Qu Dubian spread his hands: "Come on, even my fourth brother says you're trouble. Agreeing to help you, I'm already going above and beyond, okay?"
His relationship with Xia Fuyang was truly a fateful entanglement.
The first time they met, this guy called him 'little sister'. Everyone pretended not to notice, and Qu Dubian didn't either, secretly holding a grudge.
The second meeting was at a hairpin shop. Qu Dubian was accompanying his grandmother to pick out jewelry when he ran into Xia Fuyang, who was buying a gift for his sister.
Qu immediately pounced on him, shouting, "Sister! Sister, why are you wearing boys' clothes?"
Everyone in the hairpin shop turned to look.
The utterly bewildered expression on Xia Fuyang's face was something Qu could remember for a lifetime.
Thus, he finally got his sweet revenge.
It was from then on that the two became acquainted. Xia Fuyang, this person, seemed careless and simple-minded like a fool, but was actually very attentive, and his goodwill was incredibly hard to earn.
Having been in the capital for just over three years, he had quickly found his footing: listening to music in teahouses and taverns, making friends far and wide, studying and practicing martial arts, yet never taking sides.
Xia Fuyang: "We're like brothers, come on, hurry up, where are the things you brought?"
"Here."
Qu Dubian took out three volumes of storybooks, precisely the ones Yi Shier had finished transcribing and given to him a few days prior.
"Excellent, excellent!"
Xia Fuyang's eyes gleamed. "With these books, our family's bookshop is sure to shine brilliantly and drive the bookshop across the street out of business!"
He had read the half-volume storybook he got from Qu Dubian before; it was a breath of fresh air in the cliché-ridden genre of 'young mistress falls for a poor scholar'.
Qu Dubian: "It's your family's. I'm just helping. If you make money, just give me a cut. If you lose money, don't come looking for me."
"How can that be?" Xia Fuyang patted his chest. "Don't worry. If we can crush the competition, we'll definitely be long-term partners. When I say 'our family', I mean our family."
Among the shops and fields the Xia family had established in the capital was a bookshop. Lady Wang had entrusted him with managing it as practice. It should have been a simple task, but unexpectedly, a new bookshop opened right across the street. Not only were their prices cheaper, but they also sold literary collections from the Baojiang Workshop.
With so many new offerings, they instantly stole all the customers from his family's bookshop.
Xia Fuyang was frantic, as the bookshop's profitability directly affected his pocket money.
"I know you're full of clever ideas. Any other tricks to win back customers?"
Qu Dubian sighed and slumped onto the stone table.
Xia Fuyang's expression shifted, and he frowned, patting Qu's back. "Are you feeling unwell? I heard a few days ago that Consort Xuan summoned the imperial physician again."
Qu Dubian: "It's nothing like that. I'm just thinking of ideas for you."
After a moment's thought, he said, "Don't print the books yet. Take them to teahouses and taverns, hire storytellers to perform them."
Xia Fuyang: "Then how do we make money?"
Qu Dubian: "Split them into two volumes. Stop the storytelling at the most exciting part. Then, your bookshop can release the complete set."
"Brilliant! But in that case, fewer people would buy the parts the storyteller already told."
"During the printing gap, hire someone to draw portraits of the characters in the book, make them into bookmark styles. A hundred in color, five hundred in black ink. The more you buy, the higher the chance of getting one..."
"Buying the full set gets you the author's stamped signature. The top ten buyers will receive handwritten signatures."
Portraits of the main characters, portraits of supporting characters, handsome young men, beautiful girls.
Collect the full set of cards. The wealthy would buy them all. Those with less money, aiming for the signature, would also be more likely to buy the complete set.
There were also concepts from his previous life like merchandise and popularity polls for characters—each one a method to squeeze money out of consumers' pockets.
Qu Dubian explained it all in detail to Xia Fuyang.
The latter's expression shifted from confusion, to understanding, to shock that such things were possible, to finally thinking Qu was a devil.
Xia Fuyang looked him up and down. "How is your brain wired?"
Qu Dubian: "Of course, the prerequisite for all this to succeed is that the storybook has many readers and high popularity. The initial buzz and spreading the word through teahouses and taverns is crucial."
Without popularity or appeal, who would spend money on paper characters?
Xia Fuyang: "Don't worry about that. I have many friends."
Qu Dubian pointed: "This one, 'The Scent of Chivalrous Bones Lingers Even in Death', can be a key focus." It was an ensemble piece with standout male and female characters. Once its reputation spread, the audience would surely be broader.
Liuliu also liked this one the most.
"Leave it to me!"
Xia Fuyang happily gathered up all the books.
In this capital, making a book popular was hardly difficult.
Qu Dubian thought for a moment: "Since we're doing it, let's do it best. In a few days when I return to the Marquis's estate, I'll invest some money for you."
Xia Fuyang didn't stand on ceremony either: "Alright. But why don't these books have a name? Who's the author? Some esteemed master from the palace?"
Qu Dubian: "They can't show their face."
After a moment's consideration, he said, "The author shall be called Layman Zhonghua."
-
Transport Inspection Office.
A mule cart loaded with three baskets of fruits and vegetables stopped outside the palace.
Chief Inspector Ren stood before the mule cart.
"His Highness the First Prince is hosting a banquet, and the kitchen is short on ingredients. We need to quickly deliver a batch from the palace. There must be no mistakes. Xiao Chun, I'm entrusting this task to you."
Wen Xiaochun was taken aback. "Chief, it's not my shift today."
Chief Ren smiled. "I have faith in you. I'm counting on you to take over my position someday. Go on, the capable bear more burdens. With your martial skills guarding this cart, I feel at ease."
"His Highness the First Prince is holding a feast; all the other princes and princesses will be there. It's a rare chance to be seen. You might even get a reward."
Wen Xiaochun's mind flashed with the Little Prince's face, and he swallowed his refusal.
It had been a long time since he had seen the Little Prince.
If he could catch a distant glimpse this time, it would be good enough.
"Alright, I'll make the delivery."
He changed into clean clothes, washed his face, put on his cap properly, and then set off.
As the mule cart headed towards the rear gate of the First Prince's residence, Chief Ren's smile faded slightly, replaced by a hint of coldness.
"Don't blame me. Who told you to climb so fast?"
-
The daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Shu Wenxin, was waiting at the entrance of the First Prince's residence.
As the future First Princess Consort, she was one of the main figures of this banquet. She hadn't arrived too early or too late, but had been waiting outside without entering.
Upon hearing the news, the First Prince hurried over from the main hall.
Shu Wenxin was a proper young lady from a noble family, with delicate and pretty features. She took a slight step back and curtsied. "Your Highness."
The First Prince scratched his head awkwardly. "Um... no need for formalities. Miss Shu, why haven't you gone in? Zhiyi and the others have already started enjoying themselves."
Shu Wenxin: "My father hasn't arrived yet, but he instructed me to enter together with my elder brother."
The First Prince: "Then where is your brother? Should I send someone to fetch him?"
"My brother set out long before me. There's no reason I've arrived and he hasn't," Shu Wenxin said with an apologetic look. "I'll wait a little longer. I'm sorry for the trouble, Your Highness."
The First Prince: "We'll be family soon, no need to be so polite!"
Then he suddenly stopped. "Sorry, sorry, that was presumptuous."
A slight smile touched Shu Wenxin's lips. "It's alright."
The First Prince cleared his throat twice, stood with his hands behind his back, trying his best to appear somewhat steady and mature.
After a short wait, the personal maid of Shu Wenxin came running hurriedly from the distance, panting, "Miss, I ran into the young master's servant. He said the young master entered the Grand Prince's residence early this morning and should still be there now."
Shu Wenxin: "He's already inside?"
The Grand Prince: "Perhaps the servants in the residence didn't notice. Well, you go in first, and I'll have someone search the premises."
Shu Wenxin nodded: "Thank you, Your Highness."
The Grand Prince waved his hand and whispered to an attendant nearby, "Have people look for him."
He led Shu Wenxin all the way to the seating area for female guests, then stopped and did not enter. "I'll have someone call for you when he's found."
"Yes."
From afar, the Second Prince and the Third Prince, arms crossed, were catching the breeze in the corridor and witnessed this scene.
The Second Prince said with a laugh, "I never thought Eldest Brother had such a restrained side."
The Third Prince: "It's his future wife's family. The Ministry of Revenue controls the purse strings. It's only natural he treats Miss Shu well. Moreover, by behaving well, young ladies from other officials' families might well start eyeing the position of Eldest Brother's concubine."
The Second Prince: "Eldest Brother isn't a bad person, really. He's just sometimes a bit too blunt with his words. Third Brother, among the visiting female guests, are there any suitable young ladies who have caught your eye?"
The Third Prince: "In the end, it will still be up to Father to decide."
Just like how the three of them brothers began attending court to observe governance together—it was all by their father's decree.
He glanced toward the main hall.
Little Fourth and Little Sixth were bickering, with Little Fifth trying to mediate, much like how he and his two elder brothers used to be.
Back then, it felt annoying, but thinking back now, those few years in the schoolroom were probably the most carefree times.
-
Back courtyard.
Wen Xiaochun was directing people to unload three baskets of fruits and vegetables from a mule cart.
They happened to bump into Ye Xiaoyuan, who had just come out of the back courtyard kitchen.
For a moment, Ye Xiaoyuan thought he was seeing things. Looking closer, he confirmed it was him and called out, "Xiaochun?"
Wen Xiaochun turned his head, instinctively looking beside him.
Then, disappointment flickered between his brows.
Ye Xiaoyuan smiled, "I thought I was mistaken. You, the deputy head of the North Gate Inspection and Transport Office, moving things here? It doesn't suit your status."
Wen Xiaochun: "How is the little prince?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Why don't you see for yourself? Your Highness—"
Inside the back courtyard kitchen, amidst the steaming aroma of food, Qu Dubian came out with Xia Fuyang, holding a plate of yam with grape jam.
He exclaimed in delight, "Xiaochun??"
He shoved the plate into Xia Fuyang's hands and rushed over, "Xiaochun, Xiaochun, I've missed you so much!"
Wen Xiaochun couldn't help but smile, crouching down to catch him in a hug. "Long time no see, Your Highness. You've grown taller."
He strictly followed the words Xu Jin left with him before departing: unless necessary, minimize contact with the little prince, so that people in the palace would gradually forget he had once served by the little prince's side. Only then could he earn greater trust and reliance from his future direct superiors.
Qu Dubian: "Hehe, of course."
Ye Xiaoyuan chuckled softly.
Xiaochun's appearance hadn't changed, but his eyes seemed steadier than three years ago.
He understood. The Inspection and Transport Office was the best place to temper a person—all sorts of people, all kinds of goods, testing one's discernment and social skills.
Staying there for three years was easy, but staying for three years and climbing directly to the deputy head position was not simple at all.
Qu Dubian stayed close to Wen Xiaochun for a moment, then his nose suddenly wrinkled.
A faint fishy smell wafted up.
Qu Dubian began to feel somewhat uncomfortable, a bit nauseous.
Normal fishy smells didn't bother him; the only scent that could make him feel sick was the smell of human blood.
"Xiaochun, are you injured?"
Wen Xiaochun: "Huh? No."
Qu Dubian let go of him, suppressing his nausea as he sniffed. He took a few steps and stopped in front of the basket of just-unloaded produce.
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Your Highness, is something wrong?"
Qu Dubian whispered in his ear, "Banban, there's a smell of blood in here."
Xia Fuyang didn't quite understand but sensed the gravity. Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun's expressions changed.
They all knew the little prince couldn't stand the smell of blood from human injuries.
Was there human blood inside the vegetable basket?
Ye Xiaoyuan glanced at the workers nearby and cleared his throat. "Everyone, step back. Go farther away. We'll be slaughtering chickens and geese here later, best to avoid the commotion."
After the surrounding people had left, Wen Xiaochun's eyes suddenly darkened. "Take His Highness away too, farther off."
Before Ye Xiaoyuan could move, Xia Fuyang swiftly scooped up Qu Dubian and retreated quickly to a distance.
Wen Xiaochun tore open the vegetable basket. Halfway through, his pupils constricted sharply.
A dead body was curled up inside.
Ye Xiaoyuan took a look and gasped in shock. "This is... the eldest son of Vice Minister Shu of the Ministry of Revenue."
Xia Fuyang's ears twitched, and he hissed inwardly—a dead person.
He placed the plate on a table, covered Qu Dubian's eyes with both hands, and pressed his thumbs over his ears.
"Sin, sin. The young ones shouldn't hear such things."
Qu Dubian: "..."
Noisy sounds came from not far away. "Why is everyone out? Isn't the kitchen busy?"
"To the steward, they said they're going to slaughter chickens. What brings you here, sir?"
"Looking for someone. The elder brother of the future princess consort, Miss Shu. This is the only place left unchecked. We must take a look, whether he's here or not."
Even with his ears covered, Qu Dubian could hear a little.
He looked toward the arched gateway around the corner ahead.
Someone was about to arrive.
