The next day.
Zhiyi went to the East Garden's Sixth Hall with some slight apprehension.
Sure enough, a new desk had been added there, behind Qu Dubian's. To Zhiyi's surprise, the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince were all quite friendly towards her.
The other three elder brothers, though they didn't speak much to her, didn't show any signs of rejection either.
Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief.
She sat quietly in the back and opened her book. Consort Xuan had tutored her on part of the material last night. She needed to study hard to try and keep up with everyone else's progress in the school.
-
Cining Palace.
Qu Dubian followed Xin Qing, Consort Xuan's senior palace maid, here to visit Matron Su.
Cining Palace was located directly east of Shunning Palace. Four Grand Imperial Concubines lived here, along with some other Grand Imperial Consorts; the rest were kept at imperial manors or Taoist temples.
Even more people gradually withered away within the hopeless depths of the palace, day after monotonous day.
As soon as he entered the palace gates, Qu Dubian smelled a thick, medicinal odor. It was much more bitter than the medicine he drank.
The atmosphere here was very different from that of the palaces where the other consorts lived. It felt colder, and even the seemingly clean grey bricks exuded an air of decay.
The palace servants responsible for cleaning and attending to the Grand Imperial Concubines also rarely had smiles on their faces.
Matron Su's quarters were in a room within one of the side halls. Xin Qing didn't let Qu Dubian go inside. Instead, she crouched down and said softly, "Your Highness, please wait outside. It's stifling in there."
Qu Dubian: "Mm, alright."
"Eunuch Xiao Yuan, please keep an eye on His Highness."
"Don't worry."
Only then did Xin Qing, carrying a basket, enter Matron Su's room.
Qu Dubian took a walk around Cining Palace.
There was a main hall here, with three side halls at the back and two at the front, along with two small gardens. They were just bare, not even the plum blossoms were in bloom.
Following the smell of medicine, he arrived at the western side hall in the rear courtyard. The window of the bedchamber was open for ventilation. The vase on the windowsill was empty, and faint coughing sounds came from inside.
Ye Banban: "Your Highness, you should keep your distance."
Qu Dubian, holding onto Ye Banban's hand, stood on a rock in the rockery: "I just want to look."
Normally, he probably wouldn't have bothered, but for some reason, hearing the old woman's cough made him think of his own maternal grandparents, and he couldn't help but want to look a little longer.
Inside the bedchamber, he could vaguely make out a Grand Imperial Concubine lying on her side.
The medicine by her hand was almost cold, yet she only gave it a faint glance, not reaching out to touch it.
Qu Dubian watched for a while, then climbed down from the rock.
"Ye Banban, the grandmother inside looks very sad."
Ye Banban understood what his young master was thinking: "It's not sadness, it's simply having no hope left. Don't worry, Your Highness. As long as you are safe and sound, the Marquis and the Madam will never end up like this."
Qu Dubian sighed, looking around.
Cining Palace was like a retirement home, but the facilities for retirement were terribly poor. There wasn't a single thing for exercise, nor any form of entertainment at all.
One would die of boredom here.
He said to the air, "Six Six, go quickly and pick some flowers, anywhere is fine, just make sure they're fresh."
Ye Banban looked around: "Your Highness, how did you know Guard Six Six was here?"
Qu Dubian thought to himself it was because the simulator reminded him, but answered verbally: "I smelled him."
Yi Shier was very fast. Within a few minutes, he appeared beside Ye Banban holding a bunch of flowers, then shoved them into his arms.
He looked at Qu Dubian: "Is this enough?"
Qu Dubian: "Six Six, are you still shy?"
Yi Shier: "I am not shy."
"Oh, then can I take another look at that 'Four Books and Five Classics' of yours?"
After saying this, Qu Dubian stared unblinkingly at Yi Shier's ears. Wow, they really were turning a little bit red! He hadn't seen it last night and felt quite regretful. Today, he deliberately teased him a couple of times and finally got to witness it firsthand.
His mischievous desire to tease satisfied, Qu Dubian said with a grin, "Just kidding~"
Yi Shier swiftly vanished.
Qu Dubian picked a few stems from the flowers Ye Banban was holding and placed them in the empty vase on the Grand Imperial Concubine's windowsill.
The pale yellow plum blossoms and a few stems of an unknown pink flower added a touch of brightness to this gloomy spot.
The remaining flowers weren't wasted either. Qu Dubian left some in every bedchamber—some by windows, some by doors, some on steps, and some in the small kitchens.
He clapped his hands. "I hope seeing the flowers will make them a little happier."
After delivering the flowers, they waited for Xin Qing to finish speaking with Matron Su, then left Cining Palace together.
Qu Dubian went to the school for his lessons.
For the next few days, his life fell into a routine: waking up in Zichen Hall, then going to Cining Palace every so often to deliver flowers, before heading to the East Garden to attend the second class of the day with his elder sister.
This continued until his bedchamber in Shunning Palace was ready.
He was to move out of Zichen Hall.
On his last night sleeping there, Emperor Chongzhao looked at his carefree son, who was still on the bed counting his little hoard of gold, and felt a slight ache in his teeth.
"When you live in Consort Xuan's palace, if you lack anything or want something, just tell her directly. She's not used to speaking in roundabout ways. If she doesn't permit it, come find me. I'll see if I'll grant it or not."
After finishing his count, Qu Dubian said, "It's fine, I have money."
"And who gave it to you?"
Just as his little son was about to pour the money out of his sock to count it again, he scooped him up. "Alright, that's enough counting. I have something to say to you."
What to say?
Emperor Chongzhao wasn't too sure either.
One could only say that habits were sometimes frightening. Getting used to seeing this boy playing with one thing or another in the hall every day after court, he felt oddly unsettled at the thought of not seeing him there.
Qu Dubian pinched his fingers, trying to pry off his thumb ring. It looked very valuable. "Father, it's not like I'm never coming back."
Emperor Chongzhao said helplessly, "Stop that."
Qu Dubian: "If I get sick, I'll come back to find you, so I won't trouble Consort Xuan. Father, can you really not give me this thumb ring?"
"..." Emperor Chongzhao said, "Don't talk nonsense. You've been well lately. Don't go around mentioning getting sick."
Qu Dubian thought to himself that was impossible, since he still wanted to live a long life.
He currently didn't have a very urgent motivation to accumulate lifespan points, but he couldn't just muddle along like this forever. If he needed lifespan points to buy something in the future and didn't have enough, wouldn't that be a problem?
He could make a plan, like writing one reflective essay per month.
Things like rhinitis—called 'nasal sinusitis' in Great Zhou—and coughs were common; one didn't need to stay in bed recuperating all the time.
"Understood, understood. Father, just give this to me. Maybe this thing can protect me~" That jade thumb ring on his cheap dad's hand looked more and more beautifully lustrous the longer he looked; he really couldn't resist wanting to collect it.
Emperor Chongzhao pulled up the covers. "No. Time to sleep."
Qu Dubian dropped the subject, grumbled a couple of times, and closed his eyes to sleep.
Emperor Chongzhao habitually patted his back. Long after Qu Dubian had fallen asleep, he still hadn't closed his eyes. Lying in bed, he raised his hand and looked at the thumb ring he had worn on his right thumb for many years.
-
The Seventh Prince was to move to Shunning Palace.
On the second day after the formal move, the Empress and the other consorts all sent gifts, including a share for Zhiyi.
Consort Xuan didn't care much for those pearls, jades, and treasures, and had them all stored away in the warehouse.
Qu Dubian was puttering around his own bedchamber, arranging the fine items he had pilfered from the Purple Imperial Hall—some he hid away, others he displayed.
As per his request, with the Consort Xuan involved in the design, a hanging bed had been installed in the center of the chamber. Above it, a row of semi-latticework wooden boards was fixed, convenient for draping hanging flowers.
The bed was not a canopy bed, and there were no light-blocking, view-obstructing bedposts or screens around it. The area near the entrance was partitioned off. Although his study was in the side hall, he had still carved out a small space for one within the bedchamber itself.
This study was compact and offered a high sense of privacy.
It would be convenient for him to write his thesis here in the future.
The bed curtains were chosen in a warm yellow hue, matching the carpet, to make it look cozier in winter.
After dismissing the various servants who had come to deliver things, Qu Dubian was about to go out to play when Eunuch Yu arrived.
He was holding a box and said with a beaming smile, "Your Highness the Seventh Prince, this old servant has come to join the excitement. His Majesty asked me to bring you a gift."
Qu Dubian grew interested. "What is it?"
Eunuch Yu opened the box and carefully presented it to him. "Look."
Qu Dubian was taken aback.
Lying in the box was a jade-green thumb ring, now strung with a black cord and made into a pendant. Taking it in his hand for a closer look, he discovered hidden intricacies on the inner side of the ring: a scene of the capital's city life, engraved in golden lines.
Eunuch Yu said, "It was rushed to completion by the palace artisans early this morning. As soon as it was finished, His Majesty ordered this old servant to deliver it to you."
Qu Dubian asked, "Did Father Emperor say anything?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yu's face scrunched up as he imitated Emperor Chongzhao's tone, "Take it to that brat quickly, so he won't come pestering me about it later."
Qu Dubian burst out laughing.
"Eunuch Yu, your imitation is spot-on."
Eunuch Yu chuckled, "I only dare to do this in front of you. Actually, His Majesty also said he hopes this thumb ring will truly keep you safe and sound."
Qu Dubian hadn't expected his nominal father to actually give him the thumb ring; his words from the previous day had been spoken casually.
He told Ye Banban to put the thumb ring on him, hanging it around his neck. "Perfect timing. I also have something to give him as a token of thanks."
Eunuch Yu said, "His Majesty will surely be pleased with any gift from Your Highness. What are you sending?"
Qu Dubian sent a flying kiss.
He pressed a finger to his own lips, then placed his hand against Eunuch Yu's palm. "There!"
Eunuch Yu seemed on the verge of saying something but held back.
Eunuch Yu returned to the Purple Imperial Hall.
"Your Majesty, your thumb ring has been delivered. The young prince put it on immediately and was very happy."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Hmm."
"The young prince also sent you a gift in return."
Emperor Chongzhao perked up. "Where is it?"
Eunuch Yu spread open his hand. Emperor Chongzhao stared at his empty palm and fell silent for a moment. "Am I blind? There's nothing here."
Eunuch Yu mimicked Qu Dubian's actions from earlier, blowing a flying kiss towards Emperor Chongzhao. After explaining, he pointed to his palm and said:
"This is where the Seventh Prince placed his kiss for you."
After a speechless moment, Emperor Chongzhao inexplicably chuckled. "That little rascal..."
-
January 22nd.
Xia Hong's family arrived in the capital and settled into the residence arranged by the emperor.
January 24th.
Emperor Chongzhao issued an edict: Marquis Chijian Xu Jin, General Zhenbei Xia Hong, Prince Ming, along with supervising officials from the Eastern Depot, were to proceed to the Northern Frontier, departing immediately.
At the Inspection and Transport Office of the North City Gate.
Wen Xiaochun, wearing the newly issued uniform for on-duty palace servants, listened to the head eunuch's instructions.
"You few have been selected this time. From now on, perform your duties well here. No matter where you came from originally, from this day forward you have only one identity: personnel of the Inspection and Transport Office."
"If any of you are caught with sticky fingers, I'll have you beaten to death on the spot and your body carted out. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Head Eunuch!"
The head eunuch nodded with satisfaction. "Where is Wen Xiaochun?"
"Your servant is here."
"According to the records, you are quite literate and know arithmetic. You shall serve as a foreman for now. Do not slack off."
What the young prince said was right—learning more characters and arithmetic is always beneficial. Wen Xiaochun lowered his head. "Yes."
At that very moment, several fast horses galloped from the distance, led by none other than Prince Ming. "Exit the imperial city! Open the gates!"
The North City Gate immediately swung wide open.
Following behind Prince Ming were several eunuchs, each clad in deep red official robes with sabers hanging at their waists. They were the direct subordinates of the Chief of the Eastern Depot, selected not from the Imperial Guards but from among the eunuchs themselves—skilled fighters.
They were accompanying Prince Ming northward this time to serve as supervising officials on the Northern Frontier.
The head eunuch said fearfully, "Though they are all eunuchs, remember the sabers at their waists. They answer directly to His Majesty and dare to kill even members of the imperial clan."
Wen Xiaochun raised his head, straightened his posture, and watched intently.
Whips cracked as the horses sped out of the palace city.
That flash of dark red, blood-like official robes flying in the wind was imprinted in his eyes.
He then looked beyond the city gates.
The young prince had left the palace early in the morning. He was probably already bidding farewell to the Marquis and the Marchioness by now.
-
Outskirts of the Capital.
The Ninth Battalion of the Xu Family Army was just ahead.
The carriage slowed from its brisk pace, coming to a gentle halt at the destination. Qu Dubian lifted the carriage curtain and looked into the distance at the orderly hundred-man troop. They certainly cut an imposing figure.
Wu Siwan called, "Little Darling, come on down."
Qu Dubian replied, "Coming."
He didn't ask to be carried but jumped down directly and ran towards the military camp. Xu Jin, standing before the Ninth Battalion, felt his eyelid twitch. He strode over in two or three quick steps and scooped the child up into his arms.
"Be careful. You scared your grandpa."
Qu Dubian hugged him, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. "Grandpa, I can't bear to see you go."
Wu Siwan said, "Though I've said this many times, I must say it again with each parting: Old man, be careful in everything on your journey. Don't let your guard down just because you're familiar with the Northern Frontier. Be meticulous about every bite of food and sip of drink."
"Rest assured, my lady, I know what's at stake," Xu Jin said, holding her hand with the little grandson in his arms. Even the fierce scar on his face was filled with reluctance. "When you and Little Darling are in the capital, if you miss me, write more letters."
Wu Siwan nodded. "I know."
Xu Jin said, "Little Darling must write to Grandpa too. With this parting, who knows how many years will pass before we meet again..." A grown man, looking at his little grandson who was barely over two years old, he suddenly felt a pang in his nose, becoming pitifully sentimental. "You won't forget your grandpa, will you? You mustn't only remember the good things about your father."
Qu Dubian assured him repeatedly, almost swearing an oath. "Absolutely not! My memory is excellent."
Xu Jin said, "If you forget, Grandpa will have to spank your bottom when he returns."
Wu Siwan punched him on the arm. "You dare, you old coot."
Xu Jin cried out in exaggerated pain.
Qu Dubian cupped his grandfather's face with both hands, earnestly promising, "I will take good care of myself, and I will take good care of Grandmother too. I'll often go stay at the Marquis's residence for a few days."
He patted his chest and extended his pinky finger. "This is a promise between us men."
Xu Jin didn't laugh at all at the little boy speaking such words despite his young age. Instead, he also became serious, extending his own pinky finger to hook with the child's.
"Good. Our promise."
While their farewell was filled with tender affection, from another direction, a wailing as loud as an ox's bellow grew closer and closer.
Xia Hong looked utterly helpless at the boy clinging to his leg, a big 'worry' written across his resolute, square-jawed face.
Beside him, a gentle and graceful lady, Madam Wang, pinched her son's ear.
"Xia Fuyang! Let go of your father this instant! It's not like he's never coming back!"
Xia Fuyang cried, tears and snot streaming down his face. "Who's going to give me my allowance when you're gone, Dad? Mom never gives me a single coin. You have to work hard up north, you hear? Whether I can become a carefree second-generation noble living off your success all depends on you, Dad—"
After crying for a bit, he hiccupped, paused, wiped his nose on his father's clothes, and resumed wailing.
He looked about six or seven years old, his features a perfect blend of his father's and mother's best traits. Even crying this messily, one could still see he was a handsome lad.
Qu Dubian listened for a moment, deeply impressed.
This kid's lung capacity is incredible.
Xia Hong's face darkened as he pulled out a string of copper coins. Xia Fuyang swiftly pocketed them, then continued crying: "Daaad—"
Xia Hong could bear it no longer and kicked out!
The latter reacted swiftly, instantly releasing his leg and using the momentum to execute a perfect backflip in mid-air, landing steadily without so much as a wobble, his stance obviously rock-solid.
Xia Fuyang wiped his face, jingled the coins in his hand, and grinned. "Old Xia, thanks!"
Xu Jin walked over. "General Xia, everything is ready."
Xia Hong cupped his hands. "My apologies for the scene, Marquis Xu. We are almost prepared." His gaze turned to Qu Dubian. "And this is…"
Xu Jin waved his hand.
They wouldn't mention the prince's identity outside.
Xia Hong nodded. "This is my wife, and my son, Xia Fuyang."
Xia Fuyang cupped his hands. "Pleased to meet you all. Greetings, Marquis, Marchioness, and this…" He paused, looking at Qu Dubian's face, then at the jade rabbit hairpin adorning his head, and stated with certainty, "This… little sister."
"First time meeting you, I'm Xia Fuyang."
[Character: Xia Fuyang
Favorability: 3]
Qu Dubian's face instantly darkened.
Not even the simulator's notification could cheer him up. Gritting his teeth at the boy's beaming smile, he forced a smile of his own. "Hello there."
Xia Fuyang: "You can play with my sister later. She just arrived in the capital too and doesn't know what fun things there are to do yet."
Qu Dubian: "Of course."
Xu Jin, stifling a laugh, set Qu Dubian down.
The adults present understood the situation perfectly but tacitly chose not to clarify, watching the two children interact.
"It's good for them to get acquainted. He'll have a playmate for when he leaves the palace later."
They had only exchanged a few words when the Ming Prince and his wife arrived on horseback, the supervising officer's small flag planted before the saddle. "Whoa—!"
"Marquis, General Xia, when do we depart?"
Xu Jin: "We leave now."
With one last reluctant look at his wife and grandson, he mounted his horse. Xia Hong did the same. After final farewells, they joined the ranks of the Ninth Battalion.
The Ming Prince waved at Qu Dubian and rode alongside them.
Qu Dubian stood on the carriage. "Goodbye!"
Xia Fuyang also shouted, "Work hard, Dad! Earn a marquisate or a dukedom so I can be impressive too!"
Only when the Ninth Battalion was out of sight did Qu Dubian climb down. "Where do you live?"
Xia Fuyang said, "Brocade Lane, just moved there. Are you coming to play with my sister? Where do you live? I can bring her to find you too."
Qu Dubian still had to hurry back to the academy for class. He got into the carriage, lifted the curtain, thought for a moment, and said, "I'd better come find you. The palace generally doesn't allow people in."
The marquis's carriage had been gone for a long time when Xia Fuyang's expression shifted from puzzlement, to understanding, and finally to shock.
"She's actually a princess!"
Madam Wang: "..."
She sighed.
-
Qu Dubian's life gradually settled into calm.
As originally planned, he wrote one reflective essay per month.
He discovered that disease types could be experienced in combination. To achieve a perfect 90-day score, the experience period would correspondingly lengthen. By experiencing different permutations and combinations, he could write many essays.
Level three illnesses were temporarily excluded.
Mainly because level three was too severe; once a year was enough. He didn't want to worry the people around him too much.
February.
Change of season. The Seventh Prince developed sinusitis. Shunning Palace summoned the imperial physician.
March.
Return of cold weather. The Seventh Prince had a cough. Shunning Palace summoned the imperial physician.
April.
Sudden warming. The Seventh Prince had a slight fever. Shunning Palace summoned the imperial physician.
May.
The Imperial Hospital had prepared all the medicines the Seventh Prince might possibly need. Shunning Palace didn't summon a physician. Instead, they sent over a pot of strange red fruit, saying the Seventh Prince and Consort Xuan had grown it together, and asking them to check if it was edible.
...
The weather was warm and pleasant.
In Shunning Palace, Qu Dubian, wearing light clothing, was doing horse stance in the area where Consort Xuan usually practiced her martial arts.
After finishing, he casually wiped his sweat and ran to the steps in front of Consort Xuan's hall, squatting on the ground, gazing eagerly at the row of twelve flowerpots bearing bright red strawberries.
They were all covered with gauze nets at the moment.
As he looked, Qu Dubian was practically drooling.
Perhaps improved by the simulator, and with Consort Xuan's planting experience, the seeds he had provided had done him proud, each plant bearing plump, lovely fruit.
He really wanted to eat them, but Consort Xuan wouldn't allow it.
Strawberries hadn't appeared in the Great Zhou yet; no one knew if they were poisonous. Consort Xuan was on constant guard, fearing the little glutton she was raising in the palace might pick one and pop it in his mouth the moment she let her attention slip.
Consort Xuan, holding a scroll, looked out the window and saw him staring at the fruit again. She sighed. "Little Seven, aren't you getting hot squatting there?"
Qu Dubian: "Consort Xuan, if we don't eat them soon, they'll overripen and spoil."
Consort Xuan had picked some yesterday to feed to the birds. The birds were fine, but she still insisted: "We'll wait for word from the Imperial Hospital. We'll eat them when they say it's safe."
Just then, Xinqing led Physician Yang in.
"Consort Xuan, Your Highness," he said with a bow and a smile. "The red fruit sent to the Imperial Hospital a few days ago is edible. It has a sweet and sour taste, quite rare. May I ask how many pots you still have here?"
"Twelve pots left. They've borne quite a lot of fruit. Are they really edible?"
Consort Xuan smiled. "Then go pick and wash them quickly. This little glutton is about to cry from impatience."
Qu Dubian: "I'll go call Big Sister and Consort Guo!"
After stripping two pots bare, they barely managed to fill a plate with strawberries. After rinsing them with cool water, Qu Dubian popped one into his mouth.
Zhiyi's eyes sparkled. "Delicious!"
"Indeed, quite good," Consort Xuan tasted one. "There's little this year. Next year, after propagating them, there will be more. We just don't know how many times a year this fruit bears."
Qu Dubian: "We can try and see."
He didn't know how many times a year they bore fruit either, only that they could be eaten in late spring and early summer.
He had been looking forward to strawberries for several months, even skipping his May essay.
"Consort Xuan, I'll take some for Father."
Actually, there was also the Empress's palace, several elder brothers, and others he might not have considered... Shunning Palace kept enough to eat, and the rest was left for his cheap dad to deal with.
Consort Xuan: "Naturally."
Soon, the novelty of strawberries was presented before Emperor Chongzhao.
Qu Dubian: "Try it quickly, it's really good."
Emperor Chongzhao: "No matter how good, you mustn't be so hasty. You're covered in sweat. Weren't you the one summoning the imperial physician every other day?" Instead of tasting the strawberry first, he used a handkerchief to wipe Qu Dubian's sweat and felt his forehead.
"Physician Yang has practically taken up residence in Shunning Palace."
What my cheap dad said was too exaggerated. He only completed one KPI per month, so how could he possibly be summoning the imperial physician every other day?
"Alright, I know. Just try it."
Emperor Chongzhao picked one up and took a bite.
His brow lifted slightly. "The taste is indeed excellent. Have the officials from the Department of Agriculture go to Consort Xuan's palace to select a few pots. See how to save the seeds and expand the cultivation."
Eunuch Yu: "As you command."
Qu Dubian stretched out his hand.
Emperor Chongzhao: "What are you doing?"
Qu Dubian: "My reward! Although it was discovered by accident, Consort Xuan and I put a lot of effort into growing these. There must be a reward."
"What reward do you want? Gold? Jewels?"
Qu Dubian sidled up closer. "I heard you made a lot of incense again, Father. Give me some."
Having grown accustomed to this extravagantly expensive incense, he found the scent of any other just wasn't right.
Emperor Chongzhao flicked his forehead with a finger.
"The incense ingredients are even more precious than gold. You use them more lavishly than I do."
Despite his words of reluctance, he was actually quite pleased and proud that his youngest son liked and appreciated the incense he blended. He gave him a portion of each kind.
At Qu Dubian's insistence, the red fruit was ultimately named 'strawberry'.
A few pots were given to the Department of Agriculture, and a few pots had their fruit picked and distributed among the various palaces—only a select few received any. Those who tasted them naturally praised the strawberries to the skies, while those who missed out could only watch enviously, waiting for the next harvest.
The palace servants at the Inspection and Transport Office were also discussing the matter.
Those who had the chance to serve in close quarters had caught the sweet and sour fragrance of the strawberries and spoke with envy.
Wen Xiaochun, wearing his foreman's uniform, walked into his room and opened the small box Qu Dubian had arranged to be delivered to him.
Inside were several of the palace's much-talked-about strawberries.
He closed the box and smiled, then pushed open the window, gazing in the direction of Shunning Palace.
Layers upon layers of palace walls blocked his view; he could not see His Highness.
But he knew His Highness still remembered him.
-
After the fifth month passed, Qu Dubian turned three years old.
He was to formally begin his studies at the schoolhouse, no longer able to attend or skip as he pleased during the first half of the year as before.
Every morning, he would go to the schoolhouse with his elder sister, Zhiyi. At noon, when classes ended, he would pass by the Zichen Hall and each time call out in its direction:
"Father, I'm done with school for the day!"
In the afternoons, he occasionally went to the martial arts training ground, but more often he stayed at Shunning Palace, learning fist techniques and palm strikes from Consort Xuan—Consort Xuan also knew martial arts. In her youth, she had risked forcing open her dantian, but her innate talent hadn't kept up, so her internal energy remained shallow to this day.
Still, it was more than enough to teach him for now.
Yi Shier, on the other hand, couldn't be of much help with martial arts training. What he had learned were stealth and assassination techniques, honed in life-or-death situations, impossible to teach through normal methods.
Attending school, studying, practicing martial arts, annoying the old man.
One KPI per month, and upon completing it, using the opportunity to request leave, leaving the palace to visit his maternal grandmother, staying at the marquis' estate for a few days.
Emperor Chongzhao also grew accustomed to hearing that call almost every noon:
"Father, I'm done with school for the day!"
Followed by the sound of the little dog cart whizzing by.
Whether he was handling government affairs, reviewing memorials, or eating a meal, hearing this sound would always unconsciously soften his expression a little.
He would walk outside the hall with his hands clasped behind his back.
Watching the joyful, small figure of his youngest son, his little cloth satchel slung across his shoulder.
The little dog cart leisurely passing by.
Winter, spring, summer, autumn, through the four seasons.
In the blink of an eye, three years passed.
