Chapter Thirty-Five: The Torment of Summoning
Zhu Youxiao listened to Zhu Hao’s words and quickly spoke, “Very well, since my imperial brother is tired, let’s return to our rooms and rest!”
The two of them returned to their chamber and had just sat down when Wei Zhongxian, who was always at Zhu Youxiao’s side, spoke up, “Your Highness, didn’t you tell me that when the Fifth Prince arrived, you wanted to ask him about the details of the fire incident?”
Zhu Youxiao slapped his forehead and said, “Look at my memory! That’s right, imperial brother, what was the truth behind the fire? Tell your elder brother, won’t you?”
Zhu Hao listened to Zhu Youxiao and proceeded to recount the whole story of the fire incident. Once Zhu Hao finished, Zhu Youxiao let out a deep sigh, gazing upwards and murmured, “Mother, why did you do this? Did I do something wrong, something that displeased you?”
Zhu Hao was moved by the sight of Zhu Youxiao’s anguish. It seemed his eldest brother did not have an easy life before that old shrew either.
Thinking this, Zhu Hao tugged at Zhu Youxiao’s sleeve and comforted him in a childish way, “Big brother, the world of adults is beyond our understanding. As long as we are happy ourselves, that is enough. Don’t dwell on it too much!”
Zhu Youxiao was touched by Zhu Hao’s words. He reached out and gently rubbed Zhu Hao’s head. “Imperial brother, sometimes I truly envy you. If I could choose, I would rather be an ordinary prince like you, than remain a caged bird in the Eastern Palace—never again to be a tool in the struggle between our father and mother.”
Zhu Hao was startled by Zhu Youxiao’s frankness. He had not expected his elder brother to utter such words. It seemed Zhu Youxiao was no mere rigid and unfeeling man; rather, he was clever but not adept at expressing himself. He understood everything deep down. The historical account that accused his brother of neglecting his duties for amusements was perhaps unjust. What everyone saw might merely be a facade. In this harem, the one most adept at hiding his true self was likely his brother. Perhaps, being too immersed in the role, after ascending the throne he lost authority, and the empire fell apart.
Moved by Zhu Youxiao’s candor, Zhu Hao also offered his own opinion for once, “Big brother, all of this is the Empress’ doing. She is a bad person. You should stay away from her in the future!”
Zhu Youxiao shook his head and sighed, “You do not know, imperial brother. Mother is also a pitiful woman. I often see her secretly weeping when no one is around. I know she is thinking of Father. The love between men and women is unreliable. The only things I can truly depend on are the wooden carvings I make—they will always accompany me and never leave.”
Listening to these words, Zhu Hao finally understood why Zhu Youxiao was so absorbed in his crafts. His brother was starved for affection. No wonder Wei Zhongxian, who cared for him meticulously, eventually seized power. Zhu Hao resolved to show his brother more warmth and never let a scheming man like Wei Zhongxian gain control again.
While the two brothers were chatting, a tall, thin eunuch entered from outside and loudly declared, “An imperial decree!”
The brothers quickly got up and knelt, awaiting the proclamation. The eunuch, knowing he faced the Crown Prince and the Emperor’s favored Fifth Prince, dared not slacken and promptly announced, “His Majesty says: ‘The weather has been fine these days. Tomorrow, I will take the Crown Prince and Fifth Prince hunting. I will also test the Crown Prince and Fifth Prince’s skill in archery and horsemanship. Let them prepare well and rest early tonight. That is the imperial command. Crown Prince, Fifth Prince, the floor is cold—please rise. The decree is delivered. Do you have any words for His Majesty? If not, I will return and report.’”
The brothers rose, exchanged a glance, and both shook their heads at the eunuch, who then respectfully withdrew, leaving the Eastern Palace.
Hearing that their father planned to hunt tomorrow, Zhu Hao had no desire to linger in the palace. He said to Zhu Youxiao, “Big brother, Father wants us to prepare well. I need to go and get ready now! You should prepare too. Let’s see each other tomorrow!”
Zhu Youxiao, reluctant to let him go, held Zhu Hao’s hand for a moment. But he knew he could not disobey their father’s command, so he said, “Take care, imperial brother. We’ll meet tomorrow.”
After Zhu Hao returned, he pondered his father’s upcoming test. He thought to himself, fortunately he had learned to ride earlier; otherwise, he’d be lucky just to mount a horse tomorrow, let alone perform in archery and riding. He lamented that his modern driving license was useless in Ming.
Thinking further, Zhu Hao realized his father would likely not have him or his brother compete directly, since they were still children. The so-called test was probably just a pretext for the hunt; otherwise, ministers would surely submit memorials urging the emperor to avoid neglecting state affairs.
If their father didn’t let them compete personally, it was highly probable their accompanying attendants would be pitted against each other. Zhu Hao resolved to prepare accordingly.
With this in mind, Zhu Hao summoned the only military talent under his command—Shi Qian. Shi Qian responded swiftly, bowing before Zhu Hao, “Your humble servant Shi Qian greets Your Highness. May I ask what urgent matter Your Highness wishes to instruct me?”
Though Zhu Hao had not placed much hope in Shi Qian’s martial prowess—ranking only 107 among the heroes of Liangshan—he still asked, “Shi Qian, tomorrow Father will take my brother and me hunting, and will test our archery and horsemanship. How are your skills in riding and shooting?”
Zhu Hao was grasping at straws, not because he was desperate to win, but simply didn’t wish to lose too miserably. The Crown Prince, backed by Empress Guo, might have all sorts of experts at his side. This concern made Zhu Hao summon Shi Qian so urgently.
Shi Qian, not thinking much of it, scratched his head and replied, “Well, to be honest, my martial skills are mediocre, and I know nothing about archery or horsemanship. If it’s a contest of agility, however, I could definitely help Your Highness.”
Hearing Shi Qian’s answer, Zhu Hao’s face fell in disappointment. He gazed at the sky and muttered, “May Heaven help me! Let’s hope I don’t lose too terribly tomorrow.”
Noticing Zhu Hao’s troubled expression, Shi Qian hesitated, then steeled himself and said, “Your Highness, in fact, I have an elder brother who excels at archery and riding. I can seek him out, and if he agrees to help Your Highness, you will surely win tomorrow’s contest. However, my brother is headstrong, and I cannot guarantee he will agree.”
Just as Shi Qian finished speaking, the system’s notification abruptly sounded:
“Ding!”
“Congratulations, host, you have triggered Shi Qian’s talent recommendation task!”
“The system will reward you with a designated three-star general!”
“Since the talent recommended by Shi Qian is of a higher rank than Shi Qian, the system will deduct 500 summoning points from the host. Otherwise, the recommendation will be terminated immediately!”
“Does the host agree to the deduction?”
Shi Qian’s words and the system’s prompt instantly dispelled Zhu Hao’s gloom, replacing it with excitement. Shi Qian himself was a two-star general, so anyone he recommended would be at least three-star, which thrilled Zhu Hao. He thought, “This blasted system is finally being fair for once!”
As for the deduction of 500 summoning points, Zhu Hao paid it little mind. Normally, summoning a three-star talent required 800 points, and if specifically summoning a general, another 400 points. To guarantee a three-star general, one needed 1,200 points. Now, only 500 were needed, which made Zhu Hao—ever mindful of thrift—feel as though he had won the lottery! He didn’t even realize he had exactly 500 points left.
Excited, Zhu Hao didn’t hesitate and responded mentally, “I agree to the deduction!”
The moment Zhu Hao’s thought was sent, the system prompt sounded again in his mind:
“Ding!”
“Summoning points deducted!”
“Congratulations, host, you have acquired Hua Rong, the ninth hero of Liangshan Marsh, known as Little Li Guang!”
“Hua Rong will be brought to meet the host by Shi Qian’s recommendation!”
“The host may instruct Shi Qian to fetch Hua Rong.”
Zhu Hao could scarcely believe the recommended talent was none other than Hua Rong, ranked ninth among the heroes of Liangshan, famed for his exceptional archery. If Hua Rong accompanied him tomorrow, he would surely shine before his father. Yet as Zhu Hao rejoiced, the next system prompt poured cold water over his excitement like a basin of icy water in winter.
“Ding!”
“Since Hua Rong is recommended by Shi Qian, if the host fails to raise Hua Rong’s loyalty to full within one month, Hua Rong will leave the host permanently!”
Having been tricked by the system countless times, Zhu Hao was now somewhat immune and did not curse aloud, merely grumbling internally, “Damn it, I just knew this rotten system was never truly kind. I thought it had changed its ways, but it’s still swindling me! Isn’t this just cheating me out of my summoning points? If I don’t fill Hua Rong’s loyalty by the end of the month, then Hua Rong is nothing more than a one-time rental bought for 500 points! That’s too expensive! I want a refund! I quit!”