WK Chapter 6

Ju’an Hall.

 

Unlike the emperor who got up at 3-4 am to prepare for court, Qu Dubian slept until he naturally woke up.

 

As he washed his face, he thought gleefully.

 

Hehe, I wonder if my nominal father cried when he woke up from that dream~

 

He set this life as the last of six tragic love stories, rather than being able to reunite after reincarnation, because he understood very well – what you can’t have is always the best.

 

A beautiful thing forever lost is harder to forget than one you might get again.

 

This is true regardless of status or position, a common affliction of mankind.

 

Actually, sketching out six lifetimes of love was a necessity, since he wasn’t sure about the details of the original owner’s mother’s relationship with the emperor, only knowing what Ye Banban had told him. The phantom of ‘Yueqing’ in the dream was even riskier to elaborate on, as fictitious past lives would have been much easier to handle.

 

When crafting the dream, he focused more on the emotional aspects of the story, using a snowflake-like flashback of fragments. He didn’t mention anything about court systems or cultural customs, and completely skipped over policies and wars.

 

The main reason was that he didn’t yet understand this world’s Great Zhou Dynasty well. If he accidentally mixed in policies, national conditions, or military backgrounds from other dynasties in his memory while crafting the dream, he might violate taboos of this dynasty and anger his nominal father, which could be disastrous.

 

Now it was good – the dream only had a love storyline. If his nominal father believed it, no matter how much he tried to dig into previous dynasties, he wouldn’t find anything concrete, and could only conclude it was like the Buddhist saying “a flower, a world[mfn]The concept of ‘a flower, a world’ suggests that the entire universe or a deep truth can be contained within a single, seemingly insignificant object. In the context of the story, it implies that even if the emperor couldn’t find concrete historical evidence for the dream’s events, he might still derive a profound spiritual or philosophical meaning from it, much like how Buddhists can find enlightenment in contemplating a single flower.[/mfn]”.

 

Moreover, even if his nominal father didn’t believe the dream’s content, he would at least plant a seed of doubt about the Astrology Bureau in his mind.

 

He had sneakily made the Yueqing phantom mention the child briefly at the end of the dream, hoping to awaken some paternal feelings in his nominal father.

 

–

 

A few more days passed.

 

Wen Xiaochun went to Jinghe Palace several times to try to get writing materials, but was rebuffed each time and finally had to give up.

 

Qu Dubian’s progress in learning to read characters had stalled before it even began. He counted the days, occasionally looking towards the palace gate, but still didn’t see what he was hoping for happen.

 

There was no grand gesture of sending warmth, no subtle care or concern, let alone any improvement in living conditions.

 

He felt his nominal father was truly cold-hearted.

 

It had been three or four days, and there was still no sign of him.

 

Even if he didn’t believe the dream at all and didn’t want to come himself, shouldn’t he at least send someone to check on his child? At the very least, send some food! He was still a growing child!

 

An emperor’s heart is unfathomable. Perhaps the original owner’s mother wasn’t as favored as Ye Banban had said.

 

Forget it, let’s not dwell on this for now.

 

If this path is blocked, think of another.

 

Qu Dubian called out, “Xiaochun!”

 

Wen Xiaochun pushed open the door and entered. Seeing that he had already put on his undergarments, he smiled slightly, “Why didn’t Your Highness wait for me to come in? It’s troublesome to dress yourself.”

 

“This is faster.” Mainly because he felt a bit embarrassed, after all, he wasn’t really a two-year-old child. He could manage the inner clothes himself, but the outer garments were more troublesome and needed help.

 

Wen Xiaochun quickly tidied him up, wiping his face with a warm, damp cloth. Qu Dubian immediately felt refreshed.

 

“Let’s go out and practice Tai Chi.”

 

The light through the window was bright, indicating good weather.

 

He had become quite proficient at Tai Chi, but he still had Wen Xiaochun lead him through it each time. It was more energizing to practice with someone else.

 

The small courtyard had grey-green floor tiles, with some withered yellow weeds in the rarely walked corners. In summer, these would need to be removed to prevent mosquitoes, but in winter they could be left alone.

 

Two clotheslines were strung up in the part of the courtyard that got the most sunlight.

 

Today there were no clothes on the lines; instead, some firewood was spread out on the ground to dry out moisture and mold.

 

Only an old elm tree and the stone table and chairs beneath it, favored by winter birds and sparrows, showed any hint of charm worth savoring.

 

Qu Dubian stood in the best morning light in the courtyard, looking around. A calm and peaceful life was quite nice too.

 

“Your Highness, shall we begin?”

 

“Oh, yes!”

 

Qu Dubian focused his mind and began practicing in earnest.

 

Just as they finished, with Qu Dubian’s forehead slightly damp with sweat, Ye Xiaoyuan came in from outside carrying a food box, fuming with anger. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he exclaimed, “The Imperial Kitchen is simply outrageous!”

 

“What happened?” Wen Xiaochun quickly came over and took the food box from him. “You’re much later than usual today. Did something happen?”

 

When Ye Xiaoyuan saw Qu Dubian in the courtyard, he instinctively suppressed his anger.

 

He had always avoided showing any negative emotions in front of Qu Dubian. For him to be in this state now meant he must have been truly badly bullied.

 

Qu Dubian came over and tugged at Ye Xiaoyuan’s clothes. “What’s wrong, Ye Banban?”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan squatted down and lovingly wiped the light sweat from his face. “You should go inside after practicing. It’s easy to catch a chill out here.”

 

“Ye Banban, did Fu Gongong from the Imperial Kitchen bully you again?” Qu Dubian asked, grasping his hand.

 

Wen Xiaochun also said, “Yes, tell us. Don’t make us worry.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan hesitated, but eventually told them what had just happened.

 

It turned out that during last night’s dinner, Eunuch Fu from the Imperial Kitchen had gone to Noble Consort Lan’s palace. Somehow, he had been hit on the head with a teacup, leaving a bruised and bleeding wound.

 

When Ye Xiaoyuan went to collect breakfast in the morning and asked about his condition out of concern, it provoked Eunuch Fu’s fury. Not only did he kick Ye Xiaoyuan several times, but he also caused the food box to fall to the ground, spilling all the food outside.

 

That certainly couldn’t be eaten.

 

He didn’t mind being kicked a few times, but the young prince couldn’t go hungry. Such a small child, if he missed this meal, who knows what might happen.

 

“…This servant thought to see if we could get another portion. If nothing else, at least a bowl of rice porridge, or even a sweet cake would do.”

 

As Ye Xiaoyuan spoke, his face showed anger again. He opened the food box to reveal only two deflated-looking steamed buns and some pickled vegetables.

 

“That Fu Gongong mocked and ridiculed me, saying these pickled vegetables were a winter delicacy specially prepared by the Imperial Kitchen, and that we were getting a bargain. He said we should be grateful to have anything to eat at all. I clearly saw that these pickles were over-fermented, basically inedible, which is why they gave them to us.”

 

“Pickles, pickles, if he’s so good at pickling, what’s he doing in the Imperial Kitchen? The silkworm room is where he should show off his skills!”

 

“Cough, cough!” Wen Xiaochun, who had also been annoyed, suddenly choked upon hearing this.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan immediately realized his mistake and felt remorseful. “This servant spoke carelessly, using such vulgar language in front of Your Highness.”

 

Qu Dubian stood on tiptoe to pat his back, understanding: “Ye Banban, I don’t understand, so you can curse if you want.”

 

He could selectively pretend not to know that the silkworm room was where eunuchs were castrated before entering the palace.

 

Yes, that’s right, he didn’t know.

 

“…” Looking into those clear, innocent child’s eyes, Ye Xiaoyuan really couldn’t bring himself to curse anymore. “Sigh, let’s go in and eat.”

 

Today there was no steaming rice porridge, no sweet cakes or rice cakes. The three of them sat around those two steamed buns and the bit of pickled vegetables, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.

 

Qu Dubian slowly nibbled on his food.

 

Actually, the taste wasn’t bad. Though the buns were a bit hard, they had more wheat fragrance than those in the future. The pickles were slightly saltier than normal, but overall it was fine.

 

If he weren’t so small with weak teeth, he could have finished half a bun with pickles in just a few bites. Now he could only slowly nibble it with warm water.

 

Qu Dubian thought for a moment and said, “Ye Banban, at lunchtime, I’ll go with you to the Imperial Kitchen.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “No, how could Your Highness go personally?”

 

Qu Dubian: “I am a prince. If I go, they won’t dare to hit me.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan wanted to say more, but saw the child’s serious face. “If I’m there, they won’t bully Ye Banban anymore.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan pressed his lips together.

 

After he finished eating, Ye Xiaoyuan, estimating that he was full, handed him a book and took the food box out.

 

Instead of going to the kitchen to eat as usual, he squatted directly on the steps outside the hall door. He clenched his sleeve and wiped his eyes hard, leaving a deep mark.

 

Soon after, Wen Xiaochun sat down beside him, quiet.

 

“I’m really useless,” Ye Xiaoyuan said. “His Highness protects me like this, yet I can’t even manage to get a proper breakfast. How can His Highness, at such a young age, go face the cold looks of those servants in the Imperial Kitchen?”

 

His eyes were red, tears falling, but his voice was incredibly steady.

 

This was the first time Wen Xiaochun had seen him cry since entering Ju’an Hall.

 

“I just feel His Highness should have been born to be carefree and happy. Even the slightest grievance he suffers feels like oil frying in my heart. When the Consort was still pregnant with the young prince, she said that being a sage and talent is a cage, and royal power is a shackle. She hoped His Highness would be wealthy, ordinary, safe, and free.

 

I didn’t understand then. I thought, the imperial family… such immense wealth and honor, how could it sound so terrible from the Consort’s mouth? Now I’m starting to understand a little. At least when my parents were alive in my childhood, I didn’t have to personally struggle or do anything for a meal.”

 

Wen Xiaochun was silent for a moment: “His Highness is still young, he doesn’t understand these things.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “He will understand one day.”

 

After saying this, Ye Xiaoyuan’s mood finally improved. He wiped his tears and returned to normal.

 

He took out the half bun Qu Dubian had left from the food box, broke it in half, and gave it to Wen Xiaochun.

 

“The rest needs to be saved for His Highness. Is this half okay for you? I guess you’re not hungry,” Ye Xiaoyuan said confidently.

 

“…”

 

Wen Xiaochun ignored his growling stomach as if deaf, accepting the quarter of a bun.

 

He also said confidently: “I guess I’m not hungry either.”

 

Near lunchtime.

 

Inside the room.

 

Qu Dubian tore up the paper on which he had drawn a roast chicken and, together with Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun, went to the Imperial Kitchen.

 

His words from the morning weren’t just talk.

 

If his nominal father couldn’t be relied upon, then he would take action himself.

 

No writing materials was one thing, but now they were almost out of food! If this continued, forget about living long, they’d starve to death.

 

He was a prince, being mistreated like this – no matter where he went, the Imperial Kitchen would be in the wrong!

 

Lunchtime was when the Imperial Kitchen was busiest, with people from all palaces present. The bigger the fuss he made, the better. He’d make a scene until someone took charge.

 

–

 

Head Eunuch Yu felt that His Majesty was not in a good mood.

 

In the three or four days since that grand court session, His Majesty had only visited Noble Consort once in the harem, and stayed for less than half an hour.

 

Not to mention turning over any consort’s tablet.

 

Head Eunuch Yu had lost quite a bit of hair these past few days just dealing with the consorts who, under the pretext of sending snacks, actually wanted to see His Majesty.

 

But including Head Eunuch Yu, no one knew why Emperor Chongzhao had been so quiet these past few days.

 

“Go to Ju’an Hall and check on that child’s food, clothing, and living conditions,” Emperor Chongzhao suddenly said.

 

Head Eunuch Yu was startled, then said: “Your Majesty, you…?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao frowned: “Go see if there are any oversights. He’s almost three now, surely if I show some concern, it won’t affect Yueqing…”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “Yes.”

 

The sun must be rising from the west, he thought. This was really a slap in the face.

 

Just a few days ago, he had thought it was rare enough for His Majesty to remember to add coal to Ju’an Hall, but now His Majesty was directly sending him there.

 

He didn’t dare delay and immediately set out, with the Imperial Kitchen as his first destination.

 

As the head eunuch, he knew all too well that if one wanted to mistreat someone, food was the first place to start.

 

Let’s first see how the young prince’s meals are.

 

Hopefully, those servants haven’t gone too far.

 

 

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