T/N: Thank you to Courtney for the Kofi donation! Here’s a double update!
A bird flapped its wings and landed on the small, solitary window of the cell, shaking its wet little head.
A faint light fell through the window, casting a golden hue across Chu Jiubian’s silver-white hair.
The heaviness in Qin Xiao’s chest dissipated, and he rubbed the jade ring on his right thumb, gazing steadily at Chu Jiubian.
The young man had short, fluffy black hair in front, a delicate face, and a pair of light-hued eyes that were indifferent and aloof, lacking any emotional fluctuations. Even though he was wearing coarse linen clothes, he looked like a high and mighty immortal god in the heavens, perpetually regarding those below him with a distant gaze.
But there was a stark palm mark on his fragile neck, shockingly purple and mottled, which abruptly pulled him down from the altar and into the mortal world.
Qin Xiao chuckled and said: “You win.”
Chu Jiubian’s smile remained unchanged. He said nothing, but he was hurling curses in his heart.
You bastard, you’d better let me out of here now, or I’ll be the first to kill you when my power grows!
From the moment he decided to pretend to be a god, Chu Jiubian had already immersed himself in the role.
He was a professional, experienced actor, and his acting skills were comparable to those of veteran actors in the circle. Now, it was easy to play the role of a god who had come to earth to experience trials and tribulations.
“Release him.” Qin Xiao gave the order in a casual tone, then turned and walked out.
Chu Jiubian blinked slowly, then glanced at Qin Chaoyang, who was still standing there.
As Qin Chaoyang met his gaze, he was still unable to calm his raging heartbeat.
The “miracle” he’d heard about from others was nothing compared to the shock he suffered from seeing it with his own eyes.
That was rain! A celestial phenomenon!
And Chu Jiubian had actually predicted it!
Such power! It was no exaggeration to call it a miracle!
Qin Chaoyang couldn’t calm his heart for a long time, but his strong self-control allowed him to school his expression in order to not reveal the terror inside.
He took two steps forward with downcast eyes, then lightly tugged the bronze lock on the cell door.
Click.
The lock opened.
He was easily able to open the solid lock with brute force, a display of his great internal strength.
Qin Chaoyang pushed open the cell door and said to Chu Jiubian: “Please.”
Chu Jiubian knew that Qin Xiao wouldn’t let him go so easily, and would just take him elsewhere to put him under house arrest. But as long as he could come into contact with more people, even if they were servants, he could quickly increase his number of believers and accumulate Faith Points.
No matter what he did in the future, the only things he could rely on now were himself and the System.
And he was very interested in the System Mall and the [Divine Realm] functions, so he needed to collect Faith Points quickly.
Qin Chaoyang was worthy of being Qin Xiao’s most capable assistant. Without specific instructions from the other party, he knew how to make arrangements for Chu Jiubian.
Chu Jiubian was led out of the cell and toward the palace road.
Looking forward, a man in crimson-purple court robes was strolling leisurely a few dozen meters ahead. Just by looking at his back, one could tell that he had a lot on his mind, as if he had already planned everything out.
Chu Jiubian lowered his eyes.
Qin Xiao and the young emperor were enemies.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Chu Jiubian felt that he needed to have a good relationship with the young emperor. Not to mention that the other party had the ability to defeat Qin Xiao in the end, his identity as the “male protagonist” made him the thickest thigh in the world to hug.
But the young emperor was only three years old. Qin Xiao was only twenty-five – he had just gained power and was about to flex his muscles. Thus, Chu Jiubian couldn’t confront him for the time being, or at least couldn’t fight him head-on.
Otherwise, inside the Imperial Palace, Qin Xiao wouldn’t even have to lift a hand to have him killed.
So until he had the ability to protect himself, he still needed to deal with Qin Xiao and build a good relationship with him.
Moreover, Qin Xiao was in power now, and if the other party trusted him and found him useful, he might even give Chu Jiubian an official position.
In such a dog-eat-dog era, only those who held power were truly capable of protecting themselves.
Therefore, what Chu Jiubian needed to do most at this point in time was to get close to Qin Xiao and make the other party believe that he was a “god,” and even make him think that they were two grasshoppers on the same rope. Only then could they have a stable alliance.
But he didn’t want to reveal all of his cards so early, such as glass, salt, soap, etc. Before he could protect himself, making these things would be like a child carrying gold through a market.
However, apart from using “miracles” to draw the other party in, it seemed that only the “love tribulation” could legitimately entangle him with Qin Xiao.
Since he had “descended” to the mortal world just to become entangled with Qin Xiao, it made sense for him to want more contact and communication between them, and even to learn more about the other party.
As for whether or not Qin Xiao would grow angry out of shame, just by observing his attitude over the past two days, one could tell that he didn’t believe Chu Jiubian at all, nor did he take this “love tribulation” seriously. So he could take advantage of this opportunity to jump around, and the other party probably wouldn’t take issue with him.
Chu Jiubian gazed at the tall figure in front of him, and a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corners of his lips.
The three of them traversed the winding palace road. The eunuchs and palace maids they met from time to time would kneel silently on either side of the road after seeing Qin Xiao from afar, not daring to stand up until he had gone far away.
At first, Chu Jiubian would turn his head to take a few peeks, but after witnessing such scenes everywhere, he no longer paid specific attention to them.
After about the time it would take to drink a cup of tea, they parted ways with Qin Xiao. And after walking for another quarter of an hour, Chu Jiubian was finally led to his destination – Yaotai Residence.
This was a medium-sized courtyard, with two main rooms and two side rooms. It was around 200 square meters in total, and was very clean. The servants in this courtyard likely didn’t dare to slack off.
Indeed, this courtyard was only a quarter of an hour’s walk away from Yangxin Palace, where the young emperor and Qin Xiao resided, so no one dared to slack off.
When they noticed the two of them coming, five palace maids and eunuchs in palace garb immediately bowed down and walked quickly from all parts of the courtyard to kneel quietly on one side.
“This was once the residence of Concubine Duan, and is very close to Yangxin Palace.” Qin Chaoyang paid no attention to these people, and explained to Chu Jiubian, “Moreover, this courtyard is named Yaotai Residence, which is very suitable for your status.”
Yaotai, the legendary jade residence of immortals, was now quite suitable for Chu Jiubian to live in.
Qin Xiao must have done this intentionally. As for whether he really believed Chu Jiubian was a god, or was simply using such a name to mock him, everyone was very much aware.
Chu Jiubian inwardly rolled his eyes, but said calmly: “Many thanks.”
Qin Chaoyang responded politely, then looked at the people kneeling nearby and said loudly: “Hong Xiang.”
“This servant is here.” The man kneeling in the front of the group of five immediately stood up. He walked forward quickly with his body lowered, and greeted Qin Chaoyang and Chu Jiubian respectively.
“This…..” Qin Chaoyang wanted to introduce Chu Jiubian, but realized that he didn’t know his name. But he didn’t ask, and said instead, “Young Master, this Xiao Xiangzi[1] is quite useful, and will run errands for you from now on. You can ask him for anything you need.”
Chu Jiubian regarded the young eunuch in front of him.
The eunuch was wearing dark green palace robes. He looked to be less than 1.7 meters tall, and had the tender face of a boy around thirteen or fourteen years old.
The young eunuch knelt down again to kowtow to Chu Jiubian, saying in a crisp voice: “Young Master, this Xiao Xiangzi will dedicate himself to serving you from now on.”
“Your name is Hong Xiang?” Chu Jiubian asked.
“Yes.”
“Get up.”
The young eunuch got up and stepped to the side without a word. He had learned the rules very well.
Hong Xiang.
Chu Jiubian couldn’t help but recall the eunuch Hong Fu, who followed the young emperor. He wondered what the relationship was between him and the young eunuch beside him.
However, what was certain was that the eunuch Xiao Hong, as well as the other four servants in this courtyard, were definitely Qin Xiao’s subordinates.
Naturally, there were several hidden gazes around the courtyard keeping an eye on Chu Jiubian at all times, probably from the Imperial Guard.
“Then please stay here with peace of mind, Young Master. My Lord will come to see you when he is free,” Qin Chaoyang said.
This man appeared gentle and polite on the surface, and his words were considerate, but each word he spoke seemed to have an underlying meaning that kept people guessing.
Like the sentence just now – the implication was obviously that Chu Jiubian should stay quiet and not make trouble, and also not go looking for Qin Xiao. The man would naturally come to see him when he felt like it.
After checking and confirming that everything had been arranged in the courtyard, Qin Chaoyang said his farewells and departed.
Chu Jiubian also took this opportunity to take a look around at his temporary residence. There were two main rooms, two side rooms, and a small kitchen at the back of the house.
Everything here was in order, and Chu Jiubian could even do anything he wanted within this courtyard.
He tentatively walked toward the gate, Hong Xiang following closely behind. Just as Chu Jiubian was about to step through it, the other party unsurprisingly stopped him and said: “Young Master, His Lordship has ordered that you are not to leave the courtyard.”
It turned out to be house arrest.
But at least there was food and drink and a comfortable place to live, so Chu Jiubian didn’t put up a fuss.
He hadn’t eaten his lunch in the prison just now, and was a little hungry, so he said: “Go get me some food and boil some hot water. I want to take a bath.”
“Yes,” Xiao Xiangzi responded, and turned to instruct another eunuch.
Then the young eunuch hurried off to the kitchen.
Chu Jiubian felt his stomach ache at the thought of eating meat soup or brown rice porridge again, but his throat was currently injured, so he could only eat some soup.
He couldn’t help but think of delicious stir-fried dishes again, and his mind naturally turned to iron woks.
But iron ore was hard to come by here, and there was no chance of making one.
Well, there actually was a certain way to get one.
The sky had cleared up after the rain, ushering back the scorching heat and sweltering summer sun. Chu Jiubian looked up at the sky, then entered the main house.
The outer room was the study and reception room, and the inner room was the bedroom. The entire house was decorated elegantly and exquisitely. There were not many decorative items, and they were not expensive, but they suited the place just right.
Chu Jiubian went to the desk and saw brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone. But the paper looked rough and yellowed, completely incomparable to modern white paper.
And the pieces of paper were very few, but there were many bamboo slips placed in rolls on the bookshelf.
Paper in this era should be very rare. The craft of papermaking may be controlled by aristocratic families or vassal kings, and was so expensive that only wealthy nobles could afford it.
If only he could make paper…..
Chu Jiubian immediately discarded the idea.
Not to mention something like papermaking, which would shake the foundations of the great families, even the glass and soap he had thought of before couldn’t be created for the time being.
Then what else could he do?
“Young Master, the water has been boiled. Would you like to bathe now?” Hong Xiang’s voice extracted Chu Jiubian from his musings.
He gave a hum in response, and got up to walk toward the bedroom.
A half-person-high wooden barrel was placed within, warm water rippling inside it.
Chu Jiubian took off his clothes and sat in the tub. In the bright sunlight, one could see the many irregular, light-hued scars on his body.
He didn’t ask for anyone to serve him, but Xiao Xiangzi remained outside the screen, not only to be of service at any time, but also to monitor him.
Perhaps because the rain had stopped and the weather had gradually become warmer, he fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan.
Chu Jiubian stared at the swaying shadow of the fan behind the screen for a while, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
That’s right, he could make ice!
Saltpeter should be available in this era, and water was not in short supply. Neither of these two things required him to exert any effort, and after ice was made, it could be enjoyed immediately, unlike that ostentatious glass.
Of course, the most important thing was that even if he told others the principle behind this “miracle,” he would have no regrets.
He even wanted to spread this method under his own name, something like the “Jiubian Ice-Making Method.”
This would definitely increase his reputation, and his Faith Value would increase as well.
The more he considered it, the more feasible it seemed.
Chu Jiubian wished he could start making ice at this very moment.
“Xiao Xiangzi,” he called out.
“This servant is here.” Xiao Xiangzi immediately stood and walked out from behind the screen.
Chu Jiubian withdrew his arms that were resting on the sides of the tub and sank into the water, leaving only the parts above his neck exposed.
“What instructions does the Young Master have?” Xiao Xiangzi asked respectfully.
Chu Jiubian asked: “Are you familiar with saltpeter?”
“Saltpeter?” Xiao Xiangzi looked bewildered. “This servant is not, but I can help you find out.”
“Okay, then you can ask about it for me,” Chu Jiubian said in a warm voice.
“Yes, this servant will go right away.” Xiao Xiangzi turned and left the bedroom, calling for another palace maid to come and serve Chu Jiubian.
Chu Jiubian naturally couldn’t allow a young girl to help him change clothes and wash up, so he just instructed her to stay behind the screen.
After bathing, he just casually wiped his hair and changed into new clothes.
The round-necked dark blue robes resembled the robes of officials in the Ming Dynasty. They were embroidered with auspicious silver cloud patterns, and the collar of the red inner shirt was exposed above the round collar, neutralizing the dullness of the dark blue and adding a touch of sunny brightness.
The material was brocade inside and out, which was far superior to the linen that had previously rubbed Chu Jiubian’s tender skin red.
Chu Jiubian tied the dark belt, then walked out with wet hair and sat down at the dining table.
Lunch had just arrived and was still hot.
What was surprising was that this time, the staple food was vegetable and egg soup, which was much better than the meat soup that had almost made him vomit.
Chu Jiubian drank three bowls of soup in one breath.
Xiao Xiangzi, who had gone out to inquire about saltpeter, also returned at this moment. He smiled at Chu Jiubian with two big dimples and said: “Young Master, His Lordship said that the palace has the saltpeter you requested, and he will personally bring it to you when he has time.”
Chu Jiubian glanced at him.
He wasn’t even pretending that he hadn’t gone straight to Qin Xiao to report the news, was he?
But that was fine. Anyway, everyone knew this was the way things were, so it was better to be calm and poised.
Only, Qin Xiao had agreed so easily?
Was he not even going to ask what he needed the saltpeter for?
Chu Jiubian sensed something fishy about this.
“Young Master, this bottle of medicinal oil was sent to you by His Lordship.” Xiao Xangzi took a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and set it on the table. “This servant will apply it for you later.”
Was Qin Xiao so kind?
Chu Jiubian reached up and touched his neck. The pain was still there, and the burning sensation in his throat was even worse than it was yesterday. It must be due to some swelling and inflammation.
However, this was the normal situation after being strangled, and it would heal on its own after a few days. Chu Jiubian was very experienced in this regard.
He reached out and took the medicinal oil, thinking, could this be poison? Perhaps it would make it easier for Qin Xiao to control him or something.
[Hello, Host. This System has automatically scanned the suspicious item for you and confirmed that it is an effective medicinal oil that helps promote blood circulation and reduce bruising.]
The System actually had such a function!
Chu Jiubian’s eyes glinted. Did this mean he wouldn’t have to worry about being poisoned in the future?
[Hello, Host. The scanning and detection function is a paid function. This automatic scan has deducted one Faith Point. If you need to scan further items, you can directly call up the System to make a trade.]
Chu Jiubian: “…..”
Damn, you couldn’t ask me before deducting it?!
He gave the remaining Faith Points a pained look. He had even bought only half a box of medicine, but now the System had deducted an entire point.
It seemed he would still need to hurry and collect more Faith Points.
It would take some time to make ice with saltpeter, and the results from accomplishing this were unknown. If Qin Xiao directly stole his fame, then he could kiss his Faith Value goodbye.
He shouldn’t put all his eggs in one basket.
Chu Jiubian looked up at the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the room. They all comported themselves excellently, and their speech revealed that they were all literate.
Since they could read, they should also know some poetry, right?
If he wrote down the masterpieces of the “immortal world,” from poets like Li Bai, Du Fu, and others, would these people help spread them?
Confucianism was prevalent during the Great Ning Dynasty, and the statuses of scholars, farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and literati were self-evident.
If Chu Jiubian wrote down one or two good poems and spread them, would these intellectuals and poets also hold respect in their hearts for him?
Respect and faith were often inseparable. He only needed to make everyone believe he had brought these poems from the world of immortals, and then his identity as a “god” would be solidified.
Chu Jiubian looked at Xiao Xiangzi and said: “Xiao Xiangzi, have you ever been to school? Can you read?”
“This student studied with a master for a few years,” Xiao Xiangzi said honestly. “My master is Eunuch Hong Fu, who serves His Majesty.”
As expected.
Chu Jiubian continued: “Then please help grind some ink for me. I want to write something.”
[1] From what I could gather, the “zi” added to Xiao Xiangzi’s name indicates his status as a eunuch. ⮐
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