WK Chapter 53

After nightfall, the imperial palace was quiet.

 

Outside, news of the Sword-Holding Marquis beheading a northern frontier assassin at the capital’s city gate was spreading everywhere.

 

Those who didn’t know the truth even clapped and cheered.

 

They said that the northern frontier only appeared to be on good terms with Da Zhou, but behind the scenes, they had been secretly engaging in who knows how many underhanded actions.

 

Those who knew the truth, like the Xie family.

 

After returning, Xie Jingshan truthfully reported the matter to Grand Tutor Xie, who wasn’t surprised but took out a piece of paper with names written on it.

 

“Father, what is this…?”

 

Grand Tutor Xie said: “A few days ago, regarding the matter of Noble Lady Chu poisoning the Seventh Prince, your sister asked us to investigate, and we have results. The consorts whose maternal families can interfere with the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review are only three people: the Empress, Noble Consort De, and Noble Consort Lan. If there is indeed someone behind the scenes, it must be among these three.”

 

Xie Jingshan: “Father, who do you think it is?”

 

Grand Tutor Xie: “Let’s see who speaks up first at tomorrow’s New Year’s banquet regarding this matter of the marquis killing an assassin.”

 

“You think they will bring up this matter at the New Year’s banquet?”

 

“Go and see tomorrow, and you’ll know. The position of Vice Minister of Works isn’t that far back. Perhaps you can even watch the drama up close.” Grand Tutor Xie said, “Don’t tell the old marquis about this for now.”

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to tell him?”

 

“He loves his daughter dearly, but may not feel the same about his grandson. Let’s wait and see.”

 

–

 

The next day.

 

This was a busy day for adults.

 

Children, however, were quite idle, with no classes to attend and no help needed—their help, in the eyes of adults, was more like causing trouble.

 

Qu Dubian went to Shunning Palace to give the finished shuttlecock to Zhiyi.

 

Because the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Princes all liked to play with him, and he often came to Shunning Palace, the place had become lively. Zhiyi gradually became less shy and could play with the other three little ones for a while.

 

As evening approached, people came from various palaces to call their children away, changing clothes or washing faces.

 

Qu Dubian waved, “Consort Xuan, see you later!”

 

Consort Xuan smiled and said: “See you later.”

 

Back at Zichen Palace.

 

Emperor Chongzhao was also changing clothes. Qu Dubian looked up silently for a while, “Father, your belly has gotten fat.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao glanced at the little one at his feet, “Putting on weight for winter. Who’s like you, without even half an ounce of meat?”

 

Qu Dubian: “…” If he remembered correctly, wasn’t it supposed to be putting on weight for autumn?

 

“Oh, Little Prince, don’t just stand there, hurry and change your clothes,” Head Eunuch Yu came in carrying a tray, “The Little Prince is young, not bound by formal attire, just slightly more formal in style is fine.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao finished changing and left first. Before leaving, he bent down and pinched his son’s cheek: “When changing his clothes, seal all the windows well. Behave yourself. I’ll wait for you outside.”

 

Qu Dubian fiercely slapped his hand away.

 

Emperor Chongzhao left with his hands behind his back, rubbing his fingers. Actually, there was still some flesh on his face, and it felt nice.

 

He stood outside in the cold wind for a while.

 

The hall door opened, and Head Eunuch Yu’s smiling voice came through: “The Little Prince in this outfit is like a little immortal child from heaven.”

 

Da Zhou revered black and red colors, with cold orchid as the national flower.

 

Qu Dubian was wearing an all-black outfit, with white ermine fur trimming the wide cuffs, and a playful white jade rabbit hairpin in his bun hairstyle.

 

With the white ermine fur, he looked even more like a little rabbit.

 

But Emperor Chongzhao knew that the little one wasn’t a little rabbit; sometimes his sneaky little thoughts came one after another.

 

“The hairpin is quite distinctive.”

 

“Sister gave it to me. I gave her a shuttlecock, and she gave me this. Isn’t it pretty?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao had Qu Dubian hold onto his sleeve, and as they walked, he said: “You look more like a little girl now.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Your Majesty, your robe hem is so long.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “What about it?”

 

Qu Dubian: “I’m tired. Can I sit on it? You can drag me along, and I’ll press down on it, making the floor even cleaner.”

 

“…” Emperor Chongzhao gritted his teeth, “Shut your mouth.”

 

“Oh.”

 

After a while.

 

“Really not allowed, Father?”

 

“…Shut up, no.”

 

–

 

Wolin Hall.

 

The New Year’s banquet had always been held in this hall.

 

Several rows of tall candelabras were arranged on both sides, making the hall brightly lit.

 

The emperor sat at the head, with the empress beside him.

 

Below were the positions for the imperial heirs, four consorts, and noble consorts.

 

At the New Year’s banquet, only consorts of rank “fei” and above could attend. Princes and princesses over ten years old could attend separately. Those under ten, if their birth mothers were not of consort rank, would be looked after by the main consorts or the empress.

 

If it was too troublesome, consorts and imperial heirs could choose not to attend.

 

Zhiyi had never come before. This time, wanting to see what it was like, she was brought by Consort Xuan.

 

Several representative members of the imperial clan were also present, positioned between the consorts and the officials.

 

Prince Ming was among them.

 

He cupped his hands and smiled, welcoming the civil and military officials who were arriving one after another, “Please be seated, everyone. Minister of Revenue, Minister Lin, you’ve arrived. Why do I see that your hair has whitened quite a bit?”

 

The Minister of Revenue smiled and said: “Those thick-skinned ones don’t even let me have peace during the New Year, coming here thinking of ways to extract silver. Isn’t my hair whitening because of their trouble?”

 

With these words, he swept his gaze across many officials around.

 

“Hahaha, Minister Lin, you’re so funny. Please sit down.”

 

Prince Ming moved forward again and noticed an unfamiliar face, “Eh? I haven’t seen this official before. Newly arrived for reporting duty?”

 

The man, about thirty to forty years old, wearing a light crimson military official’s uniform, with a resolute face, cupped his hands and said: “I am General Xia Hong, a fourth-rank general under the Governor of Ji Prefecture. I’ve been transferred to the capital, coming both to take up my post and to report on my duties.”

 

“Transferred to the capital?” Prince Ming was puzzled, “Has your position been specified?”

 

Xia Hong: “There has been no clear edict.”

 

“How strange. Then where is your seat?”

 

Xia Hong pointed, and Prince Ming looked in that direction. He saw that this person’s seat, coincidentally or not, was in the middle of the right side of the hall. According to this person’s rank, and being new to the capital, he should have been seated further back.

 

Prince Ming suppressed his confusion and patted his shoulder, “Go on, go on.”

 

Xia Hong cupped his hands, and after taking his seat, placed both hands properly on his thighs, his back straight.

 

His manner was very formal and rigid.

 

Prince Ming withdrew his gaze. Soon, he had no time to think about this matter as a eunuch outside called out loudly: “The Sword-Holding Marquis has arrived—”

 

“The Sword-Holding Marquis is here.”

 

“Stand up, stand up.”

 

The officials who had been chatting in small groups all rose, hiding their private thoughts and showing only smiles and kindness on their faces.

 

“May the marquis be well!”

 

Xu Jin returned the greeting: “It’s been a long time, everyone.”

 

The consorts and princes sitting at the front looked over at the sound. Zhiyi whispered to Consort Xuan: “Consort Xuan, is he the Seventh Brother’s maternal grandfather?”

 

Consort Xuan: “Yes.”

 

Zhiyi: “Why is he carrying a sword?”

 

Consort Xuan: “He’s called the Sword-Holding Marquis.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Consort Xuan smiled and gave Zhiyi a piece of cut fruit.

 

A gaze so intense it couldn’t be ignored fell on her. Consort Xuan paused slightly, following the feeling to look over, and met the Sword-Holding Marquis’s eyes directly.

 

The old marquis was staring intently at Zhiyi, who was half-hidden beside her.

 

Consort Xuan understood. He probably knew about the palace’s selection of a mother consort and mistook Zhiyi for his grandson.

 

She shifted slightly and shook her head at the Sword-Holding Marquis.

 

Sitting beside her was a little girl… Xu Jin felt a wave of disappointment in his heart.

 

Prince Ming: “Alright, alright, everyone disperse. His Majesty is about to arrive. Don’t delay the marquis from taking his seat.” He leaned in and whispered, “Consort Xuan hasn’t formally adopted him yet, so he’ll enter with His Majesty. You’ll see him soon.”

 

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

Only then did Xu Jin take his seat.

 

His position was very close to the front, sitting right next to Prince Ming.

 

Being closer, Zhiyi could now see the Sword-Holding Marquis clearly. The aura of a general who had spent half his life on the battlefield was intimidating enough. Zhiyi was startled by the two hideous scars on his face and hid behind Consort Xuan. After a while, remembering this was her Seventh Brother’s maternal grandfather, she slowly peeked out again.

 

Xu Jin hadn’t expected to frighten the little princess. He touched his face, previously not caring about the two scars on it, but now suddenly becoming conscious of them.

 

He looked around but couldn’t find anything to cover his face.

 

Prince Ming: “What are you doing, Marquis?”

 

Xu Jin: “Does Your Highness have something to cover my face?”

 

“Of course,” Prince Ming took out a delicate pink handkerchief from his sleeve, the same color as the flamboyant cloth he used to diagonally cover his eye, “Please use it freely.”

 

“Why do you suddenly want to cover your face?”

 

“Children raised in the capital aren’t as brave as those from the frontier. I don’t want to scare anyone.”

 

“Oh~ The marquis wants to learn from me. This eye of mine that I cover is also quite frightening, hahaha.”

 

Xu Jin picked up the handkerchief with his finger, his brows knotting: “…What’s embroidered on it? Butterflies and flowers? Only young ladies and dandies use such delicate colors. I don’t want to use it.”

 

“It’s called ‘Butterfly in Love with Flower.'”

 

Prince Ming sighed, “Really don’t want to use it?”

 

Xu Jin: “No!”

 

His little grandson was a prince, not as delicate as a princess. He wouldn’t cover his face!

 

Suddenly, the atmosphere became solemn. Outside the hall, Head Eunuch Yu entered with small steps, “His Majesty has arrived—”

 

The officials all rose, cupping their hands and bowing.

 

“Greetings to Your Majesty!”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Today is the New Year’s banquet. There is no distinction between ruler and subject. No need for excessive ceremony. Like previous years, be at ease.”

 

Qu Dubian held onto Emperor Chongzhao’s sleeve as they walked forward. Even with Emperor Chongzhao deliberately slowing his pace, he still had to stride very hard to keep up.

 

He couldn’t help but worry. He was really, really trying hard to eat, not being picky, drinking milk every day, why wasn’t he growing taller?

 

Qu Dubian raised his head, looking to both sides. Which one was his maternal grandfather?

 

Having never met him, he didn’t know what his maternal grandfather looked like, so he could only scan the row of military officials.

 

As he was looking, his forehead was tapped. Emperor Chongzhao: “What are you looking at? Walk properly.”

 

Qu Dubian covered his forehead, grimacing, and finally lowered his neck, which was sore from looking up, to look at his own toes.

 

When they reached the row of imperial clan members, Prince Ming glanced at Xu Jin beside him, his lips curving upward, and suddenly spoke: “Little nephew, you haven’t met your imperial uncle yet, have you?”

 

Xu Jin’s body stiffened for a moment. Hearing the teasing in Prince Ming’s tone, he cursed inwardly, then heard a soft childish voice: “Eh?”

 

Qu Dubian stopped, looked up, and thought for a moment: “I’ve seen him a few times, but haven’t spoken to Imperial Uncle.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “You call him Imperial Uncle so readily? I don’t see you calling Father Emperor so willingly.”

 

Prince Ming laughed, “I’ll make up for the meeting gift another day.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Thank you, Imperial Uncle.”

 

“Let’s go,” Emperor Chongzhao led him forward.

 

After greeting Consort Xuan, Zhiyi, and his brothers who were in line, Qu Dubian couldn’t help but look back repeatedly.

 

That strange grandfather standing beside Imperial Uncle Ming, with his pinky finger raised, covering his face with a pink flower butterfly handkerchief… who was that?

 

In this era, besides Yi Liuliu with his flower-scattering maiden’s heart, there was actually another master?

 

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)