WK Chapter 40

By mid-morning, Gomoku had already become a sensation within the study hall.

 

The five princes were secretly passing notes and playing Gomoku during class. When Tutor Xi discovered this, nearly all the tutors in the study hall heard about it.

 

Unlike the furious Tutor Xi Shiqiu, Tutor Fang was surprisingly lenient about it.

 

“A game of Go requires a lot of time from start to finish. It takes patience and deep study to truly appreciate its intricacies. Gomoku, on the other hand, is faster-paced and easier to learn—it’s also a good way to exercise one’s mind.”

 

Tutor Xi frowned and said, “It’s still just a trivial pastime.”

 

Tutor Fang smiled and replied, “According to the Fifth Prince, this is something the Seventh Prince learned from a palace attendant while he was living in Ju’an Palace. Sometimes we shouldn’t underestimate the wisdom of palace attendants.”

 

Tutor Xi rubbed his temples in frustration. “Just yesterday, you caught them secretly drinking milk tea during class. And today, I caught two princes playing Gomoku—and both incidents trace back to the Seventh Prince! That little rascal really is—”

 

“Really clever,” Tutor Fang interrupted with a chuckle.

 

Tutor Xi: “?”

 

Tutor Fang turned away and gazed out at the sky, stroking his beard as he found himself missing his youngest student even more.

 

At the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder: That little child used to love learning so much—he’d even study under the table. Why hasn’t he been attending lately?

 

—

 

Last night, Emperor Chongzhao had no children clinging to him for once and felt entirely relaxed.

 

After finishing his memorials, he finally had time to experiment with new incense recipes—a rare opportunity for him to unwind.

 

But despite this newfound ease, something felt off—like something was missing.

 

As he walked back after court that morning, Emperor Chongzhao asked casually: “Did the Seventh Prince really not come by while I was in court?”

 

Head Eunuch Yu replied, “Your Majesty knows how His Highness is—he only wakes up around the time you’re finishing court.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao frowned slightly. “And he didn’t cause any trouble at Changxin Palace last night?”

 

“Actually,” Head Eunuch Yu began hesitantly, “there’s news from Changxin Palace. The Seventh Prince didn’t sleep in Noble Lady Chu’s quarters last night—he slept in the Fifth Prince’s bed instead. It seems the two brothers got along quite well.”

 

“He didn’t sleep in Noble Lady Chu’s quarters?” Emperor Chongzhao’s brow furrowed deeper. “That sounds like a tantrum. Did he eat dinner?”

 

“He ate with the Fifth Prince,” Head Eunuch Yu confirmed.

 

Emperor Chongzhao sighed. “When it comes to food, he never lets himself go hungry. Well… staying with Xiao Wu could help strengthen their brotherly bond—it’s fine as long as he behaves himself.”

 

Just then, a young eunuch came running over from the study hall—a common occurrence when reporting which prince had been punished or misbehaved during lessons.

 

Like a teacher sending notes home to parents.

 

Emperor Chongzhao sighed preemptively: “Let me guess—it’s Oldest again.”

 

He took the note handed over by the eunuch and unfolded it.

 

Written neatly on it were all five names—from First Prince to Fifth Prince—listed under [Today’s Punishment List].

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “?”

 

After a brief silence, he muttered: “Are they rebelling?”

 

The eunuch explained nervously: “The Fifth Prince brought Gomoku to the study hall. After learning how to play, all the other princes started playing too. Fourth Prince beat Sixth Prince in a match, which made Sixth Prince angry enough to tear apart Fourth Prince’s favorite pillow. In retaliation, Fourth Prince threw the torn pillow at Sixth Prince’s face.”

 

“The study hall descended into chaos. When Tutor Xi investigated further, he discovered that even the three older princes were playing Gomoku. As a result… all of them were punished with rulers.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao imagined the scene for a moment and felt secondhand frustration on behalf of today’s tutors: “Where did Xiao Wu[mfn]Little Five[/mfn] learn this game?”

 

The eunuch lowered his head and replied softly: “From the Seventh Prince.”

 

“…That little rascal,” Emperor Chongzhao muttered as he crumpled up the note in frustration before letting out an exasperated laugh. He felt both surprised and unsurprised at once. “He really can’t stay out of trouble no matter where he goes!”

 

In just one night, his youngest son had managed to corrupt all his older brothers.

 

Aside from Fourth Brother—who seemed perpetually obsessed with sleeping—Fifth Brother was usually one of the most obedient and worry-free princes. Yet even without being physically present at Zichen Palace anymore, Qu Dubian’s influence hadn’t diminished one bit.

 

What a handful.

 

“What kind of game is this Gomoku? Find someone who knows how to play and bring them to Xinuan Pavilion.”

 

“And summon First through Third Princes—the two youngest can be excused.”

 

How entertaining could it possibly be to make all these princes so obsessed?!

 

—

 

Noon.

 

The Fifth Prince returned to Changxin Palace looking utterly dejected.

 

Noble Lady Rong had already heard about what happened and stood fuming in her sleeping quarters.

 

The Fifth Prince hid his ruler-marked palms behind his back as he clung lightly to the doorframe and tiptoed inside. “Mother…”

 

Noble Lady Rong snapped: “You dare come back? Do you even realize how badly you messed up?”

 

The Fifth Prince lowered his head guiltily: “I shouldn’t have taught Gomoku to my brothers… causing us all to be punished with rulers. I failed to meet your expectations—I’m sorry.”

 

“That’s only part of it,” Noble Lady Rong said sharply. “When Fourth and Sixth Princes started fighting—you should have helped Sixth Prince fight back!”

 

The Fifth Prince widened his eyes slightly in surprise. “But… Sixth Brother started it! He tore apart Fourth Brother’s favorite pillow! Fourth Brother treasures that pillow more than anything!”

 

“It’s just a pillow!” Noble Lady Rong snapped angrily.

 

Noble Lady Rong impatiently interrupted, saying: “Are you closer to the Fourth Prince or the Sixth Prince?”

 

Fifth Prince: “If the Sixth Brother did something wrong first, it would be right for me not to help him.”

 

Noble Lady Rong crouched down, gripping his shoulders tightly, “Good child, remember this: in this world, in this inner palace, only power represents right and wrong, only power decides right and wrong.

 

The Fourth Prince’s mother is Consort Yi, with an unremarkable family background and no favor. The Sixth Prince’s mother is the Noble Consort… If you don’t help him, what if Noble Consort Lan becomes displeased and whispers in the Emperor’s ear, and His Majesty gives you to someone else to raise?

 

At that time, you’ll be like the Seventh Prince, having to choose a mother consort everywhere. You won’t be able to see your mother anymore.”

 

She said softly: “In this inner palace, no one will treat you better than your mother. The Seventh Prince doesn’t have a mother, you’ve seen what kind of life he used to live, haven’t you?”

 

Fear showed in the Fifth Prince’s eyes, “I don’t want to, I don’t want to, Mother Consort, please don’t abandon me.”

 

Noble Lady Rong was satisfied, “So if the Fourth Prince and Sixth Prince have a falling out, whose side will you stand on?”

 

Fifth Prince: “I—”

 

“Fifth Brother! Fifth Brother, Fifth Brother!” A clear, jubilant voice interrupted the conversation between the mother and son in the room.

 

Qu Dubian’s voice came from outside: “Fifth Brother, come out and play.”

 

He was standing in the outer room. Clearly, such conversations between Noble Lady Rong and her son were common occurrences, otherwise they wouldn’t have left the door open like this.

 

Qu Dubian sighed. Actually, he had been standing outside for a while, listening until now, and couldn’t help but interrupt. Isn’t this the simplest and most brutal form of PUA[mfn]PUA stands for “pickup artist.” It refers to individuals, predominantly heterosexual men, who practice techniques aimed at seducing and achieving sexual success with women. The term originated in the United States in the early 1970s. In Chinese internet slang, the meaning of PUA has expanded to include manipulation and gaslighting in various contexts, including relationships, family, and work[/mfn]? What kind of life has Fifth Brother been living from childhood till now?

 

No wonder last time in the Imperial Garden, Fifth Brother was holding a flower vase in the dead of winter, his hands frozen purple, yet not daring to move, following behind the Sixth Prince like a little servant.

 

So this is because of such a birth mother.

 

The conversation inside stopped, and after about ten seconds, Noble Lady Rong came out with the Fifth Prince.

 

She showed a polite and friendly smile: “Ah, Seventh Prince, do you have something to discuss with your brother?”

 

Qu Dubian: “I want to go out and play with Fifth Brother for a while.”

 

Noble Lady Rong smiled and said: “That’s good. Xiao Wu, take good care of your younger brother.”

 

The Fifth Prince’s eyes were still a bit red. Hearing this, he silently bowed to Noble Lady Rong: “Mother Consort, don’t worry.”

 

–

 

The Fifth Prince followed Qu Dubian out, looking like his emotions hadn’t recovered yet, more silent and quiet than usual.

 

If expressed in modern manga style, it would be like the light had gone out of his eyes.

 

Qu Dubian called for someone to fetch his little dog cart.

 

After leaving Changxin Palace, he poked the Fifth Prince’s arm, “Fifth Brother, come sit, the little dog cart is also called the happy cart. If you’re not happy, just sit on it for a while, and all your troubles will run away!”

 

Da Hei puffed out its chest and raised its head. Its body lines were very beautiful, its spirit becoming increasingly vigorous, even the decorative harness looked imposing.

 

The Fifth Prince raised his head, “Happy cart?”

 

In his confusion, he was pushed onto it by Qu Dubian. After the Fifth Prince was seated steadily, Qu Dubian also got on. He stood holding the railing and said to Da Hei, “Today, we need to go steady too.”

 

Da Hei started running slowly. The Fifth Prince instinctively grabbed the cart railing.

 

Qu Dubian spread his arms and squinted his eyes, “It feels so good.”

 

Frightened, the Fifth Prince quickly grabbed him, his face tense as he said: “Seventh Brother, Seventh Brother, why don’t we get off? You’ll fall like this!”

 

Qu Dubian: “Da Hei, speed up!”

 

Da Hei gradually increased speed, and the palace servants behind changed from fast walking to jogging.

 

The Fifth Prince finally let out a shout, “Ahhh—”

 

Qu Dubian: “Hahaha! Take off! Ye Banban, hurry up, you need to exercise!”

 

Amidst his younger brother’s laughter, the Fifth Prince gradually felt there was nothing to be afraid of. His heart rate slowly increased, and the childish nature that had been suppressed since birth finally revealed a corner.

 

He looked at his brother’s face, beaming with joy, and finally let out a “puchi” sound, also bursting into laughter. Not knowing what he was laughing at, but just feeling very happy.

 

A vague thought appeared in his mind.

 

So it turns out that when not by Mother Consort’s side, one can be this happy.

 

The little dog cart stopped in front of Shunning Palace.

 

They had been laughing all the way here, and when they got off the cart, they coughed several times. Qu Dubian held the Fifth Prince’s hand that hadn’t been hit, “Is Fifth Brother happy now?”

 

The Fifth Prince nodded heavily.

 

“I’m happy. But brother, where is this place?”

 

Qu Dubian said mysteriously: “The food here is even better than the Imperial Kitchen. I’m only bringing you here to eat once.”

 

After saying this, he shouted loudly at the entrance of Shunning Palace: “Announce to the Consort Xuan! Elder Sister! I’m here again!”

 

Once familiar, twice acquainted, thrice eating and taking, fourth time entering freely as if it’s my home.

 

–

 

Meanwhile, on the other side.

 

Yesterday, the Emperor Chongzhao’s rewards of spices and two gold ruyi scepters were sent to Changxin Palace.

 

The eunuch delivering the rewards didn’t see anyone, so he let Noble Lady Chu receive them on their behalf, and also conveyed a few words from the Emperor, telling her to take good care of the Seventh Prince and so on.

 

After the rewarding eunuch left, Noble Lady Rong came out from the east side hall, covering her lips with a handkerchief and smiling.

 

“Just now, the Seventh Prince came to find Xiao Wu, I wondered where they went, so it turns out he took Xiao Wu to Shunning Palace for a meal. Oh my, last night they snatched the person away, and today they go there again. In my opinion, if there’s no mother-son affinity, don’t force it, lest you embarrass yourself, right?”

 

How many people in the inner palace are watching Noble Lady Chu, just waiting for the Seventh Prince to dislike her, so the Emperor will choose someone new?

 

Noble Lady Rong stared at Noble Lady Chu’s calm profile and lowered her voice to say: “You haven’t heard yet, have you? His Majesty has started looking at the list again, probably knowing that the Seventh Prince has no special feelings for you.”

 

Noble Lady Chu: “No need for sister to worry. Even if His Majesty changes people, for the next four days, the Seventh Prince will still be with me.”

 

She glanced at these things bestowed by the Emperor, any one of them extremely precious, yet casually given as rewards.

 

The Seventh Prince’s position in the Emperor’s heart is probably higher than what the person behind the scenes who sent her the message thinks. If so, the possibility of her imprisoned brother being rescued is even greater.

 

Returning to the bedchamber, Noble Lady Chu didn’t eat lunch, sitting by the window and thinking for a very long time.

 

His Majesty only allowed the Seventh Prince to stay with her for five days, one day had already passed. If in the remaining four days she couldn’t make the Seventh Prince think about staying, she would certainly be replaced.

 

But the Seventh Prince hardly stayed at her place at all, sleeping with the Fifth Prince, running to Shunning Palace to eat.

 

In just four short days, what could she do?

 

She agonized for a long time, and finally still retrieved a small bottle of powder from a hidden compartment under the bed.

 

This was sent into the palace by someone on behalf of her brother before he was imprisoned.

 

She repeatedly told herself, this is not poison, and it would only be used for a few days, there wouldn’t be too much impact.

 

Noble Lady Chu took a deep breath.

 

“In the evening, make sure the Seventh Prince comes back from Shunning Palace to eat.”

 

---

 

(advanced chapters available on kofi)