The Shadow Guard Headquarters.
"Confirmed that no trace of Yi Shier was found near the Seventh Prince?"
"Confirmed."
The Shadow Guard Commander was not surprised. "Hmm, destroy his file then."
The antidote for the Three-Day Drunk was only possessed by the imperial family. Yi Shier had been gone for so long; he must have long since died somewhere. However, even though they were quite confident in the imperial secret poison, they still conducted a thorough investigation.
Now that it was confirmed, there was no need to specially dispatch someone to deliver the antidote to Yi Shier every three days.
After all, every time a guard sent to deliver the medicine saw how comfortably their retired senior was living, they would easily come back feeling utterly defeated.
The Shadow Guard Commander sighed. "To have lived so freely by the Seventh Prince's side for so long, and to die outside the palace where no one knows... it's a rare, good end."
Outside the Palace.
At Xu Tingfeng's Residence.
Qu Dubian vaulted over the wall and shouted, "I'm here to pick you up, Liuliu!"
Yi Shier came out and looked up. "Your Highness."
He was dressed in completely different clothes. Qu Dubian's eyes lit up. "You look good in this outfit. Did uncle pick it out for you?"
Yi Shier had shed the unchanging black martial attire he'd worn for over a decade. He now wore a lake-blue narrow-sleeved robe. His flexible sword was hidden within his belt, but he had an additional saber at his side.
He had slightly altered his posture, making him subtly different from before.
He looked like a handsome guard.
Xu Tingfeng came out in his wheelchair. "Yes, I picked it. After all, he'll be your new personal guard from now on. A new person deserves a new image."
The newcomer, Yi Shier, stood where he was, letting the uncle and nephew tease him.
Qu Dubian: "Not bad, not bad. Just wear this when you dance later."
A flicker of helplessness passed through Yi Shier's eyes.
Xu Tingfeng laughed heartily.
Qu Dubian asked curiously, "Uncle, who's older between you and Liuliu? Liuliu, how old were you when you started following me?"
Yi Shier couldn't quite remember. He thought for a moment. "Seems like... seventeen?"
Xu Tingfeng: "Then I am slightly older."
So Liuliu really wasn't even eighteen when he started following him... In his previous life, that would be a high school student. No wonder he, as a shadow guard, still liked milk tea and storybooks.
Qu Dubian: "Uncle, how are your legs?"
Xu Tingfeng's eyes curved into a smile. "Very good."
His internal energy had recovered to about half of what it was before it was crippled. His legs could now barely stand for a few seconds, but walking was still impossible.
However, he could feel vitality gradually returning to his legs day by day.
If not for Xiao Qi, by now he wouldn't even be able to feel sensation in his legs, let alone keep his martial arts; they would have completely dissipated.
"That's good," Qu Dubian encouraged. "Take it slow. We're in no hurry."
Xu Tingfeng had him stay for lunch. After the meal, they talked in the pavilion. He was especially gentle and didn't express any opinion about Qu Dubian testing the medicine on himself at Xiang River.
Qu Dubian's anxious heart gradually settled.
His uncle really was gentle.
He didn't mention the private brocade matter, only giving a simple summary: "That day, Father Emperor summoned me to the Zichen Hall. I also confirmed that he has removed me from the list of crown prince candidates."
Xu Tingfeng: "Not surprising either."
But being removed didn't matter. Even if Xiao Qi wasn't the Emperor's chosen candidate, he would be someone else's.
In the struggle for the crown prince position, if the emperor is strong-willed and can clear all accumulated obstacles for his chosen successor, then no matter how hard other ministers and strategists try, it's useless.
If the emperor hasn't yet chosen a successor, intends to maintain balance, and his control over the court is weakening, then it's no longer a matter of him deciding whoever he wants.
The hearts of the people from the three commanderies would win Xiao Qi much invisible support.
For example, future allegiance from scholars of the three commanderies, goodwill from some court officials, and perhaps some might think that a soft-hearted, sickly prince becoming emperor would lead to a dispersal of imperial power, increasing the ministers' influence, which would actually be advantageous for ambitious individuals.
The situation is complex, human hearts are unpredictable. Things don't just become what someone wants them to be.
Not even His Majesty can.
Xu Tingfeng: "Xiao Qi, uncle has never asked you this: do you want to contend for it?"
Qu Dubian choked, waving his hands repeatedly. "Uncle, no! It'd be great if I could just be a carefree member of the imperial clan in the future. When I get my fief, I can even bring Concubine Xuan out to live with me. Having money, leisure, and freedom—how wonderful!"
"Look at my father emperor. He's exhausted every day."
Xu Tingfeng handed him a handkerchief, amused and exasperated. "Slow down."
Qu Dubian wiped his mouth. "Besides, I know myself. I'm not suited for that position." His soul was still modern. Ancient imperial power was cold and would freeze one's heart.
He liked liveliness and didn't want to be lonely.
Xu Tingfeng: "You may not want it, but perhaps some will secretly follow you."
Like that kid Xia Fuyang.
"Who has such poor judgment?"
Xu Tingfeng: "..."
Qu Dubian: "Ahem, just joking. But their following is their business. How I live is my business. Carrying others' expectations on your shoulders, overthinking things—it's too tiring and leads to burnout."
Xu Tingfeng looked at his smiling face. "Alright. In the future, uncle will go live with you too."
Qu Dubian said happily, "Welcome, welcome."
But being enfeoffed as a prince was a distant prospect; he still had to stay in the capital for a good long while. In a couple of years when he establishes his own mansion, he can start setting up fun things there now.
Xu Tingfeng: "Have you been to see your grandmother?"
Qu Dubian: "Going right now. Had lunch at uncle's place, will have dinner at grandma's and stay the night."
Xu Tingfeng urged him: "Then you should hurry. Don't keep her waiting anxiously."
Qu Dubian nodded, packed some of the delicious food his uncle had made, and took Liuliu to his grandmother's house.
Not long after they left, a servant entered through the back door. "Young Master."
Xu Tingfeng: "Hmm, the cane was delivered to Madam's hands, right?"
The servant's mouth twitched slightly. "Yes, it was."
Xu Tingfeng smiled gently.
"That's good. I picked it out for a long time."
The Sword-Holding Marquis Estate.
That same night.
Qu Dubian clung to the rooftop, refusing to come down no matter what.
"Grandma! Wuwu, you've changed!"
Wu Siwan brandished a cane. "Good grandson, come down. Grandma will give you a tickle."
Qu Dubian hugged a roof ridge ornament, on the verge of tears. "I really know I was wrong! I had a plan in mind when I did that! Next time I'll definitely tell you all in advance, so you won't worry! I was wrong, Grandma!"
Wu Siwan: "Good grandson, there's a next time?"
"No! Never again!"
But the old lady didn't let him off. Her spirit for disciplining her grandson was vigorous. "Even if it was for the people this time, you still have to take a few hits. Be good, Grandma will do it gently."
Qu Dubian stubbornly said, "Not coming down. Grandma, you're lying."
Wu Siwan's smile was loving. "Your uncle personally picked out this cane. It'd be a waste not to use it. Our Xu family advocates frugality and thrift."
Qu Dubian: "..."
Yi Shier: "..."
What a way to advocate frugality and thrift.
Qu Dubian crouched on the roof, held it in for a few seconds, then wailed mournfully, "Uncle!"
So pretty when he smiles, but he's black-hearted!
The next day.
Qu Dubian returned to the palace.
He had Liuliu take his token to the kennels to fetch Yidianbai, then return directly to the princes' quarters. He himself went to the academy for lessons.
The Old Geezer was no good. Even now, there were only two princesses and him left attending the academy.
Zhiyi had long passed sixteen, but she still came occasionally. However, recently, following Noble Lady Guo's advice, she often went out with Yuan Jie'er to attend poetry gatherings to meet eligible unmarried young gentlemen.
It wasn't just for her to see, but also for several other Xie family girls who had come of age.
The second brother's consort was pregnant, and the first brother's primary consort, the mother of the eldest imperial grandson, was also with child. The fourth brother kept delaying his marriage, the fifth brother never mentioned starting a family, and the sixth brother had a few concubines in his rear courtyard, while the selection for his primary wife, Consort Lan, was still ongoing.
In a few years, when this batch of little ones had grown up, if his cheap father was still around by then, they might come to study at the school.
Sihe was born in his seventh year and was now seven or eight years old.
"Morning, Seventh Brother."
"Morning, little Sihe."
Sihe: "Brother, Grand Tutor Fang said for you to go to the side hall to see him after you arrived."
"Huh? Isn't it Tutor Xi's class today?"
"Grand Tutor Fang is here too, said he needed to see you about something."
Qu Dubian: "Alright, I'll go right away."
He patted Sihe's little head and went to the side hall.
Grand Tutor Fang had a copy of the Disaster Relief Guidelines spread out before him.
"Your Highness is here."
Qu Dubian was neither surprised that Grand Tutor Fang had sought him out, nor that the old man could detect something amiss with the guidelines. After all, he had learned much of what he knew from this very old man before him.
He casually took a seat.
"Grand Tutor."
Grand Tutor Fang: "Your Highness, you seem different after this trip."
Qu Dubian: "Different how?"
Grand Tutor Fang: "A feeling. These guidelines are quite good."
There was no process of probing or denying the identity of Layman Biandou between the two. Grand Tutor Fang was perhaps the one who understood Qu Dubian's true capabilities the most clearly.
He was not surprised that the Seventh Prince could write the Disaster Relief Guidelines.
Upon reflection, his primary emotion was not shock, but joy.
"It wasn't written by me," Qu Dubian brushed it off casually and said lazily, "Grand Tutor, please don't pin your hopes on me. Wouldn't it be better if we just kept the simplest teacher-student relationship?"
Grand Tutor Fang raised an eyebrow: "It has always been just that."
Qu Dubian: "Hmm?"
Grand Tutor Fang: "What you did at Xianghe this time can be considered part of the assessment you need to submit at sixteen."
Qu Dubian: "Anyway, I won't submit the rest."
"Don't submit then, just stop avoiding this old man," Grand Tutor Fang said with rare quietness, without his usual smiling, fox-like demeanor. He walked over and sat down next to Qu Dubian. "It's good that you returned safely."
"Regardless, while in the capital, you must still grasp some power in your hands."
Qu Dubian turned his head to look at the old man's profile. After a moment, he said, "Don't worry, Grand Tutor. I'm not a fool. It's just that I'm still in the Princes' Quarters and can't stand in the court. After I turn sixteen, receive an official post, and attend court, I will carefully gauge and manage things well."
Just like the fourth brother.
The two of them would be the court's master slackers.
Once they endured until a new Crown Prince was established, princes were enfeoffed, and they could leave the capital, they would be free.
After Qu Dubian unilaterally cleared the air with Grand Tutor Fang, he returned to Shunning Palace for the midday meal.
As soon as he entered the palace gate and saw Xinqing, he began putting on a pitiful act: "Aunt Xinqing, you have no idea how badly I was tricked yesterday."
"Grandmother took a vine whip this long to discipline me. Shunning Palace is so much better. Concubine Xuan never scolds me!"
Xinqing: "..."
After his whining, Qu Dubian shouted towards the rear hall: "Noble Lady Guo, I want to eat something delicious to recover! I want sweet and sour fish, the kind without bones!"
Noble Lady Guo looked at him with pity: "Alright."
Qu Dubian glanced around: "Huh? Why isn't Concubine Xuan here?"
Xinqing finally spoke up: "Her Highness is at the martial arts platform. She asked me to invite you over, saying she obtained a new set of palm techniques to practice together."
"What palm technique?"
Qu Dubian was curious.
After all, the palace had many collected texts, and Xie Jingshan and his little uncle had been sending them martial arts manuals over the past few years, including all sorts of boxing and palm techniques.
They had seen even the most exquisite ones.
In his memory, Concubine Xuan hadn't found a manual that interested her for over half a year.
Inside the martial arts arena.
Concubine Xuan stood with her back to the entrance.
Qu Dubian: "Concubine Xuan, I'm here."
Concubine Xuan turned around, hefting a duster in her hand.
Qu Dubian's smile froze stiffly on his face.
It looked so familiar...
Made of ostrich feathers.
Concubine Xuan: "You're back? It's been a long time since we sparred. Come up and have a match with me."
Qu Dubian backed away while saying, "I don't think that's necessary."
Concubine Xuan's willow-leaf eyebrows shot up. "Xinqing! Close the door!"
Bang!
The small door shut.
Qu Dubian: "Wah—"
He and that Old Geezer were sworn enemies!
An equal and friendly mother-son exchange session was conducted within Shunning Palace.