WK Chapter 69

Qu Dubian spread his hands: “Please, even my Fourth Brother said you’re trouble. Agreeing to help you is already the height of kindness, okay?”

 

His relationship with Xia Fuyang was truly a strange fate.

 

The first time they met, this fellow called him “little sister,” and no one corrected him. Qu Dubian didn’t either, secretly nursing his grudge.

 

The second time they met was at a hairpin shop. Qu Dubian was accompanying his grandmother to pick out accessories when they encountered Xia Fuyang buying a gift for his sister.

 

He immediately pounced on him, shouting “Sister, sister, why are you wearing boys’ clothes?”

 

Everyone in the hairpin shop turned to look.

 

Xia Fuyang’s dumbfounded expression was something he could remember for a lifetime.

 

Since then, they had formed a connection. Xia Fuyang appeared carefree and simple-minded like a fool, but he was actually very detail-oriented, and his favorability was extremely difficult to increase.

 

In just over three years in the capital, he had quickly figured out his position, listening to music in teahouses and taverns, making friends widely, studying and practicing martial arts, yet never taking sides.

 

Xia Fuyang: “Come on, you and me, hurry up. Did you bring the things?”

 

“Here.”

 

Qu Dubian took out three storybooks, the ones Yi Shi’er had finished recording and given to him a few days ago.

 

“Good, good, good!”

 

Xia Fuyang’s eyes lit up, “With these books, our bookstore will surely shine and put the bookstore across the street out of business!”

 

He had read half a volume of a storybook obtained from Qu Dubian, which was like a breath of fresh air in the clichéd genre of noble ladies falling in love with poor boys.

 

Qu Dubian: “It’s your family’s store. I’m just helping out. Just give me a small share if you make money, but don’t come looking for me if you lose money.”

 

“How could that be?” Xia Fuyang patted his chest: “Rest assured, if we can beat the competition, we’ll definitely have a long-term cooperation. When I say it’s our store, it’s our store.”

 

Among the shops and lands the Xia family had acquired in the capital was a bookstore. Madam Wang had entrusted him with managing it as practice. It should have been a simple task, but unexpectedly, a new bookstore had opened across from theirs, not only with cheaper prices but also selling collections from writers in Baojiang District.

 

With so many fresh offerings, it instantly stole all the customers from their bookstore.

 

Xia Fuyang was fuming, as the profitability of the bookstore directly affected whether he had pocket money.

 

“I know you have many clever ideas. Do you have any other ideas to attract customers?”

 

Qu Dubian sighed and lay down on the stone table.

 

Xia Fuyang’s expression changed, and he frowned as he stroked his back, “Are you feeling unwell? I heard that Concubine Xuan called for imperial physicians again a few days ago.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Not at all. I’m just trying to think of ideas to help you.”

 

After pondering for a moment, he said: “Don’t print the books yet. Take them to teahouses and taverns, and have storytellers narrate them.”

 

Xia Fuyang: “Then how do we make money?”

 

Qu Dubian: “Divide them into two parts. Stop at the exciting parts, and then your bookstore can release the complete volumes.”

 

“Brilliant! But if storytellers have already told the stories, fewer people will buy them.”

 

“During the printing interval, find someone to draw small portraits of the characters in the book, make them into bookmarks—one hundred colored fine drawings, five hundred ink drawings. The more people buy, the higher their chances of getting one…”

 

“Those who purchase the complete set can get the author’s stamp. The top ten who buy the most will receive personally signed copies.”

 

Main character portraits, supporting character portraits, handsome men, beautiful women.

 

Collecting cards for the complete set—wealthy people would go all in, and those without much money would be more likely to buy the complete set for the signatures.

 

These were concepts from his previous life—merchandise, character popularity polls—each a method to extract money from consumers in various ways.

 

Qu Dubian explained everything in detail to Xia Fuyang.

 

The latter’s expression changed from confusion to understanding, to shock that such methods existed, to thinking Qu Dubian was a devil.

 

Xia Fuyang looked him up and down: “How does your brain work?”

 

Qu Dubian: “Of course, the premise for all this to succeed is that many people read the storybooks and they become popular. The initial gimmick and spread through teahouses and taverns are very important.”

 

Without popularity or appeal, who would spend money on paper characters?

 

Xia Fuyang: “Don’t worry about that. I have many friends.”

 

Qu Dubian pointed: “This one, ‘Even in Death, the Fragrance of Chivalry Remains,’ can be especially promoted.” It featured an ensemble cast with outstanding male and female characters. Once its reputation spread, the audience would definitely be broader.

 

Liuliu liked this one the most too.

 

“Leave it to me!”

 

Xia Fuyang happily put away all the books.

 

In the capital, how hard could it be to make a book popular?

 

Qu Dubian thought for a moment: “Since we’re doing this, let’s do it right. In a few days, I’ll return to the marquis’s residence and invest some money.”

 

Xia Fuyang didn’t stand on ceremony: “Alright. But these books don’t have names. Who’s the author? Which master from the palace?”

 

Qu Dubian: “They can’t reveal themselves.”

 

After pondering for a moment, he said: “Just call the author ‘The Flower-Planting Recluse.'”

 

–

 

Inspection and Transport Office.

 

A mule pulled three baskets of fruits and vegetables, stopping outside the palace.

 

Inspection Officer Ren, the superintendent, stood in front of this mule cart.

 

“The Crown Prince is hosting guests, and the kitchen doesn’t have enough food. We need to quickly send a batch from the palace. This absolutely cannot go wrong. Xiaochun, this task is entrusted to you.”

 

Wen Xiaochun was startled, “Superintendent, it’s not my shift today.”

 

Superintendent Ren smiled, “I trust you, and I’m waiting for you to take over my position. Go quickly, the capable must work more. With your martial arts skills, I feel at ease having you guard this cart.”

 

“The Crown Prince is hosting a banquet, and all the other princes and princesses are there. It’s a rare opportunity to make an appearance. You might even earn a reward.”

 

Wen Xiaochun’s mind flashed to the young prince’s face, and he swallowed his words of refusal.

 

It had been a long time since he had seen the young prince.

 

If he could catch even a distant glimpse this time, it would be good.

 

“Alright, I’ll deliver it.”

 

He changed into clean clothes, washed his face, put on his hat, and then set off.

 

The mule cart drove toward the back gate of the Crown Prince’s Residence. Superintendent Ren’s smile slightly faded, revealing a hint of coldness.

 

“Don’t blame me. Who told you to climb so quickly?”

 

–

 

Shu Wenxin, daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, was waiting at the entrance of the Crown Prince’s Residence.

 

As the future Crown Princess Consort, she was also one of the protagonists of this banquet. She had arrived neither early nor late, but had not yet entered.

 

Upon hearing the news, the Crown Prince rushed over from the main hall.

 

Shu Wenxin was a proper young lady from a good family, with a clear and beautiful appearance. She stepped back slightly and bowed, “Your Highness.”

 

The Crown Prince awkwardly scratched his head, “Um… no need for formalities. Miss Shu, why haven’t you gone in? Zhiyi and the others are already enjoying themselves.”

 

Shu Wenxin: “My father hasn’t arrived yet, but he instructed me to enter with my brother.”

 

Crown Prince: “Where is your brother then? Would you like me to send someone to fetch him?”

 

“My brother left early. I came after him. It doesn’t make sense that I’ve arrived but he hasn’t,” Shu Wenxin’s eyes showed apology. “I’ll wait a bit longer. I’m sorry for troubling Your Highness.”

 

Crown Prince: “We’ll be family sooner or later, no need for formalities!”

 

After saying this, he abruptly stopped, “I apologize, I apologize. That was presumptuous.”

 

Shu Wenxin’s lips curved slightly: “It’s alright.”

 

The Crown Prince cleared his throat twice, standing with his hands behind his back, forcing himself to appear somewhat steady and mature.

 

After waiting for a moment, Shu Wenxin’s personal maid came running from a distance, panting as she said: “Miss, I met the young master’s servant. He said the young master entered the Crown Prince’s Residence early and should be inside now.”

 

Shu Wenxin: “He’s already inside?”

 

Crown Prince: “Perhaps the servants didn’t notice. How about this: you go in first, and I’ll have someone look for him inside.”

 

Shu Wenxin nodded: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

The Crown Prince waved his hand and said softly to someone beside him: “Have someone go look.”

 

He led Shu Wenxin all the way to the female guests’ seating area, then stopped without entering, “I’ll have someone call you when we find him.”

 

“Mm.”

 

From a distance, the Second Prince and Third Prince, arms folded, were enjoying the breeze in the corridor and witnessed this scene.

 

Second Prince said with a smile: “I didn’t expect Big Brother to have such a restrained side.”

 

Third Prince: “His future in-laws, the Ministry of Revenue controls the purse strings. It’s natural for him to be good to Miss Shu. And if he performs well, other officials’ daughters might not be opposed to the position of his secondary consort.”

 

Second Prince: “Big Brother is actually not a bad person, just a bit too straightforward at times. Third Brother, among the female guests coming and going, are there any suitable young ladies that catch your eye?”

 

Third Prince: “In the end, it’s still Father Emperor who decides.”

 

Just like how the three brothers attended court together to learn governance—it was all a matter of Father Emperor’s word.

 

He glanced at the main hall.

 

Little Four was arguing with Little Six, while Little Five was mediating, just like the three older brothers used to be.

 

Back then, it seemed annoying, but thinking about it now, those years in school were probably the purest times.

 

–

 

Back courtyard.

 

Wen Xiaochun directed people to unload the three baskets of fruits and vegetables from the mule cart.

 

By coincidence, he ran into Ye Xiaoyuan, who had just come out from the back kitchen.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan thought he had seen wrong for a moment, but after looking carefully, he confirmed it was indeed him and called out: “Xiaochun?”

 

Wen Xiaochun turned his head, instinctively looking beside him.

 

Then disappointment appeared at the corners of his eyebrows.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan smiled: “I thought I saw wrong. How is the deputy of the North Gate Inspection and Transport Office unloading things here? It doesn’t suit your position.”

 

Wen Xiaochun: “How is the young prince?”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “Why don’t you see for yourself? Your Highness—”

 

In the back kitchen, amid the rising aroma of food, Qu Dubian came out with Xia Fuyang, holding a plate of yam and grape jam.

 

He exclaimed with delight: “Xiaochun??”

 

He shoved the plate to Xia Fuyang and ran over, “Xiaochun, Xiaochun, I’ve missed you so much!”

 

Wen Xiaochun couldn’t help but smile, crouching down to catch him, “It’s been a long time. Your Highness has grown taller.”

 

He strictly followed what Xu Jin had told him before leaving: unless necessary, have less contact with the young prince, let the palace people gradually forget that he had been by the young prince’s side, so that his future direct superiors would trust and rely on him more.

 

Qu Dubian: “Hehe, of course.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan smiled lightly.

 

Xiaochun’s appearance hadn’t changed, but his eyes seemed more steady than three years ago.

 

He understood that the Inspection and Transport Office was the most challenging place, with all kinds of people and various items, testing one’s judgment and social skills.

 

Being able to stay there for three years was simple, but climbing to the position of deputy in three years was not.

 

Qu Dubian stayed close to Wen Xiaochun for a while, then suddenly wrinkled his nose.

 

A faint fishy smell wafted up.

 

Qu Dubian began to feel uncomfortable, a bit nauseated.

 

Normal fishy smells wouldn’t affect him. The only smell that could make him uncomfortable was the scent of human blood.

 

“Xiaochun, are you injured?”

 

Wen Xiaochun: “Hm? No.”

 

Qu Dubian let go of him, enduring his nausea as he sniffed around. He walked a few steps and stopped in front of the basket of fruits and vegetables that had just been unloaded.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “Your Highness, is something wrong?”

 

Qu Dubian whispered in his ear: “Banban, there’s a bloody smell in here.”

 

Xia Fuyang didn’t understand but sensed the gravity, while Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun’s expressions changed.

 

They all knew that the young prince was most sensitive to the smell of human blood from injuries.

 

Human blood in the vegetable basket?

 

Ye Xiaoyuan glanced at the workers around, cleared his throat, and said: “Everyone step back, move away. We’re going to slaughter chickens and geese here soon. To avoid the commotion.”

 

After everyone had left, Wen Xiaochun’s gaze suddenly darkened: “Take the prince away too, far away.”

 

Before Ye Xiaoyuan could act, Xia Fuyang quickly scooped up Qu Dubian and rapidly moved away.

 

Wen Xiaochun dug through the vegetable basket, and halfway through, his pupils contracted sharply.

 

Inside was a curled-up dead body.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan took one look and was shocked: “This is… the eldest son of Vice Minister Shu from the Ministry of Revenue!”

 

Xia Fuyang’s ears twitched, and he inwardly gasped—a dead person!

 

He put the plate on the table and covered Qu Dubian’s eyes with both hands, his thumbs pressing against his ears.

 

“Oh my goodness, the young ones shouldn’t hear such things.”

 

Qu Dubian: “…”

 

From not far away came noisy voices, “Why is everyone out here? Isn’t the back kitchen busy?”

 

“Steward, they said they’re going to slaughter chickens. What brings you here?”

 

“Looking for someone—the brother of Miss Shu, the future prince consort. This is the only place we haven’t checked. We need to look everywhere, whether he’s here or not.”

 

Even with his ears covered, Qu Dubian could hear a little.

 

He looked toward the archway at the corner.

 

People were coming.

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)