Sometimes, Nolan couldn't help but wonder: is being precociously intelligent truly a blessing, or a curse?
From birth, he had no parents to care for him. Yet, he was born precocious; before he turned one, he began to remember things—wet nurses, palace servants... he saw it all, remembered it all.
People in the palace always fawned over the powerful and trampled the weak. For a child like him, growing up without parental protection, survival itself was a miracle.
Before his father, the late Emperor, passed away, everyone around him was a trusted attendant sent by his father. He received the best care—everyone spoiled him, tried to curry favor, and brought him the finest things first. But...
Those days didn't last long. In less than half a year, the late Emperor died, and his attendants disappeared one by one...
He still remembered, when the late Emperor died, all his attendants rushed to flatter the New Emperor. And him?
At that time, he was burning with fever, his whole body flushed red, yet not a single person noticed...
He couldn't cry. He wanted to call for help, but his throat felt as if cut by knives—opening his mouth brought only pain, and he could only make weak, muffled sounds...
Such sounds couldn't possibly carry beyond the palace. No one outside could hear him!
Even now, he still remembered the despair of that moment. He thought he was about to join his father—the late Emperor—in death, convinced his father couldn't bear to leave him behind.
These things weren't his lifelines—they were death warrants.
What use is all the power his father left him? As a young, ignorant child, how could he possibly control it?
How could a young, ignorant child, under the Emperor's watchful eyes, ever leave the palace to contact these people?
He was still too young—even if he had mountains of gold and silver, he couldn't touch it now...
One day, while teaching him to read, the old eunuch said: "Master, until you grow up, your job is to endure. When you are grown, you'll have the power to protect yourself and the skill to face even the Emperor. Endurance isn't cowardice—it's self-preservation. Your life is more important than anything. No matter what happens, as long as you survive, anything is possible."
"You're still young. For now, you must study and accumulate knowledge... When the time comes, you'll make your mark, and no one will dare look down on you."
Simple and direct—just the kind of words a child his age could understand.
Unfortunately, that peaceful life was short-lived. Some things can't be avoided just because you choose patience—others won't let you go.
After half a year of learning to read with the old eunuch, Nolan could already read simple books. He thought life would continue like this, but the palace soon taught him what cruelty meant.
All the maids and eunuchs around him belonged to his elder brother. They didn't care about a three-year-old, but some saw an opportunity to climb higher by stepping on him.
There was a young eunuch in his palace who did menial work, but his bright eyes showed he was clever. This eunuch was indeed smart—he secretly followed Nolan and discovered his lessons with the old eunuch.
Unfortunately for him, the young eunuch was unlucky—Nolan caught him on the way back.
Such a person could never be allowed to live. Even though Nolan was just a child, he already understood what it meant to kill to keep a secret.
Back in the hall, he called the young eunuch to his side and asked him to play with him...
For a three-year-old, wanting someone to keep him company was perfectly normal, wasn't it?
He kept the young eunuch by his side, not letting him leave for a moment, and then...
He led the eunuch near the Empress's palace, where there was a small hill and a pond—the perfect place to stage an 'accidental death.'
No one would suspect a three-year-old of murder. Even if he held a knife and stabbed the eunuch in the heart, he could always say, 'I didn't know.'
His age was usually a weakness, but at this moment, it was his greatest advantage!
He took the little kite made by a palace maid and ran around, over and over, until finally he managed to toss the kite onto the artificial hill, and then...
He asked the young eunuch to climb the hill to fetch the kite for him...
The young eunuch was clever and bold, but because of his cleverness, he underestimated the three-year-old. Without a second thought, he climbed up to get the kite, but just as he was about to come down, a heavy force struck him from behind. He slipped and plunged into the pond...
As he fell, the young eunuch saw Nolan and the old eunuch standing nearby. Only then did he realize he'd been set up. But...
Too late!
Falling into the water, there was no way out—only death.
The old eunuch took a wooden plank and killed the young eunuch in the water. Nolan stood by and watched, unmoved by the eunuch's cries for help—not even blinking.
He was only three, and this was his first kill. He was afraid, he was terrified, but no amount of fear outweighed his will to survive.
That young eunuch had to die—if he didn't, Nolan would be the one to die...
His elder brother would never let him learn to read or understand anything. He only kept Nolan alive to show the world the Emperor's kindness.
In the Emperor's eyes, Nolan was like an object—brought out for show when needed, but otherwise expected to be lifeless, not to live like a real person...
"Are you afraid, Master?" the old eunuch asked, pointing at the body of the young eunuch floating in the water.
The body floated on the water, its face twisted in a terrifying grimace—enough to give anyone nightmares.
"I'm not afraid." Even as his hands trembled, he refused to be afraid—he couldn't afford to be.
In this palace, people died all the time. If he didn't want to die, he had to kill anyone who tried to harm him.
"Master, what do you want to do next?" The old eunuch was humble and respectful, treating Nolan as his master even though he was just a child.
Just as he'd told Nolan before: "Master, you are the most noble person in the world—even nobler than the Emperor. You may endure, but never lose your dignity."
The old eunuch treated Nolan with the same respect in everything, even kneeling while teaching him to write...
Nolan had to get used to people kneeling at his feet, obeying his orders, and acting as a ruler—even if he didn't have real power yet. The old eunuch believed that day would come soon enough.
"You may leave now. I'll take care of the rest," Nolan said, standing firm and unmoving. He was still a child, but at that moment, he was tougher than any adult!
The old eunuch wiped away his tears and left in silence...
It was cruel for the young master, but there was no other choice. Those left by the late Emperor were either dead or gone, and the rest had turned to the new master. In the palace, Nolan could only rely on himself.
Nolan's path was still long, but the old eunuch was already old and his abilities limited. He could help Nolan once, but not for a lifetime.
Nolan was destined for greatness!
Indeed, Nolan believed he was extraordinary—after all, at age three, he was ruthless enough to stake his life...