Chapter 25 Trust and Suspicion

Chapter 25: Trust and Suspicion

Situ Zhaoling gazed in shock and awe at the colossal divine figure, only fully regaining her senses when the phoenix set her down and flew away.

Surrounding her was a pure white space, with misty clouds stretching to both sides, and towering coiling dragon-patterned jade pillars vanishing into the haze.

A few steps in front of her stood a long white jade table and a broad chair of the same material.

About a dozen yards further, the clouds drifted like sheer curtains, dotted with hints of wintersweet blossoms. A breeze carried the rich fragrance of plum blossoms.

Situ Zhaoling felt her mind clear considerably.

Chu Jiubian looked down at her.

When Jiang Shuoye had entered the Divine Realm earlier, he had been wearing his nightclothes, so Chu Jiubian had been somewhat concerned about what would happen if a young lady came in similarly dressed. Fortunately, the system mentioned it would automatically complete the attire for devotees.

Whatever one wore during the day would be what they wore upon entering the Divine Realm.

Now, Situ Zhaoling was dressed in the burgundy, Southern Frontier-style outfit she had worn during the day—a blouse and skirt with white tassels hanging from the hem and a large, exquisitely crafted silver neck ring.

Her thick, dark hair was half tied up in a bun and half left long and flowing, adorned with pale purple pearl accessories and two silver hairpins that swayed gently.

Noticing the enormous divine figure gazing down at her, its palpable gaze and terrifying pressure made Situ Zhaoling instinctively clench her fists, her heart trembling slightly.

The distant roar of a dragon echoed for a long time.

She heard a detached, male voice coming from the figure.

"Welcome to my Divine Realm."

Divine Realm?

Countless thoughts flashed through Situ Zhaoling’s mind.

Legends spoke of immortals entering dreams to impart knowledge—could it be that she had been chosen by a deity?!

Her heart pounded like a drum.

Cautiously, she asked, "Are you a celestial being?"

Her voice was clear and bright, filled with reverence.

Perhaps because she knew from the start that she was dreaming and had been brought here by a divine bird like the "phoenix," or perhaps because the Southern Frontier naturally placed greater faith in spirits and witchcraft, she wasn’t as wary as Jiang Shuoye had been. Instead, she easily made the connection to celestial beings.

This saved a lot of trouble, and Chu Jiubian felt even more satisfied with his second devotee.

"I know you are in trouble, and I've come specifically to help you," his voice echoed.

The major drought in the Southern Frontier—it was indeed a crisis.

Situ Zhaoling immediately thought of the troubles that had plagued her for days and quickly composed herself.

She knelt straight on the ground, crossed her arms over her chest, and performed the Southern Frontier tribal salute.

"I am indeed facing difficulties," Situ Zhaoling said earnestly. "The Southern Frontier has seen no rain for many days, and the rivers are nearly dry. I fear a drought is imminent."

"However, the court has done nothing, and my parents are incorruptible officials who have never collected excessive grain or taxes. They cannot provide enough disaster relief grain. Please, help the people of the Southern Frontier!"

Since her father and mother married, her maternal grandfather’s clan, the Chieftain, and the Southern Frontier King’s estate had become inseparable.

They had never exploited the people under their rule.

Because the Southern Frontier had always enjoyed good weather conditions, with no disasters in nearly a century, the Chieftain and the Southern Frontier King only collected half the taxes to be handed over to the court each year. The remaining half was never collected in full, leaving more grain and wealth in the hands of the people.

This meant the public granaries of the Southern Frontier had very little surplus grain. Even large-scale relief porridge programs would last only a few days, insufficient to combat a drought of this scale.

The grain merchants in the Southern Frontier were well aware of this situation, and grain prices had already begun to rise slowly. Once the people’s stored grain ran out, prices would inevitably soar even higher.

Baili Hao could, of course, use his authority to pressure these merchants and prevent them from raising prices.

But merchants seek profit. With other southern regions near the Southern Frontier also suffering from drought and grain prices remaining high there, these merchants would certainly relocate their trade.

By then, even if the Southern Frontier wanted to buy grain, there would be nowhere to get it.

Although her mother had been praying for rain for several days, the crops were already largely withered. Even several days of heavy rain wouldn’t save them now.

So, Situ Zhaoling wasn’t asking Chu Jiubian for rain but for help to overcome the drought—whether through advice, donations of grain, or other means, as long as it could save the people.

"I am willing to serve you, and I beg you to bestow your blessings!"

She made a solemn promise, kowtowing three times audibly to Chu Jiubian.

The white mist gently lifted her, like a pair of giant hands.

Chu Jiubian spoke, "There is no need for this. I am aware of your difficulties."

Situ Zhaoling stood up and looked at him, her eyes filled with both hope and anxiety.

Chu Jiubian pondered intently.

The situation in the Southern Frontier was worse than he had anticipated. A small amount of grain wouldn’t be enough to help them through the drought. The Southern Frontier King’s petition to the court for grain must have been a truly desperate measure.

Currently, his Faith Points were insufficient to purchase much grain.

It seemed he needed to find a way to accumulate more Faith Points.

His gaze fell on Situ Zhaoling, but after a moment’s thought, he dismissed the idea. He couldn’t ask her to help promote his fame.

As a deity, it would be beneath his dignity to make demands without first giving blessings.

If he didn’t lay a proper foundation from the start, it would be difficult to later ask Situ Zhaoling to help with business, earn money, or expand his reputation. He might have to resort to other means of exchange.

That wasn’t what he wanted. He desired his devotees to act willingly and selflessly for him.

The Faith Points from the Southern Frontier couldn’t be relied upon for now, and even with great effort, those from the capital wouldn’t amount to much. That left only the Northern Frontier.

Jiang Shuoye should also fulfill some of his duties as a devotee, such as helping with spreading his teachings.

Having formed a plan in his heart, Chu Jiubian said to Situ Zhaoling, "In ten days, I will summon you again to help you overcome this hardship."

A glimmer of joy flashed in Situ Zhaoling’s bright eyes, and she quickly bowed. "Thank you!"

Then she added, "Might I ask how I should address you?"

Suddenly, her vision was filled with white mist, and she felt her body lifting lightly.

The bright moonlight spilled into the bedroom, illuminating the young girl’s serene sleeping face.

Her long eyelashes fluttered, and suddenly, she opened her eyes.

Situ Zhaoling bolted upright in bed, looking around her surroundings.

She was wide awake, her eyes bright and clear, without any trace of the usual drowsiness after waking.

Still echoing in her ears was the deity's deep voice: "I am the High Priest."

"High Priest," she murmured softly, her heart trembling with lingering awe.

She had to go find her mother!

She quickly got up and got dressed, then ran straight to her parents' quarters despite the late hour.

The night-duty maid rushed to follow, but Situ Zhaoling stopped her: "Go back to sleep. I'm going to see my mom."

Lately, the Princess had been having frequent nightmares. After waking, she would go to the Holy Maiden and stay in the main residence for the night, not returning to her own room.

Concerned, the young maid followed from a distance until she saw Situ Zhaoling enter the main courtyard, then returned, reassured.

Sutu Anli and Baili Hao had been sleeping restlessly and decided to stay awake, sitting up in bed and talking softly.

They had previously thought that with extra money and grain supplies, the people would live more comfortably, but now they greatly regretted not building larger public granaries or collecting more grain from the people.

The Southern Frontier people were accustomed to good times, never cutting back on food, and with no disasters in years, they relied solely on each season's harvest, keeping little grain in storage.

Now, with the new harvest likely to fail, the people were beginning to ration their food and drink.

Even so, their surplus grain wouldn't last long. Already, some were buying grain, and merchants were gradually raising prices.

Soon, the settlement would need to open the granaries.

But the grain stored there wouldn't last much longer either.

Baili Hao had considered buying grain from other regions, but nearby areas like Guizhou, Sichuan, and Huguang were also experiencing disasters.

To obtain enough grain, they would have to go as far as Henan or Jiangxi.

With two or three regions in between, the round trip would take an unknown amount of time, and the cost in money and manpower would be higher than buying directly from grain merchants.

"If only the Court could send grain," Sutu Anli said, leaning against the headboard, a small emerald-colored snake coiled around her arm.

She gently stroked the snake's head, her brow furrowed.

Nan Zhili was under the Court's jurisdiction and hadn't suffered any disasters this year; in fact, it was a rare bumper harvest.

According to reports, early rice harvest should have started there.

If the Court could transport grain from Nan Zhili to the Southern Frontier, just one month's worth of grain would stabilize prices and solve their immediate problem.

Baili Hao reached out and gently smoothed her furrowed brow, saying softly, "To bring grain from Nan Zhili, it must pass through Huguang and Guizhou. Guizhou is under Court control, so we can disregard that. But Prince Huguang would never allow grain to pass safely through his territory to the Southern Frontier."

Sutu Anli scoffed, "His greed knows no bounds."

Huguang had bumper harvests year after year, collecting large grain taxes but never submitting the full amount to the Court, always pleading poverty.

Thus, the grain and money that should have gone to the Court ended up in Prince Huguang's pockets. He expanded his local army again and again, building granary after granary.

Everyone knew he was immensely wealthy, with countless granaries and coffers.

He could easily feed the people of his fief for a year or more, even by providing daily porridge.

But everyone also knew that given Baili Yue's nature, he wouldn't hesitate to feed his soldiers with that grain, but he would begrudge giving it to ordinary people.

And indeed, that was the case.

Two months ago, when the drought began, Baili Yue sent a memorial pleading poverty, asking the Court for money, grain, and manpower to dig wells and dredge canals.

At that time, Emperor Yingzong was still on the throne and, seemingly wary of Baili Yue's 70,000-strong Huguang army, actually sent money and grain.

Baili Hao naturally also submitted a petition stating their situation, but Emperor Yingzong had never been close to him and didn't take this remote Vassal Prince seriously, ignoring him entirely.

But now, with the new emperor on the throne, the Court must be a different scene.

Baili Hao had been sent to the Southern Frontier by Emperor Cheng before Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne, so when the coup happened in the capital, he was far away in the Southern Frontier, living leisurely.

Although the Qin family had helped Emperor Yingzong to the throne—their judgment of people perhaps not the best—the Qin family had been loyal for generations, and Baili Hao had a good impression of them, though he wasn't very familiar with Qin Xiao himself.

He had only heard that Qin Xiao was the idle eldest son of the Qin family, but now it seemed Qin Xiao was no fool.

On the contrary, Qin Xiao was decisive, strong, and ruthless.

To emerge victorious in the complex politics of the capital and put Baili Hong, who had Qin blood, on the throne—that alone made him formidable.

Uncertain of Qin Xiao's temperament, Baili Hao had sent a memorial earlier, just in case he might actually send them grain.

But the possibility was slim. As he had just said, any grain the Court sent to the Southern Frontier would be intercepted by Prince Huguang, with perhaps not a single grain making it through.

Baili Hao didn't hold out much hope. "The letter I sent to Fifth Brother should have arrived. I wonder if he can spare any grain."

Prince Pingxi Baili Zheng, the fifth prince, was the same age as Baili Hao. Their mothers were of similar status, and they shared similar temperaments, so they had been relatively close in the palace, often visiting each other. Thus, the fifth and sixth princes had grown up together.

Compared to other brothers, they were closer.

After being enfeoffed, one in the Southern Frontier and the other in Sichuan, right next door, they didn't communicate as frequently as in the palace, but still exchanged letters several times a year.

Now that Baili Hao had asked, if Baili Zheng had surplus grain, he would surely share some.

But Sichuan was also suffering disasters, with a much larger population than the Southern Frontier. Baili Hao could only ask as a last resort.

"Likely, they're also stretched thin," Sutu Anli sighed softly, her gaze drifting through the open window to the moonlight outside, soft as gauze.

"Madam, Prince, the Princess is here," a servant announced from outside.

"Ling'er?"

"Could it be a nightmare?"

The couple quickly got up, threw on their outer robes, and went out.

As they stepped out, their daughter rushed into their arms, and Sutu Anli immediately embraced her.

The small snake coiled around Sutu Anli's arm swiftly slithered to her shoulder, its tail looping around her neck, its little head tilted, beady black eyes curiously watching Situ Zhaoling.

Situ Zhaoling stepped back slightly, holding her mother's warm hands, and said excitedly, "Mother, I dreamed—"

Suddenly, something seemed to clamp around her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.

She raised her hand in surprise, touching her throat. "What's happening?"

Then her voice returned.

"What's wrong?" Sutu Anli hurriedly checked her daughter's neck, concerned. "Does your throat hurt?"

"Call the physician," Baili Hao immediately ordered a servant.

"No need, Father, I'm fine," Situ Zhaoling stopped him.

The servant glanced at Baili Hao, and seeing the prince wave his hand, stepped back.

Situ Zhaoling thought she had run too fast earlier, making her throat dry, so she caught her breath before continuing: "I just dreamed—"

Her voice caught in her throat once again.

Situ Zhaoling sensed something was off.

It seemed she couldn't speak about the High Priest.

Is this... divine power?

Without his permission, she couldn't even reveal his existence.

She had come to her mother hoping she could perform a divination, but now that step was unnecessary—she was already certain of the High Priest's identity.

He must be a powerful immortal, here to help her get through this hardship!

In that case, the drought problem would actually be solved!

Baili Hao watched his daughter's weird behavior and changing expressions, frowning as he asked, "Ling'er, what did you dream about?"

He had just heard her say the word "dream."

Situ Zhaoling had been having nightmares for days, and Baili Hao was really worried. Now, it seemed she had another dream, but her energetic look suggested it wasn't a nightmare.

That was good.

But what kind of dream would make her run to them in the middle of the night to share?

"Nothing much," Situ Zhaoling chuckled, her eyes bright as she looked at her parents, her tone cheerful. "Father, Mother, please rest. Ling'er will head out."

She then gently tapped the little green snake's head twice: "See you later, Cuicui."

The snake flicked its tongue out.

Situ Zhaoling laughed and hurried out of the main yard like a gust of wind.

Baili Hong chuckled softly: "That child must have had a wonderful dream, right?"

"Perhaps," Sutu Anli watched her daughter's disappearing figure, her eyes shining, her heart pounding. Cuicui slowly slithered up to coil atop her head.

The holy star she had divined the day before had truly come to her daughter in a dream.

The Southern Border was saved.

Situ Zhaoling was way too excited to sleep.

An immortal had come to her in a dream—she was the chosen one!

Unfortunately, she had no one to share this joy and pride with, so she could only pace aimlessly around the manor in excitement.

No, she couldn't sleep; she had to find someone to talk to.

Chu Jiubian watched the system screen and saw his second believer bouncing around like a rabbit before darting into another courtyard.

The moonlight was bright over the Southern Border tonight.

In the courtyard, a soft sawing noise, like wood being sawed, could be heard late into the night.

Following Situ Zhaoling's figure, Chu Jiubian saw a young man in the courtyard pushing up his sleeves and sawing a piece of wood.

"Little brother," Situ Zhaoling smiled. "I knew you wouldn't be asleep yet."

When her brother showed her the design for that so-called waterwheel earlier, she knew he would likely be up all night working on it.

"Elder sister, why are you still awake?" Situ Zhaoyao raised his hand to wipe his face.

Situ Zhaoling quickly handed him a handkerchief: "You have sawdust on your hands."

Situ Zhaoyao took the handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his temples, then put down what he was doing and sat with his sister on the nearby steps.

When standing, the brother, who was going through a growth spurt, was half a head taller than his sister.

But sitting together, Chu Jiubian could see through the screen that the two looked remarkably alike, almost like spitting images of each other.

However, the boy's features were slightly more sharp, while the girl's were softer-looking—both were quite good-looking.

After talking for a bit, Situ Zhaoyao mentioned the waterwheel he was working on, frustrated that something didn't seem right, as if something was missing.

Through the screen, Chu Jiubian could only see random pieces of wood, not a complete waterwheel, and couldn't tell whether it was a dragon bone waterwheel, a barrel waterwheel, or something else.

But regardless, anyone who could conceive of building a "waterwheel" was pretty special.

Chu Jiubian opened the system shop and searched for books on agricultural tools.

Dozens of books appeared, with varied categories and slightly different contents.

Because they involved tool blueprints, they were all quite expensive.

Just looking at the prices made Chu Jiubian's heart sting. He had never actually learned how to build a waterwheel, so he couldn't give Situ Zhaoyao suggestions.

With not many points, Chu Jiubian didn't want to waste them, so he decided to buy the books the next time he summoned Situ Zhaoling.

It was getting late, so he stopped listening in on the siblings' conversation, closed the screen, and left the Divine Realm.

Instantly, a severe headache and a burning sensation throughout his body hit him.

He opened his eyes and reached up to touch his forehead.

Since his hand was also hot, he couldn't tell how hot, but it was clear he had a fever—and a bad one too.

His body was still too weak.

Chu Jiubian had no choice but to buy a box of fever medicine from the store and pushed himself up.

Rubbing his dry, burning eyes to wake himself up, he put on his boots and slowly made his way to the outer room.

Xiao Xiangzi, who was supposed to be on duty in the outer room, was absent—likely away using the bathroom.

Chu Jiubian took two cold medicine pills with water.

He was just about to return to bed when the door to the outer room opened.

A cool breeze carrying fine rain blew in, ruffling Chu Jiubian's collar slightly, but the chill also sharpened his mind considerably.

Xiao Xiangzi, outside the door, folded his umbrella and, turning to see Chu Jiubian, was startled: "Young Master!"

"Mm." Chu Jiubian noticed the other's damp robe hem and said, "Go back, change your clothes, and rest. There's no need to stand guard here."

Xiao Xiangzi immediately grew anxious, flustered as he explained, "No, Young Master, please don’t misunderstand."

"Someone from the Hall of Mental Cultivation came to summon me. I didn’t go far, just waited outside in the pavilion. I wasn’t slacking off on purpose."

The young master wasn't in the habit of waking at night, which was why Xiao Xiangzi had stepped out briefly. He had only exchanged a few words before returning, never expecting that this one time would coincidentally be noticed by the young master.

Chu Jiubian’s head throbbed dully, but he was used to concealing it. Aside from a faint flush on his cheeks, his expression showed no sign of abnormality.

"I’m not blaming you," he said. "It’s just that I truly don’t need anyone attending to me. Taking turns keeping watch through the night is too hard on all of you."

Xiao Xiangzi breathed a sigh of relief, then remembered something else. "By the way, Young Master, the Hall of Mental Cultivation sent word that His Majesty has a high fever and will cancel the morning court tomorrow. My lord said you may sleep in tomorrow."

"His Majesty has a high fever?" Chu Jiubian frowned.

"Yes, the imperial physicians were summoned an hour ago," Xiao Xiangzi said with concern. "But they say His Majesty is too young and his body too delicate—many medicines cannot be given in strong doses. So, he still hasn’t broken his fever yet."

As the male lead, such minor illnesses were nothing to worry about.

Yet the soft, tender face of the little child seemed to appear before Chu Jiubian’s eyes—smiling with a mouthful of tiny white teeth, obediently calling him "Teacher."

"Let’s go see," Chu Jiubian said, walking outward.

Xiao Xiangzi hurried into the inner room to fetch his outer robe. By the time he came out, the young master had already stepped outside with an umbrella, so he rushed to catch up and draped the robe over his shoulders.

In the main hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the strong scent of herbal medicine filled the air.

"My lord, His Majesty vomits every time he takes the medicine. It simply isn’t working," the imperial physician said, sweating anxiously. "We must find a way to make him swallow it."

The bitter taste of traditional medicine was hard for a three-year-old child, raised with utmost pampering, to swallow.

Moreover, the child was feverish and uncomfortable. The grief of losing his mother in recent days finally erupted—he clung tightly to Qin Xiao’s neck, sobbing uncontrollably, his voice already hoarse.

Everyone in the hall had watched him grow up and understood why he was throwing a tantrum and refusing medicine.

He wanted his mother.

Hearts heavy, several palace maids and matrons quietly wiped away tears, and Hong Fu’s eyes reddened as well.

Qin Xiao gently patted the child’s back, holding him as he slowly walked around the hall. He offered no comfort, simply letting the child cry.

On the day the late empress passed away, Baili Hong had cried heartrendingly. It was Qin Xiao who had comforted him through the entire night before he finally calmed down.

Since then, the child often woke crying at night, searching for his mother, but he had never cried so loudly—only whimpered with quiet sobs.

Today, he was finally able to cry freely.

A child also needed to vent, so Qin Xiao simply held his small body and paced slowly.

Cry—it would make him feel better.

Outside, the rain continued, a steady drizzle.

Noise came from the outer hall, and Qin Xiao, inside the bedchamber, glanced toward the door. In just a couple of breaths, a plain-robed figure burst into view.

Qin Xiao paused, somewhat surprised at the arrival.

Chu Jiubian looked disheveled—his robes were in disarray, the hem of his clothes and his boots were wet, and even his shoulders and hair were damp.

Yet, unusually, his typically pale cheeks held a touch of color, making him look much healthier than usual.

Baili Hong’s eyes were swollen from crying. Combined with the fever and slight lack of oxygen, he was consumed by instinctive suffering.

He only wanted to cry and vent, unaware of what was happening to him.

"Have them leave first," a slightly hoarse male voice spoke. Baili Hong turned his sobbing face and saw that it was his teacher.

It was Teacher—Teacher was also an immortal. He knew what his mother was like.

An inexplicable sense of familiarity made him instinctively want to draw closer. So, in front of everyone, the child finally released his tight grip on Qin Xiao and reached out toward Chu Jiubian.

Chu Jiubian had already approached. Seeing the child’s outstretched hands, he felt dazed for a moment.

"Teacher, hold me," the child’s choked voice brought him back to reality.

Chu Jiubian glanced at Qin Xiao. Seeing no objection, he reached out and took the child into his arms.

Warm, soft, damp, carrying the unique scent of a child.

Chu Jiubian’s Adam’s apple moved slightly.

Qin Xiao knew that Chu Jiubian had special "medicine," so when he asked for others to leave, he didn’t hesitate. He dismissed everyone, leaving only the three of them in the room.

On his way there, Chu Jiubian had already bought an electronic thermometer and children’s fever medicine from the system mall.

"Turn around first," Chu Jiubian said to Qin Xiao.

He could occasionally reveal some miracles in front of Qin Xiao, but for something as advanced as an electronic thermometer, it was better to keep it hidden.

Qin Xiao gave him a deep look, then turned his back.

His fingers lightly brushed the thumb ring he wore, and suddenly he heard a faint "beep" from behind.

Chu Jiubian glanced at the thermometer—38.3 degrees. Not extremely high, but still unbearable for a child.

He put the thermometer back into his space and looked down to see the child staring in astonishment.

From the moment Chu Jiubian produced the thermometer out of thin air, Baili Hong had forgotten to cry. His red, swollen eyes stared dumbfounded at the object that had appeared from nowhere.

The thing lightly touched his forehead and made a "beep" sound.

Then Teacher made it disappear into thin air again!

So amazing! As expected of an immortal teacher!

Baili Hong forgot to cry, blinking as he looked at Chu Jiubian, his surprise gradually turning into admiration.

Chu Jiubian looked into the child’s tear-filled eyes and felt his own eyes burning hotly, as if they might well up with tears.

"Shh," he gave the child a gentle smile, unaware of his own softness, and lowered his voice to a tender whisper. "This is our secret."

Baili Hong glanced at Qin Xiao’s back. "Not even Uncle?"

"Not even him," Chu Jiubian said.

Baili Hong hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "I won't tell."

Qin Xiao listened to the open conversation between the two behind him, yet his night-long anxiety finally eased.

"Done?" he asked.

Chu Jiubian acknowledged and carried the little emperor to the bedside, placing him down.

Baili Hong's underclothes were already soaked with sweat. Qin Xiao walked over and sat by the bed, undressed him, then wrapped him tightly in a quilt, leaving only his round, soft little face exposed.

Chu Jiubian brought over a cup of water and saw the child wrapped up like a burrito, sitting there looking small and dazed at the edge of the bed.

The corners of his lips lifted slightly without him realizing. He also sat by the bed, his knee accidentally brushed against Qin Xiao's.

Qin Xiao's muscles instantly tensed