Chapter 10: Harmony in the Tian Family

Zhu Zaiji wore a smile, his demeanor exuding simplicity and honesty. His gaze, however, remained fixed on Consort Kang and Consort Jing.

Inviting Prince Yu and Prince Jing to study and reside in the Qingning Palace was ostensibly to facilitate their studies, but it was primarily to keep a closer watch on his two younger brothers.

Consort Kang, surnamed Du, felt her heart skip a beat. She was immediately anxious; would this not separate her from her son? With hesitation, she murmured, "This... I am afraid... I am afraid it is not quite appropriate? After all, the Qingning Palace is the residence of the Crown Prince."

Consort Jing was more naive and had not considered the implications; she merely thought it a good thing that her son could study alongside the Crown Prince.

Zhu Zaiji waved a hand, his expression one of reassurance. "There is nothing inappropriate about it. My third and fourth brothers and I are all of the Emperor's blood, brothers by birth. The affection of the Imperial family should serve as a model for all the people under heaven. Besides, it is not as if I am asking them to live in the main hall of the Qingning Palace; they shall merely reside in the front side halls. This would not be considered a breach of protocol or overstepping."

Consort Kang’s lips trembled; she realized she had no grounds to refuse. She could hardly admit that she did not want her son placed under the eyes of the Crown Prince. Beyond that, she could not claim she did not want her son to study. In this world, only those who are well-versed in Confucian classics can serve as officials; for an Imperial prince to remain unlettered would invite the scathing censure of the entire bureaucracy.

After some hesitation, finding no valid excuse, Consort Kang could only offer a vague agreement, adding that everything would ultimately depend on the Emperor’s decree. Soon after, she took her leave of Imperial Noble Consort Wang and departed with the other concubines, her heart still unsettled.

A short while later, in the main hall of the Yongning Palace, all the servants were dismissed, leaving only Zhu Zaiji and Lady Wang. Mother and son looked at each other, speaking almost simultaneously.

"Why did you ask Prince Yu and Prince Jing to study and live in the Qingning Palace?"

"Did you intentionally summon the consorts and my brothers and sisters here today, Mother?"

After speaking, they exchanged another glance. Both mother and son wore expressions of wry amusement.

Zhu Zaiji bowed respectfully and answered first: "Although Father has been practicing Taoism in the Western Garden for years, he has never abandoned our education. Now that I am to begin my formal studies, the Princes’ schooling will surely follow. Instead of keeping them apart, it is better to have them study together and reside in the Qingning Palace, where I can keep an eye on them."

With only the two of them present, Zhu Zaiji shed the vigilance he maintained before the old Taoist priest. After all, the only unbreakable bond in this world is that between mother and son.

Seeing her son so straightforward and honest, Lady Wang was initially stunned, surprised that her son could conceive of such plans and intend to carry them out. She hesitated for a moment before speaking in a low voice: "When the incident occurred at the Qingning Palace today... I was truly terrified out of my wits. If I did not summon the Du and Lu families and their sons to my side, was I to wait for one of them to be named Crown Prince by your father?"

As she continued, Lady Wang’s voice grew softer, for this touched upon the dangerous struggles of the Imperial house. Zhu Zaiji was surprised; he had not realized his mother was so perceptive.

He stepped forward to pour her a fresh cup of tea. Sitting beside her, he comforted her in a soft voice: "Do not worry, Mother. Am I not alive and well? Having survived this ordeal, I am certain of good fortune hereafter. One day, I will ensure you are elevated to Empress, that you may hold the dignity of the entire world and receive the reverence of all noblewomen and commoners alike!"

Lady Wang’s heart tightened; she looked around quickly before gently tapping her son’s shoulder. "Nonsense! You have come of age and yet you speak as recklessly as a child! You must learn to control your tongue; you cannot simply say whatever comes to mind."

Seeing her son alive, she felt that all was well. As for the matter of becoming Empress... so long as her son lived, a few days' delay did not matter.

Zhu Zaiji stayed at the Yongning Palace to chat with his mother, remaining until they had finished dinner. He even personally arranged her bedding in front of the maids before respectfully taking his leave to return to the Qingning Palace.

Night had fallen. The lanterns of the Wanshou Palace in the Western Garden were reflected upon the surface of the Taiye Pool, shimmering and brilliant. Inside the great hall, Huang Jin had already filled a brand-new pine barrel with wine, its rich, mellow fragrance wafting as he brought it to the foot of the dais.

"Your Majesty, this is the tribute wine from Linzhou, sent by the Yongning Pacification Commission in Sichuan this year."

With that, he began to remove the Emperor’s boots and roll up his trousers, carefully supporting the Emperor’s feet as he placed them into the barrel.

Jiajing’s brows relaxed, and he let out a long sigh, praising, "I remember this—is it the Lang wine, brewed at the banks of the Chishui River in Sichuan using the 'returning sand' method, and aged deep within the Tianbao Cave?"

Huang Jin smiled and replied, "Your Majesty has a truly excellent memory. This is the very same wine you drank today after praising the Crown Prince for so closely resembling your Imperial self."

"The sauce fragrance is unique, mellow, and refreshing," Jiajing said, narrowing his eyes as if savoring the aftertaste. "No wonder when I drank it today, I found it elegant, delicate, and long-lasting."

Huang Jin’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "That is why people say, 'All the fine spirits of Shu are known, but the Lang wine has the longest finish,' which is exactly what Your Majesty means."

In the inner chamber, the fragrance of wine permeated the air. Jiajing was moved and ordered, "Send some to the Qingning Palace. Since the Crown Prince is to begin his studies, he will surely need to bestow such things upon his tutors to show the benevolence of the Eastern Palace."

This was a special arrangement for the Eastern Palace. Huang Jin dutifully accepted the order.

Jiajing then seemed to recall something and asked, "What has the Crown Prince done since returning to his palace today?"

As the staff of the Eastern Palace had been rearranged by Huang Jin at the Western Garden, he was well-positioned to observe and report.

Huang Jin immediately replied, "After the Crown Prince returned today, he saw that the staff of the Eastern Palace had been replaced, but he said nothing. He then took his attendants to the Yongning Palace of the Imperial Noble Consort, where he stayed until shortly before evening."

Jiajing opened his eyes. "Oh? What did he do at the Yongning Palace?"

Huang Jin wore a smile on his face. "The Crown Prince is truly filial and kind. Knowing the inner palace had been alarmed by his ordeal today, he went immediately to the Yongning Palace. He chatted with Prince Yu, Prince Jing, and the Princesses, saying that the Eastern Palace would be making peony cakes and inviting them to come and taste them."

Hearing this, Jiajing nodded, his face showing satisfaction.

Huang Jin continued, "Then the Crown Prince paid his respects to the Imperial Noble Consort, expressing his regret for having caused her worry."

Jiajing’s expression grew even more satisfied. "He has not forgotten his mother’s labor during the ten months of pregnancy."

Huang Jin nodded. "The Crown Prince is indeed exceptionally filial. After comforting the Imperial Noble Consort, he also spoke before all the concubines, requesting that he might petition Your Majesty to allow Prince Yu and Prince Jing to study alongside him when he begins his formal education."

Jiajing paused, his expression turning suspicious. "What exactly did he say?"

Huang Jin observed the Emperor’s face before continuing, "The Crown Prince said that since the two Princes are only a year younger than him, and all three are of Your Majesty’s blood, being brothers by birth, they should serve as a model for all the people under heaven. I believe the Crown Prince wishes to use his status as the highest in the land to lead the populace in the pursuit of learning."

Upon hearing this explanation, Jiajing’s face returned to normal, filled once more with satisfaction. He nodded repeatedly. "He has truly grown up. I was right to praise him in your presence today. This boy is not only a mirror of my own self, but he is also so fraternal and respectful—it is truly the fortune of our house, and he is fully worthy of being a model for all the people!"

After this series of praises, Jiajing asked, "Did he say anything else?"

Perhaps it was the influence of the "Immortal’s Touch" upon the boy's head, but Jiajing did not notice that his affection for the Crown Prince was growing deeper by the day.

Huang Jin pondered for a moment before reporting, "The Crown Prince also said that he would eventually petition Your Majesty to not only have them study together, but also to have the two Princes reside in the side halls in front of the Qingning Palace, so as not to violate the rites."

When these words were spoken, Jiajing’s expression tightened. After a moment of thought, he spoke slowly: "You... what is he doing? Studying is studying; why must Zaiji and Zaizhen move into the Qingning Palace?"

Huang Jin, skilled at reading the Emperor’s mood, carefully offered an explanation on behalf of the Qingning Palace: "Perhaps it is as the Crown Prince said today—the two Princes are also growing up, and since they are to study, it is no longer appropriate for them to reside in the inner palace."

This was the advantage of being an attendant to the Emperor. Without Zhu Zaiji knowing, Huang Jin had taken the initiative to justify the matter.

Jiajing pondered for a while longer before nodding. "That is reasonable. This boy thinks more than I anticipated. Zaiji and Zaizhen were enfeoffed early, and now that they are older, it is indeed not suitable for them to live in the inner palace."

Huang Jin followed up, "The Crown Prince has truly grown into a man, as Your Majesty said. Perhaps the disaster he suffered, coupled with the blessing of the immortal, has opened his wisdom, making him more thorough in his deliberations."

Hearing the mention of the immortal’s blessing, Jiajing’s stray thoughts vanished. The Crown Prince was his son; it was only through his own years of Taoist cultivation that his son had received such a blessing during his hour of peril. This was proof not only of his own sincerity toward the Taoist ancestors but also of the Crown Prince’s destiny and affinity for the Way.

The more he thought of this, the more satisfied Jiajing became. He immediately declared, "Thoroughly investigate the incident at the Qingning Palace! As for the Crown Prince’s arrangements for Zaiji and Zaizhen, let it be done."

Huang Jin bowed in agreement.

Jiajing narrowed his eyes again, looking pleased. "The Crown Prince is filial, kind, and devoted to his family—he already possesses a sense of responsibility. I want... I want to reward him."

He paused, then shook his head, thinking it improper. "He has not yet begun his formal studies. We shall wait until he has read some books before we speak of this."

Huang Jin listened silently, not daring to stop rubbing the Emperor’s feet.

Jiajing seemed to mutter to himself, "However... tomorrow, pass an edict to the inner palace that the Crown Prince’s mother, the Imperial Noble Consort, shall come to the Wanshou Palace in the Western Garden. While I practice, she shall prepare tea and play the zither for two days."

Huang Jin raised an eyebrow. This was a reward bestowed upon the Imperial Noble Consort because the Crown Prince was so favored by the Emperor.

Jiajing was already beginning to drift off to sleep, but he continued to murmur, "Urge the Grand Secretariat to submit the names of the lecturers for the Crown Prince’s studies by tomorrow, and select an auspicious date as soon as possible. If I am free, I shall also go to experience the joy of listening to the lectures from outside the window."