Chapter 38: An Unfavorable Start

The negotiations proceeded smoothly.

Mother Zhu feared that Zhu Niang would threaten to kill herself to prevent her son from entering the Prince Xing’s Mansion, while Zhu Niang feared that Zhu Hao would be dragged back to the clan and forced to live a life of utter darkness.

Amidst an atmosphere of mutual compromise—where both sides had to tread carefully, like trying to catch a rat without breaking the vase—the final terms were settled. When Mother Zhu emerged from the main hall and pushed open the door to the backyard, Zhu Wanjian noticed that his mother’s face was filled with rage.

"Let’s go!"

Mother Zhu threw out these words and strode forward.

Zhu Wanjian peeked into the courtyard and saw Concubine Li approaching to close the gate. He couldn't help but ask anxiously, "Mother, why are we leaving? Aren't we taking that brat home? Is this... just going to end like this?"

Steward Liu tugged at Zhu Wanjian, hoping to remind him that the Old Madam had her own sense of judgment; since she had chosen to go inside to negotiate, she must have reached a conclusion before coming out. Was it really his place to blather on?

Mother Zhu glared at her son and said, "You are utterly foolish. In the future, don't use that foul mouth of yours so easily. If you didn't speak, no one would know you were as stupid as a pig."

Zhu Wanjian, not expecting such a harsh scolding from his mother, was stunned and didn't react immediately. By the time he came to his senses, his mother had already walked some distance away. He hurried to catch up and protest, "Mother, what do you mean by that? How am I stupid? Everything I say and do is for the sake of the family, isn't it?"

Steward Liu interjected, "Second Master, you should know when and where to speak. You ought to think carefully about what should and should not be said."

"How did I not think carefully? That woman is a widow of the Zhu family; surely we don't have to give her face? Mother... what exactly do you mean?" Zhu Wanjian remained relentless.

Mother Zhu, too lazy to look back, said angrily, "If you don't even know when you've said or done the wrong thing, what is that if not stupidity? With your aptitude, you want to manage the family business? I fear that if you were in charge, the entire family would be ruined in your hands... I am doing all of this so your older brother can return to Anlu sooner. Only he can lead the Zhu family to survival, and the future position of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Thousand-Man Commander must be inherited by him!"

...

After sending off Mother Zhu, Zhu Niang felt a heavy weight in her heart.

Ever since she realized that her son was entering Prince Xing’s Mansion to act as a spy and gather intelligence for the Zhu family, she had been unable to find peace. Yet, she could only suppress the bitterness in her heart and appear strong in front of her son.

Concubine Li, unaware of the underlying complexities, began helping Zhu Hao organize his belongings for his entry into the mansion the day after next.

"...This school bag was made by your mother herself. The 'Four Books' and 'Five Classics' are all new books bought from the bookstore. And these Four Treasures of the Study, every single one is of the finest quality... Brother Hao, you must study diligently."

"Understood, Auntie!"

Zhu Hao replied to Concubine Li while glancing at Zhu Niang out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing Zhu Niang weeping in secret, Zhu Hao sighed inwardly. He walked over to comfort her, "Mother, I’ve already said it: entering Prince Xing’s Mansion is a good thing. Not only will I be able to study, but I’ll also be able to get close to the little Prince... Once I have a good relationship with him, when he rises to success in the future, he will surely pull me up with him."

Zhu Niang looked at her smiling son, her brow still furrowed in worry.

"Madam, is there... is there something wrong?" Concubine Li didn't quite understand the situation.

Zhu Niang shook her head and said, "Hao'er, once you enter the mansion, Mother won't be able to stay by your side at all times. If you are bullied, tell me when you come home, and I will find a way to get you out of this sea of bitterness."

Zhu Hao chuckled, "What is Mother saying? I’m going there to enjoy life. In the future, I’ll bring you along to enjoy life too, and earn you a title of nobility so you won't suffer anymore. With my brain, it’s good enough if I don’t make others suffer. They want to take advantage of me? No way!"

...

That was what he said.

But Zhu Hao knew he wouldn't have an easy life in Prince Xing’s Mansion.

The Zhu family’s background would be a stumbling block to his standing in the mansion.

The next morning, Zhu Hao ran to the flower and bird market. He waited all afternoon but didn't see Zhu San appear. Just as he was about to leave, he saw several suspicious-looking people whispering to each other. After a while, they walked into a teahouse, arms linked.

Zhu Hao followed them inside as if nothing were wrong. At his age, he looked completely harmless, and the group did not grow suspicious.

However, Zhu Hao dared not be arrogant. He didn't get too close to the group, instead pretending to look for someone and heading upstairs.

There were six people in the group. They chose a table by the window on the first floor with a clear view. They appeared to belong to two different parties, exchanging information in low voices. Occasionally, the word "Mansion" could be heard.

When the teahouse waiter went over to serve tea, he was even scolded by them.

Seeing that he couldn't gather more information, and to avoid alerting the enemy, Zhu Hao walked around upstairs before heading back down, leaving the teahouse through the main entrance without haste.

"It seems that there is more than one party eyeing Prince Xing’s Mansion. I wonder if they have any connection to the Zhu family?" Zhu Hao felt more and more that the land of Anlu was not peaceful.

Thinking about it, it was only natural. Emperor Zhengde had been slow to produce an heir, so it was reasonable that the Prince Xing’s Mansion, which held the best hope for the throne, was being closely watched.

Zhu Hao walked a few steps forward and couldn't help but look back at the main gate of Prince Xing’s Mansion. As he did, he noticed an acquaintance searching for something. He was short, and walking on the path, it was easy for him to be blocked by the stalls. It was Lu Bing, who had participated in the mansion’s companion selection exam with him.

"Hey!"

Zhu Hao walked over and called out from the side of the road, giving Lu Bing a big fright.

"Ah? It’s you."

Lu Bing clearly wasn't looking for Zhu Hao. Seeing him suddenly, he was a bit flustered, but then he grinned.

Zhu Hao asked, "Why are you here? You're so young to be wandering around alone; aren't you afraid of being abducted?"

Lu Bing was young and prone to crying, but hearing this, he looked proud, puffing out his chest. "I've practiced martial arts since I was little, and my father is a martial artist too, so I'm not afraid..."

He looked around and asked, "Have you... have you seen a man selling rabbits?"

Zhu Hao immediately realized that Lu Bing had participated in the exam with him, failed the second round, yet was secretly selected. Moreover, his "employment" had been faster than his own. He was likely already a successful companion, acting on the orders of Zhu San or Zhu Si.

Why else would people say someone has connections?

"What do you need a rabbit seller for?" Zhu Hao asked.

"I... I am following the little Prince's orders to find a rabbit seller and tell him something." Lu Bing, having no guile and knowing Zhu Hao, had no reservations.

Zhu Hao looked around, confirming that Lu Bing wasn't a lure set by someone else, and then smiled, saying, "You’re just a little guy; it’s dangerous to go out looking for people. Why don't you tell me what you need to say to that rabbit seller? I’ll help you find him later and pass on the message."

"That... thank you."

Lu Bing took the bait, looking grateful. "Actually, it's nothing. The little Prince just told me to find the rabbit seller and say that he isn't very old—about... about your age—and to tell him there’s nothing fun in the mansion, so he should go elsewhere if he wants to study... Hey, do you know what I'm talking about?"

Zhu Hao realized that this was a "warning" from either Zhu San or Zhu Si to him.

Why did it sound so awkward?

"I understand. I will pass it on to him for you." Zhu Hao grinned.

Lu Bing nodded, as if he had completed his task, and turned to leave.

Zhu Hao said, "By the way, your name is Lu Bing, right? You were also selected as a companion? Mr. Jiang said I was one of them too."

Lu Bing said happily, "That's great! We can play together in the future... although you are older than me, we might not be able to play together."

"We'll study and play together. I'm older, so I can protect you... although you've practiced martial arts since you were small, my family isn't bad either. We come from a proper military household. Let's help each other in the future, what do you think?" Zhu Hao tried to win over Lu Bing.

Lu Bing nodded hurriedly.

To the innocent little boy, having Zhu Hao as a friend seemed like a very good thing.

"Then it's a deal. I'm entering the mansion tomorrow. The Magistrate of Jing's son was also selected, and he isn't very friendly to us. We'll join forces to deal with him later," said Zhu Hao.

"Mm-hmm."

Lu Bing recalled the defiant look of the young Master Jing, and his little eyes instantly filled with vigilance.

For a child, the line between friend and foe was clear. Zhu Hao had helped him, so he was a friend, whereas the young Master Jing had intimidated him, so in his eyes, he was definitely not a good person.

Thus, before officially entering Prince Xing’s Mansion, Zhu Hao had secured Lu Bing as an "ally." Whether it would be useful remained to be seen, but the boy was young and naive; having him help inquire about news and pass on information would be possible.

Furthermore, hearing the warning from Zhu San or Zhu Si, Zhu Hao realized that he might not be able to become a true companion in the short term after entering the mansion, so having an "insider" to pass information was important.

...

The next day.

Accompanied by Yu San, Zhu Hao officially embarked on the journey to enter Prince Xing’s Mansion as a companion.

Zhu Niang did not see him off in person.

Perhaps the parting was too sad, and though the distance was short—right within the city—because Prince Xing’s Mansion was like a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, and Zhu Hao carried the mission of the clan, Zhu Niang felt she had failed her son and did not want to face him directly.

On the way, Zhu Hao pondered the words Lu Bing had told him.

It had been agreed that he would ask Zhu San or Zhu Si to help him become a companion in Prince Xing’s Mansion, but in truth, the two had not put in much real effort during the selection; they had only helped facilitate the process. So why warn him to stay away from the mansion?

There was only one explanation: one of them must have heard some news unfavorable to Zhu Hao but couldn't say it outright, so they sent Lu Bing to deliver the message.

With this suspicion, when he entered the side gate of Prince Xing’s Mansion, the meticulous Zhu Hao noticed all sorts of irregularities.

"Zhu Hao? I know you're here to be a book boy for the Heir. Go this way... don't look around. This is Prince Xing’s Mansion, not a vegetable market. If you break the rules, I'll break your legs..."

The person receiving Zhu Hao was the gatekeeper of the mansion.

Unlike the saying that a prime minister's gatekeeper is a seventh-rank official, the mansion did not usually receive visiting officials, nor did many people come to ask for favors, so the gatekeeper was purely for show.

This man didn't seem to have much status, yet his every word and action served as a barometer for Zhu Hao.

Zhu Hao saw the gatekeeper giving him a cold look as soon as he arrived and knew that the situation was bad... He had entered the mansion as a companion to the Prince, not for any other reason. As for getting angry and throwing his weight around with a child?

It only meant that even the gatekeeper knew his identity as a member of the Zhu family and was highly suspicious of him.

Zhu Hao hadn't expected that he would be listed as "hostile" by Prince Xing’s Mansion the moment he arrived.

In this situation, he wanted to get close to Zhu Houcong?

That was likely wishful thinking.

Zhu Hao followed the gatekeeper through the east courtyard and arrived in the center of a low-lying courtyard.

The gatekeeper stopped and pointed to a small room inside. "You live in that room."

Zhu Hao bowed and asked, "Big Brother, may I ask, are the other two who were selected as companions living here as well?"

The gatekeeper said impatiently, "Why ask so much? There’s food, drink, and lodging here; you won't starve. Why worry about others? Listen well, you are strictly forbidden from entering that gate ahead. If you get caught... hmph, hmph."

"I know, I get my legs broken, right?"

Zhu Hao was quite calm. He pouted and said, "But you should at least tell me where this is, right?"

The gatekeeper said, "This is where the servants of the mansion live. Next door is the woodshed. If you have nothing to do, go chop some wood and exercise... In any case, someone will come and tell you what to do next!"