After nightfall, the palace was quiet.
Everywhere outside, news was spreading about the Marquis Who Bears the Sword beheading the Northern Border assassins at the city gate.
Those unaware of the full story clapped and cheered.
They said the Northern Border only pretended to be friendly with Great Zhou on the surface, while secretly carrying out countless despicable acts behind the scenes.
Some were in the know, such as the Xie Manor.
After returning home, Xie Jingshan truthfully reported the matter to Grand Preceptor Xie. The latter, however, was not surprised and merely produced a slip of paper with names written on it.
"Father, what is this...?"
Grand Preceptor Xie said, "Several days ago, regarding the matter of Noble Consort Chu poisoning the Seventh Prince, which your sister was ordered to investigate, there is now a result. Among the imperial consorts' maternal families, only three have the power to interfere with the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple: the Empress, Virtuous Consort, and Orchid Consort. If there truly is a mastermind behind this, it must be one of these three."
Xie Jingshan: "Father, who do you think it is?"
Grand Preceptor Xie: "Observe who will speak up first at the New Year's Banquet tomorrow evening regarding the Marquis killing the assassins."
"You think they will bring it up at the banquet?"
"Go and see for yourself tomorrow, won't you? The position of the Vice Minister of Works isn't too far back; you might even get a close-up view of the drama," said Grand Preceptor Xie. "Don't tell the old Marquis about this for now."
"Wouldn't telling him be better?"
"He dotes on his daughter, but that doesn't necessarily extend to his grandson. Let's wait and see."
-
The next day.
It was a busy day for the adults.
The children were quite idle, with no classes to attend and no need to help—their 'help' was often seen by the adults as more of a hindrance.
Qu Dubian went to the Shunning Palace to deliver the finished shuttlecock to Zhiyi.
Because the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Princes all enjoyed playing with him, he visited the Shunning Palace frequently, making it a livelier place. Zhiyi gradually became less shy and could play with the other three little ones for a while.
As evening approached, people from various palaces came to fetch their children, some to change clothes, others to wash faces.
Qu Dubian waved, "Concubine Xuan, see you later!"
Concubine Xuan smiled and said, "See you later."
Returning to the Purple Zenith Hall.
Emperor Chongzhao was also changing his clothes. Qu Dubian looked up silently for a moment. "Father, your belly has gotten fat."
Emperor Chongzhao glanced at the little one by his feet. "Putting on weight for winter. Who's like you, without half an ounce of meat?"
Qu Dubian: "..." If he remembered correctly, it was 'putting on weight for autumn.'
"Oh, Young Highness, don't just stand there. Hurry and change," Chief Eunuch Yu entered holding a tray. "Given Your Highness's young age, strict formal attire isn't required. Something slightly formal in style is sufficient."
After changing, Emperor Chongzhao went out first. Before leaving, he bent down and pinched his son's cheek. "When changing his clothes, seal all the windows properly. Behave. I'll wait for you outside."
Qu Dubian swatted his hand fiercely.
Emperor Chongzhao walked out with his hands behind his back, rubbing his fingers. Actually, the cheek still had some flesh; the feel was quite nice.
He stood outside in the cold wind for a while.
The hall doors opened, and Chief Eunuch Yu's smiling voice came through. "Young Highness looks like a little celestial boy from heaven in this outfit."
Great Zhou holds black and crimson in highest esteem, with the cold orchid as the national flower.
The outfit Qu Dubian wore was entirely jet black, with white sable fur trimming the wide cuffs. His hair in a bun was adorned with a playful white jade rabbit hairpin.
Paired with the white sable fur, he looked even more like a little rabbit.
But Emperor Chongzhao knew the little one was no rabbit; his mischievous ideas came one after another.
"That hairpin is quite unique."
"Elder Sister gave it to me. I gave her a shuttlecock, and she gave me this. Isn't it pretty?"
Emperor Chongzhao had Qu Dubian hold onto his sleeve as they walked. "Looks even more like a little girl now."
Qu Dubian: "Your Majesty, your robe hem is so long."
Emperor Chongzhao: "What about it?"
Qu Dubian: "I'm tired. Can I sit on it? You can drag me along. I'll weigh it down and help sweep the floor cleaner."
"..." Emperor Chongzhao gritted his teeth. "Shut your mouth for me."
"Oh."
A moment later.
"Really not allowed, Dad?"
"...Shut up. Not allowed."
-
The Reclining Qilin Hall.
The New Year's Banquet had always been held in this hall.
Rows of tall candelabras lined both sides, illuminating the hall brightly.
The Emperor sat at the head, with the Empress beside him.
Below were the seats for the imperial children, the Four Consorts, and the Noble Consorts.
For the New Year's Banquet, only consorts of the rank 'Consort' and above could attend. Princes and princesses aged ten and above could have their own seats. Those under ten, if their birth mother was not of Consort rank, would be under the care of their presiding consort or the Empress.
If it was too troublesome, consorts and imperial children could choose not to attend.
Zhiyi had never come before. This time, wanting to see, she was brought by Concubine Xuan.
Several representative members of the imperial clan also attended, seated between the consorts and the officials.
Prince Ming was among them.
He cupped his hands and smiled, welcoming the civil and military officials arriving one after another. "Gentlemen, please be seated, please be seated. Minister of Revenue, Minister Lin, you've arrived! How come I see quite a few more white hairs on your head?"
The Minister of Revenue laughed. "Those thick-skinned ones won't even let me have peace during the New Year. Coming here thinking of ways to squeeze silver out of me. My hair turned white precisely because of their pestering."
With that one remark, he managed to target countless officials in the vicinity.
"Hahahaha, Minister Lin, you do jest. Please take your seat."
Prince Ming moved forward again and noticed an unfamiliar face. "Huh? I haven't seen this gentleman before. Are you newly arrived for reporting duties?"
The man appeared to be in his thirties or forties, wearing the light crimson uniform of a military official, his features resolute. Upon hearing this, he cupped his hands. "I am Xia Hong, formerly under the command of the Governor of Jizhou, a Fourth Rank General. Transferred to the capital, I am here both to assume my post and report for duty."
"Transferred to the capital?" Prince Ming was puzzled. "Has it been stated which position?"
Xia Hong: "There is no explicit decree."
"How strange. Then where is your seat?"
Xia Hong pointed. Prince Ming followed his gaze and saw, coincidentally, the man's seat was right in the middle of the right side of the hall. Originally, given his rank and being new to the capital, he should have been seated further back.
Prince Ming suppressed his confusion and patted his shoulder. "Go on, go on."
Xia Hong cupped his hands, sat down, placed his hands properly on his thighs, and sat with a straight back.
His manner was very rigid and by-the-book.
Prince Ming withdrew his gaze. Soon, he had no time to ponder this matter, as a eunuch's voice called out from outside: "The Marquis Who Bears the Sword arrives—"
"The Marquis is here."
"Get up, get up."
The officials, previously gathered in small groups chatting, all rose to their feet. Whatever their private thoughts, their faces wore smiles of goodwill.
"Marquis, peace and health to you!"
Xu Jing returned the courtesy. "Gentlemen, it has been a long time."
The consorts and princes seated at the front looked over. Zhiyi whispered to Concubine Xuan, "Concubine Xuan, is he the Seventh Prince's maternal grandfather?"
Concubine Xuan: "Mm-hmm."
Zhiyi: "Why is he carrying a sword?"
Concubine Xuan: "He is called the Marquis Who Bears the Sword."
"Oh..."
Concubine Xuan smiled and gave Zhiyi a piece of cut fruit.
An intense, unavoidable gaze fell upon her. Concubine Xuan paused slightly and followed the feeling, meeting the eyes of the Marquis Who Bears the Sword.
The old Marquis was staring intently at Zhiyi, who was mostly hidden behind her.
Concubine Xuan understood. He had probably heard about the matter of the young prince in the palace choosing a mother and mistook Zhiyi for his own grandson.
She shifted slightly and shook her head at the Marquis Who Bears the Sword.
Seated beside him was a little girl... A flicker of disappointment rose in Xu Jin's heart.
Prince Ming: "Alright, alright, everyone disperse. His Majesty will be arriving soon, don't delay the Marquis from taking his seat." He leaned in and whispered, "Concubine Xuan has not yet formally adopted her, so she will be entering with His Majesty. You'll be able to see her shortly."
"My thanks, Your Highness."
Only then did Xu Jin take his seat.
His position was very near the front, right next to Prince Ming.
Being so close, Zhiyi got a good look at this Marquis Who Holds the Sword. The imposing aura of a general who had spent half his life on the battlefield was intimidating enough. Zhiyi was startled by the two fierce scars on his face and shrank back behind Concubine Xuan. After a moment, remembering this was her seventh brother's maternal grandfather, she dared to slowly peek out again.
Xu Jin hadn't expected to frighten the little princess either. He touched his face. He had never cared about the two extra scars before, but now he suddenly became self-conscious about them.
He glanced around but couldn't find anything to cover his face with.
Prince Ming: "What is the Marquis doing?"
Xu Jin: "Does Your Highness have anything that could cover one's face?"
"Of course," Prince Ming pulled out an exquisite pink handkerchief from his sleeve, the same flamboyant color as the strip of cloth he used to cover his eye diagonally. "Feel free to use it."
"Why the sudden urge to cover your face?"
"Children raised in the capital aren't as bold as frontier children. I don't want to scare anyone."
"Oh~ The Marquis wants to learn from me. The eye I keep covered is quite frightening too, hahaha."
Xu Jin hooked the handkerchief with his finger, his brow furrowed: "...What's embroidered on this? Butterflies and flowers again. Such a delicate color is for young ladies and dandies. I don't want to use it."
"This is called 'Butterflies Adoring Flowers'."
Prince Ming sighed, "Really won't use it?"
Xu Jin: "No!"
His little grandson was a prince, not as delicate as a raised princess. He wouldn't cover up!
Suddenly, the atmosphere turned solemn. Outside the main hall, Eunuch Yu hurried in with small, quick steps. "His Majesty has arrived—"
All the officials rose and bowed with clasped hands.
"We greet Your Majesty!"
Emperor Chongzhao: "Today's New Year's banquet knows no distinction between sovereign and subject. No need for such formality. As in previous years, feel at ease."
Qu Dubian held onto Emperor Chongzhao's sleeve as they walked forward. Even with the Emperor deliberately slowing his pace, Qu Dubian still had to stride very hard to keep up.
He couldn't help but worry. He really, really tried hard to eat, wasn't picky, drank milk every day, so why wasn't he growing taller?
Qu Dubian lifted his head and looked to both sides. Which one was his maternal grandfather?
He had never met him before, so he didn't know what his grandfather looked like. He could only scan the row of military officials.
As he looked, he got a tap on his forehead. Emperor Chongzhao: "What are you looking at? Walk properly."
Qu Dubian covered his forehead, grimacing, finally lowering his sore, tilted-back neck to look at his own toes.
When they reached the row of imperial relatives, Prince Ming glanced at Xu Jin beside him, the corner of his mouth lifting. He suddenly spoke up: "Little nephew, you haven't greeted your imperial uncle yet, have you?"
Xu Jin's whole body stiffened. Hearing the teasing in Prince Ming's tone, he cursed inwardly. Then, a soft, childish voice reached his ears: "Huh?"
Qu Dubian stopped and looked up, thinking: "I've seen you a few times, but never spoken to you, Imperial Uncle."
Emperor Chongzhao: "So readily calling him 'Imperial Uncle' now? I don't usually hear you call 'Father Emperor' so readily."
Prince Ming laughed. "I'll make up the meeting gift another day."
Qu Dubian: "Thank you, Imperial Uncle."
"Let's go," Emperor Chongzhao led him forward.
After greeting Concubine Xuan, Zhiyi, and his elder brothers who had taken their places in the row, Qu Dubian couldn't help but look back every few steps.
That strange-looking grandfather standing next to Imperial Uncle Ming, holding up a pink butterfly-and-flower handkerchief with his pinky finger raised... who was that?
In this day and age, aside from Liuliu having the heart of a maiden scattering blossoms to the heavens, there was actually another master of this art?
