Chapter 36: Strike First to Gain the Advantage

Zhu Hao had been selected as a study companion for the Prince of Xing’s residence.

Being a study companion for a young prince sounded prestigious, but once inside the manor, the situation was unpredictable. As a member of the Zhu family, he was unlikely to be trusted; would they even allow him near Zhu Houcong? These were all valid concerns. But the most pressing issue right now was how to convince Mother Zhu and the rest of the family to let him enter the Prince’s residence.

"Why is it that I've been selected, yet Mother doesn't seem happy?" After seeing off Jiang Lun, the mother and son closed the shutters. Once the candles were lit, the room was bright, but the atmosphere felt heavy. What should have been a time of celebration for the family, now that they had finally achieved financial stability, was overshadowed by the prospect of Zhu Hao entering the Prince’s residence.

"Xiao Hao, going into the Prince’s manor... even if it's not as a servant, it will be very difficult. If I’m not by your side and others mistreat you, what will you do? I won't be able to protect you," Mother Zhu fretted. Her concern was that her son was too young to be in such an unfamiliar place, especially a household of such status, where she would be powerless to stand up for him.

Zhu Hao comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. With my wit, it’ll be a good thing if I don’t cause trouble for others. If anyone wants to make things difficult for me, they’ll have to weigh their own abilities first. I’ll go try it out. If I’m truly bullied, I’ll just stop going. It’s not as if I’ve signed a slave contract, so why worry?"

Aunt Li chimed in with a smile, "Mistress, Master Hao is right. If he’s mistreated, he can just quit. Surely we aren't relying on the Prince of Xing’s prestige to... avoid the boy being sent back to the main Zhu household?"

"The Zhu family..." At the mention of them, Mother Zhu’s head began to ache, thinking of their treatment of a widow and her orphan.

"You agree, don't you, Mother?" Zhu Hao tugged at her sleeve, coaxing her. Mother Zhu nodded, albeit reluctantly.

Zhu Hao jumped for joy. "I knew Mother loved me most and wouldn't let me go back to the Zhu house to be a beast of burden! Mother, let me tell you, Grandmother will surely come to the shop once she hears the news. She’ll likely enter the city before the gates close and arrive here once it’s dark."

Mother Zhu and Aunt Li stared at him, confused by his prediction. "The Old Mistress is coming?" Little Zhu Ting was terrified. In her innocent mind, Mistress Zhu was no different from a villain, always bringing trouble to their quiet courtyard.

Zhu Hao nodded. "She’ll definitely come, and watch—she’ll probably come through the back door. Aunt, keep an eye on the backyard. If there’s a knock, ask clearly before letting them in. Convincing Grandmother to let me enter the Prince’s residence won't be easy; I need your and Mother's cooperation. I’ll call Yu San over later; we must play this part well."

...

Mother Zhu had initially dismissed the child's ramblings, but the turn of events was uncanny. Sure enough, after dinner, as the family was preparing to wash and rest, a knock came at the back door.

"Who is it?" The family approached the gate in the backyard, trembling as they asked.

From outside came the voice of Zhu Wanjian: "It’s your mother, open the door!"

Mother Zhu and Aunt Li exchanged a look, then gazed at Zhu Hao. Zhu Hao smiled and pointed toward the back door, nodding firmly. The message was clear: since his prediction was right, everything else must proceed exactly as he had planned.

Aunt Li went to open the door. Mistress Zhu entered, her hair slightly disheveled from the journey. Behind her were Zhu Wanjian and Steward Liu. The carriage driver stood in the back, but there was no carriage in sight—they had clearly walked.

Mistress Zhu stepped over the threshold, fixing her gaze on Mother Zhu. "Third Daughter-in-law, I have business with you. Let’s go inside to talk." Her expression was grim, as if the widow and her children had committed some grave offense.

Steward Liu and the driver remained still, making no move to enter. Zhu Wanjian followed closely behind his mother, but just as he was about to step inside, Mother Zhu bowed slightly. "Mother, we can discuss it here. It is late... it would be improper for men to enter."

Mistress Zhu froze. She looked back at her son, who was barging in, and immediately understood. As a widow, and a formally recognized chaste woman, it was one thing to welcome guests at night, but if a grown man—even a relative—entered through the back door, what would happen to her reputation?

Mistress Zhu could not risk her daughter-in-law’s reputation. She turned to Zhu Wanjian, who had entered with an indifferent air. "It’s the same wherever we speak. Second son, wait outside!"

"Mother? What do you mean? Isn't this our brother’s courtyard? It’s like coming home, why chase me out?" Zhu Wanjian didn't care for such formalities. He had caused trouble at the shop more than once, and though he hadn't used the back door before, he was accustomed to doing as he pleased. He felt slighted being forced out.

"Out!" Mistress Zhu barked. Zhu Wanjian had no choice but to retreat. Once outside, he stood by the gate, glaring viciously at Mother Zhu.

Mother Zhu frowned slightly and gestured to Aunt Li. "Please, sister, close the door."

Mistress Zhu blocked Aunt Li, her face full of irritation. "Third Daughter-in-law, the second son is your elder brother; don't push your luck. I came here to ask you one thing: why would you let Hao'er apply to be a study companion at the Prince of Xing’s residence? Do you have no regard for the reputation of the Zhu family?"

Here it was! Mother Zhu was astonished; Mistress Zhu’s reaction was exactly as Zhu Hao had predicted. She had come with a confrontational attitude, intending to force her daughter-in-law into submission or coerce her into a trade-off before allowing Zhu Hao to enter the manor. It was a clever tactic, but it underestimated them, assuming no one else understood the political landscape.

Mother Zhu remained calm. "Mother, you are right to reprimand me. I felt the same way. When I heard the news, I scolded him severely and sent someone to the Prince’s residence to inform them that no member of the Zhu family would ever be a mere study companion."

A tactical retreat! You don't approve? Too bad, I’ve already sent someone to decline the offer. Even if the child was selected, we won't go.

Mistress Zhu had assumed this was all Mother Zhu’s idea, but seeing her daughter-in-law’s stern demeanor, she felt something was off. She glanced at Zhu Wanjian, signaling him to help her find a way to back down. But Zhu Wanjian was still nursing his grudge from being kicked out and stared blankly, not knowing how to respond.

"You... you really sent someone to the Prince’s residence to say the child isn't going?" Mistress Zhu’s tone softened significantly.

Mother Zhu continued, following Zhu Hao’s script. "Yes, Mother. I didn't know about this initially. It was the tutor I hired, Mr. Lu, who couldn't stay in Anlu. He happened to have a close friendship with the Prince’s tutor, Mr. Sui, and suggested Xiao Hao take the exam before he left. Once I found out, I wanted to question Mr. Lu, but he had already departed. Having no other choice, I had to send someone to the Prince’s residence to call it off."

This was Zhu Hao’s narrative: to convince the old woman that the boy didn't pass because of his own brilliance, but because he was a "connected" hire.

What was Zhu Hao guarding against? He was preventing the Zhu family from using force to kidnap him. Why else would the old woman bring three men with her? She knew perfectly well it would ruin her daughter-in-law's reputation. Clearly, she preferred coercion over negotiation. If she had him in her grasp, she would control the situation—deciding whether he went to the manor or not.

But the situation had changed. Because Mother Zhu showed such resistance and claimed she had already sent someone to decline the offer, the initiative had flipped. Mistress Zhu was furious, yet helpless. If she took Zhu Hao back now, it would be useless; the offer had already been rejected. Would the Prince’s residence be a charity where you could come and go as you pleased?

"Third Daughter-in-law, that Mr. Lu had good intentions. Why not accept them?" Mistress Zhu was anxious. On one hand, she wanted her son to rush to the Prince’s residence to intercept the messenger; on the other, she wanted to maintain her authority. But even if Zhu Wanjian had the wit to understand, he couldn't stop anything—the "messenger," Yu San, hadn't actually gone to the manor at all.

Mother Zhu sighed with apparent regret. "I have thought it over. Rather than pinning hopes on the civil service exams, it’s better for him to practice martial arts and hone his body at the Zhu estate. That way, when he comes of age, he can inherit his father’s position as a Hundred-Household guard. I hope he serves the country through the military, as his father wished."

Mistress Zhu’s face twitched. This daughter-in-law was not playing by the rules!

"You think practicing martial arts is so good?" Mistress Zhu snapped. "I have already decided: the position of the Hundred-Household guard will be inherited by the second branch. Don't even think about it for your branch."

"What!?" Mother Zhu was shocked by this ruthlessness. "But... Mother, that was passed down to Xiao Hao by his father..."

Mistress Zhu sneered. "What does that matter? It is a position protected by the Zhu family; I have the right to distribute it. Your son... actually, being a study companion at the Prince’s residence is quite good. At least he can study and have a chance to get ahead. You must find the person you sent to decline the offer and bring them back immediately, otherwise..."

Mistress Zhu wanted to threaten her, but realized she was in a weak position. She had hoped to use Zhu Hao’s entry into the manor to gain leverage against the local officials and the imperial court, but now, because of her daughter-in-law’s "stubbornness," the Zhu family was forced to surrender that advantage.