Myriad Heavens Reward System, A Conversation Between Mother and Son

But looking at the system prompt, it would only activate upon adulthood. A system even had minor protection? What, were you a damn penguin?!

Although he desperately wanted to learn more about the system, now was not the time.

Emperor Gan, Chu Tianxiong, spoke calmly. "No matter. Prince of Qin, receive the decree. The year-end festival is two months away. Remain in the capital for now, and depart for your fief after the Lantern Festival at the beginning of next year."

Chu Xuanao said, "This son thanks Imperial Father for his grace."

"Enough. Rise."

Chu Xuanao rose to his feet. He would not be leaving for his fief until the beginning of next year. Based on his original plans, he was supposed to depart within the next few days, and he had already begun packing. Though somewhat puzzled, being able to enjoy himself in the capital a while longer was not bad either.

Emperor Gan Chu Tianxiong's authoritative voice rang out. "My ministers, if anyone has a memorial, present it."

"Court dismissed."

"May Your Majesty Live Ten Thousand Years!"

It was finally over. Chu Xuanao immediately felt relieved. He had stood there for two whole hours. Even though he had done nothing, it was mentally exhausting!

After leaving the Golden Palace Hall, Bai Feihong, Vice Minister of War, quickly came to his side and spoke softly.

"Your Maternal Grandfather and Maternal Aunt arrived in the capital today. They were originally meant to accompany you to your fief, but who could have expected His Majesty to make you leave only at the beginning of next year?

"But that is not necessarily bad. With your Maternal Grandfather there, your safety will be assured, and he will be able to solve many problems for you after you arrive at your fief.

"But why is your fief located in You Province?

"Tell your mother, so she can rest easy.

"Though You Province is far away, it is also where an eagle rises from the mountaintop and spreads its wings to soar. Compared to being a caged sparrow here, that will eventually be the place where you spread your wings.

"Do not worry. We support you, and we support every decision you make."

A smile appeared on Chu Xuanao's face at Bai Feihong's words. "Thank you, Maternal Uncle. I have troubled Maternal Uncle and Maternal Grandfather. I will visit Mother Consort first, then pay my respects to Maternal Grandfather, Maternal Uncle, and Maternal Aunt."

After hearing his nephew's words, Bai Feihong quickly departed. Chu Xuanao likewise headed toward Qingyun Palace. However, his mind was already immersed in the system as he examined its description.

The system was called the Myriad Heavens Reward System. It was broadly divided into three sections: system space, lottery draws, and summoning. Easy enough to understand.

The system space was a cubic space measuring 100 x 100 x 100, available for the host's use. It could store any item other than living creatures, though he had to touch an item to place it inside. Taking things out, however, could be done at any time.

Chu Xuanao's eyes lit up. Didn't that mean he could undress with a single thought? He would have to try it when he got back!

As for lottery draws and summoning, there was one lottery draw each month and two summons each year—one character and one faction.

There were no requirements, no missions, and no conditions. They arrived right on schedule.

(Just assume thirty days per month and twelve months per year. Don't ask why. The answer is that Earth is the center of all worlds.)

Lottery draws could yield all sorts of treasures from across the myriad heavens and worlds. There were no restrictions; everything was random.

He might draw a supreme immortal artifact, or he might draw a clump of roadside weeds.

Well, there was no upper limit and no guaranteed minimum.

Whether he was blessed by luck or cursed by misfortune depended entirely on his fortune.

Summoning was divided into Character Summoning and Faction Summoning. The distinction was also simple: Character Summoning meant one person, while Faction Summoning meant two or more people. Those summoned would be absolutely loyal.

Chu Xuanao inwardly grumbled. Two people counted as a faction?

Upon activating the system for the first time, he received a beginner's reward from it.

[Three lottery draws, three Character Summoning Cards, and one Faction Summoning Card]

However, he did not plan to use them yet. Once summoned, the characters would appear by his side. He was currently in the Imperial Palace, so it would be difficult to handle.

He soon arrived at Qingyun Palace, where his mother consort resided. The moment he reached Yunhua Hall, a maid said, "Your Highness, Her Ladyship said that when Your Highness arrives, you may enter directly. She is waiting inside."

Upon entering the hall, he saw a beauty in ancient attire seated at a table. Her skin was as fair as snow, and she wore a green robe. Though a woman, she possessed an air of heroism. As an imperial consort of a nation, she wore no ornate jewels or crown, only a wooden hairpin. Yet as she sat there, she remained incomparably radiant.

His mother, Bai Feiyan, was Consort Rong. She came from the Bai Family, one of Jiangzhou's four great clans.

When she saw Chu Xuanao, her expression was complicated. "Ao'er, come sit. All of you, leave."

Chu Xuanao sat facing her. At her words, the maids in the hall all withdrew and shut the doors. Only three people remained in the hall: Chu Xuanao, his mother consort, and Granny Hua, who stood behind Consort Rong and poured him a cup of tea.

Chu Xuanao looked at his mother consort and said, "Maternal Uncle said Maternal Grandfather and Maternal Aunt have already arrived in the capital. Mother Consort need not worry."

"How could I not worry? Hanshan Prefecture in You Province—what kind of place is that? The frontier?

"No, it is the front line. Dagan and Great Feng have never been on good terms. Though there have been no major wars along the You Province border for nearly thirty years, minor clashes have never ceased.

"Beyond Hanshan Prefecture lies the Xuanshan Plain, and beyond that is Great Feng's Eastern Border. How can I not worry?"

She had never imagined that her child would be Exiled to the Frontier.

"Mother Consort, rest assured. Besides, the Imperial Decree has already been issued, so it is settled. What else can be done?

"As Maternal Uncle said, though Hanshan Prefecture is far away, it is also where an eagle rises from the mountaintop and spreads its wings to soar. Once this child leaves the capital, it will be like the vast sea letting fish leap and the high sky letting birds fly.

"Please rest assured, Mother Consort. This child knows what he is doing. Hanshan Prefecture is actually the best possible choice for me."

What nonsense. How could it not be good?

The system had summoning. If he remained in the capital or was enfeoffed somewhere else, it would truly be difficult for him to make a move!

In Tiandu City, it would not be an exaggeration to say that if his father wanted to know what position he had used last night, he could find out.

Developing in the capital was hopeless unless his father gave the nod.

Only a remote frontier, where the sky was high and the emperor far away, suited him.

He was the Prince of Qin. Once he reached his fief, he would stockpile grain, build high walls, and dominate one region.

He would directly launch Fengtian Jingnan. Then he would arrange a showdown with his father at Xuanwu Gate. Whoever backed down was a grandson.

Otherwise, he would be letting down the title of Prince of Qin—and that ancestor from his distant homeland.

Consort Rong looked at her confident son, her eyes filled with surprise.

"You have grown up. Since you have already made up your mind, I will say no more.

"Give my regards to your Maternal Grandfather. After the year-end festival, you will be leaving for your fief. Mother Consort has little she can do to help you, but I have accumulated some things over the years. I will have someone send them to your residence later.

"Be careful of the Shenying Marquis Manor in You Province. They bear an old grudge against your Imperial Father.

"Keep your guard up in all matters. Be cautious."

"Mother Consort, rest assured. This child understands. Besides, I am not leaving yet. We can discuss it after the year-end festival.

"During this time, this child will spend more time with Mother Consort and little sister. By the way, did little sister not come to Mother Consort's place today?"

"It is nothing. You are about to be Enfeoffed as King, and many matters will have to depend on yourself. You need not worry about Mother Consort.

"Your sister is still at the training grounds. Sigh!"

Speaking of her daughter gave Consort Rong quite a headache. All she could say was that the girl was innocent and carefree!

"Please rest assured, Mother Consort. If there is nothing else, this child will go visit Maternal Grandfather and Maternal Uncle."

"Very well. Go on, then. Your Maternal Grandfather and Maternal Uncle are still waiting for you."

"This child takes his leave." With that, Chu Xuanao rose, bowed to Consort Rong, and walked out of the hall.

Looking at Chu Xuanao's retreating back, Consort Rong felt somewhat lost. Her son had lost his former calmness today, replaced by confidence and sharpness.

"The vast sea lets fish leap, the high sky lets birds fly.

"A fish leaps through the dragon gate and soars into the heavens.

"Ao'er, do you wish to try as well?"

Consort Rong's voice was not soft, but Chu Xuanao, who had already turned and left, could not hear it.

Chu Xuanao returned to his residence as well. He did not go to his Maternal Uncle's manor. Well, he was impatient now. Draw, draw, draw—who could resist the urge to draw?

He looked at Xiao Dezi beside him.

Xiao Dezi—his name was Gu De Mao Ning... pfft! Gu De—was his eunuch study companion.

Chu Xuanao gave him a task.

"Xiao Dezi, go to my Maternal Uncle's manor and invite Maternal Grandfather, Maternal Uncle, and Maternal Aunt here.

"Qiuyue, Shuangxue, prepare my bath and clothes."