With that single remark, the already quiet hall was plunged into dead silence.
Lu Yao seemed completely oblivious as countless gazes converged upon him, standing perfectly straight with his eyelashes lowered just slightly.
Out of all of them, the most disbelieving was Minister of War Lu Youwei.
He had previously hosted Lu Yao at a banquet, where the youth had appeared humble and courteous, well-behaved and sensible. It had even been clear that he felt no aversion to the Lu family, and was even somewhat favorably inclined toward them.
So what was this now?
This person had opened his mouth and spoke the words “scourge of the noble families.”
Lu Youwei stared fixedly at that youth, his expression cold.
If he could still fail to see that Lu Yao had actually aligned himself with the Imperial Court and had merely shown the Lu family perfunctory politeness, then there would be no need for him to remain in his position.
He thought back to the events of that banquet, and the longer he did so, the more alarmed he became.
The deep-seated cunning of this Lu Yao was unfathomable.
From start to finish, he had never once said anything about wanting to forge ties with the Lu family, and instead subtly steered the conversation at every turn, leading them to draw that conclusion quite naturally themselves.
Eccentric genius! Exceptional talent!
Lu Youwei’s feelings were incredibly complex.
He felt humiliated to have been played for a fool, but he also thought to himself how wonderful it would be for Lu Yao to stand on the side of the Lu family.
He truly desired to possess such a talent.
As Qin Xiao gazed over the crowd, the corners of his lips quirked into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
Chu Jiubian’s expression remained unchanged as he watched Lu Yao in silence.
Lu Yao continued: “As agriculture student Zhang Er stated previously, the annexing of land by wealthy landowners is a common occurrence. And for the most part, the landholdings and assets of the powerful noble families originally stemmed from this very practice.”
“These individuals colluded with local officials to falsify household and land registries. They schemed to alter land classifications and exchanged the inferior land in their possession for the prime farmland belonging to the common people. They even falsified tax registers, distributing their own tax burdens to the local common people and forcing them to pay taxes they did not owe, while they themselves evaded responsibility.”
These were all common tactics used by wealthy families. Everyone was fully aware of this reality, yet this was the first time anyone had laid it bare directly before the Imperial Court in full view of all of the civil and military officials, leaving them no room for evasion.
Their expressions were all very ugly.
Even Minister of Rites Wang Zhiyuan, who had allied himself with the Imperial Court, closed his eyes and let out a silent breath.
The Wang clan was one of the great noble families, and the extent of the land in their possession was simply incalculable.
While these fields were ostensibly acquired from the common people through legitimate purchase and sale, only they themselves knew how many secrets lay within those exchanges.
Lu Yao was not just saying these things before the Imperial Court today because he was young and ignorant of the intricacies of officialdom.
On the contrary, he understood everything very well.
He was secure in the knowledge that he belonged to the Imperial Court as a disciple of Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian, and a subject of Bai Lihong. Therefore, everything he was saying now was the result of understanding the will of his superiors.
If those at the top wished to move against the great noble families, then he would be their sword.
At this moment, the gazes of everyone looking at Lu Yao shifted slightly.
The intellect and audacity displayed by this young man who wasn’t even twenty years old was far beyond the scope of ordinary people.
Dingbei-wang Bai Liyu tilted his head slightly, looking the youth up and down before refocusing on his face.
The young man possessed a striking face, while still retaining a slight roundness to his cheeks that he would grow out of with time.
But his demeanor was leagues above others of his own age.
Bai Liyu ran his fingers over the jade pendant at his waist, the corners of his lips curving upward slightly.
Interesting.
This capital city was so interesting.
Nearby, Huguang-wang Bai Liyue also sized up Lu Yao with a faint look of regret on his face.
Such a gifted scholar, and at such a tender age. There was no telling what achievements awaited him in the future.
How could such a person have fallen into the hands of Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian? If only he could have used this person himself…..
Ai, what a pity.
Just like that Commander An Wuji, a talent of this magnitude in the hands of others was hardly a good thing.
If he could be eliminated, that would be the best course of action.
Sitting right beside Lu Yao, Tan Yuzhu caught a glimpse of the young man’s sky blue hem – the exact same shade as her own robes.
Lu Yao truly lived up to his first-place ranking in the Imperial Examinations.
His bright, clear voice rang echoed throughout the hall, and everyone listened as he continued: “Land is the very foundation of the people and the nation. Therefore, this student believes that the land ought to be resurveyed, and that household registrations and land registers be recorded anew.”
“During the land survey period, those who have concealed land assets should be afforded the opportunity to voluntarily report them without punishment. If one should continue to conceal their assets without reporting them, the offender should be penalized according to the laws of Great Ning, forfeiting three times the value of the land.”
“Subsequently, through the policy of ‘equal and limited field holdings,’ the land annexed by noble families and wealthy landowners should be redistributed to the common people according to the stipulated quantity, ensuring that those who till the fields own the land.”
“A maximum limit could also be imposed on the amount of land held by the noble families, with any surplus to be purchased and reclaimed by the Imperial Court, to be sold to the common people at a low price.”
This struck directly at the very foundation of the great families, and the officials assembled in court today desperately wanted to rise up and shout “I object!”
But this was the Palace Examination, not a morning court session. Lu Yao was merely answering a question, expounding upon his views in the capacity of a student. They certainly couldn’t stand up and object at a time like this. It would make them appear petty, and put them firmly in the wrong.
After all, Lu Yao was only speaking of such things, and Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian hadn’t declared that they would put any of it into action. If the nobles acted with haste, wouldn’t they be identifying themselves as the villains and confirming that they had indeed concealed land holdings?
Thus, everyone could only stifle their grievances and listen as Lu Yao continued on.
“Once the land survey is complete, this student believes that the taxation system should also undergo significant changes,” Lu Yao said. “The Imperial Court could replace the previous system based on population with a system based on land and assets. Those with abundant land would pay more, while those with less land would pay less, and those with no land would pay nothing at all…..”
Chu Jiubian’s eyes lit up.
Unified poll and field tax.
At present, many commoners possessed little farmland but had large families, and thus paid a high amount in taxes.
The families of the powerful and elite possessed considerable land and large families, but they concealed their population numbers and paid even less.
But when the unified poll and field tax was implemented, these families who possessed vast swaths of land would no longer be able to conceal their population numbers. With taxes being levied according to the amount of land they possessed, regardless of the size of their population, they would have no way of reducing the amount of land tax they were required to pay.
If Lu Yao’s statements regarding land and taxation were implemented, the noble families and wealthy landowners would not only lose a considerable amount of their land, but also face a considerable increase in taxes.
The prominent families in the capital, particularly the four great noble families, had already established other sources of revenue, but land and taxation remained their foundation.
If these ideas were actually put into practice, the noble families would face no end of trouble.
“Furthermore, this student believes that such instability in rural areas is due to the local officials’ disregard for the lives of the common people and their intent to collude with the local elite and powerful clans. Therefore, the Imperial Court must also reform the administration of these local areas.”
Lu Yao seemed to have no intention of stopping. Having finished discussing how to undermine the foundations of the noble families, he immediately turned his attention to the local officials.
These days, local officials were appointed to locations nearby their ancestral lands, where they were already entangled with the local nobles and wealthy landowners. This was precisely the reason the common people had no one to turn to for help.
These officials were already connected to the great noble families within the Imperial Court to varying degrees, as disciples and subordinates, and even as direct relatives in some cases.
The “Boss Qiu” Zhang Er had mentioned before, the one who had stolen his fields, was in fact a member of the Qiu family.
The county magistrate there also came from a prominent local clan, and was in collusion with the Qiu family.
Lu Yao went on: “It is this student’s opinion that the appointment of local officials should fall entirely under the purview of the Ministry of Personnel, and that high-ranking officials such as prefects and deputy prefects should be personally appointed and dismissed by His Majesty.”
Most county officials were currently nominated by the regional prefectural seats, requiring only the Ministry of Personnel’s endorsement.
This allowed for the cultivation of connections and the sale of official positions as a means of generating profit.
The exiled former Deputy Minister of Personnel Zhao Qianhe was precisely one of those who had profited from such schemes.
For this reason, there was a multitude of officials who simply warmed their seats while doing nothing of consequence, creating a self-sustaining system of incompetence and corruption.
Lu Yao’s method would effectively sever the path of local officials across the nation to engage in corruption and the buying and selling of official positions.
Although this would place more power in the hands of the Ministry of Personnel, it was currently under the authority of Chu Jiubian, with Xiao Huaiguan having lost his wits. This meant that for the time being, expanding the ministry’s power in such a way wouldn’t do any harm.
And if powerful regional officials were appointed by the emperor, this would further expand Bai Lihong’s power and draw these high-ranking court officials closer to him, thereby strengthening his control over those regions.
“In addition, local officials should be prohibited from holding positions in their places of origin, with every official required to serve a fixed term of three to five years in each post. This will prevent officials from becoming overly-entangled with the powerful local families.”
Chu Jiubian turned his head to peer at Qin Xiao. He met the man’s gaze, then blinked and looked back toward Lu Yao.
Qin Xiao’s lips quietly curved into a smile.
The content of Lu Yao’s words matched what the two of them had discussed just days ago.
Both of them were in high spirits to have brought such an incredible talent into their fold, while everyone else had gone numb from what they were hearing.
Just how much more did this Lu Yao have to say?
Would he refuse to rest until he had crushed all of their great and noble families into dust?
Hidden in the shadows, Qin Chuan observed from afar the young man speaking within the hall, his gaze deep and complex.
Having spent so much time together day after day, he was fully aware of Lu Yao’s capabilities.
Still, the youth’s performance today took him by surprise.
Lu Yao had talked himself hoarse. He pursed his lips and swallowed, briefly displaying the same vacant look he wore on a normal day.
Qin Chuan’s eyebrows rose, and a silent smile spread across his face.
And Lu Yao pressed on, articulating step by step his methods for suppressing the great noble families. But even though he was laying it all out openly in the presence of these court officials, they were completely powerless to do anything about it.
Because all of Lu Yao’s proposals could become an official policy with nothing more than an Imperial Decree.
But these powerful figures were not quick to panic, because issuing a decree was one thing, but actually carrying it out was another.
Qin Xiao, Chu Jiubian, or perhaps Lu Yao, would have to run off to every single location, surveying the land and compiling registers one by one.
But there were only three of them. Let alone the fact that Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian were unable to leave the capital, even if both of them did set off, the three of them alone would never be able to accomplish a task of this magnitude.
Therefore, it came as a shock to everyone that not long after, a decree regarding the “surveying of the land and reform of land taxes” was indeed issued.
It was also fully implemented, and could even be called a smooth success.
The reason for this ease of action came down to the soldiers under Qin Xiao’s command, men who had been dispersed across the entire nation upon the disbandment of the Qin Family Army.
However, Grand Commandant Qin had not been one to allow himself to suffer a loss, and besides the need to put Emperor Yingzong’s mind at ease, his willingness to allow the disbandment of his army back then was precisely to set the stage for this very moment.
Many of the soldiers he dispatched had long since insinuated themselves into the various prefectures and counties, taking control of portions of the local garrisons.
There were also those who held the rank of Prefectural Commandant and therefore commanded considerable forces, such as the two who had previously delivered the plaque and news to Zhang Er and Tan Yuzhu, as well as Hu Fang, who had accompanied Qin Xiao to the Northwest in the campaign against the Sai Kingdom.
Chu Jiubian also ordered his men to spread the word amongst the common people in plain language that “the court intends to take back the land from the nobles and wealthy landowners and return it to the people.” He also declared that going forward, taxes would be paid according to land use regulations, which inspired the people to unite with unprecedented solidarity in upholding the court’s Imperial Decree.
As a result, with the combined support of the armed forces and the rallying of the common people, the decree was indeed successfully implemented.
The people dispatched to survey the land consisted of students from the Imperial Academy’s mathematics discipline, as well as capable officials from the Ministry of Revenue, who were personally selected by Deputy Minister Wang Pengyi.
The Ministry of Revenue was now subtly split into two factions.
One faction was led by Minister of Revenue Su Sheng and Wang Pengyi, which included members of the Su and Wang families, as well as officials who had thrown in their lot with the Imperial Court.
The other was merely a loose scattering of individuals, consisting of officials who were inextricably entwined with the other three great noble families.
Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had sent out only those loyal to the Imperial Court to survey the land, utilizing only those appointed by Wang Pengyi while completely bypassing Su Sheng’s opinion.
This was obviously for the purpose of isolating Su Sheng. It was clear that Chu Jiubian and his associates already had suspicions toward Su Sheng, and didn’t regard him as a truly loyal official.
But there was nothing Su Sheng could do about it. After all, he was still at least outwardly loyal to the emperor, and was therefore bound to obey the decrees of the Imperial Court.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see what an awkward situation he was in, and began to vaguely realize that perhaps he was not a loyal official after all. Perhaps…..there were other forces at work behind him.
But that was all in the future. At this moment in time, Lu Yao was still speaking at length during the Palace Examination.
He outlined plans to continue the Imperial Examinations in the future and establish government-run schools for the common people, portraying a flourishing and prosperous era for Great Ning.
Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao did not interrupt him.
Lu Yao’s words today would not only be recorded by the historian hidden on the fringes of the room, but would also spread to the ears of citizens all across Great Ning.
They wanted the people to know that the Imperial Court did not just work for the benefit of the wealthy and powerful families, and that there were people such as Lu Yao, Tan Yuzhu, and Zhang Er who sought to work on behalf of the common people.
And after the New Year, Hexi Prefecture would begin to plant high-yield sweet potatoes, while Nanjiang would also begin cultivating warmth-providing cotton. Following the bumper harvest in the first half of the year, the Imperial Court would use this success to introduce the two crops to other regions as well, and the common people would more easily accept them.
With the addition of the land survey matter, the common people would be able to eat their fill and dress warmly by the end of the year.
It could be said that the common people were complex, but they were also simple. Whoever treated them well, they would be good to in return.
In that vein, if the Imperial Court treated them well, they would extend their loyalty and praise to the court and the Emperor.
This was the heart of the people, and the source of the court’s reputation.
For this reason, should civil war suddenly erupt in the future, the common people would be even more in favor of the Imperial Court’s victory.
Because they knew that only the Imperial Court would give them a good life, the opportunity to be well-fed and warmly-clothed, to have land to cultivate, access to an education, and the ability to hold public office.
Great Ning was filled with commoners from land to sea, an obstacle that would leave rebel forces struggling every step of the way.
Not everyone had the foresight to know what would happen next, but those who were more perceptive, such as Huguang-wang and Dingbei-wang, as well as high-ranking officials such as Su Sheng, Qiu Heng, and Lu Youwei, had already faintly glimpsed the changes that were destined to unfold across Great Ning in the days to come.
They had also come to realize that if they remained idle any longer, it would become increasingly difficult to oppose the Imperial Court.
Everyone watched with heavy hearts as Lu Yao finally reclaimed his seat.
The Palace Examination consisted of two rounds, a skill assessment and a question-and-answer session.
Chu Jiubian, Bai Lihong, and Qin Xiao had prepared ten questions, but all of them had basically been answered at this point.
Chu Jiubian turned to glance at the Dragon Throne. Bai Lihong had long since been captivated by Lu Yao and these students, and the young boy’s eyes were shining exceptionally brightly.
Chu Jiubian’s lips curved upward. The child didn’t seem to have any further questions, and he must surely be thinking only of bringing the exam to a swift close, so that he could finally have time to chat with these brilliant scholars.
Thus, he bowed deeply to the throne and said: “Your Majesty, please review the exam papers and decide the rankings.”
Bai Lihong answered quickly: “Very well. Please wait a moment, dear minister.”
He already had a plan in mind. When Jiujiu and Xiansheng had Eunuch Hong bring up the answer sheets just moments ago, they had already established a rough ranking.
Therefore, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had barely settled back into their seats before a fresh Imperial Decree was issued.
With the decree in his hands, Eunuch Hong descended the steps and offered it to Minister of Rites Wang Zhiyuan.
Strictly speaking, handling matters related to the Imperial Examinations was the duty of the Ministry of Rites, but Chu Jiubian had decided to take it into his own hands for this very first instance.
But when it came to the final reading of the results, the task was assigned to Wang Zhiyuan as a sign of the Emperor’s high regard for him.
Wang Zhiyuan had already been informed by the palace that he would be the one reading out the rankings, and he respectfully offered his thanks upon receiving the Imperial Decree. Only then did he proceed to the center of the great hall, where he stood facing the students, vassal kings, and officials.
Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian rose to their feet, and the vassal kings and officials followed suit.
Everyone stood in solemn silence as Wang Zhiyuan’s serene voice rang throughout the hall: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that in the second year of Jingrui, three scholars have passed the Imperial Examinations as the top-ranking candidates, first-class Jinshi. Twenty students have passed the exams as second-class Jinshi, and forty-two have attained the rank of third-class Jinshi.”
“First place in the first class – Lu Yao, courtesy name Zicheng, of Ruihai County, is hereby bestowed the title of Jinshi Jidi!”
“Second place in the first class – Gu Fang, courtesy name Qingzhi, of Chuanxi County, is hereby bestowed the title of Jinshi Jidi!”
“Third place in first class – Tan Yuzhu of Baxian County is hereby bestowed the title of Jinshi Jidi!”
The top three came as no surprise, mirroring the results of the prefectural exam.
The top-ranked student of the second class was the agriculture student Zhang Er, followed by the embroidery student Yuan Xueyi, and then Yan Rui, a student of engineering.
Once the reading was concluded, everyone knelt to the Emperor in unison and bowed their heads to the ground with a thunderous cry of “Long live the Emperor!”
Even the vassal kings were required to join in, but Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian simply bowed with their hands clasped before them.
Nobody felt that there was anything wrong with this.
The Palace Examination was over, and since it was already noon, the morning court session was effectively brought to a close.
The officials and vassal kings all made their way out of the palace, while Chu Jiubian ordered that the scholars be escorted to the rear hall, where a specially-prepared lunch was waiting for them.
Bai Lihong wanted to eat with them, but Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao didn’t allow him to.
He was the Emperor. He could be on intimate terms with his subjects and even share family banquets with them, but that could only happen when he was powerful enough to command the awe of everyone around him. Otherwise, the majesty of the Emperor would cease to exist.
But didn’t they say that these people all belong to us?
Bai Lihong didn’t really understand, but he knew that Jiujiu and Xiansheng had his best interests at heart. He might be confused now, but he would definitely understand it in the future.
So with that in mind, he happily returned to Yangxin Hall to eat with his Jiujiu and Xiansheng.
Darkness came early in winter, so once the students finished eating lunch and changed into the official gold-patterned red robes Chu Jiubian had previously commissioned from the Imperial Clothing Bureau, the sun had already begun to sink slightly in the west.
News of the official graduation ceremony had already spread throughout the capital, but not even the officials of the Imperial Court knew what it entailed.
It wasn’t until the palace gates swung wide open and the sixty-five scholars in their crimson ceremonial robes emerged to mount sixty-five tall horses held by the Imperial Guard that they finally began to understand.
An Wuji led his men in two groups: one to guard the students, and one to stand beside each horse with the reins in hand. This way, they would be able to swiftly handle the situation should any of the animals be spooked.
But these horses were all well-trained and gentle-natured, as well as accustomed to the sound of drums.
Therefore, when the gong-and-drum troupes began to play at the front and rear of the procession, the horses were entirely unphased, unlike their confused riders.
At the very front, Lu Yao wore an official black gauze cap on his head and a large red flower emblazoned on his chest. Everything about his bearing suggested a high-spirited, celebratory air….but his expression looked somewhat vacant, as if none of this had anything to do with him.
He didn’t feel awkward or out of place. In fact, awkwardness was a completely foreign concept to him.
He simply followed the gong-and-drum troupe ahead of him calmly, urging his horse forward.
Seeing how composed he was, the jittery students behind him also calmed down and followed in his wake.
Atop the high wall of the Imperial Palace, Bai Lihong sat in Qin Xiao’s arms as they watched the procession slowly recede into the distance.
Despite holding a child in his arms, Qin Xiao could have brought Chu Jiubian up as well.
But Chu Jiubian wasn’t comfortable with that, so he remained standing at the foot of the wall with his arms folded. Tilting his head back, he could make out the forms of the uncle and nephew above.
“Wow!” The child clung to his uncle’s neck, pointing toward the procession of new officials as they disappeared from view. “Jiujiu, it’s so exciting!”
“En,” Qin Xiao responded.
The child craned his neck to watch as the last of them vanished into the distance, but not once did he ask to follow them for a better view.
He knew that it was dangerous outside the palace. He was so small, and if he were to venture out, Jiujiu would constantly have to keep an eye on him. It just wasn’t safe.
He was also the Emperor, and leaving the Imperial Palace on a whim seemed like the wrong way to go about things.
Qin Xiao turned his head and noticed a look of clear anticipation on the child’s chubby face, along with an unvoiced sense of loss.
He was so young, and still hadn’t ventured outside the walls of the palace, let alone experienced the bustling, vibrant outside world.
From the moment he was born, he had been trapped within the square of these towering walls.
Chu Jiubian gazed up at the child, feeling inexplicably as if his heart had been pricked by a needle.
He froze, then lifted a hand to touch his chest.
Was he feeling compassion for the child?
It felt as if he hadn’t perceived an emotion like this so clearly in a very, very long time.
“Qin Xiao,” he said.
The man turned his head toward the person below the wall.
Clad in his court robes, the young man looked up at him with a clearly visible light in his eyes.
“Let’s go take a look together,” he said.
Circumstances had prevented them from taking the child out before. But now, amidst such a lively spectacle as the graduation ceremony, it made no sense that everyone else could watch while the Emperor himself was deprived of the opportunity.
Besides, times had changed. Their authority was growing by the day, which meant that they could afford to let the child relax a little.
There was currently no need to be as cautious while inside the palace, and they could even climb up to the top of the walls with Bai Lihong in tow. One afternoon spent outside having fun shouldn’t pose a problem at all.
Bai Lihong’s eyes immediately lit up. He stared toward Xiansheng, and then back at his Jiujiu.
Clutching the front of his uncle’s robes in his little hands, Bai Lihong wanted to act cute and endearing, but he was also afraid to put his uncle in an awkward position. In the end, all he could do was stare up at him eagerly.
Qin Xiao was silent for a moment, then said: “You may go out and have fun, but you must finish studying when we return.”
“Okay!!” Bai Lihong nodded rapidly. “I can do that!”
Qin Xiao leapt down with Bai Lihong in his arms, landing right in front of Chu Jiubian.
Chu Jiubian ran his eyes over the man.
He had to admit that his actions just now looked pretty cool.
Qin Xiao set the child down on the ground, then looked up and met the young man’s slightly evocative gaze.
He raised an eyebrow: “Did it look good? Should I do it a couple more times?”
Chu Jiubian: “…..No need.”
The child tilted his head back and observed the two adults curiously.
Jiujiu and Xiansheng had both been acting strangely in recent days. They kept saying words that he understood, but didn’t make sense to him in context.
“Alright, the procession has already got a lead on us,” Chu Jiubian said. “Have someone prepare a carriage.”
Upon hearing this, one of the shadow guards lurking out of sight quickly darted off to find Xiao Yuzi.
Xiao Yuzi was currently making the bed in Yangxin Hall in preparation for His Majesty’s nap when he returned. When he heard that His Majesty intended to leave the palace, he worked at top speed to procure a carriage and horses, then rushed to the palace gates.
Only His Majesty’s carriage was permitted to travel freely within the palace grounds.
Xiao Yuzi had run beside it the entire way, and was still trying to catch his breath when he hastily bowed to the three of them.
Bai Lihong put a stop to the formalities. Then, after a brief hesitation, he turned to Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian and whispered: “Xiansheng, Jiujiu, can Xiao Yuzi come out with us?”
Xiao Yuzi was just like him, having remained in the palace since childhood without ever setting foot outside of it.
The matrons who attended to him were granted days off to leave the palace, and the palace maids were also permitted to depart once they reached the age of twenty-five.
Hong Fu and Xiao Xiangzi were both working at the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs now, and Xiao Jinzi and Xiao Yinzi were able to leave Yaotai Residence regularly to lend a hand there as unofficial staff members.
Only Xiao Yuzi was not permitted to leave the palace.
Xiao Yuzi’s heart warmed when he heard His Majesty’s words.
But he knew his place, and had never bothered with such extravagant wishes.
Little did he expect that in the next moment, Chu Jiubian would say: “If that is Your Majesty’s desire, then we will take him with us.”
Xiao Yuzi’s heart pounded heavily in his chest.
Really? He could accompany His Majesty out of the palace too?!
He had been sold to the palace when he was the same age as His Majesty, and could no longer remember the outside world at all.
Such was Bai Lihong’s delight that he almost jumped up and down where he stood, but he fortunately managed to behave himself.
“Get in,” said Qin Xiao.
Bai Lihong was then lifted into the carriage by his uncle. Qin Xiao looked at Xiao Yuzi and said: “You get in too and keep His Majesty company.”
There was only one carriage, and the three masters would only be able to fit inside if Xiao Yuzi didn’t join them.
But Xiao Yuzi didn’t dare disobey Qin Xiao, and could only give a “yes” as he boarded the carriage.
Bai Lihong lifted the curtain and poked his head out, asking: “Jiujiu, Xiansheng, aren’t you coming inside?”
It was not a particularly large carriage, and would be a little cramped with four passengers, but Bai Lihong still felt that they could all squeeze in. He himself was small, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
“No, we’ll take our time.” Qin Xiao turned his head toward a patch of shadow on the palace wall and said: “You, come and guard His Majesty.”
Bai Lihong cast a curious glance in that direction, assuming it was one of his uncle’s secret guards.
But unexpectedly, the figure that emerged from the shadows turned out to be a man in black, wearing a bamboo hat and a mask that concealed half his face.
At a glance, the man was clearly not a secret guard. But strangely enough, Bai Lihong felt a sense of familiarity the moment he laid eyes on him, as well as an inexplicable sense of assurance and intimacy.
The man approached Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian and gave them a slight nod, then stepped toward the carriage and bowed deeply.
He didn’t speak a word.
But Imperial Guards hardly ever spoke either, so Bai Lihong paid it no mind and told him not to be so formal.
As the man straightened up, he couldn’t help but lift his eyes to glance at Bai Lihong.
The little one’s soft, chubby cheeks still held a trace of childishness, yet the likeness of the Qin family was already visible in his features.
Bai Lihong met his gaze and briefly froze.
But before he could think on it further, the man had already turned and seated himself in the carriage.
The coachman climbed aboard, and after notifying Bai Lihong, he drove the carriage forward.
Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao stood side by side as they watched the carriage trundle into the distance.
Chu Jiubian turned his head, and stared a little when he saw a clear trace of sorrow in the man’s eyes.
He seemed to know a little of what was on Qin Xiao’s mind.
His heart ached for Qin Chuan, and he was blaming himself.
Despite sharing the same background, of the two brothers, only one enjoyed familial love and was able to spend every day with their only nephew.
But Qin Chuan wasn’t even able to use his real name. In the jianghu, others only knew him by the name Mingce, and had no idea that his surname was actually Qin.
The things readily available to Qin Xiao were things Qin Chuan had never had.
But what part of that was Qin Xiao’s fault? Why should he blame himself?
Things had to be this way due to extenuating circumstances.
Chu Jiubian really didn’t like seeing Qin Xiao like this. His compassion and loyalty, this vivid sense that he was a real person….it made Chu Jiubian even more aware of the differences between the two of them.
He didn’t like this feeling.
It made him feel….unworthy of standing beside someone like Qin Xiao, who was so full of life.
He instinctively wanted to stay away.
But when he looked up and saw Qin Xiao’s face, he really didn’t want to leave him here alone.
As he was hesitating, he felt an arm wrap around his waist and heard a deep voice in his ear: “Pardon me.”
Chu Jiubian stared blankly, and in the next moment, the arm tightened around his waist and the two of them soared into the air.
His legs immediately went numb.
Chu Jiubian reflexively threw his arms around the man’s neck and buried his face in his chest.
The procession would first pass through the commoners’ streets in the Eastern Market, then wind through the more bustling and prosperous Western Market before finally stopping at Clear Sky Tower.
This process would take a long time, and probably wouldn’t finish until dusk.
Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had no need to rush. All they had to do was go to Clear Sky Tower and wait.
So Chu Jiubian wasn’t sure why Qin Xiao was taking him “flying.”
The main issue was that it was broad daylight, and they were dressed in their crimson-purple official robes. What if somebody saw them?
But Chu Jiubian didn’t speak up, and didn’t even raise his head.
Just like that night when Qin Xiao carried him on his back as he leaped up across the city, the repeated sensation of weightlessness made his heart seize up.
With his head buried in Qin Xiao’s chest, there was no room in his mind for anything but the whistling of the wind in his ears, the pounding of his heart as they rose and fell, and the warmth of the muscular body pressed against him.
And now, a new sound reached his ears –
Qin Xiao’s heartbeat.
It beat again and again, rapid and heavy.
The sound of the wind in his ears suddenly went quiet, and the sensation of weightlessness vanished.
Chu Jiubian pulled away from Qin Xiao slightly and saw that they had reached an unfamiliar courtyard.
But rather than stopping, Qin Xiao carried him all the way to the courtyard’s main room, opened the door, and stepped inside.
Chu Jiubian: “?”
Qin Xiao closed the door behind them and finally set him down.
But then the man pulled Chu Jiubian into an even tighter embrace, and descended upon him with a sudden and forceful kiss.
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Chapter 84 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 86
