Chapter 110: The Emperor Summons the Wet Nurse

After Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, he turned to Wei Zhongxian and snorted coldly, “You audacious servant! You clearly went out to shirk your duties, yet you claim it was just to relieve yourself. When Prince Xin caught you, you still refused to admit it. Truly, you deserve to die! However, Prince Xin is always magnanimous and merciful; he will not hold you to the same standard. You’d better quickly apologize to him, or I will not go easy on you either!”

Though Zhu Youxiao’s words sounded like a reprimand, Wei Zhongxian understood that his lord was actually trying to save him. Hearing his master’s words, he hurriedly apologized to Zhu Hao, “Your Highness, I admit I was indeed shirking earlier. It was because I was utterly exhausted, so I found a place to rest briefly. I did not expect Your Highness to discover me. Please forgive your servant. I assure you this will never happen again. I dare not repeat such behavior. I beg Your Highness to show mercy this once!”

Listening to Wei Zhongxian’s apology, Zhu Hao realized the old eunuch was trying to deceive him. If he had truly just been resting, he could have admitted it when first questioned, as it was a minor matter that wouldn’t warrant punishment. Yet he only spoke after Zhu Youxiao intervened, clearly following his elder brother’s lead. But since Zhu Youxiao had already spoken, Zhu Hao knew it was not the time to make things difficult for Wei Zhongxian, lest his elder brother lose face.

With this in mind, Zhu Hao snorted coldly, “You servant must serve earnestly from now on and not shirk your duties!” Then, turning to his elder brother, Zhu Youxiao, he bowed and said, “Since Your Majesty has already made a judgment, I shall not trouble you further. I take my leave.”

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and nodded. Seeing this, Zhu Hao left the Qianqing Palace and headed to his own chambers. Upon arriving, he sent word for Wei Xiaobao to come see him.

Originally, Wei Xiaobao had accompanied Zhu Hao back to the palace, but once inside the gates, Zhu Hao had dismissed him to return to the Central Intelligence Bureau to maintain his post. Zhu Hao had gone alone to the Qianqing Palace, so Wei Xiaobao was not by his side at that moment.

Less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed before Wei Xiaobao hurriedly arrived at Zhu Hao’s chambers. Upon seeing Zhu Hao, he immediately knelt and said, “Your Highness, your servant greets you. You summoned me in such haste—may I ask what task you require me to undertake?”

Zhu Hao nodded in acknowledgment and said, “Xiaobao, rise first. I ask you: I entrusted you with closely monitoring Wei Zhongxian. Have you done so?”

Wei Xiaobao quickly replied, “Your Highness, how dare your servant neglect the task you assigned? If Your Highness asks, is there any slip-up in the Central Intelligence Bureau’s surveillance?”

It was natural for Wei Xiaobao to think this way; whenever a subordinate is asked whether a task is done, it often means the leader suspects it has not been completed or done properly.

Seeing Wei Xiaobao’s anxious expression, Zhu Hao knew he was overthinking and quickly reassured him, “Xiaobao, do not be nervous. It is not that your surveillance has failed. Today, just after I left the Qianqing Palace, I ran into Wei Zhongxian. I sensed something suspicious in his furtive behavior and questioned him, but he could not explain himself. I suspect he went out to do something nefarious and wanted to investigate further. Unfortunately, my elder brother interrupted me. So now I want to check the surveillance records from the Central Intelligence Bureau to see exactly what misdeed Wei Zhongxian was up to.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Xiaobao quickly said, “I see. Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I will immediately check the tracking records at the Central Intelligence Bureau.”

Zhu Hao nodded, and Wei Xiaobao left the room.

After Wei Xiaobao departed, Zhu Hao pondered deeply. Wei Zhongxian was a clever man. At such a critical moment, why would he, instead of cozying up to his elder brother, risk going out? What could be so urgent to make him abandon maintaining good relations with his lord? Zhu Hao was baffled.

Even when Wei Xiaobao returned to his chambers, Zhu Hao remained puzzled by Wei Zhongxian’s unusual behavior.

Seeing Wei Xiaobao return, Zhu Hao stopped his thoughts and asked directly, “Xiaobao, have you found out? What exactly did Wei Zhongxian go out to do?”

Wei Xiaobao replied hurriedly, “Your servant has checked with the Intelligence Bureau and indeed discovered what Wei Zhongxian was doing. But the information is baffling; I cannot understand why he would do such a thing!”

Hearing that Wei Xiaobao had found the answer, Zhu Hao’s heart leapt with anticipation. But the servant’s confusion only piqued his curiosity further. He pressed quickly, “Xiaobao, don’t keep me in suspense. What unspeakable misdeed did Wei Zhongxian go out to commit?”

Wei Xiaobao, sensing the urgency, did not hesitate and said, “Wei Zhongxian went into the palace spreading rumors that His Majesty caused the death of Li Xianshi, who raised him. Such unfilial conduct is unworthy of a ruler. He claims the throne should be abdicated and the emperor should retire behind closed doors to reflect on his mistakes!”

Zhu Hao was shocked to hear this. Inwardly, he thought, “That old eunuch, damned fool! He’s a clever man and should understand the principle of shared fate—if my elder brother is disgraced, how could that benefit him? He is his elder brother’s servant. If these rumors reach my brother, he will not let Wei Zhongxian off easily. Why would he risk so much to harm his own master?”

Zhu Hao could not comprehend it, but he knew he must inform his elder brother about Wei Zhongxian’s crime. He asked Wei Xiaobao, “Xiaobao, do we have any proof that Wei Zhongxian is behind this?”

Wei Xiaobao shook his head. “Wei Zhongxian’s actions are extremely secretive. No one knows the rumors came from him. Therefore, your servant has no evidence to prove his guilt. However, the Central Intelligence Bureau monitors Wei Zhongxian all day long, so the information should be reliable.”

Zhu Hao believed Wei Xiaobao and trusted the Intelligence Bureau’s data. But if he reported Wei Zhongxian without solid proof, it would be futile. Moreover, his elder brother might think he was retaliating over the earlier incident at the Qianqing Palace gates.

Disconcerted, Zhu Hao instructed Wei Xiaobao to continue surveillance, then waved him off.

In truth, Zhu Hao had originally wanted to use his power to quash the rumors swiftly. Yet, he abandoned this idea for two reasons. First, rumors are notoriously difficult to stop—even with all his authority, success was unlikely. Second, the palace servants were all loyal to the royal family; no servant dared to gossip falsely about the emperor, as it would be self-destructive. Based on these considerations, Zhu Hao decided to let things take their natural course.

What Zhu Hao did not realize was that this approach would leave him at a disadvantage. Had he foreseen the consequences, he would have acted to stop the rumor’s spread.

Putting the matter aside, Zhu Hao settled in his chambers, awaiting the imperial edict appointing him as imperial commissioner to investigate the Zhejiang Provincial Examination cheating scandal.

Days passed without the appointment. Instead, Wei Xiaobao appeared at his chamber looking flustered. Without bothering with formalities, he blurted out, “Your Highness, the Central Intelligence Bureau has Level A intelligence!”

Hearing this, Zhu Hao was alarmed. He could barely contain his surprise and asked urgently, “What happened? Speak quickly!”

It was no wonder he reacted so strongly. Since the upheaval following the succession, the Intelligence Bureau had not reported any Level A intelligence. Now such a report was deeply unsettling.

Seeing his lord’s agitation, Wei Xiaobao wasted no time. “Your Highness, today His Majesty issued an edict summoning the wet nurse, Madam Ke, to the palace to live out her days in comfort!”

Zhu Hao’s heart sank. “Wet nurse Madam Ke? Ke Yinyue? My elder brother’s wet nurse? Wei Zhongxian’s consort? Damn it! Why would my elder brother summon such an old witch into the palace? We had just dealt with the treacherous Empress Dowager Zheng and Li Xianshi, hoping for some peace in the harem. How could he bring in this old sorceress? This is truly worrisome!”

Zhu Hao’s dread stemmed from Madam Ke’s notorious reputation recorded in history. Like Wei Zhongxian, she was infamous. Wei Zhongxian’s meteoric rise was largely due to her influence—she was treated as a mother by Zhu Youxiao and wielded considerable power. Historical records depict her as exceedingly wicked, and all of Wei Zhongxian’s misdeeds bore her shadow.