Chapter 103 Main Story Conclusion

Chapter 103 Conclusion of the Main Story

On New Year's Eve, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao had dinner with the child, then spent a long time playing with a sand table, while incidentally teaching him various military strategies and tactics.

It was only late at night that the child finally yawned.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao put him to bed before braving the chilly wind to return to their bedroom.

After finishing their bedtime routines, the snow had stopped falling outside, but the wind grew stronger.

The howling wind seemed as if it would uproot all the trees in the courtyard.

The room was pitch black, only faint outlines visible.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao lay in bed, listening to the roaring wind outside, yet they were warm under the covers.

They lay side by side, sharing a blanket, but did nothing more—without even holding hands.

“Xiao Yao told you who that person was, right?” Qin Xiao spoke softly.

Chu Jiubian stared at the bed frame above, making out the vague outline of the man in his peripheral vision.

He said nothing.

Qin Xiao hadn’t expected an answer, as his question, though directed at Chu Jiubian, was stated as fact.

He understood Chu Jiubian.

If the name Xiao Yao mentioned had been too implausible or questionable, Chu Jiubian would have found an opportunity to bring it up with him in the past two days.

But since Chu Jiubian had said nothing, it meant the name Xiao Yao revealed was likely true—and one that could indeed affect Qin Xiao.

“It’s Wu Yiniang, isn’t it?” Qin Xiao spoke again, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.

Chu Jiubian turned to look at him.

Qin Xiao, resting his head on his arm, gazed into the dark emptiness and said gently, “Grandfather probably knew it was her all along—he just never told me.”

Though he had no concrete evidence, he was about eighty percent certain it was Wu Yiniang, for several reasons.

First was Wu Yiniang’s background: she was not born into the Wei family but was an orphan Wei Lingyun took in from outside.

Yet she matched Wei Lingyun’s preferences perfectly. When they first met, Wu Yiniang appeared thin and pitiful-looking. Wei Lingyun, being kind-hearted and sentimental, had always wanted a sister. At first sight, she felt compassion and brought the girl home, raising her like a younger sister.

Later, Wu Yiniang grew up to resemble Wei Lingyun’s ideal of lively and charming, both in appearance and temperament.

But how could things be so perfectly aligned? It seemed too perfect to be coincidental.

Upon closer thought, Wu Yiniang’s first encounter with Wei Lingyun was suspiciously coincidental.

Qin Xiao remembered his mother often saying when she was alive that she and Wu Yiniang were fated—that the heavens, seeing her sincerity, had specifically sent her a sister.

The signs were everywhere.

But Qin Xiao was reluctant to confirm Wu Yiniang as the spy for a second reason: her seeming loyalty to Wei Lingyun.

Moreover, she had almost married and started a family, living an ordinary life.

After Wei Lingyun’s death, she followed without hesitation, not even caring for her own child.

Outsiders praised her loyalty and close bond with Wei Lingyun.

But now, Qin Xiao suspected that aside from genuine affection, Wu Yiniang might have been weighed down by guilt, unable to face living on.

Perhaps initially, the Xiao family had no intention of using Wu Yiniang as a spy, and she genuinely developed feelings for Wei Lingyun and others in the household through daily interactions.

She had promised herself to that young Qin general, promising to marry after the war, likely dreaming of a peaceful, happy life.

However, things turned out differently—the Xiao family eventually contacted her.

Qin Xiao even suspected that the death of the twins’ father was linked to the Xiao family’s schemes.

They needed to ensure Wu Yiniang’s loyalty by eliminating her options and attachments.

Yet for Wu Yiniang to ultimately obey the Xiao family and cause the deaths of Wei Lingyun and Qin Jingzhao, aside from possibly being a Xiao daughter herself, it could only mean the Xiao family held other leverage over her.

“Her parents and brothers were in the hands of the Xiao family, and she truly is surnamed Xiao,” Chu Jiubian said.

Wu Yiniang was no orphan. Like all Xiao women, she was born with the mission of maintaining the family’s blood ties.

So she could not escape—her fate was determined from birth.

Chu Jiubian suddenly thought of Zhao Xi, the daughter of Vice Minister of Rites Zhao Qianhe.

She, too, had once pushed her closest friend into danger and later chose death without hesitation.

In this power struggle, no one escapes unharmed.

Even Qin Xiao had lost so many precious family members.

The two fell into a long silence.

After a long while, Qin Xiao spoke again, saying, “Our second year.”

His tone showed no sign of gloom; instead, it carried a sense of relief.

Which made sense.

Qin Xiao was never one to dwell on the past. It was just that his parents’ deaths were too profound, fueling his need for answers.

Now that he had found them, his heart felt lighter.

“Yes, two years already,” Chu Jiubian said quietly.

Qin Xiao, still resting his head on his arm, gazed at the faint outline of the bed frame above and whispered, “Time flies.”

Chu Jiubian buried half his face in the quilt, also staring into the darkness above.

Time indeed passed quickly.

Looking back now, events from his previous life felt truly distant—so much so that some details were becoming hazy in his memory.

“Have you decided what to do first after the new year?” Qin Xiao asked.

Chu Jiubian thought for a moment and said, “After the new year begins, we’ll fill the key positions in the court and conduct another imperial examination.”

“When spring comes, we’ll send Zhang Er and others to various parts of Great Ning to help the people plant sweet potatoes and cotton. In the northeast, we’ll continue cooperating with the Jurchen for now. As for Prince Pingxi and the Southern Frontier King, we’ll find ways to engage with neighboring tribes in the Western Regions. It would be best if they surrender peacefully.”

When they turned to serious matters, Chu Jiubian went on at length, laying out his plans point by point.

Qin Xiao listened attentively and said, "Once the Western Regions are fully unified, the only missing piece in Great Ning's territory will be the Tartar Tribes."

"No need to worry about the Northern Desert Army," Chu Jiubian said. "Jiang Shuoye is a fierce warrior. Yesterday, I saw he had already fought his way into the Tartar royal court. I imagine he has returned to the northern desert by today."

Moreover, confirming that Wu Yiniang was the one who was responsible for killing General Qin and his wife made Chu Jiubian even less concerned about the Northern Desert Army.

As long as there were no moles planted deep undercover, Jiang Shuoye didn't have to worry about traitors stabbing him in the back.

Jiang Shuoye had long guarded against other more obvious setups. In this battle against the Tartars, he not only aimed to expand Great Ning's territory further but also sought opportunities to uncover more traitors.

And yesterday, Jiang Shuoye had already fought a bloody battle and charged into the royal court.

It seemed that even if some remnants of the Tartars remained, they wouldn't be a problem.

Hearing Chu Jiubian's confident, certain tone, Qin Xiao fell silent for a moment before calmly asking, "Did the High Priest tell you this again?"

Chu Jiubian replied, "...Yes."

"Oh, you two are keeping in pretty close touch," Qin Xiao said with a laugh. "When I was away campaigning, did He pass along what I said to you?"

"What words?" Chu Jiubian asked deliberately.

"Nothing."

Chu Jiubian turned his head to look at him, paused, and asked, "Are you talking about how you washed my undershirts until all the smell was gone?"

Qin Xiao cocked his head, and their eyes met in the darkness. They couldn't see each other's faces clearly but could feel they were looking at each other.

"So," Chu Jiubian said with a curl of his lips, "you think my undershirts are dirty?"

Qin Xiao gave a low chuckle and said, "They are dirty."

Then he suddenly leaned in, pinning Chu Jiubian beneath him, his fingers skillfully slipping inside.

He gently kissed the young man's lips and said in a deep voice, "I made them dirty."

After resting for a few days, Chu Jiubian was feeling it too today. After just a couple touches, his body softened, allowing the man to thrust into him.

The snow on the roof was swept up by the wind, swirling before scattering.

Outside, the wind howled, and inside, it was so dark they could barely see their hands.

Chu Jiubian's expression was dazed. For a moment, he felt as if only he and Qin Xiao remained in the world, reckless, with everything else forgotten, with only each other's warmth.

Qin Xiao's rough fingertips gently stroked his lips, to stop him from biting.

"Chu Jiubian," the man whispered, kissing his lips and calling his name over and over.

Chu Jiubian's heart was pounding out of his chest.

He closed his eyes, feeling the man's warm breath against his lips.

Qin Xiao held him tightly, his voice low, barely more than a whisper.

"I love you, Chu Jiubian," he said.

Chu Jiubian gently stroked the hair falling beside the man's ear and softly replied, "Mm."

The cold wind carried away all sounds inside the room.

No one heard the creaking of the table and chairs or the quiet moans, nor saw the clean, resilient blue paper on the desk getting wet in patch after patch, like large, blooming flowers.

==

On the last day of the twelfth month, the weather was clear and bright.

Inside and outside the palace, lanterns and decorations were put up early. The streets, quiet for days, came alive with activity again, even more than before.

The people were joyful and smiling, no longer afraid of war.

Children played and laughed, singing nursery rhymes about cats and dogs, sharing sticks of bright red candied hawberries.

Girls wore new ruqun dresses, gathered in groups to browse jewelry shops, trying out festive red hairpins and laughing together.

In the evening, the emperor held a banquet in the palace, attended by all officials.

Music and dance filled the air, and brilliant fireworks lit up the sky. Everyone inside and outside the palace gazed at the wondrous sight.

Someone clasped their hands and murmured, "May there be no more war in the world, may Great Ning prosper and flourish."

Soon, more people began making wishes upon the fireworks.

"May I become wealthy! May I have abundant riches!"

"May I pass the exams with honors, and hold my head high."

"May my parents and family live long lives, healthy and safe year after year."

"May..."

Wang Qichen stood in the courtyard. Behind him, in the main hall, family members toasted each other, happy and harmonious.

Wang Pengyi stood beside him and said with a smile, "The new year is truly wonderful."

"Yes," Wang Qichen said, his eyes bright as he gazed toward the palace.

The new Great Ning.

Truly wonderful.

Inside the palace.

Baili Hong looked at the fireworks, his small fists clenched, and said, "May Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, Great-Grandfather, and Great-Grandmother be at peace and no longer worry about Miao Miao. May Uncle and Teacher be safe and have less to worry about in the new year. May..."

The little child had many wishes. He whispered for a long, long time, each word sincere and heartfelt.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao stood behind him.

The dazzling, flickering fireworks reflected on the young man's flawless face. Qin Xiao watched him unblinking, simply smiling.

Chu Jiubian rarely made wishes—they felt too empty.

But today, he thought that if wishes could come true, he hoped to soon realize all his aspirations for Great Ning.

And then...

He turned his head, his eyes meeting the man's deep, dark gaze.

And then, he wanted to do more things he had never done with Qin Xiao and see more places they'd never seen.

"Alright," Qin Xiao said suddenly.

Chu Jiubian raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'alright'?"

Qin Xiao smiled. "I get the feeling you have something to tell me. Whatever it is, that's fine with me."

Chu Jiubian also laughed, saying in a very soft voice, "Even if I ask you to go without sex for half a year, that's fine too?"

"Half a day is acceptable," Qin Xiao replied without changing his expression.

"......" Chu Jiubian turned back to continue watching the fireworks.

Qin Xiao glanced around at the people nearby, then reached out and quietly interlaced his fingers with Chu Jiubian's under the cover of the cloak.

"End of main story"

Author's note:

The main story is complete~ [tosses confetti]

[dog holding a rose in its mouth] Thank you, my dear readers, for your support all along. This chapter comes with 200 red envelopes~

==

[let me see] But we're not saying goodbye just yet—the extras will continue with daily updates!

Extra chapters will have titles indicating their content, so you can pick and choose what you like. This won’t affect the subscription rate. [hug] Love you all.

[cat paw] 【Preview】The next extra chapter will tie up loose ends with the Northern Desert Army plot, and Xiao Jiu will make another cameo.

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