WK Chapter 12

The next day.

 

To sneak into the East Palace before classes started, Qu Dubian got up very early.

 

How early? Qu Dubian looked at the simulator’s time: it was now 5 AM, and classes at East Palace started at 8 AM.

 

He forced himself to stay awake and finished a set of Tai Chi, then put on thick clothes.

 

“Ye Banban, it’s already thick enough. If I wear any more, I’ll turn into a ball.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan shook his head, and Wen Xiaochun also showed a disapproving expression.

 

“Xiaochun has found out that they light coal fires in the study hall and often ventilate it. Your Highness won’t have a coal basin nearby, so you should wear more. What if you get a fever like before? Although we now have medicine stored, falling ill is still…”

 

Qu Dubian raised his hands in surrender.

 

He didn’t have a mother in his previous life, but in this life, he had encountered a male mother.

 

He struggled to put on the last layer, to the point where it was difficult to look down at his feet, before they finally let him be.

 

The three of them went out together.

 

A quarter of an hour earlier, Yi Shi’er had just dozed off when he heard movement in Ju’an Hall.

 

He immediately pinched himself, becoming alert.

 

Soon, he saw Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun start bustling about in the kitchen, preparing hot water and snacks, and packing a newly sewn satchel with various items.

 

Yi Shi’er: ?

 

His eyes, narrowed from sleepiness, widened.

 

The two then entered the hall. Yi Shi’er flew onto the roof, lifting a tile to look down.

 

A lamp was lit inside. The young prince, with a serious expression, was practicing Tai Chi on the bed. Though he was so sleepy he was nodding off, he still persevered and finished a set.

 

Yi Shi’er: ??

 

After hurriedly finishing Tai Chi and seeing his remaining lifespan +1, Qu Dubian was bundled up in thick clothes, his books were packed, and he bit into a snack while drinking some warm water.

 

As he ate, Ye Xiaoyuan wrapped him in a cotton cloak, covering him completely, then lifted him up and handed him to Wen Xiaochun.

 

Wen Xiaochun, like a thief, hurriedly carried the child out of the hall.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan followed beside them, carrying the small bundle.

 

Qu Dubian actually wanted to walk by himself, but the journey was too long. He was as short as a winter melon, with short legs, struggling even to cross a threshold. Walking by himself, who knows when he’d arrive.

 

Nestled in Wen Xiaochun’s arms, Qu Dubian wasn’t idle.

 

He was flipping through primer books they had somehow obtained: a “Three Character Classic” and a “Thousand Character Classic”.

 

The Qu imperial family of Great Zhou hadn’t existed in his world, but surprisingly, the primers were the same.

 

The characters printed inside were probably variants of traditional characters. At a glance, based on his memory of the Three Character Classic from his previous life, he could roughly guess their meanings.

 

Qu Dubian had a good memory. While not photographic, if he set his mind to it, he could remember something after two or three views.

 

It’s just that he didn’t know the full Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Classic. His previous compulsory education hadn’t required memorizing the full texts, so he only remembered about half.

 

Moreover, even if he could recite them, it would be in modern Chinese pronunciation, which was far from the official speech of Great Zhou, seemingly in the Middle Chinese period.

 

And with different dynasties, the characters’ meanings might also differ from his previous life’s memory. The rough matching he could do was not enough to support writing disease experiences.

 

But it wasn’t a big problem.

 

If someone taught him to read it two or three times, explained the meanings, combined with his body’s original memory of pronunciation, he could remember most of it.

 

–

 

East Six Palaces.

 

Qu Dubian and his two servants avoided the guards and twisted through a dog hole on the other side to sneak in.

 

The agile Wen Xiaochun was the first to climb into the study hall. At this time, no one had arrived yet, but lamps were already lit.

 

He opened a window, leaned out, and reached to carry Qu Dubian in, then took the small bundle passed over by Ye Xiaoyuan.

 

Naturally, there was no seat for Qu Dubian in the study hall. His hiding place was under the tutor’s desk – that large desk was covered with a light cyan brocade that hung down on all sides, more than enough to hide a small child.

 

Qu Dubian crawled inside, taking his small bundle. Not yet three years old and unable to see the emperor, he couldn’t easily access literate palace people, so learning to read had to be done secretly like this.

 

“Xiaochun, you and Ye Banban don’t worry, I won’t be discovered.” Although someone was already secretly watching, he would try his best not to be found by others.

 

Wen Xiaochun responded, reminding him: “There are snacks in the bundle. Your Highness, eat if you get hungry.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Mm, remember to eat yourselves too.”

 

He urged: “Go quickly, don’t be discovered.”

 

Such a small child, no one would really feel at ease leaving him alone here. Wen Xiaochun wanted to say more, but his ears twitched, hearing footsteps outside.

 

He could only say: “Then this servant will leave first. If you’re discovered and someone troubles you, just reveal your identity. It’ll be alright.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Wen Xiaochun lightened his steps, nimbly climbing out the window, landing silently, and even closing the window behind him.

 

Qu Dubian lowered the desk’s hanging cloth, feeling a bit envious of Xiaochun’s agility, and also recalling Yi Shi’er’s hiding ability.

 

Now that the other princes and teachers hadn’t arrived yet, he poked the simulator: [Does this world have internal energy?]

 

Simulator: [Yes.]

 

“!!”

 

Qu Dubian’s impression of internal energy was still stuck on the wire-flying stunts in film studios.

 

Which Chinese person doesn’t have a wuxia dream?

 

He quickly asked: [Can I learn it?]

 

Simulator: [Host’s body is too weak. For now, only Tai Chi can be learned.]

 

That means he could learn later, which was fine. After all, to do anything well, building a good foundation is most important. But thinking this way, a question popped up, and he poked the simulator again:

 

“So what’s the use of this martial arts check-in? Aren’t you a disease simulator?”

 

The simulator gave a very practical answer:

 

[The simulator can eliminate the damage caused by simulated diseases to the host’s body, but the upper limit of damage elimination is the host’s body’s critical limit.

 

Therefore, the simulator will design martial arts projects based on the host’s body data to increase the host’s physical endurance limit and unlock more diseases. Only in this way can we ensure that the host’s body won’t collapse when experiencing more diseases.]

 

“…”

 

Qu Dubian fell into deep thought.

 

He had just asked casually, not expecting there to be a real reason.

 

This rule was a kind of forced protection for the simulator’s users.

 

After all, although his soul was nineteen years old, his body was just over two years old. If he bore too severe an illness, after the simulator reached its limit of damage elimination, this young body would only face collapse.

 

It was quite reasonable.

 

But… how was this different from those evil capitalists who make training plans for employees, with the ultimate goal of squeezing more value out of them?

 

Qu Dubian: “What about making friends? That’s not related to experiencing diseases, right?”

 

Simulator: [Diseases are ultimately diseases. Even if it’s just an experience, it can cause some discomfort to sensitive hosts, which might accumulate over time and lead to psychological problems.

 

The simulator cannot cure spontaneously occurring psychological problems.

 

Setting high lifespan value rewards can encourage the host to actively make friends, and like-minded friends can bring joy to body and mind, reducing the occurrence of psychological illnesses.]

 

Qu Dubian was confused: “Didn’t you consider the possibility of the host being socially anxious?”

 

Simulator: […]

 

The simulator paused for a moment: [This situation has been recorded.]

 

Qu Dubian: “What about the prizes from the fifteen-day check-in draw? Can you even draw out elixirs?”

 

[The prizes from the fifteen-day martial arts check-in draw won’t exceed the development status of the host’s world for physical rewards. If the host likes it after using it, the host can purchase it in the backpack using the remaining lifespan value.]

 

The child under the desk couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

 

All that talk about caring for psychological issues was just fluff. A long-lived worker with a good mentality was probably the simulator’s true cultivation goal for hosts.

 

And these draw rewards, how were they different from the sweeteners game planners in his previous life used to lure players into spending money? There really is no such thing as a free breakfast, lunch, or dinner in this world.

 

Using the lifespan value earned from the simulator to spend on the simulator again, the simulator harvested both labor and a round of “money,” achieving a perfect cycle of internal consumption.

 

Qu Dubian couldn’t help but rub his arms.

 

He was still just a two-year-old child! Evil capitalists.

 

Outside, palace maids opened the door of the study hall, placing coal basins beside each low table.

 

“Is it Master Fang’s turn to teach in the study hall today?”

 

“Yes, among the three teachers, only Master Fang likes to use the rod. Wonder how many princes will be hit today.”

 

“By the way, sisters, do you know why Master Xi took leave?” The young palace maid asking this had slightly reddened cheeks.

 

The surrounding palace maids immediately glared at her: “Be careful what you say when serving in the palace! Don’t speak of things you shouldn’t!” Then they lowered their voices to share gossip, “I heard that Master Xi’s concubine gave birth to a son a few years ago, and recently gave birth to a daughter, but soon after, she died. Somehow it got tangled up with the main wife… Anyway, things aren’t peaceful at home, so Master Xi took a few days off to handle family matters.”

 

The young palace maid was surprised: “Master Xi is the most upright and proper, how could his household be in disarray?”

 

“It’s all karmic ties. Master Xi didn’t originally want to take that concubine. It caused quite a stir at the time. You entered the palace late, I’ll tell you more after our shift ends.”

 

They spoke in low voices, moving orderly as they talked. After placing the coal basins, they quietly left, leaving Qu Dubian secretly disappointed, feeling like a cat was scratching at his heart.

 

Damn, it’s really unethical to leave gossip half-told!

 

Fortunately, not long after the palace maids left, the princes coming for lessons started to arrive one after another.

 

Excluding Qu Dubian, Great Zhou currently had six princes.

 

The Crown Prince was thirteen, the Second Prince twelve, and the Third Prince eleven. These three older princes arrived early.

 

Qu Dubian was unpacking his small bundle, taking out charcoal pens, paper, and the Three Character Classic, while listening to the princes talking outside.

 

He felt quite amazed. Ancient people matured early, with some marrying and having children at thirteen or fourteen. Ancient royalty was even more precocious among the precocious. At an age when modern children would still be playing jump rope, they were already playing mind games.

 

He heard the Crown Prince say: “If your body is weak, just rest honestly. You’re always pretending to cough, yet you come to the study hall earlier than anyone. Aren’t you just trying to get the tutor to praise you for diligence in front of Father Emperor?”

 

The Third Prince, looking somewhat thin, smiled bitterly: “Elder Brother misunderstands me. This brother just feels studies are more important, not merely seeking Father Emperor’s praise.”

 

As he spoke, he was about to stand up to apologize.

 

The Second Prince reached out to stop the Third Prince’s arm: “Third Brother, why bother? Elder Brother is just concerned about your weak health. We’re all brothers; if you bow down, wouldn’t that make Elder Brother seem jealous of his siblings?”

 

The Third Prince apologized: “I’m foolish, I didn’t think of that. Then I won’t apologize. Elder Brother won’t mind, right?”

 

“You—”

 

The Crown Prince felt inexplicably frustrated. It was always like this, making it seem as if he was bullying him hard, when they had merely exchanged a few words.

 

“Alright, alright, stop arguing.”

 

Qu Dubian, having survived the selection show in his previous life, understood clearly the hidden meanings in these dialogues.

 

It’s just that the Third Prince’s “tea” wasn’t very skillful yet, still too young.

 

Qu Dubian arranged his charcoal pens, paper, and books, and began quietly nibbling on pastries. It was a bit choking, so he used his small front teeth to nibble bit by bit.

 

They had gotten up too early today, only managing to prepare some snacks to avoid hunger.

 

Another set of footsteps sounded from outside.

 

The other three younger princes had also arrived.

 

The Fourth and Fifth Princes were both five years old, while the Sixth Prince had just turned four.

 

“Greetings, elder brothers,” the three little ones said.

 

“Hello, sit down quickly,” the Second Prince said kindly.

 

The Crown Prince and Third Prince also stopped talking, nodding to greet their younger brothers before sitting in their own seats.

 

These three princes, progressing faster in their studies, sat in the right row.

 

The three younger brothers, unable to keep up with their older brothers’ learning pace, sat in the left row.

 

The princes’ personal eunuchs stood in a line at the back of the study hall.

 

After a while, Master Fang entered the study hall, holding a ruler in one hand and a scroll in the other.

 

He appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with a mix of black and white in his beard, smiling benevolently, showing none of the fierce demeanor the palace maids had described.

 

Master Fang’s gaze swept around the study hall. He stroked his beard and smiled, “Very good, no one is late today.”

 

All six princes, regardless of age, breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“Close your books. Before class, we’ll have a quiz on the content from last time. There will be punishment for those who can’t recite,” the old man said, his voice sounding somewhat playful.

 

The princes immediately drew in a cold breath, and the sound of hurriedly flipping through books was very obvious.

 

Master Fang’s eyes slanted: “No looking at books. Looking at books will be considered a failed quiz.”

 

Under the desk.

 

Qu Dubian’s pupils shook as he quietly swallowed a mouthful of pastry.

 

Indeed, students of any era cannot escape the fear of being controlled by teachers.

 

The study hall door was closed, with Master Fang’s murmuring voice faintly audible.

 

Yi Shi’er, hidden in the bushes outside, dodged bird droppings falling from above. He lowered his head bewilderedly yet mechanically, drawing on paper the child crawling through the dog hole and into the desk.

 

He never dreamed that this simple sketching field assignment would instantly upgrade to a tracking and reporting job.

 

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