WK Chapter 17

Master Fang exerted herculean efforts to finally smooth the emperor’s ruffled feathers.

 

After calming down for a moment, Emperor Chongzhao remembered to ask about Qu Dubian’s learning progress.

 

He originally thought that since the child was so young, he wouldn’t be able to learn much even if he studied. But to his surprise, Master Fang said:

 

“The young prince is naturally intelligent. This old minister estimates he has finished learning the Three Character Classic, though it’s hard to say about the Thousand Character Classic. He recognizes quite a few characters, but writing… ahem, is a bit more difficult.”

 

To have learned this much without careful guidance, the words “naturally intelligent” were certainly deserved. As for writing, for a child just over two years old whose bones weren’t fully developed, being able to make any semblance of characters was already good. What more could be expected?

 

Master Fang, fearing to provoke the emperor’s anger again, glossed over the writing issue vaguely, focusing instead on recounting the few questions he had tested Qu Dubian with and the child’s responses at the time.

 

Emperor Chongzhao’s brow finally relaxed a bit.

 

“He takes after me, then.”

 

Master Fang: “…”

 

So becoming emperor means you can be shameless, is that it?

 

“When this old minister was teaching you, Your Majesty, you were far behind the young prince.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao glanced at him.

 

“The Grand Tutor must be misremembering.”

 

Master Fang immediately said: “Yes, yes, yes, that’s right. This old minister is confused and remembered wrongly.”

 

Fine, being emperor does allow for shamelessness.

 

He asked: “So the young prince now…”

 

Since the matter had been brought to light, Emperor Chongzhao said: “It’s not proper for a prince to study under a desk. Since he’s willing to learn, I’ll issue an edict allowing him to attend classes early, without waiting until he’s three years old.”

 

Master Fang finally felt relieved and said happily: “This old minister is also delighted to have gained another intelligent student.”

 

Only Head Eunuch Yu quietly pricked up his ears on the side, trying to fathom the emperor’s thoughts.

 

Did His Majesty issuing this order indicate a certain inclination, that he didn’t want the young prince to go to the detached palace as the Astrology Bureau had said?

 

He carefully shifted his gaze, trying to find some trace, but couldn’t discern Emperor Chongzhao’s true thoughts.

 

–

 

Not long after Master Fang left, Noble Consort Lan sent someone to invite Emperor Chongzhao.

 

With nothing else to do and his interest piqued by Master Fang’s description of Qu Dubian’s learning progress, Emperor Chongzhao went to Noble Consort Lan’s Xiuxiang Palace to test the Sixth Prince’s studies.

 

The Sixth Prince was closest in age to Qu Dubian, had just entered the study hall, and was learning all the basics.

 

Emperor Chongzhao held and played with the Sixth Prince for a while before setting him down. He never indulged the princes too much.

 

“Are you adapting well to the study hall? How are your studies progressing?”

 

Noble Consort Lan smiled: “Both Master Xi and Master Fang praise him for learning quickly.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao’s interest grew: “Is that so? Little Six, come, let me test you.” Even the slightest hint of imperial authority, inadvertently revealed, was enough to make one hold their breath.

 

The Sixth Prince stood there nervously.

 

Emperor Chongzhao, not bothering to think of new questions, simply used the three questions Master Fang had confessed to using to test Xiao Qi initially.

 

“Who are the four classes of people referred to as the ‘good of the nation’?”

 

The Sixth Prince’s small face showed bewilderment.

 

Emperor Chongzhao prompted: “Scholars, farmers, and what else?”

 

The Sixth Prince stammered, and Noble Consort Lan’s smile became a bit forced, “Your Majesty, perhaps we could try a different question.”

 

“Alright,” Emperor Chongzhao said, “Of the six domestic animals people can raise, which one is illegal to kill?”

 

The Sixth Prince became so nervous he started biting his fingers, looking to Noble Consort Lan for help.

 

Noble Consort Lan: “Your Majesty, perhaps the child is not in good form today. Maybe you could try another…”

 

“Enough.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao had already lost interest. He originally didn’t inquire much about testing the younger princes, focusing more on the Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince, the three older heirs.

 

Today, he had only been attracted by Master Fang’s description of the interesting scene of questioning the young child.

 

However, this bit of interest was completely worn away by the Sixth Prince’s inability to answer any question.

 

He still had to visit the Crown Prince’s mother. Before leaving, he casually said, “Although he’s still young, he has already entered the study hall. Noble Consort, you should encourage him to study more. Tomorrow, Xiao Qi will join them in studying at the hall. Although he’s the youngest, he’s quite intelligent. Little Six, as an older brother, shouldn’t fall behind.”

 

His allowing Qu Dubian to go to the study hall was indeed showing some favoritism. Although the Astrology Bureau’s words still made him cautious, it had been over two years. Not sending him to the detached palace might not be a big problem.

 

Before that child turned three, he wouldn’t personally interact with him.

 

Sending him to the study hall was also a good opportunity to foster brotherly feelings in advance. The Crown Prince’s words today were truly outrageous.

 

Noble Consort Lan rose to see him off.

 

“Yes, this consort understands.”

 

Long after Emperor Chongzhao had left, Noble Consort Lan still maintained her bowing posture. The gentle smile at the corners of her mouth gradually flattened, a hint of hysteria flashing in her eyes. Her well-manicured nails dug deep into her palms.

 

Lian Zhu helped her up.

 

“When…”

 

Noble Consort Lan said softly: “When did this happen.”

 

In a place she didn’t know about, that bitch’s child had once again captured the emperor’s attention.

 

She took a deep breath, “Why don’t you know! Why don’t you know what that little brat knows!”

 

She wasn’t a fool. From Emperor Chongzhao’s parting words, she could discern some information.

 

The Sixth Prince feared the emperor but not her, “I just don’t know! The tutor never asks questions like that! Mother, you’re being mean to me!”

 

That night, Noble Consort Lan made the Sixth Prince, who was crying with snot bubbles, recite the answers to these two questions 88 times at his desk.

 

The Sixth Prince’s throat was nearly split from reciting. He sat on the edge of the bed with red, swollen eyes, feeling some resentment towards the Seventh Brother he had never met.

 

Ah, how annoying, why did he have to learn so fast!!

 

–

 

It didn’t wait until the next morning.

 

Late at night, Emperor Chongzhao’s exceptional order allowing the Seventh Prince to enter the East Six Palaces to study was issued throughout the harem.

 

Head Eunuch Yu even specially sent a small eunuch to the remote Ju’an Hall to deliver the message.

 

Tonight, small snowflakes were falling again, but Ju’an Hall was different from before, very warm inside.

 

At this time, Qu Dubian had just finished drinking milk not long ago. Wrapped in a small blanket, he sat cross-legged on the soft carpet on the floor, eating roasted tangerines around a small fire – yes, they could even eat fruit in Ju’an Hall now.

 

As he ate, he was teaching Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun to recognize characters.

 

When the knock on the door sounded, Qu Dubian was muttering: “No, no, Ye Banban, you read it wrong again…”

 

“Your Highness, someone’s here.”

 

Qu Dubian: “So late, who could it be?”

 

“This servant will go check.”

 

Wen Xiaochun got up and opened the door a crack. Fine snowflakes from outside swirled in, melting into water droplets as they hit the ground.

 

Qu Dubian glimpsed the old elm tree outside covered in frost flowers, crystal clear. He tightened the small blanket around him, feeling a sense of happiness.

 

In such cold weather, sitting around a stove brewing tea was truly blissful. With improved conditions, it was practically a heavenly life.

 

Wen Xiaochun had left with hurried steps, but when he returned, he was almost flying.

 

He was usually quite steady, but as he pushed open the door, he forgot to stamp his feet to shake off the cold. As soon as he entered, he excitedly said: “A eunuch from the imperial presence came to deliver a message. His Majesty has ordered that from tomorrow, the young prince can officially study at the East Six Palaces!”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan urgently asked: “What? Is the news correct?”

 

Wen Xiaochun: “Absolutely true. By now, probably all twelve palaces east and west know.”

 

“Bless the Consort…” Ye Xiaoyuan clasped his hands and bowed to the void, “Things are getting better and better for His Highness.”

 

Yesterday, an inkstone, paper, and brushes were bestowed. Today, a direct order to let His Highness go to the study hall.

 

In the past, this was simply unimaginable!

 

Perhaps after the incident at the Imperial Kitchen, His Majesty remembered that the young prince was almost three years old. Although father and son still couldn’t meet, he could be sent to the East Palace early to cultivate relationships with his brothers, which would be beneficial for future brotherly harmony.

 

He looked at Qu Dubian again: “Your Highness, aren’t you happy?”

 

“…”

 

Qu Dubian, who was taking small sips of hot sugar water, paused, showing eight teeth, “I am happy, I’m very happy.”

 

His nominal father agreeing to let him go to the study hall was within expectations. He was just thinking.

 

Those brothers of his in the study hall, based on his two observations from under the desk, were not easy to deal with.

 

Things were about to get lively.

 

The news of the Seventh Prince exceptionally going to study at the study hall once again swept through the harem.

 

Qu Dubian’s tendency to trend in his previous life had barely shown its edge once or twice in this life, yet it reminded the consorts in the harem with small schemes of the fear of being dominated by Consort Yun when she was favored.

 

When Consort Yun was alive, His Majesty frequently made exceptions for her. Could it be that the Seventh Prince was the same? It was bizarre, could this be inherited from mother to son?

 

The palace guards changed shifts.

 

Head Eunuch Yu came out for some air. He stood under the eaves at the entrance of Zichen Palace, looking at the high steps below covered with a thin layer of snow. The entire imperial city was shrouded in a haze of flying snow mist.

 

He watched for a while, then breathed on his hands to warm them.

 

Whether the dynamics among the princes in the palace would change depended on if the Seventh Prince had sent to the detached palace this time.

 

–

 

The next day.

 

Qu Dubian didn’t get up as early as usual.

 

He no longer needed to hurry to sneak in early. Instead, he leisurely finished his Tai Chi, had a hot breakfast, and then unhurriedly went to the East Six Palaces.

 

But because he had developed a habit, he used to nibble on pastries under the desk, and now if he didn’t have something to chew on during class, he felt uncomfortable all over.

 

So he specially asked Ye Xiaoyuan to put a handful of peeled dried fruits in the small pocket of his satchel.

 

The simulator didn’t remind him that Yi Shi’er was nearby. Probably seeing that his life had stabilized, there was no need to observe and monitor anymore.

 

East Palace.

 

Master Xi, who was responsible for today’s class, hadn’t arrived yet.

 

The atmosphere in the study hall was stranger than usual.

 

The Sixth Prince’s eyes were swollen like red firecrackers, pouting and sulking.

 

The Crown Prince had been severely reprimanded for saying the wrong thing, and the excessive homework had made his wrist sore, naturally putting him in a bad mood.

 

“I heard that Eldest Brother was punished to kneel for half an hour by Father Emperor yesterday,” said the Second Prince. “I wonder if your knees still hurt?”

 

The Crown Prince’s knees were swollen, but he stubbornly said: “Of course not.”

 

Third Prince: “Yes, Second Brother, how could Eldest Brother have any problems with such a good physique.”

 

Seeing the Third Prince’s fake expression, the Crown Prince felt uncomfortable all over and immediately sneered coldly: “Always pretending all day long.”

 

Third Prince: “I’m just concerned about Eldest Brother. I don’t know which words made Eldest Brother misunderstand, I can explain.”

 

This show of weakness didn’t please the Crown Prince; instead, it made him feel even more frustrated for reasons he couldn’t explain.

 

Qu Dubian was the last to arrive. He wore a light blue padded robe with a soft rabbit fur trim around the edges. His cheeks were rosy white, his hair tied into a fluffy little bun on top of his head, hands tucked into his sleeves, looking like a little adult.

 

His bright eyes looked around, seemingly waiting for them to introduce themselves.

 

The Crown Prince had just been reprimanded and didn’t dare to show a bad face, so he stiffly said: “Seventh Brother.”

 

Second Prince: “I’m Second Brother.”

 

Third Prince coughed softly twice: “You can call me Third Brother. Third Brother was ill recently and was about to recover, but seeing Seventh Brother, it seems to have flared up again, probably from excitement.”

 

Poor Seventh Brother, neglected for so many years, suddenly coming here looking like such a thin, pitiful little thing. If he develops a timid, sensitive personality on top of that, it would be… perfect.

 

Whether this concern was genuine or not, at least they had to keep up appearances. The eunuchs beside the six princes all presented welcoming gifts that their respective consorts had prepared overnight.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan naturally accepted them all with a smile.

 

Qu Dubian also had return gifts, but as the youngest, he didn’t need to give anything too precious.

 

He took out dried fruits from his pocket, his cute features instantly becoming lively, showing no signs of shyness or social anxiety.

 

Joking aside, in his previous life he had fought his way through with acting skills. If he were socially anxious, he wouldn’t have gotten a single camera shot, let alone play the game.

 

“Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, Sixth Brother, hello, hello!”

 

He distributed the dried fruits to each of them, even forcefully giving a handful to the Fourth Prince who was dozing off in his seat. The Fourth Prince slightly widened his eyes, looking at his brother who was happily socializing like a little butterfly.

 

Wow…

 

This brother is quite cute.

 

The last handful was given to the Crown Prince. Only when standing in front of the Third Prince did the little butterfly fluttering among the flowers let out a regretful “Oh no.”

 

Qu Dubian: “I’ve run out, I didn’t mean to. Third Brother won’t be angry, right?”

 

The study hall was silent for a second, then the Crown Prince suddenly burst out laughing.

 

 

---

 

1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter