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[System Notification: Welcome to 'The Emperor’s Shadow']

System: User ID 404 has successfully expired in the modern world (Cause: Slip-and-fall on a damp library floor).

System:Reincarnation protocol activated. Welcome to the Great Liang Dynasty.

You have been placed into the body of Shen Qing, the "Villainous Fourth Prince."

System:Current Survival Rate: 2%. Good luck!

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[Private Mental Chat/Communication:]

Shen Qing:Wait. Hold on. I died because of a wet floor sign?! And now I’m a prince?

System:Correction: A marked-for-death prince. In the original historical timeline, Shen Qing is executed tomorrow at dawn for attempting to poison the Crown Prince.

Shen Qing: But I literally just got here! I’ve never even held a boyfriend's hand in my past life, let alone orchestrated a royal assassination!

System: Warning: The poison has already been served. The Crown Prince is currently lifting the cup to his lips. If he dies, your execution is locked in. You have 4 minutes to change history.

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[Group Chat: The Imperial Courtyard (Telepathic Arrays)]

Shen Qing: Crown_Prince_Yan

XUAN YAN! STOP DRINKING THE TEA!

Crown Prince Yan: ...Who is projecting their voice into my consciousness? Fourth Brother? Why are you shouting across the banquet hall? And why are you sweating?

Shen Qing: The tea! It’s spiked! Arsenic! Cyanide! Whatever the ancient equivalent of rat poison is, it’s in your cup!

Crown Prince Yan: [Pauses, cup hovering] You expect me to believe you? You have spent the last three years trying to usurp my throne. Just yesterday, you tried to trip my horse.

Shen Qing: That wasn't me, that was the previous occupant of this body! Look, if you drink that, you die, I get executed, and the real mastermind walks away free.

Crown Prince Yan:The real mastermind? And who, pray tell, would that be?

Shen Qing: ...

System: Error: Spoilers are locked. You cannot reveal the true culprit without raising your "Suspicion Meter." Current Suspicion: 85%. If it reaches 100%, the Imperial Guard will execute you on the spot.

Shen Qing: Think, think... Xuan Yan, look closely at the tea set. It’s made of silver, right? Why isn't it turning black?

Crown Prince Yan:It isn't turning black. Because it is fine jade. Silver wouldn't detect the poison anyway, Fourth Brother. Did you hit your head?

Shen Qing: Fine, look at the servant who poured it! The one with the slightly crooked hat near the left pillar. Notice how he’s already backing toward the exit?

Crown Prince Yan: [Glancing over]* ...He is indeed moving strangely.

Shen Qing: He’s wearing a hidden dagger under his left sleeve. He’s the backup plan in case you don't drink. If you don't believe me, call the guards to search him right now!

Crown Prince Yan: Guards. Detain the server by the pillar.

[A sudden crash echoes through the banquet hall. The server draws a hidden blade, slashes a guard, and sprints out toward the gardens.]

Crown Prince Yan: ...He actually fled.

Shen Qing: See?! I saved your life! Can I get a pass on the whole "execution at dawn" thing now?

Crown Prince Yan: The assassin is gone, but the poison is still in this room. And you knew exactly who he was, Shen Qing. How?

Shen Qing: I... uh... had a prophetic dream?

System: Suspicion Meter: 95%.

Shen Qing: Okay, no! I intercepted a secret letter! I was trying to play detective!

Crown Prince Yan: A detective in a silk robe who usually sleeps until noon. Intriguing.

Crown Prince Yan:The palace gates are locking automatically. The assassin is trapped in the eastern gardens. Since you know so much, Fourth Brother, you will accompany me to catch him.

Shen Qing: Wait, I don't know how to use a sword! I’m a scholar! I do math!

Crown Prince Yan: Then you can count how many seconds you have left to live if you don't follow me.

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[Private Mental Chat: Shen Qing System]

Shen Qing: System! The Crown Prince is grabbing my wrist. His grip is like iron. Why is his heart rate spiking? Is he going to kill me in the garden?!

System: Scanning Crown Prince Yan... Plot deviation detected.

System: In the original novel, the Crown Prince was a cold, ruthless tyrant who hated everyone. Current Status: Intrigued. Danger Level: High. Romantic Potential: ...Error, database overflowing.

Shen Qing:ROMANTIC POTENTIAL? I’m just trying not to get executed!

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[ The Imperial Courtyard]

Crown Prince Yan:Stay close behind me, Shen Qing. The gardens are dark, and someone clearly wants us both dead.

Shen Qing:Mostly you! They wanted *me* framed!

Crown Prince Yan: Perhaps. But if you're lying to me, I'll deal with you myself. And if you're telling the truth... well, I've never found you this interesting before.

Shen Qing: Is this a threat or a flirtation? Because my anxiety cannot handle both.

Crown Prince Yan: Draw your own conclusions. Now, quiet. The bushes ahead are moving.

System: Suspicion Meter falling. Affection Meter: Activated.

System: Current objective: Survive the night with your future emperor.

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