On the road back to the capital.
Yi Shier appeared as if out of nowhere, flipping into the carriage.
Qu Dubian caught a whiff of floral scent. Without even opening his eyes, he lay lazily on the small rug in the carriage. "Liuliu is here."
Yi Shier gave an affirmative hum and placed a bunch of wildflowers he had picked along the way beside him.
"Important news from the Northern Frontier? For you to make the trip personally."
Yi Shier paused. "Not news from the Northern Frontier, but from the capital."
Qu Dubian opened his eyes. "The capital?"
Yi Shier: "Over two years ago, the First Prince took charge of the disaster relief efforts for three prefectures. All silver and grain passed through his hands. Five days ago, a commoner from Xianghe Prefecture arrived in the capital and dashed himself to death before the gates of the Capital Prefecture Magistrate's office, crying out that there were corrupt officials in the capital, that darkness blotted out the light, that the people suffered bitterly, and that power crushed men to death."
"Now, those four lines of verse have spread everywhere. All the scholars in the capital preparing for the Spring Examinations are discussing it fervently."
Qu Dubian's expression gradually turned serious. "And then?"
The commoners, with nowhere to seek justice, died at the feet of the Son of Heaven.
The Spring Examinations were in two months, precisely when scholars from across the nation were flocking to the capital. The next generation of officials-to-be were all watching. If this wasn't handled well, the history books would record it, and the Old Geezer would truly be damned for eternity.
For trouble to erupt just at this time probably meant it wouldn't be easily resolved.
"His Majesty was furious and issued an edict for a thorough investigation. The Eastern Depot and the father of the First Prince's consort, Vice Minister of Revenue Shu, were found to have embezzled silver, falsified account books, misappropriated relief grain by substituting old stock, and privately sold the actual relief grain over the past two years of disaster relief, all to accumulate wealth for the First Prince."
Qu Dubian listened, greatly shocked.
Any one of those charges was enough to warrant dismissal from office, exile, or losing one's head.
Qu Dubian: "But, it's only been five days. Has so much been uncovered already?"
And it implicated his elder brother. Whoever was investigating was quite bold.
Yi Shier: "Yes. The Eastern Depot investigated. The lead investigator is named Chen Jian, one of the two candidates for the next Chief Eunuch of the Eastern Depot."
The other candidate was Wen Xiaochun.
Qu Dubian had only heard scattered news about him and hadn't seen him for a long time.
He asked, "Who does Chen Jian serve?"
Yi Shier said, "The two candidates... neither has a backer."
Qu Dubian raised an eyebrow slightly. Liuliu's phrasing was quite interesting.
Both Liuliu and Xiao Yuan knew Xiaochun had connections with him. It was just that over a dozen years had passed, and others wouldn't remember an insignificant little eunuch who had once served by the Seventh Prince's side.
So, did Chen Jian also have someone standing behind him?
Qu Dubian picked up the wildflowers Liuliu had given him, smelled them, then lifted the carriage curtain to look toward the capital.
Wildflowers refresh the heart; power taints with desire.
"Liuliu, how are the arrangements on the Northern Frontier proceeding?"
Yi Shier nodded. "Advancing toward the target in an orderly manner."
Qu Dubian: "Mm."
The Divine Arm Crossbows had been used against the Northern Frontier cavalry for half a year now. Judging from messages from his grandfather and Xia Fuyang, their effectiveness wasn't as stunning as at the beginning because the enemy was also adapting.
Yu Ruo's words had made him vigilant quickly.
He could only hope the vortex of power struggles in the capital wouldn't spill over to affect the Northern Frontier.
After receiving the message from Liuliu, Qu Dubian hastened his return to the capital.
Two days later, as soon as he returned to the Seventh Prince's residence, Eunuch Yu arrived bearing an imperial edict.
It conferred upon the Seventh Prince the title of General of Martial Righteousness, along with the concurrent post of Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of War, bestowed a sum of silver, and ordered rewards for the other officers according to their merits in suppressing the bandits.
Eunuch Yu handed over the edict with a beaming smile. "Congratulations, Your Highness. Your Highness, it's been over half a year. Have you been well?"
Qu Dubian: "Quite well. I have a good appetite."
"Oh, this old servant thinks you've lost weight. His Majesty has prepared a welcoming banquet for you this evening. Please save your appetite for the feast. However, the court is a bit chaotic right now, so it's just a family dinner, only you and a few other princes will attend."
"His Majesty instructed me to say that once the First Prince's matter is settled, he'll make it up to you properly."
Now? Several brothers having a family dinner together?
What was the Old Geezer thinking?
Qu Dubian pulled Eunuch Yu aside and asked in a low voice, "Eunuch, how is my elder brother's situation?"
Eunuch Yu's expression became somewhat guarded. "His Majesty flew into a tremendous rage."
Qu Dubian frowned. "Is the evidence real? Did elder brother truly do these things?"
The elder brother in his memory didn't seem like someone who would do such things.
Eunuch Yu glanced around before lowering his voice. "The evidence is conclusive, Your Highness. Just wait and see. But this matter has nothing to do with you. The waters run deep. Asking this old servant is one thing, but don't get your feet wet. Be careful what you say at the family dinner tonight."
Qu Dubian slipped him a pouch of pearls, a specialty of Qingzhou.
"Thank you, Eunuch," he said before Eunuch Yu could refuse, adding earnestly, "Consider it for an elder. You've watched me grow up since childhood. You're giving me this information out of affection, at some risk, and I cannot be ungrateful. These aren't expensive, just a souvenir I brought for you."
"How dare I accept being called an elder by Your Highness," Eunuch Yu said hurriedly. "Ah, look at you... This old servant is truly embarrassed."
After repeated polite refusals, the pouch of pearls still found its way into Eunuch Yu's sleeve.
He said apologetically, "Then this old servant will take his leave. Please don't forget about tonight."
Qu Dubian nodded. "Take care."
Eunuch Yu bowed and took his leave. Only after he was quite far from the Seventh Prince's residence did he pinch the pearls in his sleeve and sigh.
The Seventh Prince really was...
Qingzhou pearls truly weren't all that precious. What was precious was his thoughtfulness.
Even knowing that this thoughtfulness was mixed with other motives, it still made one happy.
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Your Highness, you should go and rest first."
"Get some rest. Who knows what the situation will be tonight."
If even Eunuch Yu said Vice Minister Shu's crimes were backed by ironclad evidence, then it was probably true. Right now in court, the factions of the Second and Sixth Princes were likely launching a full-scale assault on the First Prince.
And the Old Geezer suddenly calling for a dinner tonight... however one thought about it, it didn't seem like a good thing.
Qu Dubian shoved the imperial edict into Ye Xiaoyuan's hands, stretched lazily, and headed for his own courtyard.
The moment he entered, he shouted.
"Yidianbai! Jinlai! Little doggie grandchildren, I'm back!"
A pack of barking dogs came sprinting at the sound.
"Woof woof woof!!"
Those puppies had grown into nearly one-year-old dogs. Led by Yidianbai and Jinlai, they launched a coordinated assault on their unfilial/neglectful bad father/father-in-law/grandfather.
Qu Dubian was knocked flat onto his back in the vegetable patch by the impact. Pushing Yidianbai away, he craned his neck back desperately. "Yidianbai, show some restraint! Your wife is right here, stop licking my face!!"
Two goats also came to join the commotion.
"Ahh! My hair!"
The servants tending the vegetable patch nearby couldn't help but chuckle.
Ye Xiaoyuan, having returned after putting away the edict, smiled and then couldn't help but facepalm. "What are you standing around for? Help His Highness up."
His fringe was already damp from dog saliva. If they licked him bald, His Highness would definitely be biting his handkerchief and raging in private.
The servants hurriedly said, "Coming, coming!"
With the Seventh Prince's return, the entire prince's residence became as lively as a wok full of sizzling oil.
Qu Dubian had lunch and then took a proper, leisurely bath.
One must understand, during military campaigns and bandit suppression, there were absolutely no such conditions.
At best, Ye Banban would fetch some water, he'd give himself a quick scrub, and then Ye Banban would help wipe his back where he couldn't reach. It had been a long time since he'd had a proper soak.
February in the capital was still quite cold. With the recent return of the chill, many households had restarted their charcoal braziers.
Although Qu Dubian had no need for charcoal, a basin of it was still placed in his room.
He lay slumped limply over the edge of the bathtub, circulating his internal energy gently within his body. Steam rose from his back and shoulders, condensing into droplets.
He dozed in the tub for a quarter of an hour. Upon waking, his muscles felt slightly sore from having been completely relaxed.
He stepped out of the tub, water droplets trickling down his ankles onto the floor.
Yidianbai was crouched on the floor, tongue lolling. Seeing him emerge, the worried look in its little eyes finally vanished.
Qu Dubian sidestepped it, his tone utterly languid. "Don't jump on me, you dirty little son." He'd find time later to arrange baths for Yidianbai and its whole family.
He dried himself with a cotton cloth and came out to eat.
He didn't eat with any particular grace either, lying sprawled in a rocking chair with a plate on his chest, spearing food with a small fork.
He managed to spear it quite accurately, though.
Ye Banban asked, "Your Highness, what will you wear to the family banquet tonight?"
Qu Dubian yawned.
"Regular everyday clothes are fine. Practice attire works too." He wolfed down the food in a few bites to fill his stomach, rinsed his mouth, and lay back in the rocking chair again.
"Banban, I'm going to sleep a bit after eating. Wake me before we leave for the palace."
His voice was already drifting with sleepiness.
Ye Banban said affectionately, "Alright."
He fetched a small blanket and draped it over Qu Dubian's stomach.
Evening.
Having slept half the afternoon, the Seventh Prince, now refreshed and full of vigor, changed into semi-wide-sleeved casual robes and headed to the palace.
Although it was a family banquet, it wasn't entirely informal.
The location was the side hall of the Wolin Palace.
The hall doors were half-open, the interior warm and cozy. In the center of the hall was a pond with green lotus and carp.
Qu Dubian had never been to this side hall before and didn't know if the scenery was a temporary setup or a permanent fixture.
A low, long table was placed beside the pond, with seats on either side. The princes were seated alternately according to their birth order.
The first, third, fifth, and seventh princes were on the left; the second, fourth, and sixth on the right.
When Qu Dubian arrived, only the Third Prince and Fourth Prince were there; the others hadn't come yet.
He greeted them, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother."
"Little Seventh."
"Seventh Brother."
The Third Prince gave him a brief greeting and then fell silent. He had only one arm, but the gloominess between his brows had lessened considerably compared to a few years ago, as if he had gradually come to terms with things.
"When are they coming? I'm starving," Qu Dubian said.
Disliking kneeling formally, he sat cross-legged, grabbed a handful of melon seeds from the table, and started cracking them.
The corner of the Third Prince's mouth twitched. "You really are just here for the meal, aren't you?"
Anyone with eyes could see tonight's dinner was not simple.
Qu Dubian's tone was plaintive. "But I'm really hungry, Third Brother."
The Fourth Prince shook his head. "Just focus on eating later. Tonight is probably Eldest Brother's show. Let's not say anything careless."
"I know, I know."
They were speaking at a normal volume. The Third Prince heard them and looked like he wanted to say something but stopped himself. He glanced at the palace attendants standing with bowed heads a few meters away.
Wasn't this...? Even though he'd been out of court politics for years, he knew such things shouldn't be said so openly. Weren't they afraid the attendants would report to the Emperor, bringing upon themselves the charge of presuming to guess the imperial will and incurring His Majesty's displeasure?
He wanted to remind them, but the words died on his lips.
Forget it.
It had nothing to do with him anyway. As long as Seventh Brother and Fourth Brother knew what they were doing.
Qu Dubian cracked through nearly half a plate of seeds and refilled his water cup three times before people finally arrived.
The Eldest Prince, Second Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince came together, one after the other. Shortly after they entered, Emperor Chongzhao arrived.
Qu Dubian and the other two stood up. "We pay our respects to Father."
"Greetings to our elder brothers."
"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Fifth Brother, Sixth Brother."
They went through a round of greetings.
Emperor Chongzhao said, "You are all brothers. No need for such formality. Please, be seated."
The princes took their seats.
Qu Dubian was the odd one out. On his left was the Fifth Prince, but opposite him was no one.
After Emperor Chongzhao took his seat at the head of the table, his first glance fell upon the nearly empty plate of melon seeds and the small pile of seed shells beside Qu Dubian.
He was speechless.
Was he this bored from waiting, or just this hungry?