Chapter 1

「Duke of Wei's heir Chen Yan, oblivious to imperial grace, secretly colluded with the Qian Yan Feidi, plotted treason, conspired rebellion, seeking to overturn the Great Zhou realm. 」

「Such conduct violates human ethics, breaks state law, is heinous beyond measure, and deserves severe punishment: cast into the Tianlao Heavenly Prison Death Prison, to be executed by orthodox law three days hence, to warn the world and deter imitation. 」

「Duke of Wei, righteousness over kin, having reported with merit, pardons the entire Chen clan as blameless! 」

A sharp edict echoed in his ears; Chen Yan awoke dazed in the Tianlao, feeling head dizzy and brain swollen.

Treasonous rebellion?

Wasn't he just setting a scheme, confiscating the estates of several powerful corrupt officials, then gathering their concubines, preparing to critically engage in deep exchange?

Under the stimulus of the damp, putrid smell in the air, regaining consciousness he opened his eyes, glanced around, and Chen Yan blinked slightly.

The surrounding walls were built of rough stone blocks, moss and water stains filling the crevices; under the dim, yellowish oil lamp light they exhaled a cold, damp aura.

Moreover, his hands and feet were still bound by rust‑streaked iron chains....

The next instant, countless memories surged forth, unbidden, pouring straight into him regardless of his willingness.

Chen Yan, seventeen, eldest legitimate son of Duke of Wei Chen Tongyuan, had been made heir apparent since birth.

His grandfather was a Zhuguo General who followed Taizu in founding the state, campaigning south and north, but passed away half a year ago.

「I've crossed over?! 」

「Damn it, open the door! 」

「But why would I appear in this dank, gloomy Tianlao? 」

He laughed bitterly, tugged at the iron chain on his wrist, continued digesting the memories, and soon sorted out cause and effect.

Though Chen Yan was the legitimate eldest and heir of Duke of Wei, his father Chen Tongyuan did not favor him, even loathed him....

After his mother's death, he quickly elevated his favored concubine to wife, lavishing boundless affection on the two sons she bore.

Amid his father's coldness and stepmother's harsh treatment, he endured over ten years.

Until three months prior, the Grand Chancellor who held supreme military and civil authority over Former Yan, Yuwen Xin, died of illness during a northern tour.

On his deathbed he transferred power to his nephew, only eight years his junior, Yuwen Hu, who took over state and military authority.

The next month, Former Yan's Deposed Emperor Murong Hao was forced to abdicate in favor of Yuwen Yan, the dynasty changed, Great Zhou was established, and Yuwen Xin was honored as Taizu Wen Emperor.

Yuwen Hu was made Grand Minister, ennobled as Prince of Jin, monopolized court and military; Taizu's old officials outwardly submitted.

The Former Yan Deposed Emperor, compelled to yield the throne, harbored resentment, contacted old ministers, attempted a final gamble, but was easily crushed by Yuwen Hu.

Yet Chen Yan was denounced by his own father and younger brother, 「righteousness over kin」, for participating in the Deposed Emperor's rebellion....

In any dynasty, rebellion is among the Ten Abominations, unforgivable; he naturally became one of those to be purged, arriving at this Tianlao Heavenly Prison Death Prison, awaiting execution by extreme punishment three days hence, his body to be split.

「Truly a heaven‑shattering opening.... 」 Chen Yan sighed, gave a wry smile, his heart chilled halfway.

Others' transmigrations, even without a system, at worst are safe poor folk; but for him it's the opposite—directly becoming a condemned inmate awaiting death in the Tianlao.

And those who cherish fatherly kindness, filial piety, maternal love, brotherly harmony, all hope he hurries to die....

Fun, love to play!

Yet in this near‑certain death trap, nailed shut on the plank, there still seems a sliver of life....

「Chen Yan, someone wishes to see you! 」

At that moment, the hoarse voice of the old jailer sounded, pulling Chen Yan's thoughts back.

「Miss Wen, you have only the time of half an incense stick.... 」

The old jailer, expressionless, turned his head toward the woman in a black cloak beside him and solemnly instructed.

Chen Yan lifted his gaze; seeing 「Miss Wen」 lift her covering cloak, revealing a lovely, beautiful countenance, skin like snow, supple enough to be broken by a breath.

Yet in the depths of her eyes lay a faint, hardly perceptible chill.

Wen Nianshu, daughter of the prestigious Wen clan of Chang'an, legitimate daughter of the Directorate of Storage, eighteen years old, also his childhood fiancée arranged by their families.

However, her arrival at this juncture made Chen Yan detect a suggestive undertone.

「Chen Yan, time is pressing, I shall not beat around the bush.... 」

Wen Nianshu stepped forward, surveyed the disheveled man, and said: 「My father expended great effort to pull strings, only then could I enter this Tianlao Heavenly Prison Death Prison.... I am here to dissolve our engagement! 」

「Dissolve the engagement? 」

「Break off the engagement? 」

Chen Yan murmured repeatedly in his heart, first startled, then his eyes lit up.

A conditioned reflex echoed in his ears, that man's line: 「Thirty years He Dong, thirty years He Xi... 」

This secures it!

Seeing Chen Yan silent, Wen Nianshu added: 「You have long cherished me since childhood, surely you do not wish to implicate me? 」

「Nor do you wish to see me harmed? 」

As she spoke, a tear squeezed from the corner of her eye, tracing her cold cheek.

She presented a picture of pitiful fragility that evokes sympathy.

Most men seeing her would feel a protective urge.

「I will look after myself well in the future.... 」

「Do not worry! 」

Wen Nianshu raised her right hand, gently wiped her tear, then continued on her own.

「Upper and lower mouths, horizontal or vertical, all have reason. 」

Chen Yan glanced askance, snorted coldly in his heart.

Making the act of throwing someone into a well and then stoning them sound so noble and righteous.

As a veteran of nightclubs and a regular at lounges, he has seen plenty of this dead‑green‑tea white‑lotus type; a wiggle of the hips tells him exactly what kind of nonsense they'll spout.

「This is the deed of engagement dissolution..... 」

Seeing Chen Yan say nothing, Wen Nianshu assumed his assent, curled her lips into a smile, and immediately produced from her bosom a pre‑prepared agreement of dissolution.

He also thoughtfully handed over the paper and pen.

"Sign your name, and we'll part ways amicably!"

"Rest assured, after your death I will bury you and offer incense regularly, to honor our bond."

Wen Nianshu's eyes brimmed with tears as she spoke with utmost sincerity.

But deep in her eyes lay an irrepressible smile....

Once the engagement is annulled and Chen Yan is dead, she can find another suitable husband from a noble family.

As for the corpse, after execution just toss it into a mass grave.

"I see you want to work in the service industry and also erect a landmark building!" Chen Yan eyed the impatient woman, letting out a cold laugh.

"What did you say?"

"What does that mean?"

"I didn't catch that...."

Wen Nianshu stared, doubt flickering in her brows, not understanding.

Yet she vaguely felt that this man's reaction was somehow off....

Chen Yan curled his lips and blurted, "I say you've become a whore and still want to erect a memorial arch!"

"Just letting out gas for fun, but if you really let one rip, it's up to you!"

"For your type, the anesthetic either makes your nose itch or does nothing!"

"You really think he's a hopeless sycophant?"

"He gave you face!"

"You... you..."

"Vulgar!"

Wen Nianshu's face changed, full of resentment.

She didn't understand the last sentence, but the first two were crystal clear.

This man, who once wouldn't even fart if you beat him with an eight-foot pole, is now insulting himself.

And he even called her a whore?!

How dare he!

And what gives him the right to scold her?

Husband and wife are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, each flies away. She merely made a mistake all women make!

Chen Yan smiled faintly, watching with interest the woman's changing expressions.

Though angry, Wen Nianshu hadn't forgotten her purpose; she suppressed her anger, lightly pursed her lips, and looked pitifully at Chen Yan, asking, "Chen Yan, can you bear to see me harmed?"

Wen Nianshu tried to use this method to move the lovesick madman Chen Yan.

But unexpectedly, he showed no hesitation and bluntly uttered two words: "Unbearable."

"You...."

Wen Nianshu was caught off guard, her beautiful eyes full of astonishment.

This is completely different from the script she had imagined!

Shouldn't this dead sycophant, who constantly thinks of himself, gladly sign the release and earnestly urge her to take care of herself?

"Don't keep whining here; if you're bored, you can go help someone..."

Chen Yan had no mood to waste more words with this woman, impatiently saying: "Get lost, you bastard!"

Just as Wen Nianshu was about to speak, the old jailer stepped forward, "Miss Wen, your time is up...."

The time it takes to burn half an incense stick—not too much, not too little.

Wen Nianshu knew the rules of Tianlao; helpless, she could only retreat glumly, led back by a young jailer along the same route.

But Chen Yan stopped the old jailer, "Go inform the Grand Minister—I have important information to report in person!"

"What important information?"

On the old jailer's aged face, a flicker of surprise appeared.

He paused, then scoffed, "How could the Grand Minister possibly see just a lowly death-row inmate whenever he pleases?"

Chen Yan remained calm, playing with the iron chain in his hand, and said word by word: "I want to report the Senior Pillar of the State, Duke of Wei, Biaoqi General Chen Tongyuan, and his sons Chen Cijiu and Chen Gubai... for treason!"