Two sets of light, steady footsteps could be heard along the quiet prison corridor. As soon as he heard them, he knew that the people coming must be martial arts masters.

Here we go.

Chu Jiubian rose from the ground and brushed back his still-wet hair, revealing his smooth forehead.

He looked toward the cell door, his breathing light as he listened carefully to the footsteps drawing nearer and nearer to him. 

Very soon, the ink-black hem of a robe came into view.

Then, there was a tall, straight male figure, his handsome face all sharp edges and corners.

The footsteps came to a stop, and the two people stood facing each other from either side of the cell door.

One came in the rain without a single hair out of place, while the other was disheveled in sticky, wet clothing.

Clearly, the person outside the cell door was superior.

But unexpectedly, the person inside the cell was also calm and composed.

After a moment’s pause, the person outside the cell door spoke first: “How has a god ended up in such a predicament?”

The man’s voice was slightly low, but his tone was genial.

Chu Jiubian smiled when he heard this, and walked forward to stop at the cell door.

The distance between the two people shortened to less than two steps.

“This god is not here to enjoy himself, so he cannot use too much of his divine power.” Chu Jiubian spoke with a sincere expression and a look of anticipation in his eyes. “But it is good to have you here. You are my love tribulation, so you will naturally take care of me.”

Chu Jiubian had blurted out the words “love tribulation” to escape when he was in crisis, and they contained no logic at all.

But since he had already spoken them and become a “god,” he might as well go with his previous declaration in order to avoid having to find an excuse for why he “descended to earth.”

Of course, it would be even better if this makes Qin Xiao uncomfortable, Chu Jiubian thought with wicked humor.

His face was sincere and expectant, but Qin Xiao remained unmoved. He just gave a slight smile and continued to regard him with disdainful, inquiring eyes.

Chu Jiubian needed to leave this prison, and had no desire to waste time with Qin Xiao like this.

After all, every day he remained locked up here meant suffering.

So he set aside the notion of his love tribulation and said: “I won the wager just now.”

Qin Xiao raised his eyebrows and said in surprise: “What wager?”

He was definitely going to default on his debt.

Chu Jiubian was not surprised.

For a twisted person like Qin Xiao, who had evil ambitions and a ruthless heart, basic skills like cheating were definitely a cinch for him.

After acting shamelessly, the Regent carefully examined the expression of the person in front of him, as if searching for something.

However, much to his disappointment, the young man before him had a tranquil look in his eyes and didn’t reveal a single trace of emotion.

It was as if the other person was always wearing a thick mask over his face, covering up all emotions and thoughts.

And this mask was a very beautiful one, if somewhat strange.

If Qin Xiao were to express his opinion, he would say that the person before him did not seem like a god, but more like a spirit or demon.

This “demon” should be aware of the advantages of his face. With just a glance, it was capable of moving anyone’s heart.

At this moment, the young man moved closer to the cell door, peering through the arm-width gap in the solid wood. His voice was slightly muted as he said in a seductive tone: “Let me go, and I will show you more miracles.”

Chu Jiubian peered at Qin Xiao, trying to see a hint of greed or hesitation in his eyes.

But as a powerful official, even if he had just recently taken up the position, he already possessed the ability to conceal his emotions.

…..There was another bothersome length of silence.

Finally, after a few breaths, Qin Xiao seemed to be genuinely moved by Chu Jiubian’s words and said with a smile: “Then let’s make another wager. If you win, I will let you out, provide you with good food and drink, and help you get through your so-called love tribulation. What do you say?”

“How do I know you won’t go back on your word again?” Chu Jiubian deliberately emphasized the word again.

Qin Xiao’s credibility with him was zero.

Qin Xiao said indifferently: “Take it or leave it.”

The implication in these few words was that if Chu Jiubian took the wager, he had a chance of getting out, but if he didn’t, he would be imprisoned for life.

He was currently at the mercy of the other party, and since Chu Jiubian had no means of protecting himself, he could only temporarily be at a disadvantage.

“What do you want to bet on?” he asked.

Qin Xiao considered for a moment, then said: “Let us continue to bet on the rain.”

“Do you want to bet on when it will stop?”

“No.” Qin Xiao said unhurriedly, “We will bet on whether this rain will fall in Sichuan and Huguang.”

Chu Jiubian was slightly taken aback, but then it became clear in an instant.

According to the introduction in the novel, the Great Ning Dynasty had now reached the end of its reign.

The Oirat, Tatars, Jurchens, and other tribes were eyeing this country covetously, while the four great families controlled the government. Seven vassal kings ruled the local areas, and the common people were impacted by unprecedented natural disasters such as drought in the south and floods in the north. The people were living in misery due to internal and external troubles.

It could be said that with the male protagonist Bai Lihong ascending the throne under such circumstances, it was really a disastrous beginning.

Fortunately, in the early stages, Regent Qin Xiao and the Qin family behind him helped Bai Lihong stabilize the government and allowed him to sit firmly on the throne.

But later on, Qin Xiao became second to none, and as his ambition expanded, he became Bai Lihong’s greatest enemy.

The original novel had not described the emperor’s childhood in detail, with the story focusing more on his battle of wits and courage with Qin Xiao after he grew up. Therefore, although Chu Jiubian had only read the beginning, he still had some understanding of the major events in the young emperor’s childhood.

For example, Sichuan and Huguang, which Qin Xiao mentioned just now, along with other places.

Since the beginning of spring this year, there had not been a drop of rain in most parts of the south, and there were signs of drought.

On the contrary, in Zhili, Shanxi, Henan, and other parts of the Imperial Capital, rain came from time to time and the crops were growing well.

As the Regent, Qin Xiao naturally had his eye on the entire country. He was also aware that if it didn’t rain in the south, a severe drought was inevitable.

At that point, it would be a tragic scene of widespread grief.

But right now, perhaps Chu Jiubian alone knew that if rain continued to fall in Northern Zhili, flooding would occur sooner or later.

And the flooding may come sooner than the drought.

According to the sentence “drought in the south and floods in the north” mentioned in the novel, he was almost certain that the rain in Northern Zhili would continue to fall, and flooding would occur.

At the thought of this, he could only call up the System in his mind.

[Hello, Host. How may I assist you?]

Chu Jiubian: Please help me check the weather in the Great Ning Dynasty for the next month.

[Relevant information has been found for you. In the next month, there will be intermittent light rain in Northern Zhili, Shanxi, Henan, and Southern Zhili, while the weather in Sichuan, Huguang, and Nanjiang will be sunny, with the highest temperature reaching 40 degrees Celcius.]

Chu Jiubian: There won’t be any heavy rain?

[There will be no heavy rain.]

Chu Jiubian was a little unsure.

Intermittent light rain shouldn’t cause flooding, should it?

Would there be heavier rainfall after this month?

But in order to ensure accuracy, the System could only detect weather conditions for up to a month ahead of time. Therefore, Chu Jiubian had no way to confirm whether or not it would continue to rain in a month.

He thought for a long time, and Qin Xiao didn’t rush him.

At last, Chu Jiubian pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked through the cell door.

“Have you thought it through?” Qin Xiao asked.

“I will make a bet with you.” Chu Jiubian said bluntly: “There will be no rain in Sichuan and Huguang in the next month. The rain outside will only last twelve hours, and will stop at noon tomorrow.”

He deliberately gave the time the rain would stop in order to emphasize his “divine power.”

It didn’t matter if Qin Xiao still didn’t believe in his identity as a god. Even if the other party planned to use him as a “weather forecaster,” it was fine.

The question Qin Xiao had asked required people to go to Sichuan, Huguang, and other regions in order to confirm his words. The round trip would take at least half a month, which was a half month that Chu Jiubian would have to remain in prison.

Thus, he made a “prophesy” that could be proven at noon tomorrow. If Qin Xiao had a change of heart, wouldn’t he be able to leave prison tomorrow at noon?

Qin Xiao’s eyes darkened when he heard these words.

If what Chu Jiubian said was true, and there would be no rain for the next month, there would definitely be a drought in the south.

There were vassal kings in Sichuan, Huguang, and other places who were used to acting as local emperors. However, when they encountered a disaster that required them to contribute money and effort, those vassal kings would not pay out of their own pockets, but would inevitably petition the Imperial Court for money and food.

However, the four great families currently controlled the government, and all good things were placed into their own pockets, resulting in an empty treasury and little ability for risk aversion.

The young emperor’s rise to power was unorthodox and full of enigma. Those pedantic scholars always had opinions on it, but they had been temporarily suppressed because of Qin Xiao’s swift and decisive measures. But if the drought was not handled properly, those pedantic scholars would certainly use it to attack Qin Xiao and the young emperor, and by then, the common people would likely be filled with resentment.

There were also those vassal kings in control of the local areas, as well as the Empress Dowager and Jiannan-wang in the palace. These people would also try their best to crush Bai Lihong and the Qin family to death.

When he thought of this, a fierce look flashed through Qin Xiao’s eyes.

Regardless of whether this so-called “prophecy” was true or not, he should make some preparations.

His thoughts instantly turned a corner, and he fixed his deep gaze on Chu Jiubian, saying: “If the rain stops tomorrow at noon, I will let you out.”

Chu Jiubian smiled at once: “It’s a deal.”

Qin Xiao didn’t extend his stay, and turned to leave.

It was only at this moment that Chu Jiubian suddenly noticed that another person seemed to have come in with Qin Xiao, and had been standing two steps away from him.

It was just that the other party’s sense of presence was very low, and he had forgotten about him while dealing with Qin Xiao.

Now, looking at their backs as the two people left, Chu Jiubian couldn’t help but feel a little frightened.

He had clearly seen the man’s face just now, but in the blink of an eye, he had pretty much forgotten what he looked like. He only recalled that he was an ordinary-looking young man.

Who was that person?

Frowning, Chu Jiubian recalled the original novel and suddenly realized that this person matched someone in the book.

The other party should be Qin Chaoyang, who was born as a secret guard and was both civil and martial. He was Qin Xiao’s most capable and loyal subordinate, assistant, and secretary.

If An Wuji was Qin Xiao’s biggest lackey, then Qin Chaoyang was Qin Xiao’s strongest logistical support.

Chu Jiubian gave a light sigh, thinking that with so many hidden talents around the villain, it was no wonder he was so difficult to defeat.

Said villain returned to Yangxin Palace after leaving the prison.

Bai Lihong now lived in the main courtyard of Yangxin Palace, and Qin Xiao stayed in the western courtyard. The eastern courtyard had been converted into a meeting hall and a study to make it easier for him to teach Bai Lihong.

Naturally, if anyone wanted to continue discussing state affairs after the court session, they would come here.

As soon as Qin Xiao stepped through the gates of Yangxin Palace, Eunuch Hong came forward to greet him. After a respectful bow, he reported: “My Lord, His Majesty has just taken a hot bath. He ate lunch and drank ginger soup, and is now resting.”

Children slept a lot at three years old, and when his elder sister was around, she had always coaxed the child to nap. Qin Xiao didn’t want to put too much pressure on the boy, so at this moment, he just gave a hum of acknowledgement.

Eunuch Hong then said: “Master Lin Sheng, the Overseer of the Imperial Observatory, is waiting in the meeting hall. He said he has something important to report to you.”

Lin Sheng enjoyed the support of their Qin family.

Qin Xiao’s grandfather, the previous head of the Qin family, once said that this person did have some real skill. But Qin Xiao himself didn’t believe in this talk of the supernatural, and simply treated the other party as a useful subordinate. After all, since he was sitting in this position, there would always be times where he needed to play a few tricks.

Qin Xiao surmised that the other party had come to him because of Chu Jiubian, so he headed toward the eastern courtyard.

Lin Sheng was waiting under the eaves of the corridor outside the hall. When he saw Qin Xiao approaching, he immediately stepped forward in the rain to greet him without even opening his umbrella.

Qin Xiao waved away his greeting and asked while walking into the hall: “What is it?”

Qin Xiao’s men were everywhere inside and outside of Yangxin Palace, so there was no need to worry about information being leaked.

Lin Sheng was aware that this was a safe place, so he said directly: “This official just made a divination, and that man today…..”

He glanced at Qin Xiao’s profile before whispering: “…..will defeat you.”

Qin Xiao paused, turning his head to look at him.

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Chapter 3 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 5