Chapter 40: Handmaid

The third day of the first month, Hongwu Third Year.

Zhu Yong was woken early by Zhang Wuhe: "Prince, today you should go to the palace to pay respects to Empress Ma."

"Oh," Zhu Yong rubbed his eyes and sat up from the bed.

These days he truly has been busy.

He must study at Dabentang, learn troop command from Li Wenzhong, and also deal with the honored guests who come to visit.

Although Hu Bo usually handles things, this Wu King still has to make an appearance.

After washing up and changing into everyday clothes, Zhu Yong led Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng toward the Imperial City.

Kunning Palace is bustling today.

Just as Zhu Yong reached the palace gate, laughter drifted from within.

Entering, he saw Empress Ma seated on a couch, surrounded by several palace maids.

Seeing Zhu Yong arrive, Empress Ma smiled, "Yong Er, you're here; come sit down quickly."

"Mother," Zhu Yong said naively, bowing and sitting on the embroidered stool beside her.

Empress Ma sized him up, her eyes full of affection: "Have you gotten used to things these days? Hu Bo says you manage the household well."

"Hu Bo is capable; I heard it from him," Zhu Yong replied honestly.

"That doesn't mean you should follow him in everything; as Wu King you must have your own ideas," Empress Ma said, gesturing to the side.

"Xiao Zhu, Xiao Ying, come here."

Two maidens of about thirteen or fourteen stepped forward, saluting in unison: "Your Highness, Prince Wu."

Zhu Yong was momentarily stunned.

Empress Ma smiled, "These are the two personal attendants I chose for you. Xiao Zhu is steady, Xiao Ying lively. From now on they'll stay with you, tending to your daily life. Though you have people in the household, lacking a caring lady is never ideal."

Zhu Yong looked at the two girls, feeling a bit uneasy.

In his memories of a past life, he was used to caring for himself; suddenly having two maids…

"Mother, I can manage on my own…"

"Manage what? Look at your clothes; the collar's a mess. Xiao Zhu, fix the Prince's collar," Empress Ma scolded.

The maid named Xiao Zhu stepped forward, bowed her head, and reached out to adjust Zhu Yong's collar.

Her movements were gentle, her fingers deft, and she quickly smoothed the collar.

Zhu Yong froze, daring not to move.

Empress Ma looked and laughed, "Look at you, still embarrassed? They're both girls from respectable families. Xiao Zhu's father was a Hundred Household Officer in the army, killed in battle; her mother sent her into the palace."

"Xiao Ying hails from Yingtian Prefecture; her family suffered disaster, so she entered the palace seeking a livelihood. They're both honest and upright; treat them well."

"Oh…" Zhu Yong responded.

"From now on they'll stay with you, serving your daily needs at the residence and accompanying you when you go out, handling trivial matters," Empress Ma paused.

"You're fifteen now; you should have someone caring for you,"

Zhu Yong caught the implication, scratched his head, and said nothing.

Just then, a eunuch's voice came from outside: "His Majesty has arrived, Crown Prince has arrived."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao entered one after the other.

"Father, elder brother," Zhu Yong stood up.

"Sit, sit, sit," Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, sat beside Empress Ma, and glanced at Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying.

"These two girls are…"

"I chose them as personal attendants for Yong Er; his household lacks a meticulous caretaker, so I wasn't at ease," Empress Ma said.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "He should have someone to look after him; Yong Er, you must treat them well."

"Mm," Zhu Yong replied.

Zhu Biao sat beside Zhu Yong and asked softly, "Second brother, I heard you went to Cao Guo Gong Fu the day before yesterday and saw Miss Chang and the Xu family maid?"

"I did; Miss Chang even said she wanted to come to the residence to see my hammer," Zhu Yong nodded.

Zhu Yuanzhang, hearing their conversation, glanced at his eldest son and then laughed heartily, "That girl has the same temperament as her father, loves to brandish knives and spears. Biao, you must keep an eye on her."

Zhu Biao's face flushed slightly, "Father…"

Empress Ma looked at Zhu Biao, then at Zhu Yong, and suddenly said, "Zhong Ba, speaking of this, I wanted to discuss something with you."

"What matter?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Biao and Yong Er's marriage—both brothers are fifteen now; it's time to consider it," Empress Ma said bluntly.

Zhu Yong was taken aback.

Zhu Biao also hesitated, "Mother, I'm still young…"

"What 'young' is that? When your father was your age, he was already leading troops in battle. Among ordinary families, many marry at fifteen or sixteen."

"You are the Crown Prince, Yong Er is Wu King; the marriage should be settled early," Empress Ma scolded.

Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "The lady is right. Biao, Yong Er, do you have any girls you favor?"

Zhu Biao glanced at Zhu Yong but said nothing.

Zhu Yong said naively, "My elder brother hasn't married yet; I'm not in a hurry."

Empress Ma smiled, "Your elder brother's marriage should of course be arranged first, but you can start looking. Biao, do you have someone you like?"

Zhu Biao hesitated briefly, then whispered, "I leave it entirely to Father and Mother."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma exchanged glances and both laughed.

"Then how about Chang Yuchun's daughter?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked directly.

Zhu Biao's face reddened further, "Miss Chang… she's straightforward and fine…"

"Then it's her! Chang Yuchun is an old brother to us; we've watched his daughter grow up, know her background. She's a bit wild in temperament, but sincere and worthy of you, Biao," Zhu Yuanzhang declared.

Empress Ma nodded, "I quite like that child Wan Er; she often comes to the palace to talk with me, gets along with Biao'er too, but… she keeps running to the Eastern Palace, and there are some idle rumors in the palace, so it would be good to settle it early."

Zhu Yong listened nearby, and knew in his heart that this matter had been decided long ago.

In his past‑life memories, Chang Wan was the Crown Princess, married Zhu Biao in Hongwu Year Four, and gave birth to Zhu Xiongying in Hongwu Year Seven.

"Then what about Yong Er? Do you have someone you fancy?" Empress Ma looked at Zhu Yong and asked.

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "I… I don't know."

He truly didn't know.

In his past‑life memories, he never existed, so how could he know who his queen consort was!

"If you don't know, think about it slowly; you are the Prince of Wu, the marriage can't be careless. We must find you a good match, whose family background, character, and looks all suit you," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Zhu Yong said naively, "I'll listen to Father and Mother."

Empress Ma laughed, "That child only knows how to say that line, but it's not urgent; after your elder brother's marriage is arranged, we'll take our time picking for you."

Just then, a clamor came from outside.

"Imperial Mother! Imperial Mother!"

A few teenage boys rushed in: Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di and Zhu Su.

"No manners! You see me and don't bow?" Zhu Yuanzhang glared.

The children quickly stood straight and together saluted, "Your servant presents himself to Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, Crown Prince brother, and Prince of Wu brother."

Zhu Yong looked at his younger brothers and found it amusing.

"It's the New Year, don't frighten the children. Come, all sit down," Empress Ma said with a smile.

"Big brother, I heard you're going to marry General Chang's daughter?" Zhu Shuang asked with a grin.

Zhu Biao's face flushed red, and he couldn't help but turn a stern face and ask, "Who told you that?"

"The whole palace is buzzing that Miss Chang often goes to the Eastern Palace to look for you, even pinches your ear…," Zhu Gang continued.

"What nonsense!" Zhu Biao quickly covered his mouth.

Zhu Biao turned his head to look at his second younger brother.

But he saw his second brother laughing there! If it's not his second brother, then who could it be…

It seems the servants in the Eastern Palace need to be managed properly.

Zhu Biao frowned.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma both laughed.

Empress Ma said with a smile, "It seems this matter can't be hidden any longer; Zhong Ba, why not issue the decree soon?"

"Hmm! We'll handle it at the start of spring."

Zhu Yong listened, calculating the timing in his mind.