Qing Su (Extra update, seeking subscriptions)

Southern Wu.

Imperial Palace.

Li Bi woke and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Your Highness?"

Beyond the bright yellow curtains came a gentle, melodious voice like an oriole's.

Li Bi sat up. Palace maids immediately attended to his dressing, clothing him in a python robe, fastening an eastern pearl crown upon him, and hanging a dragon-patterned jade pendant at his waist—

As the sixth prince of the Wu Kingdom, such luxury and indulgence were only natural.

Then he recalled what that "Void-Dark Baleful Earth Earl" had said in Mysterious Void Heaven, and it felt as though a blaze were choking his heart. "The greater situation has rotted to this extent—no matter how diligently one governs and strives, once those great figures above speak, we will still become slaves of a fallen kingdom—"

Li Bi was filled with grief and indignation, yet had nowhere to vent it. He could only let the maidservants fuss over him like a wooden puppet, then drift drowsily into court. Watching the Three Excellencies and the gathered ministers argue until their faces turned red, he looked on coldly, feeling that it was all nothing more than a farce.

"Sixth Prince, please wait!"

After court was dismissed, an eunuch immediately hurried after him and bowed. "By His Majesty's verbal decree, the Sixth Prince, Seventh Prince, and Ninth Princess are to accompany His Majesty to the 'White Gold Garden'—"

Li Bi naturally accepted the order with respect. Reaching the inner palace, he joined his younger brother and sister, then went to see his imperial father.

Compared to several years ago, his father's temples had frosted slightly white, and his body had grown much more stooped.

"Greetings, Imperial Father."

The three hurriedly bowed.

"That will do. Go pay respects to the ancestor—"

The Emperor of Wu led