Qu Dubian was not one to admit defeat so easily.
He said, "So the ones I crossed out were actually the correct answers? I had no idea. What a shame."
Grand Tutor Fang seemed to have anticipated this response.
He pulled out another stack of answer sheets.
There were also the daily assignments and practice questions submitted in the academy.
"Here are all the papers you've handed in over the past three years. I've examined them carefully. The calligraphy exercises from the beginning, some of the handwriting isn't yours—perhaps someone close to you did your homework for you. I turned a blind eye to that."
"But these later ones are undoubtedly your handwriting. I watched it develop bit by bit."
A steady, unremarkable style with a slightly unsteady touch.
Grand Tutor Fang flipped through them one by one. "Do you know how many of these are on Golden Layer paper? Once could be a coincidence, but every single time? I might believe it, but do you think others would?"
Qu Dubian: "..."
Good heavens.
Was this really necessary?!
All the papers he had written on in three years, this old man had actually kept every single one?
When he first started doing the exercises, he wasn't sure how many points to aim for, so he would write the correct answer and then cross it out. Later, when he saw an interesting problem, he would write the answer, then scribble over it, and write a wrong one instead.
He never imagined this little habit would become his undoing.
A sly smile played on Grand Tutor Fang's face, like an old fox who had finally caught the tail of a young fox not yet skilled at hiding.
Qu Dubian still didn't admit anything, propping his chin on his hand. "Grand Tutor, what are you trying to say?"
Grand Tutor Fang: "Do you remember the bet we made when we first met?"
It was quite some time ago. Qu Dubian thought for a moment and finally remembered.
Back then, he had been sneaking into the academy and was caught by Grand Tutor Fang. The Grand Tutor said that if he could answer three questions, he wouldn't tell the Emperor he was hiding under the table to eavesdrop on lessons.
The three questions were asked, and he answered them, only to step right into the trap about "studying by the light of fireflies and reflected snow."
Grand Tutor Fang: "It's the same this time. Let's make another bet. If you beat me at a game of chess, I'll keep your secret. If you lose, you must agree to one request of mine."
Qu Dubian glanced at the chessboard.
"I don't know how to play."
Grand Tutor Fang chuckled. "You do. We'll play Gomoku."
The tables had turned. After three years, the game of Gomoku Qu Dubian used to bully his elder brothers had become a pit he dug for himself.
Qu Dubian didn't move, his fingers stealthily reaching for the papers on the table. If he could just take them away, they wouldn't be evidence—
Thwack!
Grand Tutor Fang pressed his hand down on them, raising an eyebrow. "Now, now, Your Highness, no cheating."
Qu Dubian: "Oh, I just saw a bug on them."
As he spoke, he withdrew his hand and picked up a chess piece.
They drew lots to see who would go first.
Black moves first.
Qu Dubian: "If you wanted to play chess, you should have said so earlier, instead of droning on with all that stuff I didn't understand."
"If Your Highness says so," Grand Tutor Fang made the first move. "Your Highness, when the First Prince and the Third Prince stopped you together earlier, do you know why?"
Qu Dubian: "No idea. They just wanted to invite me to play."
"The First Prince is establishing his residence outside the palace. The court officials are all waiting for news," Grand Tutor Fang said softly. "The first prince of this generation in Great Zhou to attend court, the eldest son... it's always different."
Qu Dubian: "They all have two eyes and one mouth. What's so different? Grand Tutor, it's your turn to move."
The old fox's words were all deftly parried by the young fox.
Grand Tutor Fang fell silent and focused on the game.
He realized that if he didn't concentrate, he might actually lose this match.
The old and the young faced off over the Gomoku board, yet they managed to create an atmosphere of intense tension.
After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, Qu Dubian tossed his piece aside.
"I'm not playing anymore."
Grand Tutor Fang looked up with a smile. "The game isn't decided yet. Forfeiting counts as a loss, you know."
Halfway through the game, Qu Dubian had realized the trick. If he lost this game, he'd have to agree to Grand Tutor Fang's condition. If he won, it would only prove further that his observational skills and acuity were not those of an ordinary six-year-old.
Either way, he'd be exposed. Winning would expose him even more.
In that case, why bother straining his brain to win? Besides, he might not even win.
Qu Dubian lay back, his small arms and legs splayed out like a starfish. "Tricking a child, huh? Careful your beard falls out."
He didn't admit it outright, but both of them understood perfectly well without words.
Grand Tutor Fang laughed heartily.
"May I ask you a question first? Since you have the ability, why not display it openly? His Majesty would certainly value you."
Qu Dubian: "I have no such ambitions. Living peacefully is good enough. Even being mediocre and ordinary, Father treats me very well."
Or rather, he treated him more like an ordinary father. If he were truly seen as a potential successor, his good days would be over.
Like his eldest and third brothers, fighting and scheming under their father's watchful eye over something like establishing a residence outside the palace... what was the point?
Grand Tutor Fang: "Your Highness, often, it's best to follow your true heart in matters."
Qu Dubian couldn't help but laugh, scrambling to sit up. "Grand Tutor, aren't you ashamed to say that?"
Hiding his abilities might be uncomfortable, but it brought stability. The people around him were also safe and stable. That was good enough.
And yet, the one who had trapped him twice was none other than this old man right here.
Grand Tutor Fang: "Hiding may not be following your true heart, but me catching your little tail is certainly following mine."
Some things cannot be avoided just by wishing to avoid them. Just like today, when the First Prince and the Third Prince were vying, they both thought to drag him into it.
"My condition is this: become my formal disciple."
"Aren't you already my Grand Tutor?"
"That's different. I mean a proper master."
Silence fell in the side chamber.
Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, Teacher—formally acknowledging a master in ancient times was no trivial matter.
Grand Tutor Fang said with a beaming smile, "You don't want to get involved in your elder brothers' struggles, and neither do I. We're birds of a feather. What's wrong with becoming master and disciple?"
"Moreover, this matter will be known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. No one else will ever know."
Qu Dubian was puzzled. "If you're not going to tell anyone, what's the point of this condition?" He could just go back on his word later.
Grand Tutor Fang stated matter-of-factly, "This way, I can have a proper reason to help conceal things for you. Whatever you do in the future, I'll have an excuse to convince myself to show favoritism and cover for you—oh, and if you ever want to do the exercises properly in the future, you can come to me. Always holding back must be quite uncomfortable, don't you think?"
"..."
It made a lot of sense. For a moment, he couldn't find a reason to refute it.
In that short span, Qu Dubian's mind raced through a hundred and eighty turns. His intuition told him the man before him meant no harm, but having his tail caught was still incredibly annoying.
Grand Tutor Fang pressed on, "If you don't want to be swept into the center of the storm, there are only two possibilities. First, you are already in the storm. Second, you have the ability to avoid the storm or remain unshaken within it."
Otherwise, you can only be used by others until your dying day.
Qu Dubian: "I don't understand."
Grand Tutor Fang: "Then just let it go in one ear and out the other. Your Highness, do you agree to my request?"
Since things had come to this, the old man was determined to dig in his heels and wait him out here. Qu Dubian took a deep breath, his expression smoothing over. "Fine, I agree."
[Character: Fang Hechuan
Favorability: 28]
Simulator: [A future connection has been established. Favorability will be automatically calculated cumulatively.]
Qu Dubian: "?"
There can be a future connection?
If he'd known that earlier! If he'd known that taking a master meant one more person to... cultivate favorability from, he would have already taken one hundred and eight masters!
Qu Dubian looked up, his gaze burning as he stared at Grand Tutor Fang.
The latter's smile faltered slightly: "?"
Grand Tutor Fang touched his own face. "Is there something on my face?"
Qu Dubian said eagerly, "Do you have any other colleagues who want to take on students?"
Grand Tutor Fang's beard twitched: "Wishful thinking."
"Alright then. You wait here, the master's tea will be right there." Qu Dubian, sweeping away his previous listlessness, ran to the side table, poured a cup of tea, and brought it over.
Grand Tutor Fang, however, did not drink it. He raised his hand to stop it. "I said I would be your teacher, but not right now."
Qu Dubian: "Huh?"
"Then when?"
Grand Tutor Fang: "That depends on you."
He gathered up all the papers on the table, pulled out that sheet of golden-layered paper, and burned it right in front of Qu Dubian.
Qu Dubian put down the teacup. "There are still the others left."
Grand Tutor Fang shook the stack of papers in his hand, smiling meaningfully. "These? These were just to trick you. The only real golden-layered paper was the one I burned."
Qu Dubian was shocked. "So you weren't even that sure at the beginning?! You were just bluffing me!" He braced his hands on the table. "You only confirmed it when we drew lots to decide who went first in the chess game."
Grand Tutor Fang spread his hands. "The facts prove that this old man's sharpness hasn't diminished over the years."
...How truly infuriating.
Old fox.
Qu Dubian snorted. "You burned the paper, so now you have no evidence."
Grand Tutor Fang: "His Highness is not the type of person who makes a promise and then easily breaks it."
He rummaged in his robe again and pulled out a neatly folded, square piece of paper. "No hurry to give it to me. You can take three years, five years, even ten years to complete this test."
Qu Dubian took it, wanting to open it and look.
Grand Tutor Fang said, "Look at it when you return."
Qu Dubian stuffed the test into his sleeve. "If I answer it, you'll become my teacher?"
Judging by the current situation, the score on this test is directly linked to favorability. He'd have to answer it well.
It's just a test, how hard could it be?
Grand Tutor Fang: "Correct."
Qu Dubian: "Then the time you gave is too long." For the usual problems, even if the difficulty was raised a notch, he could still solve them. If doing problems could increase favorability, he wouldn't mind grinding through ten tests a day.
Grand Tutor Fang: "No more pretending?"
"..."
The child before him flashed him a smile, trying to gloss it over. Grand Tutor Fang shook his head helplessly. "No need to rush, Your Highness. Go back and look at it carefully."
"If you have questions, you can also come find me after school."
"Mysterious and secretive."
Qu Dubian muttered. After he left, Grand Tutor Fang's smile faded.
He had originally thought the Seventh Prince's cleverness and intelligence were just a fleeting brilliance of childhood, and that these past few years, due to frequent illness and neglect, he had gradually become mediocre in his studies, which was a great pity.
It turns out, it wasn't mediocrity, but that he had somehow learned to be reserved at a young age.
There are many geniuses in the world, but how many of them grow to fulfill their potential?
Now that he thought about it, the Seventh Prince's frequent illnesses these past few years—could it be due to excessive worry at such a tender age?
Grand Tutor Fang sighed softly, a faint worry surfacing.
"Old Xu's grandson... I fear excessive brilliance may bring harm..."
-
Outside the Sixth Hall of the Eastern Lodge.
"Your Highness, what did Grand Tutor Fang say to you?" Ye Xiaoyuan walked beside him as they headed back to Shunning Palace.
"Got tricked. Grand Tutor Fang wants me to acknowledge him as my teacher," Qu Dubian said. "He also shoved a test at me, told me to finish it and give it to him."
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Your Highness doesn't want to do it?"
Qu Dubian plucked a crabapple blossom, took it apart, and sipped the nectar. "Hmm... I'll decide after I look at it back home."
Today's incident taught him a lesson: unless absolutely necessary, never leave any trace you shouldn't on paper.
Luckily, it was Grand Tutor Fang who discovered it.
But Grand Tutor Fang probably only knew he was hiding his knowledge, not the extent of his true ability, nor his skill with his left hand.
Exposed, but not completely.
Qu Dubian sighed. "If Xiao Chun had been here all along, he could have kept doing my schoolwork for me, and I wouldn't have been tricked by Grand Tutor Fang today."
"By the way, how has Xiao Chun been lately?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Promoted to deputy head of the Inspection and Transport Office. These past few days he's been busy checking the tribute goods coming through the palace gates."
"Promoted quite fast."
The two chatted idly along the way. Passing by Zichen Hall, Qu Dubian paid his usual respects before returning to Shunning Palace.
Da Hei was getting old. Qu Dubian hadn't made him pull the cart this year, just took him for walks to and from school daily, taking meticulous care of him otherwise.
He poured fresh water in front of Da Hei's bed.
After the meal, Qu Dubian buried himself in the small study within his own quarters.
He opened the test Grand Tutor Fang had given him from his sleeve.
There were only four questions on it. Qu Dubian read them word by word. "No wonder he gave such a long deadline... he really thinks highly of me."
Yi Shier appeared in the room. He deliberately made some noise to let Qu Dubian know he had arrived.
Qu Dubian was still looking at the test, head not raised. He pointed at the table. "Hungry? There's food here."
Yi Shier didn't move. "Inside the Eastern Lodge, I also heard what Grand Tutor Fang said."
Qu Dubian: "Heard it, so what?"
Yi Shier was somewhat puzzled.
"Aren't you worried I might report it?"
Qu Dubian stopped what he was doing, looked up, his eyes curving into a smile.
"Liuliu, I trust you."
Yi Shier's lips moved slightly.
"Why trust me?"
Qu Dubian: "You said you're my person, and besides, you're very good to me."
Even though he used to be a shadow guard, shadow guards are also people, and people have hearts.
Back when Yi Shier was still a shadow guard, he risked his life to pull him, feverish, out of the small garden. Later, after staying by his side, subtle preferences and emotions gradually surfaced from beneath that indifferent exterior.
He could be moved by tales of the jianghu, would use his own monthly allowance to buy milk tea for his little superior, subtly urging for more stories.
The flowers that occasionally appeared in his room, by his bedside, flowers not found in Shunning Palace, were all gifts from Liuliu, given at some unknown time.
If there was anything unusual about him, Yi Shier would surely be the first to notice.
Moreover, three years ago, during the 'Sage's Book' incident, Liuliu already knew he recognized many characters. It's just that Grand Tutor Fang formally exposed the matter three years later.
Sincerity begets sincerity. If you don't offer your own feelings, how can you expect true feelings from others? It's just that this guy always maintains a certain distance. The only ways to raise his favorability were through giving money and telling stories—there was never an opportunity for any other kind of contact.
Qu Dubian beckoned. "Come here, Liuliu."
Yi Shier hesitated for a second. "Your Highness said I am not allowed to approach this desk when you are practicing calligraphy or thinking."
This is a well-known rule in Shunning Palace: the desk in the small study of the Seventh Prince's bedchamber is absolutely forbidden for anyone but himself to touch or tidy.
"This time it's fine. Come here, look at the exam paper." Qu Dubian made a little room.
Yi Shier pressed her lips together and walked over. She reached out, her fingertips resting on a corner of the paper. Four questions came into view:
"What is a ruler?"
"What is a subject?"
"What are the people?"
"What is the world, who saves it, who governs it."
Her brow furrowed.
Although she wasn't very knowledgeable about teaching, she still felt that for His Highness's current age, posing these four questions was perhaps asking too much.
Qu Dubian rested his chin on his hand. "This was the final question on Eldest Imperial Brother's exam paper last time."
It was also a mandatory question every prince had to answer before leaving the palace to establish his own residence.
No wonder they were given several years to think about it.
Yi Shier: "How does Your Highness plan to answer?"
Qu Dubian: "I'm not going to answer. I'll leave it for now."
A voice called them for dinner from outside.
Qu Dubian directly burned the paper. "Nothing is more important than a good meal."
-
As evening approached.
An unexpected guest arrived at Shunning Palace.
Consort De came to visit.
At that time, Qu Dubian was in the martial arts field cleared out in the rear courtyard of Shunning Palace, practicing horse stance, while Zhiyi was practicing the Eight Section Brocade exercises.
"Coming so suddenly, Consort De is probably targeting you," Consort Xuan said, wiping sweat from her forehead.
Qu Dubian didn't move a muscle, circulating his inner energy, his stance steady and firm. "Eldest Brother didn't manage to intercept me this morning, so it's normal for Consort De to come."
Zhiyi inhaled, raised her hands, and slowly lowered them, complaining, "When I went to Cining Palace this afternoon, the Dowager Consorts mentioned that Consort De and Consort Wen visited them yesterday. They usually don't have such leisure."
"There are several unfamiliar palace servants around Shunning Palace," Ye Xiaoyuan said. "I've observed them; they're likely spies for Consort De and Consort Wen. They probably came knocking because the young prince hasn't gone out."
Consort Xuan knew both her children disliked such social situations. "You two stay here. I'll handle Consort De."
She let down her rolled-up sleeves, wiped the sweat from her brow, and transformed back into the elegant and refined Consort Xuan.
About a quarter of an hour later, Consort Xuan hadn't returned.
Qu Dubian's footwork shifted subtly, his body lowered, and he pushed out a palm horizontally. A small cracking sound of short-range power emanated from his tiny palm. Then he withdrew his hand, slowly stood up, pressed his hands downward, and exhaled slowly.
Still not good enough.
After only three years of practice, his inner energy couldn't break through his dantian at all. At most, he could produce this kind of short-range power.
Ye Xiaoyuan wiped his sweat with a pained look. "Your Highness, rest if you're tired."
"Banban, I'm not tired. I need to go to the front hall to see how Consort Xuan is doing."
Zhiyi: "Together."
The two sneaked to the front hall.
But just as they arrived, someone from Zichen Hall came, summoning the Seventh Prince to Zichen Hall.
Consort Xuan: "Did they say what it's about?"
The eunuch delivering the message shook his head: "No. The First Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince are also at Zichen Hall right now."
Consort De's heart immediately leaped into her throat.
Behind the screen, Qu Dubian and Zhiyi looked at each other.
-
Zichen Hall.
The First Prince and Third Prince knelt side by side, while the Second Prince stood to one side.
Emperor Chongzhao sat on a reclining couch.
When Qu Dubian entered, he sensed an almost stagnant atmosphere.
He clung to the doorframe, poked his head in, and whispered, "I'm here."
Emperor Chongzhao looked up. "Come here." His tone was actually gentle.
"Imperial Father, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, good day, Eunuch Yu." Qu Dubian greeted them one by one. "Imperial Father, did you call me for something?"
Emperor Chongzhao took his hand. "Today, your eldest brother and third brother blocked your way together, didn't they?"
Qu Dubian: "That was Eldest Brother and Third Brother coming to play with me."
"Hmm, and then your third brother fell and hurt his hand."
Qu Dubian glanced at the kneeling Third Prince.
The bandage on the Third Prince's hand had been removed, revealing a rather frightening-looking red and swollen abrasion from the applied medicine.
Qu Dubian inwardly hissed. How come he remembered Third Brother not falling that hard?
He said with concern, "Third Brother, you must avoid getting it wet recently."
"Little Seven still cares about you," Emperor Chongzhao said mildly. "His concern for you is genuine. Are your intentions towards him equally pure? Why you blocked his way after school today, you know clearly in your hearts, and so does Zhen."
"Consort Wen, Consort De—your mothers—have been quite busy yesterday and today. They even went to Cining Palace, disturbing the Dowager Consorts' peace."
"Eldest, you haven't even left the palace to establish your residence yet, and you're already causing such a stir, dragging your frail younger brother into it." Emperor Chongzhao kicked each of them once. "You show no semblance of being elder brothers. Zhen is disappointed!"
Exactly, exactly.
He really didn't want to get involved.
Qu Dubian nodded vigorously in his heart.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Eldest, didn't you prepare something? Take it out."
The First Prince silently took out a small wooden box from his robe and held it with both hands. "Imperial Father, please calm your anger."
Emperor Chongzhao: "It's for you."
Qu Dubian: "For me?"
Eunuch Yu took the wooden box, bent at the waist to open it. "Your Highness."
Inside was a thick stack of banknotes.
Emperor Chongzhao snorted coldly. "Bribe money from your eldest brother, to get you to put in a good word for him in front of Zhen."
Qu Dubian took a quick look. There were notes for one hundred taels, one thousand taels, and even some loose silver. It was clear he had scraped together everything he could. His eldest brother was truly... consistently practical, year after year.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Zhen called you here to ask you, do you want it?"
Qu Dubian promptly tucked the small wooden box into his robe, then patted the First Prince's shoulder. "Eldest Brother, don't worry. I'll keep the money for now, and I'll definitely find a chance to put in a good word."
He then cupped his hands towards the Second and Third Princes. "Second Brother, Third Brother, if there are any more such opportunities for bribery... ahem, making money in the future, please be sure to entrust them to your younger brother. Your younger brother would go through fire and water, duty-bound and without hesitation!"
Eunuch Yu couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Zhen knew it."
He glanced at the First Prince. "Consider it a lesson bought for you."
First Prince: "Your son already knows his mistake. I was just too impatient, wanting to smoothly leave the palace and establish my residence, to share Imperial Father's burdens and solve problems."
Emperor Chongzhao: "To hunt a tiger, brothers must join forces; to go into battle, father and son must fight together. With you alone, even if you can share burdens and solve problems, it will ultimately be limited."
He pulled Qu Dubian onto the couch and stuffed an orange into his hand.
This child was always hard to fatten up. Three years had passed, he had grown taller, but not by much. He fell ill every now and then. Every year, the Emperor worried his youngest son might not live to the age of leaving the palace to establish his residence.
Qu Dubian was still wearing his martial arts practice clothes, the sleeves tight, making his wrists appear even more slender. Of course, they only looked slender; the short-range power was hidden within his tendons and bones.
He peeled the orange while watching the show.
Tonight, he was just a guest spectator.
Third Prince: "What does Imperial Father mean by that?"
Emperor Chongzhao: "Eldest leaving the palace is inevitable. Zhen has seen the exam paper; it's barely passable."
The First Prince let out a sigh of relief.
"But from this incident, it's clear you lack steadiness. You three have always been close, together since the Imperial Academy. It's normal for you to feel anxious with Eldest about to leave the palace."
"I permit the two of you to accompany the Eldest Prince to attend court daily and observe governance."
Upon hearing this, the Eldest Prince and the Third Prince abruptly looked up, one in shock, the other in pleasant surprise.
The Second Prince was stunned for a moment, then swept his robe aside and knelt. "Father Emperor, this seems improper..."
Emperor Chongzhao waved his hand.
"Enough. The age difference between you is small, merely a year or two."
The Second Prince was one year away from leaving the palace to establish his own residence, the Third Prince two years away.
But just this year or two was enough to become familiar with the court and cultivate connections.
The Second Prince understood clearly in his heart that his father's move was precisely to prevent any single prince from gaining an exclusive advantage at court.
Emperor Chongzhao looked at his youngest son. "Your trip wasn't in vain, was it? You gained over two thousand taels of silver."
He then glanced at the three kneeling below. "Alright, all four of you, you may leave."
The three princes cupped their hands in acknowledgment. "Yes."
Qu Dubian hopped down from the daybed, holding half an orange, and waved at him. "Leaving now."
The four of them walked out together; the sky outside was already pitch black.
A gentle night breeze carried away the day's stifling heat.
The Eldest Prince bent down and patted Qu Dubian's head. "Take the money and have fun. If it's not enough, come find your eldest brother."
"Okay."
The Second Prince also said, "Little Seventh, your constitution is weak. Hurry back now, don't catch a chill in the wind."
"Thank you, Second Brother."
The Third Prince: "Eldest Brother gave you a share. Another day, your third brother will make up for it too, as an apology for stopping you earlier."
"All good, all good."
The undercurrents of rivalry had nothing to do with Qu Dubian. Emperor Chongzhao had pulled him out of the vortex of contention between the Eldest and Third Princes. As long as he showed a little sense, they likely wouldn't trouble him again anytime soon.
After bidding farewell to their seventh brother, the three grown princes went their separate ways.
Once they had walked a bit farther, the smile on the Eldest Prince's lips immediately vanished. "Third Brother, quite the unexpected windfall, hm?"
The Third Prince: "Thanks to Eldest Brother's good fortune."
The two exchanged a glance and parted ways at the corner.
The Second Prince shook his head slightly and also left.
Qu Dubian had only descended a few steps when he spotted someone waiting ahead. He quickened his pace. "Elder Sister? What are you doing here?"
Zhiyi was holding Da Hei's leash, her eyes curved into smiles. "Elder Sister came to pick you up to go home for dinner."
She handed Da Hei's leash over. "Da Hei insisted on coming to get you too. It walked farther today than the limit you set for it."
Da Hei affectionately nuzzled Qu Dubian's leg.
Qu Dubian rubbed its head vigorously. "You disobedient dog. You need to live a long life, you know."
Da Hei stuck out its tongue, its gaze gentle.
The two-legged human cub had grown quite a bit under its companionship, and it was very proud.
"Let's go, Elder Sister, home to groom Da Hei."
Zhiyi: "Mm!"
After a few steps, Qu Dubian seemed to sense something and looked up, glancing towards the high platform above.
Emperor Chongzhao had emerged unnoticed and was standing with his hands behind his back at the entrance of the Zichen Hall, watching the three princes depart into the distance, watching his daughter come to pick up his youngest son to go home—he had heard it, she used the word 'home'.
"Am I growing old? They have all reached the age to establish their own residences."
The light from the hall fell upon him, revealing a trace of barely noticeable white hair at his temples.
Eunuch Yu: "Not at all, Your Majesty. The princes are still so young; they greatly need Your Majesty's guidance."
Emperor Chongzhao: "It can only be guidance now."
Having come through this stage himself, he understood clearly that as the sovereign, one must maintain a careful distance in the relationship with the princes.
Father and sons of the imperial family could never be like those of an ordinary household, full of tender affection.
"Father Emperor! Dad—!"
A long shout made Emperor Chongzhao start slightly.
At the foot of the steps, Qu Dubian waved at him. "Do you want to come home with Elder Sister and me for dinner?"
His youngest son scampered up the steps, grabbed his hand, eyes shining brightly.
"Come on."
