Chapter 101 Prince Rui's Regency
Snowflakes filled the sky, and the vermilion palace walls stood tall.
On the wide official road, a man dressed in black, wearing a cloak, walked swiftly, followed by hundreds of soldiers.
In front of the palace gate, the little emperor's face was red from the cold, and his big, round eyes were as clear and bright as jewels.
The young man, dressed in a crimson official robe and wearing a silver-white cloak, stood quietly, his eyes fixed on the approaching procession, his pupils seemingly reflecting only the figure at the head of the procession.
Qin Xiao rode his horse a few dozen meters away before dismounting and then quickly walked over.
Baili Hong immediately sprinted towards him.
Perhaps because he no longer needed to be mindful of others' opinions, Qin Xiao, just like Chu Jiubian had done before, half-squatted down and opened his arms, letting the child run headfirst into his embrace.
Qin Xiao wrapped the child in his cloak and stood up.
Baili Hong hugged his neck tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Uncle." He pouted and sniffled.
Qin Xiao smiled and gently patted his back, saying, "Uncle is back."
He spoke with a light smile, raising his hand to wipe the child's tears: "Don't cry, your tears will freeze on your face in a bit."
Baili Hong buried his face in his shoulder and rubbed it against him, wiping his tears and snot on it.
Qin Xiao: "......"
Baili Hong burst into laughter through his tears, calling out "Uncle, Uncle!"
Qin Xiao held the child in one hand and gently pinched his face with the other. At the same time, he looked up at Chu Jiubian, who stood a few steps away without moving.
The young man looked the same as when he left, but Qin Xiao felt that he seemed even more handsome.
Their eyes met, even though they were far apart and hadn't said a word, yet everyone around them blushed and dared not look at them for long.
Back at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, no one talked about serious matters; they simply and quietly enjoyed a sumptuous lunch.
At this moment, the entire palace, and even the entire imperial city, became lively because of Prince Ning's triumphant return.
Everyone knows that the war is over.
The world is at peace.
The world still belongs to Da Ning, and to Baili Hong. The people couldn't be happier.
After dinner, Qin Xiao went to see An Wuji and Qin Chuan.
The young general who returned with Qin Xiao was unsure how to deal with the Prince of Dingbei and the Gu Master they had brought back.
Chu Jiubian's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "Take him and lock him up with those powerful and influential people."
The heads and strategists of the three powerful families, as well as several high-ranking officials in the court, were all imprisoned in the palace.
This is the same place where Chu Jiubian had spent a day before.
"Yes," the young officer replied and prepared to leave.
Chu Jiubian called him back and said, "Remember to lock the two of them in the same cell."
The young officer smiled and said, "Yes, sir."
Chu Jiubian smiled, and after the person had walked away, he turned around and looked in the direction of Yaotai Residence.
He no longer lived there, so during this time Qin Chuan was recuperating in the palace, he stayed in the side hall of Yaotai Residence, which was the only place besides Yangxin Hall with a heated floor.
Qin Xiao is currently talking to Qin Chuan there.
Chu Jiubian stared at it for a long time, then looked up and squinted at the blurry winter sunlight.
Snowflakes fluttered down, one landing on the corner of my eye, melting instantly from my body heat, glistening like a tear.
He seemed lost in thought.
I don't know how much time passed, but suddenly everything went dark, and my ears and cheeks, which were almost numb from the cold, were enveloped by a pair of warm hands.
Chu Jiubian turned his gaze back to the person in front of him.
He had been staring at the light for too long, and his vision began to blur, making it difficult for him to make out the appearance of the person in front of him.
But he could sense the other person's presence.
"Qin Xiao," he said.
"Hmm," Qin Xiao chuckled, "What are you standing there for? Waiting for me?"
Chu Jiubian smiled as well. The dark shadows in front of him gradually dissipated, and he could see the man's handsome face more and more clearly.
"Qin Xiao." He spoke very softly, as if afraid that others would hear him.
"I miss you a little," he said.
Qin Xiao's eyelashes trembled, and his previously gentle gaze suddenly darkened, revealing a chillingly intense emotion.
"Chu Jiubian," his voice was hoarse, his Adam's apple bobbing, "do you know what you're saying?"
Chu Jiubian stared at him intently, then suddenly leaned closer, tilted his head back, and placed a kiss on his lips.
In public.
He kissed Qin Xiao for the third time.
The next moment, his wrist was grabbed by the man, who strode towards the west courtyard.
Chu Jiubian followed him, his gaze slightly lowered.
He looked at the bulging veins on the back of the man's hand, then suddenly pulled his hand back. But before Qin Xiao could react, he grabbed the other man's hand again and intertwined their fingers.
Qin Xiao turned to look at him.
Chu Jiubian noticed that his back teeth seemed to be clenched, and for some reason, he felt like laughing.
And then he actually laughed.
Qin Xiao walked even faster, and Chu Jiubian almost had to jog a couple of steps to keep up.
They walked into the west courtyard and then went straight into the bedroom.
A wave of heat hit, and Chu Jiubian suddenly shivered.
The door closed and locked behind him.
The next moment, Qin Xiao released his hand from his and instead wrapped his arms around his waist.
It was so tight, it felt like it was pulling him inside its body.
A hot and rough kiss landed on his lips, and Chu Jiubian's breath trembled slightly.
Her arms naturally encircled the man's neck.
He tilted his head back, loosened his teeth, and licked the man's lips with the tip of his tongue.
And so, he heard the man's even heavier breathing, just as he had hoped.
It was exactly the same as what he heard in his midnight dreams.
His official robes fell away, and soon the young man was left with only a thin undergarment, the belt loosely tied around his waist, and beneath the belt, there was a faint red line.
Qin Xiao pressed him down on the bed, lowered his eyes and pulled off the cumbersome belt, and saw that the young man had a red rope tied around his waist.
When breathing stops, the reaction becomes more intense.
Chu Jiubian looked at him.
The man had taken off his cloak, but he was still wearing that soft armor, which was cold and hard, and it made his waist, abdomen and chest red.
Chu Jiubian raised his foot and gently stepped on his lower abdomen.
Meeting Qin Xiao's deep eyes, Chu Jiubian smiled and asked softly, "Do you like it?"
Qin Xiao then smiled.
"like."
"I love it so much!"
This was a scene from the picture book beside his pillow, with a red stripe around her waist. He had imagined countless times how moving Chu Jiubian would look if she were like that.
He actually saw it now; the young man had put it on him on his own initiative.
It was more beautiful than he had imagined.
This made it even harder for him to cope.
The warm ointment, along with rough but slender fingers, opened up new territories, breaking through areas that were unusually tight due to long-term neglect.
And then very quickly.
Then they switched to something else.
The soft armor was not removed.
Chu Jiubian reached out, his trembling fingertips trying to touch the locks, but the man's thrusts caused him to miss each time.
Chu Jiubian's behavior that night was different from his usual avoidance and restraint.
He even took the initiative to sit on it, which made Qin Xiao's eyes turn red.
He was so obedient that he would do whatever Qin Xiao asked him to do, making Qin Xiao feel embarrassed to bully him anymore.
But looking into the young man's wet eyes, all his rationality would be dispelled, leaving only the most primal desire.
Chu Jiubian hugged him, burying his face in his neck, tears rolling down his cheeks, a hint of sadness in his eyes, which was quickly replaced by other emotions.
After countless acts of possession, Chu Jiubian even felt his stomach swell up.
He finally realized that Qin Xiao had genuinely been lenient with him in the past and hadn't seriously messed with him.
But instead of pushing him away, he kept enticing him, as if he wished Qin Xiao would just kill him like that.
Chu Jiubian finally fell into a deep sleep the next day as dawn broke.
Several times during that period, he didn't know whether he was asleep or unconscious.
Then he awoke again amidst the intense activity.
This sleep lasted until evening.
Chu Jiubian opened his eyes groggily, feeling utterly exhausted.
As soon as he moved, the people behind him moved as well.
Chu Jiubian's expression changed, only then realizing that Qin Xiao had somehow entered again.
Before, he might have been mindful of him being asleep and hadn't dared to make any obvious moves, but now that he was awake, the man had no more reservations.
Chu Jiubian's voice was a little hoarse, and he said in a broken voice, "I'm thirsty."
Qin Xiao paused, placed a kiss on the back of his neck, and then stood up.
Chu Jiubian heard a sound that made him blush.
The next moment, he was picked up and before he knew it, he was sitting at the dining table.
The room was warm, and there was a cloth on the table, so it wasn't cold at all, just a little stiff.
Chu Jiubian looked at Qin Xiao in disbelief. The other party had clearly not slept all night, yet he was still full of energy, with bright and spirited eyes.
As soon as he moved, Chu Jiubian let out a muffled groan.
Qin Xiao poured him a glass of water, which was still warm.
"Drink slowly." He held the water glass to Chu Jiubian's lips.
Chu Jiubian tilted his head back and drank it down, moistening his dry throat. A drop of water slid down the corner of his lips and dangled precariously from his Adam's apple.
Qin Xiao leaned in and kissed the drop of water off.
Chu Jiubian's Adam's apple bobbed.
Not satisfied, he drank two more glasses.
Another night has passed.
It wasn't until late at night, when Chu Jiubian couldn't take it anymore and couldn't even move his fingers, that Qin Xiao finally helped him clean himself up.
He got into bed and pulled her into his arms.
Qin Xiao gently kissed Chu Jiubian's forehead, patted his back softly, and coaxed him gently, "Sleep now. Be good."
Chu Jiubian buried his face in his chest, closed his eyes, and mumbled, "You're not allowed to come in again."
He heard the man's muffled chuckle, and a soft "hmm".
Early morning, the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao finally stepped out of the room and went to the morning court.
It should have been a day of rest for the court, but Qin Xiao hadn't met with everyone since his return. Today would be a good day for them to meet, and then everyone could take their annual leave.
Nearly half of the familiar faces in the government are gone, and many positions are now vacant.
Lu Yao had prepared several lists of officials for appointment, but the final appointments still needed to be reviewed by Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao, and then approved and stamped by Baili Hong.
During the morning court session this day, no one talked about anything important. Instead, they discussed the Hexi Prefecture and the surrounding cities that grew sweet potatoes, and how the people had all had a good New Year.
The cotton cloth in southern Xinjiang no longer needs to be reserved for the soldiers, so the price has dropped, making it more affordable for ordinary people, and everyone is all smiles.
The New Year is just around the corner, and both the capital and the provinces are decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a joyous atmosphere everywhere.
With the new year bringing new beginnings, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao decided to postpone the appointment of officials until after the New Year when they would attend court.
However, Baili Hong has another matter to announce today.
After everyone had finished talking, Baili Hong said, "The matter of appointing officials will be discussed again after the New Year. Today, I will issue an edict."
Chu Jiubian was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Qin Xiao.
What imperial edict?
He genuinely didn't know about this.
Qin Xiao was not surprised, and even smiled at Chu Jiubian.
Seeing the puzzled look on his teacher's face, Baili Hong felt a little embarrassed.
He had intended to tell his teacher about this the day before yesterday, but his uncle said that his teacher was very tired and needed to sleep, so he didn't have a chance to tell his teacher.
However, he asked his uncle, who said that what he wanted to do was a good thing and that he could do it.
He turned his head to look at Xiaoyuzi beside him, indicating that he could read the imperial edict.
As the year draws to a close, Hongfu has a lot of work to do. In addition to managing the affairs of the Directorate of Ceremonial, he also has to take care of all the procurement and arrangements in the palace. He is so busy that he has no time to rest. Therefore, the task of accompanying His Majesty to court is temporarily handed over to Xiaoyuzi.
Xiaoyuzi did it very well, showing a lot of resemblance to his master.
Hongfu also took Xiaoxiangzi with him to do all the things in the palace. After the New Year, Xiaoxiangzi would be in charge of all the affairs in the palace.
Having trained two good apprentices, Hong Fu could then focus on his work at the Directorate of Ceremonial.
The court is currently facing a shortage of personnel everywhere, and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs is the only well-functioning department besides the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue, so naturally, the capable are given more work.
That being said...
Xiao Yuzi took out the imperial edict from her sleeve, cleared her throat discreetly, and then announced loudly, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—"
"Grand Tutor Chu Jiubian, a man of great talent and strategy, loyal and diligent in governing the country, has repeatedly achieved outstanding merits..."
"I hereby bestow upon you the title of First-Class Regent Prince, granting you the title 'Rui' and a fief of ten thousand households. Together with Prince Ning, Qin Xiao, you will assist in this great undertaking, creating a prosperous and peaceful era for the Great Ning..."
It is now the Jingrui era.
Baili Hong carefully selected the character "瑞" (rui), which shows his sincerity.
Qin Xiao's "King Ning" refers to the King Ning of Daming, while Chu Jiubian's "King Rui" refers to the King Rui of the Jingrui year. Moreover, both of them were regents with fiefs of ten thousand households, a title far exceeding that of a prince.
Such an honor would be tantamount to being threatened by two powerful deities for other emperors.
But with Baili Hong, both of these powerful figures protected and doted on him.
Chu Jiubian raised his eyes and stared blankly at the small figure on the throne.
Baili Hong's eyes were bright as he met Baili Hong's gaze with one of extreme dependence and joy, and he even pursed his lips and smiled secretly.
For a moment, Chu Jiubian was in a daze, as if he saw another little child across a distant time and space.
The other person had looked at him with that same gaze and would smile at him.
But they are not quite the same.
Baili Hong's essence is clean, pure, and imbued with love and tolerance.
But that child was tragic and suffering...
"So be it!" Xiaoyuzi read the last sentence, then ran down the steps and handed the imperial edict to Chu Jiubian with a smile.
A faint smile appeared on Chu Jiubian's lips.
He reached out and accepted the imperial edict, bowing to the emperor and saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor."
Baili Hong hurriedly said, "My dear minister, please rise."
The moment he received the imperial edict, someone brought out a chair from the back hall that was exactly the same as Qin Xiao's.
Qin Xiao got up and walked down the steps. He took the chair, which required four people to lift, from the palace servants, placed it on the platform level with him, and put it on the other side of the steps.
Chu Jiubian looked up and saw two chairs on the left and right, and above them in the middle was the large and exquisite dragon throne.
He turned his gaze away and looked at Qin Xiao.
The other person's expression was calm, but there was a faint smile in their eyes.
Seeing him look at him, Qin Xiao winked at him.
Chu Jiubian smiled silently, lifted his foot, and walked up the steps to the chair.
He turned around and sat down.
He saw the officials standing orderly below.
Qin Xiao returned to his seat.
It's unclear who spoke first, but then all the officials knelt down in unison, kowtowed to the three officials in the upper ranks, and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Later History Records
On the 28th day of the twelfth month of the second year of Jingrui, Prince Rui, Chu Jiubian, was granted the title of Assistant King.
This laid the foundation for a prosperous era, with Emperor Shengzong (Bai Lihong) personally ruling and Prince Rui and Prince Ning jointly governing.
==
After the morning court session, inside the rear hall of Fengtian Hall.
The little girl hugged Chu Jiubian's leg and said softly, "Sir, Miaomiao didn't mean to not tell you. It's just that you were resting the other day, so I didn't want to disturb you. Please don't be angry with Miaomiao, okay?"
Qin Xiao's teeth ached from looking at it.
It's feeding Miaomiao one bite at a time; this little thing is getting better and better at being affectionate.
But when he looked up, he saw Chu Jiubian smiling so gently.
Qin Xiao: "......"
Alright, Prince Rui is all for this.
The Da Ning Dynasty had only two kings of different surnames, so although he and Chu Jiubian were granted the title of king, they were not addressed as "Your Highness" but as "Sir".
Chu Jiubian squatted down and patted the child's head, smiling as he said, "Don't be angry, sir. You really like the surprise Miao Miao gave you."
Baili Hong immediately beamed with joy, hugged his neck and rubbed against him like a kitten.
After soothing the child, the child and Xiaoyuzi returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The New Year is just around the corner, and Baili Hong is on holiday. He doesn't have to review memorials anymore, so his favorite thing to do lately is to play in the snow with Xiaoyu in the yard.
Yan Rui, the newly appointed physician in the Ministry of Works, is the same young man who passed the imperial examination. He has recently made a lot of fun building blocks and molds for Baili Hong.
It's fun, helps develop hands-on skills, and is also educational.
So Baili Hong has been using these logs to build snow houses and courtyards lately, and he and Xiaoyuzi play a sandbox-like "battle" game together, using wooden figures to outwit and outmaneuver each other in the snow-made cities.
Without realizing it, he had mastered a great deal of military strategy and tactics without a teacher.
Chu Jiubian watched it a few times and couldn't help but marvel at the child's brain; he was truly born to be an emperor.
What are you thinking about?
Chu Jiubian felt a warmth on his ear and was hugged from behind.
He tilted his head, and Qin Xiao's lips brushed against his ear.
“I’m thinking we should go visit them in prison,” Chu Jiubian said.
They've been acting ridiculously these past few days, not even bothering to check on the reactions of those people in prison.
Of course, the others are not very important; we can just have Gu Qingzhi make the judgment later.
With no one in the Ministry of Justice, these matters have been handed over to Gu Qingzhi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
The only family member Qin Xiao should personally question is the Lu family, especially Lu Youwei.
The mastermind behind the deaths of Qin Jingzhao and Wei Lingyun was Emperor Yingzong, but the Lu family was the real executioners, though they hadn't found a single clue beforehand.
The Lu family has now been raided, and Lu Youwei and the family head Lu Jinfeng have been imprisoned. A number of the family's strategists and elders are also being held in the Dali Temple prison.
Under these circumstances, Lu Youwei had no need to hide these things any longer, since death was inevitable anyway.
Perhaps after he speaks up, Qin Xiao will make an exception and release some of his clan members from prison.
Qin Xiao knew what Chu Jiubian meant.
Although he had been acting recklessly these past few days, barely getting out of bed with Chu Jiubian, he couldn't help but think about these things when Chu Jiubian was unconscious.
Perhaps it was because he had met Chu Jiubian that he had someone to share the burden with, so he could no longer pretend to be omnipotent.
He admitted it.
He was somewhat afraid to face it.
The deaths of his parents weakened his grandfather's health and drove his eldest sister to her death.
How exactly they were murdered is no longer important, but Qin Xiao still wants a clear and unambiguous answer.
Chu Jiubian slowly pulled his arm down, and Qin Xiao stood up straight.
Chu Jiubian turned to look at him, then lowered his eyes and took his hand, their fingers intertwined.
“Let’s go,” he said.
Qin Xiao felt a chill run down his spine and gripped the handle even tighter.
The two walked all the way to the prison.
Once inside the courtyard, it was deserted and quiet.
The area next door was where the Imperial Guards rested during their daily shifts, so there were no guards on this side of the prison, only a few jailers on duty.
Upon seeing Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao arrive, a jailer immediately ran out of the room and bowed in greeting.
Qin Xiao casually said, "Get up."
Chu Jiubian glanced at the jailer a couple more times.
The jailer shouldn't have looked up at his master, but he couldn't help it and secretly raised his eyes, only to see Chu Jiubian's light-colored pupils.
He was momentarily dazed, then quickly lowered his head.
Then he heard Chu Jiubian speak, his voice was clear and cold but his tone was approachable.
“I remember you,” Chu Jiu said. “Your name is Li Sheng, right?”
Li Sheng suddenly looked up, excitedly saying, "You...you still remember me!"
Chu Jiubian looked at his youthful face and said with a smile, "I am grateful for your help here before."
"That would be my honor." Li Sheng's face turned slightly red, just as it had when he first learned that Chu Jiubian was a deity.
Qin Xiao turned his head to look at Chu Jiubian, then at the jailer, but said nothing.
"Lead the way, we want to see Lu Youwei," Chu Jiubian said.
"Yes, gentlemen, this way please." Li Sheng led the two men into the prison.
There were many stoves burning inside, making it much warmer than outside, but it would still get cold if you stayed in that environment for too long.
Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao followed Li Sheng all the way inside, passing the first prison cell.
“Returning to this familiar place, it feels really wonderful,” Chu Jiubian said deliberately.
Qin Xiao recalled the scene when he first locked people up in this cell. At that time, he was hindered at every turn. There was no money in the national treasury, no one in the court, and spies everywhere in the palace.
He felt like he was walking on a knife's edge every day; if he wasn't careful, he would fall and be riddled with holes, dying without a burial place.
Just then, Chu Jiubian appeared in such a miraculous way, and quickly solved his immediate problem. After that, step by step, the other party helped him in so many ways.
It's so much that he can't repay it in this life, the next life, or countless lifetimes.
Therefore, he can only repay the debt by chasing after the other person for lifetimes.
Chu Jiubian didn't know what he was thinking. Seeing that he didn't move, he pulled him along and continued walking forward.
Passing by prison cells.
They saw familiar faces that they had seen almost every day before.
Prince Dingbei Baili Yu, Prince Dongjiang Baili He, Minister of Revenue Su Sheng, Minister of Justice Qiu Heng, Minister of War Lu Youwei...
The princes, the first-rank ministers, the second-rank vice ministers, and those family heads.
Although they had lost their former glory, they were still different from ordinary prisoners. They still stood tall with their backs straight and their hair was not disheveled.
Although the thin linen prison uniforms made their precious bodies uncomfortable, they still looked as if they were wearing crimson official robes.
Upon seeing Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao arrive, all eyes turned to them.
There was no resentment, no anger, only melancholy and peace.
The rise and fall of power is nothing more than a game of chess, with winners and losers.
When someone rises, someone else falls.
But there will always be someone standing around that table, stirring up trouble.
They can afford to lose.
But only they themselves know how much resentment they truly feel.
Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao stood in front of the cell door where Lu Youwei was, and looked at the person sitting inside through the gap in the wooden wall.
The once powerful Minister of War is now nothing more than a prisoner, worse off than an ordinary citizen.
"I cannot answer the questions you two wish to ask," Lu Youwei said calmly, though his voice was somewhat hoarse.
He looked at Qin Xiao and said, "It's just that your Qin family's achievements overshadowed the emperor, which aroused the late emperor's suspicion. You've also blocked the path of too many people. My Lu family is just one of them. Even if we don't do it, someone else will."
"A dying man's words are often good." Lu Youwei seemed to sigh. "I'm not saying anything for your own good. Don't pry any further."
After saying that, he closed his eyes and showed no intention of speaking again.
Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao looked at him but didn't ask anything more.
Lu Youwei is unlikely to say anything now.
As for the other members of the Lu family, perhaps only the strategist Lu Tong knew anything, but Gu Qingzhi had already interrogated him several times and even sent Qin Xiao's men to ask him, but to no avail.
The other party said that only Lu Youwei knew who the person who betrayed the Qin family was hiding in the shadows.
Just then, a frivolous laugh suddenly came from a part of the prison.
"Lord Chu."
"No, you should be addressed as Lord Divine Lord now."
The voice was very distinctive, and everyone knew immediately that it belonged to Xiao Yao, the head of the Xiao family.
"I'm about to die. Would you be willing to come and see me one last time, sir, so we can catch up?"
Chu Jiubian looked toward the source of the sound.
Because the prison cells are arranged in rows, Xiao Yao's people cannot be seen from this angle.
Qin Xiao glanced at them indifferently, then said to Chu Jiu, "If you can't get any answers, then forget it and go back."
We can just keep investigating.
Chu Jiubian nodded, but Xiao Yao spoke again, raising his voice: "I know who killed Qin Jingzhao and his wife!"
Qin Xiao's face suddenly darkened.
A dark glint flashed in Chu Jiubian's eyes.
Using this reason is really...
“I really know,” Xiao Yao continued. “Before the Empress Dowager left the capital, she gave me a list of spies that my Xiao family had planted throughout Da Ning. Only she knew about it.”
"Among those people, there is one who has an extremely close relationship with the Qin family!"
“If you come and talk to me yourself, I will tell you who that person is,” Xiao Yao said with a smile. “As long as you come here yourself.”
Qin Xiao scoffed and walked over.
He insists on coming, what can you do about it?
Hearing the footsteps, a glint of light flashed in Xiao Yao's eyes, but when he saw that the person coming was Qin Xiao, he immediately frowned.
Qin Xiao told Li Sheng to go and open the cell door.
Xiao Yao's expression changed slightly, and he subconsciously took a step back, asking, "What are you doing?"
The cell door opened, and Qin Xiao strode inside.
The next moment, the sounds of fists hitting flesh and Xiao Yao's suppressed groans of pain rang out.
Chu Jiubian: "..."
Qin Xiao must have wanted to beat Xiao Yao like this for a long time.
After a long while, he finally walked over.
Qin Xiao also happened to come out of the prison, his hair perfectly styled.
Chu Jiubian turned his head and glanced into the cell, where he saw Xiao Yao's thin body curled up, clutching his head and abdomen, still trembling.
"You go out first, I want to hear what he has to say," Chu Jiubian said to Qin Xiao.
If the other party really does know something, then it saves them the trouble of continuing their investigation.
Moreover, judging from Lu Youwei's words just now, that person has a close relationship with the Qin family, and perhaps knowing that person's identity will affect Qin Xiao now.
Therefore, it is best for Chu Jiubian to ask questions alone.
If there's no need for Qin Xiao to know, then he can just keep this secret for the rest of his life.
Qin Xiao knew what he was thinking, and after a moment of silence, he said, "I'll wait for you outside the door."
"Let's go outside," Chu Jiubian said.
Qin Xiao thought he was afraid he would hear, so he smiled silently and said, "Okay."
He strode out.
Chu Jiubian turned to look at his departing figure, staring intently until his eyes stung with tears.
His main purpose in coming to this prison today was to get Qin Xiao out of the way first.
We need to keep him far away.
In the cell near the front, Baili Yu sat by the wall with his eyes closed. The elderly Gu Master huddled in the corner, trying his best to minimize his presence, but his cloudy eyes couldn't help but glance at the young prince from time to time.
Even when they were in trouble, the other party still maintained an extraordinary demeanor and remained aloof.
And yet, he remained captivated by it.
Baili Yu heard Qin Xiao stride out of the prison and heard the young jailer ask Chu Jiubian if he wanted the cell door opened.
He opened his eyes and looked at the Gu Master in the corner.
A smile played on his lips as Baili Yu reached out and beckoned to the other person, as if summoning a pet.
The Gu Master was startled, then his eyes seemed to light up. He immediately got up, staggered to his feet, knelt down in front of him, and looked up at him.
Baili Yu slowly leaned closer to him, reaching out to stroke his withered, wrinkled face with gentle strokes and a more tender smile, just like during their previous intimate moments.
The Gu Master's breathing became heavier.
Baili Yu smiled and said softly, "Didn't you say you were willing to die for me?"
"Your subordinate is willing!"
Baili Yu's smile deepened, his movements were gentle, but his words were cruel.
"Then let your death have some value."
At the same time, Chu Jiubian stood outside Xiao Yao's prison door.
"Speak," he said.
Xiao Yao paused for a moment, fearing that Chu Jiubian would leave before he could wait, and struggled to get up.
He wanted to go to the door, to be closer to the gods.
But I don't have the strength.
He could only sit there, his face pale, staring at the deity just a door away.
Chu Jiubian's expression remained unchanged.
After a long while, all the words Xiao Yao wanted to say were stuck in his throat.
It's no use saying anything now.
So he just smiled and made fun of himself.
Then he said, "Never mind. It won't hurt to tell you."
Chu Jiubian heard that name.
That name was unexpected, yet perfectly logical.
He didn't say anything, and turned to walk out of the prison.
As he passed by the prison where the Prince of Dingbei was located, he glanced inside and met Baili Yu's flippant gaze.
Chu Jiubian continued walking out without stopping.
Behind him, the jailer Li Sheng followed a few steps behind.
Upon arriving at the prison gate, Chu Jiubian smiled at Li Sheng and said, "Let's go back."
Li Sheng blushed and agreed, then happily walked back.
When he gets home today, he will definitely tell his family that the gods remember him and Lord Chu remembers him!
He quickly arrived at the prison gate of the Prince of Dingbei.
The Gu Master knelt in the corner, facing the wall.
Hearing Baili Yu chuckle softly, he closed his eyes.
The next moment, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood.
The figure at the prison door paused, then turned and quickly ran towards the door.
Chu Jiubian stepped out of the prison gate and saw a tall figure standing at the courtyard gate.
Qin Xiao had his back to the courtyard gate, but turned around when he heard the noise.
Chu Jiubian avoided his gaze, turned around, and took out a kitchen knife that he had bought long ago from his spatial storage.
A figure rushed out from inside the prison gate.
He was a young man, dressed as a jailer, kind, innocent, and easily blushing.
He was among the first followers of Chu Jiubian.
Chu Jiubian stared intently at his face, at his eyes that had inexplicably turned crimson.
Was it a coincidence, a joke played by fate, or perhaps, destiny?
Chu Jiubian raised his knife.
The young jailer rushing towards him became distorted, and Chu Jiubian seemed to have returned to that evening, in the cramped room.
The smell is of alcohol, blood, and sourness.
He saw the woman raise the kitchen knife high and slash it down fiercely at the man on the bed.
But the man woke up, and he flinched in terror as the woman's kitchen knife slashed at his collarbone.
The man pushed the woman away, snatched the knife from her hand, and slashed at her with his other hand.
One after another.
Chu Jiubian's face was splattered with blood. He saw the woman's wide-open eyes, and saw the man fall to the ground, with the kitchen knife also lying on the ground.
The man staggered to his feet and walked out.
Chu Jiubian looked at the blood-stained knife, reached out, and gripped it tightly with both hands.
He stood up and walked towards the man.
As he drew closer, he finally raised his knife and slashed at the man.
Once, twice.
Then, he was kicked away by the man, and the knife slashed under the bed.
The man then picked up the stool, along with everything else at hand, and slammed it down heavily.
Chu Jiubian seemed to hear the woman's words of advice, and she said, "Protect your head! Stay alive!"
He held his head and curled up.
Later on.
The man couldn't fight anymore, so he stopped.
Chu Jiubian got up and saw the man lying on the ground, no longer breathing.
The young jailer had already rushed in front of him, and Chu Jiubian's vision cleared.
The knife slashed down again.
Chu Jiubian heard the footsteps behind him suddenly stop, and his hands were trembling.
Qin Xiao stood a few steps away, watching the young man's back as he slowly turned around.
The young man's pale face and body were covered in blood; his pupils were devoid of emotion, empty and blank.
Chu Jiubian laughed.
He said, "Qin Xiao, do you know who I first attacked with a knife?"
"He is my blood father."
The swirling snowflakes obscured his vision, and Chu Jiubian couldn't quite make out Qin Xiao's face. He continued, "Do you still want me like this?"
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