Outside the East Six Palaces.
“Your Highness, what did Grand Tutor Fang say to you?” Ye Xiaoyuan walked beside him as they returned to Shunning Palace.
“I was tricked. Grand Tutor Fang asked me to accept him as my teacher,” Qu Dubian said. “He also gave me an examination paper to answer and return to him.”
Ye Xiaoyuan: “Does Your Highness not want to do it?”
Qu Dubian picked a begonia flower and pulled it apart to suck the nectar, “Hmm… I’ll see when I get back.”
Today’s incident taught him a lesson: unless absolutely necessary, never leave any traces on paper that shouldn’t be left.
It was fortunate that it was Grand Tutor Fang who discovered it.
However, Grand Tutor Fang probably only knew that he was hiding his knowledge, not how advanced his level truly was, nor that he was skilled at writing with his left hand.
Exposed, but not completely exposed.
Qu Dubian sighed: “If Xiaochun were still here, he could continue completing my schoolwork for me, and I wouldn’t have been tricked by Grand Tutor Fang today.”
“By the way, how is Xiaochun doing recently?”
Ye Xiaoyuan: “He’s been promoted to deputy at the Inspection and Transport Office. These days he’s busy inspecting tribute goods at the palace gates.”
“That’s a quick promotion.”
The two chatted along the way, passing by the Zichen Palace where Qu Dubian gave his usual greeting, then returned to Shunning Palace.
Da Hei was getting old. Qu Dubian didn’t have it pull the cart this year, just took it for walks when going to and from school, and otherwise kept it well-cared for.
He poured fresh water in front of Da Hei’s bed.
After finishing his meal, Qu Dubian dove into the small study in his sleeping quarters.
He opened the examination paper Grand Tutor Fang had given him.
There were only four questions on it. Qu Dubian read them word by word, “No wonder he gave such a long deadline… He really thinks highly of me.”
Yi Shi’er appeared in the room, deliberately making some noise so that Qu Dubian would know he had arrived.
Qu Dubian was still looking at the examination paper, not raising his head, and pointed to the table, “Hungry? There’s food here.”
Yi Shi’er didn’t move, “In the East Garden, I also heard what Grand Tutor Fang said.”
Qu Dubian: “So what if you heard it?”
Yi Shi’er was somewhat confused.
“Aren’t you worried I’ll inform on you?”
Qu Dubian stopped what he was doing, raised his head, and his eyes curved into a smile.
“Liuliu, I trust you.”
Yi Shi’er’s lips moved slightly.
“Why do you trust me?”
Qu Dubian: “You said you’re my person, and you’re very good to me.”
Although he used to be an imperial guard, imperial guards were still people, and people have hearts.
When Yi Shi’er was still an imperial guard, he risked his life to rescue him from the small garden when he had a fever. Later, after staying by his side, subtle preferences and emotions gradually emerged from beneath that impassive exterior.
He would be moved by jianghu storybooks, would use his own monthly allowance to buy milk tea for his little superior, subtly urging for more stories.
The flowers that occasionally appeared in his room and by his bedside, which weren’t from Shunning Palace, were all sent by Liuliu at some unknown time.
If there was anything unusual about him, Yi Shi’er would definitely be the first to notice.
Moreover, three years ago with the “sage books” incident, Liuliu already knew that he recognized many characters, but it was only three years later that Grand Tutor Fang formally exposed this matter.
Sincerity begets sincerity. Without offering one’s own feelings, how could one expect others to be genuine? It’s just that this fellow always maintained a certain distance from him. He could only work on increasing favorability through giving money and telling stories, never having other opportunities for interaction.
Qu Dubian beckoned, “Come here, Liuliu.”
Yi Shi’er hesitated for a second: “Your Highness once said that I’m not allowed to approach this desk when you’re practicing writing or thinking.”
This was a rule known to everyone in Shunning Palace. No one except the Seventh Prince himself was allowed to touch or tidy the desk in the small study of his sleeping quarters.
“It’s fine this time. Come over and look at the examination paper.” Qu Dubian made some space.
Yi Shi’er pressed his lips together and walked over, extending his hand, his fingertip pressing on the corner of the paper. The four questions came into view:
“What is a ruler?”
“What is a minister?”
“What is the common people?”
“What is the world, who can save it, who can govern it?”
His brows furrowed.
Although he didn’t understand much about teaching, he knew that giving these four questions to the young prince at his current age seemed too demanding.
Qu Dubian rested his chin on his hand: “This was the last question on the Crown Prince’s recent examination.”
It was also a question that every prince had to answer before leaving the palace to establish his residence.
No wonder he was given several years to think about it.
Yi Shi’er: “How does Your Highness plan to answer?”
Qu Dubian: “I won’t answer it for now. I’ll set it aside.”
From outside came a call for dinner.
Qu Dubian directly burned the paper, “Heaven is big, earth is big, but dinner is the biggest.”
–
Near evening.
Shunning Palace had an unexpected visitor.
Consort De came to visit.
At this time, Qu Dubian was practicing horse stance in the training ground that had been set up in the back courtyard of Shunning Palace, while Zhiyi was practicing the Eight Brocades exercise.
“Coming so suddenly, I’m afraid Consort De is here for you,” Concubine Xuan wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Qu Dubian didn’t move, with true qi circulating within his body, his lower body steady and stable, “This morning, Big Brother didn’t manage to intercept me, so it’s normal for Consort De to come.”
Zhiyi inhaled, raised her hands, and slowly lowered them, complaining: “This afternoon when I went to Ci Ning Palace, the imperial consorts said that yesterday Consort De and Consort Wen visited them. Usually, they don’t have such leisure time.”
“There are several unfamiliar palace servants around Shunning Palace,” Ye Xiaoyuan said. “I’ve observed them. They should be spies from Consort De and Consort Wen. They probably came in person because they saw that the young prince hasn’t gone out.”
Concubine Xuan knew that both her children disliked such social occasions, “You two stay here. I’ll handle Consort De.”
She let down her rolled-up sleeves, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and transformed back into the elegant and simple Concubine Xuan.
About a quarter of an hour later, Concubine Xuan had not yet returned.
Qu Dubian lightly shifted his footwork, lowered his body, and pushed out a palm strike horizontally. His small palm produced a sound of air being cut by short-range force. Then he withdrew his hand, slowly stood up, pressed both hands downward, and exhaled slowly.
It still wasn’t working.
Having practiced for only three years, his true qi couldn’t break through the dantian at all. At most, he could produce this kind of short-range force.
Ye Xiaoyuan sympathetically wiped his sweat, “Your Highness, rest a bit if you’re tired.”
“Banban, I’m not tired. I need to go to the front hall to see how Concubine Xuan is doing.”
Zhiyi: “Let’s go together.”
The two of them slipped away to the front hall.
But as soon as they arrived, someone from the Zichen Palace came to request the Seventh Prince to go there.
Concubine Xuan: “Did they say what it’s about?”
The eunuch who delivered the message shook his head: “No. The Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Prince are also at the Zichen Palace now.”
Consort De’s heart immediately tensed.
Behind the screen, Qu Dubian and Zhiyi looked at each other in bewilderment.
–
Zichen Palace.
The Crown Prince and the Third Prince were kneeling side by side, while the Second Prince stood to one side.
Emperor Chongzhao sat on a lounge chair.
When Qu Dubian entered, he immediately sensed the almost stagnant atmosphere.
He clung to the doorframe, peeking his head in, and whispered: “I’m here.”
Emperor Chongzhao looked up, “Come here.” His tone was gentle.
“Father Emperor, Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Head Eunuch Yu, hello.” Qu Dubian greeted everyone in turn, “Father Emperor, did you call me for something?”
Emperor Chongzhao held his hand, “Today your Big Brother and Third Brother blocked your way together, didn’t they?”
Qu Dubian: “Big Brother and Third Brother came to find me to play.”
“Mm, and then your Third Brother injured his hand.”
Qu Dubian looked at the kneeling Third Prince.
The bandage on the Third Prince’s hand had been unwrapped, revealing a frightening abrasion that was red and swollen from the medicine applied to it.
Qu Dubian inwardly winced. He didn’t remember Third Brother falling that badly.
He said with concern: “Third Brother, don’t let it touch water for a while.”
“Xiao Qi is still concerned about you,” Emperor Chongzhao said coolly. “His concern for you is genuine, but are your intentions toward him pure? Why did you block him after school today? You know clearly, and so do I.”
“Consort Wen and Consort De, your two mothers, have been busy yesterday and today. They even went to Ci Ning Palace, disturbing the elderly imperial consorts’ peace.”
“The Crown Prince hasn’t even left the palace to establish his residence yet, and already there’s such behavior, dragging in a physically weak brother,” Emperor Chongzhao kicked each of them once, “Not acting like older brothers at all, making me disappointed!”
That’s right, that’s right.
He really didn’t want to be dragged into this.
Qu Dubian nodded vigorously in his heart.
Emperor Chongzhao: “Crown Prince, didn’t you prepare something? Take it out.”
The Crown Prince silently took out a small wooden box from his bosom, holding it with both hands, “Father, please calm your anger.”
Emperor Chongzhao: “It’s for you.”
Qu Dubian: “Me?”
Head Eunuch Yu took the box and bent down to open it, “Young Prince.”
Inside was a thick stack of silver notes.
Emperor Chongzhao snorted coldly: “Your Big Brother’s bribery money, asking you to put in a few good words for him to me.”
Qu Dubian took a rough look. There were notes worth 100 taels, some worth 1,000 taels, and some loose silver. It seemed like his Big Brother had gathered everything he could. His Big Brother was really… consistently straightforward over the years.
Emperor Chongzhao: “I called you here to ask if you want it.”
Qu Dubian quickly stuffed the small wooden box into his bosom, then patted the Crown Prince’s shoulder, “Big Brother, don’t worry. I’ll keep the money first, and I’ll definitely find an opportunity to put in a good word.”
He then cupped his hands toward the Second Prince and Third Prince, “Second Brother, Third Brother, if there are such opportunities for bribery… I mean, making money in the future, please be sure to entrust your little brother. Your little brother will go through fire and water without hesitation!”
Head Eunuch Yu’s lips curved in amusement.
Emperor Chongzhao: “I knew it.”
He glanced at the Crown Prince, “Consider it a lesson bought.”
Crown Prince: “This son already knows his mistake. I was just too anxious to smoothly leave the palace and establish my residence, to share Father’s worries and difficulties.”
Emperor Chongzhao: “Brothers fight tigers together, fathers and sons go to battle together. With just you alone, even if you can share worries and solve difficulties, it will still be limited.”
He pulled Qu Dubian onto the lounge chair and gave him an orange.
This child could never gain weight. Three years had passed, and he had grown taller, but not by much. With occasional illnesses, every year he worried whether his youngest son would live to the age of leaving the palace to establish his residence.
Qu Dubian was still wearing his martial arts practice clothes with tight sleeves, making his wrists look even thinner. Of course, they only looked thin; the short-range force was hidden in his tendons and bones.
He peeled the orange while watching the drama unfold.
Tonight, he was just a companion.
Third Prince: “What does Father mean by that?”
Emperor Chongzhao: “The Crown Prince leaving the palace to establish his residence is inevitable. I’ve looked at the examination papers, and they’re barely acceptable.”
The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief.
“But from this incident, I can see that you lack steadiness. You three are close in age, always together in school. It’s normal for you to be anxious when the Crown Prince leaves the palace to establish his residence.”
“I will allow you two to accompany the Crown Prince to attend court daily to learn governance.”
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince and Third Prince suddenly raised their heads, one in shock, the other in delight.
The Second Prince was stunned for a moment, then lifted his robe and knelt down, “Father, this doesn’t seem appropriate…”
Emperor Chongzhao waved his hand.
“Enough. Your ages are close, just a matter of one or two years.”
The Second Prince was one year away from leaving the palace, and the Third Prince was two years away.
But even this short period of one or two years was enough to become familiar with the court and gather connections.
The Second Prince understood clearly that Father Emperor’s move was simply to prevent any single prince from gaining an early advantage in court.
Emperor Chongzhao looked at his youngest son, “Not a wasted trip, right? You got more than two thousand taels of silver.”
Then he looked at the three kneeling below, “Alright, you four, you may all leave.”
The three princes cupped their hands, “Yes.”
Qu Dubian jumped down from the lounge chair, holding half an orange, and waved at him, “I’m off.”
The four of them walked out together. Outside, the sky had already turned completely dark.
The gentle night breeze blew away the day’s stuffiness.
The Crown Prince bent down and patted Qu Dubian’s head, “Take the money and enjoy yourself. If it’s not enough, ask Big Brother for more.”
“Okay.”
The Second Prince also said: “Xiao Qi is physically weak. Go back quickly, don’t stay in the wind.”
“Thank you, Second Brother.”
Third Prince: “Big Brother has given you a share. In the coming days, Third Brother will also make it up to you, as an apology for blocking your way.”
“It’s all good, all good.”
The undercurrents of tension had nothing to do with Qu Dubian. He had been pulled out of the vortex of competition between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince by Emperor Chongzhao. As long as he was a bit careful, they wouldn’t bother him again in the near future.
After saying goodbye to their Seventh Brother, the three grown princes went their separate ways.
When they had walked a bit further, the smile on the Crown Prince’s face immediately flattened, “Third Brother, what an unexpected joy.”
Third Prince: “Thanks to Big Brother’s blessing.”
The two exchanged a glance, then parted ways at the corner.
The Second Prince shook his head slightly and also left.
Qu Dubian had only walked a few steps down the stairs when he found someone waiting ahead. He walked quickly toward her: “Sister? Why are you here?”
Zhiyi was holding Da Hei’s leash, her eyes curved in a smile, “Sister came to take you home for dinner.”
She handed over Da Hei’s leash, “Da Hei also insisted on coming to meet you. She’s walked far beyond the limit you set for him today.”
Da Hei affectionately nuzzled Qu Dubian’s leg.
Qu Dubian vigorously rubbed its head, “Naughty. You need to be a long-lived dog, understand?”
Da Hei stuck out its tongue, its eyes full of gentleness.
The two-legged cub had grown quite a bit under its companionship, which made it very proud.
“Let’s go, Sister. We’ll brush Da Hei’s fur when we get home.”
Zhiyi: “Mm!”
After walking a few steps, Qu Dubian sensed something and looked up.
Emperor Chongzhao had come out at some point and was standing in front of the Zichen Palace with his hands behind his back, watching the three princes walk away, watching his daughter come to take his youngest son home—he had heard them use the words “go home.”
“Am I getting old? They’ve all reached the age to establish their own residences.”
The light from inside the hall cast shadows, revealing a barely noticeable strand of white hair at his temple.
Head Eunuch Yu: “Not at all. The princes are so young, they still need Your Majesty’s guidance.”
Emperor Chongzhao: “Guidance is all I can give now.”
Having gone through this stage himself, he knew clearly that as an emperor, he had to maintain the right distance in his relationship with the princes.
The relationship between an imperial father and his sons could never be as warm and affectionate as in ordinary families.
“Father Emperor! Dad—!”
A long shout startled Emperor Chongzhao.
At the bottom of the stairs, Qu Dubian waved at him: “Do you want to come home with me and Sister for dinner?”
His youngest son ran up, tugging at his hand, eyes bright.
“Come on.”
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
![Who Are You Calling A Canary? [Transmigration]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250108211651_200_280.jpg "Who Are You Calling A Canary? [Transmigration]")
