The Company

Chapter 33 Ivory Dice

Life is a gamble, and no one can always win without ever losing...

From the moment of birth, every choice one faces is a wager.

Year 422 AD, Capital Jiankang

Liu Yu struggled to open his eyes. His blurred vision took considerable effort to focus, allowing him to recognize he was in his bedchamber rather than the war-torn chaos of his nightmares.

As the founding emperor of the Liu Song Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties, the nearly sixty-year-old Liu Yu was renowned for his rigorous frugality. He disliked banquets and entertainment, never adorned his palaces or carriages, and all treasures were stored in the state treasury. His bedchamber, hung with coarse cloth curtains, kudzu vine lanterns, and hemp rope dusters, resembled a commoner’s dwelling—only vastly more spacious.

At this moment, Liu Yu felt the chamber was too empty, making it difficult even to call for attendants. His lips moved, but his parched throat produced no sound. He wanted to rage but lacked the strength. He had dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids before retiring—who could he blame now?

Perhaps his time had come.

Liu Yu gasped for breath, closing his eyes briefly.

Perhaps everyone, when nearing the end, inevitably replays their life’s journey in their mind. He was no exception. When he entered this world, his mother died in childbirth. Labeled as fate-hardened for "overcoming" his mother, fortune-tellers deemed him ill-omened. His father, Liu Qiao, even attempted to bury him alive. Fortunately, his uncle Liu Wan took pity, carrying him home. Raised by his aunt, he was given the childhood name Ji Nu.

Ji Nu, Ji Nu—a foster servant. Who could have imagined such a servant would become an emperor above all?

Liu Yu slowly opened his clouded eyes, clenching his right hand with effort. In his palm lay a dice that had accompanied him for years.

In adulthood, life grew harsher. Supporting two younger brothers drove him to gambling, and this dice, found in an antique shop, miraculously ensured he won every bet! The sole loss to a local magnate was due to a trap, yet it reminded him of the antique shop owner’s words when he bought the dice.

"Life is a gamble. Are you willing to bet?"

Trembling, Liu Yu raised his hand, bringing the dice before his eyes.

Crafted from ivory, the dice had aged to a ginger-yellow hue, its patina gleaming. Fine, hair-like cracks—known as sparrow lines—etched its surface, their length indicating great antiquity. A standard six-sided cube, each face bore one to six holes, with opposite sides summing to seven.

Liu Yu gazed obsessively at the dice, his very soul seeming to bow before it. Throughout his military life, since joining the uprising in the third year of Long'an, he had quelled internal strife, eliminated separatist forces, and unified the South after a century of turmoil. Externally, he campaigned northward, annexing states like Hengchu, Western Shu, Southern Yan, and Later Qin. Yet none knew that these monumental achievements hinged on decisions made by this dice.Whenever faced with indecision, Liu Yu would cast the dice in his hand, using the outcome to determine his course of action. For over thirty years, this had been his unwavering practice.

Yes, after that devastating defeat, he had completely reformed himself. If one could win every gamble, then wasn't every crossroads in life, every decision made, essentially a gamble?

Exactly! This was the truth Boss had spoken of—life itself is a gamble!

Using this dice, he had become the greatest and most successful gambler.

He had won the entire world!

Liu Yu smiled silently as his consciousness gradually faded.

No! Not yet! The Crown Prince Liu Yifu was still too young! He couldn't yet intimidate the court officials!

Struggling to rise, Liu Yu felt the dice slip from his fingertips, falling to the ground and rolling away.

The eunuch outside the door, hearing the commotion, hurriedly entered, only to turn pale the next moment.

"Your Majesty!"

Soon after, the bells tolled throughout the six palaces of the imperial compound. Liu Yu, Emperor Wu of the Southern Song Dynasty, had passed away.

Liu Yu stood dumbfounded in the corner of his bedchamber, watching as his corpse was dressed in the heavy, ornate imperial robes and crown that had been prepared long in advance.

People came and went with grief-stricken faces, ministers prostrated themselves weeping, and his sons threw themselves before his bed, their tears flowing freely.

Had he... died?

Liu Yu had always been an atheist, but at this moment, he couldn't help but believe the Buddhist and Daoist teachings about spirits and reincarnation.

Was he a ghost now? Would the Black and White Impermanence soon arrive to escort his soul to the underworld?

He knew well—countless people had died directly or indirectly by his hand. Even as an emperor, he would never reach the Western Paradise.

Surprisingly, Liu Yu felt rather at ease, sensing a kind of liberation. Freed from the constraints of his aging body, he now felt light and refreshed, his vision sharp and clear. Look—there in the distant corner lay his Ivory Dice, quietly abandoned. It must have been kicked there by someone passing through, utterly unnoticed.

After gazing at it for a long time, Liu Yu couldn't bear to leave his treasured dice lonely and discarded. He drifted over and, though aware that as a ghost he might not be able to touch physical objects, bent down nonetheless.

The moment his fingers touched the Ivory Dice, Liu Yu froze in surprise, then lifted it into his palm.

How strange—wasn't it said that ghosts were mere illusions, unable to interact with the physical world?

Liu Yu looked down at himself, first noticing a pair of slender, pale hands.

Was this him?

Stunned, he stared at his youthful hands, radiating unparalleled vitality in the sunlight streaming through the window.

Weren't ghosts supposed to fear sunlight?

Liu Yu strode out of the bedchamber, bathing his entire body in the sun's rays. He relished the warmth pouring down, feeling so comforted he nearly sighed aloud.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

A voice still fluctuating between coarse and shrill—clearly in the midst of puberty—rang out. Liu Yu turned to see his third son, Liu Yilong, approaching.Although he was approaching his sixtieth year, his sons were all quite young. Liu Yu had spent his entire prime years campaigning across the land and only began considering the matter of an heir after achieving relative stability. Thus, his eldest son Liu Yifu was merely seventeen, which was precisely why Liu Yu remained most uneasy before his death.

Now, standing before him was Liu Yilong, only a year younger than his eldest brother, just sixteen years old. The young man’s eyes were swollen from crying, and Liu Yu vaguely recalled that this third son of his was not in the best of health. He likely came out for some fresh air. Thinking this, Liu Yu couldn’t help but reveal a faint, kindly smile—a rare expression given his typically irritable nature.

Yet, to Liu Yilong, that smile was unbearably grating. He sharply rebuked once more, "Where did you come from, little eunuch? How dare you stand here dazed?"

Little eunuch? Liu Yu was taken aback but quickly realized that wasn’t the main issue.

He was dead! A ghost! How could anyone see him?

Instinctively, Liu Yu looked down. He was standing by the lotus pond behind the bedchamber, and in the rippling, emerald waters, he saw a youthful boy.

The face looked vaguely familiar.

It was himself at fourteen.

Liu Yilong furrowed his brows, staring intently at this peculiar youth.

What was peculiar wasn’t the coarse hemp clothes he wore. His father was frugal and austere, having turned the majestic imperial palace into something resembling a village hut. Liu Yilong still remembered, before he left the capital for his fief in Jingzhou, how he and his brothers had to wear everyday attire when paying respects to their father each day—none dared don formal court robes.

Even now, Liu Yilong was mindful of propriety, dressed in plain, unremarkable mourning clothes that left no room for criticism. Thus, even if this youth was dressed rather too simply, Liu Yilong found nothing amiss.

The peculiarity lay in the youth’s appearance.

Liu Yilong seldom looked in mirrors, but he had two elder brothers and four younger ones. This youth was about the same age as his fourth brother, Liu Yikang, and bore a five or six out of ten resemblance. Had he not just confirmed his fourth brother was at their father’s bedside, he might have mistaken this youth for Liu Yikang in different clothes.

So, after clearly seeing the youth’s face, Liu Yilong no longer thought he was some palace eunuch. Instead, an absurd yet plausible conjecture surged in his heart.

Could this youth be his father’s illegitimate son?

Perhaps his mother’s status couldn’t be acknowledged, so he was raised within the inner palace. Liu Yilong had a sharp memory; when he first arrived at the bedchamber, he had noticed this youth standing dazedly in a corner, though from a distance and without paying much heed.

To have arrived even earlier than the princes waiting outside the hall—he must either be a eunuch or someone who lived here all along. And for his father to summon this youth to his side on his deathbed…

The more Liu Yilong pondered, the more convinced he became of his theory, and his gaze grew increasingly complex.In truth, he harbored more resentment than reverence toward his father. Two years ago, at just fourteen, he had been enfeoffed as the Prince of Yidu, appointed General Who Guards the West and Governor of Jingzhou, and sent away in trepidation from the capital, Jiankang. It wasn’t just him—aside from the Crown Prince, his elder brother, his second brother Liu Yizhen had been enfeoffed as the Duke of Guiyang at twelve and stationed in Chang’an of Guanzhong, while his other younger brothers were also enfeoffed in various regions. Wasn’t it all to prevent these closely-aged princes from threatening the Crown Prince’s position? If his father was so considerate of the Crown Prince, then who would consider them? Sent to unfamiliar places at such a young age, the officials below showed superficial deference, but in reality, the great aristocratic families looked down on these princes of humble origins, feigning compliance while secretly defying. That feeling was truly indescribable.

Liu Yilong had thought that only the Crown Prince received special treatment from their father. Though the eldest brother held precedence, he could swallow this grievance—but he never expected there would be an exception!

“What the hell is going on?!” The youth who had been standing dazed by the pond finally erupted with a roar that starkly contrasted his stature.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yilong nearly buckled at the knees, almost dropping to the ground. Such a catchphrase, such a tone—it was exactly like his father’s!

Though he was innately fearful of his father, Liu Yilong steadied himself quickly after his knees weakened. The reason was simple: this was clearly a young voice. Besides, his father had already passed away. Taking a deep breath, Liu Yilong tried to calm his nerves and politely inquired, “Who are you?”

Given the youth’s age, Liu Yilong had already concluded this was one of his younger brothers, so his tone carried a hint of elder brotherly authority. But the youth turned around, giving him a strange look that lasted so long Liu Yilong began to wonder if a flower had bloomed on his face.

Liu Yu really wanted to find a rock and hurl it at this clueless boy. Who was he? He was his damn father!

But Liu Yu quickly realized: in his current form, he could hardly believe it himself, let alone expect others to. If he said as much, the next moment would likely see his own son imprisoning him for the crime of impersonating royalty.

Had he, after death, reverted to his fourteen-year-old body? But then, whose corpse was lying in the bedchamber?

Seeing the youth’s rapidly shifting expressions, Liu Yilong assumed he was struggling to reveal his identity and nodded understandingly. “Though your status may not be public, since we are brothers, we can support each other. At least let me have a way to address you.”

Liu Yu was stunned on the spot. Had this third son misunderstood something?

But then it dawned on him, and his face darkened. In the past, he would have flown into a rage, but after a moment’s thought, he had no choice but to grudgingly accept it.

Come to think of it, when the officials had swarmed into the bedchamber earlier, several had glanced covertly in his direction. At the time, fresh from his brush with death, he had been dazed and paid no mind. Now, recalling it, Liu Yu understood why no one had driven him out—they all assumed he was his own illegitimate son!

Liu Yilong waited with immense patience, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the subtle shifts in the youth’s expression.After a long silence, the young man's lips curled into a bitter smile as he said faintly, "Jinu, just call me Liu Jinu."

Jinu? So his surname really is Liu?

Liu Yilong instantly confirmed his speculation, then frowned at the young man's name.

Named Jinu? A fostered servant? He didn't share the "Yi" generation name like him and his brothers, meaning this youth wasn't qualified to be recorded in the family registry. And such a casual name likely stemmed from his mother's lowly status.

Liu Yilong took a deep breath, only now realizing he'd been away from the bedchamber too long for fresh air. Any further delay might draw unwanted attention. He offered the youth a kindly smile and said, "Perhaps you've long known—I'm your third brother. In private, just call me Third Brother." The implication being that formally, he should still be addressed as Third Highness.

Liu Yu's mouth twitched. He still couldn't bring himself to call his own son "Third Brother"—it tested his patience to the limit. So he snorted directly, "Why call you Third Brother? I'll just call you Che'er."

Liu Yilong froze. This childhood nickname "Che'er" was only used by his father, because he'd been born while the emperor was campaigning across the land—Consort Hu had given birth to him in a carriage. Thus, the nickname had stuck with him. His father only used it when pleased; ordinarily, like his other brothers, he was addressed by his birth order.

Liu Yilong opened his mouth to refuse the youth's overly familiar address but then relaxed into a smile. This young man's straightforward nature surely meant their father had shielded him from darker influences. That he knew this nickname must have come from their father himself. Did this youth realize how their father viewed him, the third prince whose mother had been executed—had he long been discarded in their father's heart?

Clenching his fists, Liu Yilong ultimately didn't voice the question that had haunted him for years. He smiled gently and said, "Jinu, let's go in now to see our father on his final journey."

Hearing this long-unused name from his own son's lips, Liu Yu felt profoundly awkward. Truthfully, he had little desire to go inside—viewing his own corpse wasn't a pleasant experience. But he couldn't just stand there foolishly either; who knew if the next person to discover him might mistake him for an assassin? After all, he currently had no identity.

Indifferently following Liu Yilong back into the bedchamber, Liu Yu now had the leisure to observe everyone's expressions. Though he'd stood here earlier for some time, fresh from life-and-death turmoil, he'd had no mood to scrutinize others. But now was different—few could witness events after their own death firsthand. Instead of kneeling, Liu Yu chose a corner and watched with keen interest, glancing around curiously.Huh? Who would have thought that General Xie Hui, who always found fault with him, would be crying so bitterly? As a descendant of the Xie clan—one of the two great aristocratic families, Wang and Xie, of the Eastern Jin—the young and handsome Xie Hui was a founding minister of the Liu Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties. At a tender age, he became Liu Yu’s chief strategist. In the late Eastern Jin period, he accompanied Liu Yu on the northern expeditions to reclaim the Central Plains, and nine out of ten strategies were devised by him. His importance to Liu Yu was no less than that of Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei, having helped Liu Yu recover most of the Central Plains. By the time Liu Yu ascended the throne, Xie Hui was only in his early twenties—an undisputed young hero. Now, as the military governor of seven provinces and the sole commander of the imperial guards, he wielded immense power at court. Due to his suitable age, Xie Hui was chosen by Liu Yu as a regent for the crown prince, Liu Yifu.

However, Liu Yu narrowed his eyes and did not miss the moment Xie Hui drew a handkerchief from his long sleeve to wipe the corners of his eyes—a handkerchief that clearly concealed slices of ginger...

Liu Yu’s mood instantly plummeted. Upon closer observation, he noticed that this practice was not uncommon; even among several of the princes, some were resorting to such tricks. His youngest son, Liu Yiji, only seven years old, was being held in his mother’s arms, and the woman’s hand, hidden in her sleeve, was discreetly pinching the child’s body, forcing him to cry out in feigned sorrow.

Liu Yu watched all this with numbness. Even his most favored son, the crown prince Liu Yifu, to whom he had passed the throne, was merely wailing without a trace of genuine grief on his face. As for the rest of his sons, even those who wept were likely mourning their uncertain futures rather than their distant father, the emperor.

Liu Yu smiled self-deprecatingly and let his gaze fall upon Liu Yilong, kneeling in the third position. Though the latter did not cry out so dramatically, the sorrow on his face was sincere, his eyes bloodshot and devoid of any pretense. Liu Yu couldn’t help but try to recall memories of this son, but he truly had little impression of him.

His life had been spent on military campaigns, walking the edge of a blade, leaving little leisure time—so much so that he hadn’t fathered sons until after the age of forty. After ascending the throne, he grew even busier, occupying the emperor’s seat for a mere three years. The time he had spent with his sons was pitifully scarce.

It seemed like in the blink of an eye, they had grown up, developed their own thoughts, and no longer looked at him—this declining emperor—with the adoring eyes of their youth.

Liu Yu tightened his grip on the Ivory Dice in his hand and murmured to himself, "Is this the scene you wanted me to witness? Is this what you wished me to reflect upon? For the sake of the empire, how much have I missed?"The emperor's funeral consisted of a series of intricate rituals. From the elaborate burials of the Qin and Han dynasties to the simpler customs of the Wei and Jin periods, Liu Yu's funeral was not particularly grand. Nevertheless, it was the funeral of a sovereign, and certain ancient rites inherited from the Han system were observed—such as the five degrees of mourning attire, the three-year mourning period, and the funeral assembly. These numerous and complex ceremonial protocols formed a rigorous funeral procedure: summoning the soul, announcing the death, setting up the spirit seat, lighting incense lamps, encoffining, managing the mourning, and observing the mourning period... Each step was carried out one by one. Although specialized officials were in charge, the entire court bureaucracy was thoroughly exhausted. However, since Liu Yu was nearly sixty when he ascended the throne, preparations for the burial method, coffin system, tomb sealing, and burial objects had been ongoing for the past two to three years, so there was no last-minute chaos. "Revering the departed with solemn care" is a Confucian tradition regarding life and death. Although Liu Yu himself was not well-read, many of his ministers came from prominent aristocratic families, ensuring the funeral was conducted meticulously. While it may have lacked deep sorrow, it was sufficiently dignified and solemn.

Attending one's own funeral is a peculiar experience, one that few people ever have. Liu Yu, dressed in mourning attire, hid among the crowd, thoughtfully observing the expressions of those present. Naturally, most of his attention was focused on his sons.

Of course, his "identity" had already been introduced by Liu Yilong. His children, all barely in their teens, had not yet learned to conceal their true emotions. Apart from the youngest, Liu Yiji, who stared at him with wide, curious eyes for a long time, the others wore expressions ranging from indifference and aloofness to outright disdain.

Alright, originally, his sons weren't very close to him, and since they were still young, he had sent them off to various fiefdoms as princes. The brothers hadn't seen each other for a long time and shared little affection, at most exchanging polite nods. Liu Yu suddenly felt a chill in his heart—how many years had it been since the memory of the entire family gathered around a round table for a reunion meal? Ten years? Twenty? Or thirty? After numbly attending his own funeral and watching his eldest son, Liu Yifu, ascend the throne with an equally expressionless face, Liu Yu temporarily stayed in Liu Yilong's princely residence in the capital, Jiankang. His daily routine consisted of drinking tea and admiring the scenery.

Because Liu Yu advocated frugality, Liu Yilong's residence lacked lavish decorations. However, it was originally the estate of a prominent aristocratic family from the Wei and Jin dynasties, so it was serene and elegant, offering a unique charm.

Liu Yu lounged leisurely in the pavilion, draped casually over the railing without a care for appearances, gazing idly at the ripples stirred by the wind on the water, feeling a lazy aimlessness.

He was like a wheel that had been turning nonstop for decades, finally able to rest. So, even though he had a youthful body, his state of mind had abruptly aged.

The weather was nearing midsummer, and the flowers in the garden were in full bloom, with lush green foliage on the branches. Having been bedridden for many days, Liu Yu hadn't seen such beauty in a long time and found himself utterly captivated.

From a distance, Liu Yilong spotted his cheap younger brother lost in thought by the pond and couldn't help but smile wryly. Fortunately, having company these days had kept him from feeling too desolate. This capital held no fond memories for him—his mother, his childhood, his imperial father had all passed away here one after another. Now, he had decided that once he left this time, he would never return. Perhaps growing old in Jingzhou was a good plan.

But before that, Liu Yilong wanted to ask the young man about his future plans. Over these days, he had learned that aside from himself, this youth had no one else to rely on, which made him uneasy about leaving him behind in the capital.

"Che'er, are you planning to return to Jingzhou?" Liu Yu guessed what his third son was about to say with just a glance. Although they hadn't interacted much, these youngsters were only in their teens—they hadn't experienced as much as he had eaten salt! But it hadn't even been forty-nine days since the funeral; why was he in such a hurry to leave? Liu Yu felt a surge of anger, his tone tinged with irritation as he retorted, "Now?"

Liu Yilong forced a bitter smile, knowing his departure was rather abrupt. But how could he explain? Recalling what he had witnessed in the palace today and the private discussions among the court officials, Liu Yilong felt his face burn with shame, wishing he could flee the capital immediately and run far away. Liu Yu frowned. His third son was somewhat frail, in the midst of a growth spurt that left him tall and slender, with little flesh on his bones. Dressed in plain white mourning clothes, he looked especially pale and haggard. Liu Yu's paternal instincts stirred, and he pointed to a nearby wooden stool, saying, "Sit. Brew some tea." The maidservant waiting nearby immediately stepped into the pavilion and began to prepare the tea quietly.Liu Yilong had grown accustomed to the young man's commanding and imperious demeanor over the past few days. Though inwardly grumbling about the other's lack of respect for seniority, he couldn't suppress a strange sense of familiarity welling up from deep within. Now, even as the young man leaned lazily against the railing, pointing and issuing orders, his imposing aura was undeniable, compelling others to follow his commands. Only when Liu Yilong felt the wooden stool beneath him did he realize he had unconsciously obeyed again, a helpless bitter smile appearing on his face. "Here, have a cup of hot tea. Though the weather is warm, we mustn't let our guard down," Liu Yu said with natural authority, lecturing like an elder.

"Yes," Liu Yilong replied just as naturally, picking up the teacup before him. Though he disagreed inwardly, he had grown used to interacting with this young man in this manner.

How bizarre—who was the elder brother here? And why did he feel the same trepidation as when facing his imperial father?

Liu Yilong took a sip of tea. The warm liquid slid down his throat, and the heat seemed to spread through his entire body in an instant, immediately relaxing him. "Now then, speak," Liu Yu tapped the thin wall of his teacup and hummed lightly. "What exactly happened?"

Holding the cup in his hands, Liu Yilong inhaled the lingering tea fragrance, knowing full well that even if he remained silent, this young man would find out.

After all, it wouldn't be long before the matter spread throughout the capital...

Squinting his eyes, Liu Yu could hear the distant sounds of music and laughter drifting from the imperial garden. When he saw who was at the center of the crowd, he clenched his fists in fury, itching to charge in and give that unfilial son a sound thrashing.

How long had it been since his death? Not even a month! And that unfilial wretch was already indulging in revelry right in the imperial garden! He vaguely recalled that during his severe illness, someone had advised him that the Crown Prince often went out carousing, boarding the Dragon boat to Tianyuan Pond for waterborne entertainment with exquisite songs and dances accompanied by melodious strings, playing until the moon set and the stars faded, never returning to the palace to rest, simply spending the night on the Dragon boat.

He had thought it was slander against the Crown Prince. In his memory, his eldest son was intelligent, strong, skilled in horsemanship and archery, and well-versed in music. Though not the ideal successor, he should have been capable of becoming a restoration monarch.

Turns out he had misjudged him all along!

To behave so disrespectfully during the mourning period—this was utterly ridiculous!

Look! That wretched boy had spotted them and showed no shame or attempt to conceal himself. Instead, he was happily waving them over to join the festivities!

Liu Yu couldn't control his cursing. Seeing the situation deteriorating, Liu Yilong immediately embraced him, preventing him from charging in and causing trouble.

Though his elder brother had indeed acted immorally, he was now the ruler of the nation, holding power over life and death. Liu Yilong believed his brother wouldn't hesitate to use this opportunity to suppress his younger brothers. Especially someone like this young man with no backing—he would make the perfect scapegoat to warn others.

Liu Yu struggled for a long time before realizing that although his third son appeared slender, his strength was considerable. Or perhaps it was simply that his current body was too young.Panting heavily, Liu Yu angrily shook off Liu Yilong's hand and strode out of the palace, paying no heed to how Liu Yilong was explaining things to that unfilial son behind him.

Since he couldn't make the decision himself, he would let the Ivory Dice decide. The number it showed plus one would be his final choice.

Silently reciting the question he needed to decide, Liu Yu threw the Ivory Dice onto the ground.

The dice rolled and spun for a long while before finally coming to rest.

Liu Yu crouched down, staring at the number facing up, and remained silent for a long time.

"Jinu? So this is where you've been? Huh? This Ivory Dice looks familiar - isn't this father's favorite one?" Liu Yilong emerged through the flowering shrubs and asked curiously as he looked down.

Liu Yu raised his head and gave him a meaningful smile.

"Do you want to be emperor?"

Liu Yilong stared blankly at the youth playing with the Ivory Dice before him, hardly able to believe what he had just heard. He instinctively glanced around. Although they had returned to his princely residence and dismissed all attendants, if the youth's words were overheard and spread, he would likely be thrown into prison immediately, with no place to bury his corpse.

"Don't worry, no one can hear us." Liu Yu propped his chin on his hand and curled his lips, looking somewhat critically at his third son. Although the Ivory Dice had chosen this child before him as his successor, Liu Yu still felt somewhat dissatisfied. But thinking of the crown prince he had been satisfied with, he sighed in resignation. Actually, besides Crown Prince Liu Yifu, he had preferred his second son Liu Yizhen, but the latter seemed more interested in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting... Well, the Ivory Dice had never been wrong before... Liu Yu lazily flicked the Ivory Dice with his other hand and said, "That boy Liu Yifu's behavior will surely provoke discontent among the ministers. His reign won't last long. Can you just stand by and watch others seize the opportunity to usurp the throne?"

Liu Yu felt that he had indeed reached the age of sixty where one becomes receptive to contrary opinions, as his temper had mellowed considerably. If this had happened in his youth, he would have already taken up his sword and cut down that unfilial son. But he also had to consider the foundation he had built with his own hands. That Xie Hui was someone he had carefully selected, originally intended to serve as prime minister for his crown prince. But Liu Yifu was too incompetent to keep him in check, which meant Xie Hui would become an extremely dangerous person.

To tame a fierce tiger, one must possess greater power than the tiger itself. Otherwise, the tiger would turn on its master - especially in these troubled times that had only recently been pacified.

Liu Yilong could naturally understand the unspoken implications in the youth's words. He had encountered Xie Hui a few days earlier and noticed that the handsome face no longer bore its former respectful and peaceful expression, replaced instead by an indescribable air of triumphant ambition. After pondering for a while, Liu Yilong said hesitantly, "Surely the situation isn't that bad yet?"

The Wang and Xie families, two great clans, wielded immense power at court. Figures like Xie An and Wang Dao - renowned princes, generals, and ministers of their time - all came from these families. Yet they strictly adhered to the scholar-official code, never attempting to usurp the throne or seize power, although in some respects they already possessed greater authority and prestige than the emperor himself.This was one of the reasons Liu Yu felt assured in handing military authority to Xie Hui. The strict clan rules of prestigious noble families held even greater sway than the temptation of the imperial throne. Yet Liu Yu believed that someone as proud and ambitious as Xie Hui would never be content with a limited domain. He would never allow an emperor who only indulged in pleasure and luxury to suppress him. Even if Xie Hui did not seize the throne himself, he could easily support another candidate.

Seeing Liu Yilong hesitate, Liu Yu smiled faintly and spoke with patience, "This is a gamble. You are betting the rest of your life for a chance to reach the summit. Will you take the bet or not?" Liu Yu's smile was full of confidence, for to a gambler like him, this was an absolutely irresistible temptation.

But then he saw Liu Yilong slowly shake his head and say, "No, I won't bet."

"What?" Liu Yu abruptly stood up, his temper flaring as he slammed the table, causing the teacups on it to clatter noisily. Suppressing the urge to scold this young man harshly, he fired off a rapid series of words: "I... no, the covert forces left by the late emperor—I can hand them all over to you! You should know how formidable that power is! It will absolutely increase your stakes!"

"No, I don't need it." Liu Yilong continued to voice his refusal, this time with even greater firmness.

"Why? If you become emperor, your elder and second brothers can continue to live!" Liu Yu felt like smashing the table to pieces. If everything went according to his plan, with careful arrangements, Liu Yilong could ascend the throne without major risks, while the deposed emperor Liu Yifu and Liu Yizhen could live out their lives in peace.

"What does that have to do with me?" Liu Yilong glanced calmly at the agitated young man before him, not understanding why he was so worked up. His brothers? A joke—he had never considered those two as his brothers, and he believed they felt the same. Liu Yilong felt that he had stayed in the capital for far too long, long enough for some matters to veer in abnormal directions. He stood up and announced calmly, "We depart for Jingzhou tomorrow. You may come with me if you wish." Liu Yu stared blankly at Liu Yilong's slender figure as he left the room, then slumped back into his seat in disbelief.

He had never considered such a scenario. As a gambler, it never crossed his mind that someone might be different from him—that they might not want to gamble at all.

The Ivory Dice lay quietly on the table, emitting a soft glow under the lamplight.

It was so captivating, even capable of controlling the fates of many.

But... what if someone refused to shake it...

Liu Yu did not remain in the capital but instead followed Liu Yilong back to Jingzhou. He constantly reflected: Had he truly made a mistake?

The covert forces only recognized orders and tokens, so Liu Yu could still control them. Through the covert forces, even while far away in Jingzhou, he could promptly learn whatever he wished to know.Due to his demise, the four towns in Henan grew restless. After a period of suppression, Xie Hui and others finally managed to settle the major military and state affairs, freeing their hands to deal with this incompetent ruler who only knew how to indulge in food, drink, and pleasure. From various intelligence reports, Liu Yu could discern that Xie Hui and his allies shared his perspective—they too had their eyes on Liu Yilong, while his second son, Liu Yizhen, was the first to be sacrificed as a pawn.

Legend has it that one day, while drinking with his advisors, Liu Yizhen promised that upon ascending the throne, he would appoint Xie Lingyun and Yan Yanzhi as chancellors and appoint Shi Huilin as the governor of Xiyuzhou.

Soon after receiving this news, Xie Hui and others submitted a memorial accusing Liu Yizhen of inciting discord and slandering the authorities.

Liu Yifu flew into a rage, naturally harboring no goodwill toward this second brother who dared to covet his throne. He demoted Liu Yizhen to Liyang and dispersed his three advisors to various remote regions. Perhaps this still did not give Liu Yifu a sense of security, as not long after, he further demoted Liu Yizhen to a commoner and confined him in Xin'an.

Upon learning of this, Liu Yu knew that Xie Hui and his faction would soon move against Liu Yifu. Such an emperor would inevitably be overthrown—better to let Liu Yu take matters into his own hands!

Liu Yu suddenly understood why he was still alive: he needed to correct one of his mistakes and take another gamble.

He abruptly stopped and reached into his robe, pulling out the Ivory Dice that never left his side. This dice had six sides, and aside from the crown prince he had abandoned, he happened to have six sons. What did it mean to be emperor? Standing at the highest and most precarious peak, if one lost balance and fell, the fall would be far more tragic than anyone else's—so high that one might not even have a place to be buried.

Without saying much, Liu Yu laid out the intelligence he had gathered, piece by piece, on Liu Yilong's desk.

Observing his third son's calm and composed expression, Liu Yu suddenly realized that the young man was not entirely unaware.

Perhaps everything was under his control. On the surface, he neither contended nor seized, yet what was destined to be his would ultimately belong to him.

Liu Yu narrowed his eyes, feeling somewhat lost.

"Does this version of me disappoint you?" Liu Yilong set down his brush and looked up at the disheartened young man. It had been over two years since he returned to Jingzhou. Perhaps when he had firmly refused the other back then, it was sincere, but as time passed, he could not help but entertain uncontrollable thoughts.

Yes, why couldn't he sit on that throne? Why had his father once despised him? Why must he remain an idle prince?

Once he set his goal, he would no longer retreat.

The covert forces left by his father? Why should he use them? With just a few maneuvers, he could patiently wait for the ripe fruit to fall into his lap.

"Damn it! Why are you doing this? Don't you know your eldest and second brothers will meet a tragic end?" Liu Yu suddenly deciphered the expression on Liu Yilong's face and erupted in fury. If things had gone according to his plan, they would not have spiraled so out of control!Seated behind the desk, Liu Yilong was now eighteen years old, having completely shed the immaturity of two years prior. With his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, he had cultivated a commanding presence through years of low-key cultivation and hiding his talents. He gazed thoughtfully at the young man before him—the one who called himself Liu Jinu—whose appearance remained unchanged from two years ago. Despite deliberate investigations, Liu Yilong had found no trace of this youth ever existing in his late father’s harem.

What truly unsettled him was the discovery from his ancestral home that his father’s childhood nickname had been Liu Jinu...

The more he observed this youth—his demeanor, tone, speech, and mannerisms—the more he resembled Liu Yilong’s father. Even his habitual phrases when angered and the way he slammed tables were identical. Considering the youth had appeared precisely when his father passed away, could it be that this Liu Jinu was his father reborn?

No, that speculation was too absurd.

Forcing down his turmoil, Liu Yilong met the youth’s gaze—a mix of grief and disappointment—and felt his heart clench violently. He took a deep breath and said calmly, “Was it not you who wished me to ascend the Dragon Throne? Have I not done well?”

“But how could you disregard your elder brother’s safety!” Liu Jinu burned with rage, nearly driven mad by the realization of what his third son—once his favorite—had done. He knew all too well what powerful ministers like Xie Hui would do next: eliminate every threat without hesitation.

Liu Yilong’s expression grew resolute, his eyes steady as he declared slowly, word by word, “After I ascend the throne, they will pay the price they deserve.”

Watching his grown son, Liu Jinu was suddenly overwhelmed by weariness.

Of course he understood—this was all Liu Yilong’s design. Bound by public opinion, Liu Yilong could not move directly against his own brother. Instead, he used Xie Hui and others as pawns to depose and assassinate the emperor, clearing his own path to legitimate succession. Liu Jinu could vividly imagine the aftermath: years into his reign, once firmly in power, Liu Yilong would justify purging Xie Hui’s faction under the pretext of avenging his brother, replacing them with his own loyalists.

Truly, he was the one chosen by the Ivory Dice...

Liu Jinu closed his eyes. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice onto his body, yet he felt no warmth—only a penetrating chill.

From birth, every choice one faces is a gamble.

The difference lies in how much one loses or wins.

Thus, some become failures, while others emerge as life’s winners.

On the surface, Liu Jinu was the epitome of a winner. Yet sometimes, even he couldn’t tell whether he had truly won or lost.

Perhaps had he never become emperor, he would have had a harmonious family—children and grandchildren filling his halls, gathered at his knees—instead of sons turning blades upon one another... The study fell into deathly silence. Suddenly, Liu Yilong started, realizing the youth before him was gradually turning translucent, slowly dissolving into the sunlight.

Liu Yilong leapt up and reached for him, but his fingers passed straight through the fading form, grasping nothing."Fa... Father!" Liu Yilong no longer held any doubt - this peculiar youth was indeed his imperial father! The realization that he had been scheming right under his father's watchful eyes made him tremble with shock.

In the study, Liu Yu's cool voice flowed slowly as the young figure transformed into specks of light, gradually dissipating into the air.

"Life is but a gamble, where no one can remain undefeated forever..."

"As long as it's gambling, one must be mentally prepared to lose something originally belonging to oneself."

"I have won some things, but I have lost even more..."

"I hope... you won't regret it either..."

Clatter!

Liu Yilong snapped back to reality, discovering himself alone in the study. A yellowed Ivory Dice had fallen to the ground, bouncing several times before rolling and spinning across the floor...

In 424 AD, Xie Hui, Xu Xianzhi and others instructed the Imperial Secretariat attendant Xing Antai to assassinate the emperor at Jinchang Pavilion. The young emperor perished at merely nineteen years old. Xie and Xu's faction also sent assassins to kill Liu Yizhen at Xin'an, then led all officials to Jiangling to welcome Yidu Prince Liu Yilong back to the capital to ascend the throne, thus becoming Emperor Wen of Song.

In the year 426 AD, Emperor Wen executed Xu Xianzhi, Fu Liang, and others, personally leading a large army westward along the river to suppress Xie Hui. Xie Hui's forces were completely defeated, and he was executed for the crimes of regicide and rebellion.

Thus, Liu Yilong, the young Emperor Wen of Song, who was barely of age, gained overwhelming power over the court and began an era of unprecedented national prosperity since the Eastern Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, historically known as the "Yuanjia Reign."

Year 2012

The Doctor lay under the sun, drying his rabbit doll body. As a doll, he still needed baths to stay clean, but every time he finished washing, his body would be soaked and uncomfortable, weighing several times heavier and making it difficult for him to stand. So, each time the Boss bathed him, he would simply lie under the sun until he dried completely.

Well, this side seemed almost dry. The Doctor struggled to flip over, lying face down on the ground to let the sun warm his back.

He had grown quite accustomed to this lazy, reclusive doll life. Still, he smacked his rabbit lips—as a food lover, going months without eating anything was truly unbearable.

How he missed the crab roe soup dumplings from the shop across the street! The Wushan shortbread at the corner! And the West Lake osmanthus chestnut soup outside the hospital!

Oh, right—he’d just heard a delivery arrive. How strange. Did the Boss actually buy something? Or had someone sent him a package?

Overcome with curiosity, the Doctor ignored his still-damp body and clumsily crawled from the windowsill to the counter, just in time to see the Boss staring blankly at a brocade box.

"Who sent this? Huh? A dice?" The box wasn’t large, and the Doctor immediately spotted the dice inside. It looked quite ordinary, with a ginger-yellow hue, likely made of ivory. The Doctor then turned to examine the delivery slip on the packaging, staring at the sender’s address. The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed.

"This address… isn’t this the hospital where I worked?" the Doctor exclaimed in shock. Who at the hospital could possibly have any connection with the Boss now? The answer was obvious. Instantly on high alert, the Doctor circled the brocade box on the counter, worried it might contain something dangerous like a bomb. "Did Fusu send this dice? What’s he up to?"

Seeing the Doctor leaving wet marks all over the counter, the Boss sighed and picked him up, then clipped his two rabbit ears with clothespins and hung him on the balcony to dry in the sun and breeze. As he wiped the counter, the Boss recounted the story of the ivory dice, concluding with a sigh, "I originally stored this ivory dice in the Class A cabinet. I’d been looking for it recently, and now it’s been sent back."

"So Fusu is a thief too!" the Doctor fumed indignantly, though all he could do was wave his chubby paws while dangling from the clothesline.

"Fusu probably didn’t take it. Most likely, Ming Hong snatched it while fighting with San Qing," the Boss said, curling his lip. Those two had fought more than once. After suffering a major defeat, Ming Hong would occasionally pick fights with San Qing. Though they tried not to damage the Dumb Shop, they often made a mess. The Boss was starting to consider whether he should find an empty room specifically for San Qing to use as a sparring arena.The Doctor snorted lightly, puzzled. "Listening to what you just said about the origin of this Ivory Dice, you must have told him about it before, right? That little red bird definitely didn't just snatch this dice out of sheer anger—it must have known this Ivory Dice is an Emperor-Grade Antique and wanted to interfere with your plan!" The more he spoke, the more convinced he became of his own analysis, crossing his arms and looking indignant. He naturally knew the Boss hadn’t gone to perform Formation Breaking to bury the ancient artifact this month because he hadn’t found a suitable Emperor-Grade Antique yet. However, the Doctor’s gaze fell on the Brocade Box on the counter, and he said in confusion, "How strange. If Fusu wanted to stop you from breaking the formation, why would he mail this Ivory Dice back to you? Could it be a counterfeit?"

"It’s not a counterfeit." The Boss lowered his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "He’s asking me if I dare to gamble with him…"

"Gamble?" The Doctor grew more bewildered as he listened, struggling to hop down from the rope.

The Boss picked up the Ivory Dice from the Brocade Box; it felt as smooth and delicate as it had over a thousand years ago. "In truth, when standing at a crossroads in life, everyone ultimately makes a choice. No matter which path you choose, looking back years later, you’ll always feel regret. Because no one knows what would have happened if they’d taken the other path, and it’s impossible to find out."

"And then you endlessly fantasize about how things might have been better? Humans are never satisfied—it’s like a snake trying to swallow an elephant!" The Doctor curled his lip, unsurprised.

"So, the question of whether to gamble or not doesn’t really exist." The Boss rubbed the long-unseen Ivory Dice and placed it back into the Brocade Box. "How can one have it both ways in this world…"

The Doctor silently watched his movements, remaining quiet for a long while before suddenly speaking up. "I don’t think that’s what he meant!"

The Boss’s hand, about to retrieve the Brocade Box, paused, but he didn’t turn around.

"He was probably reminding you not to regret the path you’ve chosen now…" The Doctor’s long ears drooped, a bit deflated. The Boss knew Fusu so well—how could he not see through his intentions? He just didn’t want to spell it out and make him overthink.

The Boss put away the Brocade Box, turned around, grabbed the Doctor by his long ears, and hung him back on the rope to dry.

"Since you’ll regret either path, why dwell on it? Just stay true to your heart."

Every antique in the Dumb Shop had its own story, carrying years of untold tales, with no one to listen. Because they could not speak…

Mini Theater

Doctor: Boss, say that line again? It sounds so familiar…

Boss: Which line?

Doctor: "How can one have it both ways in this world…" What’s the next line again?

Boss: …You misheard…

(End of Chapter)