The matter of selecting a foster mother for the Seventh Prince was put on the agenda after the Rite Day.
Emperor Chongzhao had been suffering from a headache these past few days from reviewing the family backgrounds of the various consorts in the rear palace.
It was already evening. When Eunuch Yu entered to add more lamp oil, he said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Hospital has uncovered some matters."
Emperor Chongzhao paused.
"Speak."
Several days had passed since the incident of harming Little Seven through drug overdose, and he had originally thought nothing would come of the investigation. He hadn't expected news today.
Eunuch Yu whispered a few sentences into Emperor Chongzhao's ear.
-
Pop.
The candlelight flickered slightly, making a sound.
Qu Dubian was lying prone in the Zichen Hall, working on the arithmetic problems left for him by Zhang Chansi. Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun were reading and practicing calligraphy beside him.
The arithmetic problems were simple, so he wasn't applying himself properly, writing with one hand while propping his chin up with the other. Even though his own handwriting with his right hand was appallingly ugly, he was still instructing his two companions on how to hold the brush and apply the strokes.
Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun didn't find this strange; everything their Highness did was correct.
Qu Dubian: "Xiaochun, if Grand Tutor Fang assigns homework again later, you can do it for me, alright?"
Wen Xiaochun: "Alright. But Your Highness said before that practicing calligraphy more is beneficial."
"It's too tiring. If you write more, I'll have less to do."
Wen Xiaochun thought that made sense. "As Your Highness commands."
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Your Highness seems to prefer Deputy Director Zhang's arithmetic problems?"
Qu Dubian yawned: "You could say that." If it weren't for the fact that doing more problems could increase favorability points, he wouldn't bother with these elementary-level time-wasters.
After the Rite Day, every three days, he would have Xiaochun take the completed problems to the Astrological Bureau and bring back new ones. Each time, he would receive a notification of 【Favorability +1】 from Zhang Chansi.
Currently, the total favorability of this Deputy Director had been raised by him to 13 points.
Calculating this way, he only needed to submit homework 47 more times. In half a year, he could max out the favorability. That was the ideal scenario, but even thinking with his toes told him it wouldn't be that simple; gaining favorability becomes harder the higher it gets.
Take Xiaochun, for example, now at fifty.
Fifty points was probably a threshold.
Qu Dubian yawned again. "His Majesty still isn't here."
Eunuch Bao came in to report. "Your Highness, His Majesty will not be staying at the Zichen Hall tonight."
Qu Dubian: "Where is he going?"
Eunuch Bao said, "His Majesty has gone to the Xiuxiang Palace. He will likely be resting there."
Oh...
Qu Dubian blinked.
He had almost forgotten about this. Indeed, for an emperor, where was the need to constantly look after his own child? Visiting the rear palace was the norm.
Xiuxiang Palace, he remembered, was where Consort Lan resided, the mother of his sixth brother.
-
Consort Lan, having finished bathing and perfuming herself, welcomed Emperor Chongzhao's arrival.
With a gentle and tender curtsy, Emperor Chongzhao casually acknowledged with an "Mm," and said, "Come inside. You're dressed so lightly, it's cold outside."
Consort Lan: "..."
She raised a smiling face once more, turned, and entered the hall. She lit incense, poured tea, and set out two small plates of pastries.
"Because of the Seventh Prince's matter, Your Majesty hasn't visited the rear palace for a long time. This concubine has missed you terribly." Her delicate, boneless fingers pressed against Emperor Chongzhao's arm as Consort Lan whispered, "Your Majesty must be tired. This concubine, thinking of your hardship, has newly learned a massage technique. Would you like to try it?"
"Mm, proceed."
Emperor Chongzhao picked up the tea and took a sip. It was milk tea with ice.
He couldn't help but think of his young son, alone in the Zichen Hall. He had only instructed Eunuch Bao when he left, wondering if the boy would act up at night when he didn't see him.
A light, delicate fragrance filled the hall. Consort Lan's massaging fingers gradually moved to Emperor Chongzhao's shoulders, and she leaned closer and closer, almost falling into the emperor's embrace.
Emperor Chongzhao set down the milk tea and said calmly, "The Imperial Hospital's investigation into the frame-up of the Seventh Prince has yielded results. They say it was a medical apprentice surnamed Dai who didn't take the Seventh Prince seriously and carelessly prescribed the wrong formula. Now, both the apprentice and the supervising imperial physician have been imprisoned."
Consort Lan paused slightly.
"That's excellent. Catching these vile servants and punishing them severely is the way to avenge the Seventh Prince."
"The Imperial Hospital's Director of Administration, who was on good terms with Apprentice Dai, manages the hospital's miscellaneous affairs and financial authority. The two had financial dealings."
Consort Lan frowned: "Was it embezzlement and bribery? These people are truly too bold."
Emperor Chongzhao grasped her hand, his scrutinizing gaze falling on Consort Lan's face as he said slowly, "The Imperial Hospital's Director of Administration has rather old ties with your maternal family, beloved consort."
Consort Lan was astonished. "This! This concubine knows nothing of it. How could someone of such character have dealings with this concubine's family?" Then, her eyes reddened. She broke free from the emperor's hand in disbelief, saying sorrowfully, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty suspects this concubine was secretly behind it."
She staggered to her knees. "This concubine would never dare!" After sobbing for a moment, she lifted her head, tears falling like pearls. "Even if we set that aside, if this concubine truly intended to harm him, why wait until the Seventh Prince was over two years old? Wouldn't a newborn be even harder to keep alive?"
Emperor Chongzhao looked down at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled slightly and extended a hand. "Beloved consort, I was merely jesting with you."
Consort Lan, in a fit of pique, turned her head away, ignoring him.
Only after Emperor Chongzhao spoke again did she place her hand in his palm.
Consort Lan stood up, wiping her tears. "Your Majesty must not frighten this concubine with such matters in the future. This concubine has you and Little Six; that is already more than enough satisfaction. This concubine would absolutely never commit such harmful acts. This concubine will also remind my father to be sure to keep his eyes open when associating with others in the future."
"You are thoughtful."
Consort Lan leaned gently against the emperor's shoulder. "Your Majesty, will you stay tonight?"
"Father is here?" The door to the bedchamber opened a crack, and the Sixth Prince slipped in.
Seeing the emperor, his eyes lit up, but he was still a little afraid his father would quiz him on his studies, so he inched over step by step.
The faintly amorous atmosphere vanished. Consort Lan sat up straight. "Why aren't you sleeping? What are you doing here?"
But the Sixth Prince stood before Emperor Chongzhao, tugged at his clothes, and said with pleading eyes, "Father, please stay. Mother really misses you. I miss you too."
As long as he didn't quiz him on his studies.
Emperor Chongzhao's gaze softened slightly as he patted his head.
Consort Lan was both moved and satisfied. Good heavens, her son had finally become a bit more perceptive, knowing to help her keep his father here.
The emperor glanced at the iced milk tea on the table. He had only been accompanying Little Seven during this period and had hardly inquired about the other princes. It was indeed his neglect.
Staying might be good.
He didn't agree immediately, and the Sixth Prince misunderstood, thinking he was about to leave.
He panicked at once.
Oh no, if Father leaves, Mother will definitely be angry. If she gets angry, he'll have to stay up late memorizing texts and writing characters again. Please, not that!
The Sixth Prince slapped his forehead, a flash of inspiration striking in his urgency.
"Father, stay! If you stay, when you need to use the privy, I'll whistle for you!" He puffed out his chest, somewhat proudly. "Seventh Brother can do it, but I can do it even better!"
He had practiced in private for a long time.
"..."
"..."
Emperor Chongzhao's hand patting the Sixth Prince's head froze, his face instantly turning green.
Consort Lan, amidst her suffocation, felt a wave of despair.
The corners of Emperor Chongzhao's mouth pulled into a doting smile as he said through gritted teeth, "So... filial. Truly a good son."
The Sixth Prince nodded repeatedly, that's right, that's right. Then suddenly, his shoulder tightened, and he was hoisted up. His father pressed him across his lap and delivered a fierce slap.
"I nearly forgot! That day, it was you who shouted it out in the Imperial Garden! How dare you bring it up! How dare you!!"
The Sixth Prince froze.
A burning pain spread across his backside.
Tears instantly sprang to his eyes.
"Waaahhh—!!"
"Even Seventh Brother didn't get spanked!!"
Emperor Chongzhao gave a bitter laugh.
How could they be the same?
That fragile little seventh one, he was afraid he'd cause some ailment if he laid a hand on him. And if an ailment did appear, wouldn't he himself be the one kept awake at night by the fussing?
With a sturdy, ready-made one right here, there was no need to beat the fragile younger son. That would just be asking for trouble.
The Sixth Prince's wails echoed throughout the entire Xiuxiang Palace.
Not long after, Emperor Chongzhao, still half-angry, had his carriage prepared and left the place, returning to the Zichen Hall.
Consort Lan was both furious and exasperated, yet she had no choice but to soothe her own foolish son. It took a long while before Xiuxiang Palace finally returned to calm.
She sat before the dressing mirror in her bedchamber, removing her rouge.
As she wiped it away, her expression darkened.
Fortunately, she had been prepared and reacted quickly today, not revealing any obvious flaws. It had originally been just a whim, going with the flow, thinking that with one prince dead, her own child would have one less stumbling block. She never expected that the bastard son of Consort Yun would rise so swiftly.
Her impulsive scheme had almost become the trap that toppled her from her high position.
This matter with the Imperial Hospital absolutely must not be traced back to her. His Majesty had once suspected that Consort Yun's death years ago was the work of a hidden hand. Nothing was found, which was why he ultimately believed the words of the Astrological Bureau.
If it were exposed that she had used the Imperial Hospital's hand in an attempt to eliminate the Seventh Prince, His Majesty would inevitably link Consort Yun's death to her as well.
Taking the blame for something she didn't do was a terribly poor bargain.
Consort Lan combed her hair, her reflection blurry in the bronze mirror.
She absolutely must not fall from her high position. Otherwise, the present, where the Fifth Prince curries favor with her son, would become the future where her son is trampled underfoot by others.
"Lian Zhu, come in."
Lian Zhu: "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"On the list of consorts His Majesty is selecting as a foster mother for the Seventh Prince, is Noble Lady Chu on it?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Lian Zhu said softly. "This servant spent some silver. The palace attendants serving in the Zichen Hall say His Majesty is quite taken with Noble Lady Chu. She's ranked first on the list."
Consort Lan pondered for a moment. "Send word to her. If she wants to be promoted to the rank of Concubine, she must secure the Seventh Prince. I don't care what methods she uses. If she succeeds, her younger brother in prison will naturally be rescued. Remember, only convey the message. Do not reveal my involvement."
"Yes, this servant understands."
-
When Emperor Chongzhao returned, the Zichen Hall was still lit.
Ye Xiaoyuan was organizing the arithmetic problems Qu Dubian had completed. Seeing the Emperor enter, he started in surprise. "Your Majesty…"
Emperor Chongzhao raised a hand. "Is he asleep?"
Ye Xiaoyuan nodded, then had a thought and said softly, "He waited for Your Majesty for quite a while and only just fell asleep."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Didn't Eunuch Bao say I wouldn't be returning?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "He did, but His Highness still waited a while."
Emperor Chongzhao fell silent. He walked to the bed and lifted the curtain. The child was sleeping soundly, his face fair and tinged with pink, looking much healthier than when he first arrived.
He's put on a little weight. Emperor Chongzhao felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment. He thought to himself, he did have a knack for raising children.
After washing up quietly, he lay down on the bed. The child sleeping beside him rolled over in his sleep, burrowing into his embrace and curling up slightly.
Emperor Chongzhao pulled the quilt over him.
They didn't share a quilt anymore. They used to, but the child kept kicking the covers off at night and hogging the entire quilt. Emperor Chongzhao would often wake up freezing. Only after they started using separate quilts did the child settle down.
Such serving tasks, Emperor Chongzhao was now quite adept at them.
Looking at his youngest son's dependent form snuggled close, he couldn't help but worry. A foster mother had to be chosen. In the future, if the child moved to the rear palace to live, would he be able to adapt to his father not being by his side?
Qu Dubian, who was completely putting on an act for the emperor, was leisurely reading a wuxia novel e-book in his mind, finishing ten thousand words and then starting another ten thousand.
He kept comforting himself inwardly. Ancient entertainment was too scarce. Having finally found something interesting, what was wrong with reading a bit more?
Just one more chapter. The last one.
...
Just five more minutes. The final five minutes.
...
He definitely wouldn't stay up late. He swore.
