WK Chapter 41

Qu Dubian took the Fifth Prince to play at Shunning Palace for the whole afternoon.

 

After putting the Fifth Prince and Zhiyi together, he had been following behind Consort Xuan, accompanying her in digging soil.

 

“Consort Xuan, after I’ve stayed at Noble Lady Chu’s place for five days, can I come to stay here?”

 

Consort Xuan paused.

 

“What?”

 

Qu Dubian had been conflicted all afternoon, but still decided to fight for himself. He really didn’t want to try out the consorts one by one according to his nominal father’s wishes.

 

He said bashfully: “That is… that is to come here to stay for a few days.”

 

Consort Xuan put down her shovel and said: “Is Noble Lady Chu bullying you? Are you uncomfortable staying at Changxin Palace?”

 

“She’s not bullying me,” Qu Dubian said softly, “but I like it better here.”

 

Consort Xuan instantly understood the vague expectation revealed by this child. She gently pressed her lips together, “But, I’ve never raised a child before.”

 

Qu Dubian hurriedly said: “It doesn’t matter, I’ve never raised a dog either, but I still raised Da Hei.”

 

Consort Xuan: “Children and dogs are not the same.”

 

She patted Qu Dubian’s head.

 

“Choosing a mother consort is very important, that’s why His Majesty is letting you stay at different places. You can’t decide to stay here just because the food at Consort Xuan’s place is delicious. Consort Xuan is used to being alone, afraid she can’t raise you well, can’t be a qualified mother consort.”

 

Qu Dubian: “But I’ve never been a child for a mother either, I don’t know what a qualified child is like.”

 

“Consort Xuan, in the future I’ll just come here to eat every day, and for the rest of the time I’ll still listen to His Majesty and go to other consorts’ places. You can watch me first…”

 

He spoke seriously, and also left room for Consort Xuan, not insisting on staying here by throwing a tantrum.

 

Qu Dubian used all his charm and coquetry. For the sake of having a mother with compatible energy in this life, he was really going all out.

 

What do adults like about children? Nothing more than being smart, lively, sensible, and obedient.

 

“I know so many things, and I can help you plant too.”

 

Qu Dubian knew very well how to make people like him, trying hard to show himself off. As Consort Xuan watched, she felt this child was somehow pitiful.

 

Children who are loved don’t need to try so hard to please people, because they know that even if they are ordinary all their lives, there will still be people who love them.

 

For some reason, although His Majesty clearly valued the Seventh Prince, the Seventh Prince still gave her a feeling that he had no home in this palace.

 

Consort Xuan’s heart softened for a moment, a certain part of her heart gradually caved in. She hesitantly reached out to Qu Dubian.

 

“Then let’s… try first? Try to be a pair of—”

 

“Great! Then let’s try to be a pair of meal buddies first! Consort Xuan can’t change, okay?” Qu Dubian, afraid that Consort Xuan would change her mind, eagerly spoke first, completely confirming this matter.

 

Consort Xuan silently swallowed the words ‘mother and son’.

 

Meal buddies.

 

She could barely understand the meaning of these three words.

 

That’s fine too, take it slow.

 

They both needed a process to adapt.

 

Consort Xuan looked at his eager little face and couldn’t help but smile, “Alright.”

 

Qu Dubian held out his pinky finger, “Pinky swear.”

 

Consort Xuan: “Pinky swear.”

 

“Pinky swear, if you lie, you’ll hang for a hundred years!”

 

Little fingers hooked, thumbs sealed.

 

The promise was made, unchanging for a hundred years.

 

Consort Xuan: “Then… for lunch and dinner, I’ll have your portion prepared?”

 

“I have to take Fifth Brother back now, but I’ll definitely come tomorrow.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Qu Dubian grinned, hehe, how nice, after two lifetimes, he might become a child with a mother in the future.

 

In the evening, someone came from Changxin Palace to pick them up.

 

Qu Dubian took the Fifth Prince, bid farewell to Sister and Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Guo at Shunning Palace, and left on the little dog cart, both of them happier than when they came.

 

After they left, Consort Xuan ordered that from now on, Shunning Palace should always have a set of children’s bowls and chopsticks ready, then went to find Noble Lady Guo.

 

“When Zhiyi was two or three years old, what did she play with, how did you take care of her?”

 

Noble Lady Guo sensed something unusual and asked in surprise: “Sister…?”

 

Consort Xuan didn’t deny it, her lips curving into a smile as she said: “From now on, Shunning Palace will be livelier during lunch and dinner.”

 

After staying with Noble Lady Guo for quite a while, Consort Xuan finally left.

 

She took a deep breath, the cold air outside rushing into her nostrils.

 

Consort Xuan looked up, gazing upwards from under the eaves.

 

The deep palace was silent, the high palace walls not only blocked out the scenery outside, it seemed they could also trap people in their own past.

 

The consorts in the back palace, whether they competed or not, whether they were ambitious or not, seemed to have a thousand faces, but in fact, they were all just the same blurred face.

 

Who still remembered what they looked like and how they were before entering the palace.

 

At least when she thought of the past, even her own appearance became increasingly blurred in her memory.

 

–

 

[Character: Consort Xuan

Favorability: 28]

 

Qu Dubian heard this announcement when he was stepping over the threshold of Changxin Palace, and in his surprise, he got stuck on top of it again.

 

The Fifth Prince turned around and pulled his younger brother down.

 

“Seventh Brother?”

 

“Oh, oh, it’s nothing, Fifth Brother.”

 

Qu Dubian walked while thinking.

 

What’s going on with Consort Xuan? To be honest, he had been trying to raise the favorability of several other people for so long, but had never seen it shoot up like this.

 

It didn’t increase when he acted coquettishly, it didn’t increase when he acted cute, and it didn’t increase when he left.

 

This was also why he only proposed to be meal buddies first.

 

After all, with such a tiny bit of favorability, it would be too presumptuous.

 

But as a result, when he arrived at Changxin Palace, the favorability suddenly shot up like a rocket!

 

Qu Dubian suddenly felt heartbroken.

 

Did he lose out? He should have skipped the meal buddy step directly!

 

“Seventh Prince! Seventh Prince,” a palace maid from Noble Lady Chu’s side hurriedly came over, and after bowing, said, “Today His Majesty sent gifts for you, Noble Lady Chu has kept them for you. The meal is ready, please come to eat.”

 

Qu Dubian thought, that’s fine too.

 

He would be eating at Shunning Palace from now on, so he should at least say something to Noble Lady Chu. After all, she wasn’t the ‘main culprit’ who touched his things without permission, he couldn’t completely disregard her face.

 

So after saying goodbye to the Fifth Prince, he followed the palace maid to the west side hall where Noble Lady Chu was.

 

Noble Lady Chu waited anxiously for his arrival, “Little Prince,” she stood up with delight, beckoning to the surrounding palace maids, “Come, set out the bowls and chopsticks.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan said: “This servant will attend to it, others might not be what the Little Prince is used to.”

 

Noble Lady Chu: “This is as it should be.”

 

She sat down smiling opposite Qu Dubian, asking after his well-being several times.

 

Qu Dubian didn’t let her feel awkward, answering each question, the atmosphere much better than yesterday.

 

Noble Lady Chu gradually relaxed, and also tried to pick up food for him. Seeing that the child didn’t refuse and still ate with relish, her heart softened again. Perhaps she wouldn’t need to use the prepared thing, she might be able to keep the Seventh Prince here.

 

Qu Dubian felt it was about right, “Noble Lady Chu, I’ll be eating lunch and dinner at Consort Xuan’s place from now on, you don’t need to wait for me. Um… I’ll still be staying here though.”

 

If his dog dad really wanted him to complete the KPI, he could stay at Noble Lady Chu’s place for a few days if he didn’t go to find Fifth Brother.

 

The consorts in the back palace might gossip behind his back because he wasn’t staying at Noble Lady Chu’s place.

 

Actually, both he and Noble Lady Chu should be of the type who reluctantly obey, right? It’s a bit unfair to be criticized for this. If they discuss it properly, even if there’s no affinity, they could still part on good terms.

 

Noble Lady Chu’s hand under the table suddenly clenched tightly after he finished speaking.

 

Her nails dug crescent-shaped red marks into her palm.

 

She forced a smile: “…Why, is the food here not good?”

 

Qu Dubian frankly said, “Noble Lady Chu is very good to me, but Father Emperor told me that a mother consort should be found among consorts with whom there’s affinity.”

 

Noble Lady Chu: “So, Consort Xuan of Shunning Palace is the one with affinity to the Little Prince?”

 

Qu Dubian shook his head: “I don’t know.” But he liked the atmosphere there.

 

It was different from other places.

 

Noble Lady Chu: “Then why not try here?”

 

Qu Dubian: “Noble Lady Chu is so young, you’ll definitely have your own baby.”

 

That would be too late!

 

Noble Lady Chu let out a light breath, forcibly suppressing the hint of urgency on her face, she smiled gently, “Then you’ll at least have breakfast here, right?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“There’s still a portion of egg custard keeping warm in the small kitchen, specially prepared for you, would you like to try it?”

 

“Sure, sure, thank you Noble Lady Chu.” Qu Dubian was very satisfied with achieving his goal, swinging his dangling little legs, waiting to be fed.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan glanced at Wen Xiaochun, who followed a palace maid to the small kitchen to fetch the egg custard.

 

This wasn’t from the Imperial Kitchen, it was made in Changxin Palace itself, so they had to be careful.

 

Wen Xiaochun, when no one was paying attention, first tasted a bit left in the small urn. Hmm? This egg custard had some unknown seasoning added, but it tasted quite good.

 

After tasting, he probed the egg custard with a thin silver needle.

 

Confirming that the silver needle didn’t change color and he himself was fine, he then brought the egg custard to the dining table.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan inquired with his eyes, and Wen Xiaochun nodded.

 

Noble Lady Chu’s gaze fell on the egg custard, “Little Prince, shall I feed you?”

 

“No need, Noble Lady Chu.”

 

Qu Dubian took the spoon himself. This egg custard looked quite good. He scooped up a spoonful and brought it to his mouth.

 

Simulator: [Detected that this egg custard contains powder of ‘Wangye Fruit’, a product unique to this world. Multiple consumptions will lead to addiction, long-term use will damage the nervous system.

 

Suggestions for the host:

 

1. Eat a few more times to see the effects.

 

2. Eat the egg custard, let the simulator decompose it, can unlock [Drug Addiction Attack] type disease simulation. (Note: Only the first decomposition for collection will not have adverse effects on the host’s body)

 

3. Refuse to eat it.]

 

Qu Dubian’s movement stopped.

 

The smile in his eyes had disappeared at some point, replaced by a dark, cold look unsuited to his age.

 

He looked up at Noble Lady Chu.

 

Her face still wore a gentle smile, but upon closer inspection, anxiety was hidden in the corners of her eyes and brows—this person knew the secret hidden in the egg custard.

 

Simulator: [Will the host eat it to collect this type of disease?]

 

Qu Dubian coldly replied in his heart: [As long as one is a Chinese person with normal values, even if transmigrated, the three abstinences are genes carved into the bones with countless blood and tears. All types of diseases can be simulated, no matter how uncomfortable, I’ll accept them, but this one, no.]

 

Simulator: [Understood, host.]

 

He understood Noble Lady Chu’s psychology of wanting to keep him, after all, who doesn’t want to climb up, but this method truly touched his bottom line.

 

Qu Dubian put down the bowl of egg custard.

 

He said with a smile: “Noble Lady Chu, can I really eat this bowl of egg custard?”

 

The smile was very cute, but Noble Lady Chu felt vaguely uneasy: “Of course, if it’s not enough, Noble Lady Chu will make more for you.”

 

Qu Dubian sniffed the egg custard: “Wow, it really smells good. Father Emperor probably hasn’t even eaten this before.”

 

He saw Noble Lady Chu’s struggle, but she didn’t take the last chance he gave her.

 

Qu Dubian turned to ask Ye Xiaoyuan: “Ye Banban, isn’t Father Emperor eating at this time too?”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “Mm, according to past estimates, he should have just started.”

 

He felt a slight confusion in his heart, why did the Little Prince suddenly call His Majesty ‘Father Emperor’?

 

Hearing this, Qu Dubian immediately picked up the bowl and ran out, pulling Wen Xiaochun along, heading straight for his little dog cart.

 

Wen Xiaochun was directed by him to move the little dog cart outside the palace. Qu Dubian nimbly got on the cart. Noble Lady Chu was half a beat slower, and by the time she came out with the palace maids, Qu Dubian’s little cart had already started.

 

He tried hard to pat Da Hei’s back, cheering it on: “Good Da Hei, it’s up to you this time, run faster, don’t let the people behind catch up.”

 

Da Hei barked imposingly, puffing out its chest and raising its head, instantly darting out.

 

“Your Highness! Your Highness, where are you going?”

 

Qu Dubian turned his head, holding the egg custard, his eyes curved in a smile, happily saying: “To let Father Emperor taste it! I miss Father Emperor, I’m going to eat with him. Noble Lady Chu, I’ll be back soon~”

 

Children act on their whims. The palace maids of Changxin Palace, seeing the Seventh Prince riding around on his little dog cart all day, were already tired and didn’t think it was a big deal for him to go eat with the Emperor.

 

But Noble Lady Chu’s face turned pale.

 

She almost couldn’t hold herself up, a strong sense of fear and loss of control pressing down on her like a mountain. Her hand supporting herself against the wall trembled slightly.

 

Noble Lady Chu took a deep breath and angrily said: “Quickly, that cart is so fast, if His Highness falls, we’ll all be punished! Hurry and chase after him, make sure to bring His Highness back!”

 

A tense and exciting human-dog chase ensued in the back palace!

 

The guards didn’t dare to stop him, afraid that with one careless move the cart might overturn. They could only chase from behind, and the pursuing crowd grew larger and larger.

 

The child on the little dog cart held the bowl high above his head, his tied-up bun hair all messed up, with a stubborn strand of smart hair standing straight up.

 

Qu Dubian: “Charge, charge, Da Hei!”

 

Da Hei let out a howl, lowered its body to speed up, its black fur flying, like flowing silk in the night.

 

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