Chapter 143: Prince Xin's Admonition

Empress Zhang gave birth to a daughter — some rejoiced, others grieved.

Zhu Xu was among those rejoicing. Whether Empress Zhang bore a son or daughter, his chief concern was that she come through safely.

Of course, those rejoicing were many — the various consorts of the inner palace, for instance.

Those grieving were even more numerous: the long-expectant Zhu Youxiao and the full court of civil and military officials.

Empress Zhang had just given birth and could not receive visitors. The great stone weighing on Zhu Xu's heart had finally been lifted, and he returned to his quarters to sleep in peace.

The evening banquet naturally continued, but few of the important figures still had any heart for it.

"Your Highness, Your Highness."

Early the next morning, Zhu Xu's door was pounded with a clatter.

Zhu Xu had been sleeping in a daze, and his temper flared at being roused. He rolled over and shouted, "Whatever it is, don't disturb my sleep!"

Yao Qingqing glanced at Cao Wenzhao and Cao Huachun from outside the door, hesitated, then knocked again and said softly, "Your Highness, Lord Jin Zhongshan leaves the capital today."

Zhu Xu's head ached all the more at the words. He tossed and turned, heaving great sighs, and finally dragged himself up in agony.

Washing and dressing were accomplished almost entirely with Yao Qingqing's help. On the carriage leaving the palace, Zhu Xu remained groggy, his eyelids fighting to close.

When they reached the post station, Zhu Xu rubbed his face and forced himself awake.

"Your Highness."

The moment he arrived at the station, Jin Zhongshan came trotting out with great eagerness, bowing as he said, "Jin Zhongshan greets His Highness Prince Hui!"

Zhu Xu forced himself to stay calm, lifted the curtain, and descended from the carriage. Raising a hand, he said, "Lord Jin, no need for ceremony. Today I have come specially to see you off."

As he spoke, he cast a glance around — big chests and small chests, a dozen or more of them. This trip had been quite fruitful for Lord Jin.

Jin Zhongshan stepped forward two paces, looked around, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, about the reinforcements..."

"Rest assured, my lord," Zhu Xu said, rubbing his face. "Within half a month, the first wave of reinforcements can arrive. Now we await your king's arrangements."

A flicker of joy passed over Jin Zhongshan's face, and he continued, "Then, Your Highness, the matchlock muskets, the red-cloth cannons, and those warm greenhouses..."

Zhu Xu smiled radiantly. "These will take time. Within a year, they should be mature enough for use."

Jin Zhongshan vaguely caught the implication. After a moment's thought, he said, "Your Highness, if needed, we are willing to bear part of the silver."

Zhu Xu nodded with some difficulty. "I won't hide it from you, my lord — there is currently a shortfall of one million taels."

Jin Zhongshan's expression shifted. He looked seriously at Zhu Xu, and after a long moment bowed and said, "Your Highness, these chests are worth roughly five hundred thousand taels. After I return, I will send another five hundred thousand. I hope those things can enter Joseon as quickly as possible!"

Zhu Xu pondered a moment, then said with evident reluctance, "Very well. I will coordinate with the court offices and first ship the matchlock muskets over to you."

Jin Zhongshan bowed once more. "On behalf of my king, Your Majesty, this humble official is deeply grateful for Your Highness's help!"

Zhu Xu nodded with restraint. "Mm. As for the reinforcements, you will need to settle matters quickly."

Jin Zhongshan said, "Your Highness need not worry!"

Zhu Xu offered a few more words of warm reassurance, then arranged the send-off.

Jin Zhongshan had come to the capital with a great load of tribute; by rights he should have left with even more. But in fact, aside from one carriage and a few dozen attendants, he was sent straight out of the city by His Highness Prince Hui with nothing else at all.

The moment Jin Zhongshan was gone, Zhu Xu lay back against the carriage wall, on the verge of dozing off. Empress Zhang's matter had weighed on his heart for too long; with that stone removed, he wished he could sleep for three days and three nights.

But that could only be a fond wish. After seeing off Jin Zhongshan, Zhu Xu hurried to Kunning Palace.

He had not seen Empress Zhang last night; today he should be able to.

"Your Highness, Her Ladyship is still not well enough to receive visitors." Wu Qing looked at Zhu Xu, pursed her lips, and said softly.

Zhu Xu's expression shifted slightly. "What happened? Has something else gone wrong with my sister-in-law?"

Wu Qing hastily shook her head, then said in a low voice, "Your Highness, Her Ladyship fainted after giving birth. The imperial physicians have diagnosed that she can no longer bear children. Moreover, the Princess is very weak — as if born prematurely."

Zhu Xu frowned at the words. Wu Qing's account was vague, but he could still make out that Empress Zhang's delivery had been deeply problematic — trouble for both Empress Zhang herself and the little Princess. But the matter was extremely sensitive; even to him, Wu Qing could not reveal more.

Zhu Xu did not get to see Empress Zhang and had to return, planning to come again once she had recovered enough to receive visitors.

Just as Zhu Xu stepped out of Kunning Palace, Liu Shimin was already waiting. He bowed slightly and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence."

Zhu Xu was taken aback. He studied Liu Shimin as he walked.

This Eunuch Liu was quite famous in history — of the upright and honest sort, disliked by Wei Zhongxian, in and out of prison several times. But now, he seemed more like half of Zhu Youxiao's shadow. He managed the Directorate of Ceremonial, yet kept himself unobtrusive.

Zhu Xu pondered inwardly while asking with a smile, "Eunuch Liu, what does His Majesty want with me?"

Liu Shimin hesitated a moment, then said, "Your Highness, His Highness Prince Xin has just left the Imperial Study."

Zhu Xu raised an eyebrow, then said, "Thank you, Eunuch."

Liu Shimin's expression did not change as he led Zhu Xu toward Jingyang Palace.

Zhu Xu looked at Jingyang Palace from afar, wondering what trick Zhu Youjian was up to now. This brother of his, Prince Xin, had seen through something about him, watched him especially closely, and kept trying to "admonish" him against straying from the proper path.

Zhu Xu felt helpless inside. He sighed silently and followed Liu Shimin into the Imperial Study.

Zhu Youxiao sat behind the imperial desk, his mood evidently poor. He looked up as Zhu Xu entered and only said flatly, "Someone, bring a stool for the imperial brother."

Zhu Xu was surprised — he had never received such treatment before. As he approached, he observed Zhu Youxiao's expression and saw in his face and eyes a disappointment and helplessness he could not conceal.

Zhu Xu grew even more puzzled. He gave thanks for the favor and sat on the stool to Zhu Youxiao's left.

Zhu Youxiao braced both hands on the imperial desk to stand, but wobbled and nearly fell. He quickly grabbed the desk to steady himself.

Zhu Xu started, rising to look at his legs. "Imperial Brother, your leg?"

Zhu Youxiao waved a hand and picked up his cane. "It's nothing. It'll be fine in a few days. By the way, have you been to see your sister-in-law?"

Zhu Xu frowned slightly. A few days? That leg had been like this for half a year already. Though puzzled, he still smiled and replied, "I just went, but didn't get to see her."

Zhu Youxiao took a few steps with his cane, his stiff expression easing somewhat. He forced a smile. "Mm, the Empress is not in good health. Go again in a few days."

Zhu Xu said nothing, watching him pace back and forth — especially his left leg. Hidden by his trousers, it was hard to see clearly, but the limp was obvious; he had clearly been badly poisoned.

'What kind of snake could it be, that even the imperial physicians are still helpless against it?' Zhu Xu wondered inwardly.

Zhu Youxiao moved about a bit, then turned to Zhu Xu. "Prince Xin just came to see me. He said you've reached the age for schooling, and he's found you a suitable tutor."