January 22nd.
Xia Hong’s family arrived in the capital and settled in the residence arranged by the Emperor.
January 24th.
Emperor Chongzhao issued an edict: Sword-Holding Marquis Xu Jin, Northern Pacification General Xia Hong, and Prince Ming, along with Eastern Depot supervisors, would all depart for the northern border immediately.
North City Gate Inspection and Transport Office.
Wen Xiaochun, wearing his newly changed palace servant uniform, listened to the superintendent’s instructions.
“You few who have been selected, from now on you must work diligently here. Regardless of where you came from before, you now have only one identity—a member of the Inspection and Transport Office.”
“If anyone has sticky fingers and is caught by me, they’ll be beaten to death and transp
orted out. Have you all understood clearly?”
“Yes! Superintendent.”
The superintendent nodded with satisfaction, “Where is Wen Xiaochun?”
“This servant is here.”
“According to the records, you know many characters and can also do arithmetic. You’ll serve as a team leader for now. No slacking off.”
The young prince was right—knowing more characters and learning more has its benefits. Wen Xiaochun lowered his head: “Yes.”
Just at that moment, several fast horses galloped from a distance. Leading them was Prince Ming, “Leaving the imperial city, open the gate!”
The north city gate immediately opened wide.
Following behind Prince Ming were several eunuchs. Each wore deep red official robes with swords hanging at their waists. They were direct guards under the Eastern Depot’s command, not selected from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but chosen from among the eunuchs for their skills.
This time they would accompany Prince Ming northward, serving as supervisors in the northern border.
The superintendent said fearfully: “Although they are all eunuchs, remember that the swords at these officials’ waists answer directly to His Majesty. They dare to kill even imperial relatives.”
Wen Xiaochun raised his head, straightened his back, and looked deeply.
The fast horses galloped out of the imperial city, whips raised.
That flash of dark red official robes, like blood, was imprinted in his eyes.
Then he looked toward the area outside the city.
The young prince had left the palace early. He must be saying goodbye to the Marquis and Madam by now.
–
Outskirts of the capital.
The Xu family’s Ninth Battalion was just ahead.
The carriage slowed from fast to slow, gradually stopping at its destination. Qu Dubian lifted the carriage curtain and looked from afar at the orderly hundred-man army, which indeed looked impressive.
Wu Siwan: “Little darling, come down.”
Qu Dubian: “Coming.”
He didn’t ask to be carried, but jumped down directly and ran toward the military camp. Xu Jin, who was in front of the Ninth Battalion, felt his eyelid twitch. He quickly walked over in a few steps and picked him up.
“Be careful, you scared grandfather.”
Qu Dubian hugged him, nuzzling his head in the crook of his neck: “Grandfather, I don’t want you to leave.”
Wu Siwan: “Although I’ve said this many times, I still have to say it at each parting: old man, be careful on the road. Don’t relax your vigilance just because you’re familiar with the northern border. Be cautious with everything you eat and drink.”
“Don’t worry, my lady. I know what’s important,” Xu Jin held her hand, with his little grandson in his arms. Even the fierce scars on his face were filled with reluctance to part.
“In the future, when you and our little darling are in the capital, if you miss me, write more letters.”
Wu Siwan nodded: “I know.”
Xu Jin: “Little darling must also write to grandfather. With this parting, who knows how many years will pass before we meet again…” The big man, looking at his little grandson who was just over two years old, suddenly felt a tightness in his nose, looking pitifully dejected. “You won’t forget grandfather, will you? You can’t just remember your father’s kindness.”
Qu Dubian repeatedly promised, just short of swearing an oath, “Absolutely not! My memory is excellent.”
Xu Jin: “If you forget, grandfather will spank you when he returns.”
Wu Siwan punched him, “You wouldn’t dare, you old fool.”
Xu Jin dramatically cried out in pain.
Qu Dubian cupped his grandfather’s face with both hands, earnestly promising, “I will take good care of myself, and also take care of grandmother, staying at the marquis’s residence for a few days often.”
He patted his chest and extended his pinky finger, “This is a promise between men.”
Xu Jin didn’t laugh at all at the little boy making such a statement. Instead, he became serious as well, extending his pinky finger and hooking it with Qu Dubian’s.
“Good, our promise.”
While they were saying their emotional goodbyes, on the other side, a bull-like wailing grew louder and louder.
Xia Hong looked helplessly at the boy clinging to his leg, his square, resolute face clearly showing distress.
Beside him, a woman dressed in elegant, appropriate attire, Madam Wang, pulled her son’s ear.
“Xia Fuyang! Let go of your father! It’s not like he’s never coming back!”
Xia Fuyang cried with snot and tears streaming down his face, “Who will give me pocket money when you’re gone, Father? Mother doesn’t give me any money at all. You must work hard in the northern border, you know? Whether I can be a comfortable second-generation noble depends entirely on you, Father—”
After crying for a while, he hiccupped and paused, wiped his nose on his father’s clothes, then continued wailing.
He appeared to be about six or seven years old. His appearance combined the best features of his father and mother. Even crying in such a state, one could still see his handsome features.
Qu Dubian listened for a while, deeply impressed.
This child’s lung capacity was truly remarkable.
Xia Hong darkened his face and took out a string of copper coins. Xia Fuyang quickly pocketed them, then continued crying: “Father—”
Xia Hong, unable to bear it any longer, kicked out!
The latter reacted quickly, instantly releasing his leg, and using the momentum to perform a backflip in the air, landing steadily without the slightest wobble, clearly showing an extremely solid lower body foundation.
Xia Fuyang wiped his face, weighed the copper coins in his hand, and chuckled: “Old Xia, thanks!”
Xu Jin walked over, “General Xia, everything is ready.”
Xia Hong cupped his hands: “Marquis Xu, excuse the scene. Everything is almost prepared.” His gaze turned to Qu Dubian, “This is…”
Xu Jin waved his hand.
The prince’s identity was not to be mentioned outside.
Xia Hong nodded, “This is my wife, and this is my son, Xia Fuyang.”
Xia Fuyang cupped his hands and said: “This humble one pays his respects to the Marquis, the Madam, and this…” He paused momentarily looking at Qu Dubian’s face, then at the jade rabbit hairpin inserted at the top of his head, and then said with certainty, “This little sister.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Xia Fuyang.”
[Character: Xia Fuyang
Favorability: 3]
Qu Dubian’s face instantly darkened.
Even the simulator’s notification couldn’t cheer him up. Looking at this fellow’s radiant smile, he gritted his teeth and also smiled: “Hello.”
Xia Fuyang: “Then you can play with my sister in the future. She just came to the capital and doesn’t know what fun things there are to do yet.”
Qu Dubian: “Of course.”
Xu Jin held back his laughter and put Qu Dubian down.
The adults present all knew the truth but tacitly agreed not to expose it, watching the two children interact.
“It’s good for them to get acquainted. There will be playmates when leaving the palace in the future.”
They had only exchanged a few words when Prince Ming arrived on horseback. The supervisor’s small flag was inserted in front of the saddle. “Whoa—!”
“Marquis, General Xia, when will you depart?”
Xu Jin: “Right now.”
Taking one more reluctant look at his wife and grandson, he mounted his horse. Xia Hong did the same. After saying goodbye again, they joined the ranks of the Ninth Battalion.
Prince Ming waved to Qu Dubian and followed alongside them.
Qu Dubian stood on the carriage, “Goodbye!”
Xia Fuyang also shouted: “Father, work hard! Come back as a marquis or duke so I can show off too!”
When the Ninth Battalion was no longer visible, Qu Dubian came down, “Where do you live?”
Xia Fuyang said: “Brocade Lane. We just moved there. Do you want to come play with my sister? Where do you live? I can also bring her to visit you.”
Qu Dubian needed to hurry back to school for class. He got into the carriage, lifted the curtain, thought for a moment and said: “I’d better come find you. People aren’t usually allowed into the imperial palace.”
Long after the marquis’s carriage had gone, Xia Fuyang’s expression changed from puzzled to understanding, and finally to shock.
“She’s actually a princess!”
Madam Wang: “…”
She sighed.
–
Qu Dubian’s life gradually became peaceful.
As originally planned, he wrote one experience essay each month.
He discovered that disease types could be experienced cumulatively. If he wanted to get a full score for ninety days, the experience period would be correspondingly extended. By arranging and combining different experiences, he could write many essays.
Level three was temporarily excluded.
Mainly because level three was too severe; once a year was enough. He didn’t want to worry those around him too much.
February.
Change of seasons, the Seventh Prince had rhinitis. Shunning Palace requested imperial physicians.
March.
Cold snap, the Seventh Prince coughed. Shunning Palace requested imperial physicians.
April.
Sudden warmth, the Seventh Prince had a mild fever. Shunning Palace requested imperial physicians.
May.
The Imperial Medical Bureau prepared all the medicines the Seventh Prince might need. Shunning Palace didn’t request imperial physicians, but instead sent a pot of strange red fruits, saying they were grown by the Seventh Prince and Concubine Xuan together, asking them to check if they were edible.
…
The weather was warm.
In Shunning Palace, Qu Dubian wore a thin shirt, practicing horse stance in the place where Concubine Xuan usually practiced boxing.
After finishing the horse stance, he casually wiped away his sweat and ran to the steps in front of Concubine Xuan’s hall. He squatted on the ground, eagerly staring at the row of twelve flower pots with bright red strawberries, all covered with mesh netting.
As he stared, Qu Dubian was almost drooling.
Perhaps due to improvements from the simulator, along with Concubine Xuan’s gardening experience, the seeds he had provided were quite impressive, each producing plump and adorable fruits.
He really wanted to eat them, but Concubine Xuan wouldn’t allow it.
Strawberries had never appeared in Great Zhou before, and no one knew if they were poisonous. Concubine Xuan was extremely cautious, fearing that with a moment’s inattention, the little glutton they were raising in the palace would pick one and pop it into his mouth.
Concubine Xuan held a scroll and looked out the window. Seeing him staring at the fruits again, she sighed: “Xiao Qi, aren’t you getting sunburned squatting there?”
Qu Dubian: “Concubine Xuan, if we don’t eat them soon, they’ll overripen and spoil.”
Yesterday, Concubine Xuan had picked some red fruits to feed the birds. The birds were fine, but she still insisted: “Wait for news from the Imperial Medical Bureau. We’ll eat them when we know they’re safe.”
Just as she was speaking, Xin Qing led Imperial Physician Yang in.
“Concubine Xuan, Seventh Prince,” he cupped his hands and smiled, “The red fruits sent to the Imperial Medical Bureau a few days ago are edible. The taste is sweet and sour, quite rare. I wonder how many pots you still have here?”
“There are still twelve pots, with quite a few fruits. They’re really edible?”
Concubine Xuan smiled, “Then quickly pick them and wash them. The little glutton is almost crying with impatience.”
Qu Dubian: “I’ll go call Sister and Noble Lady Guo!”
After stripping two pots bare, they barely managed to get a plate of strawberries. After rinsing them with cold water, Qu Dubian stuffed one into his mouth.
Zhiyi’s eyes brightened: “Delicious!”
“Indeed quite good,” Concubine Xuan tasted one, “There are few this year. Next year, after transplanting, there will be more. I just don’t know how many times these fruits can grow in a year.”
Qu Dubian: “Let’s find out.”
He didn’t know how many times they would grow in a year either, only that they could be eaten in late spring and early summer.
He had been anticipating strawberries for several months, even postponing his May essay.
“Concubine Xuan, I’ll go send some to Father Emperor.”
Actually, he also wanted to send some to the Empress’s palace, his royal brothers, and others he hadn’t considered… Shunning Palace would keep enough to eat, and the rest would be given to his cheap father to worry about distributing.
Concubine Xuan: “That’s natural.”
Soon, this novel item—strawberries—was presented to Emperor Chongzhao.
Qu Dubian: “Try them quickly, they’re really delicious.”
Emperor Chongzhao: “No matter how delicious, there’s no need to rush. Your head is covered in sweat. Are you the one who requests imperial physicians every few days?” Instead of tasting the strawberries first, he used a handkerchief to wipe Qu Dubian’s sweat and felt his forehead.
“Imperial Physician Yang might as well move into Shunning Palace.”
His cheap father was exaggerating too much. He only completed one KPI item per month; how could that be requesting imperial physicians every few days?
“Alright, I know. Just try one.”
Emperor Chongzhao picked one up and bit half.
His eyebrows moved slightly, “The taste is indeed very good. Tell the Agricultural Ministry to select a few pots from Concubine Xuan’s palace, see how to save seeds, and expand cultivation.”
Head Eunuch Yu: “Yes.”
Qu Dubian held out his hand.
Emperor Chongzhao: “What are you doing?”
Qu Dubian: “A reward! Even though it was an accidental discovery, Concubine Xuan and I put a lot of effort into growing them. There should definitely be a reward.”
“What reward do you want? Gold? Jewels?”
Qu Dubian sidled up closer: “I heard Father Emperor made more incense. Give me some.”
Having grown accustomed to this expensive incense, he found other incenses lacking when he smelled them.
Emperor Chongzhao flicked his forehead.
“Incense materials are even more expensive than gold. You use them more extravagantly than I do.”
Despite his words of reluctance, he was quite pleased and proud that his little son liked and appreciated the incense he blended, and he gave him some of each kind.
At Qu Dubian’s insistence, the red fruits were finally named strawberries.
Several pots were given to the Agricultural Ministry, and several were picked and distributed to various palaces, though only a few people could receive them. Those who tasted them naturally praised the strawberries highly, while those who didn’t could only envy and wait for the next harvest.
The palace servants at the Inspection and Transport Office were also talking about this.
Those who could serve nearby had smelled the sweet and sour fragrance of strawberries, and spoke with envy.
Wen Xiaochun, wearing his team leader’s clothes, went to his room and opened the small box that Qu Dubian had sent to him through someone.
Inside were a few of the strawberries that were the talk of the palace.
He closed the box with a smile, opened the window, and looked towards the direction of Shunning Palace.
The palace walls were layered, and he couldn’t see the prince.
But he knew the prince still remembered him.
–
After May, Qu Dubian turned three years old.
He was to formally start school now, and couldn’t be like the first half of the year when he could go or not go as he pleased.
Every morning, he would go to school with his sister Zhiyi. At noon when school ended, every time he passed by the Zichen Palace, he would shout towards it:
“Father Emperor, I’m done with school!”
In the afternoons, he would occasionally go to the training grounds, but more often he would be in Shunning Palace learning boxing and palm techniques from Concubine Xuan—Concubine Xuan also knew martial arts, having riskily opened her dantian when she was young, though her talent hadn’t kept up, and her inner power was still shallow.
However, it was more than enough to teach him now.
Yi Liuliu, on the other hand, wasn’t much help with martial arts training. What he had learned were concealment and assassination techniques, honed on the edge of life and death, which couldn’t be taught through normal methods.
Attending school, reading, practicing martial arts, annoying his cheap father.
One KPI per month, and after completing it, he would take the opportunity to ask for leave and go visit his grandmother, staying at the marquis’s residence for a few days.
Emperor Chongzhao also got used to hearing almost every day at noon:
“Father Emperor, I’m done with school!”
Followed by the whooshing sound of the small dog carriage flying past.
Whether he was handling state affairs, reviewing memorials, or eating, hearing this voice would always unconsciously soften his expression.
He would walk to the outside of the hall with his hands behind his back.
Watching the happy figure of his little son with his small cloth bag.
The small dog carriage leisurely passing by.
Winter, spring, summer, autumn, the four seasons of the year.
In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
