Early the next morning.
Little eunuchs and little maids came one after another to kowtow before the hall, then silently departed. Some who hadn’t yet found new placements remained as usual, continuing their work at the Second Prince’s Residence.
By noon, the incident of the Second Prince’s ruckus at the Imperial Kitchen the previous night had finally fermented and spread.
“Second Brother?” The Third Prince’s brush tip paused briefly while he was writing in his study, then quickly resumed without letting ink drip. He sneered dismissively, “He has some petty cleverness but nothing substantial. Pay him no mind.”
Having bullied the Second Prince since childhood, how could he not discern whether Second Brother was truly weak and incompetent or profoundly calculating and patient?
Had Second Brother secretly used the leverage about Liuzhou to control the Imperial Kitchen staff, he might have been somewhat wary. But that good-for-nothing Second Brother… so timid and useless, the moment he got a chance for revenge he lost his head, actually swaggering ostentatiously to the Imperial Kitchen as if wanting everyone to know he’d finally triumphed.
Hah, not worth attention.
The highly self-regarding but legitimately talented Third Prince, qualified in both civil and military arts to be this arrogant, didn’t give Second Brother a second thought. Yesterday’s framing had been merely incidental. His true rivals were the First Prince as the eldest son and the Sixth Prince as the legitimate heir.
……
The fifteen-year-old First Prince already attended court and participated in governance.
At noon, having just returned from consulting with several advisors to the First Prince Residence, he was greeted by the First Prince Consort, who personally handed him a cup of Perilla Tea.
“You needn’t trouble yourself with such trivial matters – let the servants handle them,” the First Prince said casually, draining the cup in one gulp before nodding to his study companion. “Continue.”
“It’s no trouble,” the First Prince Consort smiled, gazing tenderly at her husband’s refined countenance.
Though the favored First Prince occupied the most spacious and desirable location in the Imperial Son’s Residence, even this couldn’t accommodate his growing household of wives, concubines and children. Even for confidential discussions with his study companion, he had to retreat to the front hall study. While he found this inconvenient, he endured the cramped conditions contentedly for the larger opportunity.
Staying in the palace meant maintaining prospects. Someone like Second Brother… establishing a fiefdom outside the palace might actually be preferable, offering better living conditions than the palace.
Thus, regarding yesterday’s rumors, the First Prince had added fuel to the fire, considering this the only favor he could do for Second Brother.
This was his responsibility as the eldest brother.
“…Somehow Prince Second has developed rapport with the current Director of the Imperial Clan Court, so… last night’s Imperial Kitchen incident was executed under his authority,” the study companion concluded.
“Grand Uncle?” The First Prince pondered quietly before shaking his head. “No need for concern. Second Brother’s fief is already decided. Grand Uncle’s personal fondness for him changes nothing.”
“Only…” The First Prince sighed, exchanging glances with his study companion. Yesterday’s scheme had been executed by the study companion – both were privy to it. Neither expected their furious father would enfeoff Second Brother to that godforsaken place near Lingnan – Liuzhou.
The First Prince’s face showed regret, his words trailing off: “Second Brother… what a pity.”
After listening up to this point, the First Prince Consort spoke up gently at the appropriate moment: “We don’t yet know the exact date for Second Prince’s departure, but it likely won’t extend beyond this month. When the time comes, this humble wife will prepare a farewell gift for Second Prince.”
“You’ve worked hard,” the First Prince said softly. “With affairs becoming increasingly busy recently, I’ll have to rely on you to handle matters I’ve neglected.”
The two exchanged a knowing glance, then hand in hand returned to the First Prince Residence, performing yet another harmonious scene of marital bliss—though no one knew whose eyes this spectacle might have stung.
In the Imperial Garden…
Ju Zi and Sun Zi stood as if struck by lightning, listening to the whispers: “With Second Prince making such a scene… who would dare look down on him now? And with a hundred Imperial Guards, including Steward Song from the Internal Affairs Office present—no matter how angry the Emperor gets, Second Prince is still his son after all.”
“No matter what, he wouldn’t disgrace the imperial family. He’s certainly vented his anger now!”
The two little maids’ hands trembled even more as they gripped their brooms.
Although they had asked their senior sisters to pass along messages, they ultimately weren’t assigned to sweep at Consort Shu’s Palace or the First Prince Residence entrance, but were casually assigned to the Imperial Garden instead. This was acceptable—at least it was much better than the remote Second Prince’s Residence.
But…
“Don’t be afraid. No matter how powerful Second Prince becomes, he still has to go to Liuzhou,” Sun Zi grasped her companion’s hand to comfort her, while also comforting herself, though her face remained pale. “We… made the right choice not wanting to follow him.”
“But… what if Second Prince settles accounts with us?” What Ju Zi regretted wasn’t that they had escaped, but that even though Second Prince would eventually go to Liuzhou, he now clearly possessed some capability again. What if yesterday’s words were just testing them, and he actually intended to take revenge?
The two little maids exchanged uneasy glances, filled with extreme anxiety.
…
“Excellent, this is exactly the effect I wanted.” Qi Chengming walked near the entrance of the Court of the Imperial Clan, listening to the news Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi had gathered from their outing today, quite satisfied with the external reactions.
His enemies were being lulled into complacency, still overlooking him. Those who had mistreated him were living in fear and anxiety. Meanwhile, he had consolidated his foundation and avenged the original owner.
The Imperial Kitchen didn’t dare neglect anything this morning and noon, respectfully inviting Xiao Chengzi to select dishes while having Xiao Buzi serve attentively. Xiao Chengzi didn’t immediately seek out the two cooks his master had taken notice of—he was too conspicuous now, so he first spent half a day observing discreetly.
“This is the palace exit token.”
The elderly Director of the Imperial Clan tossed over a hastily made token. “When you visit your grandfather, keep an eye on whether he’s secretly fishing again! But—you’re not allowed to stay overnight outside, otherwise I won’t be able to cover for you.”
Imperial sons could leave the palace on official business upon reaching thirteen years of age. Currently, only the First Prince and Second Prince had obtained this privilege. The Third Prince’s situation regarding whether he would receive a fief or remain had yet to be decided, hence he still hadn’t received his token.
“Understood.” Qi Chengming swiftly caught the token, observing the small wooden plaque that could be held in his palm. It was edged in gold, warm and smooth to the touch, engraved with unique dragon patterns. In the center was large seal-script character for “Second,” with smaller characters below reading “Chengming,” representing his unique identity as the Second Prince.
Satisfied, Qi Chengming weighed it in his hand before carefully hanging it at his waist.
He still had much to attend to today.
Before obtaining the token, he had first come to exchange a few words with Steward Song from the Court of the Imperial Clan, who had been assigned by the Emperor.
Steward Song was also a senior eunuch, around twenty to thirty years old, well-maintained but humble and respectful in speech. After listening for a while, Qi Chengming found him reliable as he took charge of three matters: preparing medicinal herbs, cold-proof clothing, and consulting the Imperial Hospital for prescriptions.
Qi Chengming felt assured in entrusting him because this eunuch’s name had automatically appeared on the “Infrastructure System’s” Talent Roster the previous night. However, this left Qi Chengming puzzled, pondering extensively—after the Emperor’s decree, had Steward Song gone through intense internal struggle before sincerely pledging allegiance?
Was this loyalty gained too easily?
Was he truly willing to follow him to Liuzhou without any resentment?
Utterly baffling.
Nevertheless, Qi Chengming was growing increasingly adept at delegating tasks. Without a word, he glanced subtly at Xiao Dezi. The young eunuch understood and discreetly left.
It wasn’t until now, after Qi Chengming had obtained the palace exit token from the elderly Grand Uncle and was excitedly heading out, nearly reaching the central gate, that Xiao Dezi came panting and stumbling after him in a fluster: “Your Highness! Your Highness!”
“Oh, you’ve arrived just in time. Any later and you wouldn’t be able to leave the palace with me,” Qi Chengming turned and teased, urging him to calm down. “Catch your breath first. What did you find out?”
Ahead lay the palace’s central and outer gates, both guarded by Imperial Guards and requiring tokens for passage.
Qi Chengming had asked offhandedly without much expectation—after all, the Court of the Imperial Clan was unfamiliar territory, and what could an outsider eunuch like Xiao Dezi possibly uncover?
To his surprise, Xiao Dezi delivered shocking news that stunned Qi Chengming: “This humble one… found out… there was also a commotion at the Court of the Imperial Clan last night!” “The current Steward Song isn’t the original Steward Song!”
Qi Chengming: “?”
“Whew… whew, there was originally a steady, experienced Steward Song at the Court of the Imperial Clan who fell ill last night, vomiting and having diarrhea… The imperial physician said he caught a chill and can’t get out of bed, needing at least half a month to recuperate slowly… unfit for travel.” Xiao Dezi didn’t dare specify whether the Emperor’s edict had named which Steward Song should go, so he cautiously continued,
“The current Steward Song is younger, also surnamed Song, and was originally the steward in charge of the storerooms.”
What could be done?
One was old and ill, unable to go; the other was young and coincidentally shared the same surname. The Emperor hadn’t specified which Steward Song should accompany them, so the Court of the Imperial Clan had to make do with this substitution. Grand Uncle, biting his brush and frowning, added the name to the travel roster with great frustration, sighing deeply.
Why go to such lengths?
Eunuchs rely entirely on the Emperor’s favor for their fortunes. The old Steward Song, unwilling to lose his chance to stay, resorted to this crude trick to avoid going to Liuzhou. Even if he succeeded in remaining, what good would it do? Would the Emperor think highly of him after hearing about it? His prospects for the latter half of his life were ruined—he’d have been better off following the Second Prince to Liuzhou!
After hearing this, Qi Chengming shared the same sentiment and couldn’t help but sigh: “Such a clumsy maneuver. If he had waited a bit longer to fall ill, it might have been better… No, wait, the roster would have been finalized in a few days. If his illness were mild, he might have had to endure and go; if severe, he might even be carried out. This was his only chance.”
Qi Chengming shook his head.
Although he still considered it a foolish move, he felt quite pleased to have effortlessly gained a new steward willing to pledge loyalty to him.
The journey ahead would undoubtedly be fraught with difficulties—the less adjustment needed, the smoother things would go.
“Let’s go to Weiyong Count’s Mansion!” Qi Chengming was already impatient. Though he didn’t need to trouble his maternal family with trivial matters anymore, he hadn’t forgotten his first infrastructure task. He still needed a few specialized technicians and could only ask his maternal family to help scout for them.
He had to complete this infrastructure task before departure. Qi Chengming could hardly wait to secretly devour those books from the mission rewards! Every one of them would be immensely helpful for the journey.
…
Song Gu had been seeing off waves of visitors who came to offer condolences upon hearing the unfortunate news.
To his colleagues, he always maintained a pleasant demeanor. Few people looked favorably upon eunuchs, and even fewer were willing to work with them, so he cherished his peaceful life at the Court of the Imperial Clan. Ironically, it was precisely eunuchs like them who, the more difficult their circumstances, fought more fiercely among themselves, scrambling to climb higher. Take for instance… that old Steward Song who had beaten him out with impeccable qualifications and background.
Since then, the other had enjoyed glory while he remained obscure.
Fortunately, Song Gu quite liked his position overseeing the storerooms, which was why he had stayed so long.
But…
Song Gu concealed the dangerous glint in his eyes and went out as if nothing was amiss. He needed to brace himself to handle the trivial preparations for the Second Prince’s upcoming journey.
…But this assignment to Liuzhou, he was determined to secure.
Who would have thought someone would meticulously scheme against old Steward Song just to get young Steward Song added to the roster? No one could unravel this conspiracy because no one would imagine anyone so eager to follow the Second Prince to what might be their doom.
If he missed this opportunity, it would be years before he could see his master again.
The name Song Gu used publicly now wasn’t actually Song Gu, but “Song Lian”—a name bestowed upon him by his master after they became acquainted, when that person later became the new emperor. There was even a story behind it…
At this thought, Song Gu’s eyes softened momentarily with nostalgia as he hurried along with bowed head, his mind already calculating again.
Fortunately, there was still time.
This time, he couldn’t change his name either.
Author’s Note:
Song Gu: Look at me! Look at me! Master!! Thinking about changing a name? (hinting)
Qi Chengming: First impression—this steward seems quite obedient—what’s going on? (growing suspicious)