Chapter 25: Innocent Friendship

"Mr. Yuan."

Upon seeing Yuan Zonggao, both little ones brightened up. Yuan had always treated them with great kindness, acting as both teacher and friend; his arrival was nothing short of a divine rescue.

Zhu Youyuan’s expression softened slightly. "From now on, you are not to enter or leave the Prince's Mansion as you please. I will have guards stationed at every gate. If you sneak out again, especially without so much as a single attendant, I will have you confined to your quarters for a month to reflect on your mistakes!"

For Zhu Si, this was a terrifying threat, and his face instantly fell. But Zhu San, being older and full of mischief, merely rolled her eyes, already calculating how to slip out of the mansion without being caught.

"You may leave now." Zhu Youyuan waved the two away, needing to discuss serious matters with Yuan Zonggao.

Zhu San spoke up, "Father, it is not that we insist on playing outside; it is just that we have no playmates, only each other. We wish to have classmates..."

"Classmates? What are those?" Zhu Youyuan looked puzzled, while Yuan Zonggao’s brow furrowed.

Recalling Zhu Hao’s instructions, Zhu San continued, "We have heard that children outside usually attend schools to study with others. When they grow up, they remain peers who help one another. Why don't my brother and I have that?"

She knew that if she rashly asked for a page boy or a study companion of the same age to be brought into the mansion, the Prince of Xing would surely suspect their motives. It was better to compare themselves to outsiders and introduce the concept of "classmates" to pique his interest.

Zhu Youyuan chuckled dismissively. "What is your status? How can you compare yourselves to the common folk?"

Yuan Zonggao’s eyes, however, lit up. "Your Highness, perhaps this proposal is worth considering. They are at the age to learn and make friends. If they have no playmates, they will only continue to think of ways to slip out."

Zhu Youyuan looked at Yuan with suspicion.

"Your Highnesses, I will discuss this matter of finding you classmates with your father. For now, return and prepare for your evening lessons." Yuan spoke for the Prince.

Zhu San and Zhu Si bowed respectfully. "Father, Mr. Yuan, we shall take our leave."

...

Once the two children had left the study, Zhu Youyuan immediately asked in confusion, "Chief Clerk Yuan, didn't you previously say that we must hide Houcong's identity to avoid misfortune? You even insisted that the little girl be raised as a boy, dressing in male attire, so that even those within the mansion wouldn't know their true standing?"

Yuan Zonggao walked to the desk and sighed, shaking his head. "Your Highness, word has just arrived that officials in the capital have petitioned to select virtuous and talented heirs from the various princely estates to study in the palace."

Zhu Youyuan asked with hope, "Do you mean there is a chance for Houcong to enter the palace?" As a father who hoped for his son’s success, he naturally wanted his son to become the Crown Prince and inherit the empire left by his father, the Chenghua Emperor.

Yuan Zonggao smiled bitterly. "The ministers intend to find a successor among the current Emperor's younger relatives, adopt them as heirs, and then name them Crown Prince—following the precedent of Emperor Renzong of Song. As the Prince is of the same generation as the current Emperor, I fear there is no such opportunity."

Hearing this, Zhu Youyuan’s face was filled with despondency.

"In my view, the ministers have made this petition because the world knows very little of the Prince, and the current Empress Dowager is wary of Your Highness's status," Yuan continued. "I have heard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has sent many agents into Anlu to investigate the inner workings of this mansion. If we continue with such strict confinement, not only will the Prince's future be at risk, but he may suffer the same fate as the first Prince..."

Yuan Zonggao touched upon a painful memory. Zhu Youyuan had only two sons; his firstborn passed away unexpectedly shortly after birth. They knew it was murder but could find no leads, which led him to cherish his second son, Zhu Houcong, with extreme caution and protective measures.

"Then, what is your suggestion, Chief Clerk Yuan?" Zhu Youyuan looked to him with reliance.

Yuan Zonggao replied, "Since the children wish for classmates, why not select local youths of high character from Anlu to study in the mansion? They can serve as companions, with the little Princess as their superior."

Zhu Youyuan frowned. "Are you trying to prevent imperial spies from infiltrating the mansion?"

"Exactly," Yuan nodded. "If the Embroidered Uniform Guard learns of this, they will certainly try to plant their own children inside. We can use this to lull them into a false sense of security; even if someone wishes the Prince harm, they will not be able to find the true target. Furthermore, if the Prince wishes to achieve greatness in the future, he will need supporters. If they grow up together from childhood, that bond will be deeply rooted."

Zhu Youyuan realized that this plan would not only paralyze his enemies but also signal to the court that the Prince of Xing had a virtuous and talented son, effectively ending any proposals to select heirs from other princely estates. And, it would provide his son with future allies. With so many benefits, there was no reason to refuse.

"Then let it be as you say, Chief Clerk Yuan. Recruit students from Anlu. As for the selection process, I leave it entirely to you."

...

The next day, Zhu Hao waited at the bird-and-flower market. During the lunch break, he saw Zhu San trotting over from the east gate of the mansion.

"You really are here, you stingy thing," Zhu San said, her face stern. "If you didn't see me, were you going to report me to your teacher? Were you going to say I took my brother out to play and let him fall into the pool, almost drowning him?"

Zhu Hao smiled and diverted the subject. "Where is your brother?"

"He was fine when we got back, but he suddenly developed a fever at night. The doctor checked on him in the middle of the night and said it was a cold. He needs rest. Thankfully, when we returned yesterday afternoon, we saw Father, and he was fine and energetic, so the household didn't suspect me." Zhu San shuddered at the thought.

Zhu Hao asked, "Is there any progress on the selection of study companions I told you to mention?"

"Stingy thing, we told them. Our teacher, Mr. Yuan, is arranging to select talented local children to study in the mansion. But looking at you—you've barely spent any time in school—I doubt you'll pass the test." Zhu San looked him up and down, curling her lip in mockery.

Zhu Hao beamed. "Just getting it mentioned is enough. I just want a chance to study and improve... Think about how high my teacher’s standards are; he thinks very highly of me. If even I can't pass the selection, no one else can! Besides, don't I have you two?"

Zhu San snapped, "Bah! I'm not helping you. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't—we aren't the ones doing the picking."

They sat down on a large rock under a tree. Zhu San looked dejected, kicking at pebbles, still feeling guilty about her brother's illness.

Zhu Hao asked, "The rabbit you bought from me two days ago, is it still doing well?"

"Yes," she replied dismissively, her mind elsewhere.

"Rabbits, like people, need care and affection to thrive..." Zhu Hao spouted nonsense with a straight face.

Zhu San looked at him sideways. "Is your mother's illness any better?"

Zhu Hao was momentarily stunned. Perhaps the little girl was just innocent enough to believe his previous lies?

"I wouldn't have remembered if you hadn't asked. What about those dozen or so copper coins..." Zhu Hao immediately put on a mercenary expression.

Zhu San pouted. "Stingy thing, I knew you'd bring that up. Here, take this—twenty coins!" She pulled out a new purse, emptied the coins into Zhu Hao's hand, and said with a look of sadness, "The purse my mother embroidered for me is gone."

She didn't care about the money, only the purse, which showed she was someone who never lacked for wealth.

"There is always a trade-off. Just tell your mother you lost the purse, and ask her to make you a new one," Zhu Hao consoled her.

Zhu San glared at him. "It’s all your fault for making us go catch that rabbit. But... thank you. It was really dangerous, and I know you meant well. If you ever get the chance to enter the mansion... we can play properly then!"

"Yes," Zhu Hao smiled and nodded.

From this alone, he could see that the Prince of Xing's children were well-raised. Even if the little girl was temperamental, she knew right from wrong—a credit to the careful upbringing of Zuo Youyuan and his wife.

"I'm going. If you have more rabbits, keep selling them here. I might not be able to come, though—Father caught me red-handed yesterday, and I'll have fewer chances to sneak out."

As she stood to leave, there was a lingering reluctance in her tone. Though they hadn't known each other long, Zhu Hao was one of the few playmates she’d had since she was old enough to remember. More importantly, they had shared the experience of catching rabbits and falling into a pond; that bond was far beyond that of ordinary children.

Seeing her reluctant expression, Zhu Hao felt a twinge of guilt for exploiting her pure emotions. But as he watched her walk away, his heart hardened once more.

"If a man doesn't look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him. If I don't use you, will I be forever held back by my family, controlled for ten years, or even a lifetime? Besides, my schemes to get close to you aren't meant to harm—they are to help! If you succeed in the future, you should be thanking me!"

...

At the Zhu family estate outside the city, Hundred-Householder Lin visited in a hurry, bringing urgent news to Mistress Zhu: the Prince of Xing was selecting local children of the right age to study in the mansion.

"...The Prince is clearly trying to cultivate loyalists for his son. His intentions are unfathomable!" Mistress Zhu, a woman of deep calculation, never hesitated to assume the worst in others.

Lin said, "For us, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. If we can get someone into the mansion to spy on the situation..."

Mistress Zhu didn't waste words, nodding. "I will prepare the family's children. I must trouble you, Brother Lin, to arrange this. If it succeeds, the Zhu family will reward you handsomely."