Chapter 1: Da Xia

I guess I really did time‑travel—

In Da Xia Capital, at the Duke of the State's residence, within the Myriad Wonders Garden, flowers bloomed in profuse clusters.

Gu Jin Nian stared dreamily at the nearby lake, his gaze filled with emotion and helplessness.

He is a time‑traveler; in his previous life he was a film‑and‑TV screenwriter with extensive expertise, a hefty income, and a decent appearance—truly a young, wealthy man.

He never expected that such a thing as time‑travel would one day happen to him.

Fortunately, his luck is decent; his start isn't as miserable as those online novels portray.

He's neither a useless loser nor some horse‑raising boy.

He is an aristocrat.

A genuine super‑aristocrat of Da Xia.

Gu Jin Nian has already figured out how to introduce himself in the future.

The person standing before you is the eldest son of Lord Lin Yang, the grandson of the Duke of the State, son of Princess Ning Yue, nephew of the Da Xia Emperor, second uncle, commander of the Divine Machine Camp beyond the Pass, third uncle, deputy general of the Xuanwu Army, fourth uncle, left‑wing general also beyond the Pass, fifth uncle, Left Assistant Minister of Punishments and future Minister of Punishments, and sixth uncle, Deputy Commander of the Suspended Lantern Office.

Having covered the previous generation, let's talk about his peers.

He has three elder female cousins and one younger female cousin.

The eldest cousin is the principal wife of the Marquis of Might, the second cousin is a disciple of the Qingzhou Sword Immortal Gate, the third cousin is the senior sister of the Exquisite Immortal Palace, while the youngest cousin is a bit underwhelming—a saintess of the Qingwei Immortal Sect.

As for cousins on the maternal side, they're either princesses or princes, not worth mentioning.

And this is his identity.

Both the Immortal Dao dynasty and the martial‑world establishments are all connected to him.

Calling himself Da Xia's top aristocrat isn't an exaggeration.

The most, most, most, most outstanding thing is that

He is the only surviving male heir of the Gu Family in three generations.

Yes, the sole male heir.

Because of that, throughout the Da Xia Dynasty, no one dares to act arrogantly toward him except the Crown Prince.

Of course, if necessary, he could even swagger before the Crown Prince, but they're of the same generation.

So there's no need to swagger before the Crown Prince, but doing so before the Crown Prince's grandson poses no problem at all.

Such a glorious and illustrious status leaves Gu Jin Nian a bit stunned.

Honestly, after reading countless web novels, Gu Jin Nian subconsciously wonders if he's become a villain by time‑traveling.

Mainly because this identity fits the classic villain template perfectly.

It should be known that the Da Xia Dynasty is one of the three great dynasties within the Eastern Wilderness, strong in national power and rich in martial virtue; legend has it that the founding emperor of Da Xia obtained a divine artifact that could render the dynasty immortal for ten thousand years.

Although this is likely bragging—after all, which emperor in history doesn't boast about himself? Still, Gu Jin Nian shows a helpless expression, mainly because he can't accept it all at once.

He time‑traveled here half a month ago.

As a normal person, he can't possibly accept such a phenomenon; even with a lofty status, this world is still too unfamiliar to him.

It's not just unfamiliar; he's unaccustomed—no computers or phones, in this technologically backward era, it truly feels pointless.

If anything, there are some perks: as a grandson of a duke and the sole heir of three generations of the Gu Family, despite being only fifteen and a half, his family has already started arranging a wife for him.

They're said to be all as beautiful as blossoms, graceful and poised.

That's the only good news: at least he won't need to inherit any ancestral craft, and marrying seven or eight wives sounds delightfully blissful.

Thinking of that, Gu Jin Nian can't help but give a knowing smile.

However, at that moment—

A familiar voice suddenly rang out.

It sounded boisterous.

"Damn it, who dares to bully my nephew?"

"Feeling smug?"

"I just stepped out, and someone already dares to bully my nephew?"

"Think you've got nine heads?"

The voice, crude and vulgar, echoed, and following it was a handsome young man in black robes, murderous aura radiating, his brows gathering a palpable authority—an official might that only those in high positions can exude.

He is Gu Jin Nian's sixth uncle, Gu Ningya, twenty‑seven, once the Gu Family's beloved favorite.

Not anymore, now that Gu Jin Nian exists.

But Gu Ningya isn't upset; he actually enjoys this grown‑up feeling, since before Gu Jin Nian was born, the whole family treated him like a child.

After Gu Jin Nian was born, Gu Ningya felt liberated and began to dote on him, selectively covering up any mistakes he made.

According to his memory, this sixth uncle truly raised him with a mix of hardship and affection, forming a deep bond.

Even as a time‑traveler, Gu Jin Nian can feel a genuine warmth toward him.

"Jin Nian, you aren't hurt, are you?"

Soon, Gu Ningya appeared before Gu Jin Nian, his delicate face full of concern, even reaching out to examine him for any injuries.

"Sixth uncle, I'm fine, I'm fine. I've been recuperating for half a month, taking pills daily; any illness is cured."

Faced with his sixth uncle's concern, Gu Jin Nian, though deeply moved, quickly restrained him.

Damn it, after all he's his own sixth uncle, not his cousin; what's proper about groping around?

Seeing Gu Jin Nian vigorous and lively, Gu Ningya slightly relaxed.

But soon, a murderous aura flashed on his face.

"The one who pushed you into the water was the Minister of Rites' granddaughter, right?"

Gu Ningya asked Gu Jin Nian.

"Yes."

Gu Jin Nian nodded.

He had crossed over half a month ago, and when he arrived he was in an extremely weak state.

Because before that he was pushed into the water, fell into a lake, and almost lost his life.

In fact he was already dead; otherwise he couldn't have crossed over.

"Heh, the Minister of Rites really does resent having a long life."

"Jin Nian, wait here for Sixth Uncle; he'll be back soon."

Gu Ningya spoke, and after saying that he rushed out of the house to settle accounts with the Minister of Rites.

"Don't." "Sixth Uncle, the Minister of Rites came that day to beg forgiveness, and his granddaughter also got a scolding."

"How to handle it, Grandfather will come; if you go over, you might ruin Grandfather's plan and end up punished later."

Gu Jin Nian spoke up.

The other party is still the Minister of Rites; although the Gu Family wields overwhelming power, it can't stand against you like this. The old master will handle it, and Gu Ningya going up may not achieve anything good.

Moreover, if this really escalates, wouldn't it have a feel of a single hand covering the sky?

After all, the Gu Family has imperial authority above it.

It's not as if Da Xia belongs to the Gu Family.

Furthermore, the Minister of Rites, one of the Six Ministries, naturally cannot compare to a duke, but who is the Minister of Rites? He is a minister of the Emperor, one of Da Xia's pillars. My Sixth Uncle has only been a deputy commander for a few years; if he gets targeted, he might be disgusted to death.

The higher the status, the greater the power; sometimes one still has to be cautious.

The most core issue remains just one.

My memory hasn't recovered; I don't know exactly what happened.

So many things are not good to ponder in detail.

Gu Jin Nian sees clearly; otherwise would we still need to wait for Gu Ningya to start ranting?

The only memory is that there seemed to be some verbal dispute; rumors spread outside that I looked at the Minister of Rites' granddaughter, who was graceful, and thus spoke disrespectfully, saying things I shouldn't have.

I was pushed into the water.

Of course, Gu Jin Nian doesn't know the details, because that memory is gone.

However, what puzzles Gu Jin Nian is that merely falling into water caused an immediate severe illness.

That clearly defies logic.

But the exact cause, Gu Jin Nian truly doesn't know; this period's memory hasn't fully merged yet, though the earlier events are remembered clearly.

Memories before the drowning are a blank.

"Regardless of who's right or wrong, bullying you is unacceptable."

"That's also fair; after this happened, the old master and your father said nothing, probably don't want to make a fuss."

"But this tone, you can swallow, your uncle and I cannot."

"Lately Uncle has been investigating Jian De's remnants; someone in the court has been contacting them, probably hasn't given up."

"If this involves the Minister of Rites, I'll speak up for you."

Gu Ningya slowly spoke, weighing the matter.

But if these words reach the court, they'd likely cause a huge uproar.

Jian De, the second emperor of Da Xia and the current Sovereign's nephew, was overthrown; his fate unknown, rumors say he escaped the palace, planning to retake the throne.

Now in the twelfth year of Yongsheng, this Jian De emperor hasn't shown up yet, but there are indeed many remnants active.

Either they're plotting assassinations or raising troops under a banner; in short, they're a restless factor.

Court officials dare not get involved; this is the Sovereign's most taboo matter—whoever touches it dies.

Sixth Uncle belongs to the Suspended Lantern Department; his duty is to capture and investigate. If he discovers something, the Minister of Rites would find death hard to escape.

Having heard this, Gu Jin Nian had nothing more to persuade.

Matters involving the court are none of his concern.

"Sixth Uncle, where have you been these days?"

Gu Jin Nian didn't continue the topic, but changed the subject.

"Investigating the emperor's private affairs, you shouldn't ask about that, I'm afraid you'll blurt it out."

"By the way, another thing—Sixth Uncle asks you to think carefully: August twelfth, the day you fell into the water, did you notice anything unusual?"

Gu Ningya asked.

"Unusual thing?"

"What thing?"

Gu Jin Nian didn't remember at all.

"An anomaly appeared in the capital: a white rainbow pierced the sun. That's not a good sign; the Heaven Surveillance Department's calculations suggest a treacherous minister may emerge in the court."

"During this period, the capital was bustling, everyone was on edge; probably because of this, the old master kept quiet, otherwise, given his temperament, the Minister of Rites would have no good days left."

Gu Ningya replied.

White rainbow piercing the sun?

Gu Jin Nian was somewhat curious, but quickly shook his head: "I don't know, I don't remember. Sixth Uncle, what's the point of asking me this?"

He thought carefully, still had no impression.

"It's not a random question; the place where the white rainbow finally vanished is at Wenxin Study, the place where you study, so Sixth Uncle came to ask if you have any recollection."

Gu Ningya answered.

"Wenxin Study?"

"White rainbow piercing the sun?"

Gu Jin Nian frowned and began to recall seriously.

In an instant, a beam of white light flashed through his mind, and the fragmented memories were gradually being reassembled.

As he kept recalling, Gu Jin Nian's head began to hurt a little.

In an instant, the intense pain made Gu Jin Nian furrow his brows tightly.

Soon, this headache grew stronger and stronger.

"Hiss."

"Sixth Uncle, I have a headache."

Gu Jin Nian instinctively grabbed Gu Ningya's sleeve, and the latter panicked at once.

"Jin Nian, don't scare me."

"Jin Nian, how did you suddenly get a headache?"

"Jin Nian, someone come, call the imperial physician."

Gu Ningya's voice grew increasingly panicked, while Gu Jin Nian fainted.

Newbie, new book, please give everything.

Ah, this! (End of chapter)