Later, the Former Emperor passed away, and misfortune befell the Eldest Prince. To stabilize the situation, their teacher Li Xingzhi placed the Second Prince on the dragon throne.
On the day of the coronation, Wei Zhilin stood below the imperial steps and watched the young man who had once crouched beneath the corridor playing with sparrows take his seat at the highest point, wearing a crown with twelve strands of beads. Before the assembled civil and military officials, he proclaimed his grand ambition: "I shall become an emperor remembered through the ages, before whom all nations come to pay homage!"
Back then, Wei Zhilin had still believed him. A young emperor with lofty ambitions-what was wrong with that?
Back then, he had truly hoped the young man would become a good emperor, one who cherished his people and ruled with benevolence and wisdom.
As time passed, the emperor remained deep within the palace, and opportunities to meet him grew scarce. He was said to handle countless affairs each day, often reviewing memorials until dawn.
At first, he invariably consulted his teacher Li Xingzhi on every major decision. Gradually, however, his visits to the Knowledge and Practice Institute grew fewer and fewer, until their teacher Li Xingzhi left the capital and never returned...
Later still, he began supporting the Dragon Gate Academy and suppressing the Knowledge and Practice Institute. Any court official with even slightly close ties to the institute was demoted or expelled, purged one after another until none remained. At court, he alone dictated every decision...
That little remnant of affection between teacher and student was worn away bit by bit, like snow falling into warm water, melting without a sound until nothing remained.
Wei Zhilin sighed amid the snow. White mist drifted from his lips, only to be