WK Chapter 68

Two days later.

 

The Crown Prince was allowed to leave the palace and establish his residence, with His Majesty’s approval.

 

Out of brotherly affection, the Crown Prince actively requested Emperor Chongzhao to allow the Second Prince and Third Prince to attend court and learn governance.

 

More pitifully, after attending court, the Second and Third Princes still had to return to school with their teachers for lessons.

 

These were minor matters. The Crown Prince leaving the palace and the three princes attending court together officially signaled the start of a new round of succession competition.

 

Half a month after the Crown Prince officially began attending court, Emperor Chongzhao bestowed Shu Wenxin, daughter of Vice Minister of Revenue Shu Fenglang, as the Crown Prince’s consort. They would marry three months later.

 

–

 

Qu Dubian didn’t pay attention to this news.

 

He had fallen ill again.

 

After he fell ill, Consort Wen and Consort De stopped coming. Shunning Palace closed its doors to visitors, becoming extremely peaceful.

 

[Remaining lifespan: 6 years and 128 days]

 

[Simulatable diseases: Fever, rhinitis, cough, cold (wind-heat)… allergies (several types), myocarditis, asphyxia, gastroenteritis…]

 

[Inventory: Cherry seeds 2/0, Hallucinogenic truth powder 1/1, Novels 201/13, Perfume making recipe 1/1, Taro paste making recipe 1/0, Detoxification pills 2/2, Complete guide to flower planting 1/1, Yongchun boxing technique 1/0…]

 

From broad, general illnesses to specific organ diseases.

 

Combining and arranging them, two or three at a time, Qu Dubian felt his body was the simulator’s testing ground.

 

Sometimes, to match the simulator’s optimal disease cycle, his illnesses would last longer. Any other child would probably have perished long ago, but he was always lively and energetic after each simulation.

 

If he had this system in modern times, he could surely make outstanding contributions to the country in the field of medicine.

 

Not just in modern times—even now, the Imperial Medical Bureau was having a field day because of him.

 

He really wanted to tell the special imperial physicians at the Medical Bureau not to bother with him, to leave him alone for a few days, and he would recover on his own.

 

But although he thought this, he couldn’t say it. Last year, tired of being fed medicine, he said it once, which scared everyone badly. They thought he was in too much pain and didn’t want to live anymore. Sister Zhiyi’s eyes immediately turned red.

 

Concubine Xuan didn’t sleep all night and rushed to the Zichen Palace to bring his cheap father over. The two of them watched over him all night.

 

He didn’t mind troubling his cheap father, but he felt bad about worrying his sister and Concubine Xuan.

 

So from then on, he never said those words again.

 

Each time, the imperial physicians would still scratch their heads recording his symptoms and prescribing medicine. Qu Dubian watched as Imperial Physician Yang and Imperial Physician Qiu, who often came to treat him, lost more and more hair while gaining more and more experience.

 

Sometimes, for illnesses that weren’t visible externally, he would just endure and let them pass, preferring not to be discovered if possible.

 

He had received many random items from check-in draws, some interesting, some boring, even including a rainbow sunshine fitness routine.

 

Perhaps because he was close to Concubine Xuan, some were related to planting, along with seeds and boxing techniques, which he secretly gave to her.

 

After Concubine Xuan learned them, she taught them back to him.

 

This time he was simulating chest tightness combined with low fever, mainly having difficulty breathing.

 

Compared to previous illnesses, this was a minor ailment. He wasn’t even lying in his room, but was on the roof of Shunning Palace watching the stars.

 

Qu Dubian had one hand pressed against his chest, the other cushioning his head, his legs crossed, with a foxtail grass from Concubine Xuan’s flower pot between his lips.

 

Zhiyi looked up and called out: “Xiao Qi, are you cold? Why don’t you come down? The medicine is almost ready, and you need to come down to drink it.”

 

Qu Dubian replied lazily: “Sister, the air is good up here. Let me lie here a bit longer.”

 

Zhiyi scurried into the room and came out with a blanket.

 

“Xiao Qi, cover yourself with this. I’ll throw it up to you.”

 

“Sister, just leave it there. The blanket will come up by itself later.”

 

Zhiyi understood: “Alright.”

 

She looked around and placed the blanket on a stone.

 

Qu Dubian closed his eyes, leisurely listening to the summer evening insects.

 

Shortly after, he felt a slight weight on his body. Yi Shi’er had covered him with the blanket and sat down silently beside him.

 

Qu Dubian: “Liuliu, help me with something.”

 

Yi Shi’er: “Mm.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Later, when the medicine is ready, secretly pour it out for me. Remember to avoid Ye Banban and Da Hei. Those two watch very closely.”

 

Heaven knows, earth knows, he knows, Liuliu knows—avoiding the bitter medicine while keeping others at ease.

 

Yi Shi’er: “Not possible.”

 

Qu Dubian: “I’ll give you a monthly allowance.”

 

Yi Shi’er: “I’ve saved a lot of money already.”

 

Qu Dubian: “The medicine is really bitter, and I can get better without drinking it.”

 

Yi Shi’er: “Your Highness.”

 

“Alright, alright…” Qu Dubian opened his eyes slightly, “I’m not teasing you anymore. Look at the sky, at the particularly bright stars.”

 

“How nice it would be if it could always be like this.”

 

Yi Shi’er raised his head.

 

It was indeed very bright, but his attention wasn’t on the sky. He could discern the young prince’s currently labored breathing—heavy, constricted, with occasional deep breaths.

 

These were signs of chest congestion.

 

Imperial guards underwent asphyxiation interrogation training. When someone feels suffocated, their limbs also become weak.

 

That feeling is quite uncomfortable.

 

Qu Dubian: “I’ve always wanted to ask, Liuliu, why don’t you take off your mask? I don’t even know what you look like.”

 

Yi Shi’er raised his hand, his fingers lingering on the edge of the mask for a moment, but ultimately lowered it: “I’m used to it.”

 

He took out three handwritten storybooks from his bosom, all stories that Qu Dubian had told him.

 

“I’ve finished writing them.”

 

“Good,” Qu Dubian didn’t flip through them, just yawned.

 

Yi Shi’er: “What will Your Highness use them for?”

 

Qu Dubian: “You’ll know later.”

 

–

 

Half a month later, the Crown Prince officially moved into the Crown Prince’s Residence.

 

He held a banquet at his residence, inviting his siblings and court officials.

 

Emperor Chongzhao gave face to his eldest son, bestowing a plaque for the Crown Prince’s Residence to hang at the main gate, and declaring in court that officials could bring their relatives to attend.

 

The Crown Prince had already settled his marriage engagement, and next would be the Second Prince and Third Prince.

 

This banquet at the Crown Prince’s Residence was not only a celebration of establishing his residence but also a social gathering between the three grown princes and court officials, as well as a matchmaking event.

 

It was the first major banquet in the capital this year.

 

Carriages stopped outside the Crown Prince’s Residence as people arrived one after another.

 

Consort De had specially assigned two female officials from the palace to the Crown Prince. For such an important banquet, it would be embarrassing if anything went wrong.

 

Even so, the Crown Prince was overwhelmed with busyness on the day of the banquet.

 

“Yes, yes, over there. That side is for Zhiyi and the female relatives from the Xie family and General Xia’s family. The other side is for Second Brother and Third Brother. They’re like me, seated next to the court officials.”

 

“Set aside a separate table of dishes. Xiao Qi is also coming. His constitution is weak, so don’t let him eat in the front courtyard—it’s too noisy. Move him to the back courtyard,” the Crown Prince said as he walked.

 

“He was just ill a few days ago. Father Emperor specifically instructed me to take good care of him since he’s coming. Assign more people to watch the kitchen. Don’t mix up the dishes with so many people.”

 

“Yes, Eunuch Xiaoyuan came in advance to coordinate. There won’t be any mishaps.”

 

The corridors wound around, with flowing water encircling the pond.

 

Everyone had their designated seating places.

 

The gates of the Crown Prince’s Residence opened, and guests who had arrived early entered with gifts.

 

The Crown Prince greeted them with a smile.

 

“Greetings, Crown Prince.”

 

“Greetings, Your Highness. Forgive our intrusion.”

 

“Not at all! Greetings, officials. Please come in, please!”

 

The officials wore casual clothes, followed by willing female relatives from their families, who were led to their seats by maids and female officials.

 

Qu Dubian’s carriage slowly came to a stop. He stepped down first using a stool, then turned and extended his hand: “Sister, come.”

 

Zhiyi held his hand as she got down from the carriage, looking around curiously. This was her first time leaving the palace and her first time seeing such a lively scene.

 

Nearby officials bowed and greeted them, but Qu Dubian waved his hand, “Please go ahead. No need to mind us.”

 

The Xie family’s carriage stopped at a distance. Xie Jingshan and his wife brought their eldest daughter over, “Seventh Prince.”

 

These weren’t strangers. Qu Dubian cupped his hands and said: “Uncle Xie, Aunt, Sister Yuan.”

 

Yuan’er: “Greetings to both Your Highnesses.”

 

She was a bit older than Zhiyi. Zhiyi was very familiar with Concubine Xuan, and Yuan’er was Concubine Xuan’s niece. They both knew of each other and immediately felt a sense of closeness upon meeting.

 

Zhiyi confidently took her hand and smiled: “Just call me by my name. Shall we go in together?”

 

Yuan’er nodded gently: “Alright.”

 

“Sister, you go ahead. I’ll go find Fourth Brother and the others.”

 

“Then I’ll go in first.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Qu Dubian entrusted Zhiyi to Yuan’er, found a female official from the Crown Prince’s side, and had them escorted together to the arranged seating for female relatives.

 

He then went to the front hall.

 

The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Princes were sitting at one table. Seeing him arrive, they all waved to him, “Seventh Brother.”

 

Qu Dubian sat beside the Fourth Prince, “Big Brother’s residence is so spacious.”

 

Fourth Prince: “I took a look at his bedroom. The bed is spacious too.”

 

“Mainly it’s the freedom, not having tutors to supervise anymore,” the Sixth Prince said enviously, extending his hand. The Fifth Prince silently passed him peeled melon seeds.

 

The interaction between these two had unconsciously reverted to this pattern. One was accustomed to giving orders, the other silently obeying, though it wasn’t as malicious as before.

 

Qu Dubian wanted to change this, but as long as Noble Lady Rong continued to comply with Noble Consort Lan, she would require her son to please the Sixth Prince.

 

The most he could do was act as a buffer.

 

The four princes ate melon seeds or melons while watching their eldest brother, second brother, and third brother conversing happily with the court officials.

 

Then came an announcement: “Young Master Xia has arrived!”

 

A young man dressed in light blue martial attire strode in. With sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, his wrists bound with arm guards, he smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: “Greetings to the princes. I’m a bit late; the road was too congested.”

 

The Crown Prince responded heartily: “Not at all! Please take a seat.”

 

The Fifth Prince whispered in Qu Dubian’s ear: “That’s General Xia Hong’s son, Xia Fuyang. Big Brother invited Madam Xia mainly because of him.”

 

Xia Hong had been at the border for three years and had rapidly risen to the rank of baron. Becoming a marquis was perhaps just a matter of a few more years. Xia Fuyang had quickly become a hot figure in the capital.

 

His Majesty was clearly trying to elevate Xia Hong’s status, making the power division in the northern border more thorough. With Xia Hong far away at the border where no one could curry favor with him, those with ulterior motives naturally turned their attention to Xia Fuyang.

 

Xia Hong had only this one son. There was also a little daughter in the family, but she was an adopted orphan of a subordinate soldier, not his biological child.

 

The Fourth Prince, almost ten years old, still had chubby cheeks. He glanced over, seeing through everything clearly: “Why tell Seventh Brother these things? So many people want to be on good terms with Xia Fuyang, which means he himself is trouble.”

 

He peeled a few melon seeds for Qu Dubian, “We’d better keep our distance.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Thank you, Fourth Brother.”

 

After eating the melon seeds, he clapped his hands, “I’m going to the back courtyard. Fourth Brother, if you see Ye Banban later, don’t forget to tell him.”

 

Fourth Prince: “Why go to the back courtyard?”

 

Qu Dubian: “Concubine Xuan asked me to pass a message to Sister Yuan. I forgot and just remembered.”

 

“Oh, then you’d better hurry.”

 

–

 

Back courtyard.

 

Qu Dubian sat under a willow tree and waited for a while.

 

A figure hung upside down from the tree, making a face at him: “Hey! Scared you, didn’t I?”

 

Qu Dubian raised his hand and punched him.

 

“Ow—”

 

The figure clutched his forehead and flipped down, “You’re so cold-hearted to me.”

 

With a flick of his clothes, he stood steady. The blue-clad visitor was none other than Xia Fuyang.

 

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)