Yongning Palace.
Since Consort Yun’s departure, the entire palace had been left vacant, silent and uninhabited, with only palace servants coming in periodically to clean.
With no concubines living here, the security was lax. After sneaking in, Wen Xiaochun hid in the dense foliage, staying alert to his surroundings.
Late at night.
A strange rustling sound suddenly arose.
Wen Xiaochun squinted his eyes and moved towards the source of the sound. Near the main hall, he smelled the bitter scent of oil. He saw a figure blowing on a fire starter.
Wen Xiaochun couldn’t stop him in time and shouted, “Bold thief!!”
The figure didn’t even pause, tossing the fire starter onto the ground.
The fire caught the wind and spread! Flames licked at the wooden carvings and paintings, the acrid smell spreading in the winter wind.
The figure leaped over the courtyard wall with a burst of qinggong.
This person’s martial arts were far superior to his!
No wonder he hadn’t noticed anything when the intruder entered.
Wen Xiaochun chased after him with all his might, shouting as he ran: “Fire! Yongning Palace is on fire!!” Soon, more and more palace servants noticed the black smoke rising from Yongning Palace, causing a commotion. The noise grew louder, and he didn’t need to shout anymore.
He focused on chasing the person, his eyes fixed on the figure, but before encountering the patrol team, the figure disappeared.
Ahead was the patrol team rushing towards the fire.
“Quick, quick, quick!!”
“Send someone to report to His Majesty!!”
In the chaos, Wen Xiaochun immediately hid in a corner, holding his breath.
For a non-duty palace servant to run around at night without reason was a capital offense. He was from Ju’an Hall, and appearing here at this critical moment would be hard to explain.
After the patrol team passed, he followed the direction where the black-clad figure had disappeared.
He stopped in front of a grand hall. Looking to the side, he saw a large stone tablet at the entrance of the hall, inscribed with—
Astrology Bureau.
–
The burning of Yongning Palace caused a huge uproar in the harem.
Emperor Chongzhao was furious and personally visited Yongning Palace in the middle of the night. Every palace in the imperial city was lit up.
Fortunately, the fire was discovered early, and only the exterior was damaged, with the interior only slightly affected. Consort Yun’s relics were not significantly harmed.
Even so, he stayed there until late into the night.
“Your Majesty…” Head Eunuch Yu softly called out, “Head Zhang is here, waiting in the Zichen Hall.”
Emperor Chongzhao, draped in his robe, stood in front of the slightly charred beam, “The night she left me was also such a deep night.”
The first time he didn’t believe the Astrology Bureau’s words, he lost Consort Yun. The second time, thinking the child was almost three years old and staying in the palace might be fine, Yongning Palace nearly burned down.
He had once suspected that the Astrology Bureau was colluding with others to harm Yueqing. After sending his young son to Ju’an Hall, he had people watch the Astrology Bureau for two years, and with no activity, he finally accepted the Astrology Bureau’s explanation.
Head Eunuch Yu glanced at Emperor Chongzhao’s expression and sighed softly.
–
At this time, Wen Xiaochun had returned to Ju’an Hall.
Qu Dubian was asleep.
Ye Xiaoyuan had been waiting for him.
“Indeed, someone set fire to Yongning Palace.” Wen Xiaochun’s eyes flashed with cold light, “I was only somewhat certain before, but now, it’s almost certain that the Astrology Bureau is behind this.”
Ye Xiaoyuan: “They rose to their current status by stepping on the lives of the Lady and His Highness. You weren’t discovered, were you?”
“I covered my face while chasing him. It was dark, he couldn’t see clearly.”
Speculation was one thing, but they had no concrete evidence.
Wen Xiaochun said: “There is a way to solve this. They slander His Highness as a disaster star, an ill-fated child…”
Ye Xiaoyuan sensed something off in his tone and warned, “This is the imperial palace; don’t act rashly and implicate His Highness at this critical juncture.”
“Ultimately, it depends on what His Majesty thinks.”
Wen Xiaochun turned his face away, pursing his lips in silence.
Soon, they learned of the Emperor’s thoughts.
The next day.
After Qu Dubian finished his Tai Chi practice and was having breakfast, Head Eunuch Yu arrived with an imperial edict.
The edict was mostly formalities, but the key part read: “…The Seventh Prince, blessed by his mother, shall leave the palace to pray for blessings, returning in half a year. By imperial decree.”
From heaven to hell, it was just like this.
Ye Xiaoyuan: “Your Majesty… did His Majesty say when we should leave?”
Head Eunuch Yu looked at him with pity and said, “You have three days to prepare. The carriages and all the necessary servants and maids are being arranged.”
After receiving the edict, Ye Xiaoyuan saw Head Eunuch Yu off and asked, “Last night, did anyone have an audience with His Majesty?”
“The Head of the Astrology Bureau came for a visit. His Majesty didn’t sleep all night. With Consort Yun’s palace burned, His Majesty is in a bad mood,” Head Eunuch Yu said. “He won’t forget about the young prince. It’s only half a year after all.”
Ye Xiaoyuan: “Take care, Head Eunuch Yu.”
He looked up at the sky. No matter how cold he felt inside, once he returned to the palace, he immediately put on a smiling face.
He spoke gently to Qu Dubian: “The temporary palace isn’t bad. I’ll be with His Highness the whole time. Think of these six months as a chance to get some fresh air. The other princes don’t have this opportunity. When we return, His Highness will be able to see His Majesty.”
Even at this point, he was still trying to create an image for his young master that his father actually cared about him, protecting the child’s sensitive and fragile mind.
Qu Dubian swallowed a small dumpling.
He seemed to truly not understand and said with a smile: “Okay.”
Ye Xiaoyuan: “Xiaochun, do you want to stay in the palace?”
Wen Xiaochun: “Wherever His Highness is, that’s where I’ll be.”
[Character: Wen Xiaochun
Favorability: 43]
They were very determined.
But Qu Dubian had no intention of leaving at all.
Originally, as his living conditions improved, he planned to take things slowly, step by step. But now the Astrology Bureau wanted to step on his head to make a name for themselves again. If he endured this, the pent-up frustration would make him unwell. Being unwell is bad for the body.
And if his body isn’t healthy, how can he live a long life!
Of course, this was just one aspect.
More importantly, he knew that if he left, far from the Emperor’s reach, someone with ill intentions could easily kill him at his young age, as simple as crushing an ant.
If he didn’t show any resistance this time, his image as an ill-fated child would be firmly established. In the future, whatever the Astrology Bureau said would be taken as truth, and his life and future would be completely in the enemy’s hands.
In ancient times, where imperial power was supreme and superstition prevailed, there would truly be no hope for a better future.
He not only needed to resist but to do so quickly.
In modern terms, this was a public opinion battle. The crucial time for clarification was only 24 precious hours. Who knew if the Astrology Bureau had more tricks up their sleeve? He had to make his nominal father change his mind before the rumors spread too far.
After finishing his meal, Qu Dubian wiped his mouth and jumped down from the chair.
“I’m going to practice writing. Ye Banban and Xiaochun, don’t disturb me.”
He closed all the windows.
Qu Dubian sat at his small desk.
He could start writing his first experience now. Otherwise, with only one day of lifespan value left, if something unexpected happened and he couldn’t check in, wouldn’t his life be over?
Taking advantage of his clear mind now, Qu Dubian opened his backpack, edited a dream, and used the second [Prank Dream] on Emperor Chongzhao.
After using the Prank Dream from his backpack, the remaining number showed 0/0, with a “Purchase” button appearing next to it. One Prank Dream cost 5 lifespan values.
It was practically life-robbing!
After editing the dream, Qu Dubian took out a piece of white paper and a charcoal pen, holding it in his left hand.
His right-hand writing was too ugly and slow; his left hand wrote faster and more clearly.
“Show me the format for the experience essay. And really, there’s no specific word count requirement?”
Simulator: [The format for the experience article has been displayed. The host only needs to write their true feelings. The program will determine how much lifespan value to give you.]
“I don’t have time to polish it slowly now. If I only spend half a day writing before submitting the experience, how much lifespan value will be deducted during the review?”
Simulator: [Without experiencing a full day, the maximum obtainable lifespan value is reduced from 90 to 45. Based on this, the program will evaluate and multiply by the percentage of authenticity. Given the host’s young age, the program’s review will be relatively lenient.]
In terms of protecting the young, this simulator was quite humane most of the time.
“Let’s begin.” Qu Dubian clicked to select.
Simulator: [Fever · Level 2, 100% simulation has begun. Duration selected: three days.]
Simulator: [We wish you a pleasant experience and a long, healthy life.]
This blessing was truly beyond comment.
Qu Dubian clearly felt his body temperature rising rapidly, and his brain starting to become foggy. He thought, if he really had such a high fever without the simulator’s protection, he’d surely become an idiot after a while.
There were still some papers he had used for writing practice on the desk. If someone came in, he could immediately cover up what he was currently writing.
Qu Dubian shook his head and began writing with his left hand, smoothly writing down the first character.
1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter
Hmm