Chapter Thirty-Four: Visiting Zhu Youxiao

The next morning, after freshening up, Zhu Hao took Gongsun Ce with him to the Eastern Palace. Along the way, Zhu Hao noticed the flicker in Gongsun Ce’s eyes, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated, which made Zhu Hao turn to him curiously and ask, “Gongsun, if something is troubling you, why not speak your mind? Don’t keep it bottled up.”

Gongsun Ce mulled over his thoughts for a moment before finally saying, “Your Highness, I must confess, I’m a little worried about this visit.”

Zhu Hao was on his way to see his elder brother, a man of little cunning, and was in an especially lighthearted mood. Hearing Gongsun Ce’s words, he was puzzled and replied, “Oh? Gongsun, if you have any concerns, just say them plainly. There’s no need for reservations between us.”

Encouraged by Zhu Hao’s words, Gongsun Ce voiced what was on his mind: “Your Highness, the Crown Prince is, after all, the son of Empress Guo. Because we investigated the palace fire, the Empress was nearly deposed. I fear the Crown Prince may be harboring resentment, perhaps even plotting to take revenge for his mother. Outwardly, he may act close to Your Highness, while secretly seeking an opportunity to ensnare you. While one should not intend harm to others, it is wise to guard against it.” After finishing, Gongsun Ce looked at Zhu Hao with a hint of anxiety.

Zhu Hao burst out laughing at this. “You worry too much, Gongsun. Even if my brother and the Empress were true mother and son and not only in name, with my brother’s character, he would never harm his own flesh and blood. Besides, the relationship between my brother and Empress Guo is hardly close. This visit will be filled with laughter and joy, not plots and schemes.” He paused, then patted Gongsun Ce’s shoulder with earnestness. “It’s good of you to be so thoughtful.” And he said no more.

This seemingly simple remark left Gongsun Ce speechless for a long while. After all, Zhu Hao and Zhu Youxiao were true brothers, and Gongsun Ce’s words had come perilously close to sowing discord. But that one sentence—“It’s good of you to be so thoughtful”—let Gongsun Ce know his bold advice had been worth the risk, for not only did Zhu Hao bear him no grudge, he had affirmed his loyalty.

Though Gongsun Ce could not fathom the source of Zhu Hao’s confidence in Zhu Youxiao, the fact remained that Zhu Hao was the master and he the servant. Since Zhu Hao had spoken thus, even though worry still lingered on his face, Gongsun Ce said no more.

Soon the two arrived at the Eastern Palace. To Zhu Hao’s surprise, Zhu Youxiao was already outside the palace gate, scanning the surroundings in anticipation. Spotting Zhu Hao from afar, he waved and called out, “Brother!”

Zhu Hao hurried forward, calling, “Elder Brother!”

After a few days’ separation, the two brothers embraced tightly. After a while, they let go, and Zhu Hao said, “Elder Brother, why did you come all the way out to greet me? You are the Crown Prince; I am but a subject. There is no reason for a prince to welcome his vassal.”

In truth, Zhu Hao was not speaking for Zhu Youxiao’s sake, for he knew his brother cared little for such formalities. But within the Eastern Palace, he was certain there were countless spies loyal to that old witch Empress Guo. Though he had scored a small victory against her, her power was still not to be underestimated—certainly not by an underage prince such as himself.

Should Empress Guo hear that Zhu Hao had the Crown Prince come out to greet him, who knew what mischief might ensue? Zhu Hao’s original strategy had been to avoid attention, to develop his power quietly and strike only when the time was ripe. Yet, the palace fire had both drawn Empress Guo’s notice and set him against her. Now, he had to tread with utmost care.

Zhu Youxiao smiled at Zhu Hao’s words and replied, “Brother, what are you saying? We are brothers, not ruler and subject. I am not our royal father. Let’s not speak of such things again. I hear you have recently been helping Father investigate cases—so capable at such a young age! In the future, you will surely be the pillar of our Ming Dynasty. I am not your equal.”

Under ordinary circumstances, such words from a crown prince to a fellow prince would be a veiled probe, testing for signs of disloyalty. But Zhu Youxiao was different; his words were sincere.

Though Zhu Hao felt a trace of pride at his brother’s praise, he knew he must not show any sign of delight. He quickly replied, “Big Brother, you are the heir apparent, the future ruler of the Ming Dynasty. Please, do not say such things; I cannot bear it. Besides, you can carve such exquisite woodwork—how can I compare? When it comes to skill and craftsmanship, I could never catch up to you!”

Zhu Hao’s words were for the benefit of any eavesdroppers. Yet when he mentioned woodcarving, the usually timid Zhu Youxiao’s face lit up with rare confidence, even a hint of regal bearing.

The brothers lingered at the palace gate, chatting. Behind Zhu Youxiao stood a delicate-looking eunuch with a scholarly air, who quietly said, “Your Highness, the wind is strong out here. Perhaps it would be better for you and the Fifth Prince to converse indoors.” This was none other than Wei Zhongxian, whom Zhu Hao had met just the night before.

Hearing Wei Zhongxian’s words, Zhu Hao thought to himself, “No wonder history records my brother’s deep trust in this man. He is truly attentive, quite unlike other eunuchs.”

Zhu Youxiao, reminded by Wei Zhongxian, said quickly, “Oh! Right! Xiao Wei, if you hadn’t reminded me, I would have forgotten myself in my joy at seeing my brother. The wind is strong; I mustn’t let my brother catch cold!” He turned to Zhu Hao, “See how muddleheaded I am! Let’s go inside—you haven’t come to see me these days, and I have been dreadfully bored.”

Zhu Hao replied promptly, “Big Brother, that’s my fault! After you gave me such a beautiful woodcarving, I should have come to thank you in person long ago!”

As they spoke, they walked toward the inner palace. It was late summer, early autumn, and the flowers in the Eastern Palace were in full bloom—a scene of birdsong and fragrant blossoms greeted them.

Just as Zhu Hao was taking in the beautiful view, a jarring, intermittent creaking shattered the idyllic atmosphere and ruined his mood. Zhu Hao frowned in displeasure.

Zhu Youxiao, noticing Zhu Hao’s reaction, smiled and said, “Brother, do you hear the sound of my Linglong Pavilion being built? That ‘creak’ is the most wonderful sound in the world! Don’t you think so?”

Zhu Hao silently cursed, “The most wonderful sound in the world? Nonsense! That is nothing but noise! If this were before I crossed over, I’d have called the police to give you a good talking-to—otherwise you’d never understand why crabs live in rivers!”

Though inwardly contemptuous, Zhu Hao, determined to endure hardship and never lose face, forced himself to say, “It sounds lovely! I like it very much too.”

Zhu Youxiao, entirely unaware that Zhu Hao was being insincere—nor that the childlike Zhu Hao could lie so brazenly—was thoroughly convinced. Delighted, he took Zhu Hao’s hand. “Since you like it, let me show you my Linglong Pavilion. I promise you’ll love it!”

Never had Zhu Hao imagined he would dig his own grave; he hadn’t expected his brother to be so guileless. The truth was, before coming to the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Hao had loathed noise. Having grown up on construction sites, the sound of saws and axes had often woken him from sleep. As an adult, he had grown to hate such noises with a passion, and hearing them now made him want to explode. Now his brother wanted to bring him up close to experience it—it was as if he were being cast into the deepest hell.

Dreading the thought of following Zhu Youxiao to the so-called pavilion, Zhu Hao said, “Big Brother, that is your Linglong Pavilion—how could I intrude upon it? It would be disrespectful. Let’s not go.”

Zhu Youxiao, of course, had no idea that Zhu Hao feared the noise; he took it as mere politeness and laughed, “It’s nothing, brother! We are family—don’t worry! I’m not afraid you’ll covet my treasures. What’s mine is yours. If you like, I could give you the whole Linglong Pavilion!” Even as he spoke, his face showed deep reluctance, as if he feared Zhu Hao might actually ask for it.

Zhu Hao caught the look at once, thinking, “If it were a real Linglong Pavilion, perhaps I’d swallow my pride and ask for it. But this rickety carpenter’s workshop—honestly, you couldn’t pay me to take that junk off your hands!”

Though he thought this, Zhu Hao dared not speak so bluntly, lest he be thrown out of the palace. He managed a weak smile and said, “Big Brother, I haven’t read as many books as you, but even I know a gentleman does not take what another loves. Rest assured, I won’t ask for your Linglong Pavilion.”

At the same time, fearing that Zhu Youxiao, in his stubbornness, would insist on bringing him to the carpentry room, Zhu Hao added directly, “Big Brother, I’m a little tired and don’t feel like walking anymore. Why don’t we just rest indoors for a while?”