Qu Dubian spent the afternoon playing with the Fifth Prince in Shunning Palace.
After bringing the Fifth Prince and Zhiyi together, he had been following behind Imperial Consort Xuan, accompanying her as she dug in the soil.
"Consort Xuan, after I finish my five days at Noble Lady Chu's place, can I come stay with you?"
Imperial Consort Xuan paused.
"What?"
Qu Dubian had wrestled with the idea all afternoon and finally decided to advocate for himself. He really didn't want to follow his cheap father's plan and try out each consort one by one.
He said sheepishly, "It's... it's just coming to stay with you for a few days."
Imperial Consort Xuan stopped her shovel and said, "Did Noble Lady Chu bully you? Were you uncomfortable at Changxin Palace?"
"She didn't bully me," Qu Dubian said softly, "but I like it here more."
In an instant, Imperial Consort Xuan understood the faint glimmer of hope in this child's words. She pursed her lips gently, "But... I've never raised a child before."
Qu Dubian hurriedly said, "That's okay! I'd never raised a puppy before either, but I still ended up raising Big Black."
Imperial Consort Xuan: "A child is not the same as a puppy."
She patted Qu Dubian's head.
"Choosing a mother is very important. That's why His Majesty wants you to stay in different places. You can't decide to stay here just because the food at Consort Xuan's place is delicious. Consort Xuan is used to being alone. I'm afraid I wouldn't raise you well, that I wouldn't be a qualified mother."
Qu Dubian said, "But I've never been a child for a mother before either. I don't know what a qualified child is like."
"Consort Xuan, from now on, I'll only come here to eat every day. The rest of the time, I'll still listen to His Majesty and go to the other consorts' places. You can just... look me over first..."
He spoke earnestly, leaving room for Imperial Consort Xuan and not insisting on throwing a tantrum to stay.
Qu Dubian used all his tricks of being cute and acting spoiled. He was going all out to secure a mother whose temperament matched his in this lifetime.
What do adults like about children? Nothing more than being clever, bright, sensible, and well-behaved.
"I know lots and lots of things, and I can even help you with the farming."
Qu Dubian was well-versed in the art of being likable, diligently showcasing himself. But as Imperial Consort Xuan watched him, she began to feel that this child was somehow pitiable.
Children who are loved don't need to try so hard to be pleasing, because they know that even if they are ordinary and mediocre their whole lives, someone will still love them.
For some reason, even though His Majesty clearly valued the Seventh Prince, the Seventh Prince still gave her the feeling that he had no home within this palace.
Imperial Consort Xuan's heart softened in that moment. A part of her heart gradually gave way. Hesitantly, she reached out her hand to Qu Dubian.
"Then... shall we try first? Try being a pair of—"
"Great! Let's try being a pair of meal buddies first! Consort Xuan, you can't go back on your word!" Qu Dubian, afraid Imperial Consort Xuan would change her mind, eagerly cut her off, solidifying the arrangement.
Imperial Consort Xuan silently swallowed the words 'mother and son'.
Meal buddies.
She could roughly understand the meaning of these three words.
Alright then. We'll take it slow.
They both needed a process of adjustment.
Imperial Consort Xuan looked at his eager little face and couldn't help but smile. "Alright."
Qu Dubian stuck out his pinky finger. "Pinky promise."
Imperial Consort Xuan: "Pinky promise."
"Pinky swear, a hundred years, never change!"
Little fingers hooked, thumbs pressed together.
The promise was made, unchanging for a hundred years.
Imperial Consort Xuan: "Then I... I'll have them prepare a portion for you at lunch and dinner?"
"I have to take Fifth Brother away now. I'll definitely come tomorrow."
"Alright."
Qu Dubian grinned. Hehe, great. After two lifetimes, he might finally become a child with a mom.
In the evening, someone came from Changxin Palace to fetch them.
Qu Dubian, taking the Fifth Prince with him, bid farewell to Consort Xuan and Consort Guo of Shunning Palace, and rode off in the little dog cart, leaving a cloud of dust. Both were happier than when they had arrived.
After they left, Imperial Consort Xuan gave orders for Shunning Palace to always keep a set of child's bowls and chopsticks ready from now on. Then she went to find Consort Guo.
"What did Zhiyi play with when she was two or three? How did you take care of her?"
Consort Guo sensed something unusual and asked in surprise, "Sister...?"
Imperial Consort Xuan didn't deny it. The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. "Lunch and dinner times will be a bit livelier in Shunning Palace from now on."
She stayed at Consort Guo's place for quite a while before leaving.
She took a deep breath. The cold outside air rushed into her nostrils.
Imperial Consort Xuan looked up, gazing from under the eaves.
The deep palace was silent. The high palace walls not only blocked the scenery outside; they also seemed to trap people within their own pasts.
The consorts in the rear palace, whether they contended for nothing or were full of ambition, might seem like a thousand different faces, but in reality, they were all just the same blurred face.
Who still remembered what they were like, their true nature, before entering the palace?
At the very least, when she thought of the past, even her own appearance grew increasingly blurred in her memory.
-
[Imperial Consort Xuan Favorability: 28]
While climbing over the threshold of Changxin Palace, Qu Dubian heard this announcement. Startled, he got stuck on it again.
The Fifth Prince turned his head and dragged his little brother down.
"Seventh Brother?"
"Oh, oh, it's nothing, Fifth Brother."
Qu Dubian walked and thought.
What happened with Consort Xuan? To be honest, after working on the favorability of the others for so long, he'd never seen it shoot up like this.
It didn't increase when he acted spoiled, it didn't increase when he was being cute, and it didn't increase when he left.
That was also why he only proposed being meal buddies first.
After all, the favorability was just a tiny bit; being too presumptuous wouldn't do.
But then, when he had already reached Changxin Palace, the favorability suddenly shot up like a rocket, leaping a huge chunk!
Qu Dubian suddenly felt a pang of regret.
Did he miss out? Should he have skipped the 'meal buddies' step back then!
"Seventh Prince! Seventh Prince," a palace maid from Noble Lady Chu's side hurried over. After paying her respects, she said, "His Majesty sent gifts for you today. Noble Lady Chu received them on your behalf. The meal is already prepared. Please go and eat."
Qu Dubian thought about it. Alright.
He would be eating at Shunning Palace from now on, so he should at least inform Noble Lady Chu. After all, she wasn't the 'main culprit' who had taken his things without permission; he couldn't show her no face at all.
So, after saying goodbye to the Fifth Prince, he followed the palace maid to the western side hall where Noble Lady Chu resided.
Noble Lady Chu had been waiting nervously. "Your Highness," she exclaimed happily, standing up and directing the palace maids around her. "Come, come, set the bowls and chopsticks."
Ye Xiaoyuan said, "This servant will attend to it. Others might make His Highness uncomfortable."
Noble Lady Chu: "That's only proper."
She sat down smiling across from Qu Dubian, asking solicitously after him several times.
Qu Dubian didn't let her feel awkward, answering each question one by one. The atmosphere was infinitely better than the day before.
Noble Lady Chu gradually relaxed and even tried to put food in his bowl. Seeing the child didn't refuse and still ate heartily, her heart softened again. Perhaps she could keep the Seventh Prince without needing to use the things she had prepared.
Qu Dubian felt the timing was about right. "Noble Lady Chu, I'll be having lunch and dinner at Consort Xuan's place from now on. You don't need to wait for me. Um... I'll still be staying here to live."
If his dog-father insisted he complete the KPI, as long as he didn't have to go find Fifth Brother, staying with Noble Lady Chu for a few days would be acceptable too.
The consorts in the rear palace might gossip behind her back if he didn't stay with Noble Lady Chu.
To be honest, he and Noble Lady Chu probably both belonged to the type who had no choice but to comply? Getting criticized over this matter was a bit unfair. If they had discussed it properly, even if there was no personal affinity, they could have at least formed a friendly connection.
Under the table, Noble Lady Chu's hand clenched abruptly after he finished speaking.
Her nails dug into her palm, leaving crescent-shaped red marks.
She forced a smile: "...Why? Is the food here not good?"
Qu Dubian was straightforward, "Noble Lady Chu treats me very well, but Father Emperor told me that Mother Consort is supposed to find a lady with whom she has a connection."
Noble Lady Chu: "So, Imperial Consort Xuan from Shunning Palace is the one with a connection to Your Highness?"
Qu Dubian shook his head: "I don't know." But he liked the atmosphere there.
It was different from everywhere else.
Noble Lady Chu: "Then why not give it a try here?"
Qu Dubian: "Noble Lady Chu is so young, you will surely have your own baby."
But that would be too late!
Noble Lady Chu let out a soft breath, forcefully suppressing the trace of urgency on her face until it vanished. She smiled gently, "Well, you must at least have breakfast here."
"Of course."
"The small kitchen still has a steamed egg custard keeping warm, prepared specially for you. Would you like to try it?"
"Okay, okay, thank you, Noble Lady Chu." Qu Dubian, very satisfied with achieving his goal, swung his dangling little legs, waiting to be fed.
Ye Xiaoyuan glanced at Wen Xiaochun, who followed a palace servant to the small kitchen to fetch the egg custard.
This wasn't from the Imperial Kitchen; it was made in Changxin Palace itself, so they had to be careful.
Wen Xiaochun, when no one was watching, first tasted a little of what remained in the small pot. Hmm? This egg custard, seasoned with who-knows-what, actually tasted quite good.
After tasting it, he probed the custard with a thin silver needle.
Confirming the needle didn't change color and he himself felt fine, he then brought the egg custard to the dining table.
Ye Xiaoyuan inquired with a look; Wen Xiaochun nodded.
Noble Lady Chu's gaze fell upon the egg custard. "Your Highness, shall I feed you?"
"No need, Noble Lady Chu."
Qu Dubian picked up a spoon himself. The egg custard looked quite good. He scooped a spoonful and brought it to his mouth.
Simulator: [Detected that this egg custard contains powder of this world's unique product, 'Delusion Leaf Fruit'. Repeated consumption will lead to addiction. Long-term consumption will damage the nervous system.
Suggestions for Host:
1. Eat it a few more times to test its potency.
2. Consume the egg custard, allowing the simulator to decompose it, which can unlock the [Addictive Drug Onset] type disease simulation. (Note: Only during the first decomposition and collection will it have no adverse effects on the host's body.)
3. Refuse to eat it.]
Qu Dubian's movement halted.
The mirth in his eyes, unnoticed when it vanished, was replaced by a dark, cold intensity unsuitable for his age.
He looked up at Noble Lady Chu.
Her face still wore a gentle smile, but upon closer inspection, tension was hidden in the corners of her eyes and brows—she knew the secret hidden in the egg custard.
Simulator: [Will the host consume it to collect this type of disease?]
Qu Dubian replied coldly in his heart: "Any Chinese person with a normal moral compass, even after transmigrating, has the 'Three Don'ts' ingrained in their bones, carved with countless blood and tears. All other types of diseases can be simulated; no matter how uncomfortable, I'll endure it. Only this one, absolutely not."
Simulator: [Understood, Host.]
He understood Noble Lady Chu's desire to keep him; after all, who wouldn't want to climb higher? But this method genuinely crossed his bottom line.
Qu Dubian put down the bowl of egg custard.
He said with a beaming smile, "Noble Lady Chu, am I really allowed to eat this bowl of egg custard?"
The smile was adorable, but Noble Lady Chu felt a faint chill in her heart: "Of course. If it's not enough, Noble Lady Chu will make more for you."
Qu Dubian sniffed the custard: "Wow, it really smells amazing. Father Emperor probably hasn't even tasted something like this."
He saw the struggle in Noble Lady Chu, but she didn't take the last chance he offered.
Qu Dubian turned his head to ask Ye Xiaoyuan: "Attendant Ye, is Father Emperor also eating at this time?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Yes, based on past routine, he likely just started not long ago."
A faint doubt arose in his heart: why did His Highness suddenly refer to His Majesty as 'Father Emperor'?
Upon hearing this, Qu Dubian immediately grabbed the bowl, got down, and dashed out. Pulling Wen Xiaochun along, he headed straight for his little dog cart.
Wen Xiaochun, under his direction, moved the dog cart outside the palace. Qu Dubian nimbly climbed aboard. Noble Lady Chu, a step too slow, followed the palace servants out just as Qu Dubian's little cart started moving.
Stretching out his hand, he patted Da Hei's back, cheering it on: "Good Da Hei, it's up to you this time. Run fast, don't let the people behind catch up."
Da Hei let out a majestic 'Woof!', puffed out its chest, raised its head, and instantly shot forward.
"Your Highness! Your Highness, where are you going?!"
Holding the egg custard aloft, Qu Dubian looked back, his eyes curved happily: "To let Father Emperor have a taste! I miss Father Emperor, I'm going to eat with him. Noble Lady Chu, I'll be back later~"
Children are impulsive. The palace servants of Changxin Palace, accustomed to seeing the Seventh Prince zipping around all day in his dog cart, were already weary and didn't think his going to eat with the Emperor was a big deal.
Noble Lady Chu's face, however, turned deathly pale.
She nearly buckled under a wave of intense fear and a crushing sense of loss of control. Her hand, braced against the wall, trembled slightly.
Noble Lady Chu took a deep breath and angrily ordered: "Quickly! That cart is so fast; if His Highness falls, you'll all get caned! Chase after him, you must bring His Highness back!"
A chase ensued, a tense and thrilling man-and-dog pursuit unfolding in the rear palace!
The guards didn't dare block the way, fearing they might cause the cart to topple and the dog to stumble. They could only give chase from behind, and the pursuing crowd grew larger and larger.
The child on the dog cart held the bowl high over his head. His tied-up bun was blown into a messy state, with one stubborn strand of 'smart hair' sticking straight up.
Qu Dubian: "Charge, charge, Da Hei!"
Da Hei let out an 'Awoo!', lowered its posture, and accelerated. Its black fur flew, like flowing silk in the night.
