Raising the Nine-Thousand-Year Lord - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“Elder Sister, are you feeling unwell?”

A soft question called me back to myself.

That familiar voice…

I wrenched myself free from the sticky, tide-like darkness and opened my eyes, killing intent surging through me.

The worried-looking youth was shaking his head faintly at me. A large blotch of spilled wine had spread across the collar of his apricot-yellow everyday robes as the Crown Prince.

Even if my bones were ground to dust, I would never forget that face.

Sheng Yuan. The good little brother I had given everything to, treasured like the apple of my eye.

Only a moment ago, at his command, I had been pierced through by ten thousand arrows. The memory still made my heart tremble.

I looked down. I was dressed neatly in elaborate palace attire, the kind embroidered with flowing-cloud Su stitchwork so rare that only a few sets existed in the world.

When I looked up again, Qi Qiu, the Third Prince of Xia State, was panting like an ox, one hand still raised with an empty wine cup in it.

I remembered this banquet. This trap.

The twenty-fourth year of Yongchang.

How could this be?

Could it be that the wretched heavens had given me a chance to do it all over again?

The Third Prince slammed the wine cup onto the table with a bang, cutting through my thoughts. “Everyone says your honored kingdom’s Crown Prince and Eldest Princess are deeply devoted siblings. But look at them. To me, this seems more like an elder sister acting as a mother, no?”

Drunk, he narrowed his eyes. “A bird barely out of the shell, all hard beak and weak legs, waiting for a woman to stand up for him?”

Sheng Yuan’s face went instantly pale.

“The Third Prince jests.” I rose with a sweep of my sleeve and looked steadily at him. “Affection within the imperial family is precious. Xia State is famed for iron and blood, so it is no wonder there are many misunderstandings.”

Before the Third Prince could speak, I continued, “Today is a ceremonial banquet. What need is there to speak of standing up for anyone? The Third Prince is drinking to his heart’s content, but do take care not to spoil everyone else’s enjoyment.”

In the twenty-fourth year of Yongchang, the six kingdoms each sent princes to visit Yunchuan Kingdom. In name, they came to pay respects and discuss marriage alliances. In truth, their ambitions were plain as wolves’ hearts.

The old emperor of Xia State had one foot in the grave, and the Third Prince was frantic to seize power. After repeatedly asking to marry me and being refused, he had publicly made things difficult for Sheng Yuan, who looked like an easy target, in order to embarrass Yunchuan Kingdom.

In my previous life, I loved my brother more than my own life, so I had thrown a cup of wine right back at him.

After the banquet ended, Imperial Father confined me for a full half year. The connections and power I had painstakingly accumulated were handed to others on a silver platter during those six months.

Given another chance, I had no desire to repeat the same mistake.

Narrowing my eyes, I gestured to the female official and the dancers beside me, then gave a few quiet instructions.

The female official did as she was told. Before long, several jars of fine wine were brought in, and music and dancing filled the hall, covering the little incident without a sound.

I made an inviting gesture. “Beautiful women and fine wine. This is Liulizui, a vintage I have treasured for many years. Would everyone care to taste it?”

The maidservants lifted the wine cups high.

The Third Prince had sobered by more than half. Hearing this, he accepted the cup and drained it in one gulp, taking the way out I had offered.

“Fine wine may be wonderful,” I said, inclining my head slowly toward the Third Prince, “but one must not overindulge.”

After sending the Third Prince off, I returned to my seat, but my mind was far from calm.

All that had happened before-had it only been a fleeting dream, or had I truly lived a past life?

“Elder Sister?”

I had only just sat down. Coming back to myself, I looked at Sheng Yuan.

Sheng Yuan gave me a shy smile. “Thank you for helping me out just now, Elder Sister. I saw that you looked unwell earlier. Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

I made a noncommittal sound and did not answer. I merely picked up a bite of carrot with my chopsticks.

Before I could put it in my mouth, Sheng Yuan spoke again. “Huh? Elder Sister, I thought you didn’t like carrots.”

“The taste is acceptable.”

Perhaps sensing my coldness, Sheng Yuan grew cautious and did not dare say anything more.

I took two bites, then set my chopsticks down.

Pointless. And not tasty at all.

Only a freak like Lu Zhi would enjoy eating them.