"Forget it. After all, the empress personally issued the order. I'd better go and check it out."
Though Orion was confused, he suppressed his restlessness.
His father had disappeared, and his mother had died in childbirth long ago.
Now, in the vast Zhenbei Palace, only he could take action.
Reluctantly, he gave up the tempting food in front of him.
He lightly touched the delicate bridge of the beautiful woman's nose and said:
"My lady, I need to attend to some matters first. I'll deal with you later!"
"Hehe... I'll be waiting~!"
However, Orion didn't notice the strange light that flickered in the woman's eyes when he mentioned the word "empress."
...
At that moment, the gates of Zhenbei Prince's Mansion were wide open.
On either side of the door stood hundreds of soldiers in full armor, standing at attention.
These soldiers wore menacing iron masks, and their presence exuded a palpable sense of danger.
They were clearly battle-hardened elites, forged in countless conflicts.
In front of them stood an old eunuch.
When Orion emerged, a sinister smile crossed the old eunuch's face.
Orion's heart skipped a beat.
The old eunuch's smile seemed unsettling!
Rumor had it that eunuchs often had strange and inexplicable inclinations.
Could it be?
"The imperial edict has arrived!"
The old eunuch's voice, harsh and grating, broke Orion's reverie.
Seeing the old eunuch unfurl the Huanglong Imperial Edict, Orion immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty Orion, accept the order!"
Orion's attitude was far from disrespectful.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
After all, he was in a realm where imperial authority was supreme!
As a powerless figure, he had no choice but to follow the rules.
"Hmm…"
As Orion knelt with his head bowed, the old eunuch's smile turned cold and mocking.
The old eunuch's disdain was evident.
After glancing at Orion, he slowly opened the imperial edict and began to read:
"According to the emperor's decree:
Orion, the King of Zhenbei, has a surly personality and is a burden to the common people. His moral character does not befit his position!
We are hereby stripping him of his military authority in the Northern Territory!
Additionally, to appease and sympathize with the people, you will be given a glass of poisoned wine!
So be it!"
Boom!
The old eunuch's shrill voice was like thunder in Orion's ears!
"What? Death!?"
Orion was stunned and speechless, his mind reeling.
He had just traveled through time...
He was fine a moment ago—why was he facing death so suddenly?
This news was shocking!
"Father! Is this imperial edict... a mistake?"
"Why would Her Majesty the Empress directly order my death over such a trivial matter?"
Orion couldn't help but shout at the old eunuch.
The reason for his death seemed absurd!
Oppressing the common people?
True, his predecessor had oppressed the people, but in this world, where the strong ruled and human life was cheap, it was hardly unusual!
There were demon cultivators who sacrificed millions to create weapons, yet they faced no repercussions!
Why?
Because they were powerful!
In the end, even such demon cultivators were recruited by the Zhou royal family and allowed to practice their dark arts!
It was absurd.
And now, he, a mere prince, was being condemned for oppression, though he hadn't committed any mass atrocities?
"It doesn't add up!"
"The empress must be using this as an excuse to eliminate me and regain control of the Northern Territory!"
Orion, not a fool, quickly understood the motive.
Though the empress had secretly taken control of the Northern Territory, his nominal title still held significance.
For the empress, it would be easier to deal with him directly than to navigate around him.
Eliminating or making him a puppet was not feasible due to potential backlash from other princes and kings.
Thus, a convenient excuse was found to dispose of him.
"I'm still too weak!"
Orion lamented.
Seeing Orion's reaction, the old eunuch's eyes turned icy.
With a sudden force, the old eunuch's aura overwhelmed Orion!
"Bold Orion! Are you questioning Her Majesty the Empress's decision?"
"How dare a mere weakling who cannot cultivate question the noble Empress?!"
As an ordinary person with no cultivation, Orion was immediately crushed to the ground by the old eunuch's intimidating presence!
His bones creaked under the pressure, and pain flashed across his face.
The old eunuch looked at Orion, who lay on the ground like a ragdoll, with contempt.
In this world, being a mere weakling made Orion even less than ordinary.
With the imperial edict in hand, Orion was no longer a prince with power.
He was now just someone to be bullied!
Had the empress not decreed his death by poison, he would have been crushed to death!
The old eunuch sneered and spoke slowly:
"You cannot defy the edict! If the Empress commands your death, you must comply!"
"Prince Lu, accept your fate."
With that, the old eunuch signaled, and a beautiful copper wine set was brought forth by a young eunuch.
"Serve the wine to Lord Lu!"
"Yes!"
Hearing the old eunuch's aggressive words, Orion could no longer contain his fury!
"Haha... So this is how it ends!"
With a defiant laugh, Orion resisted the pressure and stood up from the ground!
This was too much!
Kneeling in submission!
Being condemned to death—how could he respect them?
Is the empress really as wise as rumored?
Nonsense!
"Zhou Linglong is so cruel!"
"My father, Lu Qingtian, was loyal for many years, conquering great lands for the Zhou Dynasty."
"And now, in order to regain control of the Northern Territory, the empress has condemned his son to death?"
"This emperor is truly heartless! She is indeed the most ruthless of women!"
Orion pointed accusingly at the old eunuch, openly denouncing Zhou Linglong's hypocrisy!
Lu Qingtian, his predecessor's father and the King of Zhenbei, had been an invincible war hero.
He had been loyal and had defended the Northern Territory, disappearing in battle.
Now, while his grave was still fresh, his son was being sentenced to death.
It was chillingly unjust!
Hearing Orion's public condemnation of the empress, the old eunuch's expression turned deadly serious.
His eyes narrowed, and a dangerous glint appeared.
"Hmph! Seeking death! How dare you speak ill of Her Majesty! It's a capital offense to criticize the Empress!"
"Bring Orion and force-feed him the wine!"
"Understood!"
At the old eunuch's command, the armored soldiers moved forward with lethal intent, ready to enforce the decree on Orion.
"Damn it! How frustrating!"
Orion looked up to the sky and roared in grief and anger.
He had just crossed over and was already facing death.
Winning the Time Travel Experience Card seemed to have made him the unluckiest traveler ever!