Chapter 63 Warning Warning

After entering the Divine Realm, Chu Jiubian immediately called the system: "Draw a card."

He still had several duplicate cards in his hand, and he could draw Qin Xiao by using any of them.

[Insufficient points detected to draw new cards. Host, would you like to draw a follower from an existing card?]

"yes."

Okay. You now have one Wealth Card, one Armed Forces Card, and two Charm Cards. Please select one.

Chu Jiubian chose the Charm Card. After using it this time, he would keep one of each of the remaining three cards.

The charm card was flipped over, revealing four character cards.

They're all old acquaintances.

Besides Wang Qichen, there was also Grandpa Hongfu and He'an Wuji.

Finally, there's Qin Xiao.

Chu Jiubian decisively reached out and grasped the card that belonged to Qin Xiao.

The next moment, the entire divine realm suddenly began to shake violently, red light flashed, and a piercing alarm blared.

The system's mechanical voice also became intermittent: [Warning—Warning—]

Not recommended!

【Not recommended】

Chu Jiubian felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if countless needles were frantically stimulating his internal organs.

Boom—

The dragon-carved pillars erected in the divine realm collapsed with a roar, one after another.

The chair and steps beneath Chu Jiubian suddenly plummeted into the endless pure white space, and he himself fell with a strong sense of weightlessness, but never landed on solid ground.

Just like when he fell from the oppressive aura, it seemed as if the fall would never end.

Just like himself, he was always on the road to death, yet always held on by a desire to live, neither dying completely nor living peacefully.

He coughed up a mouthful of blood, which stained the young man's disheveled silver hair and pure white robes, as well as the drifting clouds in the divine realm.

The clouds were instantly stained with blood. After a moment of stillness, the clouds suddenly transformed into two enormous arms, which caught Chu Jiubian and prevented him from falling further.

After an unknown amount of time, Chu Jiubian suddenly opened his eyes and found himself back on his bed in the bedroom.

At the same time, a metallic sweetness filled his throat, causing him to choke and cough.

He clutched his chest and leaned over the edge of the bed, gagging several times before finally suppressing the metallic taste of blood in his throat.

Chu Jiubian's eyes were bloodshot, his whole body was soaked in cold sweat, his hair was stuck to his face, and he looked utterly disheveled.

His eyelashes were lowered, but there was a hint of madness in his eyes.

He called the system again and entered the divine realm.

Everything in the divine realm has been restored to its original state, and even he himself has once again sat on his high divine throne.

Just like when he was outside, his face was deathly pale, and there was blood on his lips and cheeks. He looked utterly disheveled.

“Summon Qin Xiao.” His voice was hoarse, but his tone was unusually calm.

[Host, the system does not recommend that you extract this follower, nor does it suggest that you continue to try.]

"I didn't draw the card just now, so it doesn't count as me using it, right?" Chu Jiu asked.

No, that doesn't count.

“Okay,” Chu Jiu argued, “draw the weapon card.”

The system remained silent for a while before slowly unfolding the weapon card.

Without hesitation, Chu Jiubian once again grasped the card that belonged to Qin Xiao.

The divine realm collapsed once again. Amidst the piercing alarm, Chu Jiubian felt as if his internal organs were being pierced.

The clouds and mist transformed into a giant hand once again to catch him, this time with even more skill than before.

When he opened his eyes again, Chu Jiubian was back in the bedroom, a mouthful of bright red blood gushing from his mouth, and his vision became somewhat blurred.

"System," he called out again in his mind.

The system's usually calm, mechanical voice sounded somewhat anxious as it said, "Host, please stop trying! This is the system creator's setting, and no one can defy it!"

Chu Jiubian's eyes instantly regained their clarity: "System creator? Who is it? What did he set up? Why can't I draw Qin Xiao?"

The system didn't answer any of the series of questions, only stating: "For the host's personal safety, the system is temporarily closing the Divine Realm function. It will be reopened for you at noon tomorrow."

[During the closure of the Divine Realm, if any believers request an audience, the system will inform the host. The host can rest assured and recuperate to better complete the mission. (The injuries on the host's body are a system side effect and will heal in six hours; no medical attention is required.)]

After saying this, the system completely shut down, ignoring whatever Chu Jiubian said next.

Chu Jiubian lay by the bedside for a long time before struggling to get up. He dragged his almost crippled body to the table, poured water, and rinsed his mouth.

He now genuinely feels that leaving someone outside is a good idea, so he doesn't have to get out of bed himself in situations like this.

But it was just a thought. Today it's getting colder and colder. The palace servants are cold even in their own rooms, let alone sleeping on the floor.

Chu Jiubian was thinking about finding some time to make the "iron stove" or even just a ground heating system, which should be warmer than using a charcoal brazier.

That said, recently all the affairs of the court have fallen on Chu Jiubian's shoulders, and he has delegated many tasks to the Directorate of Ceremonial and Qin Chaoyang.

Therefore, Hong Fu has rarely had any free time lately, and even Xiao Xiangzi has been unable to serve Chu Jiubian by his side, instead running around with his master every day.

Xiao Jinzi and Xiao Yinzi were often seconded to help out. Chu Jiubian didn't mind; on the contrary, he hoped that these children could grow up. So the two of them were also very busy.

All sorts of miscellaneous tasks within Yaotai Residence fell to Shuiqing and Shuiyun.

The two young palace maids grew up at an astonishing rate, and when they went out, other young palace maids would respectfully call them "elder sister".

Chu Jiubian's thoughts faltered.

It seems he's really hurt. What has he been thinking about?

He dragged his weary body to the bedside, sat down, and slowly lay down.

Even though I was very careful, my chest and abdomen still hurt as if they had been ripped open.

After lying down, the pain showed no signs of abating, but it didn't worsen either. The system even said that it would be completely healed in six hours.

Chu Jiubian felt that this might be the system's "punishment" device.

It will hurt you, but it won't kill you; it's just a lesson to teach you a lesson.

That's really awful. I wonder who made this system. It's just insane.

He was lost in thought, trying to distract himself so he wouldn't have to worry about his injuries.

Then he couldn't help but think of Qin Xiao.

It turns out that the "not recommended" message that kept appearing on the card really meant it. If he had insisted on going against the grain, this is the result he's in now.

If you don't recommend it, why not just not mention the person in the first place?

Is the system perhaps engaging in "entrapment"?

Chu Jiubian couldn't help but recall the cards he had drawn before. All the identity cards that had appeared flashed before his eyes, and his thoughts became exceptionally clear at this moment.

Therefore, he also discovered the strangeness.

From the initial Jiang Shuoye and Si Tu Zhaoling, to the later Wang Qichen and Qin Chuan, and finally Lu Yao.

The system gave Chu Jiubian several options each time, but in the end, he seemed to always choose the card that the system marked "recommended".

It was as if the system itself was guiding him to choose these people; one could even say that these believers were his "only" choice.

Causal system.

Chu Jiubian pondered these four words, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Is the selection of these people a "cause" or an "effect"?

He traveled to Da Ning, where he met Qin Xiao and Baili Hong. What were the causes and effects of these encounters?

Chu Jiubian's thoughts were sometimes clear and sometimes chaotic, until dawn, when he finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, when Xiao Jinzi came in with a basin of hot water to call him to wash up, she saw the dried bloodstains on his face. Her scream not only alerted everyone else in the courtyard but also woke Chu Jiubian.

Chu Jiubian suddenly opened his eyes and subconsciously raised his hand to touch his chest.

There was no pain at all, just as the system itself said. Six hours later, he was completely healed.

Chu Jiubian: "..."

He sat up and saw the flustered group of people. He quickly stopped Xiao Yinzi, who was about to go find the imperial physician, and said, "I'm fine, I just had a nosebleed."

He dared not say "vomiting blood," or these people would be terrified.

Sure enough, everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing his words.

It's normal for people to have nosebleeds when they're hot-tempered, and it's not unusual for a healthy young man like Chu Jiubian to have a nosebleed occasionally.

Xiao Xiangzi helped him up after finishing his work and said with concern, "Young master, we servants should leave someone to keep watch at night from now on. You see, we servants don't know what happened last night. If we had known, we certainly wouldn't have let you sleep like this all night."

Chu Jiubian didn't intentionally not wash his face; he was simply too exhausted last night.

"No need," he refused. "This was an accident. I'll call you next time."

"Okay," Xiao Xiangzi reluctantly agreed.

"There's no need to tell His Majesty about this," Chu Jiubian instructed again.

Previously, Xiao Xiangzi would report every detail of his affairs to Qin Xiao, but at some point, Qin Xiao stopped asking questions, and Xiao Xiangzi stopped saying much either.

Chu Jiubian told him not to say anything because he didn't want the child to worry.

Xiao Xiangzi knew his good intentions, so he told everyone else to keep quiet as well.

After washing up, Chu Jiubian felt refreshed and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for breakfast as usual.

Today was a day off, so after eating, he went out for a walk with Baili Hong. Xiao Xiangzi and the others went to the Directorate of Ceremonial, leaving only Xiao Yuzi to serve them.

The three walked one after the other on the palace road.

Chu Jiubian looked down at his side, where a little boy was walking with his short legs, huffing and puffing.

As the weather gets cooler, the children have also changed into their autumn clothes.

His slightly thicker clothes made him look short and stocky, and he walked even slower than before.

Baili Hong noticed the gaze and looked up at him as well.

Upon meeting the man's gaze, the child immediately smiled, revealing a set of bright white teeth. His eyes were clear and bright, no longer showing the listlessness he had displayed in the days following Qin Xiao's departure.

Chu Jiubian really wanted to rub his little face, but since they were outside, he didn't reach out and just smiled slightly.

Baili Hong blinked his big eyes and asked, "Sir, how long until my uncle comes back?"

This is the umpteenth time the child has asked this question since Qin Xiao left.

But Chu Jiubian didn't try to fool him, nor did he show any impatience. Instead, he carefully calculated before saying, "The army should have already reached Gansu, and should be back in about three months."

Every time Baili Hong asked this question before, Chu Jiubian was unsure, so his answers were always somewhat vague.

This was the first time he had given a relatively accurate time. Baili Hong was initially delighted, but then his face fell as he said, "Three months? Does that mean Uncle won't make it in time for the New Year?"

It's already October, and Chinese New Year is on December 31st, so there are less than three months left.

“If he hadn’t returned with the soldiers, perhaps he could have made it in time,” Chu Jiu argued.

Traveling light, it will only take half a month for Qin Xiao to return to Beijing from Gansu. Who knows, he might actually be able to make it back in time.

"That's great!" The child's eyes lit up, and he counted on his fingers again and again.

Uncle will be back soon, and he can celebrate the New Year with him!

Chu Jiubian smiled as he watched the boy's excited expression. He figured the little guy would be counting down the days for the next three months.

He didn't say anything to discourage the other party, but he didn't actually have much hope.

There is no doubt that Qin Xiao was able to conquer Gansu, but it remains to be seen whether he will continue his pursuit and drive the Sai army to even more distant places.

That would take even longer.

And Qin Xiao himself, it's already a miracle that he, a person with serious injuries, was able to return to the capital conscious, so how could he possibly get back to the capital first?

Thinking of this, Chu Jiubian's eyes darkened.

Since the system wouldn't let him draw Qin Xiao's attention, he could only rely on Qin Xiao's letters and the information channels from Qin Chuan.

But no matter which one it is, there is a delay.

The information he received earlier actually occurred three or five days ago, but now he doesn't know what the situation is like on Qin Xiao's side.

We don't even know if he's already injured...

Chu Jiubian frowned and stopped thinking about it.

Qin Xiao will definitely come back alive. Even if he is injured, he won't die. There's nothing to worry about.

The three of them walked to the Imperial Garden.

The child got tired and pulled Chu Jiubian to sit down together, preparing to rest for a while.

Before long, they suddenly saw two embroiderers from the Imperial Clothing Bureau rushing over from a distance, clearly looking for them.

As the weather gradually cools down, the masters, eunuchs, and palace maids in the palace have all changed into thicker clothes. The palace servants, however, are not in a hurry to make new ones and can make do with last year's clothes for a few days.

However, the masters all had to wear new clothes. Although the only true masters in the palace now were the emperor and the empress dowager, there were also some concubines and consorts left over from the reign of Emperor Yingzong, as well as Baili Hong's two brothers who were not yet ten years old.

Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian also live on the former dynasty side; these all need to be prepared.

And there are only three months left until the Chinese New Year.

This is Baili Hong's first year on the throne, so it must be celebrated with extra solemnity.

Therefore, the embroiderers have been constantly checking and revising the dragon robes that Baili Hong will wear for the New Year Festival, as well as the first-rank court robes of Chu Jiubian, and the princely python robes of Qin Xiao and the other seven vassal kings.

All of these need to be prepared by the Imperial Clothing Bureau.

Furthermore, because it was the beginning of the new year, even the clothes of high-ranking officials of the first and second ranks needed to be bestowed by the palace.

One person needs six sets of clothes: three for summer and three for winter. That's enough for a year.

Therefore, from the moment Baili Hong ascended the throne, the entire Shangyi Bureau never rested.

The two embroiderers who came over now are named Linju and Shuangchun.

They often came to meet with Eunuch Hong or Xiao Xiangzi, and even took Chu Jiubian's measurements, so Chu Jiubian had a good impression of them.

The reason for the arrival of these two people is unknown.

Both embroiderers were head maids in the Imperial Clothing Bureau, but although they were called maids, they were actually only in their early twenties, in the prime of their lives.

The two walked to the outside of the pavilion, bowed properly, and inquired about the well-being of Baili Hong and Chu Jiubian.

Since the masters were hesitant to speak, Xiaoyu asked with a smile, "Do you two aunts have something to report?"

“Indeed.” Shuangchun responded gently, then looked at Baili Hong and Chu Jiubian and said, “We went to Yangxin Hall to pay our respects just now, and when we heard that our masters had come here, we came looking for them. We beg Your Majesty and the officials not to blame us.”

Spying on the emperor's whereabouts is a major taboo, so she first explained that she had not followed him, but had gone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to obtain information through official channels before coming here.

Baili Hong asked, "What business do you have with me?"

Having spent a lot of time with Chu Jiubian, he sometimes spoke less formally and more down-to-earth than others.

Shuangchun then said, "Thank you for your leniency, Your Majesty. We did come to Your Majesty and the Lord to ask you about something. We wonder if palace maids like us can participate in the imperial examinations."

Baili Hong looked at Chu Jiubian.

He knew a little about the imperial examination system, but only about what it was for and what its benefits were.

The specific procedures and requirements are too complicated for children to understand.

Chu Jiubian looked at the two of them and asked, "Why do you want to take the imperial examination?"

These two women were already palace maids. Although there was no such thing as a female official in Da Ning, they had already gained some power and wealth.

By the time they turned twenty-five, they could actually leave the palace. Although they would no longer have power, they would still have wealth to rely on. Once they left the palace, they could still live a prosperous life based on their status in the Imperial Wardrobe.

Linju is one year younger than Shuangchun, but she is already twenty-three this year.

Her expression was colder and harder than Shuangchun's, and she said firmly, "To be honest, sir, we servants will all reach the age of leaving the palace in the next year or the year after. But we servants do not want to be just ordinary embroiderers after leaving the palace, with no hope of ever seeing the end of our lives."

Shuangchun seemed to want to say something nice, but hesitated and ultimately didn't lie.

Chu Jiubian's expression was indifferent, and his tone was also aloof and distant, making it impossible for people to understand his thoughts.

But the palace servants whispered among themselves that Grand Tutor Chu was not as cold as he appeared; in fact, he was a very gentle deity and master.

Therefore, even though he deliberately remained silent for a long time, the two embroiderers were not too panicked, only a little nervous.

Of course, this wasn't because they took advantage of Chu Jiubian's kind heart, but because they were simply telling the truth. Compared to deceiving Shangguan with grand words, they felt no guilt for telling the truth.

They are quite composed.

Chu Jiubian was fairly satisfied.

If these two embroiderers weren't capable, they wouldn't have reached their current positions of leadership.

It just so happens that a weaving workshop is already under construction in the capital. Once the embroiderers who pass the imperial examinations are successful, they will go to the weaving workshop to learn.

The two embroiderers Qin Xiao had previously hired were only responsible for teaching, but not for management.

However, Shuangchun and Linju clearly have management experience, and they are ambitious and courageous. If they could have more flexible ideas, it would seem like a good choice to let them oversee the future operation of the weaving workshop.

“Okay,” Chu Jiu argued, “but the first round of scientific expeditions has already passed.”

The two embroiderers' expressions remained unchanged, but their clasped hands tightened.

Seeing their reaction, Chu Jiubian was even more pleased.

Then, changing the subject, he said, "Within three days, each of you must prepare an embroidery piece and send it to me. I will personally test you then. If you pass, you can directly enter the weaving workshop as officials."

Special cases are handled specially. For example, many scholars were specially recruited to become officials in the grain transport sector, so it wouldn't hurt to have a couple more in the textile bureau.

If anyone tries to take such a shortcut in the future, Chu Jiubian will not give them another chance. Opportunities are meant for the fastest and most prepared people.

Shuangchun and Linju's eyes lit up, and they kowtowed repeatedly to express their gratitude.

Their desire to take the imperial examinations stemmed from their ambition to enter the textile workshop, which was their specialty. Moreover, the textile workshop was located outside the palace, meaning that even if they left the palace, they could continue to serve as managers.

No, it should be called "female official"!

They can become officials too!

The two were extremely grateful and hurriedly prepared to go back and work on the embroidery.

Chu Jiubian stopped them and said, "Tell the other embroiderers that after they leave the palace at the age of twenty-five, they can go directly to the weaving workshop to apply for a job. If they perform well, they can continue to serve His Majesty and the court."

Thus, the Imperial Clothing Bureau would serve as a springboard to the weaving workshops, attracting many people eager to come to the palace, thus preventing the embroiderers from all going to the weaving workshops and leaving the Imperial Clothing Bureau unattended.

The two embroiderers were delighted and agreed in unison before preparing to leave.

"Wait a minute," Chu Jiubian called out to them again.

The two embroiderers stopped again, waiting for him to speak.

Surprisingly, Chu Jiubian remained silent for a long time.

Baili Hong turned his head and looked at him with a pair of innocent and bright eyes. Why isn't the gentleman saying anything?

Chu Jiubian's expression remained unchanged as he gently tapped his knee with his fingertips.

Only when the two embroiderers began to feel uneasy did he ask, "Has Prince Ning asked you to embroider jasmine before?"

Shuangchun nodded and said, "Yes, it was embroidered by me personally on a handkerchief."

Prince Ning hadn't told her to hide it, and since the two masters in front of her were closest to Qin Xiao, she assumed there was something more to the handkerchief and dared not conceal it at all.

"Was it July 12th?" Chu Jiubian asked again.

“That’s right,” Shuangchun said. “That day happened to be my birthday, so I remember it clearly.”

She only answers what needs to be answered and never asks any more questions.

Chu Jiubian curled his fingertips slightly and said, "Alright, go down."

After the two embroiderers had walked away, Baili Hongcai looked up at Chu Jiu and asked, "Sir, wasn't July 12th the day it started raining heavily? Why did Uncle ask someone to embroider jasmine on the handkerchief?"

Chu Jiubian's Adam's apple bobbed.

He couldn't very well say that on that rainy day, he and Qin Xiao were covered in the scent of jasmine while under the corridor of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

He then happened to wipe his hands with one of Qin Xiao's handkerchiefs, and the other party even took the handkerchief back...

He was now certain that the jasmine-embroidered handkerchief in Qin Xiao's arms was indeed the one he had used.

But he couldn't very well explain it to the children like that.

"Sir?" Baili Hong asked in surprise, "Why are your ears so red?"

Xiaoyu stood behind him. Upon hearing this, she glanced at Chu Jiubian secretly, then quickly looked away, suppressing the smile on her lips.

Your Majesty is young and intelligent, but he doesn't understand these matters of love and affection.

But he knew that it was very unusual for Prince Ning to suddenly have jasmine flowers planted all over the courtyard.

The fact that Grand Tutor Chu asked about jasmine and handkerchiefs today must mean that these two things have some special meaning for them.

"I saw Qin Xiao had a very nice handkerchief before," Chu Jiubian said, half-jokingly, "Just asking."

"Wow, if even the master says it's beautiful, then it must be beautiful." Baili Hong said, propping his little face up. "I'll definitely take a look when my uncle comes back."

Chu Jiubian raised his eyes and gazed at the sky in the northwest, feeling a tightness in his chest and some irritation.

After returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation from the Imperial Garden, Chu Jiubian and Baili Hong each started their own work.

The child learned Arabic numerals from Chu Jiubian yesterday and found them very interesting, so he has been studying them all day.

Chu Jiubian quickly reviewed the memorials.

After an unknown amount of time, Qin Chaoyang suddenly entered from outside and handed the secret letter in his hand to Chu Jiubian, saying, "Young Master, it's a letter from the Northwest."

Chu Jiubian's heart skipped a beat. He quickly took the envelope and saw that the envelope was written in large, flamboyant characters: "[To be opened by the young master]".