Chapter Seven: First Encounter with Zhu Youxiao

Zhu Hao was first taken aback upon hearing the news. In his heart, he felt both anticipation and unease at the prospect of meeting the future emperor of Ming. The anticipation stemmed from the fact that, after all, this was the future sovereign of the dynasty; if he could establish a good relationship with him from childhood, it would surely benefit him greatly in years to come. Yet, he was also apprehensive—if their conversation did not go well, life in this vast imperial palace would become even more difficult for him. Although he had seen Zhu Youjiao the night before, at that time Zhu Youjiao had been unconscious, and they had exchanged no words, so he worried they might have nothing in common.

However, as a master of acting, Zhu Hao quickly devised his strategy: to cater to his interests. Since history remembers Zhu Youjiao as the famed "Carpenter Emperor," he would focus their conversation on woodworking, certain that this would pique Zhu Youjiao’s interest.

Having made up his mind, Zhu Hao followed Wei Xiaobao at a brisk pace to the doorway. There stood a young man of fifteen or sixteen, dressed in splendid attire, exuding nobility—yet the wooden expression on his face did not match the elegance of his clothes.

Following proper etiquette, Zhu Hao bowed deeply and said, “Your loyal younger brother, Zhu Youjian, pays respect to the Crown Prince! May Your Highness enjoy good health and fortune!”

Zhu Youjiao replied with an equally wooden expression, “There’s no need for such formality, Younger Brother. By order of the Emperor Father, I have come to accompany you. Shall we go inside?”

Although Zhu Youjiao’s words and manners were appropriate, Zhu Hao caught a glimmer of insecurity in his eyes and could not help but sigh inwardly. Despite holding the esteemed position of heir apparent, Zhu Youjiao was neither cherished by his father nor loved by his mother; life in the palace was indeed not easy for him.

Zhu Hao, being well-versed in Ming history, knew that Zhu Youjiao was not the birth son of Empress Guo, but of a concubine who died suddenly not long after giving birth. With no children of her own, Empress Guo adopted Zhu Youjiao, mainly because he was the eldest son of Emperor Taichang and, by adopting him, she made him the legitimate heir—thus securing his place as Crown Prince. This also explained the mysterious death of Zhu Youjiao’s birth mother. Though the official records were vague, Zhu Hao had no trouble guessing that the old schemer Empress Guo was surely behind it.

Reflecting on Zhu Youjiao’s situation, Zhu Hao felt a pang of sympathy, but he did not let such mature emotions show, aware that the Crown Prince’s visit was surely monitored by Empress Guo’s agents. Any slip would be courting disaster.

So, Zhu Hao got up, flashed Zhu Youjiao a sweet smile, and said, “Thank you for your concern, Brother. I am quite well. Did you bring a gift for me today? Come, let me see!”

As he spoke, he took hold of Zhu Youjiao’s sleeve, acting very affectionately, though his gesture made Zhu Youjiao uncomfortable. He stammered, “Well... um, Brother... I came in a hurry and didn’t bring a gift.”

Seeing Zhu Youjiao’s reaction, Zhu Hao realized he had overstepped; evidently, his relationship with his elder brother had not been close before his transmigration. His expression saddened briefly, but only for a moment.

He cursed inwardly, “Damn it! Who cares what our past relationship was? All I know is, I must cling tightly to my brother’s coattails—otherwise, when he ascends the throne, I’ll lose my advantage, and that eunuch Wei Zhongxian will reap the benefits!”

With this in mind, Zhu Hao clung to Zhu Youjiao’s sleeve, pouting, “No, no, Brother, you must give me a gift today, or I won’t let you leave!”

Zhu Youjiao was at a loss in the face of such shameless play-acting but, unable to refuse, he carefully took something from his sleeve. He handled it as though it were the most precious treasure in the world, his eyes filled with reluctance, and handed it to Zhu Hao. “This is my dearest possession. Today, I give it to you. I hope you will like it.”

Zhu Hao nearly burst out laughing when he saw it was just a piece of wood. But on closer inspection, he noticed a lifelike bird carved upon it, wings outstretched as if it might take flight at any moment.

He thought, “The Carpenter Emperor’s reputation is well-deserved—his gift is actually just a piece of wood!” Zhu Hao found it both amusing and exasperating. To him, it was little more than a child’s toy, of no real use.

But recalling how carefully Zhu Youjiao had presented it, Zhu Hao realized that, to his brother, this wood carving was a great treasure. He could not simply toss it aside, lest he ruin the harmonious atmosphere he had worked so hard to create, and risk forever losing Zhu Youjiao’s goodwill.

And so, in his finest performance yet, Zhu Hao cradled the wooden bird in his hands, running joyfully around the courtyard, exclaiming, “Tweet! Tweet! The little bird is flying! Tweet, tweet!” Suddenly, he tripped and fell to the ground, letting out a wail and sobbing, “Sorry, little bird! Did I hurt you?” He stroked the carving with tears in his eyes, saying, “Don’t cry, little bird. I won’t let you fall again.” With that, he hugged the carving tightly.

This display finally broke through Zhu Youjiao’s wooden façade, and he burst out laughing. “Brother, it’s just a wood carving—it can’t feel pain!” He helped Zhu Hao up, then added, “Are you hurt? If you are, Father will punish me!”

Eyes brimming with tears, Zhu Hao shook his head vigorously. “No, I am fine!” He paused, then said in a pitiful tone, “But I feel so bad for dropping the little bird you gave me.”

Zhu Youjiao’s face lit with a gentle smile. “It’s alright. As long as you like my gift, that makes me happy.”

Zhu Hao nodded eagerly. “Who made this wood carving for you, Brother? I’d like a few more! Tell me, and I’ll ask him to make some for me too!”

Hearing this, Zhu Youjiao’s smile grew deeper. He cleared his throat and said, “Well... actually, I made it myself! If you like, I’ll make more for you.”

Zhu Hao leapt up, hopping around his brother. “Really? Brother, you’re amazing! Can you teach me?”

With his vanity fully satisfied, Zhu Youjiao nodded, his fondness for Zhu Hao growing. No longer awkward, he took Zhu Hao’s hand in his, and the two brothers were as close as one.

Friendship between children often forms faster and is purer than that of adults; once they gain each other’s approval, they quickly become the best of playmates.

The two brothers played happily in the courtyard until a sharp voice called from outside, “His Majesty commands! The Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince are summoned to the Imperial Study! Present yourselves!”

At the sound, the smile vanished from Zhu Youjiao’s face, replaced by anxiety. Zhu Hao sighed inwardly, realizing how much pressure his brother endured from their father. He squeezed Zhu Youjiao’s hand in comfort. Sensing the gesture, Zhu Youjiao managed a strained smile, and Zhu Hao could feel the goodwill in it.

To say Zhu Hao had never considered replacing Zhu Youjiao as heir would be a lie. But after this day’s encounter, and weighing the risks, he resolved to let things take their course. He was still young, Empress Guo had powerful relatives, and his own mother—despite their father’s favor—had no influence at court or in the palace, always under Empress Guo’s thumb. If he took his brother’s place, he would not survive three days. The fate of his father’s other sons at Empress Guo’s hands was warning enough. Were it not for his mother’s lack of ambition and his father’s protection, he too would have fallen victim to that old witch.

Thus, his future safety depended on his elder brother. Unless history dramatically changed, his father would pass away within the month. Zhu Hao did wish to change their fate, but as a powerless child in the palace, what could he do? So, he resolved to endure for now; in the end, only those who survive to the finish may claim victory, regardless of the means.

On his way to the Imperial Study, Zhu Hao set his course for dealing with future events—little did he know how much today’s decision would shape his destiny.

As a later poet wrote:

The future Emperor Chongzhen harbored ambition even in youth,
His holy name endures through the ages.
Right and wrong matter little to him,
Unafraid of process, he forged his own greatness.