The Second Prince's Residence.
Chu Wusheng, the Zuo Colonel who failed to be selected as the Governor-General of the two provinces, was kneeling opposite the Second Prince.
He was deeply remorseful.
"I am truly sorry, Your Highness. If my reputation were greater, like Xia Fuyang's, perhaps His Majesty wouldn't have sent the Seventh Prince. We wouldn't have lost this lucrative position."
Second Prince: "It's not that you are useless. It's just that the position was practically yours, only to be snatched away by my seventh brother."
"However, by choosing Zuo Tianlang to accompany him, he has essentially placed his future actions under our father's watchful eye, making it harder for others to criticize."
Chu Wusheng: "Your Highness doesn't seem anxious."
Second Prince: "There was another reason I wanted you to compete for this position... Although the assignment is lost now, it doesn't matter. The situation is settled, it's just progressing slightly slower than the original plan."
He smiled and patted Chu Wusheng's shoulder.
"I must still trouble you to handle a matter for me."
"Your Highness, you honor me too much! Please, just give the order."
The Second Prince narrowed his eyes slightly, looking in the direction of the Crown Prince's residence.
Elder Brother, you've enjoyed the limelight for far too long.
Qingzhou Territory.
Past the boundary marker, the view opened up to mountains and clear streams.
It was early summer, not yet too hot. Riding along the riverbank with the verdant, misty mountains was cool and pleasant.
Qu Dubian and Xi Zixing were talking ahead. Zuo Tianlang, aware of his place, did not go up to be an annoying eavesdropper.
"You've sneaked out twice now, right? Doesn't your father beat you? And with the exams next year, wouldn't it be better to review in the capital?"
Xi Zixing: "My father? Of course he doesn't want me out. But I'm a concubine-born son. Plus, he hardly paid me any mind since I was little, so he has even less control now that I'm grown."
Qu Dubian: "With the top scholar title, you'd achieve the Triple First. Minister Xi still doesn't value that?"
"Don't be fooled by him being the Minister of Justice. His own household affairs are a tangled mess, and he's more than a little pedantic," Xi Zixing squinted. "The family estate is meant for the legitimate son. With my legal mother managing the household, I doubt I'll get even a sliver."
"It's not that he doesn't value it, I suppose. It's just that... I've never been close to them since childhood. When my birth mother died, I resented everyone."
Listening to his friend vent, Qu Dubian felt it inappropriate to comment on his friend's family affairs, especially since Teacher Xi had taught him for so long.
He listened silently.
Teacher Xi was the type who believed men shouldn't interfere in the inner household, leaving it entirely to the principal wife.
Xi Zixing's childhood was likely a history of a pitiful child, bullied by his legal mother after his birth mother's death. Later, he met Qu Dubian, who was turning paintings upside down in a bookstore, and began studying seriously, revealing extraordinary scholarly talent.
However, this didn't make his legal mother realize they should support the brothers of the household together. Instead, she became even more determined to keep him from meddling in the Xi family estate, afraid he would bully them back if he became successful later.
Xi Zixing owned a bookstore himself and had lived comfortably these years entirely on its profits.
Having heard a rough account of the family drama, Qu Dubian said, "After taking office, once you secure your father's agreement, you can move out of the residence."
Xi Zixing said gloomily, "Do you know how much a house costs? It would be better to find me a room in your residence."
Qu Dubian gave an awkward laugh.
That wouldn't do!
He had a married couple with children living at home. How could he let an unrelated man move in? Yidianbai would be furious.
Amidst the banter, they arrived at the Governor's Office.
Qu Dubian pulled on the reins, bringing his horse to a halt.
Several officials had been waiting in front of the office for some time. The one at the front had a slightly round face and an amiable, beaming smile. He hurried forward: "Ji Heng, Governor of Qingzhou, along with Subprefect Deng Ximin, Colonel Zhang Gui, and others, pay our respects to the Seventh Prince and Commander Zuo!"
"So you are Governor Ji Heng."
"I dare not accept such an address from Your Highness. Please, just call me Ji Heng," Ji Heng said cheerfully. "Your Highness, a young man of extraordinary talent, now assuming the position of Governor-General of the two provinces and coming to Qingzhou is truly a blessing for our people."
"Under Your Highness's protection, Qing and Ji provinces are like parched land receiving sweet rain. Under Your Highness's wise and mighty leadership, the bandits will surely be completely eradicated!"
Qu Dubian: "..."
He dismounted. "You flatter me."
Ji Heng was very perceptive. He immediately had someone lead Qu Dubian's horse away and arrange accommodations for the guards who had traveled with them. Then he invited Qu Dubian and Zuo Tianlang inside: "Gentlemen, please."
"You must be weary from the long journey. Subprefect Deng and I have prepared a welcoming banquet. After you have bathed, refreshed, and rested, we can talk over food and drink."
The implication was that he did not wish to discuss the bandit troubles in the two provinces right now.
Qu Dubian smiled and said, "Very well, let's do as Governor Ji suggests."
Let's see what medicine this Governor of Qingzhou is selling.
He and Zuo Tianlang were shown to rooms prepared in advance.
Qu Dubian looked around his room. It wasn't exquisitely decorated everywhere, but thoughtful touches were evident. There was also a faint fragrance in the room.
He sniffed and found a small box of incense on the desk.
It wasn't burning, but the scent wafting from it was enough for him to smell.
Xi Zixing tapped his fan, smiling meaningfully. "It seems Governor Ji went to some trouble to inquire about your preferences."
The Seventh Prince's fondness for various incenses was no secret. Anyone in the capital who paid a little attention could know. But Qingzhou was far from the capital. To have found out about this preference, he must have done his research as soon as he received news of the Seventh Prince's appointment as Governor-General.
Qu Dubian picked up the incense box and smelled it.
"It's not particularly special or precious incense. I'd call it middling to low-grade at best."
Xi Zixing: "Incense you consider middling to low-grade is seen as quite good in the eyes of most," he leaned in and teased quietly. "I wonder if our Seventh Prince feels flattered?"
Qu Dubian put the incense box back and pondered for a moment.
"It's a bit odd."
Xi Zixing: "It is a bit odd."
Qu Dubian: "If he wanted to curry favor, given his position as Governor, precious incense should be readily available. Putting out this neither-here-nor-there incense seems more like he's testing my attitude."
"This man is a very smooth operator as an official," Xi Zixing looked around, ran his fingers over the chair back, then bent down to examine the inkstone closely. "Looking at the things he chose, they're all of middling quality."
Qu Dubian found Ji Heng increasingly interesting.
"Let's go see Commander Zuo's room."
The two went to the room opposite, belonging to Commander Zuo. Zuo Tianlang was intently examining a sword hanging in the center of the room, completely absorbed.
Qu Dubian: "Commander Zuo?"
He walked over, curious. "Is this sword very valuable?"
Zuo Tianlang suddenly snapped back to reality, his old face slightly flushed. "Please forgive my impropriety, Your Highness. This sword isn't particularly valuable. It's just that it seems to be the last sword worn by the famous General Zhou of the previous dynasty before he died in battle. I admire that general greatly, so I was momentarily captivated."
Qu Dubian and Xi Zixing exchanged a glance.
Zuo Tianlang: "But this is probably part of Governor Ji Heng's collection. I was just looking."
Qu Dubian: "Then please take your time, Commander Zuo. I shall return to bathe and change. It's getting late; we shouldn't keep Governor Ji waiting long for the banquet."
Zuo Tianlang: "Yes, Your Highness, please go ahead."
After walking a distance away, Qu Dubian lowered his voice and said, "If Zuo Tianlang shows any interest in that blade, do you think Prefect Ji would gift it?"
Xi Zixing pressed his fan to his lips. "After tonight's welcoming banquet, we'll see what he intends to do."
The two parted ways and went to their respective rooms to bathe and change clothes in preparation for the evening.
The moon hung high.
In the rear courtyard of the Governor's residence.
Passing through a small gate, the space opened up ahead.
It was a sizable courtyard. Qu Dubian, Xi Zixing, and Zuo Tianlang each sat at a small table on one side, while on the other side were Governor Ji Huan, along with the Assistant Prefect, the Military Commander, and others.
Fine wine and delicacies were served amidst laughter and pleasant conversation.
Qu Dubian twirled the wine cup in his hand. The wine served to him was Zhenbao liquor, something anyone else would have relished.
Unfortunately, he did not care for strong liquor.
Just as he was about to pass the wine to Zuo Tianlang, he saw Ji Huan's expression turn serious. "Attendants! How are you serving? His Highness is not yet of age. Quickly bring some fruit beverages."
Qu Dubian's brow twitched slightly. He looked up at Ji Huan and, facing the man's round, smiling face, said, "Prefect Ji, you are very observant."
"How could I not be?" Ji Huan replied. "The moment I saw the wine pot on Your Highness's table, I remembered. My oversight, please forgive me, Your Highness."
Soon, two graceful maidservants entered through a side door. They sat on either side of Qu Dubian and helped him replace the Zhenbao liquor with the fruit beverage.
Ji Huan seized the moment to say, "You two need not leave. Attend to His Highness and ensure he is well taken care of."
The maidservants replied, "Yes."
Xi Zixing began to frown.
Zuo Tianlang's attention was also drawn over.
Indeed, it was said that the Seventh Prince's residence not only had few servants but even fewer beautiful maids. He had neither a primary consort nor concubines, not even any bedchamber attendants, and he was never seen visiting pleasure quarters.
His surroundings were uncommonly clean for a prince.
Consort Xuan had never seemed anxious about this either. Of course, there were two possible explanations: first, the Seventh Prince's health was poor, so marrying later was actually beneficial; second, the Seventh Prince simply hadn't awakened to such matters yet.
But with such tender, fragrant beauties so close, and the Seventh Prince being a young man full of vigor, could he resist?
Zuo Tianlang had served as an official for quite some time and had naturally experienced such scenes of subordinates currying favor. He felt it somewhat improper, but since the Seventh Prince showed no intention of refusing, he could hardly refuse on the prince's behalf.
One of the maidservants, her gaze soft and eyes like autumn waters, said, "Your Highness, shall I massage your shoulders for you?"
As her hand gently landed on Qu Dubian's arm, a pair of chopsticks tapped the back of her hand. It didn't hurt, but the intent to stop her was clear.
"Your Highness?"
Qu Dubian tossed the chopsticks onto the table and addressed Ji Huan, "Prefect Ji, don't you find this welcoming banquet rather monotonous?"
The smile on Ji Huan's face faltered. "Your Highness means..."
Qu Dubian smiled. "No music, no song or dance, only a sparse few in attendance," he swept his gaze over the Assistant Prefect and the Military Commander, "and moreover, they all sit like wooden posts, incapable of even a bit of lighthearted banter."
Assistant Prefect Deng awkwardly hid behind his sleeve to take a sip of tea. Commander Zhang silently lowered his head.
"When I was in the capital, if I took a fancy to anyone, even if they had several children, I could have them all brought to my residence to be cared for. Indulging freely, at complete liberty—I have never attended such a shabby feast!"
"When I am in a foul mood, killing people is not out of the question."
Xi Zixing snapped open his fan to cover his mouth.
Ji Huan hurriedly rose to apologize. "Your Highness, please calm your anger. It's truly... truly because we made no preparations today."
Once he stood up, Assistant Prefect Deng and Commander Zhang dared not remain seated either. "Your Highness, please calm your anger."
The two maidservants knelt, their heads bowed to their chests, tense and fearful.
Qu Dubian picked up the newly served fruit beverage and sniffed it. It was chilled, clearly prepared well in advance.
"Oh? No preparations."
"You inquired about my fondness for various incenses and placed them in my room. You also learned of Commander Zuo's admiration for the famed general of the previous dynasty and went out of your way to place that general's personal sword there... And now you say you made no preparations?"
He looked up. "Prefect Ji, you are simply testing whether the two of us have come here in earnest to suppress the bandits, or whether Commander Zuo is merely escorting me here to gild my reputation."
Ji Huan's heart gave a heavy thump. "This official would not dare test Your Highness!"
Qu Dubian said with keen interest, "I have been here all afternoon. Not only have you not uttered a single word about the bandit menace, but you also presented beautiful women at the welcoming banquet, intending to distract me from the suppression campaign. If it is not a test, then it must be collusion with the bandits."
With that, his expression instantly turned cold, his eyes chilling abruptly as he slammed his cup down.
"Ji Huan, you have some nerve!"