Chang'an City.
In early spring, flowers bloomed throughout majestic Chang'an. Warm southern winds brought warmth to the ancient capital after a winter of bitter cold. A temporary high platform had been erected on Zhuque Avenue, the largest street in the city. Several disheveled young men knelt upon it, dressed in prison garb and shackled hand and foot.
One haggard young man raised his head and looked at the man on the platform who bore some resemblance to him.
"Li Chongjun! You will not die a good death!"
The moment he finished cursing, a sharp pain exploded across his face. The brutal soldier beside him had struck his cheek with a wooden paddle.
The young man atop the platform, dressed in the robes of an Imperial Prince, smiled. He did not care about the curse in the slightest. He greatly enjoyed seeing enemies who had once terrified him now so enraged that they lost all composure.
"Tomorrow, I shall hold my enthronement ceremony. It is a pity I cannot invite my elder brothers to witness it. I find it deeply regrettable."
After speaking, Li Chongjun even shook his head, as though he were truly heartsick.
The Imperial Prince wanted to curse him again, but he had been beaten too badly to speak. Another imprisoned Imperial Prince beside him opened his mouth instead.
"Third Brother, after slaughtering all your royal brothers, are you not afraid of being condemned by the people of the world?"
"Condemned? I fear they will not be able to flatter me fast enough! Hahaha~"
It was a reality no one could refute. The world would not mourn Imperial Princes who had never even ascended the throne. They would only pour out all their enthusiasm in welcoming the new emperor's enthronement. Besides, a winter of chaos had long since