Chapter Twenty-Six: Selecting a Companion

The Zhu family now found themselves on the chopping block, urgently needing to gather intelligence on the Prince Xing’s mansion. Thus, Madam Zhu Jia sought to win over Lin Baihu to work on their behalf.

In truth, Lin Baihu was under immense pressure himself.

The Zhu family’s willingness to offer generous rewards was actually favorable to him; he could accomplish his goals and receive payment—why not seize the opportunity?

“Madam, I have good news,” Lin Baihu said.

He had initially hesitated to speak, but with the Zhu family’s lucrative offer, he no longer held back. “As I mentioned before, the court once sent agents to secretly infiltrate Prince Xing’s mansion. Most were driven out, but two remain unaccounted for. Recently, contact was reestablished with one of them. It turns out he is still at the mansion, having inherited his father’s position, serving as a guard in the mansion’s ceremonial corps, and has established a family in Anlu.”

Madam Zhu’s curiosity deepened. “Who might this person be?”

Lin Baihu was circumspect. “It’s not convenient to disclose.”

Madam Zhu understood immediately that this was Lin Baihu’s trump card. He only revealed the existence of such a person to her; revealing his identity or connecting him to the Zhu family would diminish Lin Baihu’s leverage.

She sighed, “The late emperor once assigned the Zhu family to Anlu to investigate any collusion between the Prince’s mansion and officials or nobles, to prevent rebellion. Our family mainly handled external affairs within the mansion, relying heavily on others for internal matters. And now… sigh.”

Her words implied that the Zhu family was responsible only for monitoring external affairs, while the court had assigned others to gather internal intelligence—Lin Baihu being the successor to that role. The Zhu family and Lin Baihu jointly surveilled the Prince’s mansion, yet the court placed all responsibility on the Zhu family. Madam Zhu thus reminded Lin Baihu he could not shirk his duties.

Lin Baihu smiled. “This person’s father was a commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, serving the Prince closely. After the Prince was granted a fiefdom, the family relocated to Anlu. The son succeeded his father’s post in the ceremonial corps and is now firmly rooted in the mansion. If we can find another candidate to act as an insider, they could support each other.”

Madam Zhu frowned.

Support each other? Even if they successfully infiltrated the mansion, the boy was still a child—how could he maintain contact with the ceremonial guards?

Lin Baihu bowed. “At this point, Madam, you should arrange for someone to apply as a companion reader for the Prince’s heir. I will take my leave.”

“Please,” she replied.

…

Madam Zhu personally escorted Lin Baihu out of the estate.

She then summoned Zhu Wanjian to the main hall and explained the matter of selecting candidates to serve as companion readers for the Prince’s heir.

Zhu Wanjian was puzzled. “Mother, if this is such an important matter, why hasn’t it been publicized?”

Madam Zhu said, “This is a message conveyed from within the mansion. It will likely be announced publicly within a day or two.”

Zhu Wanjian sneered. “Our household has many children of suitable age. I have two boys in my branch, but their studies are mediocre. Would they be accepted into the mansion?”

The Zhu family was not originally scholarly.

They were a military household inheriting martial positions. Although in recent years they had attempted to send their children to study for the imperial examinations, producing a scholar named Zhu Wanquan, it remained difficult to select candidates from among the younger generation to serve as companion readers.

“Bring back all the children we can find. As long as they are under twelve, they can be arranged to try… Given Anlu’s remoteness, there are few truly scholarly families here. When the selection is held, would anyone dare to compete with us?”

Madam Zhu was preparing contingencies.

If one could pass the selection, all the better; if not, they could simply use the Embroidered Uniform Guard to intimidate or bribe the competition, ensuring the Zhu family’s children were chosen.

Zhu Wanjian smirked. “By the way, the third branch has a young boy named Haozi. Should we invite him to apply as well?”

Madam Zhu’s expression turned cold. “How could he apply without even being taught? If this succeeds, how would the family control the third branch?”

Zhu Wanjian nodded. “You are thoughtful, Mother. I’ll make arrangements at once.”

…

The Zhu family planned ahead and made preparations.

At the same time, Zhu Hao was ready to return home to inform his mother and Aunt Li.

If matters took a turn for the worse, and he could only become a servant inside the mansion, he wouldn’t dare tell his family beforehand.

To be a servant was to degrade oneself.

But now the situation was entirely different!

The mansion was selecting companion readers within the city, a position equal in status to the young Prince Xing—a peer. While he could not leave the mansion every day, he would not be confined to that small world entirely.

When Zhu Hao explained the situation, his mother frowned. “Xiao Hao, who told you this?”

Zhu Hao replied, “Mr. Lu told me. Mr. Lu is close friends with Instructor Sui of the mansion. With his help, if I can become the Prince’s companion reader, I can not only study but also be free from Grandmother’s control. It’s a win-win.”

Zhu’s mother and Aunt Li exchanged glances, clearly unsupportive.

Aunt Li asked, “Did Mr. Lu say he could help you get into the Prince’s mansion?”

“No clear promise, but it’s worth a try,” Zhu Hao fibbed.

Zhu’s mother shook her head. “The mansion is heavily guarded and difficult to leave once inside. I will try to find someone to help you without risking entry.”

Zhu Hao had expected his mother’s support but now understood she not only wished for his success but feared trouble for him.

As a member of the Zhu family, she knew the Prince’s mansion was already a target of the court’s ire.

At a previous family meeting called by Madam Zhu Jia, it was made clear the Prince’s mansion was a thorn in the royal side. Zhu’s mother naturally did not want her son to get involved in dangerous affairs.

Zhu Hao asked, “Then do you want me to return to the Zhu family?”

This question stumped her.

She did not want him in the mansion but was not eager for him to return home either.

“In my view,” Zhu Hao said, “the Prince’s mansion is a place where hidden talents gather… Mr. Lu said that since the current emperor has no heir, if anything happens to him, the true dragon may emerge from the Prince’s mansion.”

To gain his mother’s approval, he laid out the stakes clearly.

She was shocked. “Xiao Hao, you must not speak such words lightly. Spreading such talk could lead to execution.”

Aunt Li’s eyes widened, clearly alarmed.

“That’s what Mr. Lu said, not me. If the authorities investigate, would they bother a child?” Zhu Hao grinned innocently.

His mother’s expression softened. Seizing the moment, Zhu Hao pressed on, “If so, entering the mansion would give me a chance to meet the future emperor. I could study, take the imperial exams, and grow up alongside the true dragon prince…”

His mother raised her hand sharply, cutting him off. “Such talk is forbidden. Even if not from your mouth, do not spread Mr. Lu’s words. Perhaps he means well, but the Prince’s mansion is not a place you can enter at will. Even though there is a selection, you have never studied. Your chances are slim. Your mother and Aunt Li will discuss it carefully before deciding whether you may apply.”

…

After much discussion, Zhu Hao had yet to gain his mother’s consent to even apply.

He suddenly thought perhaps he should act first and inform later to avoid complications. Yet he understood his two maternal figures had his best interests at heart.

The next day, news of the selection for companion readers spread throughout the city.

The rules were publicly posted.

Candidates had to be seven to nine years old, have one or two years of primary education, and be able to recite the Analects and Mencius. Their families had to be untainted, with no criminal relatives. The mansion would provide meals, accommodation, and stationery.

In short, the conditions were generous—equivalent to a free education for ordinary children.

The news stirred fervent public discussion.

The selection would be held before the end of the month. Candidates had to register first, after which the mansion would investigate their family backgrounds—a hurdle particularly difficult for Zhu Hao.

If the Prince’s mansion knew he came from the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Zhu family, already stationed in Anlu to monitor the mansion, how could the Zhu family’s offspring be allowed to study there?

That afternoon, Zhu Hao went out of the city with Uncle Zhong to collect salt. Smiling, he asked, “Uncle Zhong, do you think it’s a good idea for me to apply as a companion reader for the Prince’s mansion?”

Uncle Zhong was puzzled. “Young master, you’re the only son of the family head. Entering the mansion may seem prestigious on the surface, but behind the scenes, you might suffer greatly. I doubt the head would let you go.”

“But if I don’t enter the mansion and Grandmother drags me back, my life will be even worse,” Zhu Hao pressed.

Uncle Zhong sighed. “Young master, at home you are among your kin, your blood relations. Entering the mansion is like a lamb entering a wolf’s den, full of dangers. It’s better to leave the opportunity to the local gentry children. Even if they struggle inside, they have support outside and won’t be in such dire straits.”

Zhu Hao smiled. “Children from wealthy or noble families may not want to go. Even if they do, the mansion might not want them.”

“Why?” Uncle Zhong was wide-eyed.

Zhu Hao couldn’t explain much.

The truth was simple: the mansion preferred companion readers from humble backgrounds, as such children had uncomplicated family ties tightly bound to the Prince’s mansion’s interests.

If the children came from official families, the mansion would worry about being accused of collusion with local officials or conspiracies.

Moreover, the local gentry in Anlu were limited in power. If the Prince’s mansion truly produced a future emperor, why would it need connections with minor local officials?

They just wanted to cultivate a few potential allies for their son, preferably from uncomplicated backgrounds.