WK Chapter 77

Fengwu Palace.

 

In the main hall, the consorts who had been to Ci Ning Palace were now kneeling in two or three rows.

 

Emperor Chongzhao sat beside the Empress, with anger bubbling up inside him, his tone icy: “I really didn’t know that musicians could be put to such use!”

 

The Empress’s expression was somewhat embarrassed.

 

She hadn’t expected that the musicians from the Ci Ning Palace Square Dancing Band could dress up like that.

 

Had she known, she would have gone to see it.

 

Now, those who had seen it were being reprimanded, and those who hadn’t were also being reprimanded. It was a losing situation.

 

Noble Lady Rong felt aggrieved and said softly: “We servants only became closer with the musicians, and didn’t do anything else. We’re all women…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Women? Are there women who dress like that?”

 

His finger pointed at them one by one, “You, all of you, you know what you were thinking in your hearts, don’t make me spell it out. That wouldn’t look good!”

 

The Empress poured tea for him: “It’s cold. Please calm down.”

 

“It was just this once. They were just finding it novel, and it’s not a big deal. They were accompanying the imperial consorts, showing filial piety.”

 

Filial piety?

 

Emperor Chongzhao calmed his breathing and looked at the culprit.

 

At the front knelt a wilted radish sprout.

 

Qu Dubian was kneeling obediently on a cushion—yes, he even had a cushion.

 

Because the ground was cold, the Empress was afraid he would catch a chill and get sick again, which would be hard to explain to Concubine Xuan.

 

The young son was wearing light red short clothes, with a long cloth tied around his waist for martial arts practice. His hair was carelessly tied up, messy, and there was an ink mark on the side of his face.

 

Looking at his fingers, they were still streaked with black and white.

 

A child’s small hands inevitably get ink stains when writing, which are always difficult to wash clean.

 

The small bag slung across his shoulder didn’t contain books, but rather a few vegetables just pulled from the ground, still with a bit of soil on them.

 

—Clearly, this child was busy with his little vegetable garden in Shunning Palace when he received the summons.

 

He knew how to enjoy life.

 

He looked like a child, but not how a proper prince should look.

 

Emperor Chongzhao grew increasingly displeased: “Look at what you’re wearing.”

 

He felt this couldn’t continue. Even if this child was physically weak and not good at studying, and he didn’t expect him to inherit the throne in the future, he should at least develop a well-behaved and disciplined character.

 

As a young child, he loved to tinker with all sorts of things. The dog cart was one thing, but now that he had grown a bit older, his influence in the rear palace had doubled.

 

Then there was Concubine Xuan.

 

He had originally worried that Concubine Xuan would beat the child, but now he saw that she was clearly indulging him. Along with the entire Shunning Palace, even including Zhiyi, they all accommodated him.

 

Qu Dubian lowered his head to look at his clothes.

 

“Concubine Xuan made them. Don’t they look good?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao took a deep breath: “…You still shouldn’t wear these clothes as everyday attire! People might think Concubine Xuan is mistreating you.”

 

“Xiao Qi, you are a prince. You have many older brothers, and your health isn’t good. So I don’t expect you to excel academically, but at least you should know how to strive for improvement.”

 

“But look at what you’re doing, treating the rear palace as a place for fun. It’s not enough that the elderly imperial consorts with their aging bones accompany you in your antics, you even get other consorts involved in your mischief.”

 

Qu Dubian: “But everyone is quite happy…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, looking for something. Today he was determined to teach this little rascal a lesson!

 

Someone announced from outside: “Imperial Consort Liang has arrived!”

 

Qu Dubian’s eyes brightened, and he turned his head to whisper: “Grandmother Liang, be careful.”

 

Imperial Consort Liang was supported by someone, smiling: “Alright.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao stood up, “Imperial Consort Liang, why have you left Ci Ning Palace? Please, take a seat.”

 

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

 

Imperial Consort Liang was an old servant who had been with the previous emperor for a long time and had once cared for Emperor Chongzhao. As an elder, Emperor Chongzhao showed her respect.

 

After Imperial Consort Liang took her seat, she looked at the kneeling consorts and the little radish in front.

 

“Emperor, don’t blame them. It was mainly us old ladies in Ci Ning Palace wanting some entertainment. More people means more liveliness.”

 

“And as for Xiao Qi, this was what we wanted to do—play a bit, have some fun. We’re old and won’t live much longer, but shouldn’t we at least have good spirits? Xiao Qi was just being considerate of us, finding different ways to make us happy.”

 

“Emperor, please don’t be angry.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao glanced at the little radish kneeling in front.

 

“The Imperial Consort is right.”

 

With Imperial Consort Liang’s arrival, the tension in the room immediately lessened.

 

Qu Dubian secretly looked toward Imperial Consort Liang.

 

Imperial Consort Liang secretly winked at him.

 

Finally, Emperor Chongzhao ordered that the musicians must wear music department attire and not dress up randomly, and that the consorts could not disturb the imperial consorts at Ci Ning Palace without reason.

 

As for the consorts who had participated in these Ci Ning Palace square dancing sessions, he fined them three months’ salary for improper behavior.

 

There were no further punishments.

 

He didn’t order the imperial consorts to stop this activity, after all, they were his father’s consorts, and with Imperial Consort Liang present, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to interfere too much.

 

The Empress, along with the reprimanded consorts, all breathed sighs of relief.

 

They had thought His Majesty would impose severe punishment, such as confinement, and they were mentally prepared. Fortunately, in the end, he let it go lightly.

 

Qu Dubian felt quite regretful that the Ci Ning Palace Square Dancing Band had been shut down after such a short existence, and wondered if there would be a chance for revival.

 

Actually, square dancing wasn’t just for mothers and grandmothers, but also for uncles and grandfathers… Why didn’t his cheap father try it himself? He might discover a new world.

 

With that, the consorts rose to take their leave.

 

Qu Dubian also planned to leave with Imperial Consort Liang.

 

Emperor Chongzhao called out to him: “Xiao Qi, stay behind. I have something to say to you.”

 

Imperial Consort Liang: “Your Majesty…”

 

“I know,” Emperor Chongzhao said: “Everyone protects him. I won’t be hard on him.”

 

He waved his hand, and Imperial Consort Liang could only give Qu Dubian a worried look before leaving with the Empress.

 

Emperor Chongzhao felt this couldn’t continue, or else the rear palace would eventually be turned upside down under his young son’s leadership. The thought that the boy would stay in the palace for at least four more years before moving to the princes’ residence gave him a headache.

 

His tone became stern: “You must remember, this is the imperial palace, with strict rules. How can you act so casually?”

 

The young son lowered his head again, “So the imperial palace isn’t home.”

 

“…” Emperor Chongzhao felt something unexpectedly catch in his heart, and his tone softened: “What I mean is, you can play, but don’t be so disruptive. You’re already six years old, you should know how to strive for improvement and behave like a prince.”

 

“I understand. I’ll improve starting tomorrow.”

 

He didn’t talk back, being unusually compliant, but Emperor Chongzhao felt strangely unsettled. His brow didn’t relax but furrowed even more.

 

“Don’t be angry,” Qu Dubian placed the few vegetables from his small pouch in front of the cushion, “These are vegetables I grew myself. I was planning to send them to Zichen Palace later, but I’ll give them to you now.”

 

He put down the vegetables, patted his hands on his clothes, and looked at Emperor Chongzhao.

 

“Grandmother Liang is still waiting for me outside. I’ll go now.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao didn’t respond, and Qu Dubian stood up and left.

 

After he left, Emperor Chongzhao looked at the few fresh, green vegetables on the ground and couldn’t help but pinch the bridge of his nose.

 

“Was my tone too harsh just now?”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “Well… it was fine.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “So was I wrong to tell him not to spend too much time on other things and to focus on his studies?”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “Certainly not.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao fell into silence.

 

But why did he feel as if he had done something wrong?

 

Head Eunuch Yu could roughly guess his Emperor’s thoughts.

 

Not just His Majesty, they had all grown accustomed to the bickering interaction mode between the Seventh Prince and the Emperor. With this sudden change, even he felt uncomfortable, let alone His Majesty.

 

Emperor Chongzhao sat there for a while, no longer in the mood to visit the rear palace, and prepared to return to Zichen Hall.

 

With a flick of his sleeve, he snorted: “I want to see exactly how he’s going to improve.”

 

After walking a few steps, he turned back, “Take the vegetables.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “I’ve got them, Your Majesty. The Seventh Prince’s filial gift to you-I’ll have them prepared for tomorrow.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao casually grunted in acknowledgment.

 

Head Eunuch Yu knew that these vegetables must appear on the dining table tomorrow, or His Majesty would surely be angry.

 

–

 

Qu Dubian walked with Imperial Consort Liang.

 

Imperial Consort Liang couldn’t stop smiling, “Oh my, it’s been so many years since I’ve seen that expression on the Emperor’s face. When I return to the palace, I must tell everyone about it.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Grandmother Liang, thank you for coming to my rescue.”

 

Otherwise, he didn’t know how much longer he would have been lectured. Though he wasn’t worried about being beaten, his cheap father’s lectures were becoming increasingly nagging, and he was afraid he might fall asleep on the spot.

 

“It’s nothing. Concubine Xuan asked me to help. You should hurry back now, don’t let her worry.”

 

Qu Dubian was slightly taken aback, then smiled: “Alright.”

 

After bidding farewell to Imperial Consort Liang, he returned to Shunning Palace.

 

Concubine Xuan was indeed waiting for him.

 

Seeing him arrive, she first wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, “Did His Majesty scold you?”

 

Qu Dubian took off the small cloth bag and tossed it aside: “Hardly a scolding, just a few words.”

 

Concubine Xuan: “Don’t mind him. You did nothing wrong. The many consorts in the rear palace are so bored, and he doesn’t care about that himself, yet he comes to trouble you who came up with ideas to relieve their boredom. How petty.”

 

She pointed to a pile of gifts behind her.

 

“These were sent by the consorts who often went to Ci Ning Palace to dance after leaving Fengwu Palace. They’ve been very happy these days.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Concubine Xuan, today the Emperor told me to improve myself. If I never improve and just keep playing around like now, would you be disappointed?”

 

Concubine Xuan took his hand and walked inside, “Did His Majesty say this to you?”

 

“More or less.”

 

“Then do you feel happy with how you spend your days?”

 

Qu Dubian nodded.

 

“That’s good then. You are my… Shunning Palace’s child. Being happy and joyful is more important than anything else.” Concubine Xuan paused, “And health too.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Would Concubine Xuan think that when I grow up, I’ll be very ordinary and unremarkable?”

 

Concubine Xuan: “Do you think Concubine Xuan is ordinary and unremarkable? I don’t go out often, don’t often interact with outsiders, just stay in my own palace, doing things I enjoy.”

 

“Of course not.”

 

Concubine Xuan’s lifestyle was what he aspired to, except for not being able to leave the palace-the lack of freedom was annoying, but everything else was perfect.

 

“I don’t think so either,” she stroked the child’s head, “Concubine Xuan hopes you continue like this, doing what you enjoy.”

 

Being ordinary and unremarkable, healthy and free.

 

Even if somewhat foolish, never get involved in turmoil and strife.

 

Qu Dubian nodded, blinking: “But I promised father I would improve myself.”

 

Concubine Xuan pondered: “If you feel your body can handle it, learning more is fine, but in moderation. No staying up late.”

 

She had often seen the light in Xiao Qi’s small study room staying on very late, but he never told anyone what he was doing in there.

 

Qu Dubian chuckled: “Mm!”

 

–

 

The next day.

 

After classes at noon.

 

Qu Dubian led Big Black by one hand, while the other held a homemade paper megaphone. Passing by Zichen Hall, he raised the megaphone and shouted: “Father, I improved myself today!”

 

His voice echoed in the vast space.

 

Inside Zichen Hall.

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “…”

 

In his hand was a paper listing the princes’ rewards and punishments for the day, which clearly stated: [Seventh Prince was punished with writing two sheets of large characters for not completing his homework.]

 

The third day.

 

Qu Dubian led Big Black and shouted again: “Father, I improved myself again today!”

 

Inside Zichen Hall.

 

Rewards and punishments: [Seventh Prince and Fourth Prince were daydreaming during Master Xi’s class, thus both were punished by standing to stay alert.]

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “…”

 

The fourth day.

 

Emperor Chongzhao stood with his hands behind his back, holding the punishment record, waiting early at the door. He watched his young son lead the dog from afar, once again shouting toward him: “Father, I super improved myself today!”

 

Rewards and punishments: [Seventh Prince did not complete his punishment of writing large characters, punished again with writing three more sheets.]

 

Emperor Chongzhao watched his ‘improving’ son’s retreating back as he led the dog away. A familiar sense of helplessness washed over him, and he sighed deeply.

 

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