Magic Spell

Long, long ago, in the distant East, there was a powerful country. Its subjects were very fortunate, for they had a wise emperor and a kind, frugal empress.

Unfortunately, although their Crown Prince had a clever mind, his body was impaired. The emperor's other sons saw an opportunity and began to stir restlessly.

Yet according to Eastern custom, if the Crown Prince died, his son should be made heir apparent.

But faced with such enormous benefits, the emperor's adult sons paid no heed to that rule.

The emperor had taken so many concubines to ensure there would be enough potential heirs, and also for political marriages. Their families were distinguished; some were daughters of powerful ministers, others princesses of the previous dynasty. Every one of them was so ambitious.

But there was only one imperial throne. So they schemed against one another and hurt each other. Though they were related by blood, there was no familial affection to speak of.

Both the emperor and the Crown Prince loved the empress, but her health worsened by the day. Buddhism had absorbed too much wealth and too many people, leaving that powerful empire almost without an army. Thus, after founding the dynasty, the emperor made Taoism the state religion and suppressed Buddhism.

To restore the empress's health, he ordered the restoration of more than three hundred and ninety abandoned temples, praying for blessings upon his beloved wife. Yet even such moving love between husband and wife, mother and son, could not wrest the empress's life from Death's hands.

The emperor and Crown Prince were heartbroken, but then the Crown Prince's son was born. This new member brought a sliver of hope to the grieving family.

However, as Li Chengqian grew older and his leg ailment worsened, he began to rebel. No matter