Chapter 41: Taking the Tonsure

Zhu Xu narrowed his eyes, his fingers habitually tapping on the table.

Madam Ke had always been a thorn in his side. Her position in the harem was too formidable—even Empress Zhang could not suppress her, and she had even once entertained the idea of deposing the Empress. If he did not completely sever her connection with Zhu Youxiao, there might well arise another Wei Zhongxian, running rampant in the palace with no one able to restrain him.

But moving against her could not be done recklessly either. After pondering for a long while, Zhu Xu looked at the two men and said, "Have Xiao Cao join in on this matter as well. Give me a rough outline first—tonight, we'll discuss the details."

Cao Wenzhao was in fact still somewhat uneasy about Cao Huachun, but he nodded anyway and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

Cao Huachun, meanwhile, was thrilled beyond measure—he had finally earned the trust of His Highness Prince Hui! He had secured a foothold in the future Prince Hui residence.

After the two left, Zhu Xu took out paper and a brush, sketching out a rough map of the palace, then continuously calculating, seeking absolute certainty.

Toward Madam Ke, Zhu Xu was more solemn than he had ever been. If you strike at a tiger and fail to kill it, the tiger will wound you—this principle applied most aptly to Madam Ke. If anything went wrong, not only would he suffer misfortune, but he might even implicate Empress Zhang, who had raised him.

He did not know how much time had passed when Yao Qingqing appeared at the door and called softly inside, "Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress has sent someone to invite you over."

Zhu Xu was startled, then looked up at the window. The sun was about to set. He thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll head over now."

Zhu Xu tidied up the papers on the table. Just as he stepped out the door, he ran straight into Cao Huachun and Cao Wenzhao. He said, "Wait here for a while—I'm going to see my sister-in-law."

"Yes, Your Highness." The two were in no hurry and bowed to see Zhu Xu off.

Zhu Xu carried the pastries he had brought back from outside the palace. Looking up, he saw that it was actually Wu Qing.

"Your Highness." Wu Qing gave a slight bow, pursed her lips, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Zhu Xu understood and nodded. "Let's go."

The two walked one behind the other toward Kunning Palace. Before they had gone far, Wu Qing saw that no one was around and lowered her voice: "Your Highness, His Majesty came to Kunning Palace earlier. Her Majesty the Empress reproached Lady Fengsheng, which displeased His Majesty."

Zhu Xu's eyes narrowed slightly. So that's where it came from. Without changing his expression, he said, "What else did my sister-in-law say?"

Wu Qing looked around again and lowered her voice further. "Her Majesty also said that Consort Feng's miscarriage is connected to Lady Fengsheng."

A smile curled at the corner of Zhu Xu's mouth. He thought to himself, 'So that's how it is. Madam Ke leaving the palace is probably just a precaution. His Majesty does still care about Her Majesty.'

Zhu Xu thought about his own plans and had no intention of revealing them to more people. He nodded and said, "Mm. If there's any movement, notify me as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The two said no more and headed straight for Kunning Palace.

"Sister-in-law, look what delicious treats I've brought you!"

Zhu Xu shouted loudly the moment he entered. The palace maids along the way all giggled secretly—they all knew that when His Highness Prince Hui came bearing gifts, he was probably eyeing something of Her Majesty's again.

Empress Zhang came out from inside. Because she was pregnant, she wore loose-fitting clothes. Watching Zhu Xu come in, she smiled at Huan'er beside her and said, "Huan'er, go see what fine thing His Highness Prince Hui has brought for me."

Zhu Xu could hear the teasing in Empress Zhang's tone and let out a sheepish chuckle without saying anything.

Huan'er took the basket and opened it, then immediately pursed her lips. When it came to pastries, no one in the imperial kitchen could outdo her.

Seeing this, Zhu Xu's eyes rolled and he said, "Sister Huan'er, don't look down on them—I had these specially made by someone outside, just to nourish my sister-in-law during her pregnancy. Cost me no small amount of silver."

Empress Zhang didn't mind at all; what she cared about more was Zhu Xu's 'filial devotion.' She took the basket and smiled. "Alright, I know you're thoughtful. But don't sneak out of the palace so casually from now on. Prince Xin rarely left his residence today, and he came specifically to lodge a complaint against you."

Zhu Xu had originally intended to casually inform Empress Zhang about the courtyard matter, laying groundwork for the future—he hadn't expected his fifth brother to be so impatient as to come complaining already.

Zhu Xu was completely unconcerned. Looking at Empress Zhang with a curious expression, he said, "Eh? What did Fifth Brother accuse me of?"

He was a prince, after all. Setting up a courtyard and acquiring some things was hardly wasting the people's resources or committing a heinous crime, nor was it plotting rebellion. And he was just a child—besides the imperial family, who would have the nerve to say anything about him?

Empress Zhang picked up a pastry and took a bite. It was smooth and refreshing, with a cool sensation that flowed down her throat—delicious and soothing. Her beautiful eyes lit up, and she looked at Zhu Xu with delight. "What is this made of? It's a bit different from what's in the palace."

Zhu Xu immediately took full credit. "If sister-in-law likes it, I'll have them make it for you every day—eat as much as you want."

Huan'er pouted slightly on the side, quite displeased. Her Majesty the Empress loved her pastries the most—His Highness Prince Hui was trying to steal her rice bowl.

Empress Zhang took another bite, then a sip of tea, and looked at him with exasperation. "Don't think I don't know you—you're trying to use my name as an excuse to slip out of the palace again, aren't you?"

Zhu Xu chuckled sheepishly. "Sister-in-law, what exactly did Fifth Brother tattle about?"

Pfft—

Empress Zhang was in the middle of eating a pastry and nearly lost her composure. She hastily wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then said with feigned anger, "Nonsense. Prince Xin's virtue and learning are praised by all—how could he stir up trouble out of nothing? If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, would he have told His Majesty? You just can't give me any peace of mind. In a few days, take some gifts and go to the Prince Xin residence to apologize to His Highness Prince Xin. Do you hear me?"

Zhu Xu nodded absentmindedly. It was nothing more than accusations of his being idle and irresponsible, playing around and causing mischief. He was somewhat reluctant to meet this historical Chongzhen Emperor—if anything about him got remembered, he would certainly come to no good end in the future.

Empress Zhang could see Zhu Xu's reluctance and didn't press him further. Suddenly she asked, "Did you see Nanny Ke today?"

Nanny Ke was Empress Zhang's way of referring to Madam Ke. She desperately wished to distinguish Zhu Youxiao from Madam Ke, because this was not merely a matter of man and woman—more importantly, Madam Ke was Zhu Youxiao's wet nurse. If word of their relationship got out, it would make the world laugh at them, and it was the most shameful aspect of the imperial family. Not to mention that it violated moral propriety and would stir up an enormous uproar.

Though many people knew it in their hearts.

Zhu Xu said, "I did see her—ran into her by accident on the way." Previously, Empress Zhang had warned Zhu Xu to stay far away from Madam Ke.

Empress Zhang's brows furrowed slightly. "From now on, if you see her, avoid her. If she tries anything against you again, don't worry about anything else—just run straight here to me."

Zhu Xu looked at Empress Zhang, a warm current flowing through his heart, and smiled. "Alright, I'll listen to my sister-in-law." His face showed little concern, but in his heart he knew that given Zhu Youxiao's character of favoring Madam Ke, even though it was Empress Zhang who had reproached Madam Ke, she had probably taken no small amount of scolding from Zhu Youxiao as well.

Empress Zhang was indeed feeling rather unhappy. Zhu Youxiao had not agreed to send Madam Ke out of the palace; instead, he planned to build a temple within the palace grounds, where Madam Ke would take the tonsure and become a nun, praying for blessings for His Majesty and the imperial family!

Such a self-deceiving act—who couldn't see through it!

But that man was the Emperor, and even she, the Empress of the Central Palace, could do nothing about it.

Zhu Xu knew none of this and continued to keep Empress Zhang entertained with cheerful banter.