WK Chapter 38.1

The next day.

 

After court ended, Emperor Chongzhao returned and slapped his still-sleeping youngest son awake with a firm pat.

 

Qu Dubian groggily sat up with tousled hair and a sleepy expression resembling ▼-▼ beneath his messy locks.

 

Emperor Chongzhao felt slightly awkward under his gaze. “Strange—you’re waking up so late today.”

 

Isn’t it because I stayed up late last night?

 

Qu Dubian yawned and asked lazily: “Is there something you need?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao decided to keep him guessing: “You’ll find out soon enough. Attendents! Help the prince freshen up! After breakfast, bring him to Xinuan Pavilion.”

 

And with that cryptic remark, he left.

 

What’s all this about?

 

Qu Dubian went about his morning routine at his usual leisurely pace—washing up, getting dressed, practicing tai chi—and then eating breakfast.

 

Even with imperial orders hanging over him, he stuck firmly to his own rhythm without showing any urgency.

 

Wen Xiaochun entered after breakfast and said: “Your Highness, someone from Shunning Palace has arrived—they’ve brought a return gift from Consort Xuan and Princess Zhiyi.”

 

Qu Dubian paused mid-step on his way out toward Xinuan Pavilion and perked up with interest: “I want to see it.”

 

Soon enough, Shunning Palace’s gift was brought inside—a small cart perfectly sized for a child. Its design resembled a rickshaw but included reinforced safety rails around it.

 

“Wow—”

 

The gift hit Qu Dubian right in the heart; he’d been wanting a small cart like this for easier trips to and from school.

 

He eagerly climbed onto it while Wen Xiaochun grabbed hold of the rope attached at the front and effortlessly pulled him around the hall twice.

 

The cart turned corners smoothly and moved with ease—it was incredibly practical.

 

Wen Xiaochun stopped after two laps and remarked: “It seems much easier than carrying you.” It even looked more comfortable than a sedan chair—and clearly fun too—since His Highness seemed delighted by it.

 

Qu Dubian played with it for quite some time until Eunuch Bao came in to remind him: “Your Highness—the Emperor has been waiting for quite a while now.”

 

Only then did Qu Dubian remember his cheap father’s summons.

 

“Alright—I’m coming.”

 

Patting himself off as he got out of the cart, he followed Eunuch Bao toward Xinuan Pavilion where he was helped over the threshold.

 

Rounding past the screen divider inside Xinuan Pavilion, Qu Dubian immediately spotted his cheap father sitting at a kang table—and beside him—a beautiful woman.

 

He froze mid-step near the screen divider.

 

The beauty smiled gently and said: “So this is the Seventh Prince? This is my first time meeting you—you truly are adorable.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao noticed his youngest son had stopped and wasn’t coming forward. He raised his hand and beckoned, smiling slightly: “Come here. Come meet her—you should address her as Consort Chu.”

 

“…” For some reason, Qu Dubian felt an inexplicable sense of déjà vu, as if his biological father had remarried and was now introducing a stepmother. Both sides seemed to be trying their best to showcase the warmth of a blended family.

 

He glanced at Noble Lady Chu, who was dressed in a blue-green robe and was undeniably beautiful.

 

However, something about the way this Consort Chu looked at him didn’t feel quite right—it made him uncomfortable.

 

“Greetings, Consort Chu,” Qu Dubian mumbled as he reluctantly walked over to Emperor Chongzhao’s side, pouting. “Why did you call me over?”

 

His tone toward the Emperor surprised Noble Lady Chu slightly. She glanced at His Majesty, only to find that he seemed entirely accustomed to this manner of interaction. This realization left her even more puzzled.

 

Emperor Chongzhao said, “How about staying in Consort Chu’s palace for a few days?”

 

Qu Dubian blinked and asked bluntly: “Is she the foster mother you’ve chosen for me?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao replied, “I told you before—it depends on who you like. I won’t force you too much, but you can’t be too willful either. Consort Chu has a very gentle temperament. Since entering the palace, she hasn’t fought over anything—unlike those consorts who blocked your way in the Imperial Garden. She’ll treat you well.”

 

Noble Lady Chu chimed in at just the right moment: “Seventh Highness, why don’t you come play in my palace? There are many wonderful things there. I live in Changxin Palace—your Fifth Brother is there too, so you can keep each other company.”

 

As she spoke, she reached out to take Qu Dubian’s hand.

 

Qu Dubian immediately dodged her touch and said to Emperor Chongzhao: “Father Emperor, I don’t want to go.”

 

Noble Lady Chu awkwardly withdrew her hand.

 

“Don’t be rude,” Emperor Chongzhao scolded lightly. “Consort Chu is your elder—you mustn’t act improperly.”

 

Noble Lady Chu quickly added: “Perhaps it’s my fault…”

 

Qu Dubian interrupted her: “You said Consort Chu is very gentle—she wouldn’t get angry.”

 

Noble Lady Chu froze for a moment, her hands twisting the handkerchief hidden in her sleeves. “Of course I’m not angry… Seventh Highness, is there something I’ve done wrong?”

 

“I just don’t want to go,” Qu Dubian replied stubbornly.

 

Emperor Chongzhao sighed in frustration and grabbed his hand with a coaxing tone: “Don’t you miss your mother? Noble Lady Chu resembles her a bit—you could try spending some time with her.”

 

“…Mother can’t be replaced by just a face!”

 

The excuse made Qu Dubian feel disgusted. If his biological mother knew about this, she would undoubtedly feel deeply offended. For once, Qu Dubian was genuinely angry.

 

Seizing the moment, he broke free from Emperor Chongzhao’s grasp and jumped away from his side. Emperor Chongzhao instinctively reached out to catch him but stopped when he saw that his son had landed safely. With a stern expression, he reprimanded: “No manners! What if you’d fallen and hurt yourself jumping like that?”

 

Qu Dubian dashed out of the room in a flash.

 

“I’m going out to play!”

 

Emperor Chongzhao slammed his hand on the table in anger. “That little rascal!” He downed his cold tea in one gulp and muttered through gritted teeth: “One of these days, he’s going to drive me to an early grave.”

 

Noble Lady Chu tried to console him: “Your Majesty, please don’t be angry. The little prince is simply attached to his birth mother.”

 

“I know,” Emperor Chongzhao sighed. “He’s usually just mischievous—but this time he wouldn’t listen at all.”

 

He let out another sigh. “But even princes born as crown princes don’t stay with the Emperor all the time—it’s not proper for him to always live with me like this.”

 

—

 

Meanwhile, Qu Dubian was sitting comfortably in his new cart, heading straight for the royal animal garden.

 

This garden housed ferocious beasts like tigers and black bears that had been captured during imperial hunts but spared from being killed. It also contained rare and adorable smaller animals as well as plenty of cats and dogs.

 

The garden was a favorite spot for consorts and members of the imperial family to pick pets like tabby cats or hunting dogs.

 

Accompanied by palace attendants from the animal garden, Qu Dubian stopped in front of the kennels.

 

At this time period, there were no foreign dog breeds—only native hunting dogs and village dogs.

 

One of the kennel attendants said nervously: “Your Highness, the puppies are over here. You’re looking at the adult dogs right now.”

 

He wiped cold sweat from his brow—seeing how small His Highness looked standing in front of those tall cages filled with adult dogs was nerve-wracking enough to make him wish for extra locks on every cage.

 

Qu Dubian asked curiously: “Gonggong, are there any that don’t bite?”

 

The kennel attendant replied: “Dogs that bite aren’t placed in the adult kennel—all these are safe. However, this servant still recommends choosing a puppy—they’re easier to train and will grow up more obedient.”

 

Qu Dubian picked up a long bamboo skewer with a piece of meat on it and walked along the line of cages. Instantly, barking erupted throughout the kennel as dogs wagged their tails wildly and stared eagerly at the meat on the skewer.

 

After making one round through the kennel, Qu Dubian stopped at a cage near the end where a large black dog lay quietly in its corner. Unlike the others, it only wagged its tail slightly without coming forward for food.

 

A Five-Black Dog[mfn]Wu Hei Quan- likely refers to a specific type of dog characterized by five black features, such as black fur, black nose, black lips, black eyes, and black paw pads. This naming convention is common in traditional Chinese descriptions of animals.[/mfn].

 

Qu Dubian pointed at it decisively: “I want this one.”

 

The kennel attendant hesitated: “This one? It’s a female dog—good-looking but older. She recently gave birth to her last litter of puppies; they’ll be sent away soon. Would Your Highness like to choose another?”

 

Qu Dubian crouched down near the Five-Black Dog’s cage and waved at it enthusiastically: “Da Hei[mfn]Big Black[/mfn]! Da Hei!”

 

The dog’s ears twitched as it slowly got up and approached the edge of its cage. Wen Xiaochun immediately grabbed hold of Qu Dubian’s collar from behind, ready to pull him away at any sign of danger.

 

The dog reached the edge of its cage but then lay down again slowly. Instead of immediately eating the meat offered through the bamboo skewer, it sniffed Qu Dubian’s palm gently through the bars.

 

Qu Dubian grinned: “Da Hei! Do you want to come with me?”

 

The dog let out a low growl before eating the piece of meat he tossed inside.

 

Qu Dubian declared happily: “She agrees!”

 

The kennel attendant looked skeptical—It just ate some meat; how does that mean it agreed?

 

“Are you sure about this one?” he asked again.

 

Qu Dubian pouted playfully: “Hurry up and let her out!”

 

The kennel attendant couldn’t help but smile at how adorable His Highness was being. “Alright then—please wait a moment.”

 

Even though this dog seemed gentle enough, they still took precautions before releasing it from its cage—a wooden muzzle was placed over its mouth while its neck was secured with a leash.

 

Under careful supervision by three palace attendants as well as Wen Xiaochun and Ye Xiaoyuan, Qu Dubian spent over an hour playing with Da Hei—throwing balls for her to fetch and hiding objects for her to find until they became quite familiar with each other.

 

Every time Qu Dubian gave a command, Da Hei would turn her head to glance at him before executing it. He had an odd feeling that it wasn’t him playing with the dog but rather the dog indulging him by playing along.

 

Once they’d become familiar enough, Qu Dubian instructed the attendants to bring his little cart over. The ropes were adjusted to fit properly and were secured onto Da Hei.

 

—

 

Evening.

 

Outside Shunning Palace.

 

“Your Highness!!!”

 

“Your Highness! Slow down! Slow down!!!”

 

A small dog-drawn cart moved steadily and smoothly along the palace path, accompanied by the cheerful sound of its wheels and the laughter of a child. Qu Dubian spread his arms wide, enjoying the breeze as he exclaimed, “Da Hei, you’re amazing!”

 

Riding in a dog-drawn cart had been a childhood dream of his in his previous life, but he’d never had the time to raise a dog.

 

Though it might have seemed dangerous and unconventional to others, he was thoroughly enjoying himself—this was the most carefree and joyful moment he’d experienced since transmigrating.

 

It was even more fun than sliding down the smooth stone slabs.

 

Da Hei pulled the cart effortlessly and steadily, while Wen Xiaochun only needed to jog alongside to keep up.

 

In the rear hall of Shunning Palace, Noble Lady Guo heard the laughter and looked up with a sigh. “It’s been so long since I’ve heard such infectious laughter in the palace.”

 

Not long after, the source of that laughter knocked on Shunning Palace’s door.

 

When informed by an attendant, Consort Xuan stepped out and was surprised to see him. “Seventh Highness, it’s almost time for dinner—what brings you here?”

 

Qu Dubian grinned sheepishly. “I came to thank Consort Xuan for her gift.” He pointed at his little dog cart behind him. “This—it’s so much fun.”

 

Da Hei wagged her tail solemnly at Consort Xuan, her tongue lolling out slightly.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan wiped sweat from his brow and gave Consort Xuan an apologetic smile.

 

“…” Consort Xuan fell silent for a moment.

 

If she remembered correctly, this little cart was meant for children to play with while being pulled by people holding onto ropes at the front.

 

“I only helped out,” she said after a pause. “The cart was actually made by Noble Lady Guo. She’s probably the most skilled at woodworking in the harem.”

 

“Noble Lady Guo? She’s my mother!” came a voice from inside the palace. A little girl of about five years old peeked out curiously, her black grape-like eyes fixed on her younger brother with his impressive dog cart.

 

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