WK Chapter 62

The winds and clouds stirring in the court did not reach the inner palace.

 

Qu Dubian was busy delivering gifts throughout the palace.

 

These were all brought back from outside. His royal brothers, Sister Zhiyi, Concubine Xuan, Noble Lady Guo, the Empress… almost everyone he knew received something.

 

Even Head Eunuch Yu and Eunuch Bao of the Zichen Palace received gifts.

 

He might not be able to visit in person, but the gifts must be delivered. Whether close or not, at least the recipients would know he still thought of them. Invisible goodwill was quite important.

 

Shunning Palace.

 

Qu Dubian’s sleeping quarters were in the palace opposite Concubine Xuan’s. Only Concubine Xuan, Noble Lady Guo, and Zhiyi lived in Shunning Palace, so there were many empty rooms.

 

His room was chosen by Concubine Xuan for having the best lighting.

 

Since this would be his home for several years, Qu Dubian offered a few ideas. Concubine Xuan had the palace servants note them all down and arrange everything according to his requests.

 

“Also, this,” Qu Dubian took out the small wooden box that Xie Jingshan had given him, “Uncle Xie asked me to give this to you.”

 

Concubine Xuan opened the wooden box: “Thank you for your trouble, visiting the Xie family and bringing this back for me.”

 

Qu Dubian: “It’s nothing.”

 

Being very considerate, he said: “Please open it and take a look. I’ll go play with Sister in the courtyard.”

 

Concubine Xuan opened the wooden box. Inside was a rolled-up manual of boxing techniques, several large-denomination silver notes that were easy to store, and a sealed letter.

 

She opened it directly. Inside were a few words of comfort. Judging by the handwriting, it was written by her brother, but the tone was her father’s. These words weren’t the focus; the focus was at the end.

 

Xie Jingshan had drawn an orchid.

 

Not the national flower, the winter orchid, but a common ordinary orchid.

 

Orchid…

 

Concubine Xuan pondered. So the person who had instigated Noble Lady Chu to poison Xiao Qi last time was Noble Consort Lan?

 

Qu Dubian was unaware that Concubine Xuan had become wary of Noble Consort Lan. He was chatting with Zhiyi, “I heard from Noble Lady Guo that Sister is going to start studying. Would you like to study with me?”

 

Zhiyi’s eyes revealed a hint of longing, but then she shook her head dejectedly: “Mother said that female officials and matrons will come to teach me in the afternoon. I’m a princess, and what I need to learn is different from what you learn.”

 

Qu Dubian: “What will you learn?”

 

“They sent books over and told me to look at them first.”

 

Zhiyi led him to her study. Inside were a guzheng, a guqin, and a stack of new books. Qu Dubian flipped through them: “Women’s Instructions,” “Women’s Virtues”… several similar books were placed on top. There were other books behind them, but they were all about poetry, rhythm, chess diagrams, and flower arranging.

 

Following this curriculum would certainly shape her into what the dynasty considered a proper royal lady.

 

Zhiyi: “Brother, your expression when looking at these three books is similar to Concubine Xuan’s.” The little girl was somewhat anxious, pointing at them. “Are these three books very difficult to learn?”

 

Not difficult to learn.

 

They would just wear away many things.

 

Qu Dubian casually flipped through them, looking at his sister’s pure and innocent eyes, unwilling to let her learn the contents of these books.

 

He didn’t know whether the two little girls in the Xie family had studied these three books, but at least they read books and history, studying together with their brothers in the clan school. Through such influence, their vision and minds would broaden.

 

But these were things that princesses throughout the ages had to learn. How could he, such a young prince, persuade these adults?

 

If he went directly to his cheap father, he would probably just laugh it off, not taking it seriously.

 

To help his sister live more freely, to keep her away from these things before her correct values were formed, he would need to find another approach.

 

 

Qu Dubian’s eyes turned, and suddenly he grinned: “Sister, when the female officials and matrons come in the afternoon, can I stay here with you?”

 

“Eh?” Zhiyi said happily, “Yes, of course!”

 

–

 

Noon.

 

Zichen Palace.

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Xiao Qi is eating at Shunning Palace?”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “Yes, they sent word that the young prince won’t be coming back this afternoon either. He said he wants to accompany Princess Zhiyi during her lessons?”

 

“Accompanying Zhiyi during lessons…” Emperor Chongzhao suddenly realized, remembering, “I had arranged for matrons to go teach the princess early. She’s about the right age now, and should start learning. After Xiao Qi moves in, Zhiyi can also bring her brother along to learn.”

 

“Xiao Qi isn’t old enough for the school yet. I’m not strict about it—before age three, it’s up to him whether he goes or not. After three, he won’t have a choice. Being influenced by his sister’s learning atmosphere at Shunning Palace is also good.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “That’s exactly right.”

 

Meanwhile.

 

Shunning Palace.

 

In Zhiyi’s study.

 

“What?” Matron Su, responsible for teaching the princess, was surprised. “The Seventh Prince also wants to learn with her? Noble Lady Guo, surely you jest.”

 

Noble Lady Guo: “Concubine Xuan has also agreed, saying the young prince is bored, and it would be good for him to play with his sister.”

 

Hearing this, Matron Su’s expression softened slightly.

 

“Since it’s Concubine Xuan’s words, then we can place a small table on the side.”

 

In the elegant and clean study, palace servants placed a small desk next to Zhiyi’s table, with a soft cushion.

 

Matron Su said to Qu Dubian: “Young Prince, you must not disturb Princess Zhiyi’s studies, understand?”

 

Qu Dubian obediently said: “I understand. Please don’t worry, Matron.”

 

He took out Emperor Chongzhao’s small incense burner, lit some incense he had taken from the Zichen Palace, placed it on his small desk, then neatly took out several books, arranging paper and brushes tidily.

 

Matron Su’s gaze softened somewhat, and she praised: “As expected of someone who has attended classes at the East Six Palace. Though the young prince is small, he already has the demeanor of a refined young gentleman.”

 

After saying this, she shifted her attention to Princess Zhiyi.

 

Zhiyi sat properly at her desk.

 

Matron Su smiled slightly: “Princess, we will learn characters through reading, starting with this book.” Her discipline ruler pointed to “Admonitions for Women”.

 

“Although you are a princess and don’t need to follow some rules, there are many principles in here that you still need to learn and understand. This book consists of seven parts: ‘Humility and Weakness,’ ‘Husband and Wife,’ ‘Respect and Obedience,’ ‘Womanly Conduct’…”

 

“Humility and Weakness comes first. In ancient times, when a girl was born, on the third day, she was placed under the bed and given tiles to play with…”

 

The explanation was quite boring. Matron Su taught methodically, wanting to first instill the meaning to Zhiyi, then proceed with character recognition.

 

To Qu Dubian, this seemed absurd. For proper childhood literacy, instead of primer books like “Three Hundred Tang Poems,” they were using material that sounded tedious and, upon careful consideration, was extremely stifling.

 

Zhiyi was young and didn’t understand. Her eyes were barely staying open.

 

Matron Su repeatedly tapped the table with her discipline ruler to keep her from falling asleep.

 

“Princess, please correct your attitude. I will be asking questions about what I’m explaining now. If you cannot answer, I will really have to discipline you with the ruler.”

 

Zhiyi rubbed her face: “Sorry, Matron.”

 

Matron Su lectured for about half an hour before taking a sip of water to rest. When she approached the Seventh Prince’s small desk, she saw many writings and drawings on the white paper and couldn’t help but stop.

 

The Seventh Prince hadn’t made noise or disturbed the princess’s studies, which was quite unexpected.

 

Being so serious, what was he looking at?

 

Matron Su looked carefully.

 

The Seventh Prince considerately moved his hand to show her. The book he was reading had two large characters: “Admonitions for Women.”

 

Matron Su: “?”

 

Hesitantly: “Seventh Prince, why are you reading this…?” She had thought the Seventh Prince would be reading storybooks or the “Three Character Classic.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Because what you’re teaching is very interesting, Matron!”

 

Matron Su looked at Princess Zhiyi, who was yawning continuously at her desk.

 

Then she looked down at the Seventh Prince’s bright, attentive eyes.

 

Matron Su: “…”

 

Holding the book, she not only failed to experience any sense of achievement in teaching, but instead fell into a subtle silence.

 

She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but something felt strange.

 

–

 

The entire afternoon.

 

Half was spent learning books, half learning etiquette.

 

Walking, sitting, and lying down were the basics that needed to be practiced from childhood. After many years, they would naturally become ingrained elegance and nobility.

 

Qu Dubian also learned for the whole afternoon.

 

As soon as Matron Su left, Zhiyi immediately slumped, exhausted, resting her head on the desk. “Brother, thank you for your hard work…”

 

Qu Dubian: “Sister, does Matron Su come every afternoon?”

 

Zhiyi: “I heard Mother say that Matron Su also takes care of the imperial consorts in Ci Ning Palace, so she’s not free every day. She rests two days out of every ten.”

 

Her little face wrinkled into a ball. Even though she had only studied for one afternoon, she already felt averse to learning.

 

“Tomorrow morning I’ll start learning the zither. I’m afraid I’ll have very little time to play from now on.”

 

As she was quietly complaining, Noble Lady Guo had already said goodbye to Matron Su and pushed open the door. “Come eat dinner?”

 

Qu Dubian: “Noble Lady Guo, I won’t be eating here tonight. I’ll go to the Zichen Palace.”

 

“That’s fine. If you’re leaving, just let Concubine Xuan know.”

 

“Alright.”

 

After explaining to Concubine Xuan, Qu Dubian rode the dog carriage back to the Zichen Palace.

 

Hearing sounds outside, Emperor Chongzhao put down his chopsticks. “Right on time. Go get another bowl.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu smiled: “Yes.”

 

“I’m back,” Qu Dubian rubbed his hands and skillfully sat down at the table to eat.

 

“Why didn’t you eat at Shunning Palace? Even if you don’t like Concubine Xuan anymore, it’s too late to change your mind now.”

 

“It’s not that.”

 

Qu Dubian elegantly picked up his spoon, raising his pinky finger in a delicate “orchid finger” pose. He scooped some soup, shook his head gently while blowing on it three times, then sipped it in tiny mouthfuls.

 

Emperor Chongzhao stopped eating, a question mark practically appearing on his forehead.

 

His little son then picked up a handkerchief, dabbing at the oil at the corner of his mouth. Noticing his father watching, he fluttered the handkerchief to cover his face.

 

With his chin raised and sleeves flicked: “How dare you gaze directly at a princess? Someone, take him away!”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “…”

 

He wasn’t angry though, since the boy had clearly practiced this.

 

After a moment of silence, he asked Ye Xiaoyuan: “What did Xiao Qi do today?” To be acting so strangely.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan’s mouth twitched: “He learned ‘Admonitions for Women’ with Matron Su, along with princess etiquette and rules. What the young prince probably remembers now is how a princess should respond when someone rudely stares at her…”

 

As he finished speaking, Qu Dubian whipped out a book.

 

Holding the book, he nodded and swayed, reciting: “Purity, tranquility, chastity, orderliness, self-discipline with shame, and proper conduct in movement and stillness—these are womanly virtues. I cannot run around wildly, cannot shout, cannot be thick-skinned. Only this way can I be a virtuous woman.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “…”

 

He tried to take the book away, saying with a headache: “This is what your sister is learning. Why are you reciting it? If you want to recite books, just go to school and recite whatever you want.”

 

Qu Dubian held onto the book tightly, refusing to let go: “No! I asked around, and only Sister is learning this book. It must be something good!”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “This is a book for girls! Do you want to turn into a little girl?”

 

Qu Dubian stubbornly insisted: “Well, I won’t know if I’ll turn into one until I learn it!”

 

Here it comes again.

 

That stubborn expression that refused to yield.

 

Emperor Chongzhao said wearily: “Let go of it for me. You are a prince. How can you recite such things?”

 

“This must be something good!” The more his father protested, the more Qu Dubian persisted. “Otherwise, why would you only let Sister learn it secretly? If I hadn’t discovered it, Sister would have learned all the good stuff by herself. I want to learn too! I can recite it even faster than Sister!”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “…”

 

Is this about how fast you can recite it?!

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)