WK Chapter 76

The Ci Ning Palace Square Dancing Band quickly became popular in the rear palace.

 

With the dual effect of square dancing and handsome “sisters,” the consorts’ enthusiasm was high and their attachment was strong.

 

Of course, priorities remained in order. Qu Dubian fully considered the physical condition of the elderly imperial consorts, especially Imperial Consort Liang, and established a plan for square dancing every three or five days.

 

The rest of the time was for rest, with the imperial consorts continuing their routine exercises in Ci Ning Palace.

 

Square dancing opened up a new social venue for the consorts, gradually becoming the most anticipated activity recently.

 

Many practiced in their own palaces, hoping to take over Consort De’s lead dancing position, as the lead dancer received the most attention from the band members—

 

Most crucially, the lead dancer had three flowers to give to the band.

 

Heaven knows they each only had one flower, and it was truly agonizing deciding who to give it to. If they gave it to one sister today and another tomorrow, the one who didn’t receive a flower would look so disappointed that it made them feel terrible.

 

Sigh.

 

The Seventh Prince was truly hard-hearted. Despite their repeated persuasion, he refused to give them more flowers.

 

With so many sisters, how could one flower be enough to share?

 

–

 

Zhiyi was writing a letter to Yuan’er. Since the banquet at the Crown Prince’s residence, the two had been trending toward becoming bosom friends.

 

With Concubine Xuan’s connection between them, they naturally felt closer to each other.

 

She wrote rapidly: “I’m almost done writing, Xiao Qi. When you deliver it, be careful. There are dried flowers inside that I’m sending.”

 

Qu Dubian was chewing on his pen, thinking about the new questions Grand Tutor Fang had given him.

 

“Sister, there’s no rush. Take your time writing.”

 

These questions were extremely tricky, covering knowledge from what they had learned, but asked in peculiar ways.

 

Zhiyi finished writing and sealed the letter.

 

“Xiao Qi, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, and Sixth Brother will all be selecting official study companions. Do you think I can still study with you all in school?”

 

Qu Dubian: “Don’t worry, Sister. You can.”

 

Just after they discussed this, at noon, Qu Dubian was summoned to the Purple Zichen Hall.

 

“Noble Consort Lan wants to select a study companion for Little Six. I’ve picked several good candidates, and your Fourth and Fifth Brothers should have them too. Your Fourth Brother is about to turn ten and will move to the princes’ residence, so he’ll choose first.”

 

“You should choose one too.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao handed him the list.

 

Qu Dubian didn’t even look at it: “I don’t want a study companion.”

 

“You don’t want one?”

 

“No,” Qu Dubian sighed, “Father Emperor, I believe there’s no better study companion in the world than Sister.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “?”

 

Qu Dubian counted on his fingers: “In the morning, Sister wakes me up, occasionally helps carry my schoolbag, brings me homework when I’m sick, always carries snacks to feed me, helps walk Da Hei, pushes me on the swing…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao’s face darkened as he listened: “Zhiyi is your sister! How can you treat her like a palace servant?”

 

Qu Dubian: “This is my sister’s love for me. You don’t understand.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Can your sister stay with you in the princes’ residence?”

 

Qu Dubian: “I still have four years before I turn ten.” And with imperial favor, he could stay in the rear palace until twelve. He felt he could obtain this permission.

 

Besides, selecting a study companion was troublesome.

 

They would follow him out of the palace, follow him to study, even follow him living in the princes’ residence, like having an extra surveillance camera. If they stayed long enough and discovered something like Grand Tutor Fang had, where could he go to cry?

 

He had Ye Banban and Liuliu, which was enough.

 

Moreover, study companions essentially became the first advisors in a prince’s future residence outside the palace, or childhood-raised strategists, naturally taking sides.

 

If it was about making friends, that was fine—spending time with compatible people. But anything beyond that, forget it.

 

“It’s nice of you to use Zhiyi as a shield. Since you don’t want to choose, I won’t force you. When you want to choose, we’ll talk again,” Emperor Chongzhao suddenly remembered something, “Your sister has also reached the age where she should leave school—”

 

Qu Dubian: “Ah, yes, Sister should also select a study companion.”

 

After pondering for a moment, he said, “Yuan’er from the Xie family would be good. Sister gets along well with her.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “The Xie family’s daughter… no, that’s not what I meant. I was saying, since study companions are being selected, your sister is growing up, and it’s no longer appropriate for her to remain in school.”

 

Qu Dubian’s eyes brightened: “Is she going to learn the ‘Women Admonitions’? Is that it? Perfect! When my brothers’ study companions arrive, we can all learn together!”

 

“…” Emperor Chongzhao, “How have you not forgotten about that?!”

 

He took several deep breaths, involuntarily imagining how officials would react if they knew the children they sent as study companions were learning female etiquette in the palace, making orchid-finger gestures and fluttering handkerchiefs.

 

Emperor Chongzhao covered Qu Dubian’s expectant face with his palm, saying coldly: “Don’t even think about it. She won’t learn that. But she needs to learn palace rules and princess diplomatic etiquette. It’s already been delayed for three years and can’t be delayed any longer.”

 

“But I still need Madam Su’s help with other things. Why not get a different teacher for Sister?”

 

At this point, Emperor Chongzhao hadn’t realized what Madam Su being busy implied, only asking: “Do I need to recruit another female tutor?”

 

“No need. Remember Zhang Chansi, Father Emperor? The Deputy Director of the Astrology Bureau who teaches me mathematics,” Qu Dubian maintained his disappointed expression while saying, “She’s also very capable.”

 

A woman who could outperform all men and women of her generation in her family and successfully become the successor to the Astrology Bureau would certainly have mastered palace etiquette and rules as basic elements.

 

Teaching Zhiyi would be no challenge.

 

“Plus, you wouldn’t have to pay two salaries~”

 

Emperor Chongzhao thought for a moment, suddenly feeling something wasn’t quite right, and asked suspiciously: “Why are you being so helpful?”

 

Qu Dubian fidgeted: “This way I wouldn’t need to send Ye Banban to the Astrology Bureau every few days to get new questions. Sister could just bring them for me on her way, and even help submit my work.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “So you’re still making your sister run errands.”

 

He waved his hand, “Let me think about it.”

 

Qu Dubian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. That was close; he almost gave himself away. If his cheap father discovered he was deliberately preventing his sister from learning the Women Admonitions, then his sister’s carefree days would come to an end.

 

She would certainly be confined by Madam Su to memorize books.

 

Qu Dubian had dinner with Emperor Chongzhao.

 

The next day.

 

Emperor Chongzhao took time from his busy schedule to decide on finding a study companion for Zhiyi. He first asked Concubine Xuan whether the Xie family’s daughter would be willing to enter the palace as a companion.

 

There had been princesses with study companions before, so it wouldn’t be unusual for Zhiyi.

 

Concubine Xuan sent someone to ask the Xie family, and only after receiving Yuan’er’s definite answer did she inform Emperor Chongzhao.

 

Emperor Chongzhao decided not to move Zhiyi from the school, and additionally decreed that Zhang Chansi, Deputy Director of the Astrology Bureau, would be responsible for teaching the princess palace etiquette.

 

The princess would need to go to the Astrology Bureau every three days for instruction.

 

Learning that she didn’t have to leave school and could have Yuan’er as a companion, Zhiyi was happy for a long time.

 

She said: “When Yuan’er comes, let’s teach her the Ci Ning Palace square dancing so she can spread it. We’re always in the palace and can’t go out, but there must be many people outside like the imperial consorts and the consorts who need exercise.”

 

“If it could spread out, it would definitely be a good thing.”

 

Qu Dubian nodded with a smile: “Mm, good idea.”

 

If it were to spread outside, the square dancing culture he brought from the future would probably gradually be assimilated by this era, accommodated, and transformed into a form more suitable for the general public.

 

After being busy for two more days, Emperor Chongzhao relaxed a little.

 

He finally remembered his consorts in the rear palace who were waiting for him. Lady-in-waiting Ding’s massage techniques were quite good.

 

However, he rarely went to the rear palace, and the few times he did, he went to Lady-in-waiting Ding’s place, which was unfair to other consorts.

 

Emperor Chongzhao stood up, pinched his sore neck, looked at the beautiful sunset outside, and his mood improved: “I’ll take a walk in the Imperial Garden and see who I might run into.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu remembered visiting Shunning Palace a few days ago and seeing the lively Ci Ning Palace on the way.

 

Looking at His Majesty’s enthusiasm, he wanted to say something but hesitated, and finally said nothing, ordering people to follow.

 

The imperial procession stopped in the center of the Imperial Garden.

 

Brilliant flowers were blooming vigorously.

 

Emperor Chongzhao walked around and didn’t see a single consort.

 

He stood in the middle of the path, listening to the birds singing around him, and fell into thought.

 

“Is it because I don’t come often, so they don’t expect to meet me here anymore?” But that’s not right. With the Imperial Garden in such beautiful bloom, there should at least be a few who had eaten too much and came out for an evening walk to aid digestion.

 

How could there not be even one?

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “Perhaps, perhaps they’re all busy…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Busy? What could they be busy with? Are they all like Concubine Xuan, busy planting and picking vegetables?”

 

The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong, because it seemed that Zichen Palace hadn’t received snacks and tonics from the consorts for a long time.

 

Emperor Chongzhao narrowed his eyes, “Yu Decai, is there something you’re not telling me?”

 

Head Eunuch Yu secretly glanced up at his expression.

 

“Speak.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu smiled sheepishly: “Probably, maybe, they’re all at Ci Ning Palace now…”

 

“?” Emperor Chongzhao, “They all went to visit the imperial consorts?”

 

He waved his hand: “Never mind, prepare the procession, I’ll go take a look too.”

 

–

 

A quarter of an hour later.

 

Emperor Chongzhao stood outside the gate of Ci Ning Palace.

 

The rhythmic music from inside reached his ears, and he said: “So this is what Xiao Qi set up, this square dancing thing?”

 

He had heard about it but never had the interest to come see. Since it was beneficial for the imperial consorts, he had allowed him to mess around with the music department.

 

Emperor Chongzhao said to the two palace servants guarding the door: “I’m going in to take a look.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu started to sweat.

 

The palace servants lowered their heads: “Yes.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao entered Ci Ning Palace and turned a corner.

 

In the largest open space of the front courtyard, there was a very spacious stage set up in front. The musicians were on both sides of the stage, and below were a group of dancing consorts, led by Consort De and two imperial consorts.

 

Imperial Consort Liang was happily following along below, but her movements were always half a beat behind.

 

The music abruptly ended, and everyone began to take a short rest.

 

The consorts took flowers placed beside them and walked shyly toward the music group on both sides, “You played better today than yesterday…”

 

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

Several imperial consorts sat together, smiling and waving to the musicians dressed as guards, looking somewhat like men but clearly discernible as women.

 

Imperial Consort Liang smiled and pinched the female music supervisor’s face, “Your little face is even more tender, it’s pleasing to look at, comfortable.”

 

Several old friends beside her also smiled: “Yes, when one gets old, one likes to look at the young. They look much more handsome than real guards, right? The key is that we can look as much as we want.”

 

“Yes, yes.”

 

Imperial Consort Liang: “Xiao Qi’s method is good. Look at those few, when they first came, they were all stiff, but after everyone got to know each other, isn’t this nice!”

 

The imperial consorts looked in the direction she was pointing. They saw the ‘shy scholar’ giving Consort De a shoulder massage, the ‘aloof musician’ putting a flower in Consort Wen’s hair, and the ‘silent knight’ teaching Lady-in-waiting Ding how to play the flute.

 

A courtyard full of extremely harmonious, lively, and constantly laughing people.

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “…………”

 

A light green leaf fell, brushing past his shoulder and gently landing on the ground.

 

The grave of the previous emperor was also full of spring vigor.

 

 

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