Chapter 26 Past Life and Present Life

Outside, a light rain was falling continuously; inside, you could hear a pin drop.

This is because they're worried there might be something wrong with his medicine.

Chu Jiu explained.

Indeed, he and Qin Xiao were not close friends who trusted each other; they were merely business partners who prioritized mutual benefit.

If their roles were reversed today, he wouldn't feel at ease with Qin Xiao either.

But the young emperor is innocent.

Chu Jiubian smiled slightly, but instead of withdrawing his hand, he took the cup with his right hand.

Then, he dripped two drops of the medicine from the cup onto the web of his left hand.

The lights inside the room were dim and flickering.

The young man's forehead was slightly damp, and his eyelashes were dark and thick.

His skin was as white as jade, but his cheeks and the area behind his ears had a faint pink tinge, and his moist lips were as red as blood.

He leaned slightly closer to Qin Xiao's left hand, which was being held in his grasp.

The bright red lips and pale skin create an extremely striking aesthetic.

Qin Xiao saw Chu Jiubian put the little bit of medicine from the tiger's mouth into his mouth and swallow it.

Their gazes shifted upwards, and their eyes met.

He saw the mocking smile in Chu Jiubian's eyes and loosened his grip.

Chu Jiubian withdrew his hand and sat up straight, no longer looking at him, but instead handed the cup to Baili Hong's lips again.

This time, Qin Xiao did not stop him.

"Your Majesty, this isn't bitter. You'll feel better after you eat it," Chu Jiubian coaxed gently.

Baili Hong blinked, sniffed with some doubt, and indeed did not smell any bitterness.

He then obediently opened his mouth and said, "Ah—"

Chu Jiubian carefully fed the medicine little by little.

"Is it bitter?" Chu Jiubian asked with a smile.

The child smacked his lips twice and shook his head: "It's not bitter at all."

Chu Jiubian raised his hand and patted the child's head: "Go to sleep, you'll feel better when you wake up."

Even though he was a child, he was still an emperor. Logically, Chu Jiubian shouldn't really treat him like a child, but he couldn't help it.

Qin Xiao stood up and took two steps back to stand still.

He watched as Chu Jiubian gently coaxed the child to lie down, then lightly wiped his face with a handkerchief, softly soothing him.

This Chu Jiubian was almost unrecognizable compared to his usual self.

Even the other person's usually indifferent eyes were now brimming with intense emotions, as if they were looking at something else through Baili Hong's small face.

It was rare for Chu Jiubian to show such emotion. Qin Xiao stroked the fingertips that had just touched the other's wrist, as if some of the burning heat still remained.

Is it because of the fever?

Baili Hong had been crying for so long and was exhausted. After taking the medicine and being coaxed by Chu Jiubian, he soon fell into a deep sleep.

Chu Jiubian had taken medicine before coming here, and now the medicine seemed to be taking effect. His head was still aching and dizzy, but he felt even more sleepy.

My eyelids felt heavy, and the tinnitus pierced my eardrums, striking my fragile nerves. My thoughts began to become muddled.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but he began to lose sight of reality and dreams, and lowered his head in a daze.

He saw that he seemed to have become much shorter, wearing a red and white elementary school uniform and a pair of slightly worn white shoes.

The tinnitus gradually subsided, while the hustle and bustle of the city grew stronger.

He looked up and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar street. It was narrow, with small shops on both sides. It had just rained, and everything in sight was damp and misty.

My nasal cavity was also filled with the fishy smell of mud.

"Xiao Jiu!" a woman's voice called out.

Chu Jiubian glanced to the side and saw a somewhat familiar face, covered in fine sweat, probably from running too fast.

"Xiao Jiu, hurry home! Your parents are fighting again!" The woman grabbed his hand and ran quickly forward. "Your little brother is locked on the balcony, crying so pitifully, we're too scared to go..."

Chu Jiubian ran faster and faster, gradually leaving the woman behind.

He saw himself getting closer and closer to that old, dilapidated building, and all he could hear was his own rapid breathing.

Gradually, he heard the child's heart-wrenching cries, each one clearer and more pitiful than the last.

It'll be here soon, it'll be here soon.

Chu Jiubian's bloodshot eyes reflected the small figure on the sixth-floor balcony.

With a round little face and a three-headed figure, she was holding a box of colorful marbles in her arms, her back pressed tightly against a row of railings about the thickness of a finger.

go back.

Go back now!

Chu Jiubian wanted to shout, but he couldn't. He could only run faster.

Bang--

The balcony door was suddenly kicked open violently, and the child was so frightened that he pressed himself even closer to the railing.

The long-neglected railings groaned and creaked, on the verge of collapse.

A tall man rushed out of the house, grabbing the woman's long hair with one hand and holding a half-empty bottle of wine in the other.

Amid the screams and curses of women and the cries of children, he gulped down two mouthfuls of wine, and foul language poured from his mouth.

The woman's face was streaked with tears as she scratched the man's face with her broken fingernails and bit down hard on his arm.

The man cried out in pain and abruptly threw the woman away.

The woman slammed into the railing, causing the already rickety railing to tilt outwards.

The child, who was clinging to it, was caught off guard and rolled backward with the force.

Bang!

The tiny body shattered, the colorful marbles mixed with flesh and blood rolling around on the wet ground, leaving trails of blood.

Countless screams from men and women pierced eardrums.

Chu Jiubian knelt on the ground, his outstretched arms no more than half a meter away from the pool of blood.

After a while, he slowly raised his hand and touched his face, only to find his hand covered in sticky, scarlet blood.

"My lord, the young master's fever has subsided. He must have been exhausted last night; a little more sleep will do him good."

"Okay, go ahead."

Chu Jiubian slowly opened his eyes, and what came into view was an unfamiliar carved bed frame, with wisps of incense wafting into his nostrils.

Daylight broke.

He blinked his slightly sore eyes. His headache was gone, but he felt weak and powerless.

He turned his head and saw Qin Xiao, who had just sent the imperial physician away.

The man must have been awake all night; he was still wearing yesterday's outer garment, and his hair was somewhat disheveled.

Qin Xiao turned to look at the bed and met the young man's scrutinizing gaze.

"You're awake." He said with a natural smile, poured a glass of water from the table, and then brought it to the bedside. "It's already high in the sky, and you can sleep even longer than His Majesty."

Chu Jiubian sat up, took the water he was offered, and drank it all.

Qin Xiao took the cup back and asked, "Want more?"

"No, thank you." Chu Jiubian put on his boots, got out of bed, glanced at the system time, and said, "Where is the sun high in the sky?"

It's not even seven o'clock yet, I'm already awake quite early.

Qin Xiao laughed: "You suddenly fell asleep last night. If I hadn't been quick enough to grab you, you would have knocked His Majesty awake."

Chu Jiubian raised an eyebrow: "Don't you think I'm poisoned?"

Qin Xiao's expression became unnatural for a moment, but then he bowed respectfully to him: "If it were me, I would not have been so cautious. I hope you will forgive me, young master."

"Alright." Chu Jiubian smoothed his hair. "How is His Majesty? Has he woken up?"

"The fever has subsided. She woke up for a while, drank some porridge, and then went back to sleep."

"That's good." Chu Jiubian walked out of the hall. "I'll go back and wash up before I come back."

"Okay." Qin Xiao walked out side by side with him.

Chu Jiubian then realized that he was in the west courtyard, which was Qin Xiao's courtyard.

As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, Xiao Xiangzi rushed to greet him, but because Qin Xiao was there, he didn't dare to say much and just followed two steps behind the two of them.

Once they left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Qin Xiao stopped escorting them.

Chu Jiubian took a few steps, then stopped.

He turned around, looking at Qin Xiao with a probing gaze: "I didn't say anything nonsense last night, did I?"

"No," Qin Xiao said.

Chu Jiubian nodded, his gaze falling on the man's stubble that had already sprouted, and then he raised his hand to touch his own.

There seem to be some, but he has never grown fast, so he must be better than Qin Xiao.

Seeing this, Qin Xiao also raised his hand and touched his chin.

Chu Jiubian laughed and turned to leave.

Qin Xiao stared at his retreating figure until he could no longer see him before turning his gaze away.

Meanwhile, the various prefectures in the capital gradually became lively.

Last night, many servants ran around to various places, spreading the news that court would be suspended today to all the mansions.

In the Great Ning Dynasty, there is a three-day rest day. Today was supposed to be a day for court, but it was a day off. Tomorrow is another day off, which means that people can sleep in for two days in a row.

The lower-ranking officials were very comfortable, and almost all of them slept until it was almost time for their shifts.

However, the officials of the first, second, and third ranks still got up as usual when it was time for court, and then, as if by unspoken agreement, they would go to find their superiors before going on duty, or go to their official residence early to chat with familiar colleagues about the events of the previous night.

The young emperor is still young and has recently lost both his mother and father. Given the recent unpredictable weather, it's no surprise that he has caught a cold and developed a high fever.

If he were to leave like this, the capital would descend into complete chaos.

However, with Qin Xiao around, this possibility is extremely slim.

Sure enough, when I got up this morning, I heard that the little emperor's fever had subsided and he had even gotten up and eaten breakfast, so he must be almost fully recovered.

All these messages about the Natural Nourishing Heart Hall were spread by Qin Xiao's people; otherwise, no one would have been able to find out.

The lower-ranking officials gathered in the yamen in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.

"It is said that when the imperial physicians first left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, their faces were pale, they smelled of medicine, and some even had medicine stains on their clothes. It is likely that His Majesty could not swallow those bitter medicines and vomited them up."

Each of them has one or two pampered children, and they all know that children can't stand those medicinal soups; most of them will vomit them up.

"Yes. After that, Grand Tutor Chu left, and soon most of the remaining imperial physicians left the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Their expressions relaxed, and His Majesty should have recovered by then."

"It must be that Grand Tutor Chu also knows some medicine, or perhaps he has some miraculous medicine."

"He truly is a celestial being descended to earth. He can make ice, save lives, and knows so many poets. He's remarkable."

"You really believe he's a god? I think he's just a person with extraordinary abilities."

"With so many talented and extraordinary people, why is it that no one can make ice, and why is it that no one can recite those poems?"

"Leaving aside the matter of ice-making, those poems were merely written by talented people he knew well. How can that prove he is a god?"

“That makes sense. The things that those poems express are the same as those of us mortals, so they must not be gods.”

"Even immortals are mortals who ascend to heaven. Those poems must have been written by the Poet Immortals and Poet Gods before their ascension. Perhaps it was because they were able to create such masterpieces that they were able to ascend."

Opinions vary; some people think the supernatural tales are unbelievable, while others firmly believe in them.

However, it cannot be denied that Chu Jiubian has been the focus of discussion among officials in the capital ever since he appeared.

Unlike the bustling government offices, there weren't so many people arguing in the grand courtyard.

"I heard that as soon as the news of His Majesty's high fever reached Yaotai Residence, Grand Tutor Chu rushed to Yangxin Hall without even having time to put on his clothes properly."

Wang Pengyi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, sat to the left, gently waving a folding fan in his hand.

He was not yet thirty years old, with a gentle and handsome face, truly a refined gentleman, and the most typical "Wang family member" in the eyes of the world.

Sitting in the main seat, Wang Zhiyuan, the Minister of Rites, toyed with a jade pendant in his hand and said slowly, "He certainly knows how to strike a pose."

“Or perhaps he really cares,” Wang Pengyi said. “They spend all their time together, and he’s the Grand Tutor, so who knows, he might have developed feelings for our Emperor.”

"I don't think he's the kind of person who's soft-hearted." Wang Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes and looked outside the hall. "Even that old hag Xiao Yu couldn't get anything out of him, let alone that three-year-old child?"

Xiao Huaiguan was the most cunning old fox in the Xiao family. Even if he didn't get any benefits from Chu Jiubian, he wouldn't show it.

Wang Zhiyuan entered officialdom around the same time as him, and their rivalry lasted for decades, so he knew each other's temperament better than anyone else.

Therefore, when he heard yesterday that Xiao Huaiguan had not personally escorted Chu Jiubian to the Ministry of Personnel, he knew that the negotiations had failed and that Xiao Huaiguan had even suffered a setback at Chu Jiubian's hands.

Moreover, the scouts reported that Xiao Huaiguan had even treated Chu Jiubian with the courtesy due to an equal. For this old man who always liked to rely on his seniority, the only reason he could do this was out of fear of Chu Jiubian, placing him on the same level as himself.

Wang Zhiyuan didn't believe that such a "Ninth Prince" and such a "Grand Tutor" could develop feelings for a little boy they had only known for a few days.

Wang Pengyi said thoughtfully, "According to you, Grand Tutor Chu has not yet made a decision?"

Yesterday morning at court, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao cooperated almost flawlessly, and even the young emperor provided a crucial assist at a critical moment.

Wang Pengyi, and many of his subordinates, actually felt that Chu Jiubian was most likely to choose to side with Qin Xiao and the young emperor.

After all, they are the orthodox faction, the one with the most influence in the open, and Qin Xiao has the upper hand by giving Chu Jiubian such great power. This deal couldn't have been made in exchange for Chu Jiubian's ice-making technique; there must have been something else involved.

Who knows, the content of that deal might determine Chu Jiubian's future "position" in the capital.

Wang Zhiyuan, nearing seventy, was still full of energy, looking down at the jade pendant in his hand.

Chu Jiubian's background is mysterious and unpredictable, and he does indeed possess some real skills.

Now neither of them knows where the other comes from or what their purpose is.

Previously, they had all considered recruiting him out of fear and self-interest.

But now this fear has grown deeper and deeper, and it has begun to become their "biggest threat".

This person moves among various powerful forces. He has only been in the capital for a few days, but he has already disrupted the original situation. If this continues, who knows what will happen?

"This Grand Tutor Chu is truly unfathomable," Wang Zhiyuan sighed softly, a flash of ruthlessness and killing intent crossing his eyes.

Wang Pengyi slightly composed himself: "Then we must..."

He tentatively looked at Shangguan, who was in the main seat and was also his own grandfather.

In this situation, it seems that killing Chu Jiubian directly would be the best option.

But it was still a living, breathing human life.

Wang Zhiyuan's gaze fell on his face, making him look away.

“Don’t be like your father, so soft-hearted,” Wang Zhiyuan coldly rebuked. “Even if a person has no intention of harming a tiger, a tiger may still have the intention to hurt a person. Always remember this saying.”

Wang Pengyi quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Grandfather's words are correct."

"Alright, go to your shift."

"Yes." Wang Pengyi slowly stepped out of the door, and then slowly left the main courtyard.

The four great families have many large houses, and several generations of their direct descendants live on this street, divided into independent courtyards, with a dozen or twenty gates in each mansion.

The Wang family was no exception. In the middle of the row of courtyards was the main residence of the patriarch Wang Huanzhi and his sons and nephews, and there was also a unique gate with a plaque that read "Langya Wang Clan".

Wang Zhiyuan was Wang Huanzhi's uncle, and his residence was right next to the main house.

Wang Pengyi walked out of the mansion and came to the long street in front of it.

There were no other houses on this street. You could walk to the end of the street and then onto Shenwu Avenue. Then, you could turn north and enter Chang'an Avenue, where the Ministry of Revenue was located.

It stopped raining at this point, but the sky remained overcast, and it would probably rain a little more later.

The cool weather was unusual, but Wang Pengyi felt a bit annoyed, so he didn't ask anyone to drive him. Instead, he took an umbrella and slowly walked forward.

It rained all night, but there was no standing water on the bluestone ground, only some dampness.

Grandfather was right. His father was indeed a pedantic scholar who only cared about his studies, with the aloofness and pride unique to literati, as well as the soft heart that some Confucian scholars possess.

He was concerned about the country and its people, but he also despised officialdom and couldn't understand the intrigue and deceit. As a result, his father was never entrusted with important responsibilities and was only a great Confucian scholar who lectured and debated on the classics.

Unlike his father, Wang Pengyi could see the situation clearly.

But like his father, he also detested intrigue and power struggles.

But there was no other way. As a member of the Wang family, he had accepted the best that his family had given him, and he should also give everything for his family.

He knew his grandfather would go out today to meet those powerful officials who could turn the tide of events at will, and that they would point their swords at the palace and at the mysterious Ninth Prince.

No one knew the other's identity or purpose, but out of fear and to prevent further unforeseen circumstances, they decided to deprive a young life of its preciousness.

Wang Pengyi knew all this, but could only watch helplessly.

This is not the first time, and it will not be the last.

Suddenly, someone lightly patted his shoulder, pulling Wang Pengyi out of his thoughts. Turning his head, he saw a handsome man of similar height to himself.

The man wore a loose, ill-fitting dark green robe, his slightly curly long hair cascading down his back. With the occasional cool breeze, the strands of hair danced restlessly, just like their owner, unconventional and free-spirited.

Wang Pengyi smiled unconsciously and asked, "Qichen, where are you going so early in the morning?"

"Naturally, it was a rendezvous with a beautiful woman, to drink and make merry."

Wang Qichen opened his folding fan and gently shook it. His fox-like eyes gleamed with a clear light, making him look every bit the playboy.

Wang Pengyi laughed and said, "I really envy you, always laughing like a carefree fool."

"My cousin is making fun of me."

"How about it? Are you going to make fun of me back?"

"No, of all my cousins, you're the best to me."

Wang Pengyi glanced at him sideways: "Short of money again?"

“My cousin understands me,” Wang Qichen said with a smile.

Wang Pengyi chuckled and took out a purse from his pocket, but before he could open it, it was snatched away by the person next to him.

“Take the money. The purse was embroidered by your sister-in-law,” he said.

"I know." Wang Qichen took out a few ingots of gold and returned the purse.

Wang Pengyi put the half-empty purse into his chest and said, "It's lighter now."

Wang Qichen was overjoyed.

The two parted ways in front of Shenwu Street, and Wang Pengyi felt that his depressed mood had improved a lot.

Wang Qichen walked slowly all the way and finally arrived at Jinxiufang before the rain started.

The best restaurant in Jinxiufang is the Jinxiu Restaurant, which belongs to the emperor. It is located in the very center of the street and has the most complete selection of everything. Even the storyteller is the fastest talker in the capital.

Wang Qichen had only taken a few steps into Jinxiufang when a light drizzle began to fall.

He then covered his head with the fan and hurried toward the Jinxiu Restaurant.

The restaurant hadn't officially opened yet at this time; only the waiters were busy preparing to welcome guests.

Wang Qichen was a frequent visitor. There was a bedroom on the top floor of the restaurant, so if he arrived early or drank late, he would stay there.

He knew the way well and arrived at the restaurant. As he was walking into the room, he brushed past someone.

He stepped inside, put down his fan, and turned around.

All that could be seen was the back of a man dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and wearing a straw hat. In just one glance, the man had already disappeared around the street corner. His speed was so fast that he was definitely a master.

"Young Master Jiyue has arrived." The innkeeper personally came to greet him. "It's cold outside, please come in and sit down."

Wang Qichen's courtesy name was Jiyue. Because people often called him that and teased him about it, and Wang Qichen himself didn't care, it gradually became his nickname.

"Who was that person just now?" Wang Qichen asked.

The innkeeper smiled and said, "He's just a wandering swordsman. It rained heavily last night, so he stopped here temporarily."

A chivalrous knight-errant.

Wang Qichen stepped upstairs, wondering what kind of chivalrous figure would enter the capital at this time.

He's probably someone's retainer.

The high walls of the imperial palace.

A figure silently passed over the numerous palaces.

An Wuji was eating meat buns with several subordinates by a palace wall, chatting about the martial arts tournament a while ago and the martial arts leader who had won the top spot for three consecutive terms and nine years.

A faint whistling sound reached his ears, and An Wuji's sharp eyes suddenly turned to look in a certain direction.

The subordinate beside him immediately stopped smiling: "Sir?"

An Wuji withdrew his gaze and smiled, "It's nothing."

==

Baili Hong didn't get up until almost ten o'clock. At that time, Qin Xiao was called to the west courtyard by Qin Chaoyang, and only Chu Jiubian and Hong Fu stayed by his side.

The child groggily got up, rubbed his swollen eyes with his little hands, and his hair was messy from sleeping.

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Hong hurried over and gently wiped his eyes with a clean handkerchief, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Chu Jiubian, who was reading memorials, also walked to the bedside.

"No, it's just that my eyes are swollen." The little boy smiled at Hongfu and reached out to touch his head. "Grandpa, don't be sad."

He saw it yesterday, and Grandpa Hong cried with him.

It was the same when his mother was alive; every time he cried, his mother would cry, and so would Eunuch Hong.

Hong Fu's eyes welled up with tears, but his smile became even gentler: "As Your Majesty would like to hear, this servant is not sad. This servant will go and prepare water for you to wash up."

Baili Hong nodded, and Hong Fu stood up, bowed to Chu Jiubian, and then left.

"Sir." The little boy looked up at Chu Jiubian with admiration, "Sir, you are so amazing. I felt better after taking your medicine, and it wasn't bitter at all."

This angelic little baby, with her sweet, childlike voice, comforts others, tells them not to be sad, and sincerely thanks them, expressing her own thoughts—no one could resist her charm.

Chu Jiubian stretched out his hands towards him and said, "Your Majesty, would you like to be held by the gentleman?"

There were no palace servants openly serving in the bedchamber, so no one except the secret guards knew about Chu Jiubian's actions.

The little boy looked around with his round eyes. Seeing that no one else was around, he temporarily put aside what his uncle had told him about being "steady" and happily got up and rushed into Chu Jiubian's arms.

He remembered the embrace from last night; it was warm, unlike his uncle's stiff embrace.

Chu Jiubian held him firmly and lifted him high in the air.

No child dislikes playing this, and Baili Hong immediately burst out laughing.

Chu Jiubian looked at the child's smile, and a smile also appeared in his eyes.

Now he can hold a small child firmly in his arms.

The little one in my arms suddenly started thrashing about, excitedly stretching out his arms toward the door and calling out "Uncle!"

Chu Jiubian turned around with the child in his arms and saw Qin Xiao walking slowly towards him.

As soon as he got close, Baili Hong reached out and grabbed the shirt in front of his chest.

Chu Jiubian glanced in that direction subconsciously and saw the slightly raised outline of muscles under the fabric.

He suddenly recalled the feel of that hand; it was very elastic and easy to squeeze.

Qin Xiao pulled Baili Hong into his arms and looked up to see the young man seemingly casually glancing at his chest.