Chapter 62: Zhu Youxiao's Transformation

Zhu Xu frowned, observing carefully.

After a long while, he still couldn't make a judgment, so he could only ask Zhu Youxiao beside him: "Elder Brother, what's wrong with Sister-in-Law?"

As Zhu Xu's words fell, the imperial physician who had been writing a prescription at a table not far away walked over and bowed to Zhu Youxiao, saying, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the prescription is written. As long as the medicine is taken on schedule, she can recover within at most half a month."

Zhu Youxiao nodded with a flat expression, waved his hand, and the eunuch attendant beside him took the prescription and headed to the Imperial Academy of Medicine to fetch the herbs.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Empress Zhang, his expression carrying an indescribable complexity. He pressed down the corner of the blanket, stood up, and said, "Younger Brother, come with me."

Zhu Xu still didn't know what was wrong with Empress Zhang, and his heart was anxious, but he had no choice but to force himself to agree and follow Zhu Youxiao out.

Zhu Youxiao didn't speak the entire way. Only when they reached Qianqing Palace did he show some weariness. He waved away the attendants before and behind him, then sat down heavily on the stone steps.

He turned to look at Zhu Xu, smiled, and said, "Younger Brother, sit too."

Zhu Xu was startled. He vaguely felt that Zhu Youxiao was acting strange today, but he still sat down beside him as told, while covertly sizing him up from the corner of his eye.

Zhu Youxiao had grown much thinner than a month ago. His whole person carried a kind of alertness born of exhaustion, his complexion somewhat pale, a smile at the corners of his mouth, his gaze fixed on the distance. Occasionally he would drift into a daze, then quickly snap back to clarity.

Zhu Xu frowned slightly and said to himself, 'Could it be that Madam Ke really dealt Elder Brother such a heavy blow?'

Suddenly, Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Zhu Xu, his smile rather profound as he said, "Sixth Brother, a few days ago Fifth Brother came to see me, wanting to move into the Ten Princes' Mansion together with you."

Zhu Xu was a bit taken aback by this opening, but then waved his hand with a carefree air, frowning in a show of annoyance: "Fifth Brother has really become insufferable lately. Not content with tattling to Sister-in-Law, he also tattles to Elder Brother — he's just bullying me because I'm young."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhu Xu, shook his head with a helpless laugh, then turned back to continue gazing at the sky. With a melancholy sigh, he said, "You, young as you are, are exceptionally clever. Fifth Brother restrains himself and observes propriety, bearing the air of a benevolent man. Only I — I have no virtues at all."

Zhu Xu suddenly felt he didn't recognize Zhu Youxiao anymore, not knowing what was going on in his mind. He probed tentatively: "Elder Brother, what are you saying? You are calm and wise, unlike me — impulsive and quick to anger, fond of fun and excitement. Fifth Brother is simply too dull and stubborn."

The corner of Zhu Youxiao's mouth curled up, most meaningfully. Still gazing into the distance, he said slowly, "I used to want to be a sovereign who ruled through inaction, because I knew my own limits. Later, I wanted to accomplish things. I paid close attention to state affairs, the Nine Borders, and Liaodong, even sending people to spy. But afterward, I discovered that there were many things I was powerless to change. So I wanted to make some changes — only, Wei Zhongxian disappointed me greatly, and though the court is full of high ministers, not one shows true loyalty to the sovereign..."

Zhu Xu frowned, looking at Zhu Youxiao's profile, a bad premonition suddenly rising in his heart.

"Sixth Brother, do you think being emperor is interesting?" Suddenly, Zhu Youxiao spoke again.

'Could it be that Madam Ke's death has made Elder Brother start doubting life itself?'

Zhu Xu's mouth went dry. He had been hoping the man would rouse himself and work hard for the country.

After thinking it over, Zhu Xu said cautiously, "Elder Brother, your younger brother feels that being emperor is very interesting."

Zhu Youxiao was taken aback, turning to look at him: "Interesting? Where's the interest?"

Zhu Xu waved his small hand, his face brimming with bold heroism: "Elder Brother, think about it — the whole world is yours, everything is yours, all yours, all yours!" Then, deflating somewhat, he added, "Look at me — I want to get some nice things for my own palace, and I have to scheme and wheedle them out of Sister-in-Law with every trick in the book. She's even started hiding her treasures now, guarding them like I'm a thief. My life is getting harder and harder by the day."

The corner of Zhu Youxiao's mouth twitched, and finally he burst into loud laughter.

He laughed for a long while, then gradually sobered. With a somewhat forlorn expression, he sighed: "If there's ever a chance, I'll let you have a try."

If it were anyone else, they would surely be terrified and kneel to beg forgiveness. But Zhu Xu only looked worried and asked, "Elder Brother, what illness does Sister-in-Law actually have? It looks quite serious?"

Zhu Youxiao thought of Empress Zhang, thought of the child in her belly, and a peculiar radiance suddenly appeared on his face. He narrowed his eyes, seeming deeply stirred.

Zhu Xu truly couldn't read Zhu Youxiao anymore, so he could only wait quietly for him to speak.

After a long while, the corner of Zhu Youxiao's mouth curled up, as if he had thought of something gratifying.

"Alright, go back now. When you have time, keep your Sister-in-Law company and chat with her. And as for your Fifth Elder Brother — go visit him more often when you're free."

Zhu Youxiao stood up, gave Zhu Xu a smile, then turned and walked away.

Zhu Xu was utterly bewildered. What did all that mean? And what illness does Sister-in-Law actually have?

Zhu Youxiao had left, and Zhu Xu couldn't just sit there in a daze. After spacing out for a while, he still headed toward Kunning Palace.

As he walked, he pondered. Madam Ke's death had indeed hit Zhu Youxiao hard, but what did this series of abnormal behavior really mean?

"Sigh, I should have studied psychology properly."

Zhu Xu let out a helpless sigh — he truly couldn't guess.

Zhu Xu arrived at Kunning Palace. Since the Emperor had left, the consorts naturally couldn't linger either, and had all gone without a trace. Only the maidservants of Kunning Palace were bustling about, coming and going.

Zhu Xu looked around and finally found an opening. He grabbed Huan'er and said, "Sister Huan'er, what illness does Sister-in-Law actually have?"

Huan'er had spotted Zhu Xu long ago but simply didn't want to acknowledge him. At his words, she furrowed her brow and said crossly, "It's all because you angered her." With that, she pulled her hand free from his grip and hurried out of the palace gate.

Zhu Xu felt that he seemed very unwelcome today.

It was Wu Rou who found a moment to whisper softly in Zhu Xu's ear: "A woman's ailment."

Zhu Xu suddenly understood. No wonder.

As for what exactly the illness was, Zhu Xu didn't probe further. He stayed at Kunning Palace for a while, and seeing no sign of Empress Zhang waking, he instructed a few maidservants and returned to Jinghuan Palace.

Sure enough, Empress Zhang woke up that very evening, though her complexion was pale and she was weak and short of breath. Zhu Xu went to visit her, exchanged a few words without daring to linger, but still followed the usual routine of paying his respects morning and evening.

Only on the third day could Empress Zhang barely get out of bed, her complexion much improved. Only then did Zhu Xu breathe a slight sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, Your Highness."

Fu Tao came hurrying in from outside the door, shouting before he even entered, panting heavily.

Zhu Xu was startled, then looked at Fu Tao with delight: "Elder Brother, you're really eager today — you've come a bit early."

"Your Highness," Fu Tao said, gasping for breath, "my father has returned home."

Zhu Xu, who had been lying on the lounging chair, sat up abruptly, his eyes blazing.

Fu Changzong being able to return home meant that the robbery operation spearheaded by the Ministry of Revenue was about to begin.