Chapter 89: An Ambitious Prince Consort

While Chongzhen waited for Sun Chengzong and Yuan Chonghuan to arrive in the capital, things were heating up in the rear palace.

Inside Kunning Palace, the Empress's bedchamber, Empress Zhou looked at the younger sister-in-law before her with a splitting headache.

"Imperial Sister, We have already sent someone to summon your Imperial Brother.

Making a scene here with Us will do no good. Ever since our Great Ming's own Exalted Emperor, the Hongwu Emperor, the rule has been set: the rear palace is forbidden to meddle in state affairs — and you are not unaware of this."

Princess Le'an, Zhu Huiwei, however, relying on the doting favor of Tianqi and Chongzhen, was utterly unreasonable. "I don't care, I don't care! Imperial Sister-in-Law simply must help me. When Imperial Brother arrives shortly, you absolutely must put in more good words for your little sister."

Empress Zhou pressed a hand to her forehead and said helplessly, "All right, all right. Do you not know your Imperial Brother's temper by now?

Just look — ever since he ascended the throne, the heads he has had chopped, from court to provinces, have rolled in waves. And here you two, instead of living your lives properly, insist on joining in all this ruckus!"

Even as they spoke, a burst of laughter was heard arriving ahead of the man, followed by a continuous rustle of people dropping to their knees in salute.

After Chongzhen entered Kunning Palace, he took in Empress Zhou's expression, then looked at Princess Le'an. He stopped Zhu Huiwei, who was about to perform the salute, and said with a smile, "Imperial Sister has always been a rare guest.

What brings you to your Imperial Brother's place today?" He turned his head and said to Wang Cheng'en, "Send someone to the imperial kitchens to give word — have them prepare two extra dishes at noon, the kind Imperial Sister likes."

Zhu Huiwei, however, said, "Imperial Brother, your subject-sister has come to ask a favor of you. You absolutely must help me."

Chongzhen smiled. "Fine, fine, fine. Speak. Whatever your Imperial Brother can accomplish, he shall by no means refuse."

Zhu Huiwei said, "Imperial Brother, the Prince Consort wished to enter the New Army, but he was blocked by others. I beg Imperial Brother to make the decision and admit him in."

The moment Chongzhen heard it concerned the New Army, his face darkened at once and he barked, "Nonsense!"

The transmigrated Chongzhen's majesty had grown day by day, and he had not seen Princess Le'an or the others for a long time. She was immediately so frightened that she dropped to her knees and begged forgiveness. "Imperial Brother, quell your anger. Your subject-sister knows her error."

Chongzhen, who had always regarded the New Army as the apple of his eye, how could he tolerate anyone setting their designs on it?

He did not bid Princess Le'an to rise, but merely asked with a sullen face, "The matter of the New Army — let alone you, even your Imperial Sister-in-Law has never been permitted to ask too many questions about it.

How is it that you dare come here to plead on behalf of the Prince Consort? Speak.

What does the Prince Consort want?"

Zhu Huiwei knelt on the ground and wept.

"In reply to Imperial Brother, the Prince Consort merely wished to enter the army and render service to the state.

It is your subject-sister who deserves death. I thought that by letting him enter the New Army, first, he might earn some merit, and second, it would be somewhat safer than the frontier forces."

Having heard this, Chongzhen gave a cold laugh.

"Well, well.

You were thinking entirely of the Prince Consort's safety — such deep conjugal affection, is it? Yet you seem to have forgotten that you are, by birth, a daughter of the Imperial House.

Everyone thinks of their own family's safety — who then thinks of Great Ming's safety? Who worries about the safety of the other officers and soldiers?!"

Chongzhen, who had originally been pleased that Zhu Huiwei had come to the palace to visit him, was now utterly disappointed. Sure enough, a daughter's heart turns outward.

Once married, all she thought of was her husband's family, and she had even forgotten her own identity as a daughter of the Imperial House.

Seeing Chongzhen's fury, Empress Zhou hurriedly rose, walked forward to help Zhu Huiwei up, and said to Chongzhen, "Why must Your Majesty fly into such a rage? Even if the New Army will not do, would it not be the same to let the Prince Consort go to the Capital Camps?

After all, we are all one family. Would Your Majesty not temporarily quell this thunderous wrath and hear Imperial Sister finish what she has to say?"

Chongzhen gave a cold snort and said, "Let her speak. Let her explain it clearly to Us, detail by detail.

Was it you yourself who came to plead for the Prince Consort to enter the New Army, or did the Prince Consort egg you on to come plead? We shall naturally dispatch the Embroidered Uniform Guard to verify it.

If there is a single false word, We shall not spare you!"

Zhu Huiwei, thoroughly frightened by Chongzhen, no longer dared to act spoiled and throw a tantrum the way she had with Empress Zhou moments before.

She merely wept and said, "In reply to Imperial Brother, ever since the Prince Consort last visited the Shrine of the Loyal, he has been utterly preoccupied with the desire to join the army.

He no longer even applies himself to his post at the Southern City Chiliarch's Station the way he used to.

The Prince Consort had in fact already gone when the New Army was recruiting. It was only because of his status as Prince Consort and his position as Chiliarch of the Southern City Chiliarch's Station that no one dared accept him in.

Even the other Capital Camps and the frontier forces — no one was willing to take him in either.

After returning, the Prince Consort was sunk in gloom and has not smiled once for many days.

It was for this reason that your subject-sister thought to enter the palace and seek a boon from Imperial Sister-in-Law, to have Imperial Sister-in-Law put in a few more good words on my behalf and beg Imperial Brother to consent to letting the Prince Consort enter the army.

It was just that your subject-sister also worried for the Prince Consort's safety, and that was why I wished to have him enter the New Army. Your subject-sister was momentarily muddled. I beg Imperial Brother's forgiveness."

Though the telling was somewhat incoherent, Chongzhen nonetheless understood clearly.

It was just that, thinking how his own younger sister now had her heart set entirely on that Prince Consort, Gong Yonggu, Chongzhen had the distinct feeling that his family's cabbage had been rooted up by an outside pig — and the cabbage was now wholeheartedly devoted to the pig.

In a foul mood, Chongzhen said, "That the Prince Consort wishes to join the army — Our heart is greatly comforted. However, he may put the New Army out of his mind.

Let him go to the Capital Camps. When We go on campaign in the future, We shall bring him along, and somehow or other let him earn some merit.

There is just one point: once the Prince Consort enters the army, he must abide by military law. This status of Prince Consort will be of no use whatsoever. Should a day truly come when he is on the battlefield, he can only be left to fend for himself."

Zhu Huiwei, thoroughly cowed, dared not make any more unreasonable fuss. She could only express her gratitude and say, "Many thanks, Imperial Brother. Your subject-sister knows her error."

Only then did Chongzhen's expression ease somewhat. He further kept Zhu Huiwei to share a meal before ordering her escorted out of the palace.

It was only upon returning to the Prince Consort's Residence that Zhu Huiwei finally let out a breath of relief. Her Imperial Brother had changed far too much.

He was no longer the Imperial Brother who had spoiled her without limit before his accession, but had become a stranger — one of overwhelming majesty.

Gong Yonggu, Prince Consort to Princess Le'an, seeing Zhu Huiwei return with red-rimmed eyes, asked, "What is the matter, Your Highness? Has someone upset you?"

Zhu Huiwei said, "Yes. My Imperial Brother gave me a thorough scolding. Go find him and vent my anger for me."

Gong Yonggu, who had been just about to declare he would vent her anger for Princess Le'an, had the words instantly stuck in his throat. Whose head would have to be squeezed by a door before he dared go pick trouble with Chongzhen?

He could only offer kind words of comfort for the moment. "Do not be sad anymore. His Majesty merely scolded you a few times — in the end, nothing really came of it, did it?"

Zhu Huiwei, however, gave a snort. "And it was all for you.

Seeing that my husband had been longing to join the army, your wife had no choice but to enter the palace and seek out Imperial Sister-in-Law, hoping she would put in a few good words for me before Imperial Brother, so as to grant your wish. I simply never expected to be scolded by Imperial Brother.

Still, fortunately, Imperial Brother does still care for me. He has now permitted you to enter the Capital Camps to gain experience, and when Imperial Brother goes on campaign, he will let you accompany the army, so you may obtain some merit."

Gong Yonggu was overjoyed at these words. He bowed with clasped hands and said, "Many thanks, Your Highness."

Only then did Zhu Huiwei brighten. "Look at that silly look on your face. But you must remember well: once you are in the army, be sure to stay close behind Imperial Brother at all times — that will be the safest. You absolutely must take care to protect yourself."

As for how Zhu Huiwei and Gong Yonggu displayed their deep conjugal love, let that be set aside for now. Chongzhen, whose head was aching from the anger Zhu Huiwei had caused him, did not wish to remain in the palace a moment longer.

He simply took his men and left the city, heading straight for the Royal Academy.

This... update is late again. Those of you who want to mail me razor blades, first figure out how to get them to Beijing, then we'll talk. If you're not convinced, come at me along the internet cable, yo.

(End of chapter)