he had spoken recklessly, saying whatever came to mind before the end. He hadn’t expected the rebellious Fourth Prince not to run him through with a sword. Instead, Ruan Jinyu felt hands pressing down on his shoulders.

He only felt the cold becoming more and more intense until finally, unable to withstand the chill, he fainted.

That faint was a descent into total darkness; in his dreams, time was indistinguishable, and even the difference between night and day became a blur.

When light finally returned to his eyes, the sight was quite different from what Ruan Jinyu had imagined.

He had thought that if he were allowed to live, there must be a reason for it.

Ruan Jinyu was also all too familiar with the exquisite silk bed he was lying on. However, in the past, the one who lay upon this bed was the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler. It was not meant for a hollow, half-baked Imperial Teacher like himself.

Regardless of the current state of the palace, an Imperial Teacher should not be lying on this bed. Thus, he threw off the covers, intending to get up.

Unfortunately, because of his long unconsciousness, his body had not fully recovered upon waking. His arms and waist lacked any strength, and he nearly collapsed back onto the bed.

He managed to pull himself up halfway and scanned the room. At the moment, there was no one in the hall.

Ruan Jinyu closed his eyes and took a slow breath, finally gathering enough strength to support his body as he got off the bed.

Someone was guarding the outside of the hall. This person was someone he recognized—a eunuch who had previously served under the Chief Eunuch of Taisheng Hall. Since Ruan Jinyu used to visit Taisheng Hall every day, this man was naturally a familiar face.

“Eunuch Zhao,” Ruan Jinyu coughed, pulling his voice back to call out to him.

“Master has finally awakened,” Eunuch Zhao said, remaining as respectful as before. “If your body still feels unwell, this servant will go and call the Imperial Physician.”

“Eunuch Zhao, come in.” Ruan Jinyu stepped aside slightly, signaling him to enter the hall.

Likely knowing that Ruan Jinyu would have many questions upon waking, Eunuch Zhao did not refuse. He kept his head lowered and respectfully walked into the hall with quick, short steps.

Contrary to the various thoughts that had flashed through Ruan Jinyu’s mind, the gates to this palace hall were wide open. Aside from this one little eunuch guarding the door, there was no one else. This setup did not make him look like a prisoner.

“What are the things you can tell me?”

From beginning to end, Ruan Jinyu spoke with a gentle temperament. Even when speaking to this little eunuch who was exceptionally respectful to him, he remained the same. It was an inquiry, not an interrogation.

“Master is joking,” Eunuch Zhao said without a hint of a smile. “This servant is but a servant. If Master asks, this servant shall answer.”

And indeed, he answered every question.

On the ninth day of the fifth month of the first year of the Degui era, the Emperor passed away suddenly. Due to years of overwork in state affairs, his long-suppressed ailments flared up, leading to his abrupt death.

The late Emperor had six sons. Two were still young. Outside of them, the Fourth Prince was known for being courteous to the wise and for his kind, benevolent heart. In his final moments, the Emperor had taken up the vermillion brush and written upon yellow silk. After deep deliberation, he intended to pass the throne down.

The edict was immediately announced to the world. As of today, more than three days have passed.

Ruan Jinyu had been unconscious for exactly three days.

This was the explanation Eunuch Zhao gave to Ruan Jinyu, and it was also the official story currently being announced to the world.

Ruan Jinyu listened and hesitated for a long while. With an uncertain tone, he asked again, “You say the Emperor’s succession edict named the Fourth Prince?”

Eunuch Zhao answered with unhesitating certainty: “Yes, Master.”

At this moment, even if Ruan Jinyu had doubts in his heart, he would not voice them. He remained silent for a while, leaning back against the chair. His mind flashed back to the scene in the corridor outside Taisheng Hall just before he fainted.

The man was the Fourth Prince. The one on the horse was the Fourth Prince. The one holding the blade was the Fourth Prince. The one who killed was the Fourth Prince.

And the one who ascended the throne was also the Fourth Prince.

“If Master’s health is fine, starting tomorrow, you should still attend the morning court.”

Ruan Jinyu suppressed the chaos in his heart. When he looked up again, his eyes flickered. “My health doesn’t seem quite restored yet. I fear I may not be able to attend court. Could you, Eunuch Zhao, go and explain this to the Hall… to His Majesty?”

Eunuch Zhao didn’t ask further or think much of it, agreeing immediately. “This servant understands.”

The world has completely changed.

Looking at the current situation, since he, the Imperial Teacher, hadn’t had his throat slit, there might still be a chance for survival. In that case, the best thing for him to do now was to leave the palace and distance himself from politics. Then, none of this would have anything to do with him.

As for who sat on that throne and how they got there—it was beyond his control.