The Whole Family is Reborn, But I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 52

“Look at us, so caught up in talk that we completely forgot Fifth Sister-in-law is still here,” the Sixth Prince remarked. It was unclear if he had suddenly gained some tact, or if he was simply brewing more trouble.

Liu Qingyue forced a faint smile and replied coolly, “You brothers haven’t seen each other in days; it is only natural to catch up. Pray, do not mind me.”

However, the Sixth Prince was not one to listen to reason, or he wouldn’t have brought her up in the first place. “Fifth Sister-in-law, what are you saying? We are all one family. Even if you are magnanimous, we younger brothers cannot be so uncouth as to ignore the rules of etiquette.”

On the surface, his words seemed harmless, but the undertone was dripping with sarcasm. While he appeared to be polite, he was subtly mocking Liu Qingyue for supposedly not knowing her place.

“I didn’t realize Sixth Brother had become so well-versed in etiquette,” Gu Qingjia sneered. He had no intention of indulging the man’s foul-mouthed habits. “It seems I must truly ‘look at you with new eyes’ after our brief parting!”

The Sixth Prince, a master of backhanded compliments, naturally caught the jab. Having just criticized the Princess Consort, he had no choice but to swallow his resentment, but his spiteful nature compelled him to fire back.

“Fifth Brother, if anyone deserves to be ‘looked at with new eyes,’ it is you. Everyone knows you’ve just accomplished a great feat. I suppose I was blind before; I never realized you had such great capabilities.”

The Sixth Prince’s voice was thick with envy. He didn’t consider himself any less capable than the Fifth, yet their Imperial Father had handed such a golden opportunity to Gu Qingjia. To him, it was a clear sign that the Emperor was smoothing the path for the Fifth Prince’s future.

“Sixth Brother, you are mistaken,” Gu Qingjia countered sharply. He felt no brotherly affection for the man, and today the Sixth had crossed a line by mocking Liu Qingyue. Even setting aside his feelings for her, for a prince to speak to a brother’s consort in such a manner was a grave offense.

“On the day Imperial Father gathered us and asked how we viewed our Eldest Brother’s flight, it was you who failed to offer a solution. I was the one who braced myself and offered to bring him back. Now that things have turned out well, you act out of petty jealousy. Why did you not step up and take the task upon yourself that day?”

The Sixth Prince was speechless. At the time, he had wanted to avoid the spotlight, fearing that the Eldest Brother’s flight was a mess that would lead to punishment for anyone involved. Who could have guessed there was such a bargain to be had? Had he known, he never would have let the “useless” Fifth Prince take the credit.

“Enough,” Gu Qingyi interjected to cool the air. The tension was reaching a breaking point. “We are all brothers. We came here today because the Fifth has returned; let us not let trifles damage our harmony.”

“You are no longer children,” Gu Qingyi continued. “To bicker at your age is a laughingstock. Furthermore, your Sister-in-law is right here. Sixth Brother, you said we shouldn’t ignore her, yet here you are arguing in front of her. How is she supposed to react?”

Knowing he wouldn’t win if the argument continued, the Sixth Prince fell silent, though his face remained dark.

“Third Brother is right,” the Seventh Prince added. He looked frail, and his voice was weak. He stood beside the Fourth Prince, and had they not spoken, one might hardly have noticed them. “It is rare for us to gather. Why make it unpleasant?”

“Fourth Brother has finally descended the mountain to join us ‘common folk,'” the Seventh Prince continued, glancing at the quiet monk-like figure. “We must show some respect for him and for Fifth Sister-in-law.”

The Fourth Prince was dressed in attire befitting his royal status, looking as though he had been back in the secular world for more than just a few days.

“Speaking of which,” Gu Qingjia said, his curiosity piqued. “Fourth Brother, a transcendent figure like yourself—what could possibly entice you to leave the mountain?”

Gu Qingjia held no grudge against the Fourth, but in his memories of the previous life, the Fourth Prince had remained in the temple throughout the entire war for the throne. He was a man of “cleansed roots,” someone who, though not a monk, was indistinguishable from one. Anything that deviated from Gu Qingjia’s memory triggered his suspicion.

“Fifth Brother,” the Fourth Prince spoke with his usual cryptic calm. “My worldly ties are not yet severed. The time has come for me to descend.”

“Fourth Brother is always so profound; we can never guess his meaning,” the Seventh Prince laughed. “But perhaps that is for the best. With so many of us being blunt, it’s good to have someone tactful so we don’t fight every single day.”

Liu Qingyue watched them with amusement, thinking they looked like a group of primary school students squabbling. Sensing her presence was no longer needed, she made her excuses.

“Since you are all here, please stay for a simple meal. I shall go to the kitchen to make arrangements.”

“We shall trouble you then, Sister-in-law,” Gu Qingyi smiled. “But remember, Fourth Brother prefers vegetarian dishes.”

“Do not worry about me,” the Fourth Prince interjected softly. “I have not taken vows. I have merely been practicing with my Master. Now that I have returned to my family, I shall eat as the family eats.”

Liu Qingyue nodded but kept the Third Prince’s warning in mind, ordering a spread that balanced both meat and vegetarian delicacies. She had no desire to linger with the princes and did not return to the front hall.

After the meal, the guests prepared to leave. The Third, Sixth, and Seventh princes had all been plied with wine and were led away by their attendants in a daze. Only the Fourth Prince remained perfectly sober. He stood with his hands behind his back, watching Gu Qingjia.

“Fifth Brother,” the Fourth Prince said suddenly. “I do not know what has transpired, but this change… it is a good thing.”

Gu Qingjia froze. The words were vague, but he understood the implication.

“The Sixth Brother’s obsession is too deep, and he cannot detach himself from his mother’s influence in the palace,” the Fourth Prince continued, his voice carrying a touch of otherworldly wisdom. “If… you must be careful. Do not be too reckless.”

“Fourth Brother, why tell me this?” Gu Qingjia asked, his voice matching the other’s ambiguity.

The Emperor had many sons, most of them more “excellent” than him. Gu Qingjia was used to being the idle prince, the waste. Even now, he had no true desire for the high seat.

“It can only be you. Such is fate,” the Fourth Prince said calmly.

Gu Qingjia was stunned. The most detached of his brothers was saying such things. “I don’t understand. Even now, I find the path ahead to be a chaotic blur. I cannot see my own heart, nor my future.”

“Fifth Brother, we are all walking the path we came from,” the Fourth Prince replied. “But we are humans with our own thoughts. Even if the road is paved, we can choose not to walk it. Sometimes, a single small action can change one’s destiny.”

“Like you descending the mountain?”

“Like me descending the mountain.”

The two brothers locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them.

“The hour is late. I should return,” the Fourth Prince said, his message delivered.

“Shall I send someone to escort you?” Gu Qingjia asked, noting his brother had arrived alone.