Emperor Chongzhao felt his hand itch with the urge, but in the end, after holding back for a long while, he only managed to say: "Once you're better, you're going to school, and you'll listen to the lectures properly for me!"
If it were any other prince, he would have already taken action, but what could he do?
The child was more fragile than a porcelain cup right now.
Qu Dubian shifted his bottom, about to say something, when his nose tickled again. He immediately held his breath and sat up, lowering his head and covering his nose with his hand.
Emperor Chongzhao's eyelid twitched, and he stopped thinking about anything else. "Quickly, quick, a handkerchief, a handkerchief!"
Qu Dubian held it in without making a sound, his little face gradually turning red.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Breathe, do you know how to breathe??"
Qu Dubian opened his mouth wide to inhale, but his nose was still pinched shut. He said stubbornly, "No! It's gross!"
He had just finished eating; it would be such a waste to throw it all up later.
Emperor Chongzhao: "...You're disgusted by your own blood?"
After much fuss, the nosebleed finally stopped. The high fever had caused a rupture in the nasal mucosa, and the only way to get better was to quickly finish dealing with the thesis.
After all the commotion, Emperor Chongzhao swallowed the lecture he had been about to deliver. Forget it, whatever he had to say could wait until this was all over.
In the afternoon, Emperor Chongzhao went to review memorials. With the bed curtains of the imperial couch drawn, Qu Dubian secretly pulled out the paper and charcoal pencil he had hidden and unfolded it.
As he started writing, he asked, "If I write and get a nosebleed, and it drips on here, they won't deduct points for messy presentation, right?"
The Simulator: [...]
The Simulator: [No.]
Reassured, Qu Dubian lay on his stomach on the bed, his raised feet swaying idly.
Drawing from last time's experience, he now wrote in detail about his feelings from last night until now, as well as the number of times he had nosebleeds, with the report cut off after lunch. A full day hadn't passed yet, so he wrote half first, saving the rest for the evening.
Finish it as soon as possible, so Ye Banban and Xiaochun wouldn't worry.
As he wrote, Qu Dubian yawned, hid the charcoal pencil, folded the paper, and tucked it into the little pocket of his sleeping robe.
"You keep watch, okay? If anyone tries to sneak it away, remember to wake me up. Exposure would be bad for both of us."
The Simulator: [...]
After Qu Dubian fell into a deep sleep.
Da Hei, curled up beside the imperial couch, suddenly raised his head alertly.
Someone had appeared in the bedchamber without notice. The visitor walked up to the imperial couch, and a stream of true qi shot from above, landing right before his toes.
This was a warning from the hidden guards of the Zichen Hall.
Yi Shier didn't even pause. He glanced to the side, making eye contact with Da Hei.
This colleague... this dog, shared two characters with his own code name. He wondered if the little prince had some particular fondness for the words "Da Hei."
Man and dog stared at each other for a moment, achieving a historic meeting.
Da Hei silently swished his tail.
Yi Shier approached, half-crouched by the bed, and gently lifted a corner of the curtain. His pale fingers, chilled from the cold outside, held a freshly snapped branch of Golden Jade Wintersweet.
Silently, he placed the flower by Qu Dubian's pillow.
He thought this was the prettiest branch he had picked.
The hall was soon empty again. Da Hei curled back up.
Apart from the faint, lingering trace of a delicate fragrance, there was no sign anyone had been there.
The Flower Garden.
A voice filled with grief and indignation floated out from the courtyard: "Who! Who was it?!"
The overseer's lips trembled as he pointed at the tree in the yard, originally the most beautiful Golden Jade Wintersweet, now completely stripped bare. "What heartless scoundrel would ruin things like this!!"
The ground was littered with discarded branches and twigs of the Wintersweet, all utterly wasted.
The overseer's heart ached so much he could hardly breathe.
This was what he had prepared to decorate the banquet halls for the New Year festival. He might even have earned a smile from the nobles and some extra rewards. Now, he had nothing!
He looked up to the sky and wailed mournfully: "This is sabotage! Someone must be jealous of me!!"
-
Evening.
When Emperor Chongzhao returned, he lifted the curtain to look. Qu Dubian was still asleep. He saw the Wintersweet by the bedside.
He didn't think much of it. Probably a little something picked by the eunuch attending his son to aid sleep.
He patted Qu Dubian's bottom. "Time to eat."
The first thing Qu Dubian did upon waking was feel for the thesis stuffed in the inner pocket of his sleeping robe—
If he lost it halfway through writing, he would truly have a breakdown.
He felt around. Still there, still there.
He got up to eat. Having eaten too much at noon, and with his high temperature lowering enzyme activity, he wasn't hungry yet. He just drank some porridge.
After he finished, Emperor Chongzhao said, "The imperial physicians say you caught a chill from the wind, plus a fright. I've heard all about it. So, no more dog-cart rides. This dog will be sent to the kennels."
Qu Dubian: "Then I'll go live in the kennels too."
Emperor Chongzhao: "I already showed exceptional favor by letting it into the Zichen Hall. What if you get a fever again next time? I'd have to take care of you again."
Qu Dubian pushed his bowl away. His eyes reddened on cue, tears falling on command.
"You think I'm a troublesome child. Are you going to throw me away?"
Emperor Chongzhao: "...I am not."
Qu Dubian turned his back, sniffling. "I understand. You know I've never had a mother, I can only rely on Your Majesty. If you don't want me, I'll go live with Da Hei."
Da Hei immediately stood up, looking intently at Emperor Chongzhao.
His gaze seemed to say, Do you want this pup or not? If not, I'll really take him and raise him myself.
Emperor Chongzhao: "..."
"...Fine, he can stay! Alright?"
Qu Dubian: "Thank you, Father."
Da Hei's job pulling the cart—his mode of transportation—was finally secure. Qu Dubian, holding onto Emperor Chongzhao's arm, stood up. Dizzy from the fever, he swayed a bit. Under Emperor Chongzhao's silent gaze, he assumed a stance.
"What are you doing?"
Had his son finally been driven mad by the fever?
"Practicing Tai Chi."
He hadn't checked in today. If he kept it up for a few more days, he could draw a prize again soon. Breaking the streak would be such a loss.
Emperor Chongzhao watched for a few seconds, his brow furrowing. He stood up, paced a few steps with his hands behind his back, then waved at Eunuch Yu in the hall. The latter immediately went out and soon returned with an imperial physician.
Imperial Physician Yang looked at the little prince, whose fever still hadn't broken, yet who was solemnly cutting and dividing a watermelon on the bed. The corner of his mouth twitched.
Emperor Chongzhao asked calmly, "Is he still treatable?"
Imperial Physician Yang: "..."
-
Due to the various inconveniences of being in the Zichen Hall, Qu Dubian took a little over two days to complete the second thesis.
Longer than expected, but the result was good. With a full score worth ninety days of lifespan, he got eighty. His total remaining lifespan was now one hundred and twenty-five days.
On the day the simulation ended, the recurring fever in Qu Dubian's body finally subsided completely. After the imperial physicians diagnosed his recovery, the atmosphere in the entire Zichen Hall relaxed noticeably.
Qu Dubian found an opportunity to stuff the paper, crumpled into a ball, into the charcoal brazier. To cover up, he burned a few extra sheets. Not to mention, the paper here at his cheap father's place even smelled better after burning than other paper.
Burning some paper, though a bit wasteful, never mind. Consider it an early act of filial piety for his cheap father.
For three meals in a row after his recovery, each included liver and other blood-nourishing foods. Some were sent from the Shunning Palace, some from the Imperial Kitchen.
When he was sick, too many consorts wanted to visit, so Emperor Chongzhao simply treated everyone equally and issued an edict forbidding visits to the Zichen Hall. Now that he was better, though still under observation and confined to his room, he could finally receive visitors.
The first to visit was the Fifth Prince.
Qu Dubian had been lost in thought, studying the qi circulation diagram in his mind. Hearing a noise, he rolled over and sprang to his feet. "Fifth Brother?"
The Fifth Prince: "Seventh Brother, are you all better now?"
Hearing this, Qu Dubian bounced on the spot and spun around. "Perfectly fine! It's just the imperial physicians won't let me go out yet, telling me to wait a few more days."
"I brought you some dates."
The Fifth Prince handed him a small bag of red dates. "I heard you needed to nourish your blood. I picked and prepared these dates myself last year. They're very tasty."
He seemed a little embarrassed. "My mother said it's not proper for a prince to do such things with his own hands and scolded me. So I didn't make much, and this is all that's left."
"I love dates the most! Thank you, Fifth Brother!"
Qu Dubian's opinion of Noble Consort Rong had always been on a downward trend, but he also understood that in this ridiculous ancient era, those who shared her way of thinking were far from rare.
He ate one right away, mumbling with his mouth full, "So sweet. Back in the Jiu'an Hall, we never got to eat things like this."
The Fifth Prince let out a sigh of relief, a small smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "I'm glad Younger Brother likes them."
They played with Dahei for a while before Ye Xiaoyuan came in and announced, "Your Highness, the Fourth Prince and Sixth Prince have also come to see you."
"Let them in! We can all play together."
When the Fifth Prince heard that the Sixth Prince had also come, his smile vanished instantly. That bit of bright cheer seemed to have never existed, and he became a quiet shadow once more.
The Sixth Prince rushed in. "Little Brother, did you miss me?"
Qu Dubian was shocked. "Sixth Brother, why is there a bruise on your forehead?"
The Fourth Prince ambled in slowly, clutching his small pillow. Without even glancing at the Sixth Prince, he sat down next to Qu Dubian. "He bit a hole in my pillow. I hit him."
Qu Dubian: "!"
For a moment, he didn't know whether to be more astonished that his sloth-like Fourth Brother had actually hit someone, or that his Sixth Brother had dared to tear the Fourth Brother's pillow.
The two kids fought, yet Consort Lan and Consort Yi hadn't gotten into a fight themselves?
The Sixth Prince pushed the Fifth Prince aside domineeringly and sat on Qu Dubian's other side, declaring dramatically, "He's just a meanie! Shouldn't older brothers give in to younger brothers? I always give in to you, but he won't give in to me."
The Fourth Prince was sworn enemies with the person who tore his pillow. "I only give in to the younger brothers I want to give in to."
Sixth Prince: "If I'd known you were coming back too, I wouldn't have come here!"
Fourth Prince: "Oh? Then leave."
Seeing the situation turning sour, Qu Dubian hurriedly interjected, "Stop!!"
The Sixth Prince pouted. "What's that in your hand?"
"Dates from Fifth Brother. A gift."
The Sixth Prince clenched his fist angrily. "How sneaky! You gave a gift without telling us."
Fifth Prince: "..." How was I supposed to know you were coming too?
It's most awkward when gift-giving isn't coordinated.
The Sixth Prince rummaged in his pocket and finally pulled out a white stone, saying sheepishly, "I... I picked it up on the road. I think it's special, different from other stones! I'm giving it to you."
The Fourth Prince picked at his pillow, dug out a tiny grain of wheat, and placed it reluctantly in Qu Dubian's hand.
It was clear he was feeling the pinch.
Qu Dubian provided ample emotional validation, accepting them with a beaming smile and expressing his thanks. He gave each a hug, then pulled the excluded Fifth Prince back, instructing someone to bring another stool and place it beside him.
Four children together can create quite a ruckus.
When Emperor Chongzhao returned from court, his Zichen Palace was already in chaos.
Dahei was covered in tiny braids, exuding an aura of utter despair, with his paws covering his head and ears.
Emperor Chongzhao cleared his throat.
The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh princes immediately turned their heads, each reacting differently. The Fifth Prince bowed respectfully and greeted, "Imperial Father."
The Fourth Prince was much more casual. The Sixth Prince was happy yet also a little fearful, shrinking his neck, afraid of being quizzed on the spot.
The Emperor nodded gravely and acknowledged them with a hum. Then his gaze fell on his youngest son, who looked especially short and conspicuous next to his older brothers.
The latter yawned and waved. "You're back early today."
Emperor Chongzhao: "You certainly know how to use my residence to entertain your brothers." He turned to the other three young ones. "Good. Though you are still young, you are beginning to act like proper older brothers, knowing to come visit your younger brother."
Qu Dubian: "And they brought gifts! Fifth Brother's dates are really tasty."
Emperor Chongzhao took another look at the Fifth Prince.
The latter mustered his courage and looked up, appearing somewhat apprehensive.
In his memory, the Fifth Prince was always quite quiet, fond of playing with the Sixth Prince. He was still too young to see his achievements or natural talent, but his personality was a bit withdrawn.
He praised, "Well done. All of you did well."
A flicker of joy rose in the Fifth Prince's heart, and he became even more respectful. "Thank you for your praise, Imperial Father."
Emperor Chongzhao stepped past him, grabbed Qu Dubian by the collar, and lifted him up, comparing him to the Sixth Prince. He frowned. "Why aren't you growing taller?"
...That's a low blow, old man.
He's still young, just a late bloomer.
Emperor Chongzhao was in a good mood. After playing with his sons for a while, he urged them to return.
The three princes said their goodbyes one by one and left with their attendants.
The three of them were heading back to the inner palace together, their paths overlapping for a stretch. The Fourth and Sixth Princes had no choice but to walk together, holding their noses, while the Fifth Prince was still thinking about his Imperial Father's praise earlier.
The three little sprouts, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, showed none of the boisterous cheer from their time in Zichen Palace.
Unexpectedly, not long after they set off, snow began to drift down from the sky.
The Fifth Prince pursed his lips. "We didn't bring umbrellas when we came."
The Sixth Prince looked up, rather pleased. "It's not rain. We just need to walk faster."
They weren't too worried, but the attendants were anxious. If their young masters caught a chill, it would be them who faced punishment from their mistresses.
"Fourth Brother! Fifth Brother! Sixth Brother!"
A small figure came running from afar, chased by two eunuchs.
The Fourth Prince looked back. In the misty weather with fine snow swirling, a small figure wearing a deep blue, fur-lined cloak was running towards them.
Qu Dubian wore a hood and held an umbrella. Dahei carried one in his mouth, and Ye Xiaoyuan held another.
Snowflakes clung to his eyelashes, melting with every blink.
"I came to bring you umbrellas!"
He handed out the three umbrellas one by one. The attendants hurriedly expressed their gratitude, opening them to shield their respective princes from the snow.
Fourth Prince: "Little Brother, you're so kind."
Fifth Prince: "Thank you, Seventh Brother."
Sixth Prince patted his shoulder. "Good brother, I've got your back."
Qu Dubian smiled brightly. "Okay, okay! Hurry up now, or you'll get sick like I did."
The four brothers said goodbye again. Qu Dubian stood on the steps, watching the backs of the three as they walked away, feeling rather amused. The Sixth Brother walked the fastest, the Fifth Brother still trailed behind him, and the Fourth Brother walked the slowest.
He waved and shouted, "Be careful, the path is slippery!"
The Fourth Prince turned back, smiled at him, and waved.
After walking together for that stretch where the umbrellas were delivered, they reached the bottom and separated again, each heading in their own direction.
Qu Dubian waited until he could no longer see their figures, then turned and led Dahei back to Zichen Palace.
