A silver saddle shines on the white horse, which gallops like a shooting star.

Qiu Heng silently recited this line, and his heart trembled violently.

At the Qiu family auction, Chu Jiubian had recited this line of poetry when competing against Bai Gongjin!

The crowd initially didn’t understand what this ‘silver saddle’ was, and assumed it was just an ornament on a warhorse. But now, it seemed that this ‘saddle’ was actually for the cavalrymen.

But this wasn’t what shocked him the most. What shocked him the most was how Chu Jiubian had gotten involved with the Mobei Army.

Although the Northern Desert also lay within Northern Zhili, it was located in a remote area that would take four to five days’ travel on a fast horse from the capital.

The Qiu family possessed the strongest intelligence network composed of their merchant caravans, with many carrier pigeons and relay stations for delivering messages, which enabled them to receive information more quickly.

Even so, it would take them at least two days to receive news from the Northern Desert.

According to the steward, the Mobei Army had only allowed their cavalry to test the so-called stirrups and saddles two days ago, but Chu Jiubian had recited that line of poetry the night before.

So how had Chu Jiubian gotten in touch with the Mobei Army?

Or was it that Chu Jiubian’s people had already gone to the Northern Desert and gained Jiang Shuoye’s trust by making such equipment for his cavalry?

Did they belong to the force behind Chu Jiubian?

How had the other party managed to contact Jiang Shuoye so quietly, and without anyone noticing?

Or perhaps Chu Jiubian was actually a god?

Chu Jiubian was connected to Jiang Shuoye, but there was no way of knowing what extraordinary means were used to get involved with a stranger thousands of li away…..

Fear and awe in the face of the unknown shattered Qiu Heng’s usual composure.

“Ge?” Qiu Xuanzheng reached out and patted his shoulder.

Qiu Heng looked up at him and then walked out of the courtyard at a rapid pace, leaving behind only the words: “I’m going to find Uncle.”

Their uncle, Qiu Hongkuo, was the most respected elder in the Qiu family. He had been exceptionally talented in his youth, but an accident occurred when he was doing business with the Tatars, which resulted in both of his legs being disabled. He was now unable to walk properly.

If not for the requirement that the family head must have descendants – and Qiu Hongkuo’s injury made it impossible for him to father children – the position of Qiu family head would never have gone to Qiu Heng’s father, Qiu Hongde, who only knew how to indulge in pleasure all day long.

However, Qiu Hongde didn’t serve as the family head for long. After the Qiu brothers came of age, Qiu Hongkuo directly handed over the position of family head to Qiu Xuanzheng.

The more intelligent and capable Qiu Heng was brought under Qiu Hongkuo’s personal tutelage, which gradually raised him to the position of Minister of Justice.

So the Qiu family was represented by the Qiu brothers on the surface, but the one who truly held the reins was their eldest uncle, Qiu Hongkuo.

As for what words Qiu Heng had for the other party, no one knew.

*

*

When Chu Jiubian arrived at the government office, the bloodstains on his body had been cleaned away.

His right palm had been pierced by the handle of a calligraphy brush the day before, and now his right thumb was injured too, so his entire hand was wrapped in white bandages.

He hid his hand beneath a wide sleeve and casually approached the courtyard where his office was located.

Many ministry officials greeted him during this time, saying, “Greetings, My Lord,” but they didn’t dare say anything else.

They were all very curious about what had occurred on Chang’an Street. With Chu Jiubian having come from that direction, asking him would be the most convenient option.

However, due to their statuses and Chu Jiubinan’s aloof and indifferent demeanor, no one dared to strike up a conversation with him.

Wang-langzhong had met him before and knew that he was actually easy to get along with, so he took the initiative to go up and speak with him, naturally bringing up the occurrence on Chang’an Street.

Wang-langzhong assumed that lightning had struck a tree, since there was already precedent for this.

But Chu Jiubian said mildly: “I didn’t see any lightning. The sound must have come from something else.”

“No lightning?” Wang-langzhong asked in surprise.

Before he could inquire further, Chu Jiubian took his leave and headed toward the back courtyard.

Wang-langzhong frowned slightly: “If it wasn’t lightning, what else could it have been?”

Chu Jiubian reached his office and first went to the storeroom to search around, where he finally found a map of Great Ning.

He took the map back to his office, locked the door, and then sat down at his desk.

He took the paper and pens he had previously purchased out of the System Space. Then, referring to the map of Great Ning and the identity records of various local officials, he sorted them out little by little and marked them out on the paper.

Great Ning covered a vast territory, its area and administrative divisions somewhat similar to the “Ming Dynasty” in his previous life.

Regions like Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, and the three northeastern provinces were at this time ruled by various Western Region states, as well as the Tatar and Jurchen tribes. The rest of Great Ning’s territory was divided into “two capitals, four provinces, and seven counties.”

Chu Jiubian carefully compared the two.

The “two capitals” referred to the two directly governed regions in the north and south. Northern Zhili encompassed the three regions of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, which were directly governed by the capital and the emperor.

Southern Zhili was the general term for the three regions of Jiangsu, Anhui, and Luzhou, which were under the control of Wei Yi, the governor-general of Zhili.

Wei Yi was Qin Xiao’s cousin from his maternal grandfather’s side, but he was already close to fifty and was old enough to be Qin Xiao’s father.

Chu Jiubian didn’t know the nature of this person’s relationship with Qin Xiao, but they would always be closer to each other than to others.

The four provinces referred to Shandong and Shanxi, which stood on the east and west sides of the Imperial City, as well as Guizhou and Guangxi, which were located in the south.

The remaining seven counties referred to the fiefdoms of the seven vassal kings.

Henan, which bordered Northern Zhili, was governed by Anhui-wang, Bai Liming. When Jiannan-wang went to Hexi Prefecture to build the dams, Bai Liming supported him fully and provided many conveniences.

And Chu Jiubian had also drawn this person as an armed forces card before. He was a young man who had succeeded his late father, and was only eighteen years old.

The other party must be a decent person to be willing to open the door for Jiannan-wang, likely out of concern for the suffering of those in his fiefdom.

Pingxi-wang Bai Lizheng had also been selected, and was in charge of Sichuan.

Apart from them, there was also Huguang-wang, Bai Liyue, who despite his extreme wealth still begged the court for money and grain, and Bai Lihao, Nanjiang-wang and father of the Situ siblings.

Chu Jiubian had some impression of these four vassal kings.

Besides these, there was only Dingbei-wang Bai Liyu, who controlled Shanxi and Gansu, Zuilang-wang Bai Liyan, who controlled Fujian and Zhejiang, and Dongjiang-wang Bai Lihe, who controlled Guangdong and Jiangxi.

Chu Jiubian was unable to determine the exact strengths of these individuals. He would have to find some time to ask Xiao Xiangzi, or directly ask Qin Xiao.

Moreover, he didn’t know their ranking within the Imperial family. He only knew from the character cards that Bai Lizheng was fifth in line for the throne, and Bai Liming’s father had been fourth in line.

The deceased Emperor Yingzong had been the seventh son.

Chu Jiubian swept the tip of his pen across the seven regions one by one. His right thumb bled from writing, and blood dripped down the pen and onto the paper, leaving a trail behind.

He would take it slow. These places would eventually return to the emperor’s hands.

And those places that were not yet included in the territory of Great Ning would gradually be marked with its flag.

*

*

As evening fell, Matron Zhong brought out several new stir-fried dishes that she had spent the afternoon figuring out.

The six full plates included a mix of vegetables and meats, including stir-fries and stews, and each one was a feast for the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Bai Lihong sat in his chair with his short legs swinging, resting his chin on his chubby little hands as he looked at Qin Xiao opposite him.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Qin Xiao asked.

Bai Lihong replied matter-of-factly: “I’m waiting for Xiansheng.”

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow: “You really like him?”

“I like him!” Bai Lihong’s eyes lit up. “Xiansheng is amazing. He can write poetry, treat illnesses, make ice, and cook. He knows so many things! And he coaxes me to sleep gently just like Mother.”

Qin Xiao noticed that he was still somewhat despondent when he spoke of Qin Feng, but he no longer burst into tears as easily as before.

Had he transferred his longing for his mother onto Chu Jiubian?

Qin Xiao deliberately asked: “Am I not gentle? I also coax you to sleep.”

“It’s different.” Bai Lihong shook his head confidently. “You’re Jiujiu.”

“And Jiujiu can’t be gentle?”

“It’s, it’s…..” Bai Lihong wracked his brains to describe the feeling, but couldn’t come up with a suitable expression. He could only puff his little cheeks out and say, “It’s just different.”

Seeing that Qin Xiao didn’t seem to take his words seriously, he said with some indignation: “Does Jiujiu not like Xiansheng?”

Although Xiansheng didn’t seem to like his uncle very much, he could tell that his uncle definitely liked him. Otherwise, he never would have let Xiansheng get close to him, the emperor.

This wasn’t because Bai Lihong was narcissistic at such a young age, but because he knew that his current status was important. So apart from Qin Chaoyang and An Wuji, whom he had known all his life, and the palace servants who had followed his mother, no one else was able to get close to him, much less sit at the same table as him for a meal.

Therefore, Xiansheng was the first “stranger” he became close to after losing his mother, the significance of which needed no further explanation.

Qin Xiao was rendered speechless by this question.

But when he didn’t answer, the child went on to ask: “Jiujiu, why aren’t you saying anything? You must like Xiansheng too, right?”

The servants in the inner palace kept their eyes down and their minds vacant, while the secret guards dared not utter a sound, but their hearts were erupting.

Help! What did they just hear!

Their Lord liked the Young Master?

So the matter of the love tribulation was indeed true!

Matron Zhong’s words this afternoon about the two of them sharing a pair of chopsticks must be true as well!

If someone were to ask them now if those were just words the young emperor said, they would immediately retort: “Our Lord didn’t say he ‘dislikes’ him, so he naturally must ‘like’ him, ah!”

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat awkward. Fortunately, Chu Jiubian entered the courtyard at that moment, accompanied by Xiao Xiangzi and Eunuch Hong.

Bai Lihong had previously expressed that he wanted to have dinner with Chu Jiubian, and had Eunuch Hong go pick him up.

Therefore, as soon as Chu Jiubian returned to the palace after finishing his shift, he saw the two eunuchs waiting for him at the palace gates. Xiao Xiangzi was grinning from ear to ear, as enthusiastic and lively as ever, while the elder eunuch wore a gentle, kindly expression, as if he possessed no temper at all.

Since the child wanted to eat with him, Chu Jiubian naturally wouldn’t refuse.

“Xiansheng is here.” Bai Lihong immediately slid off his chair and personally went to the palace gates to receive him.

Qin Xiao hadn’t foreseen that the child would grow so close to Chu Jiubian. After all, the other party’s seemingly innate coldness was something that even Qin Chaoyang and An Wuji were somewhat intimidated by, let alone a three-year-old toddler.

But the child was not afraid of Chu Jiubian. In fact, when he met him for the first time at the coronation ceremony, he had exclaimed in delight, “Fairy-gege!”

Outside, Bai Lihong saw Chu Jiubian start to bow, so he rushed over and stood on tiptoe, barely managing to raise his short arms far enough above his head to stop him.

“No need for formality, Xiansheng.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Chu Jiubian readily went along with his wishes.

Bai Lihong tilted his head up and said sweetly: “Xiansheng was busy this afternoon and must be hungry. Let’s go eat.”

Inside, Qin Xiao ladled out two bowls of egg drop soup and placed them in front of Bai Lihong and Chu Jiubian respectively.

Chu Jiubian had exchanged a glance with him after entering the room, which could be considered a greeting.

After sitting down, Bai Lihong noticed the blood seeping from Chu Jiubian’s right thumb and immediately asked with concern: “Is Xiansheng’s hand injured again?”

He had injured his palm previously, but it hadn’t been serious, and had scabbed over pretty much overnight.

But now there was a new injury on his finger.

Chu Jiubian glanced at his finger and said gently: “I accidentally bumped it on something. No need for Your Majesty to worry.”

“Ai,” Bai Lihong said with the concern of a little adult, “Xiansheng should take better care of himself and not get hurt again.”

Injuries hurt a lot. He’d fallen and scraped his knees before, and they hurt for a long time afterward.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty,” Chu Jiubian said with a faint smile.

He didn’t respond to the declaration, because he knew he would continue to get hurt.

Qin Xiao withdrew his gaze from the young man’s bloodstained finger and said nothing.

Bai Lihong took his chopsticks and picked up stir-fried cabbage from a plate.

Of all the dishes served at lunch, he had thought the stir-fried cabbage was the best, so he’d asked Matron Zhong to make it for dinner again.

But after putting it in his mouth, he frowned.

It was tasty, of course, but nowhere near as good as what he had for lunch.

Qin Xiao also picked up a piece of cabbage.

The stir-fried dish was fresh and fragrant, but compared to Chu Jiubian’s, it had a slightly bitter, salty taste.

That was the unique flavor of coarse salt.

When the dish was being made, he had watched Matron Zhong go through all the same steps, but the taste was still far from what he had expected.

His intention was to see if all stir-fried cabbage dishes were that delicious, or if only Chu Jiubian’s was.

Now, it seemed that it wasn’t all in his head. Chu Jiubian must have added other spices to the dish he made, or had perhaps substituted some important seasoning.

Was it salt?

Since the other party could conjure an iron wok out of thin air, it wasn’t impossible that he could also conjure up a different kind of salt and put it in the pot.

Qin Xiao’s gaze was almost tangible. It was impossible for Chu Jiubian to ignore it.

He looked up and met the man’s eyes: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Qin Xiao said with a smile. “I just feel that this dish doesn’t taste as good as the one the Young Master made at noon.”

“I think so too,” Bai Lihong echoed.

His eyes shone with even more admiration as he looked at Chu Jiubian. The immortal Xiansheng was indeed different from mortals.

Chu Jiubian casually made up a story: “It might be because I added some magic power to it.”

Could fine salt and thirteen-spice powder not be considered a ‘magic power?’

“Wow!” The young emperor’s mouth dropped open.

Qin Xiao appeared thoughtful, but he ultimately didn’t pursue the matter further, which could be considered acceptance of Chu Jiubian’s words.

Chu Jiubian lowered his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.

It seemed the sudden appearance of the iron wok at noon had given the Regent quite a shock. Otherwise, the Qin Xiao of the past would have taken his words as a joke and exchanged a few words with him about it.

After the meal, Chu Jiubian poured out some cold-prevention medicine for Bai Lihong.

After taking the sweet medicine, the young emperor happily went for a walk outside the palace with Eunuch Hong. The entourage behind him consisted of only six people, far fewer than those following the Empress Dowager.

However, it was unknown how many guards were watching from the shadows.

Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian walked leisurely along the palace path – just the two of them, with no palace servants.

The fiery red sun had half-set on the horizon, layers of clouds fanning out in flame-like hues.

Chu Jiubian took out two anti-inflammatory pills and handed them to Qin Xiao: “Take two more pills and that should be enough.”

He hadn’t seen Qin Xiao’s injuries, but he was a strong, healthy person and should be able to make a quick recovery.

Qin Xiao was indeed almost fully recovered. He didn’t take the pills, saying in a somewhat indolent voice: “I’m fully recovered. You should take the medicine yourself.”

Chu Jiubian was injured, and this anti-–inflammatory medicine relieved pain. Qin Xiao felt that with such delicate skin, the other party needed it more than he did.

“I have plenty.” Chu Jiubian grabbed his hand and placed the medicine in his palm.

The young man’s slightly cool hand contrasted with Qin Xiao’s warm body temperature, resulting in a curious tactile sensation.

Qin Xiao swallowed the pills and turned his head to look at Chu Jiubian.

The young man possessed striking features that exuded a strong sense of detachment. The lingering glow of the setting sun illuminated his handsome face, lending it an ephemeral, sacred air.

Chu Jiubian was admiring the fiery clouds on the horizon, but the man’s gaze seemed to pierce through him.

What was it now?

He turned to see the man’s sharply handsome face, as well as the lingering smile in his eyes.

Chu Jiubian: “ ? ”

“What are you smiling about?”

It said in the original story that when the main villain smiled, someone was bound to suffer.

But Qin Xiao always smiled warmly at him, and he never seemed to suffer any real misfortune.

Oh, wait. That wasn’t quite right.

Hadn’t there been an attempt on his life today?

To send dozens of assassins to kill a defenseless civil official like him, those people were certainly cautious.

“I just remembered something amusing,” said Qin Xiao.

“Like what?”

The two continued to stroll at a leisurely pace, but when their eyes met, they could clearly discern each other’s expressions.

“I heard that the Mobei Army has developed new equipment.” Qin Xiao carefully observed Chu Jiubian’s expression, not missing a single fluctuation.

Chu Jiubian had known that this matter would reach the capital, but he hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.

“The Mobei Army?” He seemed to be hearing this name for the first time. “What new equipment?”

Having acted for so many years, this current role was a piece of cake for Chu Jiubian.

“They’re said to be called stirrups and saddles,” Qin Xiao said in a low voice. “Does the Young Master recognize them?”

Chu Jiubian feigned just the right amount of surprise and asked: “Aren’t they equipment for horses? Could it be that they didn’t exist in the mortal world before?”

“Indeed, they did not. They must be things that only exist in the immortal realm,” said Qin Xiao.

“These things have existed in the immortal realm for millennia,” Chu Jiubian said without even blinking. “But it’s not surprising that ordinary people could come up with something so simple.”

Qin Xiao stared at him, but couldn’t discern anything from the natural look on his face.

It was as if he had truly come from the so-called immortal realm and didn’t know anything about the Mobei Army.

 “Do you know Jiang Chifeng?” Qin Xiao suddenly asked.

Chu Jiubian paused: “Is he from the Mobei Army?”

“He is the general of the Mobei Army.”

“And he created the stirrups and saddles?”

When he saw Qin Xiao nod, he said: “Then this person is quite clever.”

“Yes, ah.” Qin Xiao gazed at the sky and said in a low voice: “It’s just that with so many people talking, these new things won’t remain hidden from the eyes of others.”

“Are you one of those people talking?” Chu Jiubian asked with a smile.

Qin Xiao had no one to rely on in the Imperial Court, but in other places, his secret guards and subordinates could exert much more power.

Regarding the matter of the Mobei Army, Qin Xiao was likely the first person in the capital to receive the news.

“Somewhat, but not entirely.” Qin Xiao said meaningfully, “I’m not the only one who has received this news.”

Chu Jiubian lowered his eyes.

Other than Qin Xiao, the only other people in the capital who knew were probably the Qiu family, who had caravans and post stations all across Great Ning.

But in a few days, these elites in the capital would definitely find out.

At that time, their fear and wariness of him would reach a higher level, and no one would dare to act against him casually.

His prediction was correct.

In the days that followed, each household received news from the Northern Desert.

Unlike the vague information Qin Xiao and the Qiu family had initially received, the subsequent messages became more specific and held a greater amount of information.

They had all heard of a new god – the High Priest.

Since receiving his mission from Chu Jiubian, Jiang Shuoye had worked tirelessly in his determination to ensure that all the common people of the Northern Desert knew the “High Priest’s” name.

Because the Mobei Army enjoyed high prestige in the region, the common people believed everything these soldiers said.

“Have you heard? The Mobei Army recently fought a particularly brilliant battle, routing the Tatars and sending them fleeing in terror.”

“Of course I’ve heard. I also heard that it was because the Mobei Army was equipped with those new stirrups and saddles. It’s quite remarkable…..” This person spoke eloquently, praising these two items as if they were unparalleled in heaven and earth.

“My cousin is a blacksmith. He helped make the equipment for the Mobei Army!”

Everyone immediately gathered around.

The man raised his chin, spittle flying as he spoke: “You wouldn’t believe it. My cousin was utterly astonished by these divine objects and immediately asked the general where they had come from. And guess what the general said?”

“What did he say?”

“The general said —” Here, he lowered his voice, “That an immortal gave them to him as gifts in a dream!”

Everyone gasped in astonishment.

“An i-immortal?”

“I heard that too! I overheard a young soldier talking about it at a noodle stall. He said that when the immortal saw that the common people of the Northern Desert were suffering greatly because of the war, he couldn’t bear it and thus bestowed upon us these divine objects, enabling the general to better protect us.”

“Right, right, that’s what I heard too. This High Priest is truly a compassionate immortal.”

“So the immortal is known as the High Priest? He must be a powerful and benevolent deity.”

Such conversations took place throughout the Northern Desert, and within just a few days, nearly everyone knew the name of the “High Priest.”

Some even spontaneously set up simple altars in temples or empty houses, in hopes that the High Priest would continue to protect the common people of the Northern Desert.

Chu Jiubian’s Faith Value soared at a speed visible to the naked eye, and he was almost to the point of being able to summon four Believers.

However, for the fifth Believer, the required points suddenly doubled to 800.

Chu Jiubian had a long debate with the System, and they both eventually took a step back.

Chu Jiubian agreed to wait until he accumulated 800 points for the fifth Believer, in exchange for the System selling him food at wholesale prices.

An agreement was reached, and both sides were happy.

And when news of the High Priest being worshipped by the people of the Northern Desert reached the capital, the moods of everyone in the city grew heavier with each passing day.

They had immediately connected the High Priest with Chu Jiubian.

But listening to how the common people spoke of him, it seemed as if this High Priest was a gentle and benevolent old man. Unlike Chu Jiubian, who was upright and aloof, yet whose words could command respect in the Imperial Court.

But even if these two weren’t the same person, there was definitely a connection between them.

Perhaps they were from the same faction. Or perhaps they were both gods!

If Chu Jiubian could fall from the sky, who knew if other immortals might fall as well?

Regardless of what others thought, they didn’t dare to make any further rash moves.

Now, not only were there no assasination attempts, but the entire capital returned to a state of peace and tranquility, as if it had gone back to the time when Emperor Yingzong still sat on the throne.

Everyone was already respectful of Chu Jiubian, and now that respect was tinged with a distinct air of obsequiousness.

They clearly knew that they should not offend this “deity” unless absolutely necessary.

However, the vortex of power could never remain calm for long. Just ten days later, trouble reared its head in morning court once more.

Xiao Wendao, the Deputy Minister of Works, submitted a memorial to the throne discussing the matter of Jiannan-wang overseeing the construction of the dams in Hexi Prefecture. It was said that he worked diligently from dawn till dusk during this period, and the construction was proceeding steadily.

The dams were now basically complete, and Jiannan-wang would soon return to the capital to report on his duties.

Xiao Wendao uttered a long string of praises for Bai Lihai, while also subtly hinting for Qin Xiao and Bai Lihong to reward Bai Lihai according to his merits.

This reward was the ability to enter the court and participate in government affairs early.

The Great Ning Dynasty stipulated that officials must reach the age of 22 and undergo their guan ceremony before they were entitled to serve in court. Therefore, Bai Lihai, who had just turned sixteen, was not actually allowed in court at this time.

Being sent to oversee the construction was already an exception.

However, a prince who could participate in court politics was completely different from a prince who had no power. The latter was merely a figurehead, while the former had the ability to achieve great things and win the hearts of the common people.

The emperor was young now. If a prince who remained in the capital was able to rise above him and gain more popular support, that wouldn’t be a good thing.

The Xiao family’s wolfish ambitions were glaringly obvious.

The officials stood in silence, not a single one of them uttering a sound.

This was originally a game between the Xiao family and Qin Xiao. If Bai Lihai successfully entered the court, Qin Xiao and the young emperor would be weakened, while the Xiao family would rise in power.

These old foxes were unwilling to get involved, and simply watched the two sides fight it out.

Qi Zhili glanced at the censors standing around him. When he saw them with their heads down indifferently, looking as if this was none of their business, he felt a surge of anger.

An imperial censor should be loyal and upright, fearless even in death.

But on second thought, not everyone had the support of the Mobei Army like him, so it was understandable that they would think twice.

Fine, then it was time for him to speak up.

He let out a quiet sigh, and was about to step out of the queue when he suddenly heard a young man’s clear, cold voice ring out in the hall: “Minister Xiao is truly an impatient person.”

Startled, Qi Zhili paused in his steps and looked toward the source of the voice.

The young man stood tall and elegant, dressed in crimson-purple official robes. His hair looked incongruous and stood out from the crowd, but it suited him perfectly.

It was Chu Jiubian.

He was connected to the “High Priest” mentioned in his cousin’s letter, and had also wielded “heavenly lightning,” intimidating the “gods” of the four great families.

Jiang Shuoye’s letter hadn’t gone into detail, only mentioning that he had received instructions from the High Priest in a dream, along with the stirrups, saddles, and several other treasures.

When Qi Zhili first read the contents of the letter, his thoughts and reaction were almost identical to those of everyone else – he immediately mistook Chu Jiubian and the High Priest for the same person.

The “High Priest” mentioned in Jiang Shuoye’s letter was powerful, mysterious, and benevolent…..he resembled a mighty, compassionate deity, a kind elder, completely unlike the upright, cunning, and intelligent Jiu-gongzi.

Qi Zhili felt that they couldn’t be the same person, but there must be some kind of relationship between them.

So he told Jiang Shuoye everything Chu Jiubian had done since he appeared, but he hadn’t received a response yet and didn’t know how the other party would react.

“What makes you say that, Grand Tutor?” Xiao Wendao regarded Chu Jiubian with a polite expression.

Chu Jiubian stood in place, not even stepping out of the queue as he said calmly: “Those who have rendered meritorious service should be rewarded. However, the how and what of that reward should always be decided by His Majesty.”

Xiao Wendao pursed his thin lips.

Xiao Huaiguan stood in front of Chu Jiubian with his back slightly bowed, the gentle smile on his face slowly fading away.

“The way you spoke just now, Minister Xiao, made it sound as if you were the Grand Tutor.” Chu Jiubian casually set the trap. “Are you here to instruct His Majesty on how to conduct himself during a morning court session?”

Reputation was of paramount importance in this era.

As a second-rank official, Xiao Wendao represented the Xiao family.

By openly guiding the emperor in making decisions during morning court, to put it nicely, he was instructing His Majesty on how to do his job. And to put it bluntly, he was attempting to control the emperor.

Of course, even if it was said that he was “instructing His Majesty on how to do his job,” it wouldn’t sound good if word got out.

In this era that advocated loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, such a rebellious act would surely be condemned to death by scholars and Confucian masters if it were to get out.

Why had Qin Xiao been criticized before? Because people had spread rumors that he was controlling the young emperor.

Xiao Wendao was not as shameless as Qin Xiao. If this reputation were to fall on him and the Xiao family, would he still have any face left?

Would the Xiao family still retain its century-old reputation for “loyalty and righteousness?”

They’d had a taste of this Jiu-gongzi’s sharp tongue these past few days. He was able to quietly dig a pit for someone, leaving them defenseless.

What kind of god was this?

What god could be so adept at navigating the complexities of officialdom?!

Surely they didn’t have political infighting in the immortal realm too?

Or perhaps, before he became a god, Jiu-gongzi had also worked in the Imperial Court?

Xiao Wendao had previously enjoyed watching Chu Jiubian set up pitfalls for people, especially when he saw those from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue suffer setbacks. But now that it was his turn, he felt a surge of fury rising within him.

“Impetuous!” An aged voice rang out, filled with anger. “Do you think you can control His Majesty’s decisions?”

This reprimand came from Xiao Huaiguan.

Xiao Wendao immediately knelt down and kowtowed three times in Bai Lihong’s direction, feigning terror as he said: “Your Majesty, please forgive this official, he absolutely did not mean it that way. This official knows he was wrong, and will never dare speak casually again. Begging forgiveness!”

Bai Lihong glanced at Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao didn’t make a move for the time being. That meant he wanted to leave this person hanging, so Bai Lihong maintained a stern expression and didn’t say a word.

Compared to his first day attending court, he was now a mature young emperor, able to quickly grasp the intentions of his uncle and Xiansheng and cooperate well with them.

Qin Xiao lowered his eyes toward Xiao Wendao where he was kneeling and begging forgiveness, then looked at Xiao Huaiguan, who wore an expression of anger. A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

It was extremely satisfying to have someone help him criticize others. No wonder these people formed cliques for personal gain.

Chu Jiubian’s persona in the court was that of a sharp-tongued person who feared nobody and was willing to confront anyone.

His three lightning shots had utterly intimidated these people, and there was also the “High Priest” lurking behind him, making it difficult for others to figure him out.

Therefore, these people would not confront Chu Jiubian directly. No matter how much hate and anger they held in their hearts, they still had to smile and cotton up to him after court.

They were all talented actors, none of whom could be looked down on.

Two more breaths passed. Seeing that matters had cooled down enough, Qin Xiao lightly tapped the back of his ear with his fingertip.

Bai Lihong then allowed the man to stand up.

Xiao Wendao thanked His Majesty and praised his magnanimity before returning to his place. The matter was therefore left unresolved.

The officials from the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue, who had been challenged by Chu Jiubian several times before, felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Was this how it felt to watch someone else be criticized?

It was indeed quite refreshing. They might want to speak freely, but had no ability to do so.

They weren’t Qi Zhili, and didn’t have the Mobei Army at their back.

And they were not like Chu Jiubian, possessing no divine power.

Moreover, Chu Jiubian’s advantage over them lay in the concept of “reputation.”

They cared about their reputations and their family’s prestige, but Chu Jiubian did not. As long as his identity as a “god” spread to the ears of the common people, his prestige would smoothly and inevitably be elevated.

Who would dare offend a god?

And how could a god possibly make a mistake?

Let alone criticizing people, even if Chu Jiubian were to curse, beat, or even kill someone in the court, many commoners and scholars would still defend him.

This realization caused the court officials to become even more envious of Qin Xiao.

Why was he so fortunate? Why was it that he alone had won Chu Jiubian’s favor?

Was it because he was the one who caught Chu Jiubian the day he descended to the mortal realm?

People glanced toward Chu Jiubian, intentionally or otherwise, but Chu Jiubian had no time to spare for them at this moment.

Because he heard a System notification in his ears.

[Friendly reminder: Believer Situ Zhaoling is requesting Host’s assistance.]

*

*

Nanjiang, inside the royal palace.

Situ Zhaoling clasped her hands together, bowed in all four directions, and murmured: “High Priest, please demonstrate your power! The fifteen days you promised may be too long.”

The High Priest had previously said that he would come to her in fifteen days, at which time the problem in the southern border region would be resolved.

But only ten days had passed, and the grain in dozens of granaries was already running out. It was estimated that supplies would not last for the entire fifteen days.

In an effort to extend the supplies for a few more days, they had instructed that porridge be cooked rather thin, but this still couldn’t withstand the consumption of a million people.

Starting the day before, her grandfather had the porridge cooked even thinner, but people still weren’t getting enough to eat and resentment was growing. Some people were already throwing fits and making a scene this morning.

This was in the main stronghold, with the royal palace and the chieftain in charge, so the people only dared to cry and complain, not to cause trouble.

But the situation was not necessarily the same in other towns and cities. There, people may already be causing trouble.

If this continued, something terrible was bound to happen.

Although Situ Zhaoling had been pampered from childhood and was literate and had read many books, all of that knowledge was of no use at this moment.

She had no connections, and no way to conjure food out of thin air.

Looking at the dark circles under her parents’ eyes, she felt helpless. She could only hope that the High Priest would hear her prayers and come a few days earlier to help them through this difficult time.

Situ Zhaoyao ran in from outside, covered in sweat.

Startled by his sister’s superstitious behavior, he asked: “What’s wrong, A-jie?”

Situ Zhaoling, however, pulled him down with her, saying: “A-di, quick, let’s pray to the High Priest together.”

“High Priest?” Situ Zhaoyao repeated blankly.

Astonished, Situ Zhaoling turned to stare at him: “You heard that?”

“What in the world?” She touched her throat. “I can say his name now?”

These past few days, she had been worried that it was just a dream, so she’d tested it on people several times. But each time, she was unable to say anything regarding the High Priest.

But now that she thought about it, she had never tried it on her brother.

“Aiya, let’s not talk about that now.” They boy grabbed her hand and rushed outside. “Something’s happened at the porridge stands!”

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T/N: Stress-translating is great, because it takes my entire brain and leaves no room for other thoughts. Things are, uh, not looking great in the U.S. right now. So enjoy some ridiculously frequent updates for the foreseeable future.

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Chapter 29 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 31