Chapter 1: My Father Is the Emperor

With every autumn rain, the chill deepens.

In the sixty-first year of Jingning’s reign, the city of Jiangning was drenched by an unending string of autumn rains. Especially since the ninth lunar month, it had rained for over half of the last twenty days—sometimes in torrential downpours, sometimes in fine, silvery threads—leaving the city sodden and cold.

On the twenty-third day of the ninth month, the rain held off, but the sky was low and dark, and an autumn wind howled through the streets, sending dried leaves tumbling along the thoroughfares of the inner city—a scene of utter desolation.

Yet outside the Viceroy's Office of Liangjiang, the crowd surged shoulder to shoulder in a bustling throng, abuzz with excitement.

People clustered around a newly posted announcement, chattering in heated tones, their voices rising like boiling broth.

“The Emperor is abdicating! He’s to become the Supreme Emperor!”

“The ceremony will be held on the first day of the new year!”

“The new emperor isn’t the Eighth Prince, but the Fourth Prince!”

“Yes, how could it be the Fourth Prince? If not the Eighth Prince, it should at least be the Fourteenth!”

Amidst the crowd pressed a fourteen-year-old boy. Though not especially handsome, his looks were above average, and his frame was sturdy and strong.

In his own words: “I’m not particularly good-looking—much the same as in my previous life—but this body is far more robust than I used to be.”

At that moment, his heart was pounding with excitement.

Just days before, he had crossed into this world, inhabiting the body of a boy named Jiang Nian.

He had merged the memories of his predecessor with those of his previous life.

Now, he found himself in a dynasty called the Great Celebration.

Up until the end of the Ming dynasty, history here matched that of his former world. But in the late Ming, a Han general named Yuan, while guarding Liaodong, rebelled, conquered the Jurchen tribes, overthrew the Ming, and established the Great Celebration dynasty.

What struck him as even stranger was that, although the Great Celebration was a Han dynasty, many customs resembled those of the Qing dynasty from his last life—while others differed, such as men not wearing queues.

This was also the world of Dream of the Red Chamber, with Cao Xueqin’s masterpiece woven into its tapestry.

The current Emperor Jingning of Great Celebration, in some ways, resembled a Han version of the Kangxi Emperor.

The drama of “Nine Princes Contending for the Throne” had played out, just as in history.

Now, according to the newly posted notice outside the Viceroy's Office, the Fourth Prince had triumphed.

In his former life, after Emperor Kangxi’s death, the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, ascended as Emperor Yongzheng.

Here, however, Emperor Jingning had not died but was abdicating in favor of the Fourth Prince.

“So it seems that, in this life, my father truly mirrors Yongzheng from my previous world,” Jiang Nian reflected.

The identity into which he had crossed was that of the Fourth Prince’s son!

Yet he was a son born out of wedlock, the product of the Fourth Prince’s youthful sojourn in the south with a common woman.

He was an illegitimate child, never acknowledged by his father in fourteen years.

He had grown up in Jiangning, far from the northern capital, raised by his mother, Jiang Xuelian, who had passed away the previous year.

Under the close protection of He Zhong, Jiang Nian returned home.

His residence was only half a mile from the Viceroy’s Office—a spacious courtyard, home to eight people: Jiang Nian himself, Steward He Yun and his wife, their son He Zhong, the servant couple Qiu Fu and his wife, and the maidservants Qi’er and Qin’er.

He Yun was the steward, his wife Meng the housekeeper, and He Zhong their only son. Qiu Fu and his wife were household servants, Qi’er and Qin’er coarse maids for menial chores.

“Young Master has returned,” He Yun called out respectfully as Jiang Nian and He Zhong entered the courtyard. Though a steward, He Yun was also a man skilled in martial arts, broad and powerfully built, with a straight nose and resolute mouth.

Jiang Nian said, “Steward He, come with me to the study—there’s something I wish to discuss in private.”

He Yun handed his broom to his son, instructing He Zhong to continue sweeping, and followed Jiang Nian into the study.

The study, a suite of three rooms, served as both Jiang Nian’s place of study and his quarters.

Inside, the maid Qin’er was setting out the dinner table. Jiang Nian told her, “You may withdraw now—I have private matters to discuss with Steward He.”

“Yes, Young Master,” Qin’er replied, and withdrew.

Jiang Nian led He Yun into the inner room, then moved to the window, gazing outside to be sure no one was eavesdropping.

He Yun was puzzled. What matter required such secrecy?

Jiang Nian turned, stepped closer, and spoke in a low voice: “Just now, as I was passing the Viceroy’s Office, I saw a new notice posted today.”

He Yun listened intently.

Jiang Nian continued, “The notice contained momentous news.”

He Yun’s attention sharpened.

“The Emperor is abdicating to become Supreme Emperor. The abdication ceremony is set for the first day of the new year.”

Normally steady and composed, He Yun was so astonished by this news that he gaped in disbelief. “Is it true? To which prince will His Majesty pass the throne?”

Jiang Nian raised four fingers, lowering his voice further: “The Fourth Prince.”

A flash of joy crossed He Yun’s face, and he murmured, “Excellent,” unable to contain his excitement: “I knew it! I always knew the Fourth Prince had a strong chance of inheriting the throne. I just didn’t expect His Majesty to abdicate!”

He Yun was a trusted retainer of the Fourth Prince.

More than a decade ago, the Fourth Prince had secretly sent He Yun and his wife to protect Jiang Xuelian and her son; in truth, they were also to keep watch, for a woman who had borne a prince could not be allowed to consort with other men.

He Yun had long hoped for the Fourth Prince’s ascension. Now, his hope was fulfilled.

His regard for Jiang Nian grew even more respectful.

With the Fourth Prince about to become emperor, wouldn’t Young Master Nian be a prince? Even if he remained an unacknowledged and hidden son, his father’s ascension would surely mean he’d be summoned to the capital.

After their confidential discussion, it was time for dinner.

The evening meal was prepared by Qiu Fu’s wife, the cook, known by custom as “Mistress Qiu Fu.”

He Yun was a stickler for propriety. Though not technically Jiang Nian’s servant, he regarded him as his master, and, except on special occasions, did not dine with him, insisting that all the household staff observe proper etiquette.

Thus, as usual, Jiang Nian dined alone. Only after he finished did He Yun’s family and the servants take their meal.

After supper in the outer study, Jiang Nian retired to the inner room, poured himself a cup of tea, and sat at his desk, sipping as he pondered.

He thought back to the dream he’d had a few days ago, just after crossing into this world.

In the dream, a great stone archway stood before him, bearing eight characters: “Diligence and striving bring fortune and destiny.”

He had mulled over those words many times.

He surmised that the phrase meant that as long as he strove with all his might, good fortune would follow.

If so, then fortune was his “golden finger”—his advantage as a transmigrator.

But what counted as “diligence and striving”? Surely, diligently studying and training in martial arts would qualify. Striving to rise from a hidden, unacknowledged son to be recognized as a true prince of the Great Celebration would also fit.

With these thoughts, Jiang Nian set his mind at ease, picked up a copy of The Book of Changes from his desk, and began to study in earnest.