Chapter 97: Mutual Scheming

Zhu Xu left Kunning Palace and finally let out a long breath. In history, Empress Zhang had no children either, but she was broad-minded, and even when faced with schemes like Madam Ke's, she never lost her composure. He believed she would make it through.

"This humble one greets Your Highness."

Just as Zhu Xu turned past a pavilion, Zhang Yanyao, dressed in red silk, appeared before him with a slight bow.

The moment Zhu Xu saw her, he narrowed his eyes.

He knew Zhang Yanyao had entered the palace, but for her to appear so suddenly before him was unexpected, and it unsettled him more than he let on.

Zhu Xu's expression barely shifted as he narrowed his eyes at Zhang Yanyao's bright red silk attire. It immediately reminded him of Madam Ke. Madam Ke loved dressing this way—it made her look noble, resplendent, and distinguished, as if such finery could somehow erase her lowly origins.

Zhu Xu shook his head inwardly. Zhang Yanyao probably didn't realize that her manner of dress was clearly a vessel for Zhu Youxiao's longing for Madam Ke. She was nothing but a stand-in.

Zhang Yanyao looked at Zhu Xu—it was her first time seeing him too. Her face was soft and delicate, with an air of being too frail to withstand the slightest breeze.

The two faced each other, sizing one another up, each calculating in their own heart.

The corners of Zhu Xu's mouth curled slightly upward. "Wei Zhongxian sent you?"

These past days, Wei Liangqing had pulled every string he could—the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Eastern Depot, Shuntian Prefecture, the Right Patrol Guard—anyone who could be of use, he had practically mobilized. The capital appeared calm on the surface, but in truth, they had been turning over every stone for Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian still had some people helping to hide him, but clearly he couldn't stay hidden for much longer.

Zhang Yanyao showed no fear of Zhu Xu. Her face remained calm and composed as she bowed slightly. "Yes. Eunuch Wei asked me to convey a few words to Your Highness."

Zhu Xu nodded. He had been borrowing Empress Zhang's name, and those outside the palace would have a hard time telling truth from falsehood—but Wei Zhongxian, who was inside the palace, could hardly be fooled.

"Let's hear it." Zhu Xu said. He was also curious now—what would Wei Zhongxian dare approach him for?

Zhang Yanyao watched Zhu Xu's expression and said softly, "Eunuch Wei was released from prison half a month ago. He knows Your Highness has some troubles, and he says he can help resolve them."

Zhu Xu clasped his hands behind his back, his expression calm as he smiled. "What troubles does this prince have?"

"The salt fields, the Huitong Trading Company, the Huimin Merchant Association—Eunuch Wei can help with all of them." Zhang Yanyao's demeanor was tranquil, but her gaze remained fixed on Zhu Xu's face as she spoke in a soft, gentle voice. "He knows Your Highness enjoys silver. He says he can help Your Highness earn even more."

Zhu Xu let out a scoffing laugh and shook his head. "The joy of earning silver lies in doing it yourself, accumulating it bit by bit. If all I wanted was silver, do you think I'd need to go through all this trouble?"

Zhang Yanyao looked at Zhu Xu, paused briefly, then spoke again. "Eunuch Wei says that Your Highness has no real power in the court—even the Embroidered Uniform Guard can only be deployed on orders. He can help Your Highness take control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and many other offices, so that no one will stand in the way of Your Highness earning silver."

Zhu Xu narrowed his eyes, his heart stirring. It seemed Wei Zhongxian had guessed that he was the man behind the recent string of events in the capital, but he hadn't managed to uncover everything. And that made sense—his imprisonment had been too sudden. By the time he came to his senses and tried to investigate, the power he could command was already diminished. Naturally, his knowledge was limited.

Zhang Yanyao watched Zhu Xu's expression, her gaze flickering slightly. She paused, then continued, "Your Highness, Eunuch Wei still has many people in his hands. He can do many things for Your Highness."

Listening to Zhang Yanyao's words, Zhu Xu vaguely understood Wei Zhongxian's intent and smiled. "Are you saying Wei Zhongxian wants this prince to cooperate with him?"

Zhang Yanyao pressed her lips together, appearing even more delicate, and said softly, "Eunuch Wei merely wishes to help Your Highness, in order to save his own life."

"Is that all?" Zhu Xu's smile grew wider.

Zhang Yanyao seemed to have anticipated Zhu Xu's reaction and nodded lightly. "Yes."

Zhu Xu nodded. "Fine. I'll grant him that. I'll buy him a courtyard outside the palace, give him a monthly stipend, and I won't send anyone to watch him—as long as he stays put in that courtyard and behaves himself."

Zhang Yanyao's expression stiffened slightly, her brows knitting in a faint frown. "Your Highness, Eunuch Wei sincerely wishes to serve you."

Zhu Xu waved a hand, his face turning stern. "This prince gives him two paths: either stay in the courtyard I arrange and quietly wait to die of old age, or come into the palace and serve as this prince's household steward. There is no third path!"

After all, Zhu Xu was a first-rank prince of the current dynasty. Though he had not yet taken up his fief, he could still arrange the staff of his princely household in advance. Previously, he had wanted Zhang Wenda to serve as his household administrator, but that old fox was too cunning—Zhu Xu simply couldn't get a handle on him.

But Wei Zhongxian was different. That man would either die immediately or be watched to death. Zhu Xu would never allow him to slip out of sight!

Zhang Yanyao saw the hint of overbearing authority radiating from Zhu Xu, and her expression turned slightly grave. Her tone grew cold. "Your Highness, I am currently deeply favored by His Majesty, and I will soon be conferred the title of consort. As for Eunuch Wei's influence both inside and outside the palace, I need not elaborate—Your Highness surely knows it well."

Zhu Xu raised an eyebrow, his gaze turning icy as he looked at Zhang Yanyao. "Outside the palace, I can have someone beat you. Inside the palace, I can have you beaten to death directly. If you don't believe me, go ask Madam Fengsheng when you leave!"

Zhang Yanyao's body trembled, fear flashing in her eyes. She furrowed her brow and said, "I will convey Your Highness's words to Eunuch Wei."

"No need," Zhu Xu said, looking at Zhang Yanyao with a commanding tone. "The salt field matter, I entrust to him. From today onward, he will remit one million taels every month. If he comes up even one tael short, I'll have him die in the streets that very day. Go."

Zhang Yanyao looked at Zhu Xu's cold expression, fear gripping her heart. This was completely different from what she and Wei Zhongxian had planned. This Prince Hui looked as though he had Wei Zhongxian completely in his grasp, leaving no room for negotiation or compromise whatsoever.

Zhang Yanyao also knew full well that she was no match for Prince Hui, whether inside or outside the palace. Even Madam Fengsheng had died inexplicably—so what chance did she, a woman who couldn't even show her face in the light, stand?

"This humble one takes her leave." Zhang Yanyao bowed slightly, turned, and quietly walked away.

As soon as Zhang Yanyao left, Cao Wenzhao appeared silently behind Zhu Xu and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, she came alone. No one was following her."

Zhu Xu narrowed his eyes at Zhang Yanyao's retreating figure and said coldly, "Wei Zhongxian must have entered the palace at some point. Find a way to track him down."

"Yes, Your Highness." Cao Wenzhao bowed. It wasn't just Zhu Xu who was wary of Wei Zhongxian—inside and outside the palace, countless people did not wish to see Wei Zhongxian make a comeback.

"Your Highness, are you really going to let this Zhang Yanyao off just like that?" Cao Wenzhao followed behind Zhu Xu, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, and asked.

Zhu Xu clasped his hands behind his back, a strange smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "No rush. I'll have use for both of them in the future."

Cao Wenzhao had some inkling of Zhu Xu's thinking, and a certain possibility suddenly occurred to him. "Your Highness, do you intend to keep Wei Zhongxian in reserve?"

"You'll know in time." Zhu Xu said.

At that moment, in a kitchen not far from the imperial pantry, an old cook in his fifties, dressed in coarse cloth, was adding firewood to the stove. Behind him stood a young eunuch who appeared to be some sort of steward, standing at respectful attention.

"Gonggong, what instructions do you have?" the young eunuch asked, somewhat nervously.

The man adding firewood was none other than Wei Zhongxian—the one who had been released from prison, vanished mysteriously, and left no trace!