"He's only eight years old, how can he be sent for a political marriage?"
In the Grand Yong Dynasty, at the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor, a startled cry echoed.
"Eight years old? A political marriage?"
A little boy, as exquisite as a carved jade, suddenly froze, then glanced at the stunningly beautiful woman in palace attire beside him.
I'm still young, and my mother is here! I've indeed been reborn to one hundred and thirty years ago, at the pivotal moment that changed my fate!
The little boy clenched his fists, his lips pressed tightly together. Since he had this opportunity, in this life, he, Zhuang Zhou, would defy the heavens and change his fate!
Before his rebirth, Zhuang Zhou's life was one of hardship and suffering.
***
He was born with the Body of the Nine Suns, the best physique for dual cultivation with female cultivators.
The higher his cultivation, the better the dual cultivation effects! Thus, he spent his life in the hands of six powerful empresses, becoming an emotionless dual cultivation machine. He was born in an era of great turmoil, and all six empresses who favored him perished in the chaos, earning him the nickname "The End of Six Emperors" in his previous life.
When the last empress died in battle, Zhuang Zhou fell into an ancient ruin, obtaining the essence of the Shamanic Civilization's legacy, the Heaven-Earth Altar. At the cost of sacrificing his cultivation, he returned to one hundred and twenty years ago, ending his tumultuous and humiliating life!
Reborn at eight, Zhuang Zhou was born in the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor of the Grand Yong Dynasty, the only heir of the Northern Guardian Prince.
The Northern Guardian Prince had spent his life on the battlefield, earning great merits for the Grand Yong Dynasty, but he was feared by the Sovereign, who intended to send him to the Southern Barbarians for a political marriage with their Queen, to symbolize eternal friendship and to restrain the Northern Guardian Prince from rebellion.
In the normal course of his previous life, although the Northern Guardian Prince and his consort, Su Qingfei, were unwilling, they eventually, for the peace of the Grand Yong Dynasty's people and the royal family's dignity, sent him on the path of political marriage, beginning Zhuang Zhou's fate as an emotionless dual cultivation machine.
Yet, having lived once more.
Zhuang Zhou reincarnated with memories of one hundred and thirty years.
He wanted to change his fate and avoid repeating the mistakes of his previous life.
***
"Mother, I don't want to leave you!"
Zhuang Zhou clung tightly to Su Qingfei's leg, crying out loudly.
The Northern Guardian Prince had only one heir, and even the consort was reluctant to agree to the marriage.
But in Zhuang Zhou's memory, his mother was persuaded by her family, leading to his path of political marriage.
So, convincing Su Qingfei's heart was the first step in changing his fate!
"Though the heir is young, he should prioritize the greater good! To exchange the heir's life for the peace of millions in the Grand Yong Dynasty is a supreme honor! Heir, accept the decree!"
A sharp voice appeared behind Zhuang Zhou.
Turning around.
An Imperial Eunuch Messenger, dressed in black official robes with a Vulture of Shadows embroidered on the chest, looked at Zhuang Zhou with a fake smile.
"Bah! If it's such an honor, why don't you go? Just because you don't have a little bird down there, you think you can talk so easily?"
Zhuang Zhou spat a thick phlegm at the Imperial Eunuch Messenger.
It's easy to talk when you're not the one suffering.
Standing on the moral high ground to demand others' sacrifice, this Imperial Eunuch Messenger was full of malice.
This Imperial Edict could not be accepted.
If accepted, he would have no choice but to go to the barbarians.
Everyone was stunned.
The usually obedient and well-behaved heir suddenly became so crude and cunning?
Moreover, his words were too insidious.
Everyone understood the implication of not having a little bird, but it wasn't something to be said!
"Zhuang Zhou, how can you speak like that! Eunuch Chen, he's just a child and doesn't understand! Please don't take offense!"
Su Qingfei pulled Zhuang Zhou, pressing his head down, trying to make him apologize.
However, Zhuang Zhou held his head high, refusing to comply!
"Hmph! Su Qingfei, is this the well-mannered heir you raised? So rude, so inconsiderate, I will certainly report this to the Sovereign when I return!"
Eunuch Chen's face turned blue and white with anger.
As a eunuch, having lost that part was their greatest taboo.
Zhuang Zhou had actually used this to mock him in front of so many people.
It was like stabbing him in the heart.
Before Su Qingfei could explain.
Zhuang Zhou's sharp words came again.
"Reporting to the Sovereign? What, you want to punish me? Fine! Go ahead! Punish me, throw me in prison, behead me! Then you can go marry the barbarian queen? Don't you lack the necessary equipment? Does the Sovereign plan to give you a big stick to take along to the barbarians?"
Zhuang Zhou blinked his big eyes, speaking the most venomous words with the most innocent voice!
"You! You! Pfft!"
Eunuch Chen, a close confidant of the Emperor, held a high position, always surrounded by flattery, had never been mocked like this.
In a fit of rage, he spat blood and fainted!
"Eunuch Chen has fainted! Someone, come quickly!"
"Eunuch Chen, wake up!"
"Eunuch Chen, Eunuch Chen!"
The guards and eunuchs who had come with Eunuch Chen to deliver the decree rushed forward anxiously to support him.
Everyone's focus was on Eunuch Chen, and no one noticed that the Imperial Edict had somehow fallen to the ground.
Su Qingfei glared at Zhuang Zhou, scolding, "Where did you learn such insidious words! You actually made Eunuch Chen faint from anger!"
Then Su Qingfei also went over.
No one paid attention to Zhuang Zhou anymore.
"After all, I served six empresses, honed a silver tongue, not only able to twist truths but also adept at maneuvering through situations!"
However, Zhuang Zhou lowered his voice.
He didn't dare let Su Qingfei hear.
With no one around, Zhuang Zhou quietly reached into the crowd and stole the Imperial Edict.
***
"Heaven-Earth Altar, manifest!"
Zhuang Zhou whispered.
Suddenly, a dark golden altar appeared out of thin air, over half a meter high, simple and majestic, with carvings of Glutton, Poverty-stricken, Chaos, and other ferocious beasts.
Zhuang Zhou placed the Imperial Edict on the altar and whispered, "Sacrifice!"
The Imperial Edict vanished into thin air.
Nine drops of Heavenly Dew hovered above the altar.
The Heaven-Earth Altar, communicating with spirits, summoning the Heavenly Dao.
Sacrificing anything could bring treasures and blessings.
This Imperial Edict contained part of the Grand Yong Dynasty's royal fortune, and after the sacrifice, it was worth a lot, yielding nine drops of Heavenly Dew as a reward.
Heavenly Dew, formed from endless Spiritual Qi, close to the body, its effects rivaling century-old medicine.
Consuming it could cleanse the body, heal injuries, temper internal organs, expand meridians, increase Spiritual Qi, and even trigger heavenly lightning, making it a Foundation Sacred Relic, rare and invaluable!
Zhuang Zhou took out a small jade bottle to collect the Heavenly Dew.
The Heaven-Earth Altar was absorbed back into his body, and he acted as if nothing had happened.
He looked at Eunuch Chen again, now fearless.
You old schemer without a stick, with the Imperial Edict gone, let's see how you force me to marry the barbarian queen!
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan