Chapter 75 The New Year is Coming

Inside the quiet room, the howling wind outside and the few light taps on the window were extremely clear.

Qin Xiao suddenly stood up, accidentally aggravating his wound, and touched it with his hand.

He glanced out the window, then turned his head to look at the person lying inside, momentarily at a loss for how to react.

Chu Jiu guessed who the person was, so he sat up and looked at Qin Xiao's blurry figure in the darkness.

There was only one knock outside the window, and then there was no response.

Chu Jiubian smiled silently, the heat on his face dissipating, his heart as still as water.

Qin Xiao trusted him enough to entrust him with his power and the safety and future of Baili Hong. However, he also kept some things from him. For example, in the current situation, Qin Xiao would definitely not let him know who was outside.

Let's go then. We can't let Qin Xiao, who is ill, go out and meet people in the wind and snow.

He threw back the covers, intending to get out of bed, when he suddenly heard a deep male voice say, "You lie down first."

As he spoke, Qin Xiao got up and got out of bed, casually pulling down the bed curtains to block the view.

Chu Jiubian was somewhat bewildered.

Qin Xiao put on his shoes and an outer robe, then walked to the table. As he lit the lamp with a tinderbox, he said to the window, "Come in."

The window opened, and a dark shadow rushed into the room along with the wind and snow.

As the window closed again, Qin Xiao lit the oil lamp.

The room was lit by a dim, yellow light. Chu Jiubian sat inside the bed curtains, and could vaguely see two figures standing by the table. They were both tall and upright, but Qin Xiao looked a little broader in the shoulders.

The other person had their back to the bed curtains, so Chu Jiubian couldn't see their face, but he knew without looking that it was Qin Chuan.

The room inside the bed curtains was dimly lit, and people outside couldn't see anything unless they got close, but Qin Chuan still tactfully didn't turn around, always keeping his back to the bed.

"Sit down." Qin Xiao sat down himself and poured Qin Chuan a cup of hot tea, handing it to him.

Qin Chuan sat down opposite him, took the tea and drank it all, only then did he feel a little more relaxed.

After receiving the high priest's permission, he immediately set off, traveling non-stop, and finally arrived that night after a day and a night.

He carefully examined Qin Xiao's complexion. Although he looked a bit thinner, he seemed to be in good spirits.

"Don't worry," Qin Xiao said. "I had already sent someone to tell you, but I didn't expect you to come by yourself."

The first thing he did after waking up was to see Qin Chaoyang and ask him to pass the message on to Qin Chuan.

But before the news could reach them, Qin Chuan had already set off for this place.

Of course, he saw the letter. Even though the high priest assured him that Qin Xiao was alright, he still wanted to see it with his own eyes to put his mind at ease.

"Well, I didn't come here to see you," Qin Chuan said. "It's the New Year holiday, I just wanted to come to the capital to see the festivities and check on your injury."

Qin Xiao smiled and said, "Now you see, Chu Jiubian saved me, I'm fine."

Mentioning Chu Jiubian, he couldn't help but glance into the bed curtains.

Qin Chuan noticed his gaze, and his expression immediately turned strange.

Just now, outside, he heard Qin Xiao talking to someone, and he initially thought that the other person had come to their senses and found a companion.

But to my surprise, it was Chu Jiubian!

Are these two really getting together?

Qin Chuan thought of the lofty god in the divine realm, then looked at Qin Xiao, his feelings unusually complicated.

He knew that Qin Xiao was very powerful, unique in the world, and perhaps the most worthy of Chu Jiubian.

But the premise is "human," but now there is also a "deity" paying attention to Chu Jiubian.

Although the high priest himself did not mention it, the other party's actions were all indirectly helping Chu Jiubian, and the relationship between them was ambiguous and complicated.

But now Chu Jiubian is actually with Qin Xiao...

Qin Chuan didn't know how to react, but instinctively wanted to remind the other person.

However, when the words reached his lips, he couldn't say anything.

Qin Xiao noticed his hesitation and asked, "What do you want to say?"

After a moment of silence, Qin Chuan said dryly, "You, you're really good."

Daring to associate with gods is something not everyone can do.

Qin Xiao frowned slightly: "What?"

Chu Jiubian seemed to understand his meaning, and was somewhat speechless and embarrassed.

What's it like to be caught cheating?

That's too weird, isn't it?

"No, it's nothing." Qin Chuan's words were cryptic.

Qin Xiao didn't know what his reaction was, but he didn't delve into it. He changed the subject and asked, "Is there anything else?"

"That's all." Qin Chuan paused, then added, "I'll leave after the New Year."

Qin Xiao nodded: "Will you be staying in the palace?"

"I'm going back to the manor." Qin Chuan got up and walked to the window. Before leaving, he couldn't help but turn back to look at Qin Xiao and say, "Take care of yourself."

Qin Xiao smiled and said, "I know."

He thought Qin Chuan was concerned about his injuries, but in fact, the other party was concerned about other things.

Being with gods, I wonder if mortals could bear it.

Qin Chuan wanted to find an opportunity to ask the High Priest, but this was like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth, so he decided to give up.

After Qin Chuan left, the room fell silent again.

Chu Jiubian belatedly realized what he had just experienced.

Qin Xiao didn't hide Qin Chuan's presence at all, and even chatted with him openly.

His mind was in a mess, and he didn't know how to face Qin Xiao.

So, when Qin Xiao blew out the lamp, walked over, and lifted the bed curtain, he saw the young man lying with his back to him, almost completely huddled under the covers.

Qin Xiao got into bed and lay flat on his back.

Chu Jiubian's body was tense, and his eyes were closed.

"Qin Chuan, my own younger brother." Qin Xiao's voice was very soft, and he continued, regardless of whether Chu Jiubian was already asleep, "He left home at a young age and lived alone outside, never receiving any protection from the Qin family."

“We are both legitimate sons, but I enjoy wealth and honor in the capital, while he cannot even see his family in the martial arts world.”

"We all owe him."

Chu Jiubian closed his eyes, but his tense body gradually relaxed.

Qin Xiao rarely talks about his family like this. He seems to have no reservations about his inner thoughts: he feels indebted and wants to make amends, but he doesn't know where to start.

Chu Jiubian was emotionally detached and found it hard to understand why Qin Xiao would feel indebted, but he wondered if Qin Xiao had ever said these words to anyone else.

Qin Xiao seemed to have a desire to share with him.

Chu Jiubian habitually avoided the issue, without giving it much thought.

However, he turned over to face Qin Xiao, looking at the man's blurry outline in the darkness.

Qin Xiao stopped talking and stared at him through the darkness, his gaze almost tangible.

After a long while, Qin Xiao spoke again, his voice somewhat low and hoarse: "Don't you think it's a bit hot in this room?"

"It's alright." Chu Jiubian's hands and feet were still cold even after lying there for so long.

"Hmm." Qin Xiao responded, then added, "I'm almost fully recovered. Why don't you go back to Yaotai Residence to sleep tomorrow?"

Is this a way of getting rid of him?

After saying it was hot, she told him to leave, but...

Chu Jiubian raised his eyebrows, moved forward, and got closer to Qin Xiao.

The cold hands touched the man's warm forearms, the muscles on his forearms were obviously tense, whether from the cold or something else, it was hard to tell.

"If it's hot, let it cool down." Chu Jiubian closed his eyes and put his feet close to Qin Xiao's calves, using the warmth of the other's body to warm his feet.

Yaotai Residence didn't have an underground heating system. He went back there today, and the temperature there was incomparable to that here.

Why freeze when you have such good conditions?

In any case, the bed is big enough for the two of them to sleep in.

Qin Xiao felt the coolness on his arms and calves, but didn't move.

Cooling it down does have some effect, but using Chu Jiubian's hands and feet to lower the temperature is not as effective as not cooling it down at all.

==

The next day, the princes formed a long procession and left the city.

The sheer scale of the event was awe-inspiring, yet irresistible, making one want to join in the fun.

Meanwhile, in the Qin residence, Cheng Shuo, who had been unconscious, finally woke up.

Qin Chuan sat inside the room, wearing a mask, his eyes sharply fixed on the other person.

Cheng Shuo was initially dazed, but then gradually remembered everything that had happened.

From the moment he happily accepted the assignment and prepared to accompany Qin Xiao on his expedition, to the dozens of battles that followed, and finally to the conquest of the Sai Kingdom, expanding the territory of Da Ning.

Finally, he remembered that he had asked Qin Xiao for a repeating crossbow and was about to leave with it when he inexplicably lost control, took out the crossbow, and shot it at Qin Xiao.

He remembers nothing after that.

"You've been bewitched." Qin Chuan deliberately lowered his voice, making it sound somewhat hoarse. "Do you know who did this?"

Cheng Shuo assumed he was one of Qin Xiao's secret guards responsible for interrogation and didn't suspect anything. He thought about it carefully for a long time until his head was about to explode before he suddenly remembered a vague fragment.

Before he set off for the campaign, his concubine prepared his travel gear and gave him a sachet, telling him to open it when he was victorious, as it would give him a surprise.

This concubine was named Liu Ayan. He brought her back when he was still guarding the northern desert with Qin Jingzhao. She was an orphan with a clean background.

But now that he thinks about it, he can't remember when he opened the sachet at all, let alone any of the small parts of his memory afterward.

Therefore, Liu Ayan's identity is the most suspicious.

Qin Chuan immediately got up and went out, ordering someone to bring Liu Ayan back.

Cheng Shuo's family members are all under the control of the Qin family, and now that such a thing has happened, the supervision has become even stricter.

Liu Ayan seemed to know that once Cheng Shuo woke up, her own chances of survival were slim, so just in case, she prepared to end her own life first.

However, the servants kept a close watch on her and restrained her before she could make a move.

The man was quickly bound hand and foot and brought before Qin Chuan.

It is unknown how Qin Chuan interrogated her, but when Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao received the news, they learned that Liu Ayan was actually a henchman of the Lu family, and that she had approached Qin Jingzhao with a specific purpose in mind.

However, Qin Jingzhao and his wife were deeply in love, and she never found her place in the relationship.

Therefore, she had no choice but to settle for second best and fell for Cheng Shuo.

However, Cheng Shuo remained obedient and did not give her a chance to make a move. Even the Lu family tacitly accepted that her pawn was "dead".

This time, Cheng Shuo accompanied Qin Xiao on the expedition, and this pawn was finally put to use.

"The Lu family again?" Chu Jiubian frowned.

The Lu family does indeed have the ability to place people in their ranks, and the recent invasion by the Sai Kingdom was also the result of a conspiracy between the Lu family and the Prince of Dingbei.

What role did the Prince of Dingbei play in the Lu family's recent actions?

Liu Ayan was a loyal bodyguard of the Lu family, but she didn't study Gu cultivation, so the Gu worms must have been given to her by someone else.

Could that Gu master be one of the King of Dingbei's men?

Qin Xiao looked at the swirling snowflakes outside the window and said calmly, "Once the imperial examinations are over, it's time to settle the score."

The situation is completely different now than it was a few months ago.

Qin Xiao and Baili Hong were no longer fighting alone. They had a reputation, prestige, and achievements in the hearts of the people, as well as the legitimate status of emperors and the deity Chu Jiubian.

Everything is ready except for the east wind.

Once they have people in their hands, they can confidently eliminate the influence of powerful families in the court.

At that time, all the secrets hidden in the shadows will be brought to the forefront, and those who are guilty will be sentenced, and those who deserve to pay with their lives will pay with their lives.

That will be a tough battle.

==

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the morning of the 30th, the princes finished their fasting and rituals and returned to the capital together.

The scene was even more lively than the day they left the capital. The streets and alleys were crowded with people craning their necks, wanting to catch a glimpse of the prince.

It's as if just catching a glimpse of the brilliance of these important figures makes one feel powerful too.

The group of carriages did not linger and returned to their respective residences.

The palace banquet was held in the evening, but they had to change into the brand-new princely robes sent by the palace, bring the gifts prepared for the emperor, and enter the palace early to pay their respects.

Inside the palace.

After waking up from his afternoon nap, Baili Hong put on a brand-new little dragon robe and even formally wore a miniature version of the twelve-tasseled crown.

The child wore this crown for the second time, but without the fear and helplessness he felt when he first ascended the throne. Now he even had the leisure to swing the crown around and play with it.

Qin Xiao also changed into a black and gold python robe. He was tall and upright, and his expression was calm. It was impossible to tell whether he was injured or not.

Chu Jiubian wore a crimson-purple first-rank official robe, just like the six ministers.

However, given his attire, according to etiquette, he could only sit at the same table as the ministers, below the second tier of steps.

Baili Hong sat on the couch, cupping his face in his hands, and said, "Sir, won't you sit with your uncle?"

His uncle would sit next to him, which gave him peace of mind.

If his husband were also there, he would feel even more confident.

Moreover, he felt that as a gentleman, it was perfectly acceptable for him to sit with him, and he shouldn't feel wronged by sitting so far away.

Chu Jiubian laughed and said, "Sir, I can't sit with you this time."

The child pouted, looking unhappy.

Perhaps knowing that someone would always be there to protect him, Baili Hong didn't seem to be in a hurry to grow up and mature. Instead, he retained the childish mentality and behavior that only children his age have, often acting cute and charming towards Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian.

As a child who is only three years old, he has experienced so much and done so well.

Therefore, although Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian had talked, they tacitly agreed not to force Baili Hong to grow up too much, not wanting him to bear more burdens at such a young age.

At first, Hongfu would be anxious and would want Baili Hong to learn faster.

But gradually, seeing His Majesty's increasingly happy face, he stopped pushing his child too hard.

At this moment, Baili Hong was deliberately acting coquettishly with Chu Jiubian.

It's obvious they're saying "Miaomiao is unhappy"!

Qin Xiao also looked at Chu Jiubian, his gaze sweeping over the official robes on the other's body, and suddenly he remembered the robes Chu Jiubian wore when they first met.

Strange and complicated, out of place in this world.

But that outfit was indeed suitable for the identity of a "god," and Chu Jiubian could certainly attend the palace banquet tonight in the identity of a "god."

The man's gaze was somewhat strange. Chu Jiubian glanced at him and asked, "What are you trying to say?"

"Why don't you change your identity, young master, so you can support our Emperor?" Qin Xiao said with a smile.

If a "deity" were to attend the banquet, Baili Hong, the emperor who was divinely ordained, would naturally become famous far and wide.

Chu Jiubian understood his meaning, but hesitated slightly.

Wearing that outfit in the Divine Realm is one thing, but wearing it now is really a bit awkward.

Qin Xiao noticed his hesitation and said, "If you don't like it, then so be it."

However, if things continue like this, Chu Jiubian's status will still be somewhat low.

Why not just make him a king?

However, bestowing a title of kingship is not something that can be done in a moment or two. It requires official documents, going through many procedures, and offering sacrifices at the ancestral temple, etc. There is definitely no time to do it today.

Chu Jiubian remained silent, neither suggesting a change nor a refusal.

==

About an hour later, all the princes gathered outside the palace, preparing to enter together to pay their respects.

Although Prince Baili Hai of Jiannan was in the capital, he still held the status of a prince, so he had to keep in step with the other princes and could not make exceptions.

Even according to seniority, his rank was after the seven vassal kings.

However, Baili Hai did not show any dissatisfaction. He always had a smile on his face and only coughed lightly from time to time, showing that he was weak and sickly.

In the past two days, the princes have gotten to know each other to some extent. Everyone knows that Baili Hai is mostly faking it, but no one will expose him.

Exposing such things is useless; it's just a waste of time and energy.

Anhuai Prince Baili Ming, who was closer to Bailihai, approached with some concern and asked in a low voice, "How are you feeling? Did you catch a cold?"

Previously, when the Prince of Dongjiang hosted a banquet, the two of them sat together. Being of the same generation, they were indeed more familiar with each other than with the others.

Baili Hai shook his head with a pale face and laughed, "It's nothing, it's like this every winter, just bear with it and it will pass."

“That won’t do,” Baili Ming said, frowning. “I have some rare tonics at my disposal. I’ll have someone send some to you tomorrow.”

"Then I thank Prince Anhuai very much."

The two had barely exchanged a few words when Hong Fu personally led a group of people to prepare a sedan chair and went to the palace gate. He then properly bowed to the princes and invited them to get into the sedan chair.

The imperial palace, where riding in sedan chairs was not permitted at will, was granted special privileges today, demonstrating the emperor's deep affection for the princes.

Since arriving in the capital, none of the princes had ever seen the emperor's face, and they were very curious about this little brat.

Today's banquet is still held in Haiyan Hall. The decorations inside the hall are similar to those of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, but with more festive red and gold, which represents the royal family.

Chu Jiubian personally oversaw the preparation of the dishes and wines, ensuring the children received the best possible treatment.

However, after the princes entered the palace, they did not go directly to the Haiyan Hall. Instead, they first went to the Fengtian Hall to pay their respects to the emperor, present New Year's gifts, and then followed the emperor to the Haiyan Hall to take their seats.

The group walked to the foot of the long street of Fengtian Hall. The hall doors were open, and Eunuch Hongfu called out to invite them into the hall.

Led by Baili Yue, all seven vassal kings and the King of Jiannan entered the hall.

Officials are not allowed to look directly at the emperor's face, but the princes are related to the emperor, so they have fewer taboos in this regard.

Therefore, they performed a grand salute, and only after receiving a child's tender "Rise" did they stand up and look up at the dragon throne.

The little child sat on the wide golden dragon throne, wearing a yellow robe and with the tassels of his crown swaying gently. His bright eyes looked at the imposing vassal kings without any fear, but rather with an inexplicable sense of oppression.

Everyone was filled with surprise and doubt.

It was not only because His Majesty, at such a young age, already possessed some imperial majesty, but also because Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had not yet shown up.

Apart from the King of Southern Xinjiang, everyone else had the same thought on their minds—

Could Qin Xiao still be asleep?

If that's the case, then only the young emperor will be present at today's palace banquet.

Although they didn't intend to do anything at the palace banquet, it wouldn't be unreasonable to dig some pits for the children and spread some unpleasant rumors.

Despite their inner turmoil, everyone's faces remained remarkably amiable.

Even someone like Baili Yan had a look of "love" in her eyes, looking at Baili Hong as if she were looking at her own child.

This might seem like a friendly gesture, but it also reflects that they don't take Emperor Baili Hong's status seriously.

For them, Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian were the biggest threats, while Baili Hong was just a puppet.

"You have all come from afar and must be tired." Baili Hong's voice was young, but his tone was mature. "I caught a cold a few days ago and was unable to meet with you all. I hope you will understand."

His words were spoken clearly and his tone was appropriate.

No one knew whether Baili Hong said these words himself or whether Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had taught him to, but there was no denying that Baili Hong's performance far exceeded their expectations.

Those with younger relatives in the family couldn't help but compare them to Baili Hong, and couldn't help but feel disappointed.

It's incomparable.

If it were any other child, no matter how much they were taught, they would still be intimidated by so many imposing and terrifying vassal kings.

Unlike Baili Hong, who was so at ease and showed no sign of tension, Baili Hong was completely at ease.

Having received the emperor's "apology," everyone naturally hurriedly said, "We dare not."

After exchanging pleasantries, Baili Yue, being the eldest among the vassal kings, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have brought you a congratulatory gift, it is..."

One after another, the princes stepped forward to present gifts, all of which were flashy but impractical calligraphy, paintings, and jade artifacts.

None of them were to Baili Hong's liking.

But the child remembered what Grandpa Hong taught him: "An emperor's joy and anger should not be shown on his face." Even when he felt bored, he still smiled and said "yes" to any gift.

This made everyone feel deeply moved, and at the same time, they also felt a strange pressure.

Many of them thought in unison—Bai Lihong must not be allowed to grow up.

Prince Anhuai, Baili Ming, was quite fond of this cute and adorable little emperor. They had met alone in the palace before, where they ate and admired the plum blossoms. The little boy spoke in a soft and sweet voice and was also very caring.

If such a child could become emperor, Baili Ming would feel quite at ease.

King Baili Hao of the Southern Frontier lowered his eyes slightly, a dark glint in them.

He had a good understanding of Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao's methods and character, and the young emperor's performance today was no less impressive. In fact, some of his expressions and tone of voice were quite similar to those of Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao.

One can imagine that Baili Hong, when he grows up, will become an emperor who combines the wisdom and qualities of these two men.

What an incredibly talented person that must be?

What kind of future should we lead Da Ning towards?

After the lengthy gift-giving ceremony ended, Baili Hong, though anxious inside, remained unhurried and said, "Everyone has worked hard. It's getting late, so please come with me to the Haiyan Palace."

Everyone readily agreed and marched out the door in a grand procession, each boarding a sedan chair.

Baili Yue sat inside the sedan chair, his gaze fixed on the curtain, as if trying to see through it to the imperial palanquin that was leading the way.

Even a baby can oppress these people.

This is imperial power.

He gently stroked the jade pendant at his waist with his fingertips, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

Prince Dingbei, Baili Yu, leaned casually against the sedan chair, swaying gently with the steps of the sedan bearers.

The information he received was that Qin Xiao had not yet woken up, and it seemed that he was right; the other party was indeed in grave danger.

That makes things easier.

He took out a small pouch from his waist, inside which were some dried flower petals and a few tiny, almost transparent spiders that were barely visible to the naked eye.

Each one is only the size of a grain of rice.