The third year of Qingli, New Years Day, the Great Song Dynastys Imperial City, Qifeng Palace.

  The doors and windows of the Qifu Palace were all closed, the curtains hung down, and the sound of human voices was faint. Even those who entered and exited through the side door would close the door behind them with a gentle hand, trying not to make too much noise.

  The candlelight cast a dim shadow on the people in the house, and the soft footsteps added to the already dimly lit temple, making it even more uneasy and solemn.

  The Duke of E has been ill for over ten days, and his condition is getting worse. Even though the government renamed this palace as a place to pray for good fortune and replaced the signboard overnight, it still cannot alleviate the Dukes illness.

  Yang Wang died immediately, and the government did not punish any of his subordinates. Yong Wang died young, and three servants who served him were beaten to death, while the rest were exiled to guard the ancestral temple.

  This is the third one...

  On New Years morning, the hall was empty, and in previous years there were also some festive plays inside the palace, but this year... no one mentioned it at all.

  ……

  Zhao Xi struggled to open her eyes, but only managed a brief glimpse before closing them again, too exhausted to even take in her surroundings.

  "Your Honor, I just saw Xier open her eyes."

  Open your eyes? Xier hasnt opened her eyes for two days now.

  "My humble self is powerless to help!" This was the most common phrase Zhao Zhen had heard over the past two days. Powerless to help? Ha! When did you ever have any ability? Three princes, and this last one still ended up like this.

  Zhao Zhen had read books and roughly understood medical principles. Looking at the medicinal soups used by the imperial physicians over the past few days, he knew that they were just palliatives, which would not kill him but also would not cure him.

  Zhao Zhen very much hopes that what the Empress said is true...

  Zhao Xi was in a daze and seemed to hear someone talking, how could that be? Didnt he die himself?

  He clearly remembered that when he wrapped himself in a wet blanket, holding two eggs and running out of the burning house, the roof collapsed, and a steel bar pierced his head...

  Zhao Xi made another effort to open his eyes. Where was this? Why were they all wearing theatrical costumes?

  This man... This man is Dad, this concept suddenly flashed into Zhao Xis mind.

  "Xī ér..."

  Zhao Zhen finally saw clearly now, and Xier indeed had her eyes open.

  For a moment, he completely lost his imperial composure and was purely expressing the emotions of a father. He could feel that tension and anxiety within himself.

  Its no use, Im too tired, too sleepy. Zhao Xi opened his eyes again, as if he had exhausted all his strength and couldnt open them anymore...

  "Sir, could Xier be... dying?"

  Who is this? Zhao Xi actually heard such words before falling asleep! Youre the one whos dying, your whole family is dying. No energy to argue, lets talk about it when I wake up...

  ……

  It was unknown how much time had passed when Zhao Xi woke up again. When he opened his eyes, what he saw was a different scene...

  The candles in the house were still lit, but the decorations inside had changed color, really changed color. From the curtains to the bedding, all white, even the people in the house wore white hats and white clothes, not pure white, but that kind of white linen.

  Who died? This is mourning attire!

  Zhao Xi was stunned for a moment, wanting to ask...

  "Who was that..."

  "Ah...... King...... Your Majesty...... Ive always served with utmost loyalty......"

  Whats going on? What prince? I just wanted to ask who died.

  "Fake corpse..."

  Zhao Xi hadnt had time to speak again when he was interrupted by this shout, the tone of which was so high and mournful.

  Then I saw that all around were people, and they had all run out.

  Fake corpse? What kind of fake corpse? Have you ever seen a fake corpse that still chats with you before? Forget it, lets take a look first.

  Zhao Xi thought of supporting himself to get up, and naturally looked at his own arm. This... the arm he saw was a babys arm. He thought of making another move in his mind, and then this babys arm moved, it was the action he wanted to do... Zhao Xi was stunned!

  He was alive, but he had become a child again! This scene gave him his first piece of information.

  Zhao Xi thought hard, trying to recall the things that had happened in his military career, remembering that he had been transferred to a local position, and then becoming the mayor of Cangshan Town, before sacrificing himself while saving others...

  I am Zhao Xi, definitely no mistake, I have parents, wife and children, but Zhao Xi tried very hard, there is not a single impression in my mind.

  Am I still myself? Zhao Xis mind kept turning over this question.

  ……

  On New Years Day, his son died, which was his third premature child. Zhao Zhen spent the past two days sighing and weeping silently, with no heart for anything else.

  It was at this time that he would stay in Ciming Palace and let the virtuous empress comfort him.

  A pair of mandarin ducks with miserable fates, sympathizing with each others misfortunes, can also comfort each other.

  "Official... official residence, King of Wu... sir has been deceived!"

  The eunuch rushed in frantically, completely disregarding etiquette, and ran quickly to Zhao Zhens side before suddenly stopping, his legs still trembling.

  "Ah......!?"

  Zhao Zhens mind was preoccupied with Xier at this time, and he was always dazed, only able to hear things related to Xier.

  He refused to give up and was unwilling to accept it, praying to the heavens for the past two days, hoping that heaven would spare his only son due to his own leniency towards his subjects.

  Only the imperial physician and all the concubines did not allow him to keep watch, even the outer court also spoke out, worried about his illness.

  He has been guarding Ziming Palace, also waiting for news of death or life.

  But unexpectedly it would be... resurrection from deception?

  Zhao Zhen was stunned, his mouth agape, and he had no idea what to do.

  "Dont spout nonsense and mislead people!"

  Empress Cao sternly stopped him, then turned her head to look at this man of her own family... Alas! After all, he is a mediocre talent, and its also difficult for him to support this vast empire.

  "Government... government..."

  Two successive shouts brought her husband back to his senses.

  "The officials and common people are ignorant, I think we should move the imperial carriage to pray for blessings at the palace."

  "According to the saint."

  Zhao Zhen was dazed and his mind was a complete blank. He only knew it was about Xier, not life or death...

  Outside the Temple of Blessings, all were white-clad servants, reflected against the red walls and green tiles, looking eerie no matter how one looked at it.

  They shivered one by one, not daring to leave, nor did they dare enter the house. From time to time, they would sway to the door and stretch their necks to look inside.

  "Your Honor, Your Ladyship, Prince E...Prince E..."

  "Shut up! Dont spout nonsense!"

  Empress Cao once again stopped the servant who was about to speak out of turn.

  "Your Majesty? This is a title for the Emperor of the Song Dynasty... this... this is really... Upon further thought, Zhao Xis hair stood on end."

  He remembered that when he was in command school, his history teacher had said that his name was the same as that of the third son of Emperor Renzong who died young, and now...he hadnt died completely, could it be that he had arrived in the Great Song Dynasty?

  Zhao Xi had heard of the term "crossing over", but unfortunately, he hadnt read many online novels about crossing over into a different world. Otherwise, he wouldnt have found it unbelievable and felt at a loss.

  Whenever something big happens, one needs to remain calm. Zhao Xi quickly calmed himself down and listened to the sounds outside the house.

  "Sir, you absolutely cannot go in! The little ghost of the fake corpse is the most troublesome. Master Ouyang is only three years old. Sir, its absolutely not allowed!"

  Three years old? Alright. She was now only three years old, Zhao Xi looked at her tender body again... This needed getting used to.

  "Your Majesty, Im coming in. Xier is clever, Ive never mistreated her, even if theres unfinished business, it wont harm me."