The innocent words of a child were spoken.
The old grandaunt was utterly dumbfounded. Forgetting all about her usual act of a kindly elder, she hurriedly said to Ye Xiaoyuan, "Eunuch, this old woman certainly did not mean what was implied just now!"
Ye Xiaoyuan played along perfectly: "May I ask your surname, given name, and where you reside?" He then turned to look at Xu Jianyan, "Oh...! You are, the Minister of the Imperial Banquets! I remember that."
"Is she your only aunt? In that case, it doesn't matter whether His Majesty knows her name or not."
Xu Jianyan: "No, no, no!"
"It's a misunderstanding!"
Ye Xiaoyuan said with a smile, "You two have no business pleading with me. I only listen to His Highness."
The one who had spoken was their family's young prince. These two were begging him? Clearly, they thought the young prince was too little to understand and were trying to fool him, the personal eunuch.
His Highness was very clever.
The two had no choice but to turn their heads: "Seventh Highness, we did not mean what you suggested earlier."
Xu Jianyan's mouth tasted bitter. He had truly been set up solidly by his aunt, and now he was caught up in this mess. If this really reached the Emperor's ears, losing his official post would be the least of his worries; losing his head would be the real problem!
Qu Dubian covered his nose, staying far away from him. The sight of the nosebleed made him somewhat uncomfortable.
Then his eyes rolled, and a mischievous, crafty look emerged. Qu Dubian stretched out a finger. "Then let's play a game! If you win, I won't tell."
Xu Jianyan: "Please, go ahead."
Qu Dubian: "I'm very good at counting. I'll count to ten. If you can run out of the Marquis's estate by then, I won't tell His Majesty. If you can't—"
"One, two, three..."
Xu Jianyan: "!!!"
How could he start counting already!
He had no time to think. He turned and ran! The old grandaunt beside him instantly threw away her walking stick. The old lady who needed help to sit down just moments ago nimbly scrambled onto Xu Jianyan's back, her arms tightly locking around his neck.
"Hurry, hurry!"
Xu Jianyan, choked, his face turning red: "...Cough! Cough! Aunt!"
Qu Dubian counted on his fingers, "Six... hmm, nine..."
Xu Jianyan: "???"
He mustered all his strength to let out a roar: "Everyone, faster!!!"
Damn it all, where was the Seventh Highness's good counting? Not good at all!
Xu Jianyan, carrying the old lady on his back, swiftly ran out, followed by a horde of children and grandchildren. Da Hei chased after them for a few fitting steps, barking a couple of times.
They ran even faster.
The front hall was instantly cleared, all the annoying people gone.
Qu Dubian clapped his hands. "That's much more comfortable now."
He looked up, his eyes sparkling. "Wasn't I amazing!"
In the eyes of Xu Jin and Wu Siwan, it was exactly like a little child having done something supremely impressive, hands on hips, chest puffed out, demanding praise from his elders.
"Oh, the darling of your grandpa and grandma's hearts!"
Xu Jin's heart melted. He lifted Qu Dubian up and spun him around in the air a few times. "So amazing, you solved a big headache for the two of us. Remember, the one with the face swollen like a pig's head really is a pig. Stay far away from him in the future, or you might catch his stupidity."
Wu Siwan: "Let's go. No annoying people now. Time to eat."
Qu Dubian: "Okay!"
-
Evening.
In the afternoon, various ministers had arrived at the Marquis's estate one after another.
Most were military officers, coming to visit the Sword-Holding Marquis.
Qu Dubian listened for a long while, feeling it was rather like a fan meet-and-greet. Thinking about it, it made sense. Among Great Zhou's military officers, anyone with some ambition would want to achieve the same accomplishments as his grandfather.
Just the night before last, he had heard the fierce arguing from the western warm chamber in the Zichen Hall. Even with such intensity, his grandfather remained unharmed.
If one day his cheap father wanted to deal with his grandfather, he definitely wouldn't be too harsh, at most stripping him of power.
His grandfather's solid, real achievements, his prestige in the court, and his reputation among the common people were all his talismans for preserving his life.
Qu Dubian narrowed his eyes, his thoughts drifting far away.
If he could go to the battlefield and fight, accumulating full military merit, without having his power stripped, wouldn't he be able to do whatever he wanted for a lifetime?
After thinking for a while, Qu Dubian snapped back to reality, shaking his body and rubbing his face.
Reading too many martial arts novels sometimes made him get carried away. At his core, he was a modern person; farming was his instinct. He didn't want that much blood on his hands.
In the courtyard.
Wen Xiaochun had changed into a tight-fitting, thin martial arts outfit. Drenched in sweat, he was sparring with Lang Qing.
Clearly, Wen Xiaochun was at a disadvantage.
The moves and foundation he had learned were not on the same level as someone who had fought and killed on the battlefield.
Xu Jin, having seen off the guests and tidied up, picked up his little grandson who was squatting in the courtyard watching the match. "So, how about it? Is Grandpa's subordinate impressive?"
Qu Dubian leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Not as impressive as Grandpa."
"Hahahaha!"
Xu Jin: "Come on, let's go out to the temple fair."
Qu Dubian: "Aren't Xiaochun and Uncle Lang Qing coming?"
After walking some distance away while carrying him, Xu Jin said softly, "Grandfather has to return to the northern border in a while. It's rare for you to have someone openly skilled in martial arts by your side, but he lacks training. These next few days, leave him to Grandfather. I'll train him up."
"Don't worry, I've explained it clearly to Eunuch Xiaochun. He's willing too."
Qu Dubian understood. They had come to Grandpa's house to relax and have fun, while Xiaochun was leveling up alone. That was fine too. With Xiaochun's non-confrontational nature, having higher martial skills would prevent him from being bullied when he goes to the Inspection and Transport Office after the New Year.
Qu Dubian cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone. "Work hard, Xiaochun! I believe in you!!"
Wen Xiaochun instinctively looked over, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth—
Thud!
He took a punch to the chest and flew backward.
Splat!
He fell to the ground, even bouncing a couple of times.
Qu Dubian couldn't bear to watch, covering his eyes.
You're on your own, Xiaochun. He couldn't help with this.
Outside the estate, his grandmother, along with Ye Xiaoyuan who was holding Da Hei's leash, were already waiting at the gate.
Da Hei was going out where there were many people, so he was wearing a muzzle, behaving well and being led without running off. Er Sen followed alongside, going with them to the temple fair.
This was Qu Dubian's first time going out to stroll since arriving in ancient times. His grandfather lifted him high, seating him on his broad shoulders, giving him a view of everything.
The sky was already dark. Children holding lanterns dashed along the road, chased by worried adults.
In the tea houses and entertainment quarters, there were Nuo opera performances. Nuo opera carried the meaning of dispelling illness, disaster, and keeping plague away. In the previous dynasty, it had strong connotations of spirits, ghosts, and witchcraft, but it gradually became ordinary theatrical singing.
Common folks gathered together, buying malt sugar candies and melon seeds. A family would sit at a table, order a pot of tea, and could listen together until midnight.
Those who couldn't get a table stood, and some lifted their own children to see.
The arching bridges curved gracefully. Even with the cold wind, they couldn't stop the paired boats underneath, where talented beauties and scholars gazed at each other affectionately.
There was no curfew tonight. The capital of Great Zhou was like a city that never slept.
A stream of carriages and horses, flowing lights like illusions. The wealthy stood in restaurant towers, holding their cups and looking down.
Bustling, graceful, beautiful.
And an endless sense of life's vibrant atmosphere.
No matter how the common people in other places celebrated the New Year festival, at least judging solely from the capital, the people here were living well.
He looked around in all directions, walking amidst the worldly crowds. The soul foreign to this era seemed to finally settle step by step into reality.
Qu Dubian casually grabbed a few candied haws from the straw bundle where the vendor had them displayed, and Er Sen followed behind to pay.
Children nearby immediately cast envious glances.
Qu Dubian handed out the candied haws, one to each person, and reached out to feed a bite to his grandfather. "Grandma, where are we going?"
Wu Siwan was full of energy, seeming even more spirited than Ye Xiaoyuan. She chuckled happily, "There's a temple up ahead. I made an appointment in advance with Master Wenruo. I heard they only have prayer plaques available tonight, so let's go early."
Xu Jin's jaw ached from the sourness: "It's fine. If we're late, we'll just offer more money."
"It's really okay. Having one or not doesn't matter. We're just out for a stroll. Although the palace is big, it feels stifling. It's not as comfortable as outside," Qu Dubian couldn't see his grandfather's expression. "Grandpa, is the hawthorn sweet?"
Xu Jin: "Sweet!"
Anything given by his grandson, even poison, would taste sweet.
Qu Dubian: "Then have another one!"
"...My dear, why aren't you eating yours?"
Qu Dubian: "I already had one. It's too sour! Since Grandpa likes them, it saves wasting food."
Xu Jin: "..."
Xu Jin: "Mm, Grandpa likes them very much."
Wu Siwan laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.
The old man's mouth was the hardest part of him.
-
They walked all the way towards the temple.
The grandmother was clearly a frequent visitor, leading them along a less crowded path.
The monks in the temple, knowing many visitors would come these days, had lit lanterns along every path to prevent guests from tripping.
Pines and bamboos were planted around.
The bluestone slabs bore faint cracks, marked by the passage of time, creating an atmosphere of serene tranquility. The festive bustle of the New Year outside seemed instantly shut out—a quiet haven within the noise.
Qu Dubian got down from his grandfather's shoulders.
Otherwise, his head would hit the branches.
Holding Da Hei with one hand and his grandmother with the other, he said, "Grandma, watch your step."
The wrinkles at the corners of Wu Siwan's eyes radiated affection. "Yes."
Arriving at the meditation room in the backyard, Wu Siwan spoke a few words to a young monk sweeping at the door. The young monk went in to announce them and soon came running out, saying respectfully, "Master says, honored guests have arrived. Please come in."
The group entered Master Wenruo's meditation room.
Qu Dubian looked thoughtfully at Da Hei, who hadn't been stopped. It seemed this was a dog-friendly tourist spot.
Lamps were lit inside the meditation room. Master Wenruo sat behind a low table. Opposite him was another cushion, its imprint still fresh, clearly left by the previous visitors who had just departed.
Wu Siwan knelt and sat down, placing her palms together: "Master, it's been a long time."
Master Wenruo looked very old, with a smooth forehead, prominent cheekbones, a slightly hunched back, and a long beard as white as snow. His eyes were half-closed, and his every movement was gentle and slow.
"Amitabha. Greetings, Benefactor Wu."
"It has been a long time. Benefactor Wu's spirit looks much improved."
Wu Siwan smiled: "Thank you for remembering, Master. I came this time to request a prayer plaque."
Master Wenruo sighed inwardly about the suffering worldly attachments bring, and said gently, "Is it still for the departed?"
Wu Siwan: "No, it's for my child."
"Child?" Only then did Master Wenruo slowly look up and notice the child holding the large black dog in the room.
The child had delicate, handsome features, intelligent, inquisitive eyes, and looked at him with a touch of curiosity.
Master Wenruo's half-squinted eyes opened slightly wider. "This child's countenance..."
After a long pause, he only spoke half a sentence and said no more.
Master Wenruo fell silent and began writing on the prayer plaque.
Xu Jin looked at him, then at his grandson, feeling inexplicably nervous for some reason.
He said, "What about my grandson's countenance, Master? Could you perhaps read his fortune?"
Say something nice, and Xu Jin would pay.
Wu Siwan: "Why did you stop, Master?"
Master Wenruo: "I have three types of people whose fortunes I do not read, as Benefactor Wu knows. I was presumptuous toward the young benefactor just now. Please do not take offense."
"Which three types?"
The young monk beside him explained: "Master's three rules for not reading fortunes: First, those filled with baleful aura; second, those fated for early death and hardship; third, those with destinies of supreme nobility."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jin's brows knitted tightly.
Believing it or not was one thing, but hearing it inevitably made one overthink.
'Filled with baleful aura' and 'fated for early death and hardship' certainly didn't sound like good things!
After pondering for a moment, he scooped up his little grandson, who was holding the dog, and carried him to a corner. Leaning close to his ear, he whispered, "My dear, what do you think about the spaciousness of the chair your father sits on? Would you like to sit on it?"
What spacious chair? Qu Dubian, holding the dog, took a moment to process it.
"..."
"!!!"
Qu Dubian's pupils shook with shock.
That's a dangerous thought to have, Grandpa!
