Changxin Palace.
The residence of Noble Consort Chu was turned upside down.
The powder of the Mad Leaf Fruit, which had been hidden away for intended second and third uses, naturally did not escape the thorough search conducted by someone as skilled as Eunuch Yu.
He presented the evidence to two imperial physicians for examination. Only after obtaining their definitive conclusion did he report the matter to Emperor Chongzhao.
A small vial of Mad Leaf Fruit powder now sat on the table.
To inflict such harm upon a child, merely to satisfy one's own selfish desires, was something any decent person would find intolerable. This was especially true as the Seventh Prince had always been kind to the servants of the Zichen Hall.
Eunuch Yu said with grief and indignation, "Your Majesty, someone seeks to ruin the prince! If the young prince had become addicted to this substance, it would have been... it would have been..."
A cold silence fell over Zichen Hall.
No one had imagined that Noble Consort Chu would truly have the audacity to use such a forbidden substance to addict the prince, thereby securing his stay with her.
Just as Noble Consort Chu could never have imagined why the Seventh Prince would suddenly, on a whim, want to offer the steamed egg custard to the Emperor. Nor could she have foreseen the prince's acute sensitivity to the taste of the Mad Leaf Fruit powder in the custard... so acute that the tiny amount she added was enough to cause the child to show abnormal reactions.
He hadn't even taken a single bite!
It was almost as if the Seventh Prince had known from the start what was in that egg custard.
Yet, no matter how absurd it seemed, no one would suspect a two-year-old child of turning a scheme against its schemer. Everything could only be attributed to her own ill fortune.
Emperor Chongzhao's gaze upon Noble Consort Chu was already that of one looking upon a dead woman.
Poisoning a royal prince was a crime punishable by the extermination of one's clan. If undiscovered, it promised unimaginable wealth and status; if exposed, there was no path to salvation. Noble Consort Chu clung desperately to her denial, "This is a frame-up, Your Majesty! Someone resents this humble consort for adopting the Seventh Prince and used this vicious method! Your Majesty, please believe me!"
Emperor Chongzhao said, "The Inspection and Transport Office of the North Gate Bureau has personnel from your maternal family. Your brother's charge for imprisonment was smuggling forbidden goods back into Great Zhou, which included Mad Leaf Fruit powder. And now you tell me you knew nothing, that this has nothing to do with you?"
He crouched down, lifted Noble Consort Chu's chin. Her face was streaked with tears of terror.
Emperor Chongzhao said calmly, "I originally thought that a face somewhat resembling hers might also possess a character like hers, capable of caring well for Little Qi. The result is truly disappointing. You have truly defiled this face."
"No, no, Your Majesty, please let me explain, I can explain—"
Emperor Chongzhao acted as if he hadn't heard her. "However, Consort, your actions were, in the end, for the sake of your family. Otherwise, you wouldn't have taken such a risk, correct? Admirable courage. I should reward you with something."
He studied Noble Consort Chu's features for a moment and smiled faintly.
"I shall reward you, my beloved consort, with the extermination of your three clans. How does that sound?"
Noble Consort Chu froze for a second, then let out a piercing shriek, "YOUR MAJESTY!!!"
Eunuch Yu gestured with his hand. Guards from outside entered and dragged Noble Consort Chu away.
Not long after, an official from the North Gate Bureau's Inspection Office entered and presented the discovered entry and exit records. "Your Majesty, before his imprisonment, Noble Consort Chu's younger brother did indeed have someone deliver items into the palace. At the time, it was claimed to be a birthday gift for his elder sister. The Inspection Office checked and found no issue, so it was allowed through."
"Below are the testimonies of the palace attendants on duty that day. After being bribed by Noble Consort Chu's brother, they confessed. They stated they did see a vial resembling perfume placed in the box that day, which matches the vial found in Noble Consort Chu's possession. They simply did not know it was a forbidden item."
Emperor Chongzhao said, "She was not wronged."
"Issue the decree: Noble Consort Chu, for framing a royal heir, combined with the crime of smuggling forbidden goods, receives dual punishment. Her three clans are to be exterminated. For nine generations, no one from her clan may serve as an official."
Eunuch Yu: "As you command, Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongzhao: "The Inspection Office needs another cleansing, Inspector."
The official from the North Gate Bureau felt a chill run through his entire body at being addressed as 'Inspector' and hurriedly begged for forgiveness. "This humble official guarantees such an incident will never happen again!"
Every emperor purges the Inspection Office in their reign, yet problems still arise.
There will always be those who cannot hold the line.
Water too clear breeds no fish; usually, one can turn a blind eye. But this incident with Noble Consort Chu was severe enough to cost the entire Inspection Office their heads.
The inspector cursed everyone under his command to the depths of his heart.
Emperor Chongzhao: "I give you only this last chance. If there is any further negligence, present your head. Receive fifty strokes of the court rod. Count them yourself. Now get out."
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!"
After dealing with Noble Consort Chu and the Inspection Office, Emperor Chongzhao reflected on the past two days and sighed deeply. "My original intention was to select a mother for Little Qi. I never imagined it would end like this. I nearly harmed him instead."
Eunuch Yu: "How could this be your fault, Your Majesty? It was clearly Noble Consort Chu who did not know what was good for her."
"Bring him here. It seems he'll have to sleep here with me again tonight."
Eunuch Yu acknowledged the order. Qu Dubian was brought over from the Western Warmth Chamber. There was no sign of Noble Consort Chu in the hall, so it seemed the matter had been resolved.
He was slumped listlessly in Ye Xiaoyuan's arms.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Has he not recovered yet?"
Ye Xiaoyuan, holding Qu Dubian, performed a curtsy. "Your Majesty, the imperial physician said the young prince might have suffered a fright and has a slight fever."
Emperor Chongzhao frowned. "Bring him here for me to hold."
He took his youngest son and felt his forehead, his heart easing slightly.
Fortunately, the temperature wasn't too high.
"Was he truly frightened? He's usually so bold."
The simulator's third-level fever hadn't fully started yet. Qu Dubian's body temperature was only slightly elevated, but he was still affected. The spirited energy he had for charging around in his little dog cart earlier had deflated like a leaky balloon.
Qu Dubian wrapped his arms around Emperor Chongzhao's neck, his voice muffled. "Did Consort Chu want to harm me? I didn't like her being my mother, but I wasn't mean to her. I just ignored her."
Precisely because you ignored her, she devised such a vile scheme.
Thankfully it was exposed. Thankfully Little Qi wasn't ensnared. Otherwise, having someone of such character raise him, whether he could grow up safely would be questionable.
Emperor Chongzhao: "I will definitely find you a better one."
Qu Dubian choked back a retort.
He had seen through his dog-father's judgment in selecting people. He couldn't trust it one bit.
He voiced his genuine confusion, "Why can't it be Imperial Consort Xuan? I really like her."
"No," Emperor Chongzhao said swiftly. "I'm worried she might hit you."
Qu Dubian was silent for a moment. "Did Imperial Consort Xuan hit you before?"
Emperor Chongzhao said angrily, "Nonsense! Who told you that?"
The set countdown was about to begin. This time, he wasn't rushed; he could take it slowly. When the time arrived, Qu Dubian felt a wave of heat surge from within his body.
He sighed inwardly. So warm.
Anyone holding him in winter would gain an automatic, self-heating little furnace.
His body grew increasingly limp. His head drooped onto Emperor Chongzhao's shoulder. He yawned sleepily. Suddenly, his nose itched. Qu Dubian reached up to touch it, and a smear of crimson appeared on his fingertip.
Qu Dubian: "..."
His tolerance for his own blood was slightly higher, but he still wiped his finger disdainfully on the Emperor's robes. Thankfully, he hadn't eaten much in the evening, or he might have retched.
Level three is truly different. Does this mean nasal mucosa bleeding every time from now on? If so, he'd rather not grind these points, unless they really add an option to block the sense of smell later.
Emperor Chongzhao felt a slight itch on his neck, as if something was sliding down.
Could this little rascal have fallen asleep on his shoulder and started drooling? Thinking this, Emperor Chongzhao turned the little son who was draped over his shoulder around. "If you're sleepy, just—"
His pupils suddenly contracted.
Qu Dubian's head was heavy and muddled. He was still wiping the blood flowing from his nose, some of it almost getting to his mouth, which he couldn't stand.
While wiping, he belatedly looked up. Seemingly finding the old man's horrified expression hilarious at the moment, he couldn't help but grin too.
Emperor Chongzhao couldn't find it funny at all. He stood up abruptly and shouted sharply, "Summon the imperial physicians!"
-
Changxin Palace.
The scene was chaotic.
Everyone from Consort Chu's palace had been arrested. Consort Rong, who never expected things to develop this way, hid inside her own hall and didn't come out.
The Fifth Prince followed her. "Mother Consort, will Seventh Brother come back?"
Consort Rong looked at his face and patted her chest in lingering fear.
"No. Consort Chu seemed unremarkable, but she turned out to be a madwoman, daring to do such a thing. No, it's that she actually had that kind of thing."
"What thing?"
"Something that can turn a person into an idiot," Consort Rong said. "Thankfully your mother protected you, otherwise who knows when you might have been harmed by others."
"Mother Consort, when classes break in a few days, I want to go to Zichen Hall to see Seventh Brother."
Consort Rong's refusal circled in her mouth. "Alright. Show more care for your younger brother."
With Consort Chu gone from Changxin Palace, only she remained. If her imperial son could please His Majesty, wouldn't a higher consort rank be within easy reach?
-
For the sake of more lifespan points, without Qu Dubian having activated the block, the power of the level three fever was terrifying.
Qu Dubian's brain was as sluggish as a little fool's.
The nosebleed had stopped, but he was dazed in everything he did. However, his body gave instinctive reactions, remembering its master's habit of tormenting Emperor Chongzhao, taking one sip of medicine and spitting out another.
He wouldn't speak to anyone, sitting cross-legged on the bed with his head drooping, tears falling silently.
No one could coax him. Finally, even Big Black from outside was called in.
The low whining of the big dog caught Qu Dubian's attention. He finally lifted his head, then slowly crawled off the bed. Under Emperor Chongzhao's apprehensive gaze, he stumbled and plopped down in front of Big Black.
Big Black lowered its head to sniff this young two-legged creature.
The two-legged creature's young was sick.
It whined anxiously a couple of times, then suddenly darted out, fetched a piece of meat Qu Dubian had prepared for it from the little dog cart, ran back quickly, and dropped it beside the child's hand.
Then it nudged Qu Dubian's shoulder with slight urgency.
It had shared its own food.
Qu Dubian looked for a moment, then raised his arms to hug the big dog's head. The choked-up emotions inside him found a vent through this fever.
Tears streaming, he said to Big Black, "I want to go home..."
I want to go home.
Eunuch Yu: "Your Highness, this is your home!"
Qu Dubian tightly closed his eyes. In a normal state, he wouldn't have such intense emotions. With his body weakened, his control over emotions had almost dropped to zero.
He didn't mean this home.
His home was thousands of years later.
But he couldn't tell anyone, and there was no one who could share this loneliness with him.
Qu Dubian could only hold Big Black's head and, using his current identity as a child, pour out this loneliness that no one understood.
-
In the time it took for an evening meal.
The news of Consort Chu secretly harming the Seventh Prince had spread. Imperial Consort Xuan and Consort Guo, residing in Shunning Palace, though distant from the harem's storms, heard about it as Consort Guo had several fellow consorts she played cards with.
Upon returning, she told Imperial Consort Xuan.
Regarding the Seventh Prince, Consort Guo genuinely liked him from the bottom of her heart. After all, every time the Seventh Prince came, her daughter would be very happy.
Plus, the Seventh Prince praised her cooking profusely. No one could feel ill will towards such a child.
Back in Shunning Palace, after finishing the story, Consort Guo continued indignantly, "What a vicious heart! This is clearly bullying the Seventh Prince for having no mother to care for him in the harem. If Consort Yun... if Empress Dejing were still alive, how could the Seventh Prince be bullied by such filthy creatures!"
"Mother, did something happen to younger brother?"
Consort Guo touched Zhiyi's cheek. "Good daughter, your seventh brother is fine. The bad person has been caught."
The little princess angrily waved her fist. "If they bully brother again, Zhiyi will hit them with stones. How hateful."
Consort Guo: "Sister, why aren't you speaking?"
Imperial Consort Xuan beckoned her chief maid: "Go outside and gather any new news about Little Seven."
The chief maid was named Xinqing. She had served Imperial Consort Xuan for many years and was very steady in her actions.
She was gone for about a quarter of an hour before bringing back news. "Your Ladyship, word from Zichen Hall says the Seventh Prince was frightened during the Consort Chu incident and is now running a high fever that won't subside. The Imperial Hospital is treating him."
Imperial Consort Xuan immediately stood up.
"A high fever?"
Xinqing said worriedly, "Yes. Her Majesty the Empress has also gone over. It's said to be more severe than when the Marquis's elderly lady entered the palace last time. His Majesty only allows the imperial physicians in, so the exact situation is still unknown."
Imperial Consort Xuan couldn't help but tighten her grip on her handkerchief.
"Sister, if you're worried, it's fine to go take a look. After all, Her Majesty is also there."
Imperial Consort Xuan, however, shook her head, frowning. "I feel this matter isn't that simple. From what you said, Consort Chu didn't initially go to the imperial garden to intercept Little Seven. It can't be that she developed malicious intent just because His Majesty picked her as the first to look after the prince."
Consort Guo was startled: "Sister, are you saying there's someone else behind this?"
"Having watched the harem's methods coldly for so many years, how could we not recognize the tactic of using another's hand to kill?" Imperial Consort Xuan pondered for a moment. "Take Zhiyi back first. I need to think by myself."
Consort Guo led Zhiyi away. Imperial Consort Xuan walked to the writing desk, visibly hesitant.
A few seconds later, she suddenly seemed to realize something and smiled.
She was still tangled over whether to accept the Seventh Prince, whether she was truly ready to shoulder his expectations and affection.
Little did she know, the moment she hesitated, fate had already made the choice for her.
She closed her eyes. When she opened them again, only determination remained in their depths.
"Grind the ink."
Xinqing prepared the ink for her. Imperial Consort Xuan picked up the brush, set it to paper, and quickly wrote a brief letter. She rolled it to the size of a little finger and slipped it into a small bamboo tube.
"Right now, the Inspection and Transport Office at the North City Gate is in chaos. Send this letter out. Make sure it reaches the Xie residence. You know how."
Xinqing responded solemnly: "Your Ladyship, rest assured."
Everyone knew about the Inspection and Transport Office. Sometimes His Majesty turned a blind eye for the sake of information flow. It was likely all notable families had people placed there, including the Xie family's.
This was the first time in five years the Consort had sent a letter home.
-
Xie Residence.
Swallows that once graced the halls of Wang and Xie, now fly into the homes of common folk.
The Xie family of the capital, though not the poetic Xies of old, was renowned as an upright official household.
Imperial Consort Xuan, originally named Xie Mingxuan, was the late-born daughter of Grand Tutor Xie. With only one elder brother above her, she was doted upon by the whole family, treasured like a pearl.
However, she had a falling out with Grand Tutor Xie. After the passing of the Lady Xie, Imperial Consort Xuan had virtually cut off contact with her family.
Thus, when a letter arrived out of the blue, the current head of the Xie family, her brother Xie Jingshan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, rushed straight into his father's chambers.
Grand Tutor Xie was soaking his feet at the time. He glared, "What is it? Such a fluster. Did all the composure I taught you go to the dogs?"
"Yes, Father, my apologies for the haste," Xie Jingshan took a few deep breaths, cupped his hands, and reported in a steady tone, "A letter from my sister has just arrived..."
"A letter from your sister and you didn't say so sooner?!"
Grand Tutor Xie's beard bristled. He leapt out of the foot basin with lightning speed and snatched the letter from Xie Jingshan's hand.
Xie Jingshan: "..."
He sighed helplessly, "The letter merely asks our family to investigate whether Noble Lady Chu's younger brother had contact with anyone while in prison, or if anyone inquired about Noble Lady Chu's family background. Also, which among the imperial consorts and concubines have the influence to meddle with the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review."
Grand Tutor Xie: "Which Noble Lady Chu?"
Xie Jingshan: "News just came from the palace. Noble Lady Chu attempted to poison the Seventh Prince with forbidden substances. Though unsuccessful, His Majesty is furious and has decreed the extermination of her three clans. Tomorrow at court, the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice will discuss the details."
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Xie fell into thought. He was old now, having honorably retired.
The main branch of the Xie family currently only had Xie Jingshan serving in the Ministry of Works, a relatively powerless post, with the others also holding prestigious but not particularly influential positions.
This earned the family a reputation in the capital as upright, uncorrupted officials.
But this was also his intention.
The current Emperor was prone to suspicion towards powerful ministers. During his own time in court, Grand Tutor Xie had many disciples; over time, fears of factionalism arose.
Only by his retirement, and with the younger generation in important but not crucial positions—or even assigned to local posts—could the family have prospects for advancement without being suppressed.
Even so, with the Xie family's extensive connections, investigating such matters would be effortless.
Moreover, having served as an official for most of his life, he had a keen sense for certain things.
"Your sister never truly recovered from the loss of her child. With His Majesty seeking a mother for the Seventh Prince, she contacts me at this juncture..."
Grand Tutor Xie and Xie Jingshan exchanged a look.
Xie Jingshan: "Sister wants to adopt the Seventh Prince!"
"But adopting a prince... if the Seventh Prince later desires to contend for the throne, our Xie family would naturally be aligned with him. Father, this contradicts your initial stance of not taking sides."
Grand Tutor Xie pinched the note, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced barefoot around the room twice.
Xie Jingshan watched the wet footprints on the floor, hesitating to speak.
"Actually, it would be more expected for the Marquis of Chijian's household to make a move."
"Hmph, how long has it been since the Old Dowager Marchioness last entered the palace? For the Marquis's household to react every time something happens to the Seventh Prince... once might be seen as support, but repeatedly... with the Old Marquis still stationed at the northern frontier, how would His Majesty perceive it? As a threat?"
Grand Tutor Xie sighed, "The Old Dowager Marchioness should not act personally, but we can pass the information to her. Let's see how she responds."
Xie Jingshan: "And what about us?"
Grand Tutor Xie tossed the note into the charcoal brazier. Flames leapt up.
"Our Xie family is not so timid. If your sister can find her way forward, adopting the Seventh Prince is not necessarily a bad thing."
"This matter—investigate it!"
-
The capital gathered the most powerful figures of the entire Great Zhou dynasty.
Those who could survive and thrive in the capital, under the Emperor's very nose, all possessed some measure of skill.
The Seventh Prince was trending again in court discussions.
Recent major events all seemed connected to the Seventh Prince, and the court officials were growing weary of hearing about it. One by one, they bought milk tea to perk themselves up before entering the palace, finishing it on the way and placing the bamboo cups on the tall rack outside the hall—
Since the daily cup of hot milk tea had unconsciously become a habit, Emperor Chongzhao had specifically installed a rack by the entrance for them to place their cups.
For no other reason than to ensure the officials were more alert and spoke louder during court sessions after drinking the tea.
Civil and military officials stood in two rows, heads bowed, awaiting the Emperor's arrival.
They waited and waited. The time had already exceeded the usual start by a quarter of an hour.
Initially, they had been whispering gossip about others—how a certain minister was made to kneel on a washboard by his wife the day before, how another minister went to a Taoist temple a few days ago to catch his spouse in adultery and was so enraged he vomited blood and was still bedridden, and so on. Some were even playing Gomoku on a shared piece of paper.
Now, they were all puzzled: Why hasn't His Majesty arrived yet? Is the morning court session still happening? If not, they might as well go home.
After another while, movement finally came from the front.
The officials hurriedly straightened their robes. First, an extremely long screen appeared, almost completely shielding the area around the dragon throne, including the aisles on both sides.
Then, they saw the extremely blurred figure of the Emperor. He seemed to be holding something in his arms as he passed behind the screen and took his seat on the throne.
Several palace attendants carried wooden trays, placing something that smelled quite fragrant—likely food—on the table before him.
How strange.
The Emperor never ate during court sessions, at most drinking tea.
Today, with the screen and the refreshments, what was going on?
Eunuch Yu cleared his throat. "Court is—" His voice abruptly dropped to a whisper, "in session."
The officials: "..."
Suppressing their bewilderment, they cupped their hands and bowed. "We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"
Their voices boomed.
Emperor Chongzhao frowned. These officials usually ate too well, hence their loud voices.
He looked down at the child sleeping in his arms, sound asleep and undisturbed.
Once this child fell ill, he couldn't be separated from him. The Emperor had stayed up all night with the imperial physician, tending to him. When it was time for morning court, the child had clutched his arm tightly, biting his hair, refusing to let go.
Freeing his hair seemed to have only two solutions: first, cut it off; second, bring the little one to court.
One's hair and skin are received from one's parents; unless due to natural disaster, loss of the state, or national mourning, an Emperor cannot cut his hair. After struggling with Qu Dubian for a while, unable to pry him loose, and terrified of waking him after last night's ordeal, Emperor Chongzhao dared not provoke him again.
The mighty Emperor had to admit defeat.
Wrapped in a small quilt, he brought the child to court.
Sitting on the dragon throne now, Emperor Chongzhao still felt as if in a dream.
If he could go back in time, he really wanted to slap his past self. Why choose Noble Lady Chu of all people? In just two days, he had returned to the trying days of caring for Little Seven during his first illness.
He touched the dark circles under his eyes and sighed.
How long had the respite lasted?
The Commander of the Imperial Guards, Zuo Tianlang, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, yesterday, I apprehended all of the Chu family's relatives in the capital. They are now held in the Ministry of Justice, awaiting punishment."
Qu Dubian stirred.
Emperor Chongzhao immediately covered his ears. After a moment, seeing him settle down, he relaxed slightly.
If he were to start crying here in court, and the Emperor were to comfort him as he did in the Zichen Hall, his majestic and brilliant image would likely be gone for good. He dared not imagine how the history books would record it.
His voice carried a hint of gritted teeth.
"Commander Zuo, you seem quite well-fed, to be so loud."
Upon hearing this, Zuo Tianlang laughed heartily, clasped his hands, and with a face full of joyful sincerity, said gratefully, "It is all due to Your Majesty's benevolence, allowing us to drink milk tea within the palace. With this drink, all hunger vanishes, hahahaha!"
"My lords, isn't that so? It makes working all the more vigorous!"
Qu Dubian became annoyed: "Ahhh, Father is so noisy, Father is so noisy..."
Emperor Chongzhao covered his young son's mouth and said to Commander Zuo, "Beloved minister, do be quiet. It would be... unfortunate... if you were to strain your voice."
These words were practically squeezed out from between his teeth.
Zuo Tianlang fell as quiet as a chicken, his voice now a mere mosquito-like hum: "As you command."
He returned to his place in the ranks, and the court fell into an eerie silence.
The Diarist rubbed his forehead deeply. He understood the morning court audiences less and less each day. While recording the facts, he also had to polish the language—did no one feel sorry for his poor hair?
We're all just workers here; whose life isn't a life?
He picked up his brush and wrote:
[On day X, Commander Zuo stated during the morning audience: "His Majesty shows care for all officials with the new beverage!"
The Emperor said: "Your voice is loud; you must have eaten well."
Commander Zuo laughed and said: "This is due to Your Majesty's benevolence."
The Emperor said: "You may cease; I fear for your voice."
Commander Zuo cheerfully returned to his place.
All ministers were envious.]
