After the New Year's Banquet.
The New Year's holiday soon arrived, with officials on break. Matters that weren't urgently important enough to require immediate handling would generally wait until after the eighth day of the lunar new year.
As for the case of Marquis Chijian killing the 'assassin' mentioned by Censor Zheng at the banquet, the Emperor's attitude hadn't been to order an immediate investigation, so they naturally wouldn't go looking for trouble to fill their idle time.
On New Year's Day itself.
All the princes and princesses, except for Qu Dubian, wore auspicious red clothing. Qu Dubian couldn't wear red. The Emperor said he hadn't completed the full three years of mourning and must still observe filial piety, so at most he could only wear some red underneath his outer garments or have a mere red trim on the outside.
Ye Xiaoyuan minded this immensely, but he suppressed his discomfort and helped his own young master change into the new clothes for the New Year.
Whenever he began to feel some goodwill towards the Emperor, His Majesty would always, in one way or another, cause that goodwill to plummet back to zero.
Qu Dubian didn't care. Clothes were just clothes. After all, he had long been clear on what his cheap father's character was like, hadn't he?
He was adorable, and the light blue outfit suited him well.
After changing, Qu Dubian fished out the little gold ingot Emperor Chongzhao had given him from his small sock. "Ye Banban, Xiao Chun, I'm giving you both a bonus!"
"A bonus?"
Qu Dubian beamed, exceptionally generous, handing out two gold ingots each. "Yes, of course there must be a bonus for the New Year. I'm always getting sick, and you both take such good care of me. It's hard work."
Wen Xiaochun gave a helpless smile. "Your Highness, this is our duty. Even if you wish to reward us, some ordinary silver would suffice. You only have this few gold ingots to your name."
The young prince was too sincere. If he encountered someone with ill intentions, they could easily trick him out of his entire little treasury.
"That won't do. You're not outsiders. I wouldn't give any to outsiders."
Ye Xiaoyuan's heart melted. "Alright, I'll accept it. Xiao Chun, you must accept yours too. You'll need plenty of silver for future... dealings." Knowing that Qu Dubian had protectors watching over him, Wen Xiaochun had already resolved to join the Inspection and Transport Office. The harder he worked and the higher he climbed, the more useful he could become.
Once they were ready, they set off for Fengwu Palace to pay New Year's respects.
Qu Dubian fished out two more ingots from his small sock. After they had roughly left the Zichen Palace area, he said, "Ye Banban, you and Xiao Chun wait for me a moment."
He ran to a corner and called out, "Liu Liu!"
Yi Shier appeared, a book still in his hand.
He occasionally read when bored on duty—it didn't hinder his work, and no shadow regulations constrained him now.
"What book is that?"
Yi Shier, not thinking a young prince of this age, having attended school for only a few days, could recognize many characters, extended his hand to show him. The cover bore four words.
He said, "The Four Books and Five Classics."
Qu Dubian: "?"
Don't bully him for being uncultured. The official editions of the Great Zhou's Four Books and Five Classics definitely weren't allowed to be combined into a single volume.
With Yi Shier's permission, he pinched a corner and flipped it open to look. Inside, he saw a line: [...The scantily clad Demon Sect protector, amidst a sky full of swirling petals, fell into the arms of the young hero. Seeing the beauty injured, the hero, enraged, beheaded the enemy leader, shocking the entire hall. Who wouldn't say, upon seeing this, that it was the epitome of domineering charm and gallantry!]
Qu Dubian: "..."
The child looked up at the former shadow guard.
The former shadow guard, wearing his mask, showed no expression, looking cool and aloof.
"..."
Qu Dubian silently closed the book. He thought to himself, Liu Liu is quite young; it's normal for him to read romance novels. He seems quite experienced, even knowing to wrap the book in a protective cover.
But which perspective did he identify with when reading such stories?
A thousand complex thoughts condensed into a single word of praise. "Liu Liu is so studious."
"The classics of the sages are very useful," Yi Shier said profoundly, putting the book away and encouraging his little superior. "Your Highness, study hard. You'll learn them too in the future."
Qu Dubian mentally ran through all the saddest things in his life, then pulled out the ingot from his pocket and handed it over.
"This is Liu Liu's bonus."
Yi Shier: "I have one too?"
"Of course."
Yi Shier cupped his hands in a salute. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Listening to the notification of increased favorability points, Qu Dubian said with a smile, "Happy New Year."
"...Mhm. Happy New Year."
-
Fengwu Palace.
Qu Dubian, along with several other princes, paid New Year's respects to Emperor Chongzhao and the Empress seated before them.
He kowtowed three times properly and received two exceptionally large red envelopes.
They were so heavy Qu Dubian struggled to hold them with his hands. The bonus he had just given out was instantly replenished.
Other imperial consorts were also present in Fengwu Palace. For them, kneeling wasn't required; one only needed to bow with hands clasped to pay respects and receive a red envelope—some gave more, some less.
Qu Dubian, cradling his red envelopes, grinned from ear to ear, his New Year's blessings flowing out in an endless, non-repetitive stream.
His joy was genuine and infectious, lifting the spirits of those around him.
The atmosphere in Fengwu Palace was excellent, a rare day where everyone was so harmonious and amiable.
When he reached Consort Xuan, Qu Dubian pulled Zhiyi along. "A happy New Year to Consort Xuan! May Consort Xuan grow more beautiful and produce more and more delicious things!"
He handed all the received red envelopes to Ye Xiaoyuan, then spread his small hands open. "Consort Xuan must have prepared a gift, right~"
His tone with Consort Xuan was very familiar and natural, more so than with the other consorts.
The Empress turned her head to speak with Emperor Chongzhao, smiling as she said, "Little Seven looks a bit rosier. The nourishing foods from the imperial kitchens seem to be working."
Emperor Chongzhao nodded. "Yes. He's just not growing taller."
A direct hit to the heart.
Qu Dubian secretly gritted his teeth.
Consort Xuan: "Nonsense. He has grown a little," she mused for a moment before adding, "Though perhaps it's because his boots have higher soles now."
The entire room burst into laughter.
Qu Dubian buried his head in Consort Xuan's lap, unable to lift it. "Ahhh, Consort Xuan!"
The Fourth Prince, sitting on a stool, grabbed the Sixth Prince and started pinching his shoulders, also laughing.
The Second Prince said softly, "In my memory, this is the first time the New Year's ceremony has been so lively. It's also the first time Consort Xuan has spent New Year's in Fengwu Palace, isn't it?"
"Hahahahaha," the First Prince, his attention elsewhere, hadn't caught the earlier muttering. "What? What did you just say?"
Second Prince: "..."
The Third Prince had heard it but, for once, offered no rebuttal.
Who wouldn't enjoy such a scene of simple, uncalculated happiness, this warmth so rarely seen in the harem over the years? It was as if they were truly an ordinary family.
In previous years, although everyone smiled during the New Year's greetings, ultimately...
The surface was lively, but the heart felt cold and desolate.
"Here is your red envelope," Consort Xuan said, giving a small bag of gold rabbits, each only the size of a pinky finger. "And there's an extra one. I'll give it to you later."
Qu Dubian's curiosity was piqued. "Okay!"
Emperor Chongzhao said, "Alright, the family banquet will begin soon. This time it's a real family banquet. I doubt any of you who attended the official banquet yesterday ate well."
The Empress said with a laugh, "It's always been that way."
Merely for show.
When the family banquet began.
Emperor Chongzhao was in a very good mood today. After the banquet started, watching the Sixth Prince pick food for the Fourth Prince, he even asked with idle curiosity, "Little Six, why are you being so attentive to Fourth Brother?"
The Sixth Prince said reluctantly, "I promised to help Fourth Brother with tasks for a month. The time isn't up yet."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Why?"
The Sixth Prince was unwilling to speak about being punished at school. Pouting, he said, "Don't ask, it's a secret."
Both Consort Lan and Lady Yi knew the inside story. Seeing her son serving others, Consort Lan was naturally displeased and wanted to pick a fight with Lady Yi. However, she was always left fuming by the other's mild, indifferent attitude.
She could only console herself that it was a matter between children. As an adult, she wouldn't interfere.
Emperor Chongzhao raised an eyebrow and glanced at his youngest son, who was eating happily.
His intuition told him this matter was related to the little rascal.
But it wasn't a big deal. He said, "There will be fireworks outside the city tonight. You shall accompany me to the city wall to watch them."
"Wow!"
"Thank you, Father!"
For these younger children, it wasn't an opportunity they got every year to watch fireworks from the city wall.
The family banquet lasted until mid-afternoon. While waiting for the evening fireworks, everyone split into several tables in Fengwu Palace to play Leaf Cards.
Ma Diao Cards were the precursor to modern mahjong. Pushing Dominoes, using bone tiles, and rolling dice appeared more often in gambling dens. Qu Dubian knew a bit about these.
However, he didn't know this rather ancient game of Leaf Cards.
He had Ye Xiaoyuan carry him around to watch for a few rounds and gradually figured it out. The Great Zhou's Leaf Cards were divided into four suits: Copper Coins, White Tokens, Ten Thousand Strings, and One Hundred Thousand Strings.
The method of counting points was very similar to mahjong.
The battleground for the consorts and concubines shifted from the inner court to the card table. Behind light laughs and sleeves covering lips, their moves were utterly ruthless, with hidden sparks of rivalry flying.
Qu Dubian couldn't join the game, so he went to peek at others' cards, occasionally accepting bribes to help the ladies cheat.
While observing chess silently is the mark of a true gentleman, observing cards doesn't count.
Before long, this market disruptor was chased aside by his cheap father. Palace servants brought up a tray of clean clay for the four younger princes and Princess Zhiyi to play with.
They played until dark.
After the evening meal, everyone went to the city wall together.
The Emperor, high-ranking consorts, and all the imperial offspring appearing here meant security was at its peak.
Openly, the Imperial Guards were stationed around. Covertly, there were also shadow guards.
Yi Shier didn't deliberately hide his aura, as being mistaken for an assassin would be troublesome. His hiding spot wouldn't be discovered by others, but the shadow guards could sense him easily.
In one hand, milk tea; in the other, a book; in his pocket, the year-end bonus.
The newly assigned shadow guard, the new Yi Shier, looked on disapprovingly and made a few hand signals, meaning: This person has become increasingly lax since leaving the shadow guards. Acknowledging a prince as his master, yet his life is still controlled by the shadow guards. If the Seventh Prince ever discards him, he's dead. How pitiful.
The leader of the Yi-ranked shadow guards glanced over and signaled back: Master? He hasn't acknowledged a master.
For a shadow guard to formally acknowledge a new master, they must remove their mask.
And as far as he knew, since following the Seventh Prince, Yi Shier had never revealed his true face in front of him.
Boom—!
Brilliant fireworks exploded beyond the city wall.
Yi Shier finally looked up from his book, his gaze settling on the Seventh Prince.
Qu Dubian raised his head, the clear black pupils of his eyes reflecting the dazzling lights in the sky.
The people standing around him were his cheap father, his brothers, his elder sister, Consort Xuan, Xiaoyuan and Xiaochun, Dahei...
Qu Dubian exhaled a puff of white breath, his eyes crinkling into a smile.
This was his first New Year in this unfamiliar dynasty, spent with these people.
-
The fireworks on the city wall ended.
Emperor Chongzhao didn't tell Qu Dubian to return to Zichen Palace. Thinking he would follow Consort Xuan to Shunning Palace, he was instead led by Consort Xuan onto a carriage.
Xinqing, the chief maid of Shunning Palace, came running with an embroidered box.
Qu Dubian: "Consort Xuan, where am I going?"
Surely his cheap father hadn't had a sudden lapse of judgment and decided to abandon him!
"You'll know in a moment," Consort Xuan smiled, opening the box. "Look."
A red scarf knitted from wool, slightly crooked.
"I knitted it myself. My old knitting skills have gotten rusty. It was missing the finishing touches, so I asked Lady Guo to finish it for me. It was just completed, thankfully in time. It... still counts as something I made myself, right?"
Qu Dubian pinched the soft red scarf, his heart softening.
He wasn't someone easily moved, but when surrounded by warm, sincere affection, a person gradually becomes tender.
He grinned and hugged Consort Xuan. "Consort Xuan is the best Consort Xuan!"
Consort Xuan wrapped it around his neck, examined it for a moment, and said, "Good, it fits. Don't believe what His Majesty said about mourning observances. If I were your mother, as long as you are happy, I would be delighted no matter what you wear."
Qu Dubian nodded emphatically: "Mhm!"
The carriage slowly came to a stop. Consort Xuan said, "We're here."
Qu Dubian followed her out. This was Donghua Gate, and surprisingly, the gate was open at this hour.
A carriage was waiting outside early on. Xu Jin, the Marquis Who Holds the Sword, and the Marquess Dowager, Wu Siwan, were waiting here nervously, peering inside from time to time.
