Chapter 96 Mountains and seas are at peace
The latter two rumors also originated from Hubei and Hunan provinces.
Afterwards, the news began to spread in the fiefdoms of the Prince of Dongjiang and the Prince of Dingbei, and then gradually spread to the surrounding areas and the capital.
But the results weren't very good.
Chu Jiubian's identity as a "deity" had long been known throughout Da Ning. Not to mention the places that truly benefited, such as the Southern Frontier and Hexi Prefecture, even the other people knew that without Grand Tutor Chu, the previous floods and droughts in Da Ning would have been difficult to quell.
There's also the imperial examination system, which was proposed by Grand Tutor Chu and single-handedly managed.
It was because of him that ordinary people had the opportunity to become officials, and even ordinary farmers were able to become officials.
This is something that ordinary people never dared to imagine before.
Furthermore, the answers given by the students of the Imperial Academy during the palace examination resonated deeply with the people.
These students and the imperial court genuinely wanted to improve the lives of the people.
And they weren't just talking; they truly meant what they said.
For the past six months, Lu Yao has been traveling to various places, helping people reclaim their land assets so that they have land to cultivate and that as long as they work hard, they will no longer go hungry.
The common people were indeed ignorant and easily misled, but thanks to the efforts of Chu Jiubian and the students of the Imperial Academy over the past six months, most of them have gained some ability to discern right from wrong.
They didn't know who was stronger in the court, or who was at odds with whom. All they knew was that after His Majesty ascended the throne, the once devastated Great Ning began to become peaceful.
With Prince Ning in charge, the borders of Da Ning were finally secure. He not only repelled the barbarian tribes but also directly expanded Da Ning's territory.
It is thanks to Chu Jiubian that Da Ning has undergone such gratifying changes.
Their lives will only get better and better.
Putting aside everything else, the fact that Hexi County had a high yield of sweet potatoes this year was enough to stir the hearts of the people.
Rumors previously circulated that Han Yuandao, the governor of Hexi Commandery, received guidance from the Grand Tutor of Chu and obtained crop seeds from the celestial realm. The resulting crops yielded twice the harvest of common grains and were much more filling...
Many benefits.
But while the people dared not speak about other matters, they all had a say in matters of land.
Therefore, they didn't really believe that such a high-yield crop could exist. However, Chu Jiubian's identity as a "deity" had already deeply penetrated people's hearts, so they wondered if Lord Chu really had such amazing abilities and such good things.
In the midst of this swaying, the sweet potatoes planted in Hexi County yielded a bumper harvest in October!
Production is more than double that of other places!
It is said that the tax grain collected by Hexi County this year is more than double that of the previous year, which shows that the people do have grain in their hands.
This matter spread like wildfire, and with Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao deliberately fueling the flames, along with the Wang family's influence in public opinion, it naturally spread faster and wider than the rumor of a "heretical being descended to earth."
As a result, all the people of Da Ning, including those in the prince's fiefdom, were extremely envious.
However, just half a month ago, they both received good news.
The imperial court has issued a decree stating that next year, Zhang Er, a student of the agricultural discipline at the Imperial Academy, will lead other students to various parts of Daning with sweet potato seedlings to help the people plant this high-yield grain.
At that time, almost everyone will no longer have to go hungry.
In addition, large areas of cotton were planted in southern Xinjiang and the Sai Kingdom region that Ning Wang had previously conquered.
By September, the cotton had all been harvested. After more than a month of intensive work, the Nanjiang Silk Shop, which had spread throughout Daning, began selling cotton clothing.
Cotton is more expensive than linen, but it is softer, more durable, and easier to wear.
Moreover, his price wasn't outrageously high; compared to the silk, it was practically "free."
As a result, many people with some spare money were able to buy cotton cloth to make clothes for themselves.
As the weather gradually turns cooler, cotton clothes seem to be warmer than linen, and are naturally more popular among the people.
Seeing that the time was about right, Si Tu Zhaoling began to make cotton quilts and cotton clothes, but covered them with fine brocade and silk.
This is what they sell to wealthy families, another wave of huge profits.
The cotton she had was actually used to make cotton-padded clothes for Qin Xiao and Jiang Shuoye's army; otherwise, she could have earned even more.
Putting these things aside for now, the people eventually knew that the sweet potatoes and cotton were brought from the "celestial realm" by Chu Jiubian, which naturally made them even more convinced of his divine identity.
The rumors that he is a heretic are spreading, and the vast majority of people are angry from the bottom of their hearts.
Those who can feed and clothe them must be gods who save people from suffering, how could they be heretics?
On the contrary, those who spread rumors have malicious intentions.
When the rumors first reached the capital, the Wang family made no move, and Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian also seemed unaware of them.
It wasn't until rumors spread, leading some confused people to doubt, and when the vast majority of people felt pity for Chu Jiubian and resentment towards those spreading the rumors, that the Wang family took action.
Those usually aloof and erudite scholars and literati stepped forward one after another.
They would either hold literary gatherings or compose poems and articles, always doing their utmost to praise the achievements of the deity Chu Jiubian and the various auspicious omens and benefits brought about by Emperor Baili Hong after his ascension to the throne.
In addition, Qin Xiao's identity as a member of the "Qin family" and his actions over the past year have made people forget his ruthless methods at the beginning of Baili Hong's reign.
Thus, these two, one divine and one divine, became pitiful victims framed by villains, instantly igniting even stronger anger in the hearts of the people.
Such a good "divine ruler," such a good court—who wants to harm them?
The "culprit" is obviously obvious.
Those renowned scholars and officials criticized and denounced Baili Yue, the Prince of Huguang, exposing his ambitious nature.
The people grew angrier the more they listened.
"What golden dragon appearing on the fiefdom? I think it's just that the King of Huguang wants to usurp the throne. He's shameless!"
"That's right. There are also rumors that our Emperor's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and that Lord Chu and Prince Ning are heretics and troublemakers. It's truly the wicked accusing the guilty first."
"I don't think any of these vassal kings are any good. They're all probably thinking of becoming emperor themselves, but what are they anyway? Where do they get the guts!"
The crowd was indignant.
Even the people in the other princes' fiefdoms felt somewhat uneasy.
During Emperor Yingzong's reign, they were all grateful that they were people in the fiefdoms of princes and that they still had food and clothing.
But now they have begun to envy the people of Zhili and other places in the north and south. They are under the control of the imperial court and are the first to receive all kinds of benefits. How can they not be envious?
The people in the fiefdoms of the Southern Frontier King and the Drunken Liang King were quite pleased, feeling that their vassal kings had a good relationship with the imperial court and had received all the benefits from the court, making them even more loyal to both their vassal kings and the imperial court.
The people of Huguang were naturally the most furious.
By now, they could all see that Baili Yue had plans to usurp the throne.
In addition, the other side has been conscripting soldiers and stockpiling grain in the past six months, clearly preparing to go to war with the imperial court. This puts them in a precarious position, and their peaceful lives are no longer secure.
Thus, under the deliberate instigation of Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao, resentment arose among the people of Huguang.
Enraged, Baili Yue killed several people.
"Who spread those rumors?!" He was so angry he wanted to kill a few more people.
He himself spread the news of the auspicious golden dragon descending upon his fiefdom, in order to test the court's attitude. If the court sent troops to attack him, he could then rebel and claim that he was "forced into rebellion" by the court.
If the imperial court does not send troops, he can test the waters again, letting the news that he might be the "true Son of Heaven" spread further and for longer, until the people gradually waver.
But he never intended for the other two rumors to spread.
It is a fact that Qin Xiao, a relative of the empress, is in power, but now that His Majesty is young, he is the most suitable candidate to assist in governing. Moreover, he has cultivated a very good reputation, and few people would believe that he is causing chaos in the government.
And then there's Chu Jiubian, needless to say.
That was a "deity".
The common people are ignorant and deeply believe in gods and ghosts. All they ask for now is to have enough to eat and wear and live a peaceful life. The deity Chu Jiubian can just fulfill their wishes, so the people naturally worship and believe in him.
Under such circumstances, spreading rumors about these two people would clearly be counterproductive.
This will not only make Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao more beloved by the people, but will also lead to the current situation where public resentment is boiling over in the fiefdom.
"Fools! Fools!" Baili Yue's eyes turned bloodshot with rage. "It must have been those few idiots who did it! I wish I could kill them!"
The fools, of course, are his good brothers.
But is it the King of Dongjiang or the King of Dingbei?
Baili Yue actually leaned more towards the former, believing that the Prince of Dingbei was a shrewd and calculating man who would not do such a thing.
However, the Prince of Dongjiang had always been at odds with him, and this man was used to being willful and reckless. He might be trying to kill two birds with one stone: to damage the reputation of the emperor's faction, to cause trouble for Baili Yue, and to exacerbate the conflict between the court and Baili Yue, thus accelerating the war.
Now, instead of harming the emperor's faction, he has infuriated Baili Yue.
This is the drawback of the alliance of vassal kings: no one trusts anyone else, and when something goes wrong, they will suspect and blame each other.
Baili Yue knew perfectly well that the King of Dongjiang was unwilling to raise an army first, so he was forcing his elder brother to send troops first, and then he and the King of Dingbei would follow. If things went wrong, the King might be able to turn around and accuse Baili Yue, saying that he was rescuing the king and not rebelling, etc.
But Baili Yue simply couldn't wait any longer.
Now that rumors are spreading against him and the Wang family continues to exert their influence, the imperial court will surely seize this opportunity to launch a military campaign to suppress him.
Therefore, he had to strike first and send out troops first.
However, the people in his fiefdom still needed to be appeased, so he had to put in more effort.
Although he knew that the matter was most likely the work of the Prince of Dongjiang, they still needed to work together to attack the imperial court, so they naturally couldn't afford to break off relations.
He could only swallow this bitter pill and, while appeasing the people of his fiefdom, sent messages to the Prince of Dongjiang, the Prince of Dingbei, and the Prince of Anhuai, instructing them to prepare their troops so that they could march to the capital once the Qin family army left.
After receiving the news, the three vassal kings sat in the council hall of their mansion, their faces full of mockery.
"My elder brother is really impatient." He casually burned the secret letter.
The strategist in the lower position frowned and said, "It's understandable that he spread the news of auspicious omens on his fiefdom; it's probably a test of the court's attitude. But why did he spread the other two rumors?"
“You wouldn’t know this,” Bailihe clapped his hands and said, “Baili Yue is arrogant, conceited, and impulsive.”
Most of his advisors were actually useless; they were merely tools for him to promote his reputation for 'loving talent'.
He wasn't surprised at all that the other party would do something so stupid.
“Then let’s…” the strategist asked him.
Bai Lihe said, "Contact the Lu family in the capital and tell them to make the first move."
"yes."
The secret letter arrived in the capital in just two days.
Lu Youwei opened the letter and, upon seeing its contents, showed no surprise, only a cold and indifferent look in his eyes.
He handed the letter to his advisor Lu Tong, who burned it after reading it.
“It’s already October, which is really not a good time to launch an attack,” Lu Tong said, frowning. “This Prince of Huguang has never led troops into battle before; he doesn’t even have this much common sense.”
They originally thought they could wait until after the New Year, when the grass grows and the birds fly, to make it easier to launch a military campaign.
Otherwise, by November and December, when the weather turns cold and the land is covered in ice and snow, not only will it be difficult for the army to march, but it will also be very difficult to transport supplies.
“There are some advantages, though,” Lu Youwei said. “If the Jurchens ‘invade,’ Jiang Shuoye’s Northern Army will definitely not be able to move. Only Qin Xiao’s troops can go to the Northeast, where the real ice and snow are.”
If Qin Xiao were to personally lead the expedition, he would be trapped there and unable to return to the capital in time.
At that time, there will be three major families in the capital, and the Lu family and the Qiu family will each have several thousand hidden soldiers, totaling nearly 20,000. This is definitely not something that a scholarly family like the Wang family can stop.
Even if the Imperial Guards were present, they would only number a few thousand soldiers.
Moreover, the heads of the Lu and Qiu families, Lu Jinfeng and Qiu Xuanzheng, are both martial arts masters. Even the top masters in the martial arts world cannot do anything to them. How could An Wuji possibly stop them?
At that time, the capital will be under the control of the three major families, and when the princes arrive, the throne will change hands.
However, at that time, the powerful families will hold the initiative. Whoever they want to ascend to the throne can do so. Otherwise, the princes will only be able to fight each other, and in the end, they will all be severely damaged.
"What did the Qiu family and the Xiao family say?" Lu Youwei asked Lu Tong.
The Qiu family's information channels are only faster than the Lu family's.
"The Qiu family has already sent people to the Northeast, and Wang Wenyao has gone with them."
After being dismissed from office, Wang Wenyao harbored even greater hatred for the court. He had been waiting for an opportunity, and now that it had come, he naturally wanted to do his part so that when other princes came to power, he could regain the qualification to serve as an official.
Wang Huanzhi naturally supported him.
Having been ousted from his position as head of the family by his eldest son, Wang Huanzhi has been so ashamed lately that he has no face left to even go out and socialize.
His current position in the Wang family is awkward; he can barely be considered a clan elder.
But he was unwilling to give up, so now he could only rely on the princes. Previously, the scholars under his command had helped the Prince of Huguang spread the "auspicious golden dragon" omen, and the effect was quite good, which gave him confidence.
He has thus proven that he is still useful at present. When the King of Huguang or other vassal kings take the throne in the future, as long as they still need the royal family's mouthpiece, they will definitely push him back to the position of head of the family.
"Then inform the northern frontier. Once they receive news from the northeast, they should also mobilize their troops," Lu Youwei said in a deep voice.
The Northern Desert Army doesn't know how many soldiers it has. If it receives news of the Jurchen invasion and rushes there, the Qin family army in the capital won't move.
Therefore, the Tatars also need to take action to ensure that they can successfully hold back Jiang Shuoye's advance.
That's what forced Qin Xiao to go on another expedition.
Even if he himself doesn't leave, once the Qin family army leaves, the defenses outside the capital will be largely empty, and the vassal king's army will easily crush them.
In the city, the guards of powerful families would also storm the palace and launch a coup.
"The Xiao family made arrangements long ago. As long as the princes follow the pre-arranged route, they will not encounter any obstacles on their way here."
When Qin Taiwei was alive, he sent the Qin family generals, who had been split up, to various places in Daming, either as commanders of city defense forces or directly to the position of prefectural commander. This greatly hindered the princes from entering the capital.
Every town that had to be passed through, defended by troops from the former Qin family, would suffer heavy losses, which the vassal kings could not afford.
Fortunately, there was the Xiao family.
The Xiao family has far more women than the Qin family's generals. These women serve as wives or concubines in the homes of high-ranking officials in different cities, and over the years they have managed to keep their husbands very well-behaved.
And under their daily guidance, these high-ranking officials are easily led astray.
This is the unique skill of the Xiao family. Not only are the members of their family good-looking and have high emotional intelligence, but they also have the means to guide and change people's thinking.
In later generations, this would probably be called brainwashing.
The patriarch, Xiao Yao, had prepared routes for these vassal kings to enter the capital long ago. They would not have to take detours, but they could cleverly avoid the cities where the Qin family's old subordinates were located, and only pass through the city where the Xiao family's daughter was located.
At that time, the city gates will be wide open, and the prince's army will be able to move freely.
A few days later, Prince Dingbei, Baili Yu, held a letter sent by the Xiao family. On it was a route map personally drawn by Xiao Yao. Following this map, he could indeed reach the capital smoothly.
But at the same time, there is another picture on the second page of the letter.
This map will allow him to smoothly reach the prefecture cities where the Prince of Anhuai's Mansion and the Prince of Huguang's Mansion are located.
Baili Yu chuckled and said, "Xiao Yao is truly remarkable."
The strategist took the two diagrams from his hand, and after looking at them, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Indeed impressive!"
However, after several encounters, Xiao Yao may have already seen through their intentions and figured out who was most likely to become the next emperor.
Unlike the Qiu and Lu families, he was not greedy; instead, he knew how to assess the situation.
The Xiao family doesn't ask for much; they just want their daughter to become the head of the harem and for the Xiao family to continue to have a place in the court.
Therefore, his attitude is unclear on the surface, but he has already privately decided to support the Prince of Dingbei.
These two pictures are the Xiao family's pledge of allegiance, enough to make Baili Yu feel justified in both advancing and retreating.
He could then travel smoothly to the capital and seize the throne.
If he retreats, he can also turn around and attack Henan and Huguang, seizing the fiefdoms of the King of Anhuai and the King of Huguang.
Whether Qin Xiao will lead the Qin family army away from the capital depends entirely on whether he will advance or retreat.
Once the Qin family army leaves, the capital can be taken.
Baili Yu lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips, his smiling eyes gazing eastward, where the capital city and Henan lay.
Prince Anhuai, Baili Ming, also received a letter from the Prince of Huguang.
After he read it, he handed it to Jiang Yongshou, who then passed it on to He Zhen after reading it.
After he had finished reading, Jiang Yongshou said, "General, let's get ready too."
They were the closest to the capital, but the Hexi Commandery blocked their way, making it difficult for both the civilians and the military to break through. They had to pass through other commanderies and counties.
That would mean taking a longer route.
However, compared to the fiefdoms of other vassal kings, they still had an advantage.
If we can be the first to settle in the capital, then...
A dark glint flashed in He Zhen's eyes as he said, "We've been prepared for this for a long time."
Half a year later, the 30,000 Anhuai troops under his command had grown to 60,000. Although they were not as elite as when they had 30,000, they were still quite formidable.
Jiang Yongshou smiled, but his hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched nervously, his knuckles turning white.
I hope everything goes well.
As long as Qin Xiao can leave the capital, the Prince of Dingbei will take the capital directly, and Henan will be safe.
Naturally, even if the army of the Prince of Dingbei entered Henan, the Prince of Anhuai himself should be safe. But for some reason, Jiang Yongshou felt very uneasy.
He couldn't help but look at the young man sitting at the head of the table.
The boy lowered his eyes slightly, his face calm, seemingly lost in thought.
Perhaps he was also thinking about what might happen next. After all, Baili Ming wasn't a fool; he was sure he could see the state of the world.
Bai Liming wasn't thinking about anything else; he was only thinking about the capital and that soft, cuddly child.
If His Majesty, who is only four years old, were to actually see these ferocious vassal kings and soldiers, he would surely be terrified.
And what about Grand Tutor Chu? Can he protect His Majesty, and himself?
On the night of October 25th.
The capital city, the imperial palace.
Baili Hong had already gone to sleep, while Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao were in the bedroom, having just finished reading the letter sent by Nie Xian, the commander of the Northeast Army.
In the past few days, news has been coming in one after another.
From the moment Chu Jiubian instructed Wang Qichen and Qin Chuan to secretly spread rumors about himself and Qin Xiao, things unfolded exactly as they had predicted.
The attitudes and actions of the feudal lords and aristocratic families followed almost exactly as they had envisioned.
That's right.
Those two rumors were spread by Chu Jiubian because he knew that rumors could not harm him and Qin Xiao now; on the contrary, they would benefit them.
The opportunity he had been waiting for was when the King of Huguang tentatively produced so-called "auspicious omens."
He spread rumors about himself and Qin Xiao along with this "auspicious" omen, aiming to incite anger among the people and make the vassal kings more wary of each other.
Besides that, the most important thing is to force these people to take action.
If they don't move, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao won't be able to initiate a war, lest they be turned around and attacked.
Of course, another reason he chose to pressure these people at this time was that winter was approaching.
While other soldiers lacked cotton-padded clothes and quilts, the Qin family army and the Mobei army, totaling nearly 200,000 soldiers, were all equipped with thick clothing.
Several more batches of fine horses have arrived from the Jurchen side, and with the high-hardness weapons they had previously trained with, the strength of the cavalry soldiers has greatly increased.
The imperial court now has ample troops and provisions. If we don't fight now, why wait until the New Year?
The underfloor heating had been turned on in the bedroom, so although it was cold outside, the room was warm as spring.
Qin Xiao was in a bad mood, and even though he was only wearing his undergarments, he still kept the collar wide open, as if he was afraid of getting too hot.
The faint outline of his pectoral muscles made Chu Jiubian glance at him several times.
Qin Xiao burned the letter, and turning his head, he saw the young man's gaze shift away from his chest.
"Go to sleep." Chu Jiubian deliberately avoided his gaze and lay down in the quilt.
A smile flickered in Qin Xiao's eyes. He calmly hummed in agreement and blew out the lamp.
Once in bed, he lay quietly without touching the person next to him.
This was the fourth day he hadn't touched her, but he had been restraining himself because he was no longer satisfied with the current situation; he wanted more.
He had already prepared everything, from the fragrant ointment to the picture book, which he kept under his pillow.
I've looked at the picture book many times, and I've even used the ointment on Chu Jiubian once, but I still haven't been able to finish it.
After that incident, Chu Jiubian never let him touch her again.
But they were both young and full of vigor, and Qin Xiao knew that the other party, like him, couldn't endure it for more than a few days.
Chu Jiubian lay flat on the bed. A few nights ago, Qin Xiao had made a huge scene, even inserting two fingers into his penis.
He was so badly tormented that he told Qin Xiao not to touch him casually anymore.
But he didn't expect Qin Xiao to be so "obedient" and really never touched him again.
Chu Jiubian closed his eyes, but the outline of the man's heaving chest muscles flashed before his eyes. His throat felt dry, and he swallowed, but it felt even drier.
A wave of heat slowly spread from my throat to my limbs, causing a reaction in certain areas as well.
He opened his eyes and sat up.
Qin Xiao turned his head to look at him: "What's wrong?"
"I'm thirsty," Chu Jiu argued.
Qin Xiao was about to get up and get out of bed, but Chu Jiubian said, "I'll go by myself."
As he spoke, he reached out and braced himself against Qin Xiao's side, stepping over him. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, his thigh lightly brushed against the man's lower abdomen.
Her long hair swept across the man's chest.
Qin Xiao's brow twitched, but Chu Jiubian had already gotten out of bed, put on his shoes, and gone to the outer room.
The sound of pouring water, the teeth hitting the rim of the cup, the swallowing of water—every soft sound was so clear.
Qin Xiao sat up and turned his head to look.
The moonlight was very bright tonight, and he could vaguely see the young man's figure through the screen. He was tall and slender, with a waist so thin that he could hold it in both hands.
Yet, below the lower back, there is a beautiful, full curve, and the feel is indescribably wonderful.
Qin Xiao's eyes were dark as he let his thoughts wander, and his body's reactions became increasingly obvious.
Chu Jiubian returned to the bedroom and got into bed. He tried to step over him again, but as soon as he stepped over one leg, he saw the man's increasingly clear outline under the quilt, and the man was about to touch his leg.
He was startled and looked up at Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao chuckled, his eyes fierce, brimming with surging desire.
With a sudden tightening around his waist, Chu Jiubian was pulled forward and bumped into his arms, ending up sitting on his lap.
This was a terrible position, and Chu Jiubian's ears turned bright red.
Qin Xiao, however, had already pressed down on the back of his neck and kissed him.
Chu Jiubian closed his eyes. The long-awaited touch made his body go weak instantly. He wrapped his arms around the man's neck, and his head felt a little dizzy.
Before long, Chu Jiubian tried to get off him, but Qin Xiao held his waist and wouldn't let him move.
He wanted to say that it was inconvenient, but Qin Xiao grabbed his waistband and gently tugged, tearing the fabric into two pieces that hung on the young man's legs.
Chu Jiubian's eyelids twitched, and he felt as if his whole body was on fire.
Qin Xiao pulled a porcelain bottle from under his pillow, roughly scooped out a large piece of ointment, and inadvertently and skillfully inserted it into the young man's body.
After a few tries, he became proficient and went deeper and deeper.
Two to three fingers...
Chu Jiubian knelt down, her entire face buried in the man's neck, all her attention focused on that one spot.
He thought it was about time, but Qin Xiao was still very patient, taking it one step at a time.
The cream turned into water.
But Qin Xiao insisted on asking him again, "May I go in?"
Chu Jiubian's heart pounded like a drum, but he remained silent.
Qin Xiao then gently lifted him up and slowly lowered him down.
Pain and satisfaction surged simultaneously as Chu Jiubian's fingertips left marks on the man's back.
Qin Xiao felt that what he had imagined before was too light. At this moment, he truly understood what it meant to be in ecstasy.
That night, Qin Xiao came twice, which was unprecedented for him.
Fortunately, he was a natural-born expert and his skills were so good that Chu Jiubian was not injured; he only felt pleasure.
Chu Jiubian's body was so weak that he didn't even want to move his fingertips, but his mind was clearer than ever before.
He closed his eyes and let Qin Xiao call for hot water to help him wash up and clean himself.
Hearing the man's increasingly strange breathing, Chu Jiubian's body stiffened.
Qin Xiao gently kissed his earlobe and said in a hoarse voice, "Don't be afraid, I won't do it anymore."
After being cleaned up, Chu Jiubian was put back on the bed and rolled into the newly changed quilt.
The sound of running water came from outside; it was Qin Xiao washing up.
Chu Jiubian opened his eyes and looked at the bed frame.
He indulged himself.
But it wasn't a momentary impulse or a moment of confusion; she was genuinely prepared to take her relationship with Qin Xiao to the next level.
The complete physical connection only brought a deeper emptiness and sense of delusion in the heart.
Qin Xiao quickly finished washing up and returned. Chu Jiubian turned to look at him and said in a hoarse voice, "I want to go out and see the snow."
Qin Xiao was taken aback, only then realizing that it seemed to be snowing outside.
This must be the first snow of the year; it came very early.
He dressed Chu Jiubian in winter clothes, put on a cloak and hood, and then casually put on a few clothes himself before going out.
The two stood under the eaves.
The jasmine plants in the courtyard had withered, but after a layer of snow fell, they looked as if they had bloomed again.
They stood side by side, neither of them speaking, letting the silence spread, yet feeling only peace and warmth.
Chu Jiubian stretched his hand out from under the eaves, and cool snowflakes fell into his palm.
The next moment, her hand was grasped by the man's warm hand.
Chu Jiubian turned his head and met Qin Xiao's deep and tender gaze.
Qin Xiao made him face him, warmed his slightly cold hands in his arms, and said, "I missed the first snow last year, but this year I can finally watch it with you, young master."
Chu Jiubian chuckled softly and said, "The first snow next year should be even more beautiful."
Back then, without internal or external troubles, every day should have been beautiful.
Qin Xiao smiled, his expression a gentle one that Chu Jiubian dared not look directly at.
Seeing the young man instinctively avoid his gaze, Qin Xiao reached out a hand and gently stroked his face, jokingly saying, "In this vast world, young master, would you be willing to weather the storms and conquer the mountains and seas with me?"
Chu Jiubian's heart seemed to be beating even faster.
He looked up and his gaze met the man's deep, focused eyes.
The moonlight was like gauze, and the snowflakes fell gently like jasmine.
Much later.
Chu Jiubian then spoke, "Once the dust settles, if you still think this way—"
He saw Qin Xiao's tense face reflected in his eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "I will agree to your request."
October 25th is Chu Jiubian's birthday.
This time, it's finally a good day.
==
A few days later, on the first day of the eleventh lunar month.
An urgent report came from the Northeast, stating that the Jurchen tribes were invading and the Northeast Army was running low on food supplies, requesting reinforcements.
Meanwhile, news also came from the northern desert.
Tatar general Muhammad led his army to the northern border of the Gobi Desert, and the Gobi army won its first battle.
A few days later, the Northeast Army claimed that it was no match for the Jurchen army and requested the imperial court to send troops to assist them.
Minister of War Lu Youwei, Minister of Justice Qiu Heng, Minister of Revenue Su Sheng, and others earnestly requested Prince Ning to lead troops into battle.
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