Chapter 74: Empress Zhang's Worries

Zhu Xu roughly discerned Zhu Youxiao's intentions, and so was no longer so worried.

He lay half-reclined on the lounge chair, squinting, mulling things over in his mind.

Though today was his first public appearance, and he had rather domineeringly seized the post of Minister of War directly — high-handed as it was, it was also a display of strength. From now on, whoever wanted to move against him, or the people around him, would have to think twice.

And tomorrow would be a true, public "entry into office" in the real sense. Regardless of the outcome, he, Prince Hui, the youngest brother of the Emperor Zhu Youxiao, would be remembered — especially by the great lords of the court.

"Your Highness, have you decided how to deal with Zhang Heming?"

Cao Wenzhao stood before him, watching Zhu Xu's expression, and spoke with his own thoughts turning over in his mind.

Zhu Xu smiled faintly and said, "We don't meddle in court affairs. The first priority is still serving the silver."

Cao Wenzhao was stunned — he didn't quite understand His Highness Prince Hui's words.

Zhu Xu chuckled and said, "We must play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, wield our own advantages. Alright, let's wait until His Majesty's elder brother's decree comes down."

Sure enough, before long Zhu Youxiao's decree arrived — yet it was vague and ambiguous, not clearly stating Zhu Xu's position, only emphasizing the two words "chief examiner."

Cao Wenzhao read the decree over and over, then looked up at Zhu Xu in confusion: "Your Highness, what does His Majesty truly mean — how does he want you to deal with Zhang Heming?"

Zhu Xu was also pondering. A joint trial by the Three Offices should be the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate — yet the decree had oddly excluded the Censorate, replacing it with the Imperial House, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review.

The Minister of Justice, Huang Kezan, was an extremely upright man who earnestly wished to accomplish something, and a capable one at that — only he had too many constraints, and his reputation was not illustrious. He didn't know much about the Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review, but he could meet him tomorrow.

Zhu Xu pondered for a long while, then waved a hand and said, "No matter what my imperial brother thinks, these are matters between those two factions. We only concern ourselves with earning silver."

Cao Wenzhao didn't know why Zhu Xu could connect everything to earning silver, but he didn't ask — he would naturally be following along tomorrow as well.

Early the next morning, with Yao Qingqing's help, Zhu Xu dressed his princely robes neatly and properly, then headed to Kunning Palace to pay his respects.

Empress Zhang watched Zhu Xu enter looking quite the proper little gentleman, with a hint of smugness on his face, and hastily pulled him over, scolding with feigned anger: "Sit down quickly. I wanted to find you last night — you, why were you so impulsive? Whatever happens, you must tell me first."

Zhu Xu knew that Empress Zhang had sensed something, though she couldn't be sure of the specifics. Hearing this, he merely giggled and said, "How could I disturb the good times between my imperial sister-in-law and imperial brother? See how sensible I am."

Empress Zhang jabbed him hard on the head and said with exasperation, "You just want to anger me."

Zhu Xu chuckled as he sat down, picked up his chopsticks and started tapping them, shouting loudly: "Huan'er, hurry up and bring the food! This prince still has to go out and hear a case later — if I go hungry, who's to blame?"

Empress Zhang burst out laughing, then turned to look at Huan'er, who was not far away, puffing out her cheeks, glaring, and trying to hold back a laugh, and said: "Don't mind him."

Then she glared at Zhu Xu again and said: "Stop your cheek with me. Tell me — how do you plan to handle this matter?"

Zhu Xu grabbed a pastry from the table and stuffed it into his mouth, mumbling: "Let it be."

Empress Zhang's brows knitted, and she lectured: "What do you mean 'let it be'? This is serious business. Don't fob me off with your nonsense."

Zhu Xu took a bite of the pastry, no longer feeling so hungry, and took a sip of tea.

Empress Zhang picked up her chopsticks and rapped his hand, saying with slight anger: "Tell me quickly — what exactly are you planning?"

Zhu Xu blinked, tilting his fair, clean little face up, looking utterly innocent: "Imperial sister-in-law, I'm only seven years old. What do I know about hearing cases? It's still those grown-ups who have the final say."

Empress Zhang was taken aback by Zhu Xu's words, then said thoughtfully: "You mean... you plan to push it onto them?"

Zhu Xu said matter-of-factly: "How can you call it pushing? It's their proper job."

Empress Zhang looked at Zhu Xu and nodded lightly: "That's fine too. Though the Emperor didn't punish you over this matter, there will surely be no shortage of memorials impeaching you at court. Try not to say anything. Once they close the case, you hide in the palace for a while and it'll all blow over."

Zhu Xu nodded vaguely, buried his head in his food, and occasionally urged Huan'er, who was not far away.

Empress Zhang watched Zhu Xu, her brows knitting again, then suddenly raised her voice: "Promise me!"

Zhu Xu was startled and sighed inwardly — they say women are sensitive, and this Empress, she was probably the most sensitive woman of all.

Zhu Xu wiped his mouth and said with the utmost seriousness: "I promise to behave myself and not cause trouble."

Zhu Xu had been taken in by Empress Zhang when he was three, raised in the palace for three years, and only let out last year after Zhu Xu begged with all his might. She believed she understood him better than anyone — and looking at Zhu Xu's expression now, she trusted him even less.

Empress Zhang turned to look at Huan'er and said: "Huan'er, in a moment have someone go to the Duke's mansion and invite Father to go along with Prince Hui."

The corner of Zhu Xu's mouth twitched — he knew in his heart that Empress Zhang still wasn't at ease — but on the surface he nodded repeatedly: "Fine, fine, fine."

Empress Zhang was indeed still uneasy at heart, and threatened again: "If you cause me any more trouble, don't ever think about leaving the palace again."

Those words carried too much killing power. Zhu Xu said with a look of solemn assurance: "Imperial sister-in-law, rest assured — I'm the most obedient."

Perhaps it was because of her pregnancy, but Empress Zhang's heart was always in a state of turmoil — worrying about the Emperor, worrying about herself, worrying about Zhu Xu, worrying about her parents, worrying about her brothers, sisters, and nephews — never finding any peace.

Empress Zhang felt unsettled at heart, and somewhat didn't want to see Zhu Xu anymore. She waved a hand and said: "Alright, you may go."

Zhu Xu's eyes went wide, and he protested: "Imperial sister-in-law, I haven't eaten my fill yet."

"Go on, hurry up." Empress Zhang made a shooing gesture.

Zhu Xu grabbed a small plate, curled his lips, and walked out of Kunning Palace while eating.

"Your Majesty, weren't you just talking about His Highness this morning? Why did you chase him away?"

Huan'er walked over carrying a stack of pastries, looking at Zhu Xu's retreating figure with confusion.

Empress Zhang sighed, stroking her slightly protruding belly, and said: "Who knows what mischief that little monkey is plotting in his head. If he'd stayed half a moment longer, I couldn't have helped but pick up a whip and give him a good thrashing."

Huan'er looked at Empress Zhang, pursed her lips in a smile, and said: "Your Majesty, this is just your pregnancy symptoms. I've heard the old matrons say that pregnant women's moods are just like this."

Empress Zhang shook her head and said: "Forget it, let him be. In a while, cook some soup for the Emperor and send it over." She had also noticed that ever since Madam Ke died, Zhu Youxiao's health had been growing worse and worse, and he was wasting away.

Huan'er acknowledged the order and gave the instructions.

Zhu Xu left Kunning Palace, stretched, and said to Cao Wenzhao, who was waiting outside: "Old Cao, let's go — out of the palace, to meet the lords of the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review."

Cao Wenzhao hurried over and said: "Your Highness, the carriage is already prepared. I've detailed twenty guards."

"Too few," Zhu Xu said, wiping his greasy hands directly on his princely robes as he walked: "Take a hundred. Don't take the carriage — take a sedan chair. Oh, and this prince hasn't eaten his fill yet. Buy a roast chicken once we're out of the palace."