After the incident in the Imperial Garden yesterday, Qu Dubian obediently stayed in Zichen Palace for three whole days before finally seizing an opportunity to go out.
His father was so petty! Just because one little rumor spread throughout the palace—did that justify keeping him cooped up under the pretense of needing rest?
So stingy! No tolerance at all!
If he was already this petty now, what would happen in the future? Clearly, more practice was needed.
During those three days, Qu Dubian managed to subtly gather information and finally understood the process behind Consort Yun’s posthumous recognition as Empress.
Emperor Chongzhao’s actions had effectively placed all princes on equal footing—at least on the surface. The tallest tree catches the wind, and for someone as young as Qu Dubian, this move served both as restraint and protection.
In both court and harem politics, every move was about balance.
“Your Highness needn’t worry too much,” Ye Xiaoyuan reassured him gently. “On your mother’s recognition day in a few days, everything will be arranged for you. You just need to follow along with the process.”
Qu Dubian replied: “It’s better to know more about Mother Consort’s affairs. Banban, did you find out who will be attending that day?”
Ye Xiaoyuan patted his head lightly and said: “The consorts of the harem—including Her Majesty the Empress—will all be present. The Empress herself will light the lamps and place them in Fengde Hall. As for you—you’ll only need to partake in a ceremonial meal during the event.”
“The Ministry of Imperial Household Affairs will oversee your meal arrangements,” Ye Xiaoyuan added with a smile. “Incidentally, its current head is nominally your second great-uncle.”
The Sword-Holding Marquis was Xu family’s eldest member; Qu Dubian’s second great-uncle was his younger brother.
Ye Xiaoyuan vaguely knew that relations between old Marquis Xu and his two brothers had nearly severed in recent years but chose not to bring it up—it was still too early for His Highness to hear such things.
Even with strained ties between families, they wouldn’t dare openly make things difficult for His Highness during an imperial ceremony sanctioned by decree.
“Is there anything else?” Qu Dubian asked quietly. “What about people who say bad things about me?”
Ye Xiaoyuan froze momentarily before meeting Qu Dubian’s gaze directly. “Your Highness…”
Qu Dubian continued: “That day is very important for Mother Consort—I don’t want anyone saying bad things about me then because I think Mother Consort would feel sad if she heard.”
Ye Xiaoyuan treated him like a child and often withheld information out of concern for his emotions. To learn what he wanted to know, Qu Dubian had no choice but to approach indirectly.
“Those people are just spouting nonsense,” Ye Xiaoyuan said firmly with a hint of heartache. The subtle influence of such remarks had clearly affected His Highness’ perception of himself—and that needed correcting immediately.
With a serious expression, Ye Xiaoyuan said: “You must remember—you are the best child in this world. Your mother consort would never dislike you.”
“Those who speak ill of Your Highness are bad people,” he continued earnestly. “For example—the Head of the Astrology Bureau? A few days ago His Majesty punished him with beatings so severe that he’s bedridden at home now and won’t recover for months. Currently running things there is Deputy Head Zhang—the one who gave Your Highness that protective talisman last time.”
“As for your mother’s recognition day… there won’t be any involvement from the Astrology Bureau directly—but they did determine an auspicious date for it.”
Qu Dubian fell into deep thought.
“Ye Banban, do you still have the protective talisman the Deputy Head gave me last time?”
“I do. I’ve kept it safe.”
“Bring it along. I want to thank the Deputy Head.”
Ye Xiaoyuan was surprised. “Your Highness wants to visit the Astrology Bureau?”
Qu Dubian nodded. “Yes, let’s go now!”
Ye Xiaoyuan hesitated but ultimately couldn’t resist Qu Dubian’s determination. After a few half-hearted attempts to dissuade him, he called Wen Xiaochun and a few palace attendants to accompany them to the Astrology Bureau.
It wasn’t that Ye Xiaoyuan wanted such a grand entourage, but the little prince could be incredibly stubborn at times—so much so that even the Emperor couldn’t outmatch him. Ye Xiaoyuan was genuinely worried that if things got out of hand, it might escalate into chaos.
This was practically like openly kicking down the door of someone who had secretly wronged you—bold and direct.
—
Qu Dubian led a group of seven or eight people, walking at the front with his hands clasped behind his back.
Nowadays, unless he was truly exhausted, he rarely asked to be carried. His body was still weak, and he needed to build up his stamina through exercise.
Wen Xiaochun looked on helplessly. The little prince was too independent—he had all this strength but no opportunity to use it.
As they approached the Astrology Bureau, they ran into a patrol team. The leader saluted respectfully. Although he hadn’t seen the Seventh Prince before, at this time of day, all the other princes were in the study hall. The only child wandering around the palace with such an entourage could only be this one.
After saluting, the patrol leader glanced over the group behind Qu Dubian and suddenly paused when his gaze landed on Wen Xiaochun.
“Wait a moment.”
Qu Dubian looked up. “Hmm?”
The patrol leader saluted again and said, “Your Highness, one of your eunuchs looks familiar. May I ask him to step forward for a closer look?”
“Familiar?” Qu Dubian turned around.
Wen Xiaochun stood calmly with his head slightly lowered, though his palms tightened subtly.
He remembered now—this was one of the patrol guards who had inspected his manure cart that night. It had been dark then, and he had covered his face with a deep blue cloth. By all logic, he shouldn’t have been recognized.
Ye Xiaoyuan frowned slightly and cast an inconspicuous glance at Wen Xiaochun, his heart tightening with concern.
The patrol leader explained: “Yes, Your Highness. I have a good memory for people’s builds. On the night of the Astrology Bureau fire, I caught a glimpse of someone who looked similar.”
Wen Xiaochun exhaled softly and raised his head with a smile. “Of course.”
He had just taken a step forward when Qu Dubian’s crisp voice rang out: “Of course not!”
The little prince’s face hardened as he displayed his princely authority for the first time. “Xiaochun is my person. If I don’t agree, you can’t inspect him.”
Wen Xiaochun froze in place as Qu Dubian raised his small arm protectively in front of him—even though his short reach only covered Wen Xiaochun’s legs.
But it was enough to shield him firmly.
[Name: Wen Xiaochun
Favorability: 50]
The patrol leader hesitated. “But…”
Hearing the notification about increased Favorability didn’t make Qu Dubian happy—his intention wasn’t to gain Favorability but to protect someone important to him.
Seeing that the patrol leader was still persisting, Qu Dubian turned around and hugged Wen Xiaochun’s leg tightly. “Let’s go! I don’t want them looking at you. Don’t be afraid, Xiaochun.”
Xiaochun only taught him tai chi and always followed Ye Banban’s instructions obediently—how could such a well-behaved person be an arsonist? If anyone knew whether Wen Xiaochun was guilty or not, it was him!
He muttered inwardly: Could this be someone trying to remove trusted people from my side one by one and replace them with spies?
Following palace drama logic, if Xiaochun left now, he might never return.
“Since His Highness is here,” came a voice from the entrance of the Astrology Bureau, “why not come inside?”
Zhang Chansi stepped out from behind its gates and first saluted Qu Dubian before turning to address the patrol leader: “How dare you stop a prince and even try to seize someone from his entourage?”
The patrol leader broke out in cold sweat immediately. “I wouldn’t dare!”
Zhang Chansi said coolly: “Not only is investigating suspects not within your patrol team’s duties, but our Head has already confessed that the fire was due to his lies to His Majesty and accepted punishment for it. Are you questioning your superior’s statement and planning to confront him before His Majesty?”
The patrol leader paled further and hurriedly bowed deeply. “I was wrong! Thank you for your guidance, Deputy Head! Your Highness, please forgive my offense!”
Qu Dubian waved generously. “Hurry along now—it’s so cold in winter.”
The patrol leader quickly led his team away.
The storm passed without incident.
Qu Dubian released Wen Xiaochun’s leg and looked up curiously. “Huh? Did you guess I’d come?”
Zhang Chansi smiled faintly. “I know a little about divination—I foresaw an important visitor today. Please come in.”
She led Qu Dubian into the Astrology Bureau.
—
Behind them:
Ye Xiaoyuan shot Wen Xiaochun a sharp glare before silently stepping closer and pinching him hard on his side.
Wen Xiaochun lowered his head further in guilt and didn’t dare make a sound.
—
Inside the Astrology Bureau:
The most striking sight was a scorched stone stele that bore clear traces of fire damage despite being cleaned up.
Carved into it were sixteen bold characters:
“Astrology does not spy on gods or demons; calculations reveal only fortune or misfortune.”
To Qu Dubian, it felt ironic.
Gods or demons? That bedridden Head must’ve dabbled plenty in such things—and who knows how many lives were ruined by their manipulative rhetoric.
Most of their attendants remained outside while Ye Xiaoyuan accompanied Qu Dubian into an exquisitely decorated tea room within the Bureau.
Zhang Chansi poured him a cup of tea.
Qu Dubian sat cross-legged across from her without proper decorum and leaned forward to sniff at the tea in front of him.
Hmm… it doesn’t smell as good as Zichen Palace’s tea.
His thoughts wandered briefly—What should I do? I kind of want milk tea now.
“What does Your Highness wish to ask me?” Zhang Chansi said calmly.
Resting his chin on one hand, Qu Dubian blinked in surprise at her attitude—it wasn’t condescending or dismissive like most adults treating him as just a child. Instead, she spoke directly as if he were an equal.
“You’re not afraid I won’t understand?”
Zhang Chansi said, “Your Highness is quite perceptive. I’ve heard Tutor Fang mention it once.”
Was this Deputy Head’s initial favorability toward him born out of guilt? Qu Dubian decided to test it.
He leaned forward, grabbed Zhang Chansi’s sleeve, and tugged lightly. His voice softened as he asked, “I want to know… will my presence affect the weather on my Mother Consort’s ceremony day?”
“You…” Zhang Chansi was stunned.
The little child in front of her spoke in a negotiating tone: “If it will, can you make it better? I can give you Father Emperor’s small incense burner, incense, delicious food, boots, jade rings… lots and lots of things. I’ll give them all to you in exchange for good weather.”
[Favorability +1]
Zhang Chansi couldn’t help but laugh.
Even if the little prince dared to offer those things, she wouldn’t dare accept them—such actions would surely lead to punishment. She sighed inwardly.
Although it was childish talk, she could sense how much the Seventh Prince cared about and valued his late mother.
Zhang Chansi replied seriously: “Rest assured. The Astrology Bureau has checked multiple times; the weather on that day will certainly be clear. Also, Your Highness, don’t listen to outside rumors. The fog of doubt will dissipate one day.”
Qu Dubian kept this remark in mind.
Did the Deputy Head mean that the rumors of ominous energy surrounding him would eventually fade away? There was no evidence now, but if this were ever proven false, even a mere Head of the Astrology Bureau couldn’t withstand the Emperor’s wrath.
That would be a crime worthy of exterminating an entire family.
Qu Dubian looked up and met Zhang Chansi’s calm eyes. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
He simply smiled and said, “Alright! Then I’m relieved.”
Having confirmed that the Astrology Bureau wouldn’t cause trouble on that day, Qu Dubian glanced at the papers on the table and exclaimed: “Huh?”
The papers contained a three-dimensional geometry problem with terms like qiandu (slopes) and yangma (inclines). It immediately reminded him of The Nine Chapters on Mathematical Art from his previous life.
The problem was quite simple—if solved using the correct formula, it would only take three to five minutes.
For the first time, a ripple of emotion appeared in Zhang Chansi’s otherwise calm eyes. It was as though a lifeless figure had suddenly come alive; her vague emotions settled into something concrete. “Your Highness is interested in this?”
There was a barely noticeable excitement in her gaze. It seemed that if Qu Dubian expressed even the slightest interest, she would start explaining immediately.
Sensing this as a key to gaining her favorability, Qu Dubian tested her reaction: “…What if I say yes?”
Zhang Chansi’s face lit up instantly. Her composed and reserved image as the Deputy Head shattered completely as she spun the small table around and pulled out a pen from who-knows-where.
“Allow me to explain!”
In Great Zhou, mathematics had never been highly valued. The princes showed no interest in it either; they considered it a skill only merchants or advisors needed to master.
But Zhang Chansi understood that astronomy and mathematics were deeply intertwined with geometry and numerical calculations!
She had long lamented that there was no one in the world who shared her passion for exploring these treasures.
Seeing how both the current Emperor and his successor seemed indifferent to this field left her feeling helpless. However, if even one member of the royal family showed interest in mathematics, it could inspire some scholars across Great Zhou to delve into this discipline.
A prince’s interest in mathematics carried far more weight than that of a mere Deputy Head. If she could spark the Seventh Prince’s enthusiasm for numbers, it would be greatly beneficial for this field.
Unfolding a sheet of paper with great care!
Afraid of scaring off the rare little prince who showed interest in mathematics, Zhang Chansi forced an uncharacteristically gentle smile onto her face—completely out of line with her usual demeanor.
“Your Highness, please listen carefully.”
In an instant, the grand tea room of the Astrology Bureau transformed into something resembling a kindergarten classroom.
Qu Dubian looked at the paper filled with calculations akin to “one plus one equals two” and then recalled the geometric problem he had glimpsed earlier that required significant effort to solve halfway through. He sighed inwardly.
Should he tell this Deputy Head that his level might actually qualify him to be her teacher?
![Who Are You Calling A Canary? [Transmigration]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250108211651_200_280.jpg "Who Are You Calling A Canary? [Transmigration]")
Hmm