Chapter 133

Fu Xuan's face flushed red and then turned pale red, her delicate features changing with a frequency that was no less dramatic than before. Seeing this, Bai Jun suppressed the urge to sigh.

"This is a misunderstanding, no, it shouldn't be like this, let them explain... No, that's not right, get out of here and wait!!!"

Snatching the white pantyhose from Bai Jun's hand, Fu Xuan's face turned as red as a ripe apple. Panicked, he stammered incoherently, his pink hair steaming as if flames were burning, and his pale golden eyes were swirling with confusion.

In the end, completely disoriented, she pushed Bai Jun out of the office. The door slammed shut, shaking the entire wall, and the gust of wind that followed made Bai Jun's hair, which was standing in the corridor, a mess.

"Sigh, what should I say in this situation?"

Bai Jun stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and sighed jokingly, "It's rare to witness such a battle of strong individuals. Even if I die, it'll be worth it."

Chapter 165: Lady Fu Xuan is fighting with other women for a man...

Like a musical score with scrambled notes, the melody that was supposed to return to its original form became chaotic and disorderly, and the floor was once again piled with all sorts of clutter and obstructions.

In stark contrast to Bai Jun, who stood bewildered outside the door, Fu Xuan, who had hastily kicked Bai Jun out of the room, was now filled with deep regret.

"Ugh, I shouldn't have kicked him out! I shouldn't have kicked him out! It's all my fault, and yet I impulsively blamed him for everything. What will he think of me? He'll probably think of me as some kind of spoiled, arrogant princess. Waaah, I'm so immature..."

She paced back and forth on the floor of the room, tossing her pink hair in frustration.

The usually imposing Lady Fu Xuan suddenly collapsed onto the sofa like an ostrich, covering his flushed face and uttering embarrassing "ooh ooh ooh" sounds.

Her face was burning hot, and her head was spinning. She knew without even thinking how red her face was and how embarrassing she looked... But even if she tried to put on a serious face in front of Bai Jun, it would be useless. Fu Xuan could always put on a calm and composed demeanor with anyone.

Bai Jun is the only exception. Fu Xuan just can't seem to be serious with Bai Jun. Maybe in the past this could be explained by the fact that he couldn't see the trajectory of Bai Jun's fate, but now the situation is more like a girlish infatuation.

Whenever she thought about this, Fu Xuan felt incredibly shy. She didn't want to admit it, but the sweet and tender emotions she felt in her body and mind constantly proved it to her.

"Go out and apologize to him... Ugh!?"

Fu Xuan had spent a considerable amount of time cooling down, had just gotten up when he tripped over some debris on the floor and fell headfirst into a pile of books, bumping into the bookshelf next to him.

The bookshelf, shaken by the tremor, shuddered violently, kicking up clouds of fine dust. Fu Xuan, who had just managed to lift his head from the pile of books, was immediately struck on the head by a book falling from the shelf. Fu Xuan whimpered in pain, clutching his head tightly, large tears welling up in his pale golden eyes.

"Ouch... Damn it, I didn't see anything like this in today's divination!"

Before getting up to work each day, Fu Xuan usually casts a dozen or so divinations for everyday problems, and the results are often accurate. After all, if the ominous signs predicted by the divination cannot be avoided, then the divination is meaningless. However, today's situation is very special, because Fu Xuan's divination this morning did not show any similar situation.

Ultimately, it can only be attributed to the butterfly effect caused by Bai Jun. If it weren't for him, Fu Xuan wouldn't have panicked so much, wouldn't have subconsciously ignored the clutter on the floor out of shyness, and wouldn't have bumped into the bookshelf.

With a deep sigh, Fu Xuan composed himself, wiped away his tears, and quickly opened the door as if nothing had happened.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, I was just now... oh?"

Fu Xuan nervously fiddled with her hair, her pale golden eyes awkwardly looking down at the floor. Suddenly, she realized that Bai Jun, who was supposed to be waiting for her in the corridor, was nowhere to be seen. A faint panic and shyness instantly turned into a heart-pounding fear. Fu Xuan thought, "Could it be that Bai Jun is angry with her and left?" She looked around helplessly.

Soon, Fu Xuan's gaze fell on the diviner on duty nearby.

"Did you see Bai Jun? He's the handsome man who was standing in the corridor just now?"

"Fu, Lady Fu Xuan!?"

"Forget the formalities and pleasantries, answer my question!"

"You mean Bai Jun... Ah, Lady Fu Xuan, you mean that handsome guy who was just standing here? The one with the silver hair and skin even better than mine? Miss Qing Que took him away, saying she was taking him to the Divination Bureau. They were even holding hands... Sigh, I really envy Qing Que. She's never really focused on her work, yet she has such good luck. I wish I could find a boyfriend that handsome too."

Upon recognizing the visitor, the fortune teller, who was on duty near the entrance, stood up cautiously. After hearing Fu Xuan's question, she pondered for a moment before nodding in sudden understanding. Her expression then turned to envy, jealousy, and resentment towards Qing Que. After all, she was already of marriageable age and now had a strong impression of handsome men.

The fortune teller, engrossed in complaining about her crisis as an older single woman, failed to notice Fu Xuan's rapidly changing expressions of anger and resentment, and even less did she notice her boss's unprecedentedly gloomy expression as he angrily passed by her.

"Ah, I really envy those young and beautiful girls in Qing Que. They can enjoy the wonders of youth to the fullest and use their good looks to attract equally handsome men. Waaah, they really make an older single woman like me so envious... Hey? Where did Lady Fu Xuan go?"

The diviner raised his face, blinked, and looked around in confusion at the now deserted surroundings.

A slow, unhurried murmur drifted from the central courtyard of the Divination Bureau.

The sounds of metal scraping mingled with the murmurs of casual conversation. Many people moved about, busy with various tasks. Some carried divination equipment, others packed up and carried away documents, and still others jogged around delivering messages. Everyone had something to do.

In this place where the Xianzhou native, Foxkin, and Vidyadhara mingled indistinguishably, the two people walking side by side attracted everyone's attention.

She wore a dark green dress, had slender legs, delicate and supple skin, and exquisitely handsome features that were quite well-proportioned even from a distance. Her eyes, also green like her dress, held a hint of jewel color.

As a Xianzhou native, she possesses exceptionally high beauty standards, even surpassing all others in the Divination Bureau, a place where Foxkin and Vidyadhara coexist.

However, compared to Qing Que, who was used to seeing people and always went to the Divination Bureau to guard the gate, everyone's attention was actually more focused on the man beside her. His handsome face, which attracted everyone's attention, far surpassed that of Vidyadhara, and had even reached the point of being irresistible to both men and women.

Bai Jun and Qing Que walked side by side on the bluestone avenue of the Divination Bureau, maintaining a delicate distance of less than half a step. Qing Que's small hand was tightly holding Bai Jun's palm. Most onlookers would probably think they were a pair of young lovers who seemed a little shy and reserved.

Today's luck is just amazing, and Qing Que's smile is exceptionally bright and cheerful.

Qingque thought being forced by Fu Xuan to guard the gate was bad enough, but she never expected to see Bai Jun at Fu Xuan's door. After hearing the whole story from Bai Jun, Qing Que, under the pretext of "letting me, your senior, show you around the Divination Bureau," dragged Bai Jun away without any hesitation.

"Hmm, Qing Que, is it really appropriate to run out without telling Fu Xuan?"

"Oh, it's nothing. The old lady Taibu has to handle so many affairs of the Divination Bureau every day, calculating the fortunes of the Xianzhou. She works tirelessly day and night, how could she have time to accompany you for a leisurely stroll around the Divination Bureau? Even if she did, it certainly wouldn't be as thorough as if I took you around! I can guarantee that!"

Unlike Bai Jun, who had some reservations, Boss Que today was quite domineering, confidently assuring everyone.

This is a lie. In fact, Qing Que had long been prepared to be severely punished by Fu Xuan afterward, but so what? Compared with the price she would have to pay, the benefits of being able to be in close contact with Bai Jun like this are obviously greater than the drawbacks.

Moreover, in pursuit of love, no matter how despicable or base the means, they are permitted!

"I understand. By the way, Qing Que, you don't need to hold my hand like that..."

"That won't do. The routes in the Divination Bureau are so complicated. What if you get lost?"

Bai Jun felt the soft touch and warmth coming from his palm and tried to slowly pull his hand away. However, the other person gave her reasons with a straight face. When she said this, Qing Que's small hand clenched even tighter.

"How could I possibly get lost? Do you think I'm some three-year-old kid?"

"Similar logic... Ah, look over there, that's one of the three magic arrays that make up the Matrix of Prescience Divination Bureau. You don't need to remember the specific name, after all, Bai Jun, you're not a professional diviner. Besides, only diviners of the official rank are qualified to touch the operation of magic arrays. I probably won't have the chance in my lifetime."

The direction Qing Que pointed to was the aerial pavilion on the northwest side of the central courtyard, from which one could overlook the entire central courtyard of the Divination Bureau, but only qualified people could enter.

Ordinary fortune tellers who go there will only be met with a cold and heartless rejection. "You're not qualified, you're not qualified."

Suddenly, she seemed to remember a great place and excitedly said to Bai Jun, "Oh, right, Bai Jun, you probably haven't seen the library in the Divination Bureau yet, have you? It's a great place! It has all sorts of good books and comics that you can't usually see. I usually go there to slack off... uh, relax and unwind."

Qing Que, with practiced ease, led Bai Jun by the hand into the library.

Although the library's first-floor lobby is not large, it is very clean and tidy, and there are various potted plants. The bookshelves along the walls contain many books that look very difficult and heavy. The entire lobby is made of stone of unknown material, and the first impression is indeed very much in line with the atmosphere of the Divination Bureau.

The diviners and officials of the Divination Bureau a divination office) usually come here to consult materials when they encounter problems in divination. Many people also come here specifically to work because of the quiet atmosphere. Perhaps because they are too busy today, there are not many people in the library consulting materials or working. There are hardly any people in the entire lobby on the first floor.

"The library of the Divination Bureau should be the most closely integrated place in the entire Xianzhou knowledge network, encompassing a vast collection of historical classics, scholarly works, philosophical and literary works, and even contemporary light novels and comics, after all, they can be considered symbols of modern culture."

Qing Que casually pulled a light novel from the bookshelf, tiptoed, and whispered in Bai Jun's ear to explain.

"So you usually come here to slack off?"

"Ugh... You're so mean! Get away from me!"

Bai Jun followed Qing Que's example and whispered in her ear. The hot breath on her ear and the inexplicable itching sensation made Qing Que's petite body tremble slightly, and her cheeks quickly turned a faint blush. Then, she angrily pounded Bai Jun's shoulder with her soft little hands.

Finally, she crossed her arms, turned her face away angrily, and said, "You scoundrel Qing Yan, you're punished by sitting over there!"

Bai Jun looked at the spot she was pointing to, puzzled. It was just an ordinary, perfectly normal chair. Qing Que was in a bad mood, like someone trying to stroke a puppy's fur, so Bai Jun had no choice but to obey her and sit down on the chair.

Under Bai Jun's bewildered gaze, Qing Que sat on his lap with a blushing face. Then, her petite and delicate body leaned back and snuggled into his arms. The soft and fragrant touch instantly flooded Bai Jun's mind. Faced with Qing Que's completely red cheeks, he was so surprised that he didn't know what to say.

"Is this your punishment? Sit here obediently and wait for me to finish reading this book!"

As she said this, Qing Que turned her bright green eyes away and buried her face in the open light novel, leaving Bai Jun with only a delicate, bright red earlobe.

Just as Qing Que's heart was pounding, eagerly awaiting Bai Jun's answer and reaction, a cold voice rang out from beside her. "Qing Que, it seems you really want to integrate into the Divination Bureau group?"

"Lady Fu Xuan!?"

"Come with me, I have something to tell you."

The girl's shyness vanished instantly, leaving only a chilling coldness. Qing Que raised her face in terror, meeting Fu Xuan's cold, pale golden eyes. Without saying anything more, she grabbed Qing Que's arm and tried to pull her off Bai Jun's lap.

"No, no, Lady Fu Xuan, I haven't done anything wrong!"

The usually Fu Xuan and harmless creature suddenly acted out of character today, openly rejecting her.

Fu Xuan, whose eyebrows never furrowed and whose demeanor was always refined Fu Xuan elegant, suddenly turned grim.

Near the bookshelves not far away, two diviners were busy with their own tasks.

"I'm serious, Huixing, I really saw Lady Fu Xuan make that kind of expression, it was so cute..."

"Yes, yes, you don't need to elaborate on Lady Fu Xuan's adorable qualities. As for what you said earlier about Lady Fu Xuan falling in love... perhaps you've been under too much work pressure lately? Anyway, don't bother me anymore, I still have a lot of work to finish here."

Mingyue, slumped over the table, complained to her colleague about what she had just witnessed, while Huixing rested her elbow on the armrest of her chair, propped her cheek in her hand, and elegantly crossed her left leg, treating her with the same casual indifference she would show to her silly little sister, while sighing and looking down at the unfinished divination results.

"I really didn't lie to you, Huixing!"

"Yes, yes, please don't disturb my work~"

Huixing casually adjusted her glasses, picked up her coffee, and began to savor it...

"Qing Que! I'm telling you to get off him right now!" Fu Xuan, having lost control of his emotions, had already raised his voice.

"Puff--!!!"

Upon hearing the sound, Huixing instantly spat out the coffee in her mouth.

Looking towards the source of the sound, Fu Xuan and Qing Que were arguing loudly in the center of the library's first-floor lobby, along with a man being pulled and struggled by the two sides, instantly becoming the focus of attention for the few bystanders in the library.

Chapter 166 Whose Child?

"That shouldn't be the case. According to the proper procedures of the Six Commissions, he should be back by now at the latest."

Jing Yuan paced back and forth in the main hall of the Shence Mansion without saying a word, occasionally glancing up at the clock in the hall. The person he mentioned was Bai Jun, who had left the Shence Mansion that morning with his dispatch warrant. The two had agreed to return to the Shence Mansion before noon after finishing their business with the Divination Bureau. Now, the hands of the clock gently announced the arrival of eleven o'clock in the morning.

"That won't do, we'll miss out on some fun things if we wait any longer..."

Just as Jing Yuan hesitated, preparing to use his general's authority to order Fu Xuan to urge Bai Jun to return quickly, the gate of the Shence Mansion was suddenly pushed open. Jing Yuan turned around in surprise and, after seeing that the person who came was none other than Bai Jun, whom he had been longing for, wondered if the other party had some special ability to read minds.

I'm not late, am I?

As soon as Bai Jun returned to the main hall of the Shence Mansion, he couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. He had truly exhausted all his energy, and his whole being was as stiff and dull as a stonemason's sculpture, looking exactly like someone who had burned out completely.

"You timed it perfectly; any later and you might have been late. I was just about to call and remind you. Speaking of which, how did things go at the Divination Bureau? I remember the procedures and situations there were far more complicated than at the Earth-Balance Commission... Uh, look at your long face. Did Lady Fu give you a hard time?"

Jing Yuan, her long, light silver hair tied in a bun, swayed as she spoke to Bai Jun with a teasing smile. Bai Jun waved his hand and sighed, saying:

"It's less about making things difficult for me, and more about making me feel utterly humiliated."

"Oh~ I already roughly understand from your expression. Hmph, you really are a deeply sinful man. But since it's a debt of love you committed, you have to endure whatever kind of hellish situation you face. No, it should be said that you should learn to find joy in suffering and try to enjoy it all."

"Haha, this makes me, a seven-hundred-year-old man who outwardly appears to have a large and happy family but has never even held a young girl's hand, laugh."

Jing Yuan, acting as someone with experience, earnestly advised Bai Jun, but his good intentions were met with ingratitude and he was instead mocked in a sarcastic tone.

Jing Yuan, unperturbed by Bai Jun's sarcastic remarks, merely twitched his lips a few times. Thinking of what was about to happen, he quickly composed himself, a calm smile spreading across his face, "The purity has been greatly reduced. Do you think this level is enough to anger a general?"

"Stop with the nonsense. What do you want me to do by reporting to the Divination Bureau and then returning to the Shence Mansion? If it's just to invite me to dinner, I won't argue with you. But if you made this decision for some other pointless reason, then I suggest you quickly come up with a reasonable explanation for yourself."

Bai Jun suddenly narrowed his eyes with an ominous tone and said to Jing Yuan with a hint of displeasure.

Ultimately, what happened at the Divination Bureau today was all Jing Yuan's fault for his cunning scheme. It wouldn't be unreasonable for him to treat me to a meal as compensation, would it?

Seeing this, Jing Yuan stopped joking, crossed his arms, and his gradually somber expression turned into a serious one, as if dealing with a serious matter. "Do you remember what I said last time?"

What did you say?

"The Marshal is already aware of all the strange occurrences that happened on Luofu."

Jing Yuan's languid tone had somehow lost its nonchalance, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness. He shrugged and explained calmly, "The Marshal has issued an order that generals from other flagships will come today to 'offer condolences' regarding the recent events and damage to Luofu."

The marshal issued an order, which, even if it wasn't a public trial, was, to put it nicely, to ask Jing Yuan to talk and clarify some facts; to put it bluntly, it was practically an order to hold Jing Yuan accountable.

"The battlefield of the Reignbow-General is not only outside the Xianzhou." Jing Yuan vaguely remembered that this was a piece of advice given by a Heavenly General when he first took office. He did not understand it at the time, but now, looking back, he found that it was indeed true. Everything seemed to be exactly as that Heavenly General had expected.

"On the battlefield, they negotiate; internally, they mediate... The weight of the title 'General' far exceeds its literal meaning. For the Xianzhou native, living too long is a curse, and for a general, it is even more so. It means that every mistake made in life is lurking in the shadows, waiting to catch up with you and devour you one day."

Jing Yuan closed his eyes with a heavy heart, then shook his head with a wry smile:

"That's why people say sitting in the position of 'General' is like sitting on a mountain of knives. It seems the sins and mistakes I've committed are about to come back to haunt me... I apologize, perhaps I'm being too pessimistic. As the people's father and father, and as a subject of the Xianzhou, the General is subject to the emperor's orders and the people's livelihood. No matter how high or low the rank, the responsibility on one's shoulders is immense. Moreover, having already taken that position, doing more is simply one's duty. But failing to fulfill even the slightest responsibility is a colossal mistake. From this perspective, perhaps this is the responsibility I must bear."

"No, after all these years, you've done more than enough."

"Always remember, as a general, don't think about what you've accomplished, but rather ask yourself what you haven't accomplished."

Bai Jun spoke up to deny Jing Yuan's self-pity. Jing Yuan looked at that unwavering gaze, shook his head, and glanced at Bai Jun meaningfully.

Hearing Jing Yuan say that he had said all he needed to say, Bai Jun, though somewhat confused by what Jing Yuan had just said, couldn't say anything more now. He could only nod and say, "... I understand. Let me go with you today."

"That's good. With you by my side, I can feel at ease. I believe something good will happen today."

Bai Jun pondered Jing Yuan's last words repeatedly, then slowly looked up. For some reason, he vaguely felt that the smile on Jing Yuan's face was a little strange, like that of an audience member about to enter a circus, looking forward to a good show.