After listening to Ye Xiaoyuan's subtle and veiled account, Qu Dubian was utterly enraged.
Was this damned emperor a tyrant or what?
Because of the words from the Astrological Bureau, he threw the child, born from the woman he loved at the cost of her life, into this godforsaken place for over two years, without so much as a second thought.
Damn this nonsense about a 'calamitous fetus reincarnated', destined to bring death to its birth mother, requiring three years of mourning away from the emperor so the mother could be properly reincarnated.
No wonder Ye Xiaoyuan had never brought it up proactively. With so many accusations pinned on a child, if it were a sensitive child, knowing this would surely lead to a lifetime of guilt.
Even now that it was mentioned, it was said very ambiguously. If he were truly just a two-year-old child, he definitely wouldn't understand.
Qu Dubian smelled a conspiracy in all this.
The last time his intuition told him something was off, it was when a 'good friend' tried to poison his honey water to ruin his voice. The time before that, someone placed surveillance in his bathroom. And the time before that, several people teamed up during a live stream to play the 'green tea' and 'white lotus' roles against him...
He pondered this matter.
Initially, when the original host's mother, the imperial consort, was pregnant, and the Astrological Bureau said she would die after giving birth, the damned emperor probably didn't believe it much either. But the problem was, Consort Yun really did die.
With the first prophecy having come true, the Astrological Bureau began piling accusations onto the original host. No wonder the damned emperor listened to them and threw his son, only a few days old, here.
Qu Dubian asked the simulator in his mind, "Aside from a weird thing like you, does this world have any supernatural or mystical powers?"
[None.]
Qu Dubian raised an eyebrow. He was still figuring out the pattern of the simulator's answers. It seemed he could chat with this guy in his spare time.
No supernatural powers meant the Astrological Bureau was lying then. Consort Yun's death was probably not as simple as dying in childbirth.
Who could be the mastermind behind it?
A favored consort who had won the emperor's love and had given birth to a prince to solidify her status would likely pose a threat to any imperial offspring with hopes for the throne.
As far as he knew, he was currently his cheap father's youngest child. Above him, he had six elder brothers and one elder sister.
The scope was really wide.
He also remembered the medicine delivered via the Imperial Hospital the other day and had a fair idea now.
After all, once he turned three, according to the Astrological Bureau's previous prophecy, his mother would have successfully reincarnated, and he would no longer need to continue mourning.
Someone was afraid his cheap father would remember him. Seeing that he had stayed here for nearly three years without dying, they grew anxious and decided to move against him.
So, whoever wanted to harm him was likely the one who harmed Consort Yun. Well... at least a sixty or seventy percent chance. One shouldn't speak in absolutes.
The original host was born at the junction of spring and summer, when a hundred flowers bloom. There was less than half a year until his third birthday. During this time, the mastermind might strike again.
He avoided it this time, but next time, or the time after that, he might not be so lucky.
The only person in the entire palace who could protect him was his cheap father.
Ye Xiaoyuan had no idea that the veiled things he said, thinking the young prince wouldn't understand, had been thoroughly dissected, analyzed, and scrutinized by Qu Dubian, who had even sensed their current crisis and begun considering how to resolve it.
His current body was too small, and his pensive expression only made him look adorable.
Several crafty ideas ran through Qu Dubian's mind. He looked up with an innocent face, "Eunuch Ye, I don't think I really understand."
Ye Xiaoyuan naturally moved past the topic, "It's alright if you don't understand. Once you start studying and learning characters, Your Highness will become smarter and smarter."
"Eunuch Ye, I want to know more about my mother. What did she look like? What color clothes did she like to wear? What kind of hair ornaments did she prefer? How did she get along with Father Emperor..."
Under the child's barrage of questions, Ye Xiaoyuan couldn't help but recall the past.
"Your Highness's mother was very different from the noble ladies and consorts in the capital. She was the only daughter of Marquis Chijian, and she grew up with His Majesty from childhood, like bamboo horses."
Marquis Chijian, Xu Jin, had achieved illustrious military merits since the previous emperor's reign, guarding the northern border for over thirty years. Marquis Chijian married only one wife, and they were deeply in love. They had only one daughter in their lifetime, treasuring her like a pearl in their palm.
Marquis Chijian had no sons, so the title would end with his generation. Even though he held military power, he posed no threat to the throne. Therefore, the previous emperor was also happy to show extra care to Marquis Chijian's only daughter, often summoning her to the palace to display favor.
This young girl was the original host's mother, named Xu Yueqing.
Xu Yueqing grew up in the capital until she was seven, already forming a childhood friendship with the then Third Prince, who would become Emperor Chongzhao.
Later, the northern border became unstable. Marquis Chijian, who had always doted on his young daughter, acted out of character and insisted on taking her to the northern border. This departure lasted ten years.
When she returned to the capital, she was seventeen.
Xu Yueqing was very beautiful, with a slender figure and a heroic, spirited air about her that the noble ladies of the capital lacked. After a polo match, she quickly attracted the attention of all unmarried men in the capital. Invitations to banquets and gatherings poured into Marquis Chijian's residence like snowflakes.
But not long after, Xu Yueqing and Emperor Chongzhao, who was traveling incognito, met again. Their childhood friendship turned into mutual admiration. Afterwards, an imperial decree made Xu Yueqing the Great Zhou's Consort Yun.
From then on, she enjoyed immense favor for three years, until she gave birth to the original host and died in childbirth.
Ye Xiaoyuan sighed, "...At that time, countless young men in the capital were heartbroken, and so many envied the lady's favor."
After listening, a question inevitably arose in Qu Dubian's mind.
Did Consort Yun truly love the emperor?
Having experienced freedom, could she willingly share a husband with other women in a gilded cage?
But Consort Yun was gone, and no one could answer this question.
Master and servant, one speaking and one listening, the atmosphere was just right, when Wen Xiaochun suddenly knocked and entered from outside, "Your Highness, Eunuch Ye, a palace servant has come from outside, saying he's here to deliver charcoal."
"Deliver charcoal?"
Qu Dubian and Ye Xiaoyuan exchanged glances, both puzzled.
Did someone actually remember to send charcoal to their Ju'an Hall?
Qu Dubian said, "Let's go take a look."
Holding onto Eunuch Ye's sleeve, he struggled with his short legs to step over the threshold and saw two menial eunuchs in the courtyard outside, one old and one young, each carrying two small buckets of charcoal.
Among the four buckets of charcoal, there was one bucket of 'silver frost' charcoal, one bucket of 'red silk' charcoal, and two buckets of black charcoal.
The amount wasn't much, but it was enough to pleasantly surprise Ye Xiaoyuan. After all, both 'silver frost' and 'red silk' charcoal produced little smoke and could be burned indoors.
"Greetings, young prince. Her Majesty the Empress is benevolent and virtuous. As this winter is cold, she has increased the allotment for each palace," the old eunuch said with a smile. "The closer to the New Year, the colder it gets. Each palace receiving charcoal adds to the festive cheer."
Qu Dubian was only slightly taller than the buckets. He touched each one. The simulator showed no reaction. An idea struck him, and he asked inwardly, "Does this charcoal contain any recordable toxins?"
Simulator: [Recordable disease: Carbon monoxide poisoning.]
Oh.
So no problem then.
It was normal for charcoal burning in an unventilated space to potentially cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Qu Dubian had essentially turned the Disease Simulator into a poison detector.
Having extra charcoal was a good thing. Qu Dubian told Ye Xiaoyuan to accept it, saying, "Thank you for Her Majesty the Empress's kindness."
"You're too kind, Your Highness." The old eunuch picked up the carrying pole and beckoned to the young eunuch, preparing to leave.
Qu Dubian said, "I wonder if you could help, Gonggong? Next time you deliver charcoal, could you bring some writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones? I wish to practice calligraphy."
The child's voice was young and tender, but his words were clear and distinct, making the old eunuch look at him sideways. The young eunuch beside him, however, said impatiently, "What writing supplies? Supervisor is waiting at the Firewood Office. We still need to report back. We should go."
"His Highness is young. Please show some courtesy, Gonggong." Wen Xiaochun stepped in front of Qu Dubian, his dark eyes fixed steadily on the younger charcoal-delivery eunuch.
The latter shuddered inexplicably and curled his lip.
Ye Xiaoyuan's face still wore a smile. He soothingly squeezed Qu Dubian's hand and even personally saw the two eunuchs out.
He stopped at the palace gate, lowered his voice, and said, "You've worked hard, Gonggong. You may return. However, His Highness is nearly of age to begin his studies. If there happens to be any spare paper and brushes, please notify me, and I will come to fetch them."
He grasped the hand of the older charcoal-delivery eunuch and slipped in the few copper coins he had.
The old eunuch's expression didn't change. He returned the coins, smiling, "That won't do. This isn't something under our purview. This humble one will mention it to the responsible eunuchs and matrons. It's no trouble at all."
Mention it, but whether anything materializes is another matter. Ye Xiaoyuan naturally understood the subtext, but his surface courtesy was always impeccable. He thanked them profusely and saw them out the gate.
Having walked a good distance from the Ju'an Hall, the young eunuch was still indignant. "Why were you so polite back there?"
"This humble one has lived safely in the palace for decades by understanding one principle."
"What principle?"
"When working in the palace, never keep your eyes fixed above your head. A person's fortune is unpredictable. Perhaps the one you bully today will soar to great heights tomorrow," the old eunuch said. "This humble one sees that little prince. Though young, his eyes are clear and intelligent. He is not someone who will remain trapped in Ju'an Hall forever."
"What about the writing supplies we just promised...?"
"Just mention it once to plant a seed of goodwill. After that, it has nothing to do with us."
The two returned to their duty station at the Firewood Office. The chief eunuch, Eunuch Yu, was still there. Passing by them, he asked as if casually, "Has the charcoal been delivered to all the places by those who returned?"
They, along with the others, hurriedly affirmed that it had.
Eunuch Yu nodded with satisfaction.
"This is not only the Empress's wish but also His Majesty's. Normally, you might skim a little for yourselves, but if anyone dares to withhold this kind of grace meant to distribute blessings and add joy... don't blame me for not warning you. Be careful with your hides."
"Yes, thank you for the reminder, Gonggong!"
Seeing that matters were nearly settled, Eunuch Yu hurried back to serve at the Zichen Hall.
To remain seated in the position of chief eunuch, he understood the intricacies within simple tasks like delivering charcoal very well.
He had specifically waited here and assigned a reliable person to Ju'an Hall precisely to ensure the charcoal reached the little prince's hands, fulfilling His Majesty's sudden, whimsical concern this time.
-
Ju'an Hall.
After the charcoal-delivery eunuchs left, Qu Dubian went inside. It was simply too cold outside to stay for long.
His request for writing supplies had been made offhand; he held no real expectation of receiving them. But relying solely on Tai Chi to stay alive was too precarious. He still needed to find a way to get paper and brushes, learn the Great Zhou's script, and then write his observations on illnesses.
He burrowed into the quilt.
"Use [Prank Dreamweaving]. Target: Emperor Chongzhao."
[Target locked]. The simulator immediately displayed a blank page: [Please construct the dream content.]
Editing the dream was simple; he just needed to visualize the scenes in his mind.
After learning from Ye Xiaoyuan the reason he was abandoned in Ju'an Hall, he felt the Prank Dreamweaving tool had even greater potential.
Since the Astrological Bureau used metaphysics to label him a 'sinful fetus reborn,' he might as well use a bit of metaphysics for some light revenge, placing a label on his cheap father in a dream too.
Whether his cheap father believed it or not, he'd plant the seed first.
As for how to frame the interactions between his cheap father and his mother in the dream... the child under the quilt smiled mischievously.
Countless clichéd, heart-wrenching plotlines from 21st-century novels swirled in his mind. Qu Dubian's thoughts flowed freely.
He hadn't taken the charcoal eunuch's impatient refusal to heart, growing more and more excited under the covers as he crafted the dream. But someone else had not only heard it but taken it to heart.
Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun were arranging the charcoal in the side hall. The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
"His Highness wants to read and write."
Ye Xiaoyuan said softly, "Although this is the first time His Highness has asked for writing supplies, he must have been thinking about it for a while."
"I know a place with plenty of paper and brushes," Wen Xiaochun said. His features were somewhat feminine, appearing delicate and soft when he wasn't speaking. A thin scar traced the corner of his eye. His expression was calm, his hands not stopping their work. "When no one's paying attention, I can slip in and secretly bring some back."
Ye Xiaoyuan frowned. "Too risky."
"His Highness wants it."
Ye Xiaoyuan laughed lightly, remarking casually, "Could it be if His Highness wanted the military tally or the imperial seal, you'd steal those too?"
Wen Xiaochun didn't answer directly, only saying, "My life belongs to His Highness."
Ye Xiaoyuan didn't know what to say. This person certainly remembered kindness. The more loyal people around the little prince, the better. It wasn't worth losing one over such a small matter. After thinking, he took out all the copper coins he had and handed them to Wen Xiaochun.
"His Majesty doesn't have many consorts. The Jinghe Palace was turned into a book repository years ago. There must be paper and brushes inside. The eunuch guarding the gate there has some acquaintance with me. Take this money tomorrow and go ask him to buy some."
A few copper coins were naturally not enough, but in the palace, connections were sometimes more valuable than money.
Ye Xiaoyuan could certainly go himself. This was the first task he assigned to Wen Xiaochun. If Wen Xiaochun ran away, it was only a small loss of money. If he returned, he could be considered one of their own from then on.
Wen Xiaochun said solemnly, "Rest assured, Eunuch Ye. It will be done."
Soon, it was time to sleep.
The hall was spacious. Lighting charcoal consumed a lot and didn't provide much heat, so Ye Xiaoyuan prepared a rolling ball warmer. He placed a piece of silver-frost charcoal inside, wrapped it for insulation, specifically for Qu Dubian to warm himself.
This type of warmer was small and convenient, similar in design to a rolling lantern. No matter how it rolled, the charcoal inside wouldn't fall out, making it safer and longer-lasting than a hot-water bottle.
Using it sparingly, this silver-frost charcoal and red-basket charcoal would be enough for His Highness to get through the coldest period.
Qu Dubian hugged the rolling ball warmer, meticulously reviewed the simulated dream, confirmed it was error-free, clicked 'complete,' and then drifted off to sleep contentedly.
Cheap father, oh cheap father, prepare for the 21st-century heart-wrenching novel assault!
-
Elsewhere, after Eunuch Yu returned to the Zichen Hall, he kept waiting for Emperor Chongzhao to inquire about the charcoal. Unexpectedly, the latter acted as if he had forgotten, reviewing memorial after memorial.
As night fell, Eunuch Yu came in to replace a lamp.
"Has it been taken care of?" Emperor Chongzhao set down his brush, his question abrupt and seemingly out of nowhere.
Eunuch Yu was momentarily startled but quickly gathered himself. "Your Majesty need not worry, the charcoal braziers have all been replenished."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Hmm, you may withdraw." His tone was flat, giving no hint of his mood.
Eunuch Yu offered a gentle reminder, "Your Majesty, it is time to retire. The grand morning court assembly is tomorrow."
"I will sleep after finishing these."
Only after approving the final memorial did Emperor Chongzhao retire for the night.
The soothing incense curled upwards, and palace attendants moved with soft steps as they carried out the basins used for washing.
Emperor Chongzhao gradually slipped into the realm of dreams.
