The End Is Near

Qi Yifei is the sixteen-year-old Prince of a Commandery and the only legitimate grandson of Grand Chancellor Qi Wangjing. Born on an auspicious day marked by natural phenomena and a major military victory, he was granted a noble title by the superstitious Emperor Tianhe despite having no personal merits. Having transmigrated from a modern era, Qi Yifei retains a detached, unambitious personality, preferring a life of leisure over political ambition. His return to the capital after a two-year absence is delayed when he suffers a severe headache and faints, causing his convoy to race back in desperation. Upon regaining consciousness near Yuejiang Tower, he reprimands his guard Zhao Achou for violating curfew laws, demonstrating his acute awareness of the dangerous political climate.

The Da Qi empire is in turmoil following Emperor Tianhe’s stroke and the death of Imperial Noble Consort Qi. A brutal succession struggle has concluded with the victory of the Seventh Prince, Wen Zui, who now rules as Regent. The Qi family, staunch supporters of the defeated Second Prince, faces severe political peril. Grand Chancellor Qi conceals the extent of the danger from his grandson, but Qi Yifei discovers a supernatural ability upon his return: a Book of Life and Death appears in his vision, revealing he has only fifteen days left to live. The countdown is not fixed; it fluctuates based on his actions and interactions.

Qi Yifei learns that his lifespan increases through contact with Wen Zui. After accidentally pulling the Regent into his residence to save him from Imperial Guards during a midnight stroll, Qi Yifei touches Wen Zui’s sleeve and watches his remaining time expand. Realizing this connection is his only path to survival, he actively seeks to befriend the Regent. His childhood friend Fu Li, a high-ranking official who secretly serves Wen Zui, is initially resistant, fearing the political repercussions of associating with the despised Seventh Prince. However, Wen Zui himself becomes intrigued by Qi Yifei’s boldness and lack of fear, ordering Fu Li to arrange a meeting.

The core conflict arises from the intersection of Qi Yifei’s desperate need to extend his life and the treacherous court environment. While Qi Yifei attempts to navigate his shortened lifespan by cultivating a relationship with the Regent, his grandfather remains trapped in a struggle for survival against the new regime. The Imperial Medical Bureau, corrupted by the political shift, refuses to treat Qi Yifei properly, forcing the Grand Chancellor to rely on private physicians. Meanwhile, Wen Zui investigates the Qi family’s past, including a massacre linked to his grandfather’s youth, while simultaneously becoming emotionally entangled with the young prince who defies his status and superstitions.

As the story progresses, Qi Yifei’s modern sensibilities clash with the rigid feudal hierarchy. He openly interacts with Wen Zui, ignoring the taboo surrounding the Regent’s birth on the Ghost Festival. This relationship provides Qi Yifei with the lifespan extension he needs but places him directly in the path of political enemies who view the Qi family as a threat to the new order. The narrative follows Qi Yifei’s attempts to balance his desire for a quiet life with the necessity of surviving the Regent’s unpredictable whims and the court’s lethal intrigues.

The political landscape remains unstable, with the First Prince’s faction suppressed and the Second Prince’s allies targeted. Grand Chancellor Qi attempts to protect his grandson by keeping him isolated, but Qi Yifei’s growing closeness to Wen Zui draws him into the center of power. The story moves toward a confrontation where Qi Yifei must use his unique bond with the Regent to protect his family from the consequences of the succession war, while Wen Zui grapples with his own past trauma and his unexpected attachment to the “lucky star” he was once told to avoid.