Chapter 290: The Old and Young Princes of Fu Come to Watch the Opera

When Zhu Youxiao walked over, the stage had already been set up, clearly prepared well in advance.

In fact, whether Zhu Youxiao came or not, opera was going to be performed here anyway. Because even if Zhu Youxiao didn't watch, the Consort Dowagers in the palace still wanted to watch.

The stage wasn't built very large, but it had clearly been done with care.

After sitting down, Zhu Youxiao shook his head instead.

This won't do — how could such a plain, simple, unadorned stage possibly match what he was about to do next?

But spending his own money to build a dedicated opera-viewing pavilion — that was something Zhu Youxiao truly couldn't bear to part with.

With the little money he had now, he wished he could split every coin in half before spending it — how could he have any mind to spend on building an opera pavilion? Yet what he needed to do required building just such a pavilion. It seemed he'd have to find someone else to foot the bill!

After sitting down, Zhu Youxiao beckoned to Chen Hong beside him.

Chen Hong dared not be negligent. He hurried over to Zhu Youxiao's side and said respectfully, "What does Your Majesty command?"

"Go to the inner palace and invite Consort Dowager Zheng over; also summon the Prince of Fu to the Western Park." Zhu Youxiao looked at Chen Hong and said, "I mean the old Prince of Fu. Never mind — have both father and son come together!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong hurriedly replied.

After Chen Hong left, Zhu Youxiao sat in his chair, gazing contentedly at the stage before him, then turned to ask Empress Zhang, "Baozhu, what opera is being performed on this stage?"

"The Romance of the Western Chamber," Empress Zhang said. "If Your Majesty doesn't care for it, this concubine will have them switch to another piece. They have quite a few different ones."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said with a smile, "The Romance of the Western Chamber is fine. Let's keep it."

Nodding gently, Empress Zhang turned and gave the order. Then she hesitated slightly, tugging at Zhu Youxiao, and said, "Your Majesty, why not summon Consort Yuan and Consort Tian as well?"

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was taken aback.

Turning to look at Empress Zhang, Zhu Youxiao asked, "Did they come looking for you?"

In truth, these two consorts of Zhu Youxiao's had virtually no presence in the palace — or rather, it wasn't just that they had no presence; it was as if they simply didn't exist at all.

Zhu Youxiao hadn't expected Empress Zhang to bring this up on her own initiative.

In Zhu Youxiao's view, women's possessiveness toward men was innate, just as men's possessiveness toward women was.

When young men and women were dating, especially in the throes of passion, if the other person didn't reply to their WeChat for a few minutes, they'd be consumed with anxiety. As for ancient women being magnanimous — that was mostly put on as well.

This era placed too many restraints on them. Some things, even if they didn't want them in their hearts, they couldn't show on their faces. Empress Zhang should be the same way.

But he had already treated Baozhu with every possible kindness — why would she casually want to summon Consort Yuan and Consort Tian?

Still, Zhu Youxiao knew in his heart that he would eventually have to elevate these two consorts. The reason he hadn't brought them out before was simply to consolidate Empress Zhang's position, plus he really had been too busy recently to attend to the two of them. (Zhou Zhou's note: It's absolutely not that Zhou Zhou forgot about them — absolutely not.)

Zhu Youxiao had originally planned to handle this matter anyway, but he hadn't expected Empress Zhang to raise it on her own — it was hard not to have some thoughts about that.

If Consort Yuan and Consort Tian had gone to Empress Zhang to complain, or if some rumor had spread through the palace, then certain matters would be hard to discuss.

Zhu Youxiao didn't forbid women from vying for favor, but they couldn't do it this way.

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Empress Zhang quickly reached out and tugged at him. The reason was simple — Empress Zhang knew her sovereign's temper very well. If His Majesty were to misunderstand, would those two younger sisters in the palace have any good days ahead?

Everyone had come into the palace from outside. As the days passed one after another, she had monopolized His Majesty for so long that people outside were already saying she received excessive favor. She had to do something after all; watching the two of them pitifully craning their necks in hope of favor just wasn't right either.

This was what Empress Zhang thought in her heart. If her words caused His Majesty to misunderstand, she might as well not have spoken at all.

So Empress Zhang hastily explained, "Your Majesty, no one has said anything. Your Majesty dotes on this concubine — this concubine knows that. But this Great Ming also has its ancestral rules. The two younger sisters have been in the palace for some time now, and it isn't right for Your Majesty to never go to them."

Empress Zhang said softly, "Your Majesty need not worry about this concubine. This concubine has that much magnanimity. Does Your Majesty think this concubine is the jealous type of woman?"

"My Baozhu certainly isn't." Zhu Youxiao quickly comforted her in a gentle tone, then let out a helpless sigh and said, "Why put yourself through this?"

Seeing Empress Zhang looking like she wanted to say something but held back, with a hint of grievance on her face, Zhu Youxiao quickly agreed, "Fine, fine, fine — I'll listen to you. Have them both come over. Tonight I'll let them stay here in my chambers. Are you satisfied now?"

Empress Zhang glanced at Zhu Youxiao, smiled, and nodded, saying, "Now this is my Your Majesty."

"Alright, alright — let's talk about something else." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand impatiently. "Don't spoil the mood."

Having her push me to sleep with more women for no reason — how awkward is that for me?

Am I the type to be fond of beautiful women?

Honestly.

Empress Zhang paid Zhu Youxiao no mind and said to the palace attendants behind her, "Go, invite Consort Yuan and Consort Tian to come."

Before long, people began arriving one after another, and Consort Yuan and Consort Tian walked over together as well.

Consort Yuan and Consort Tian held equal status in the palace, and their circumstances were much the same — neither was favored. Under such circumstances, the two naturally drew closer to each other, and their relationship was very good.

Empress Zhang usually looked after them often as well. Today when Empress Zhang called them over to listen to opera, they weren't surprised, as this wasn't the first time.

But this time, upon arriving at the opera garden, the sharp-eyed Consort Yuan noticed something different from usual — the sovereign she had only seen once before was actually here today as well. For a moment, Consort Yuan thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. She tugged at Consort Tian's sleeve and asked hesitantly, "Consort Tian, did you see His Majesty?"

Consort Tian had been thinking about what piece to request, and the question caught her off guard. "His Majesty?"

She looked over in confusion, and sure enough, saw that man sitting there casually eating fruit.

Toward this sovereign they had rarely met, Consort Yuan and Consort Tian definitely felt more fear than affection, so they were extremely nervous.

Still, the two walked before Zhu Youxiao and said cautiously, "This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at the two of them, nodded expressionlessly, and said, "Alright, rise. The Empress asked you to come watch the opera. Since you're here, sit down and enjoy it properly."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Consort Yuan and Consort Tian acknowledged and obediently sat down on the other side.

Empress Zhang, meanwhile, pulled the two of them aside and began whispering.

Seeing the two looking fearful and shy, Zhu Youxiao knew what Empress Zhang was telling them — she was arranging the sleeping arrangements for tonight.

Soon, Consort Dowager Zheng also arrived.

Come to think of it, Zhu Youxiao had rarely seen this old lady, but this Consort Dowager Zheng really could live.

After casually instructing Consort Dowager Zheng to sit down, Zhu Youxiao paid her no further attention, because he truly had no interest in her.

Today Zhu Youxiao's target was the old Prince of Fu — his own imperial uncle.

The opera on stage had been playing for a while when the old Prince of Fu, Zhu Changxun, and the young Prince of Fu finally walked in from outside, looking reluctant.

But by the time they reached Zhu Youxiao's presence, the reluctance on the old Prince of Fu's face had vanished, replaced by a fawning, ingratiating smile as he prepared to bow.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand to indicate the old Prince of Fu and his son should withdraw, saying that watching the opera was what mattered.

After the old Prince of Fu was seated with great trepidation, his face was filled entirely with nervous tension.

Ever since entering the capital, the old Prince of Fu had not had a single peaceful day in his heart, fearing that one day he would die inexplicably.

A cup of poisoned wine, a length of white silk—those were things that could take his life.

Even though no such imperial edict had come during this period, he dared not show the slightest negligence.

For the princes of this Great Ming dynasty, the best days were during the time of Grand Ancestor. After Grand Ancestor's reign, things got worse day by day, worse by the hour. After the Jingnan Rebellion, Emperor Chengzu strictly reduced the power of the princes, and every succeeding monarch carried out this policy. Generation after generation down to the present, what remained of the Great Ming's princes was nothing but an empty title.

The old Prince of Fu knew very well how things stood with himself. Having received the imperial edict today summoning him to accompany His Majesty in watching a play, the old Prince of Fu's heart was filled with trepidation—who knew what might happen?

This Majesty had never summoned him before; if he was summoning him now, it probably boded no good. The old Prince of Fu felt utterly helpless—he wished his imperial nephew the Emperor would simply not see him at all.

The old Prince of Fu secretly glanced at his mother, hoping she might give him some hint.

But the old Prince of Fu was disappointed—Consort Dowager Zheng did not even look his way.

The play on stage was performed brilliantly, and Zhu Youxiao listened with great interest.

This Yiyang tune—Zhu Youxiao had truly never heard it in his previous life. Peking opera, pingju, Kunqu—those he had heard; even errenzhuan he had listened to. Huangmei opera, Henan opera, Yue opera, drum songs and bangzi—those he had more or less heard as well.

Yiyang tune he had not heard, but when those above have a preference, those below will imitate. He estimated that after he started listening to opera, this art form would usher in an unprecedented great development—what might be called "Anhui troupes entering the capital."

He figured that time was coming soon. And the performer singing on stage seemed quite beautiful—her figure and bearing had a certain quality that made it hard to look away.

Of course, it wasn't that she was so stunningly beautiful, but rather that she carried a certain energy about her. If he had to describe it in a phrase from later generations, Zhu Youxiao felt that Hong Shixian's line would be quite fitting.

When the play finished, Zhu Youxiao picked up his teacup and took a sip, nodded with satisfaction, and said with a smile: "Not bad, not bad—that was truly well performed. It seems I should listen to more of this in the future."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao took Empress Zhang's hand and said: "In the future, Baozhu will accompany me to listen more."

"As long as Your Majesty enjoys it, this humble one naturally has no reason to refuse." Empress Zhang quickly said with a smile.

"Alright then, that's all for today." With that, Zhu Youxiao stood up, turned and headed toward his bedchamber, while saying to Chen Hong beside him: "Call my imperial uncle over. Since I'm seeing him today, I happen to have some matters to discuss with him."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong quickly acknowledged and went to summon the old Prince of Fu.

The old Prince of Fu, Zhu Changxun, was extremely anxious. He had originally thought he could return home after watching the play, but who would have expected His Majesty to summon him as well.

It seemed there truly was no good news in store!