“Of course he won’t be angry!” the Crown Prince laughed heartily.
The resentment he had felt yesterday for being punished because of Qu Dubian gradually disappeared. He didn’t know if his young brother was good or not, but if he could make Third Brother frustrated, then he was his good brother!
The Third Prince lowered his hand that he had just extended to receive the dried fruit, his empty palm retreating into his hanging sleeve. He smiled and said: “Of course not.”
“That’s right!”
The Crown Prince generously said on others’ behalf: “Seventh Brother is still young.”
Ye Xiaoyuan collected the gifts and temporarily placed them on the shelf at the edge of the study hall, then quietly stood against the wall like the other personal eunuchs.
Next to him was the Crown Prince’s personal eunuch.
That eunuch said contentedly: “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the Crown Prince so happy.”
Ye Xiaoyuan also said contentedly: “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the young prince smile like this.”
The two eunuchs exchanged glances, feeling quite sympathetic towards each other.
The Crown Prince pressed the Third Prince to sit down, patted Qu Dubian’s head, and actually found him quite pleasing to the eye. This brother looked good, was articulate, and wasn’t as annoying as imagined.
Although yesterday, because of Seventh Brother’s matter, his homework had increased dramatically and he had been punished to kneel, compared to today’s satisfaction, that was nothing.
He said cheerfully: “Eldest Brother said some things he shouldn’t have yesterday, but I’ve been taught a lesson, so let’s consider it over. In the future, if anyone bullies you, just come to me. Now go to your seat.”
The Second Prince smiled and said to him: “If you need anything or are short of something to use, you can also come to Second Brother.”
In just a moment, Qu Dubian had roughly figured out the personalities of these three older brothers.
The Crown Prince was straightforward, in other words, not very bright. He didn’t have many tricks and wasn’t good at being roundabout. As long as you stroked him the right way, he could be a good backer.
But he was probably easily instigated.
The Second Prince was always smiling, seemingly always playing the role of mediator between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. He had good relationships with all the princes, appearing very diplomatic.
The Third Prince…
Hmm.
He was a young cup of tea.
Qu Dubian had sensed it when he was listening to classes under the desk and found it quite interesting, but seeing him face to face today, this guy’s dislike for him was almost overflowing.
If he didn’t give him a little jab, Qu Dubian wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.
On the right row, the Crown Prince was at the front, and the Third Prince was at the back.
Qu Dubian was in the left row, and interestingly, here the Sixth Prince was at the front, and the Fourth Prince was at the back.
The left side seemed to be arranged by age, with the older ones towards the back, but Qu Dubian, clearly the youngest and shortest, was at the very back.
When passing by the Sixth Prince at the front, the Sixth Prince snorted at him.
“?”
Qu Dubian was bewildered.
Had he offended him?
Children are really inexplicable.
After sitting cross-legged at his own seat, Qu Dubian found that the height of the desk reached his chin. He rested his chin on the desk and sighed.
Short, he was so short.
The Fourth Prince in front of him slowly turned his head, “Thank you, little brother.”
The Fourth Prince was a bit chubby, looking very much like a lucky doll, with big eyes that were always drowsy and unable to open fully. He carried a small pillow with him.
Qu Dubian: “You’re welcome.”
The Fourth Prince patted his small pillow, extending an invitation: “Do you want to sleep together later?”
“…Sleep? Won’t the tutor mind?”
The Fourth Prince honestly said: “Grand Tutor Xi doesn’t mind us, he manages that side.” He pointed to the Crown Prince’s row.
Qu Dubian was silent for a moment, “Let’s see later, Fourth Brother can sleep first.”
The Fourth Prince slowly turned his head back and gently, peacefully rested on his small pillow.
…He’s a bit like a sloth.
Grand Tutor Xi’s full name was Xi Shiqiu, currently the Minister of Justice, well-versed in Great Zhou’s criminal law, litigation, etc. His teaching of the princes here was just an extra job, as his main work was very busy.
But Emperor Chongzhao valued him and allowed him to come teach the princes after court sessions, though he didn’t come every time. Occasionally, other tutors would substitute.
When he entered the study hall, Qu Dubian observed him very carefully.
This Grand Tutor Xi wore a dark blue wide-sleeved casual robe, a white jade hairpin, and had a small circle of beard on his chin. He looked to be in his thirties, very handsome and elegant.
No wonder those young palace maids were gossiping behind his back about his concubine dying in childbirth.
Qu Dubian observed carefully and even noticed thick bandages wrapped around Grand Tutor Xi’s wrist, as well as scattered bruises and scratches on his face.
In previous lives, many people would stop to watch when they saw two cats fighting on the street.
It was truly difficult not to gossip about Grand Tutor Xi’s behavior.
Grand Tutor Xi noticed the small figure that had appeared in the classroom. He paused briefly, nodded slightly towards Qu Dubian, and then began today’s lesson.
He lectured on recent cases recorded and archived by the Da Li Temple.
After listening for a while, Qu Dubian thought, to be fair, Grand Tutor Xi’s lecture was quite interesting. However, the content was too advanced for children like the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Princes.
No wonder Grand Tutor Xi didn’t pay attention to them; it was perfectly normal that they couldn’t understand.
Grand Tutor Xi’s teaching primarily targeted the Crown Prince and his two brothers, while the others were just incidental. It didn’t matter if they couldn’t understand; the exposure would make it easier to comprehend in the future.
Today’s lesson on legal provisions was about blood revenge.
“In Nanyang County, there was a butcher who bought piglets from a pig farmer. After bringing them home, he realized the piglets were more expensive than elsewhere and felt he had been cheated. Ten days later, the butcher snuck into the pig farmer’s house at night and killed him.
He took the corpse away, chopped it into mince, and mixed it with meat to sell to customers. When the pig farmer’s son discovered this, he didn’t report it to the authorities. Instead, he also snuck into the butcher’s house at night, killed the butcher and his family, and ate them raw.”
After finishing, Grand Tutor Xi asked, “What do you think? Was the pig farmer’s son right or wrong?”
Crown Prince: “For those who seek revenge, the scholar writes it in a book, killing without crime. A man of blood and courage should act like this! What crime has the pig farmer’s son committed?”
Third Prince: “Revenge is not a crime, but he shouldn’t have involved the wife and children. They were innocent.”
Crown Prince: “How do you know his wife and children weren’t complicit? The revenge for a father’s death cannot be shared under the same sky. A son who doesn’t seek revenge is not a son.”
“Private revenge for blood feuds, involving the whole family – if everyone did this, the country would cease to be a country,” said the Third Prince. “Father taught us to be benevolent and loving. Has big brother forgotten?”
The Crown Prince was at a loss for words.
Grand Tutor Xi: “What about the Second Prince?”
The Second Prince smiled: “Both big brother and third brother are correct.”
Grand Tutor Xi nodded, unsurprised by their answers. He was about to mention the verdict from Nanyang County when he caught sight of something taller in his peripheral vision—
That little prince, at some point, had moved from sitting cross-legged on the floor to sitting on the table.
The child was resting his chin on his hand, seemingly listening with great interest.
Grand Tutor Xi paused, and as if possessed, he asked, “What does the little prince think?”
Qu Dubian replied without hesitation: “Big brother, second brother, and third brother are all correct.”
Grand Tutor Xi: “…”
As expected of brothers, they really know how to play it safe.
He didn’t object to Qu Dubian sitting on the table, probably realizing that the table was a bit too high for a child not yet three years old and particularly small.
At least it was better than sleeping, daydreaming, and secretly eating dried fruits like the ones in front. Grand Tutor Xi’s gaze briefly passed over the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Princes in front.
Grand Tutor Xi: “The final verdict in this case was that while the motive for killing was understandable, involving the wife and children was wrong. The pig farmer’s son received 100 lashes and was exiled for 3,000 li.”
Being beaten 100 times and then exiled for 3,000 li was not much different from a suspended death sentence, unless the person had an incredibly strong constitution and could survive.
“If grandparents or parents are killed by someone, and the children or grandchildren kill the murderer without authorization, they shall be beaten with 60 strokes. If they kill the murderer immediately, they shall not be punished.”
Grand Tutor Xi: “If the pig farmer’s son had only killed the butcher afterwards, he would have received at most 60 strokes. Slaughtering his wife and children, involving the whole family, was another crime.”
“The law is strict, and you princes must remember this well.”
The Crown Prince reluctantly said yes.
If he could make laws in the future, he would definitely change this one. It was simply frustrating.
After finishing the case study, Grand Tutor Xi began explaining the legal provisions and examples. Qu Dubian started to feel drowsy, unable to resist falling asleep under the warmth of the charcoal brazier.
He adapted well to sleeping in the classroom. In his previous life, when he was still in school, he would sleep during class. His ranking wouldn’t drop, and the teachers didn’t bother him, so he had a high degree of freedom.
As long as he learned what he needed to, he could do whatever he wanted.
It was the same in this life. Once he learned to write all the characters he should know, he stopped learning, and no one could persuade him otherwise!
Qu Dubian came down from the bed… from the table, and slipped over to the Fourth Prince’s desk. He approached him and gently poked him.
The Fourth Prince opened his eyes in confusion.
Qu Dubian looked at his pillow, indicating with his eyes.
The Fourth Prince suddenly understood and generously offered a section of his pillow. Although the pillow was small, it was long and made of buckwheat, feeling very comfortable to touch.
Qu Dubian climbed onto the Fourth Prince’s desk, turned the pillow vertically, and lay down on the desk.
The Fourth Prince was sleeping with his head on the desk, and Qu Dubian’s short stature allowed him to lie across without taking up the Fourth Prince’s sleeping space. One lying down and one face down fit perfectly.
“Little brother, you’re so clever…”
Qu Dubian made a shushing gesture.
He sat on the table and Grand Tutor Xi didn’t mind, so changing to a more comfortable sleeping position was fine.
The Fourth Prince covered his mouth and nodded, took out a sheet of xuan paper, covered his little brother’s navel area, then grabbed the pillow and fell asleep again, even more peacefully.
The lecture stopped.
The classroom fell into an eerie silence at one point, with all eyes focused on this spot.
Crown Prince & Second Prince & Third Prince: “…”
Damn, they felt a little envious.
Grand Tutor Xi’s hand holding the “Zhou Dynasty Laws” tightened. He was good-tempered, but not without temper.
Damn kids, if they really provoked him…!
Grand Tutor Xi turned his head away, “Alright, let’s continue.”
Fine, as long as they don’t snore.
The Fourth Prince’s personal eunuch covered his eyes, unable to bear the sight. “Oh my goodness.” He poked Ye Xiaoyuan, seeing the other’s equally worried expression, and immediately felt like he had found his people.
“So your prince is like this too.”
Ye Xiaoyuan lowered his voice, frustrated: “You guys are more experienced. If I had known, I would have brought a blanket and pillow. It must be uncomfortable sleeping like this.”
The Fourth Prince’s personal eunuch: “…”
So that’s what you’re worried about?
–
They slept until noon when class ended.
As the Fourth Prince was leaving, he kept looking back, reluctant to part with his sleeping companion. The small boat of friendship had begun to set sail.
Ye Xiaoyuan even consulted with the Fourth Prince’s eunuch, asking what items were best to bring to class and what materials were most comfortable for sleeping.
The personal eunuchs of the other princes were tidying up their things.
During this time, Qu Dubian was alone with the Sixth and Fifth Princes.
The Fifth Prince had always kept his head down and followed behind the Sixth Prince. As far as he could remember, he had never spoken on his own initiative.
The Sixth Prince walked over with his face upturned and pushed Qu Dubian.
Qu Dubian didn’t budge.
Sixth Prince: “?”
Qu Dubian thought to himself that he had practiced Tai Chi for a while now, gradually building up his foundation. If he were to fall from such a light push, it would have been a waste of practice.
The Sixth Prince puffed up his cheeks: “You’re annoying.”
Qu Dubian said with a serious face: “Then if you ate something given by an annoying person, what does that make you?”
The Sixth Prince was stunned.
Qu Dubian leaned in and whispered with a chuckle: “The annoying person has turned you into an annoying person too.”
One sentence KO!
The Sixth Prince ran away crying loudly, wailing as he ran: “Waaah, I’ve turned into an annoying person, waaah!”
The Fifth Prince chased after him, accidentally tripping on a step.
Qu Dubian instinctively reached out to steady him, stumbling himself in the process.
After regaining his balance, the Fifth Prince glanced at him quickly and said a quiet “thank you” before hurriedly chasing after the Sixth Prince.
As they ran off, the servants attending them had no choice but to rush after them, worried that their young masters might fall or hurt themselves somewhere.
With one chasing and one running, Qu Dubian had created a lively scene in the East Garden.
Ye Xiaoyuan came over after tidying up and asked curiously: “What are they running for?”
Qu Dubian explained what had happened.
Seeing his mischievous expression, Ye Xiaoyuan burst into laughter.
“This servant thinks you’re much smarter than the Sixth Prince,” he said, delighted by Qu Dubian’s playful antics. “Let’s go! Time to eat. Your Highness has had such a tiring morning of sleep, we should go back and replenish your energy.”
After today’s brief interactions, Qu Dubian formulated his “Future Code of Conduct for Dealing with Brothers.”
With the attitude of avoiding offense when possible, he aimed to coexist peacefully.
This way, no matter which brother became emperor in the future, they wouldn’t treat him too harshly. After all, eating under one’s father was different from eating under one’s brother.
Building good relationships with future meal tickets starts from childhood.
From what he could see now, the young princes were still small and not yet at an age to have such thoughts. They were easy to coax and fool.
The main competition was centered around the Crown Prince and his two brothers.
Although he had a slight unpleasant encounter with the Third Prince at the beginning, it wasn’t a big deal. He promised to be a textbook good little brother in the future—as long as they didn’t provoke him again.
–
In the Imperial Kitchen.
Wen Xiaochun now held a nominal position here as a minor manager in charge of oils.
All types of oils used in the Imperial Kitchen had to be approved and authorized by the manager, with daily usage amounts being recorded—
Of course, these numbers were filled in by the manager.
The position of oil manager was a lucrative one, with the extra recorded amounts lining one’s own pockets. But everyone knew the limits, only embezzling a little bit, as too much wouldn’t pass the accounts.
This was an unspoken rule, and although Wen Xiaochun only held a nominal position here, he couldn’t break this custom.
However, he didn’t take the money converted from the oil. Instead, he had people send the oil directly to an idle storehouse in the Imperial Kitchen, leaving it untouched for now.
This way, if there was an investigation in the future, he could simply produce these items, and the matter would naturally have nothing to do with him. He was in this position to accumulate connections, and he couldn’t let a little petty profit leave hidden troubles for the future.
The two young eunuchs from Ju’an Hall were both very steady, each working in their own position to manage and plan for their young master—even if others wasn’t very aware of it.
–
Xiuxiang Palace
The Sixth Prince had cried all the way back, looking as if he had suffered a great injustice.
Noble Consort Lan was heartbroken.
“What’s wrong? Tell mother what happened,” she glared at the servants behind her, “How could you take care of your master like this? How do you do your job?”
The Sixth Prince cried: “I’m not annoying! Waaah, I’m not annoying.”
Consort Lan: “Yes, yes, you’re not. How could my prince be annoying?”
The Sixth Prince hiccupped from crying, “I ate dried fruits given by an annoying person, so I’ve become annoying too…”
He spoke unclearly, and Noble Consort Lan was completely confused. She asked the young eunuch behind her, but the eunuch didn’t know what had happened at the time, as the children had spoken very quietly.
The eunuch wracked his brains and finally replied: “His Highness the Sixth Prince must be referring to the Seventh Prince. He said the Seventh Prince is annoying.”
Consort Lan saw no problem with this.
“Yes, he is annoying. So what?” She stroked the Sixth Prince’s back, “My son is right, he is annoying.”
Unexpectedly, the Sixth Prince cried even louder.
“No, he can’t be annoying! You can’t say that!”
Noble Consort Lan: “…”
In the Sixth Prince’s mind, since he had accepted dried fruits from Qu Dubian, he had already equated himself with Qu Dubian. If Qu Dubian was annoying, then so was he.
So—
The annoying seventh brother could only be a good person like him!
But the more he thought about it, the more wronged the Sixth Prince felt. He had only eaten some dried fruits, how had he become annoying?
Sixth Prince: “Waaah, you have to say he’s a good person.”
Noble Consort Lan: “?”
Never before had she so strongly suspected that her son’s brain might have a problem.
Astrology Bureau.
Emperor Chongzhao not only didn’t order the Seventh Prince to move to the temporary palace, but instead ordered him to enter the Eastern Garden early to study with the other princes and cultivate brotherly feelings.
To anyone in the harem or among the court officials, this was a signal that His Majesty was gradually becoming less concerned about the incident with Consort Yun.
Zhang Fanming, the head of the Astrology Bureau who had previously suggested moving the Seventh Prince, was no exception.
In fact, when he went to make that suggestion, he had felt a bit uneasy, sensing that the Emperor’s attitude was subtly different from before.
If it had been more than two years ago, the Emperor would likely have sent his young son out of the palace that very day.
Could it be that Consort Yun had been dead for too long, emotions had worn away, and he felt that a dead woman was not as precious as a prince?
Zhang Fanming sat at his desk, slowly dropping a piece of paper into the charcoal brazier, the writing on it disappearing completely.
The rising smoke was slightly acrid in the enclosed room.
Emperor Chongzhao’s increasing trust in the Astrology Bureau began with Consort Yun’s affair. If for some reason the Emperor started to doubt the incident with Consort Yun, the Astrology Bureau’s position in the Great Zhou dynasty would certainly plummet.
Having experienced the taste of universal respect, no one would want to return to the past when they were ignored. The beginning of that respect was built on the flesh and blood of Consort Yun and her son, and now it could not be separated.
Therefore.
The son of Consort Yun, born as an ill-fated child who brought misfortune to his mother, must remain an ill-fated child for life!
These two stepping stones.
Zhang Fanming intended to tread on them for a lifetime.
He slowly sipped some hot soup.
If His Majesty had forgotten this title of the young prince and was hesitating, he would make sure to deepen the Emperor’s impression once again.
1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter
thanks for the chapter
Hmm…?