WK Chapter 58

Imperial Palace.

 

Emperor Chongzhao was reviewing the list of officials who had come to the capital to report on their duties this year.

 

In the military officials’ column, he had circled several names.

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “Your Majesty, aren’t you going to sleep? Government affairs are endless. Since there are no court sessions these days, why not look at this tomorrow?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao pinched the bridge of his nose.

 

“Is Xiao Qi asleep? Go check if he has kicked off his blanket.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “Your Majesty, you’ve forgotten, the Little Prince has gone to Marquis Xu’s mansion tonight.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “…I really didn’t remember. It seems I’m truly tired and confused.”

 

He dipped his brush in ink, found a blank piece of paper, and wrote down the names of the military officials he had circled.

 

“Tell the Ministry of Personnel to hurry up and investigate the backgrounds, achievements, connections, character, and affiliations of these people,” Emperor Chongzhao folded the paper, pondered for a few seconds, “Also send a copy to the Eastern Depot. Have both places investigate together. Ensure accuracy.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “Yes.”

 

After completing this task, Emperor Chongzhao finally went to bed.

 

There were still two blankets on the dragon bed, and the mischievous smiley face on the bed post was still there, but the person wasn’t.

 

The Sword-Holding Marquis’s mansion seemed to have not been renovated for many years. He wondered if that fussy one would be comfortable staying there.

 

–

 

Bamboo shadows slanted.

 

Like water plants in a pond within the courtyard.

 

In the marquis’s mansion, the two were still at a standoff.

 

Xu Jin appeared rough on the outside, but the fact that he could negotiate with various northern frontier tribes and suppress them fiercely for so many years proved that he wasn’t just a man of brute force without brains.

 

He was skeptical of Yi Shi’er’s words: “Whether that’s true or not, we need to test it first.”

 

With these words, Xu Jin’s figure suddenly lowered, closing in, his palm forming a tiger claw, fiercely gripping towards Yi Shi’er’s throat. The latter leaned back, avoiding it like a ghost, his palm supporting the ground. Just as he raised his head, a horizontal kick came crashing down!

 

Yi Shi’er exerted force with his palm, his other hand catching the leg. True qi collided, bang!

 

His arm suddenly went numb. Yi Shi’er’s gaze slightly focused, using the force against itself. His figure suddenly rose high, landing lightly on a bamboo branch, turning around.

 

Xu Jin stood on the broken floor tiles, looking up and saying: “Your true qi is somewhat lacking, but your body technique is excellent. A common weakness of tracking-type secret guards or assassins. Were you originally His Majesty’s person or…”

 

Yi Shi’er: “Now I am the Seventh Prince’s person.”

 

Xu Jin put his hands behind his back: “Keeping you by my grandson’s side, I’m not at ease. Can I kill you?”

 

Yi Shi’er: “Only the Seventh Prince can decide my life or death.”

 

“Is that so?” Xu Jin’s aged eyes were like observing fire, “I don’t believe that coming from such a place, you wouldn’t have any restrictions on you.”

 

Yi Shi’er flew down from the bamboo branch, landing in front of Xu Jin, extending his hand, and said calmly: “You can also use something to control me.”

 

Xu Jin stared into his eyes for a moment, then slowly turned around.

 

“Forget it, your eyes don’t have that kind of annoying thing. Take good care of him. I’m going to see my good grandson now.”

 

After walking a distance, Xu Jin took out a small medicine bottle from his bosom and threw it to Yi Shi’er without looking back.

 

“In dirty places, the dirty methods of controlling people are just a few. Qianqian Dan can delay the onset of poison. Take it, it might be useful in the future.”

 

Yi Shi’er held the medicine bottle, stood in the courtyard for a moment, then looked towards the bedroom again.

 

He leaped onto the roof tiles, sat cross-legged, and quietly guarded the small reunion below.

 

–

 

The next day.

 

Qu Dubian opened his eyes from a beautiful dream, the warm blanket making him stretch lazily.

 

“Mm…”

 

So comfortable.

 

He opened his eyes, smelling the clean cotton scent from the bedding, his whole body almost sinking into it.

 

“Woof!”

 

Hearing the familiar dog bark, Qu Dubian instantly lost his drowsiness, excitedly turning over and looking out, “Wow, Da Hei!! How did you also get out of the palace!”

 

Da Hei enthusiastically approached, its paws lined up on the edge of the bed, not jumping up. It had waited at Shunning Palace but didn’t see the pup return, anxiously pacing around, so Consort Xuan had sent it out too.

 

“Is the young master awake?”

 

Madam Fang pushed the door open, smiling and saying: “You’ve slept for so long. If you didn’t wake up soon, the marquis and the madam might have become worried.”

 

Qu Dubian patted Da Hei’s head: “Did I sleep for a long time?”

 

Looking at the simulator’s time, he gasped—it was already eleven o’clock! Usually, except for staying up late to read books, his schedule was very regular, waking up around nine in the morning.

 

He couldn’t feel it at all, and had slept particularly well.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan brought in washing items. Qu Dubian quickly washed his face, brushed his teeth, and put on his clothes. But even as he was about to eat, he still hadn’t seen his grandfather and grandmother.

 

“Mama Fang, are grandfather and grandmother not home? Did they go pay New Year visits?”

 

He had heard other children say that if they couldn’t get up during New Year’s, their parents would leave them at home with dumplings prepared, while they went out to visit other families.

 

Was he about to experience this too?

 

Mama Fang’s expression became a bit strange upon hearing this. “It’s nothing, just some small matters to handle. They’re in the front hall. If young master is anxious, I can go hurry them.”

 

There was something happening in the front hall.

 

Qu Dubian ran out carrying his bowl: “I’ll go see what’s going on.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “Your Highness, why don’t I carry the bowl for you?”

 

“No need, no need. Even if I fall, I won’t drop this bowl of dumplings.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “…” I’m worried about you falling!

 

Da Hei walked behind Qu Dubian. Without the restraint of a leash and muzzle, it appeared more at ease and majestic, with the bearing of a veteran general.

 

–

 

Front Hall.

 

Xu Jin’s expression was extremely poor.

 

His second brother, Xu Jianyan, had brought a line of men and women to pay New Year visits to the marquis’s residence, including both children and grandchildren.

 

Originally, he wanted to drive them out directly, but Xu Jianyan had also brought their mother’s sister—their maternal aunt.

 

As one of the few elders remaining in the Xu family, Xu Jin had to open the door to welcome her when she came.

 

Of course, Xu Jin had ordered all the stools in the front hall to be removed, leaving only three—one for himself, one for Wu Siwan, and one for their elderly aunt.

 

Everyone else had to stand. Forget snacks, they weren’t even offered water.

 

The unwelcoming attitude was made abundantly clear.

 

“Big brother, you’ve finally returned from the northern border, and it’s the New Year. How could I, as your younger brother, not come to see you?” Xu Jianyan smiled and said, “So many years have passed. We’re blood relatives after all. Surely big brother doesn’t still hold a grudge against me?”

 

Xu Jin didn’t move. Wu Siwan walked over to Xu Jianyan with a stern face. “Didn’t I tell you that if you came again, I would beat you out myself?”

 

Xu Jianyan: “Sister-in-law, with big brother here, it’s not your place to speak.”

 

Wu Siwan slapped him across the face.

 

“You!” Xu Jianyan glared angrily. “Big brother!”

 

Xu Jin: “Oh, oh, your sister-in-law saw a mosquito on your face.”

 

Xu Jianyan covered his face: “Big brother, do we really have to be so hostile? After all, we’re all Xu family members. Isn’t it better for everyone to develop together in the capital?”

 

“Third brother’s family only has one child, Xu Tingfeng, and he has a lame leg. Only my family has many children. You can choose whichever one you like, boys or girls, to adopt as your heir. You need someone to continue your line, don’t you?”

 

He pulled forward his children and grandchildren, introducing them one by one.

 

“These are all intelligent ones!”

 

Xu Jin stretched lazily, walked up to Xu Jianyan, and slapped him again.

 

Xu Jianyan spun in place, looking dazed, with blood flowing from his nose. After coming to his senses, his face turned red and swollen. Who could maintain face after being hit like this in front of their children and grandchildren?

 

But he didn’t dare to retaliate.

 

Xu Jin: “Sorry about that, there was another mosquito. Tsk, now it’s symmetrical, haha, isn’t it?”

 

“Alright, alright,” the elderly aunt coughed twice, “you two, it’s the New Year, let’s not see blood.”

 

Xu Jin: “A red beginning to the year, I don’t mind.”

 

Wu Siwan: “Aunt, what brings you to visit?”

 

The elderly aunt gently held her hand. “I know about the conflict between you and the second brother’s family. Adoption is impossible.”

 

Wu Siwan: “If it weren’t for your presence, they wouldn’t have been allowed through the doors of the marquis’s residence.”

 

“Then… would you consider adopting my grandson?” A faint gleam appeared in the elderly aunt’s aged eyes, her tone becoming even more gentle. “Although I married out of the family and my grandson doesn’t bear the Xu surname, I am still your mother’s sister, so there is a blood relation.”

 

Xu Jianyan was incredulous: “That’s not what you said when you came!”

 

The elderly aunt glanced at this fool.

 

The Xu family had produced so many clever people, yet Xu Jianyan was the only failure.

 

At his age, still as stupid as a pig.

 

With the eldest brother returning at this critical juncture, the situation in the northern border must have changed. She originally didn’t want to get involved in the marquis’s affairs because she sensed danger, but now seeing an opportunity for reconciliation, who wouldn’t want to become closer?

 

Besides, she had many descendants; giving one away wouldn’t hurt.

 

If the adoption succeeded, after Xu Jin died, they would gain the marquis title for nothing. Who wouldn’t covet that?

 

Wu Siwan withdrew her hand from the elderly aunt’s grasp. Now she looked at Aunt Xu with an expression not much different from how she looked at Xu Jianyan.

 

The elderly aunt’s expression subtly changed, though she still smiled kindly: “Listen to me. When you’re old, it’s good to have someone to care for you in your final days. The Seventh Prince, after all, is of royal blood. How could he be as close as your own family…”

 

Xu Jin couldn’t contain his temper and smashed the table with one palm.

 

Everyone present immediately fell silent.

 

After surveying the room, he smiled and said: “I see clearly now. You’ve all come to make trouble for me. Aunt, I respect you as my late mother’s sister, which is why I’ve been courteous. You—you’ve brought others to my home on New Year’s Day to cause problems. My temper has been famously bad since I was young. I don’t want to embarrass you too much.”

 

“Slurp—”

 

A small sound of soup-sipping came from the doorway.

 

Xu Jin’s voice paused as he looked toward the door.

 

A small child sat on the threshold, holding a bowl and chopsticks, eating dumplings and occasionally sipping the soup. No one knew how long he had been sitting there, watching the drama with great interest.

 

“…” Xu Jin’s toe nudged the broken table leg, trying to hide it a bit.

 

Wu Siwan immediately ignored everyone else and quickly walked over. “Little darling, you’re awake. Come to grandmother, why are you eating here?”

 

Qu Dubian smiled sweetly and nuzzled against his grandmother’s palm.

 

“I came to find you! When I woke up, you weren’t there. I missed you so much.”

 

His grandmother’s face bloomed with joy.

 

Qu Dubian handed his bowl to Ye Xiaoyuan, put his small hands behind his back, and walked forward like an adult.

 

The fanged guard Da Hei protected him at his side. Its fierce appearance truly frightened many people, and the children and grandchildren Xu Jianyan had brought quickly made way for Qu Dubian to pass through.

 

Qu Dubian walked to his grandfather’s side, turned around, and glanced at Xu Jianyan and Aunt Xu.

 

One he should call Second Uncle Grandfather, the other Great-grandmother.

 

Having been in the palace before, he wasn’t very clear about things and didn’t know that the relationship between his grandparents and Xu Jianyan had deteriorated to this extent.

 

He only knew that Xu Jianyan, his uncle grandfather, was the Minister of the Imperial Banquet Service, and had prepared ceremonial food for him last time that looked unappealing but tasted quite good.

 

He had originally thought this relative was not bad, but seeing his grandfather’s rejection today, Xu Jianyan must have done something unforgivable.

 

As for the other aunt, to put it nicely, she was merely coveting his grandfather’s title and the resources behind it.

 

Indeed, no family is entirely good; there are always a few parasites.

 

Qu Dubian revealed a sweet smile and asked this aunt with confusion: “This… old lady, what do you mean by saying that because I am of the Emperor’s bloodline, I’m not close to grandfather and grandmother? Is there something wrong with the Emperor’s bloodline?”

 

“Ye Banban, please make a note. What’s wrong with it? I’ll go back and ask Father Emperor to change it, so I can change too.”

 

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)