WK Chapter 79.1

Fengwu Palace.

 

The Empress was comforting the anxious Ding Chang’an.

 

“Don’t panic. You’re heavily pregnant now, so you need to keep your emotions stable. I’ve already had people deal with the rumors, with severe punishment. No one will dare speak nonsense in front of you again.”

 

Ding Chang’an was deeply worried: “But I’m concerned whether Noble Consort Lan will harbor ill feelings.”

 

The Empress patted her hand: “The rumors came without any basis. Noble Consort Lan isn’t someone who believes everything she hears.”

 

“What about His Majesty?” Ding Chang’an said. “Will His Majesty… dislike my child, like he did with the Seventh Prince back then?”

 

The Empress smiled: “Your situation is completely different from Consort Yun’s back then. Ease your mind, and absolutely do not develop any melancholy that might harm the baby.”

 

Ding Chang’an anxiously stroked her abdomen and nodded.

 

After a while, she suddenly rose and half-knelt, “Your Highness, please take full charge of my pregnancy care. I know I won’t be able to keep this child, so why not raise it directly under your care! At least I will have secured a future for this child.”

 

“Ding Chang’an, don’t talk nonsense.”

 

The Empress quickly helped her up, “Even if you can’t raise the child, we must wait for His Majesty to decide who will raise it. The matter of imperial offspring is not for you and me to decide.”

 

“Besides,” the Empress paused, “if it’s a prince, His Majesty won’t consider me.”

 

Otherwise, the current balance among the princes would be disrupted, which was something His Majesty absolutely did not want to see.

 

Ding Chang’an: “Please have mercy, Your Highness. If it’s a prince, it’s certainly for His Majesty to decide, but if… if it’s a daughter…” Her eyes filled with tears, “Your Highness…”

 

The Empress’s expression softened with pity. She sighed, but still couldn’t promise, only saying: “I promise to take charge of your pregnancy care, but as for the child, let’s wait until after the birth. Fengwu Palace has been quiet for so long, and I don’t want it to become noisy in the future.”

 

Ding Chang’an gratefully said: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

The Empress: “I will invite Noble Consort Lan over later, so you two can clear up this matter.”

 

Ding Chang’an: “Alright.”

 

–

 

Shunning Palace.

 

Concubine Xuan’s bedchamber.

 

Xinqing said softly: “The source of the rumors can’t be traced. I’ve inquired around, and some say it came from Consort De’s palace, others say it was Concubine Ruan, Consort Wen, Concubine Yi, Noble Lady Rong, and even… even that it came from our palace.”

 

Concubine Xuan shook her head: “They’ve implicated all the palaces with princes.”

 

However, Noble Lady Rong could be ruled out.

 

She followed Noble Consort Lan’s lead in everything. Spreading such rumors would not benefit Noble Consort Lan, so she would never do it.

 

“Keep a close watch, and report any news to me immediately.”

 

After the incident with Noble Lady Chu, she had her family investigate and learned that the mastermind behind it might be Noble Consort Lan.

 

This matter now involved the Sixth Prince, and although it had nothing to do with Xiao Qi, it was always good to be cautious.

 

–

 

Xiuxiang Palace.

 

Noble Consort Lan had just returned from Fengwu Palace.

 

She had spoken with the anxious Ding Chang’an about the rumors.

 

She was furious and extremely resentful: “Isn’t she clearly afraid I’ll take action against her? Using the Empress’s authority to warn me, a mere Lady-in-Waiting thinking she’s so important!”

 

Lianzhu said: “My lady, please don’t be angry. It’s beneath your dignity to quarrel with her.”

 

Noble Consort Lan: “I haven’t even settled scores with her yet. If the child in her womb really is incompatible with Little Six, I will absolutely…”

 

A flash of viciousness passed through her eyes, but she quickly composed herself.

 

Now that Ding Chang’an was under the Empress’s protection, her pregnancy was secure.

 

She waved her hand: “Since the Empress has actively come out to support her, I can’t appear to do nothing. Those few bolts of silk that Noble Lady Rong sent over a few days ago, are they still in the storehouse?”

 

“They’re all there. You didn’t like the material, my lady, but I thought it was excellent silk,” Lianzhu said. “She always sends you the newest goods first.”

 

Noble Consort Lan: “Send those bolts of silk to Ding Chang’an to ease her mind, so she won’t worry all day that I’ll harm her, and then blame me if something happens to the child.”

 

Lianzhu nodded: “Yes.”

 

After receiving the silk sent by Noble Consort Lan, Ding Chang’an felt much more at ease and prepared a modest gift in return.

 

–

 

The height of summer passed in the blink of an eye.

 

Qu Dubian was now over seven years old.

 

The Second Prince had established his own household outside the palace, moving out of the princes’ residence two months ago. His establishment ceremony wasn’t very grand or solemn, passing peacefully and low-key.

 

The Third Prince had requested special permission to leave three months early, without waiting until spring.

 

As one batch left, another had to move in.

 

The Fourth Prince had reached the age to move into the princes’ residence, but because he was reluctant to part with his old bed, he had delayed for a long time before finally moving in sluggishly.

 

Today was his first day at the princes’ residence. He had specifically taken leave to move, and after class, Qu Dubian went with the Fifth and Sixth Princes to see him.

 

The princes’ residence was located southwest of Qianji Palace, just across the Liyang Gate.

 

The vacant Eastern Palace was southeast of Qianji Palace.

 

Between the Eastern Palace and the princes’ residence, spanning the distance of Kanyin Gate, twelve arched bridges, and Liyang Gate, they faced each other east to west.

 

Both the Eastern Palace and the princes’ residence were quite close to the Six Ministries, convenient for the princes to interact with court officials and state affairs.

 

Qu Dubian wasn’t sure how the Eastern Palace was built.

 

He felt the princes’ residence wasn’t built very well.

 

It seemed to have been expanded before, but since the current generation of princes were of different ages, not many lived here, so many of the expanded palaces were in an abandoned state.

 

The Fourth Prince was living in what used to be the Second Prince’s [Panshi Courtyard].

 

As soon as they entered, the small courtyard was filled with strangely shaped rocks.

 

The Fourth Prince was sweating profusely, directing: “Careful, all of you be careful with my bed-”

 

His bed was extremely heavy, and the palace servants were also complaining bitterly. Heaven above, these professional prince-movers had never seen anyone who wanted to move even their bed.

 

Sixth Prince: “Fourth Brother, isn’t this a bit much?”

 

The Fourth Prince wiped his sweat, turned his head, and said gloomily: “If my mother hadn’t been so firm, I would have wanted to pry up the floor tiles under my bed too.”

 

Qu Dubian: “…”

 

Fifth Prince: “…”

 

It was truly remarkable that Concubine Yi could argue with Fourth Brother about prying up floor tiles. Qu Dubian held his forehead, “Fourth Brother, tell them to stop for a moment and take a rest.”

 

Fourth Prince: “Alright, everyone stop for now, we’ll continue moving later.”

 

The palace servants gently set down the bed with a thud, showing just how heavy it was.

 

Qu Dubian: “Everyone have some iced sweet water.”

 

Behind Ye Xiaoyuan were two eunuchs carrying wooden buckets filled with cooling water that he had added some honey and ice to.

 

The palace servants were all grateful.

 

The Fourth Prince also ladled a bowl and squatted on a rock to drink.

 

“Little Five, go get me a bowl,” the Sixth Prince had people serving him, but he was used to ordering the Fifth Prince around.

 

He didn’t really like to call the Fifth Prince “brother.”

 

Qu Dubian tossed a pebble, “Sixth Brother, go yourself, don’t rely on Fifth Brother for everything.”

 

Sixth Prince scoffed: “What’s the big deal, Xiao Qi? He’s willing to do it. You can ask him for help with difficult things too.”

 

“It’s alright, Xiao Qi. Do you want some? Brother will get you a bowl.” The Fifth Prince smiled.

 

Qu Dubian: “Thank you, Fifth Brother, I’m not thirsty.”

 

The Fifth Prince nodded and ladled a bowl of iced sweet water for the Sixth Prince.

 

He appeared willing, even smiling, but Qu Dubian always felt that the Fifth Prince had become more silent.

 

“Fifth Brother…” Qu Dubian wanted to say something more, but the Fourth Prince pulled him, “Xiao Qi, come in with me for a moment to see my new pillow.”

 

The Fourth Prince pulled him into the bedchamber, which was piled with various items.

 

He rummaged around for a while and stuffed a pillow into Qu Dubian’s hands, “Want to manage Little Five and Little Six?”

 

Qu Dubian: “I don’t think this is good for them in the long run.”

 

The Fourth Prince sat on the pile of items and patted his little brother’s arm: “It’s useless. Didn’t you try with me before?”

 

Qu Dubian coughed lightly: “Fourth Brother, you still remember that.”

 

“Yes, their relationship isn’t for them to decide. If you’re worried, just pay more attention to Little Five, or distract Little Six.” The Fourth Prince actually understood everything clearly, even when he appeared to be sleeping.

 

Qu Dubian looked outside where the Fifth and Sixth Princes were standing and sitting.

 

He sighed.

 

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand, but having grown up together until now, he really wanted to ease the situation.

 

Unequal relationships become more distorted as they grow older.

 

Qu Dubian: “If it doesn’t change, it will really become fixed.”

 

Fourth Prince: “Xiao Qi, at least their relationship with you remains unchanged. Don’t worry too much, it’s mentally exhausting.”

 

He was concerned that his seventh brother wouldn’t live long if he worried too much.

 

“Perhaps when Fifth Brother moves out of Changxin Palace, things will improve,” Qu Dubian returned the small pillow to him, “Alright, Fourth Brother, thank you for specifically pulling me aside. I understand.”

 

The Fourth Prince secretly leaned closer, “Xiao Qi, want to come stay with Fourth Brother for a night?”

 

Qu Dubian politely declined: “Fourth Brother, I’ll come keep you company in a few years.”

 

The Fourth Prince sighed wistfully.

 

“Alright.”

 

After going out, Qu Dubian pulled the Fifth Prince to help on the other side.

 

After the Fourth Prince’s bed was moved in, they also helped organize the various items inside.

 

Qu Dubian: “Fifth Brother, in two or three months you’ll also move in here. Have you chosen which courtyard? When the time comes, tell Father Emperor in advance so people can come prepare it.”

 

The Fifth Prince smiled: “There’s still time, no rush.”

 

Qu Dubian hooked his arm around his neck, blinking, “Fifth Brother, if there’s anything bothering you, be sure to tell me.”

 

The Fifth Prince was quiet for a second, “I know.”

 

But Noble Lady Rong was still his mother, and if obtaining the rank of Concubine could make his mother less obsessed with climbing higher, he didn’t mind enduring a bit.

 

He took the stool that Qu Dubian was carrying, “Give it to Fifth Brother, don’t tire yourself out. Go sit on the side.”

 

“It’s fine, let’s do it together.”

 

–

 

The day after the Fourth Prince moved, he almost arrived late for class.

 

As soon as he arrived, he couldn’t help complaining to Qu Dubian: “The princes’ residence is way too far from the East Six Palaces…”

 

It was practically a diagonal distance.

 

Qu Dubian: “Fourth Brother, do you want to get up a bit earlier in the future?”

 

Fourth Prince: “I can sacrifice my breakfast time.”

 

Qu Dubian gave him a thumbs up.

 

He couldn’t do that himself. Going hungry for one meal would make him uncomfortable; he’d rather sleep less than eat less.

 

Sometimes listening to Master Xi’s class for too long could be boring. Qu Dubian’s thoughts wandered, thinking that Ding Chang’an still had about a month before giving birth.

 

With the Empress looking after her for nine months, it must be secure.

 

The rumors from before could no longer be heard, and even the Sixth Prince hadn’t taken them to heart. Could there still be complications?

 

He was still thinking about this in the morning, but unexpectedly, after class, when he returned to Shunning Palace with Zhiyi, he heard the news.

 

“Ding Chang’an has gone into labor!” Xinqing pushed open the palace door, panting, and that was the first thing she said.

 

Concubine Xuan: “Only nine months.”

 

They were eating, and Qu Dubian’s chopsticks slowed down.

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