WK Chapter 57

Consort Xuan led Qu Dubian forward, bowing and saying: “Marquis Xu, Old Madam Hou.”

 

Hearing her say ‘Old Madam Wu’ rather than ‘Old Madam Hou,’ Wu Siwan’s expression became even more gentle, “This old woman greets Consort Xuan.”

 

Consort Xuan: “No need for formalities. I’ve brought Xiao Qi here, along with the two palace servants who attend to him. Let him enjoy himself at the marquis’s mansion for the next few days.”

 

Only upon hearing this did Qu Dubian go: “?”

 

Heavens, he could leave the palace? And stay at his maternal family’s home for a few days??

 

He couldn’t help but look at Xu Jin again.

 

Xu Jin was wearing a hood with only two holes cut out for the eyes.

 

“?” Qu Dubian was completely confused.

 

After a brief exchange, Consort Xuan crouched down, “Xiao Qi, these two are your maternal grandfather and grandmother. Would you like to go stay with them for a few days?”

 

Qu Dubian obediently nodded, “Yes.”

 

“Then Consort Xuan will leave now?”

 

“Mm,” Qu Dubian waved, “I’ll miss you.”

 

Consort Xuan smiled, nodded to the two elderly people, and left with her palace people. After the palace gate closed, Qu Dubian didn’t wait for his maternal grandmother to speak, but took her hand on his own initiative, very familiarly pulling her towards the carriage.

 

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

 

Two people were guarding by the carriage, none other than Ersen and Langqi, who cupped their hands and said: “Greetings to the Little Prince.”

 

Qu Dubian looked at the tall carriage and actively reached out to them: “Carry me, I can’t get up…”

 

Before he finished speaking, his line of sight suddenly rose by a huge margin. Xu Jin supported his little grandson with one hand and bent down to enter the carriage.

 

The inside of the carriage was quite spacious, otherwise it couldn’t accommodate Xu Jin’s size.

 

Wu Siwan followed them in. The old lady paused after entering: “Why haven’t you put the child down yet?”

 

Qu Dubian sat quietly and obediently on Xu Jin’s lap. The difference in height and build between grandfather and grandson was too great. At first glance, it looked like a big black bear had stolen a little chick, making everyone feel uncomfortable.

 

“It’s alright, Grandmother.”

 

The soft “Grandmother” made Wu Siwan’s eyes warm. She said somewhat excitedly: “Good, good, good. Anyway, he’s strong, and holding you keeps you warm.”

 

Xu Jin’s deep voice came from behind, “Little darling, Grandfather has plenty of strength.”

 

Qu Dubian turned around, “You’re the grandfather I met last night, the one who was crying. Even though you’ve changed clothes and covered your face, I can still recognize your voice.”

 

Xu Jin stiffened, remembering his state yesterday, feeling embarrassed.

 

The little grandson in his arms stood up on his lap. He held him with both hands, afraid he might fall.

 

Qu Dubian was puzzled: “But why are you covering your face? At the New Year’s banquet, you used a pink handkerchief to cover it. When talking to me in the West Warm Chamber, you also used one hand to block it. Now you’re using a hood.”

 

Clear expression, coherent thoughts, distinct pronunciation.

 

Last night, Xu Jin already knew that his little grandson was smarter than ordinary children. Upon closer interaction, he found him even more intelligent.

 

Qu Dubian reached out and tugged at the hood.

 

“Can I see?”

 

Xu Jin said helplessly: “Little darling, Grandfather looks fierce, I’m afraid of scaring you.”

 

“Let me see, so I can recognize you in the future, Grandfather.”

 

Xu Jin’s seeking help gaze turned to his wife. Goodness, what if he scared his little grandson and made him cry and want to go back? The Marquis Xu, who had never feared leading troops into battle, was actually afraid of taking off his hood.

 

Qu Dubian also looked to her, pouting: “Grandmother, look, look, Grandfather thinks I’m timid!”

 

Xu Jin: “That’s not true!”

 

Wu Siwan laughed: “Old man, take it off.”

 

Who was it that said the little prince wasn’t as delicate as the little princess? After returning home last night, he even mentioned this to her, but tonight when coming to pick up the person, he still dutifully wore the hood—anyone who didn’t know better would think the marquis’s family was so poor they couldn’t survive, and the marquis had gone out to be a thief.

 

Xu Jin closed his eyes and slowly took off the hood. After a while, hearing no reaction, he secretly opened his right eyelid a crack.

 

“So handsome!” Qu Dubian cupped his face, starry-eyed, “Grandfather is so handsome!”

 

This was a pure-blooded tough guy. Once the hood was off, his aura instantly changed. Compared to Grandfather, the masters at the martial arts field were instantly crushed to dust.

 

Seeing that he showed no signs of fear, Xu Jin finally relaxed, raising an eyebrow: “Grandfather has long been a general. Ordinary generals can’t compare to me.”

 

“Not that kind of ‘shuai’ (general), but meaning… extremely handsome!”

 

He gave a thumbs up.

 

“Really?” Xu Jin stroked his beard, the corners of his mouth turning up, impossible to suppress.

 

“Grandfather thinks so too.”

 

Wu Siwan said cheerfully: “He was even more handsome when he was young. Now that he’s old, he doesn’t take care of himself anymore.” Otherwise, how could she have fallen for him?

 

Qu Dubian: “Grandmother is also very beautiful, a great beauty.”

 

Xu Jin laughed heartily.

 

The initially somewhat unfamiliar atmosphere in the carriage gradually disappeared.

 

Outside, Ersen was driving the carriage, Langqi sat on top of the carriage, and Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun sat beside Ersen, barely fitting.

 

Ersen: “Practiced martial arts?”

 

Wen Xiaochun paused slightly, “Mm.”

 

Ersen: “Your sitting posture is different, stable lower body, I can tell.”

 

After these two exchanges, both fell silent.

 

–

 

The carriage traveled all the way to the Sword-Holding Marquis’s mansion.

 

The front of the marquis’s mansion was brightly lit. After Qu Dubian was carried down from the carriage by Xu Jin, both sides immediately said in unison: “Greetings to the Marquis, greetings to the Madam, greetings to the Little Prince!”

 

Mama Fang led several maids, while another line consisted of burly servants.

 

The servants in the marquis’s mansion were actually soldiers who had been injured on the battlefield and had nowhere to go. The marquis’s mansion was a stable refuge for them.

 

They were no longer soldiers, but still retained the bearing of soldiers.

 

Mama Fang, seeing them bring the little child, smiled with joy, “Marquis, Madam, you’ve finally returned. We’ve been waiting anxiously.”

 

Xu Jin: “Come, come, let’s all go in first. Don’t let my little darling get cold.”

 

All the way to the bedroom prepared for Qu Dubian to sleep in, some were boiling water, others were preparing snacks and milk.

 

The covered corridors were all lit up with hanging lanterns.

 

Mama Fang bustled about, and even though they had rehearsed several times, she still felt it wasn’t enough to demonstrate the marquis’s mansion’s proficiency. They absolutely couldn’t let the little young master—that’s what she called him in her heart, feeling it was more intimate than “Little Prince.”

 

They couldn’t let the little young master feel uncomfortable.

 

Whatever was in the imperial palace, they had in the marquis’s mansion too!

 

Mama Fang pulled Wen Xiaochun into the kitchen and, pointing to a table full of dishes, said: “Eunuch Xiaochun, please see if there’s anything here that should be avoided?”

 

Wen Xiaochun: “When he was living in Ju’an Hall before, there was a lack of clothing and food, so His Highness generally doesn’t pick and choose what to eat.” After thinking for a moment, he still removed a few unfamiliar dishes to avoid any food that might not agree with the little prince.

 

“Heaven have mercy, what a waste!” Mama Fang cursed a couple of times, “If the marquis and the old madam heard this, who knows how heartbroken they would be.”

 

In the bedroom.

 

This room, prepared specially for Qu Dubian to stay in within a day, showed no signs of being perfunctory.

 

Qu Dubian was like a little tiger, inspecting his new territory.

 

The old marquis and the old madam were now a bit nervous, not knowing if their grandson would like the room they had prepared. They had asked shop owners for the safest and most fashionable good items.

 

There was also a desk and bookshelf, with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone all complete, separated by a screen. Compared to the bedroom, it was clearly two separate spaces.

 

Qu Dubian: “It looks like it’s meant for long-term living.”

 

Wu Siwan pinched Xu Jin, who nervously rubbed his hands, “Grandfather and Grandmother don’t intend to snatch you away from your Father Emperor and Consort Xuan. It’s just, stay for a few days, and if you’re not comfortable, Grandfather will send you back.”

 

Wu Siwan also quickly nodded.

 

“Yes, the two of us just, wanted to see you.”

 

Qu Dubian was stunned for a few seconds before realizing they had misunderstood.

 

Putting himself in their shoes, it made sense. In his grandfather and grandmother’s minds, this grandson of theirs had never met them before, and he would naturally be closer to the emperor father and the newly chosen foster mother, Consort Xuan, in the palace.

 

Having suddenly brought him from the palace, the two elderly people were undoubtedly concerned about his reaction, fearing he might be uncomfortable or unadapted somewhere.

 

Sometimes, the elderly are like children, needing a sense of security.

 

Qu Dubian looked around, ran to the desk, climbed up from the chair, took a charcoal stick, hurriedly came down, and went to the pillar at the door.

 

He compared his height, then drew a mark on the pillar.

 

Wu Siwan: “Does little darling want to draw on this?”

 

Qu Dubian put his little hands behind his back, smiling brightly, “No, I’m making a mark here, so next time I come, I can see if I’ve grown taller.”

 

Xu Jin’s anxiety immediately vanished, and he said proudly: “I told you our grandson would like it here!”

 

He whispered secretly in Qu Dubian’s ear: “When Grandfather goes back to the frontier, you should often come to see your grandmother. If she’s always cooped up, she’ll turn into a stone!”

 

Wu Siwan: “Xu Jin, you old thing, what are you saying? Don’t say bad things to my good grandson!!”

 

Xu Jin: “See, isn’t your grandmother actually fiercer?”

 

The old lady picked up her walking stick, about to hit him, but seeing her little grandson nestled in the old man’s arms, smiling like an adorable little fox, her heart softened again.

 

Mama Fang brought up several small dishes and snacks.

 

“Come, young master, eat some if you’re hungry.”

 

Qu Dubian ate a few bites, drank some milk, washed up, and was tucked into bed.

 

The room wasn’t cold, but his maternal grandmother still tucked in the corners of his blanket again and again, her eyes full of love, “Sleep now, tomorrow evening we’ll take you to the temple fair.”

 

Qu Dubian yawned.

 

At the marquis’s mansion, he felt much more relaxed than in the imperial palace.

 

In the palace, he thought about the relationship between his maternal family and his cheap father, wondered who had harmed him, and how to live peacefully. He often couldn’t sleep at night.

 

Here, he didn’t need to worry; he just needed to be a cute child.

 

The fact that he could come out to stay suggested that the relationship between the Xu family and the emperor wasn’t as bad as he had thought?

 

Perhaps in the future, he could think less about how to find a balance between his cheap father and his grandparents’ family…

 

Thoughts surged.

 

He hadn’t noticed the fatigue brought on by pondering too many things during this period. Drowsiness overtook him.

 

Half asleep, half awake, he heard his grandfather and grandmother quietly talking.

 

The two half-elderly grandparents, with restrained hands and feet, surrounded the bed, cherishing the sight of the little child sleeping on the bed, reluctant to even blink.

 

Xu Jin gestured, whispering: “Just this tall, up to my leg, even shorter than his mother when she was little. In the future, you should often send good food to the palace for him, to make him grow strong.”

 

Wu Siwan said: “I don’t need you to tell me that.”

 

“Half of the military power has been divided out, which was within your expectation, but who the other half will be given to by His Majesty, to go to the northern frontier with you, is hard to say. There might even be a supervising official.

 

You’ve been used to being free in the northern frontier. Suddenly having someone supervising you, can you adapt?”

 

Xu Jin: “You know what the royal family is like, with their scheming minds, one more cunning than the other. After the northern frontier unrest was settled, I immediately returned, thinking that the military power would have to be given out eventually. If I give it a year early, this child will be calculated by the imperial son one year less.”

 

“Without suspicion, without checks and balances, it’s too difficult in the royal family. Even children growing up there have heavy thoughts at a young age. I don’t want my grandson to live as tiredly as they do. After dividing the power, I can still support him, and the imperial son’s love for my little grandson can also be somewhat genuine.

 

You don’t know, this child quite likes his father emperor, even wanting to sleep with the emperor at night. If he grows up and learns about his father emperor’s calculations, wouldn’t he be heartbroken?”

 

Wu Siwan sighed: “He’s the only little one in our Xu family. It’s enough if he grows up safely and healthily.”

 

Xu Jin said softly: “It’s fine if he’s a bit domineering, the marquis’s family can handle it.”

 

The old lady rolled her eyes.

 

Xu Jin patted her hand, “There’s some movement outside, I’ll go check.”

 

The murmuring voices entered his dream.

 

Qu Dubian turned over, his eyes slightly moist, the taut string in his heart slowly loosening.

 

Since coming to this world and deciding to bear the karma of the original body in this world, he had prepared himself for revenge or getting blood on his hands. But in reality, he had experienced far more warmth than coldness.

 

In his previous life, Qu Dubian had few family ties. In his past life, when he reached the top, he had calculated and countered plots on his own, long accustomed to fighting alone.

 

This was the first time he experienced the feeling of relatives clearing the path ahead for him.

 

He didn’t have to carefully calculate everything himself, watching others’ expressions and weighing every word. Someone was paving the way for him, allowing him to walk happily and openly.

 

At least before he grew up, he could try to accept some kinship without suspicion.

 

–

 

Outside the courtyard.

 

Xu Jin flicked his fingers together, suddenly shooting out a pebble.

 

“Come out.”

 

Yi Shi’er dodged the pebble, his toes lightly touching the ground.

 

Xu Jin said coldly: “Go back to your imperial palace, tell your master, since he agreed to let my grandson out, don’t secretly watch!”

 

The pink handkerchief and flower petal scatterer met for the first time, resulting only in a long silence.

 

Yi Shi’er, expressionless, pointed to the bedroom.

 

Xu Jin immediately glared: “What are you pointing at? What are you doing!”

 

Yi Shi’er: “My master is sleeping inside.”

 

Xu Jin: “…”

 

Huh? Who?

 

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)