Eastern Palace, Six Halls.
The eldest prince, having turned sixteen, had submitted his examination papers. His formal graduation from the imperial academy now hinged solely on the review and approval of these papers.
Both Grand Tutor Fang and Tutor Xi, along with the other masters who had taken turns instructing him, could finally breathe a small sigh of relief.
At this moment.
Grand Tutor Fang was in a side hall with Tutor Xi, grading and evaluating the examination papers of the princes.
The papers for the first, second, and third princes were one set, while Princess Zhiyi and the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh princes had another.
Although the primary focus this time was on the eldest prince, the other princes had also been given a set of papers, essentially serving as fellow examinees.
"This paper from the eldest prince is passable, just barely," Grand Tutor Fang frowned, "but his study companion likely helped him a great deal. Our evaluation is crucial in determining whether he will be permitted to establish his own residence outside the palace. What is your view, Tutor Xi?"
Tutor Xi replied, "Does Grand Tutor Fang wish to teach him for another year?"
Grand Tutor Fang: "..."
Grand Tutor Fang: "Even so, we cannot turn a blind eye and speak falsely. How about this: we both write our evaluations. The final decision on whether he may leave the palace to establish his residence will be left to His Majesty."
Tutor Xi: "Agreed."
Having finished with the eldest prince's papers, the two did not relax their scrutiny when reviewing the others. When they came to the seventh prince's paper, Grand Tutor Fang examined it repeatedly.
Tutor Xi asked, "Is there something amiss with the seventh prince's paper?"
He glanced at it. The handwriting on the paper was steady and balanced, lacking any distinctive flair and showing a slight childish clumsiness, indicating a lack of regular practice.
But the seventh prince fell ill almost every month. That he had grown up safely was already something to be thankful for. His handwriting being at this level was actually quite acceptable.
For the past half year, the seventh prince had developed a passion for music and dance, and His Majesty had not criticized him for neglecting his proper duties.
Grand Tutor Fang said, "In his previous examinations, the seventh prince's accuracy rate has always been average."
However, there were always a few places with corrections on his papers.
This time was no exception.
He looked at the incorrectly answered question on the paper. The seventh prince had dipped his brush fully in ink and drawn a line, covering his initial answer.
Below it, he had written a new answer, which was also wrong.
Grand Tutor Fan turned the paper over and held it up to the sunlight outside. The warm light illuminated the paper and ink, revealing distinct layers.
Because this examination was for the eldest prince's potential establishment of his own residence, all the princes had used the same special gold-layered paper as the eldest prince.
Characters written at different times in the same spot would show ink of varying depth when held up to the light, allowing one to distinguish up to three layers.
In his youth, having overseen the Five Military Commissions, Grand Tutor Fang was very familiar with this type of specially-made imperial paper, which could also be used for covert messaging.
After holding it up to the light for a moment, Grand Tutor Fang raised an eyebrow slightly.
Tutor Xi: "What is it?"
Grand Tutor Fang stroked his beard: "It's nothing. Let's continue. There's a mistake on this paper; I'll explain it to him specifically later."
He folded the seventh prince's examination paper and tucked it into his sleeve.
-
Drill Ground.
The sunlight was gentle.
Under the dappled shade of a tree, a child lay in a hammock. A copy of the Analects covered his face, his hands were pillowed behind his head, and he swayed leisurely.
Qu Dubian, with his eyes closed, recited the martial arts novel from his memory: "...This was Han Yue's first battle since descending the mountain. With a single palm strike, he sent the White-Haired Zither Player, ranked fifty-eighth on the Jianghu Heroes List, flying."
"The White-Haired Zither Player had once declared that anyone who could defeat him in a single move would henceforth be his master. Now that Han Yue had defeated him, he sighed that age had finally caught up with him, and was about to honor his oath and pledge allegiance to Han Yue. Unexpectedly, Han Yue said, 'The world's storms arise from our generation; once entering the Jianghu, time hastens our aging.' A man may grow old, but his heart need not, and the Jianghu in his heart never ages."
"The White-Haired Zither Player looked deeply at Han Yue, and the two drank heartily under the moon. Han Yue did not demand the Zither Player's allegiance, but he had gained his first true friend in the Jianghu..."
Yi Shier, perched on a tree branch, listened with rapt attention, writing as he listened.
The little superior on the hammock finished this segment and fell silent, as if asleep. Yi Shier waited patiently. A few seconds later, he heard: "This chapter ends here. If you wish to know what happens next, please listen to the next installment."
Qu Dubian lifted the book from his face and grinned at the dark figure crouched in the tree.
Ever since he discovered Yi Shier's particular fondness for stories, he had begun, bit by bit, to narrate the martial arts novels from his memory. They were far more exciting than the popular tales currently circulating in the Great Zhou dynasty.
With just a few sentences, he could entice Liuliu to work overtime voluntarily.
Through his persistent efforts, Yi Shier's favorability had already risen to 36.
Yi Shier jumped down from the tree.
This was the back courtyard of the drill ground, a place where people rarely came, and it had become their secret storytelling base.
He had even taken the initiative to install a hammock here—identical to the one in Qu Dubian's bedchamber.
Who knows where he found it.
He was going all out to make his superior more comfortable while telling stories here.
He still wore his mask, his expression unreadable, but Qu Dubian could clearly sense the 'I haven't had enough' sentiment.
"I have to go to Cining Palace later, I made an appointment with the Grand Imperial Concubines. I'll tell you more next time."
Yi Shier nodded: "Do you need flowers delivered?"
Qu Dubian: "Not this time."
He didn't know where Liuliu got his skills, always managing to procure flowers for him at the fastest speed.
He left the drill ground and headed for Cining Palace.
After three consecutive years of delivering flowers and visiting, he had become quite familiar with the Grand Imperial Concubines there.
There was no simulator prompting him to grind favorability points; he came of his own accord.
At first, he simply saw these elderly ladies as reminiscent of his own grandmother, feeling an involuntary compassion. Later, he began to view this place simply as an old folks' home.
He was the regular volunteer at this retirement home.
Sincerity begets sincerity. The four Grand Imperial Concubines in Cining Palace gradually grew fond and affectionate towards this little one who often came to see them.
They had nothing left that anyone could possibly covet—people with one foot already in the grave. In the depths of the palace, it was truly rare for someone to remember them.
However—
Inside the hall, Grand Imperial Concubine Liang watched over a dozen musicians from the Music Bureau assembled outside. They were playing, the music sparse and scattered, its style completely different from what was commonly heard in the Great Zhou.
She and her three elderly companions observed from the sidelines. "What is all this about?"
"No idea. The music sounds a bit strange."
Zhiyi, holding a score, stood on a platform in front, directing the musicians. "Yes, the high notes over there, just a little bit lower... That's the right feeling."
She often came here with Qu Dubian as well. Now nearly nine years old and having studied at the academy for over three years, her timid and shy nature had gradually faded, replaced by the clever liveliness of a young girl in her every movement.
Grand Imperial Concubine Liang called out through the window, "Zhiyi, what is the Seventh Prince planning to do?"
Zhiyi turned her head. "I don't know either. Xiao Qi will be here soon, I'm just helping him rehearse."
As she spoke, Qu Dubian strolled into the courtyard of Cining Palace, leading Da Hei leisurely. "Elder Sister, how's the rehearsal going?"
Zhiyi jumped down and patted Da Hei's head with a smile. "We've practiced several times following the score you gave me."
"Good," Qu Dubian waved towards the hall. "Grand Imperial Concubines, come on out!"
Consort Dowager Liang, Consort Dowager Zhou, and the other two consorts came out and stood in the courtyard. Madam Su also emerged, ready to see what the Seventh Prince was planning with so many musicians gathered.
Ever since the incident three years ago when Princess Zhiyi refused to study the "Admonitions for Women," the Seventh Prince had become a frequent visitor to the Cining Palace.
Consort Dowager Liang, who had been bedridden with a prolonged illness, saw the fresh flowers he sent every day and, remarkably, her spirits began to improve day by day. After two or three years of recuperation, she was now able to get out of bed and walk.
Later, Princess Zhiyi also started coming. One day she would ask the consort dowagers for advice on embroidery, the next she would ask them to help look after the flowers Consort Xuan was growing, and the day after that, the Seventh Prince would come to tell the consort dowagers stories, or hide there after angering the Emperor.
The lifeless Cining Palace was no more. Sometimes, Madam Su even found it a bit too lively.
Qu Dubian stood alone on the small stage, his small hands clasped behind his back. "What's the secret to living a long and healthy life? It's exercise! Moving more helps you sweat, and sweating is detoxifying. Grandmother Consorts, if you neither go out nor exercise, you're bound to get sick more often."
"Today, I'm going to teach you a dance. If you stick with it, it will definitely improve your health."
His vocabulary was somewhat advanced, leaving the consort dowagers a little confused. However, after two or three years of interaction, they had grown accustomed to the unfamiliar terms that occasionally popped out of the Seventh Prince's mouth and could roughly guess their meaning.
Consort Dowager Liang: "A dance?" She couldn't help but laugh. "At our age? Wouldn't we be a laughingstock?"
Consort Dowager Zhou also said, "Indeed. That's for young girls. I'm afraid we couldn't manage it."
Qu Dubian: "Just watch first, ladies. Watch it once through."
He clapped his hands.
Ye Xiaoyuan and Xinqing stepped onto the stage together.
Qu Dubian then went to the side of the musicians. "Before, I had you play separately. Now you need to play together. Don't make any mistakes~"
The musicians: "Yes, Your Highness."
Their skills were proficient; they wouldn't err in this regard.
He clapped his hands: "Music, begin—"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The music wasn't overly intense, but its strong rhythm was invigorating.
In his previous life, Qu Dubian had experience with stage performances and still retained the basics of choreography. Considering the current circumstances, he had devised this dance and tested it for a month in the Shunning Palace, ensuring that Consort Xuan, Consort Guo, and others in the palace could all follow along, before bringing it to the Cining Palace.
Qu Dubian: "This dance is called Square Dancing."
The four consort dowagers watched, utterly captivated.
During the first viewing, they found it very strange.
During the second viewing, they began to see some appeal in it.
By the third viewing, they had unconsciously started moving along.
After all, they were just old women. Doing these peculiar movements in their own palace wouldn't invite criticism.
Qu Dubian tossed a peanut into the air, caught it in his mouth, and his eyes curved into a smile.
Not bad, not bad.
Moving around was definitely better than being cooped up indoors all the time. If he could help the elderly consorts in the Cining Palace become healthier and add a bit more joy to their twilight years, then the effort he had spent over the past few months—seeking help from the music bureau to compose the tune, selecting and auditioning people, listening to and choosing melodies—would not have been in vain.
-
Meanwhile.
At the Princes' Quarters.
Ever since handing in his examination answers, the First Prince had been anxious.
He couldn't help but pace back and forth.
"I wonder what the tutors' comments will be. My princely mansion outside the palace is already renovated. What if... what if I don't pass and can't leave the palace? The Third Prince would laugh himself to death."
His study companion, Dou Shun, said, "Your Highness, please rest assured. Generally speaking, one doesn't fail. I heard the answers have already been sent to His Majesty. Please await the news peacefully."
The First Prince was sixteen. Over three years, he had shot up in height. His physique, honed by martial arts training, was robust, and his face was very heroic with strong, defined features. He looked not sixteen, but twenty-six.
He worried, "That's precisely why I'm concerned—because Father is reviewing them. He's never thought much of my academic achievements since I was little."
His study companion, Dou Shun, thought for a moment. "The Seventh Prince often goes to the Zichen Hall. If you want to know the result early, you could ask him to inquire. Or have the Seventh Prince put in a good word for you."
The First Prince fell into deep thought: "Little Seven, huh..."
