Si Tian Guan

Chapter 1 Qu Chenzhou

In the seventh year of Yuande, the fire that had already burned the city gate finally approached the forbidden city. 

In the past, the palace walls that the common people dared not look up to when they passed by, were now scorched by the fire.
The glory and dignity of the past can no longer be seen and the high up nobles had long been stamped on. 

Since last night, the screams of killings rushing into the palace gates from all directions had become one.
In the past, the place where only quiet whispers and laughter existed had now turned into a land of blood in a blink of an eye.

No one could escape, and those who wanted to escape had become souls of the deceased under the sword. 

The emperor did not show up for a few days, and the nobles hid in the hall not daring to move, anxiously awaiting for the killing god who might come at any time. 

But everyone was thinking that they would certainly not bear the brunt.
In this deep palace, the thing receiving the most attention from the rebels was the brilliant, famous Star Gazing Pavilion. 

That year, someone lightly opened their lips and uttered divinatory words, causing the Liu clan to be almost completely slaughtered.
Fortunately, the destined person was fated to be lucky and live a grand life, thus he escaped by luck. 

In the next few years, the flames of war began to ignite, and it has now burned the palace walls. 

Therefore, the person who was hated the most by the individual about to ascend to the throne, was probably the Si Tian Guan1, the person who determined that individual’s life and death and  caused the emperor to execute the Liu family. 

What everyone in the world knew was something naturally what the person at the Star Gazing Pavilion also knew. 

But he was a lot calmer than everyone else. 

The candlelight on the side was erratic.
Reflecting through the low-hanging fine black hair, it illuminated his white cheeks, soft and delicate.
The extraordinary pair of eyes were brightly lit by the fire, cold and beautiful.

Since the fire broke out in the palace last night, he had been sitting alone at the desk, looking at the untouched white paper in front of him in a daze.
After a long time, he gently lifted the long hair that fell on his shoulders and started writing. 

“Zhongming, see the letter as if meeting in person…” 

Over the years, he had recited these words countless times silently in his heart.
Ten years of love, full of repentance and loneliness.
Finally, they had the chance to see the sky, but what he wrote were just trivial things. 

When the magnolia opened, when the tree around the corner was pulled out, when the step missed a step and someone accidentally tumbled down and sprained their ankle, it seemed that he was not the only one who was clumsy. 

He hummed the tune lightly, while quickly filling out one paper.
It was then thrown into the incense and turned to ashes. 

Writing until he was sore, he got up, went to the cabinet and took out a package.
He took out the eight-treasure exquisite box inside.
The key of the box was not with him, so once it was locked, he couldn’t open it again. 

But he knew that that person must still have the key, waiting to open the exquisite box one day, expecting him to leave a few words. 

What a pity——he took the few handfuls of the ashes from the incense burner and put it in preciously. 

The silver lock on the lid locked with a crisp sound. 

Just treat it as the last time he played a prank.

He wondered when the person opened this box and saw a box full of paper ashes burned beyond recognition, would he be furious? Would he hate him so much he would scatter his ashes everywhere.

After that, he stood at the highest point, silently watching the firelight shining down.
The shadows were faint and the screams were everywhere.
The heavy footsteps and humming noises had already sounded around the Star Gazing Pavilion. 

Someone shouted: “Guard this entire place, don’t let anyone escape! Wait for the marshal’s order!” 

The corners of his mouth lifted.
He wanted to laugh.
He hadn’t escaped all these years, so where can he escape to now? 

It wasn’t until dawn that the sound of mixed footsteps came as promised. 

He turned around, calmly looked at the oncoming crowd, and greeted the two young men who headed the group: “Jingchen, General Bai, I trust you have been well since we la