Seventh Prince's Manor.
This was a courtyard belonging solely to Qu Dubian himself. He had prepared the vegetable garden long in advance, and now it was thriving splendidly.
After requesting personnel from Consort Yi to clean the manor, he moved in half a month early.
Mainly because he had accumulated far too many belongings in the princes' quarters.
Not to mention all the scattered wooden blocks and small components, there were also various oddly shaped weapons from the training grounds. Even the vegetables he planted and the mature trees were difficult to relocate, but all the other saplings had to be carried over.
The gifts received over the years, the miscellaneous items in the storeroom...
The Seventh Prince's move alone took a full five days.
Adhering to the principle of not letting anything go to waste, he harvested all the vegetables from his small plot. The tender, dewy greens were delivered to the manors of the other princes and consorts.
Yidianbai also moved with him.
Along with its puppies—
Yidianbai's mate was a very handsome young black-and-tan dog named Jinlai. When Qu Dubian went to Xianghe County, he left Yidianbai at the royal kennels, where Yidianbai secretly courted her.
Now a whole litter of puppies had been born.
Qu Dubian was promoted to grandfather status. As Jinlai had little milk, he found it too hard on the mother dog to nurse all alone, so he found two nanny goats to serve as wet nurses for his grand-puppies.
They were all settled in the backyard of the prince's manor.
Occasionally, the barks of dogs and bleats of sheep mixed together, making the place seem completely unlike a prince's residence. An unknowing visitor might think they had come to the wrong place.
Qu Dubian, with his sleeves rolled up high, planted a sapling in a hole and filled it with soil.
Ye Xiaoyuan was reading out the list of guests to invite to the manor-establishing banquet. "All your elder brothers must be invited, of course, as well as Princess Sihe, and ministers from the Six Ministries, though they might not come... Your Highness, who do you think we should invite?"
The shovel was thrust into the ground with a chua.
Qu Dubian: "We'll extend the courtesy. The fewer invitations sent, the better. The backyard has been transplanted and turned into vegetable plots. There's no space left for their refined gatherings. If they come, they can pick fresh vegetables for hot pot."
Those who want to come will come naturally; sending invitations won't help if they don't.
Ye Xiaoyuan imagined the scene of court ministers picking their own vegetables for hot pot. "..."
Better prepare two water vats in advance, just in case, for washing vegetables.
Qu Dubian wiped his hands on his waist. "Liuliu is still over in Qingzhou and Jizhou, right? Probably no news yet?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "That's correct."
Qu Dubian nodded. "I wonder what kind of excitement the manor banquet will bring."
Great Prince's Manor.
The Great Prince was playing with his young son.
In the past year and a half, the Second Prince's concubine had given birth to the Emperor's first grandson. Emperor Chongzhao was overjoyed. Seeing that the Second Prince had long delayed appointing a principal consort, the Emperor bestowed upon him the daughter of the Director of Water Transport.
The Director of Water Transport held a rank of Third Pin, lower than the Great Prince's father-in-law's rank, but it was a lucrative and crucial position, essentially providing the Second Prince with a money bag.
The Great Prince followed closely, also having a son.
However, having missed the advantage of the first grandson, although Emperor Chongzhao was pleased, he did not treat the occasion as grandly as he had for the Second Prince, merely bestowing rewards.
Shu Wenxin: "Alright, enough playing. The officials who have pledged allegiance to you are probably waiting for your decision. If you want them to attend the Seventh Prince's manor banquet, they should start preparing now."
Great Prince: "Let them decide for themselves. It's just a meal."
Shu Wenxin sighed: "Normally, they would definitely go. But with the relationship between the Seventh Prince and His Majesty so strained, even neutral factions will hesitate about attending, let alone the officials under your banner."
If they go, they fear potentially offending the Emperor; if they don't go, they still have to consider the prince's feelings.
It's difficult for the officials.
Great Prince: "Then, select a few representative ones to go, and let the others decide for themselves," he pondered, "I wonder what Second Brother will do."
Shu Wenxin: "Someone like him, even if he forbids his subordinates from going, will manage it without anyone being able to fault him."
Second Prince's Manor.
"Send two of the higher-ranking officials. For the rest, have juniors from their families attend on their behalf."
The Second Prince instructed, "Those with lower ranks need not come at all. Although Little Seven has hardly summoned the imperial physicians in over a year, excessive exertion is still not good for him. It's fine if the manor banquet has more peers and is a bit quieter."
"Father Emperor and Little Seven are still at an impasse. If everyone attends, what would Father Emperor think?"
He was well-versed in his father's temperament.
After the fallout between Little Seven and Father Emperor over a year ago, even if Father Emperor treated Little Seven differently from them, after such a long period of coldness and stalemate, how much father-son affection could remain?
Just look at the once-favored Third Brother.
Nowadays, isn't he still all alone, never seeing Father Emperor show excessive concern?
"As you command."
Under the watchful eyes of all parties.
The Seventh Prince's manor-establishing banquet finally arrived.
On the day of the banquet, firecrackers exploded. The first to arrive were the Fifth and Sixth Princes. The Sixth Prince even brought a string of firecrackers himself, standing at the entrance: "Everyone, come in, come in! Eat and drink as you please!"
The Fifth Prince followed at the Sixth Prince's side.
Qu Dubian came out to greet them: "Fifth Brother, Sixth Brother. You're here so early?"
"Of course, to help out," the Sixth Prince hooked an arm around his shoulder and whispered, "Now you're living outside the palace, you have no idea how much freedom there is living out here! By the way, after the banquet, you'll have to attend court tomorrow morning. Once you receive your official post, if you have any troublesome matters, just dump them all on Fifth Brother. He handles a lot of my affairs; he's very reliable."
Qu Dubian: "......"
He glanced at the Fifth Prince.
The Fifth Prince smiled: "It's fine. Anything Little Seven doesn't want to do, just throw it to me."
Qu Dubian: "Alright, when the time comes, I certainly won't stand on ceremony if I need help."
The three chatted and laughed. Next, the Fourth Prince also arrived, carrying two baskets of young plants. The soil around their roots was still moist, clearly just transplanted.
"Here, Little Seven, look at these—warm hibiscus from Penglai on the coast."
Qu Dubian: "Their survival rate is extremely low. Fourth Brother, you're amazing!"
He quickly had someone move them to a shady spot in the backyard.
The faint, refreshing fragrance of the warm hibiscus was soothing; they emitted scent even before blooming, truly rare treasures among flowers.
"This time, it wouldn't do to just send flower-patterned paper again, so I'm sending real flowers."
The officials following these three princes, although not as numerous as those under the Great and Second Princes, still numbered some. After their arrival, a few officials trickled in.
The Great Prince and Second Prince arrived one after the other. Sihe came a bit later and was escorted to the separate seating for female guests.
Qu Dubian's relationship with these two elder brothers was more superficial. After exchanging pleasantries with them, he went inside.
Thereafter, fewer officials came.
Some sent apologies.
"Apologies, Seventh Prince. My father has matters to attend to today and sent me to attend on his behalf."
Others sent subordinates.
"This gift is from our minister as well, haha. When the minister is busy, we subordinates have nothing to do but deliver gifts on his behalf."
In short, very few high-ranking officials from the Six Ministries attended.
Qu Dubian calculated the seating for today's banquet. Fortunately, there were still enough seats at the tables for everyone to eat. If any more had come, the seats he prepared wouldn't have been enough.
Grand Tutor Fang and Xi Zixing arrived together. Xi Zixing followed behind the elder gentleman, clearly presenting himself as a junior.
"Hahaha, I'm not too late, am I?"
Qu Dubian: "Not at all, Grand Tutor. Please come in. A seat has been specially reserved for you."
The seated officials all paid their respects.
As soon as Grand Tutor Fang arrived, the Second Prince's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
The Sixth Prince bit his chopsticks thoughtfully. "Hmm... Grand Tutor Fang never seems to attend our estate-establishment banquets, does he? Tsk. Seeing one's teacher on such an occasion makes it hard to relax and enjoy the meal."
As Emperor Chongzhao's energy waned and his reliance on the three Grand Secretaries deepened, Grand Tutor Fang's importance grew ever greater.
His presence at the Seventh Prince's estate-establishment banquet would inevitably set the court officials' minds racing—
If even the man closest to His Majesty had come, did this represent the Emperor's own intention?
If the Emperor had hinted for Grand Tutor Fang to attend, then perhaps the rift between His Majesty and the Seventh Prince wasn't as deep as believed?
Those who had weathered the court for years had developed eight hundred schemes in their hearts; who came and who didn't was always subject to intense scrutiny.
Although the Seventh Prince's competitiveness was considered diminished these days, the game was far from settled, and unexpected upsets were not unheard of.
Qu Dubian, however, knew Grand Tutor Fang hadn't overthought it; he had come purely for a cup of wine.
He nudged Xi Zixing. "How did you arrive with the Grand Tutor?" he asked, leaning closer and lowering his voice. "I thought your father didn't let you go out so freely."
Xi Zixing shrugged. "Came to study with Grand Tutor Fang. It was just a coincidence, so we came together. Don't tell me there's no seat for me."
Qu Dubian sighed. "Fine, I'll find a stool to squeeze in for you somewhere."
Xi Zixing smiled. "As you wish, Your Highness."
Qu Dubian waved him off. "Go on, get going. Go check if we're short-handed; you can go help carry plates from the kitchen."
Xi Zixing: "..."
He sighed with feigned melancholy and headed for the rear courtyard. Passing through the covered walkway, he glanced at the assembled court officials and frowned slightly.
Tsk.
Leaving aside the factions of the First and Second Princes, there were truly a fair number of fence-sitters among the officials.
As the banquet was about to begin, the seats Qu Dubian had prepared were just about filled, roughly matching the number of guests he had anticipated.
He urged everyone to begin the feast, then pulled Ye Xiaoyuan aside.
Ye Xiaoyuan asked, "Is something the matter, Your Highness?"
Qu Dubian pondered for a moment. "Not sure... Are the copper braziers ready in the kitchen?"
Ye Xiaoyuan replied, "Yes, but not many."
Qu Dubian said, "Having some is enough. Later..."
A sharp, high-pitched voice suddenly rang out from outside: "Imperial decree arrives—!"
Because of the banquet, the main gate of the prince's estate was open, so Eunuch Yu entered directly, holding the decree aloft, a smile on his face.
"His Majesty's decree is here! Seventh Prince, receive the decree!"
The officials who had just started eating immediately put down their chopsticks and hurried over. The First Prince, Second Prince, and others also quickly came into the courtyard.
Qu Dubian narrowed his eyes and patted Ye Xiaoyuan's shoulder. "It came after all, Banban. Go to the kitchen and have them bring out the copper braziers."
He then walked into the courtyard. "Long time no see, Eunuch Yu."
Eunuch Yu said with a smile, "I've missed you dearly."
He unrolled the decree and read aloud: "Our seventh son, upon establishing his estate and entering into court affairs, brings great comfort to Our heart. Considering his diligent studies and the long period spent residing alone in the princes' quarters without brothers for company, We specially bestow upon him: a liuli (glazed glass) fan inlaid with pearls and jade, a pair of Caiyun-beast ear pendants, twelve sets of princely court robes, assorted incense materials, three golden sandalwood dog kennels... in celebration of the joy of his establishing his estate!"
Qu Dubian responded, "Your son receives the decree and thanks His Majesty for the congratulatory gifts."
Hearing the words "His Majesty," Eunuch Yu looked momentarily troubled, then rolled up the decree and handed it to Qu Dubian.
"After establishing your estate, you are an adult, Your Highness. Take good care of yourself," he said in a low voice. "His Majesty is actually very attentive towards you."
Qu Dubian's expression did not change. "Thank you, Eunuch."
Eunuch Yu said, "You're welcome. The gifts will be carried to the rear courtyard shortly. After the banquet concludes, remember to look at the box placed on the very top."
Qu Dubian was slightly taken aback.
"Alright, I'll remember."
Only then did Eunuch Yu turn his gaze to the others in the courtyard. "This old servant merely came to deliver the decree. I shall take my leave now and not disturb your enjoyment, esteemed lords."
"Take care on your way, Eunuch."
Qu Dubian twirled the decree in his hand once, making the onlookers' eyelids twitch.
Put it away properly!
Taking in the expressions of his elder brothers, Qu Dubian waved a hand. "Alright, alright, let the banquet continue."
He went into the inner rooms.
The Second Prince straightened up, his face still wearing a gentle expression as he chatted and laughed with those beside him and went back inside.