WK Chapter 74

The negotiation that had just begun started with a confrontation and ended with a giveaway.

 

Qu Dubian and Xu Tingfeng’s first meeting as nephew and uncle concluded perfectly. After saying goodbye to his uncle, the remaining matters were left to Xia Fuyang, Xi Zixing, and Xue Letian to handle.

 

Sitting in the carriage, Qu Dubian asked: “Ye Banban, how much do you know about my uncle?”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “Young Master Tingfeng used to be a young general.”

 

Qu Dubian was surprised: “A young general.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “Yes, he was trained by the Marquis himself. Later, he violated military rules, was beaten with a plank, and that’s how he became like this. After returning from the northern border, he started doing business.”

 

“After Young Master Tingfeng’s incident, the Third Master and his wife stopped associating with the old Marquis, and it’s been that way until now.”

 

Since he didn’t know much himself, he only gave a brief explanation.

 

–

 

Two days later, Qu Dubian returned to the imperial palace.

 

He had been going out too frequently lately, so he probably wouldn’t be able to go out for a while.

 

The bookstore matter had also completely stabilized.

 

Qu Dubian’s identity had been guessed by Xi Zixing, but he promised Xia Fuyang to keep it secret. The two gradually became more familiar due to their bookstore collaboration.

 

Xi Mansion.

 

Xi Zixing entered through a side door and went into a secluded pavilion in the back courtyard.

 

This was where he lived in the Xi Mansion.

 

His father was Xi Shiqiu, the current Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who also had the responsibility of teaching Great Zhou dynasty laws to the princes. He was so busy that his feet barely touched the ground.

 

Xi Zixing’s mother was an inconspicuous concubine who had passed away a few years ago. Now the main wife controlled the entire family, and there was a legitimate elder brother above him.

 

As a concubine’s son without a mother, who didn’t study and didn’t have his father’s attention, he naturally had little presence in this mansion.

 

He only had a servant named A’dong who had grown up with him since childhood, and the bookstore shopkeeper.

 

A’dong waited until he entered the courtyard before anxiously saying: “Young Master, how is Nian’an Bookstore? That’s the only thing your mother left for you. If it’s gone, you’ll have even less money at your disposal.”

 

Then he would have to go to the main wife again, inevitably facing harsh criticism and sarcasm.

 

The main wife of their family was extremely fierce. While barely maintaining the demeanor of an official’s family, she would give him what a concubine’s son should have, albeit with some deductions. If he asked her for anything extra, it would be harder than climbing to heaven.

 

Xi Zixing: “It’s fine. The bookstore is doing well. Don’t worry.”

 

He entered his study and took out books that had been sealed away for a long time.

 

A’dong was both surprised and delighted: “Young Master, you?”

 

Xi Zixing: “The painting I placed in the bookstore was turned upside down. Fate has arrived, so let’s start studying.”

 

A’dong: “Did you meet the person you’ve been waiting for?”

 

Xi Zixing thought of the clever child wearing a bamboo hat, hesitated a bit, but then shook his head.

 

The Seventh Prince was young and often ill. He and the Seventh Prince could only be considered to have a connection and might become kindred spirits when they grew up.

 

But the enlightened ruler he was waiting for in his heart was not him.

 

Xi Zixing sat upright at his desk and took out his [Selection Criteria for an Enlightened Ruler]—the words “enlightened ruler” weren’t written, mainly to avoid people with ulterior motives making a big deal out of it.

 

The first condition read:

 

1. Good health, long life (won’t be affected by officials’ anger or government affairs)

 

2. Cares for the people, has the world at heart (preferably both benevolent and authoritative)

 

3. Modest character, open-minded person (won’t suddenly behead officials when they get angry and admonish)

 

4. Civil and military skills, capable and efficient (has ambition to annex the northern frontier and southern Ningxia, unifying the Central Plains)

 

5. ……

 

Xi Zixing silently recited and memorized it several times. His serious, almost stubborn face finally revealed the childishness appropriate for his age.

 

The Seventh Prince didn’t even pass the first condition in his mind.

 

After reciting, he compulsively rearranged the ornaments on his desk from large to small, and aligned all the spines of the books he had just taken out.

 

A’dong’s mouth twitched. His young master’s condition was acting up again.

 

Xi Zixing let out a long breath after finishing the arrangement and opened a book.

 

Anyway, he still had several years of studying to do. Let’s start by observing the Crown Prince.

 

–

 

Imperial Palace.

 

East Six Palaces.

 

As soon as Qu Dubian returned, he attended Grand Tutor Fang’s class.

 

The school was much emptier.

 

After the Crown Prince established his residence, the Second Prince and Third Prince occasionally went with him, and after court, they stayed by Emperor Chongzhao’s side to learn governance, so they didn’t come to school every day.

 

Only the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh Princes, and Zhiyi remained.

 

Before class, the Fourth Prince secretly told him: “The day before yesterday, Grand Tutor Fang was looking for you, but you weren’t in the palace. Grand Tutor Fang’s expression wasn’t right. You’ll probably be detained after class.”

 

Qu Dubian: “It’s fine, detention is detention.”

 

The Fourth Prince gave him a thumbs up.

 

“Seventh Brother, what do you do when you go outside the palace? What’s so fun?” The Sixth Prince leaned over, wrinkled his nose, and said, “My mother told me that people outside are commoners who don’t have the right to speak to royalty.” She had also said that the Seventh Brother often went out to mingle among the common people, lowering his status.

 

Of course, he didn’t say the latter part. Having grown three years older, he had also grown a bit wiser.

 

Zhiyi said: “The outside is actually quite fun. Sister Xie and other girls are very interesting.”

 

Sixth Prince: “Zhiyi…”

 

Qu Dubian punched him, saying fiercely: “Mind your manners. Call her Sister.”

 

The Sixth Prince howled dramatically before reluctantly saying: “Sister, the children you play with are all from officials’ families, not those commoners outside.”

 

Zhiyi rubbed her brother’s hand, worried that he might have hurt himself from punching, and frowned: “I think what you’re saying is wrong.”

 

“Wrong?” The Sixth Prince tugged at the Fifth Prince, “Is what I said right or wrong?”

 

Fifth Prince: “Mm, right.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Alright, alright, stop.”

 

Seeing that they were about to argue, Qu Dubian interrupted just in time, placing both hands on the table and sitting obediently, “Grand Tutor Fang is here.”

 

Grand Tutor Fang strolled over unhurriedly. The old man and the child exchanged glances for a moment, then Grand Tutor Fang snorted lightly, flicked his sleeves, and picked up a book, “Class begins!”

 

Qu Dubian felt a tiny bit guilty. Since their tacit understanding last time, he hadn’t seriously spoken with Grand Tutor Fang, as he had been busy with the bookstore matters.

 

Don’t be fooled by his small size—his schedule was truly busy.

 

Outside, there were his grandmother, uncle, Xia Fuyang, and Xi Zixing. He needed to visit his grandmother regularly, and the latter two required occasional contact to increase favorability. Inside the palace, he still had to tell stories to Liuliu, help Concubine Xuan with gardening, teach Zhiyi mathematics, visit the elderly imperial consorts, study new melodies, practice martial arts, walk Da Hei…

 

He felt like a little spinning top.

 

Grand Tutor Fang and Xi Zixing, whose favorability triggers came late and weren’t very important now, were prioritized lower.

 

Sure enough, at midday when school ended, Qu Dubian was called to the side hall by Grand Tutor Fang.

 

Grand Tutor Fang took out the calligraphy and homework he had submitted yesterday, “Again, who wrote this for you? The handwriting imitation is quite similar.”

 

Qu Dubian blinked, playing dumb.

 

“This old man doesn’t fall for your tricks.”

 

Grand Tutor Fang’s beard twitched, “From today onwards, I’ll issue your examination papers separately. Remember, no fooling around.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Didn’t you already give me an examination paper?”

 

Grand Tutor Fang: “One that would take three to five years to answer? If you can’t answer it, does that mean I won’t assign you other questions?”

 

Where in the world would there be such a good thing.

 

“It’s fine if you have someone else do your other work, but this one, you need to do properly.”

 

Grand Tutor Fang handed over the questions he had specially prepared for him, “Don’t worry, this old man knows you’re quite busy, I’ll assign it once every ten days.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Okay.”

 

Grand Tutor Fang: “Much better than that teacher who gives you mathematical problems every now and then, right?” His tone was very kind, but somehow he managed to make it sound passive-aggressive.

 

Qu Dubian: “…”

 

An ancient version of humanities teachers versus science teachers rivalry?

 

–

 

Qu Dubian’s life in the imperial palace became regular again.

 

The bookstore outside was operating splendidly, and Xia Fuyang had sent him a batch of finished storybooks.

 

Including the complete set of “Even in Death, the Fragrance of Chivalry Remains,” containing a full set of merchandise, a shiny gold plus version, as well as other basically best-selling storybooks and their merchandise.

 

Qu Dubian gave them all to Yi Shi’er.

 

Although the latter didn’t say any lengthy expressions of gratitude upon receiving the gifts, his favorability genuinely increased by +4.

 

It was like a hardworking employee suddenly receiving a complete set of their favorite game from their boss one day. Words of thanks are empty; he could work for the boss until the end of time.

 

Zhiyi also had a set. Qu Dubian was worried that his sister would be brainwashed by those sappy storybooks about poor scholars and rich young ladies, so he specially gave her these stirring stories of chivalry.

 

Zhiyi, however, seemed preoccupied with something.

 

Qu Dubian: “Sister, if there’s something you can’t figure out, tell me about it.”

 

Zhiyi sat beside the vegetable garden planted in the backyard of Shunning Palace. This was grown through the diligent labor of their family of four in Shunning Palace—of course, the main force was still Concubine Xuan and Lady-in-waiting Guo.

 

He and Zhiyi mainly helped, and Da Hei would also routinely patrol the vegetable garden, catching insects and pulling weeds.

 

Zhiyi had a flower basket beside her, weaving a flower crown while saying: “It’s the topic I discussed with Sixth Brother. He said we are royalty, very different from commoners. I think what he said is wrong. I asked Concubine Xuan, and she said I should think for myself. Then I asked my mother, and she said our status is different.”

 

Qu Dubian sat on the swing nearby, wanting to say that everyone is born with one life and should be equal, but in Great Zhou, at present, the more one thinks, the more painful it becomes.

 

Sometimes being confused is more comfortable than being clear-headed.

 

He didn’t speak so bluntly. Psychologically, he was actually like Zhiyi’s older brother and could guide his sister a little.

 

After thinking for a moment, Qu Dubian said: “Sister, it is precisely because of those commoners that Sixth Brother mentioned that Great Zhou exists. The people of Great Zhou support the royal family. Without the people, how could there be princes, princesses, or even Father Emperor?”

 

“Those who guard the borders are the people of Great Zhou. When a loved one passes away, we cry, and they cry too. No one’s grief is nobler than another’s.”

 

Qu Dubian swung gently on the swing.

 

He understood that his own nature was somewhat selfish, only wanting things to go smoothly for himself, wanting his family and friends to be well, and not wanting to pay attention to other matters that didn’t concern him.

 

But he also knew that in this era, there were always many inevitabilities. Perhaps one day he would be drawn into the vortex, perhaps his hands would eventually be stained with blood.

 

But regardless, he hoped that day would come later, even later.

 

Zhiyi: “I understand a bit more. The vegetables that commoners grow in their fields and the ones we grow in Shunning Palace taste the same. Eating vegetables won’t turn them into immortals, nor will it turn us into immortals.”

 

Qu Dubian laughed heartily, “Sister is right!”

 

Zhiyi walked to the swing and placed the woven flower crown on her brother’s head.

 

Qu Dubian tilted his little face upward, smiling like a celestial child: “Is this for me? Does it look good?”

 

“It looks good.”

 

Zhiyi suddenly reached out, pinched the soft flesh of her brother’s cheeks, and looked seriously into his eyes, saying: “Xiao Qi, I felt you were a little lonely just now.”

 

She felt that her brother sometimes seemed like a star in the sky. Although surrounded by many friends, the star always remained solitary, shining all alone.

 

Qu Dubian: “Not at all.”

 

“Yes, you were. Your eyes weren’t as cute anymore. Like this…” Zhiyi tried to imitate, “This part drooped down, and they weren’t bright anymore.”

 

Qu Dubian sighed: “Sister, you’re going to give me wrinkles by pinching me like that.”

 

Zhiyi didn’t listen to his nonsense and generously gave her brother a heartwarming hug.

 

“You’re not lonely, Sister is here.”

 

“…”

 

Qu Dubian buried his face in the flower crown and his sister’s shoulder, closed his eyes for three seconds before opening them again, his tone returning to the previous concern: “Sister, I still want to swing, you’re blocking me.”

 

Zhiyi: “Then I’ll push you. Tonight, let’s secretly pick fruit from Concubine Xuan’s fruit trees.”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

The siblings instantly agreed, giggling together.

 

As the swing moved, Qu Dubian nudged with his mouth at the flower crown that had slipped down to his nose. He wanted to say that the crown his sister had woven was truly too big.

 

Also, he wasn’t lonely.

 

---

 

(advanced chapters available on kofi)