Emperor Chongzhao, having resolved a weighty matter, was in excellent spirits.
In truth, he had long harbored the idea of posthumously honoring Consort Yun as Empress. According to Great Zhou's ancestral laws, only an Empress could share the imperial tomb with the Emperor after death. His initial plan was to write an edict before his own passing, instructing his successor to confer the title upon Consort Yun, so they could rest together in the imperial mausoleum. Now, this was settled in one fell swoop.
Arriving at the Purple Dawn Hall, the first thing he heard was a cry: "I want the big black moth!!"
Emperor Chongzhao paused, then entered.
He saw a child squatting on the soft rug in the hall, barefoot, clutching a piece of black fabric. Upon closer look, the fabric seemed familiar.
Emperor Chongzhao looked again. The drapery used to shield the light above the imperial bed had half collapsed, apparently yanked down by force. The other half hung miserably, like a gap-toothed smile.
"......"
"What is going on here?"
Eunuch Bao bowed with a pained expression. "After His Young Highness woke this morning, he seemed troubled by a nightmare. He has been clutching anything black and wouldn't let go, even pulling down the drapery."
Emperor Chongzhao: "If he wants it, give it to him. Does the Purple Dawn Hall lack a piece of cloth?"
"It's not that this servant refuses to give it, Your Majesty. Look." Eunuch Bao released his hold.
As soon as he let go, the black cloth draped to the floor. The little prince squatting on the ground immediately burrowed under it, hiding himself beneath the black fabric. He then began to wriggle and squirm, crawling along the floor like a little insect.
Emperor Chongzhao took a deep breath and crouched down, momentarily unable to tell which end was the head and which was the rear.
"Little Qi, come out. Isn't it stuffy in there?"
A muffled voice came from within: "Want the big black moth."
"What big black moth?"
"The big black moth that carried me flying."
The description was both abstract and specific. Eunuch Yu had a flash of insight and whispered in Emperor Chongzhao's ear, "It must be referring to the lord who found His Highness and brought him back that day..."
The one wearing a mask and dressed entirely in black.
Emperor Chongzhao's brow twitched slightly.
The lump of black cloth wriggled again, and a head poked out from the edge, looking at Emperor Chongzhao with hopeful eyes. "Can you help me find the big black moth?"
Emperor Chongzhao: "There is no big black moth. I will find someone else to carry you flying. Of course, only after you have fully recovered."
Qu Dubian was disappointed: "Eunuch Bao said Your Majesty is very powerful and can accomplish anything. So he was lying."
Emperor Chongzhao shot a sidelong glance at Eunuch Bao.
Eunuch Bao: "..."
He didn't remember saying that!
Emperor Chongzhao: "I will have him found for you this afternoon."
That afternoon, a row of eunuchs dressed in black stood in the hall, mixed with a few martial-skilled guards—all a uniform line of black.
What could a child recognize? The shadow guard wore a mask, his face unseen. They could easily pass someone off.
The child, who didn't even reach their knees, examined each one in turn, his nose occasionally twitching.
Finally, he pouted.
"There's no big black moth here at all," he declared, pointing a finger. He lifted his head and said to Emperor Chongzhao, "Their sleeves don't have little green flowers either."
"You're lying."
Emperor Chongzhao felt a slight headache coming on.
Hadn't this child been feverish at the time? How could he remember so clearly? He wasn't born in the Year of the Dog, could he really smell the difference?
He couldn't handle it anymore. Handing the child over to Ye Xiaoyuan and the others to look after, he went to the side hall to review memorials.
Qu Dubian simply wrapped himself in the black cloth. Under the helpless gazes of the attendants and their successive attempts to coax him, he sat cross-legged on the floor, as still as a little monk in deep meditation.
Joking aside, what was at stake was a whole year of his lifespan. If he didn't fight for it now, when would he?
Side Hall.
Emperor Chongzhao was halfway through reviewing memorials.
He suddenly sighed.
"I really must quickly find him a gentle-tempered consort to raise him."
Eunuch Yu said softly, "That lord saved His Young Highness. It's normal for a child to develop an attachment. Perhaps Your Majesty could see how to coax him further? Word from the main hall says His Young Highness has been sitting on the floor all afternoon. He hasn't made a fuss, but no one can persuade him to get up."
"Let him sit. One cannot accommodate every whim in this world."
A while later, he asked, "Still sitting?"
Eunuch Yu sent someone to check. The palace servant returned: "Still sitting."
Emperor Chongzhao rubbed his temples and sighed heavily. "This child is too stubborn. He's just obstinate. I wonder who he takes after."
Eunuch Yu said with a smile, "One cannot call it obstinacy. This is determination, a trait inherited from Your Majesty. If not for Your Majesty's diligence in governing the state, unwavering year after year, where would our current peace and prosperity be?"
Emperor Chongzhao looked at him with a half-smile.
"You rascal, making sport of whom?"
"This servant speaks the truth."
Dinnertime arrived. The imperial kitchen delivered the evening meal to the side hall. Just as Emperor Chongzhao was about to start eating, he asked offhandedly, "Has Little Qi eaten?"
Eunuch Yu: "He is eating now."
"I thought he might hold out and not eat."
A small figure darted into the side hall doorway. Qu Dubian, holding his own bowl, ran swiftly, skidded to a stop in front of his father, and came to an abrupt halt.
"......"
"What are you doing?"
Qu Dubian looked at the papaya paste in his bowl, then at the sumptuous feast on Emperor Chongzhao's table. He had smelled this delicious aroma all the way from the main hall!
The imperial kitchen's food was too fragrant; the regular palace kitchen couldn't compare at all.
He said, "Can we eat together?"
Then he raised his little bowl.
The image of a kitten begging for food.
Emperor Chongzhao raised an eyebrow. After the fever subsided, this child had become much more lively than when he was ill. And this behavior—was he willing to be closer now?
Although he still hadn't called him 'Imperial Father,' he seemed less distant.
His other princes all chased after him calling 'Imperial Father,' hoping for more of his attention. But this youngest one—even after he personally cared for him for two days and nights, he was still hung up on that night when he hadn't reached out to hold him.
Truly, his pettiness matched his age.
Did this Emperor care? Ridiculous. With so many offspring, was he lacking this one 'Imperial Father'?
Emperor Chongzhao: "Set him across from me."
Qu Dubian finally got to taste the imperial cuisine whose aroma had tormented him with craving. Using his special spoon, he shoveled food rapidly, directing Eunuch Yu to serve him dishes without the slightest hesitation, even more deftly than Emperor Chongzhao himself.
Emperor Chongzhao observed. He seemed to eat with great relish, but his appetite was actually small, chewing each mouthful many times before swallowing.
Qu Dubian's eating habits, leftover from his previous life's weight control, were interpreted by Emperor Chongzhao as having poor teeth.
After finishing, Qu Dubian didn't leave. He followed closely behind Emperor Chongzhao to his desk, propped his elbows on it, rested his chin in his hands, and watched him.
Emperor Chongzhao: "This is not where you should be. What do you want following me?"
Qu Dubian: "I want the real big black moth."
"I truly don't have one."
"Then why did you lie to me?"
"......"
"If you don't believe me, then sit here."
He returned to reviewing memorials, even having someone wrap Qu Dubian in a small quilt to prevent him from catching cold. He wanted to see how long this child could persist.
For the next two full hours.
Emperor Chongzhao reviewed memorials; Qu Dubian amused himself with the simulator.
Emperor Chongzhao drank cold tea; Qu Dubian drank milk.
Emperor Chongzhao stood up to stretch his legs; Qu Dubian followed right behind, almost stepping on his trailing robe.
Emperor Chongzhao went to relieve himself; Qu Dubian stood openly in front of Emperor Chongzhao.
"......" Emperor Chongzhao couldn't hold back anymore, "Aren't you tired or sleepy?!"
He ultimately couldn't bring himself to use the chamber pot in front of his son.
Qu Dubian blinked, patted the edge of the screen, and let out a soft whistle from his mouth: "Wheee~"
As the Emperor's face gradually darkened, the child blew a few more notes.
Then he muttered quietly: "Honestly, Attendant Ye said people whistle for little kids when they pee. I stopped needing that ages ago. I'm helping you like this, so you have to find the big black moth for me, wu—"
Eunuch Yu swiftly scooped up the little prince from the floor and covered his mouth.
Good heavens, Your Highness, please don't say any more!
Emperor Chongzhao's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.
He had discovered that this child wasn't the least bit afraid of him.
Qu Dubian: "Mmph mmph!"
He pulled Eunuch Yu's hand down. After the fever had broken, that clever sparkle overflowed from his eyes. Looking at his father's thoroughly blackened face, his eyes lit up: "I get it! You don't want people talking about this."
His eyes darted around, hatching a mischievous plan, and he started negotiating with his father.
"Get me the big black moth, or I'll tell everyone that His Majesty needs someone to whistle for him to pee." He covered his mouth and snickered, "Hehe."
Emperor Chongzhao felt his blood pressure spike instantly: "Qu Xiaoqi!"
How could this child be even more of a torment after recovering than he was when sick?!
"If you keep making trouble, We will send you to the detached palace."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a twinge of regret.
The child had just tried to get close to him. Although the method was a bit mischievous and naughty, perhaps he shouldn't have been so harsh.
Sure enough, the child, who moments before had been all smiles, froze. The corners of his mouth drooped. He struggled silently, got down from Eunuch Yu's arms, refused to let anyone follow him, grabbed a corner of his little quilt, and dragged it along the floor.
Emperor Chongzhao forgot about the chamber pot and followed him.
When they reached the threshold of the side chamber.
The child stopped: "Grown-ups really do lie. Words said can change back and forth. I won't share my dates with you anymore."
With that, he first struggled to throw the quilt over the threshold, then laboriously tried to step over it himself, ending up awkwardly tangled with the quilt, stuck on the high threshold.
Emperor Chongzhao: "..."
Qu Dubian: "..."
Darn it.
This isn't a funeral parlor, why is the threshold so high! Is it to stop corpses from hopping out after they turn?
Emperor Chongzhao grabbed him by the collar and gave him a lift.
Qu Dubian didn't look back. Dragging his little quilt, he dashed back to the main hall and buried himself in Ye Xiaoyuan's arms.
It was just too embarrassing!
Emperor Chongzhao stood at the entrance to the western warming chamber. The slight ache in his heart was diluted by a wave of amusement.
Eunuch Yu: "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. The little prince is just being affectionate with you. Children only act spoiled and willful with the elders they depend on."
Emperor Chongzhao: "We know. We also understand he has lived in the Jü'an Hall all along, and many rules were never taught to him. That's why he acts so freely and uninhibited in front of Us."
After finishing the memorials.
Emperor Chongzhao returned to the bedchamber.
Qu Dubian glanced at him, turned his body, and presented his back.
"Not asleep yet?"
Ye Xiaoyuan said awkwardly: "Well... His Highness was probably waiting for you."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Did he make a fuss?"
His little son immediately turned his head, offended: "Only little kids make a fuss."
Emperor Chongzhao: "..."
Ye Xiaoyuan skillfully smoothed things over: "His Highness has been very well-behaved."
Emperor Chongzhao waved his hand, dismissing Ye Xiaoyuan.
He lifted the hem of his robe and sat on the edge of the bed. Gently pushing Qu Dubian's shoulder with a finger, he said, "We need to talk. This afternoon, We were merely angry. We did not mean for you to leave."
"It's fine if you want me to leave. You don't like me anyway."
"Who says We don't like you? We'll have them beaten with the board."
Qu Dubian still had his back to him, his voice still stubborn, but his small frame held a touch of loneliness.
"You see my older brothers, but not me. I missed you so, so much, I even went to find you on my own, and you still didn't hug me. Attendant Ye always says you're good, but you're not good at all... Letting me stay is only a tiny bit good."
He mumbled, his tone full of childish innocence, expressing his fondness and complaints with blunt honesty.
Emperor Chongzhao finally understood what Grand Tutor Fang meant about the young prince's intelligence, but it gave him a headache. Clever children were always hard to coax when they were serious: "We... shall We give you a hug now?"
"No. Lots of people say I have something bad on me. It's okay if you dislike me." Qu Dubian kept his back to his cheap dad, reciting his pre-prepared lines in a dejected tone. "My brothers have their mothers, and they have you. I'm not worse off. I have Attendant Ye, Xiao Chun, and Eunuch Yu is good to me too."
His tone even held a hint of small pride.
But Emperor Chongzhao fell silent. It was true. Looking across the entire rear palace, all the other princes and princesses had their mothers to care for them. Only Xiaoqi had him alone to rely on.
Even that old eunuch, Yu Decai, held a greater sense of security in this child's heart than he did.
Emperor Chongzhao clenched his fist, finally saying only: "From now on, by Our side, you can be a bit more willful."
Qu Dubian peeked over his shoulder: "How willful? Can I have the big black moth?"
"..." Emperor Chongzhao wrapped him up in the quilt, his face stern. "Not too naughty. It's very late. Go to sleep now."
"Oh."
Qu Dubian closed his eyes.
It seemed this child, once recovered, didn't love to fuss anymore. Much easier to handle than when he was sick.
Emperor Chongzhao moved Qu Dubian further inside. Finally, he could get a good night's sleep. These past two days had truly been torturous.
Qu Dubian turned over, murmuring in his sleep: "Mother..."
Emperor Chongzhao paused, looking up.
"Mother."
He seemed to be sleeping restlessly.
Emperor Chongzhao propped himself up halfway. The shadow cast by the candlelight fell across half his face. He raised his hand and began patting the child's back, clumsily, with a hint of comfort.
"Big black moth."
"Big black... big black moth."
Emperor Chongzhao: "..."
He silently pinched the child's cheek.
Still thinking about it even in his dreams?
"Big black moth."
For the next half hour, every time he was on the verge of falling asleep, the nightmarish 'big black moth' would come.
Emperor Chongzhao took a deep breath.
Maybe he should just go sleep elsewhere? The side chamber wouldn't be bad. If necessary, he could go to the rear palace and sleep in any consort's quarters.
Just as he was about to put this thought into action, that small-in-age, short-in-stature, large-in-temper, infuriating and troublesome child called out with a touch of longing:
"Daddy."
For a moment, Emperor Chongzhao doubted his hearing. It took him a while to realize the child had truly called out for his father in his dream.
Not the icy 'Your Majesty,' but Daddy. Though it broke protocol, it sounded more pleasing to the ear than 'Imperial Father.'
Emperor Chongzhao reached out a finger to tease his son, poking his cheek, and whispered: "Say it again."
Qu Dubian simply turned over and slept soundly.
In your dreams. Just the once.
If he didn't see Yi Shier tomorrow, he would really throw a huge tantrum. A super huge one.
Emperor Chongzhao waited a long time but didn't hear it a second time. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he recalled the child's stubborn, eager expression today, trailing after him, demanding the big black moth. His headache began to return.
If he didn't give it to him, who knew how long this stubbornness would last.
He had finally recovered and was being mischievous like a healthy child.
Fine then.
-
Late at night.
Early morning.
The prison.
Within the square cage of a cell, there was only a ventilation hole the size of a palm.
From the ceiling, chains hung down, suspending a man.
Twin hooks pierced through his shoulders, and droplets of blood fell from his toes into a water vat placed below to catch them. This was a control method to prevent guards of the prison from escaping, completely stripping the captive guard of his ability to move.
The Captain of the Yi Unit was inside the cell. He said calmly, "I heard from the Chief that you chose death."
Yi Shier coughed a few times, speaking slowly, "...Having my martial arts abolished and being imprisoned for life is worse than death."
The Captain of the Yi Unit said, "If you hadn't saved him that day, the young lord might not necessarily have been in danger. Without a direct command from His Majesty, according to the Shadow Laws, you should not have acted."
"I remember when you first entered training, you were holding a book. What was that book...? I can't recall. But because of that book, I evaluated you. A single book could easily sway your emotions; you are not suited to be a shadow guard."
"He is indeed not suited to be a shadow guard, and he no longer needs to be one." The Shadow Guard Chief entered.
The Captain of the Yi Unit was startled.
"Chief."
The Shadow Guard Chief looked up at Yi Shier, hanging in mid-air. "You should be glad you haven't been in the shadow guards for long and don't know many secrets. Otherwise, there would be no way for you to leave, no matter what."
The Captain of the Yi Unit was confused. "Leave?"
Yi Shier had chosen death. According to the schedule, he was to take poison tomorrow. How could he leave? As a corpse?
"Yes."
The Shadow Guard Chief said.
"From now on, you'll be looking after children. Congratulations, Big Black Moth."
The first person in history to transfer out of the shadow guards.
