Cao Phúc Nguyên was the reigning crown prince of the Xiantian Empire, one of the three most powerful empires on the Great Desolate Continent. The three most powerful nations were known as empires, and their three rulers were called the Three Emperors. On the other hand, there were also six powerful nations, though far inferior to the three great empires. These six nations were known as kingdoms, and their six rulers were called the Six Sovereigns. The Xiantian Fifth Emperor fell ill and, nearing death, summoned his three great court officials to his bedside, instructing them to pass the throne to Crown Prince Cao Phúc Nguyên. That night, the Fifth Emperor passed away. The following week was to be the new emperor's enthronement ceremony. One day before the enthronement ceremony, Zhang Jingde (who held the rank of general, was a close friend of Cao Phúc Nguyên, and also Cao Yuan's brother-in-law) invited Phúc Nguyên to his room for a drink and poisoned him to death. Afterward, Cao Yuan seized power, proclaimed himself the Heavenly Emperor and the new emperor of the Xiantian Empire, and appointed Zhang Jingde as Grand Marshal to conquer and unify the Three Great Empires and the Six Great Kingdoms. Five hundred years later, Cao Phúc Nguyên's soul entered the body of the second son of the Prime Minister of the Jincheng Minor Kingdom, named Cao Wei. Coincidentally, the Prime Minister's only son was also named Cao Phúc Nguyên.
The Second Young Master awoke, bringing joy to the entire Prime Minister's residence. Although the Second Young Master had not yet opened his acupoints or awakened his bloodline, he was usually a gentle and kind person, always sharing with the servants in the residence, from maids and attendants to household guards. However, as the son of a concubine, a dark cloud always hung over him in the residence, constantly suppressing him. This was simply because, according to established law, each official could nominate one son to inherit their position, and the inheritance would be determined based on the heir's ability and strength.
Immediately after waking up, Cao Phúc Nguyên felt a wave of pressure.
"That good-for-nothing, are you awake now?"
Phúc Nguyên looked towards the doorway and saw a woman dressed in extremely noble attire, with heavy makeup and a golden hairpin in her hair.
"Greetings, Madam."
The two maids guarding the door quickly knelt down in a respectful bow.
"Hmph, you good-for-nothing, you actually woke up. You couldn't even handle a band of highwaymen, bringing such disgrace to the Prime Minister's residence."
From the memories of this life, Cao Phúc Nguyên vaguely understood that the woman standing before him was the Prime Minister's wife, named Jiang Buwei, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, one of the three great noble clans of the Jincheng Minor Kingdom.
Staring at Buwei's face for a moment, Phúc Nguyên still had to endure, replying in a polite tone:
"Thank you for your concern, Aunt. It's merely a few superficial wounds, nothing worth mentioning."
Buwei couldn't help but wonder, what had this brat eaten today to be so bold? She knew that normally, Phúc Nguyên would tremble and be terrified in her presence, yet today he could speak to her with such calm composure.
She said:
"The Talent Palace examination is in a few days. Make sure you prepare well and try your best to pass. If you can study at that prestigious institution, the Lord will surely be very pleased."
"I will do my best, thank you for your concern, Aunt," Phúc Nguyên said.
"Hmph, we'll see how capable you are in a few days."
After Buwei left, Phúc Nguyên turned to ask a maid:
"Girl, where is the Cultivation Hall?"
The maid:
"Reporting, Young Master, there are countless branches of the Cultivation Hall in Jincheng Kingdom, but the nearest one is south of the imperial city, opposite a jade shop owned by the Yuwen Clan."
"Alright."
The maid called out, startled:
"Young Master, aren't you taking a sedan chair?"
"I've been recuperating for quite some time now. I should go out for a walk to stretch my legs and ease my body, so I won't be needing a sedan chair."
With that said, Fu Yuan walked out of the manor and headed south towards the imperial city.