Chapter 9: Brotherly Friendship and Younger Sibling's Respect

Yongning Palace.

As the residence of the Crown Prince’s mother, it was usually a place of constant coming and going. Today, however, it was so crowded that there was hardly a place to stand.

The main hall of Yongning Palace, with its five-bay width and yellow glazed tile hip-roof, was filled with over a dozen women dressed in modest, non-ostentatious attire—all consorts of the current Emperor.

Seated at the center of the dais was the Imperial Noble Consort Wang, the biological mother of the Crown Prince and the most prominent figure in the harem in recent years. Though she was only in her thirties, her beauty remained undimmed; even without makeup, she could not hide her graceful and majestic air. Yet today, this distinguished Imperial Noble Consort was filled with worry, glancing repeatedly toward the hall entrance.

Consort Shen, the only other Imperial Noble Consort in the palace, noticed this. She swept her gaze across the crowded room and said with a reassuring smile, "Sister, there is no need to worry. Did the people sent to the Eastern Palace not return to report that the Crown Prince is safe? The Crown Prince has always been deeply filial; I expect he will come to pay his respects to you tomorrow."

Consort Wang looked at Consort Shen, who was slightly her senior, and let out a long sigh. "I thank you for your comfort, Sister, but my heart remains unsettled."

After speaking, Consort Wang glanced at the sea of colorful, gaudy consorts in the hall, a nameless fire smoldering in her chest. Seeing several children running in and out of the hall doors, her suspicions only deepened.

Just then, another voice spoke up: "Sister, you may set your heart at ease. His Highness the Crown Prince is protected by the spirits of our Great Ming ancestors. Since His Majesty at the Western Garden has already said there is nothing amiss, he must be perfectly safe."

Consort Wang immediately looked at the speaker, a flash of cold light in her eyes.

Consort Shen also looked at the woman and smiled faintly. "Consort Kang is quite right. With His Majesty presiding, what could possibly happen to the Crown Prince? He is naturally blessed with longevity and good fortune; in the future, just like His Majesty, he will inherit the ancestral temples and govern the world!"

After saying this, Consort Shen reached out and squeezed Consort Wang’s hand.

Consort Wang looked at this sister, who was childless and had raised the Third Imperial Princess born to the late Consort Cao, and nodded silently. "I only pray that my son is unharmed. I would gladly offer incense to the Three Pure Ones day and night if he is."

Consort Kang chimed in with a beaming smile, though inwardly she sneered, feeling deeply frustrated and disappointed.

Just then, the sounds of children playing outside suddenly ceased.

Outside the palace, Zhu Zaiji, escorted by Zhu Qi and attended by Feng Bao, had entered Yongning Palace. Looking up, he saw several children gathered together, playing. Counting them, there were exactly six: two boys of thirteen or fourteen, and four girls, the oldest being thirteen or fourteen and the youngest only seven or eight.

They were none other than his third brother, Zhu Zaiji; his fourth brother, Zhu Zaizhen; and his eldest sister, Zhu Shouying, second sister Zhu Fuyuan, third sister Zhu Luzhen, and fifth sister Zhu Suzhen.

When the six of them saw Zhu Zaiji arrive, they were all stunned, then quickly huddled together, their faces filled with surprise and unease. Only then did they timidly bow or curtsy.

"Greetings, Crown Prince Brother."

Zhu Zaiji understood why they were acting this way. He smiled and beckoned to his fifth sister, Zhu Suzhen, who was only eight years old. "Fifth Sister, come here."

Being the youngest, she had little concept of life and death. Hearing the Crown Prince’s call, Zhu Suzhen immediately smiled and skipped over. Stopping before him, she folded her hands in a formal greeting and bowed her head. "Zhen'er greets the Crown Prince Brother."

After speaking, the little girl glanced toward the Crown Prince’s waist.

In the past, her brother would always secretly bring her snacks.

Zhu Zaiji patted the little girl’s head. "I was in a rush today. Next time you come to Qingning Palace, I will have someone prepare plenty of the things you like."

Zhu Suzhen smiled broadly and nodded.

Zhu Zaiji then asked, "Are my mother and the other ladies inside the hall?"

Zhu Suzhen nodded. "The Imperial Noble Consorts are all inside. It seems they are talking about you, Crown Prince Brother."

Hearing this, Zhu Zaiji understood. Looking at her chubby cheeks, he couldn't resist giving them a pinch. He then walked over to the others.

"Imperial Eldest Sister." Among this generation of the harem, only the eldest princess, Zhu Shouying, was a few months older than him, so the proper respect had to be paid.

Zhu Shouying pulled back slightly. "You are the Crown Prince, the heir to the Eastern Palace; why do you do this?"

Zhu Zaiji ignored her and looked at Zhu Zaiji, who was keeping his head low, and Zhu Zaizhen, who was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Third Brother, Fourth Brother."

Zhu Zaiji shuddered, his neck stiff as he looked up at the Crown Prince brother who, according to rumors, had been dead and then brought back to life. "This younger brother greets the Crown Prince Brother."

Prince Jing, Zhu Zaizhen, wanted to reach out and touch him to see if he was real or fake. He barely managed to restrain himself, but his words slipped out: "Crown Prince Brother, are you really not dead?"

Zhu Zaiji, the little "honeybee," was startled and quickly reached out to pull his fourth brother back.

Zhu Zaiji smiled brightly. "Fourth Brother, do you think I am dead or alive?"

Zhu Zaizhen dared not speak further. Seeing their nervous expressions, Zhu Zaiji laughed lightly and waved his hand. "Enough, I won't tease you anymore. There is much to do today. Feng Bao mentioned that the peonies in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, and the Eastern Palace is preparing to make peony cakes. If you are free in the next couple of days, come to the Eastern Palace and we shall share them."

Feng Bao, trailing behind, blinked in confusion. *I never said anything about peony cakes?*

However, Zhu Zaiji had already left them behind and walked straight into the main hall of Yongning Palace.

As he entered, the air was heavy with the scent of rouge and powder. Zhu Zaiji gave a cursory glance to both sides, then walked with his head held high to the familiar figure of Imperial Noble Consort Wang. He swept his robes and knelt on the floor.

"Mother, today there was an incident at Qingning, which disturbed the harem and caused you worry. It is my lack of filial piety that has caused you and the other ladies such distress."

With that, he bowed three times.

Consort Wang, who had been on edge all day, finally saw her son kneeling alive before her. She could no longer hold back; with a cry, she pulled him into a tight embrace.

"I have finally seen my son!"
"My son is truly unharmed!"
"Thank heavens!"

Feeling her overwhelming concern, Zhu Zaiji sighed inwardly and gently patted her back.

The seated Imperial Noble Consort Shen smiled. "Now that the Crown Prince is before your eyes, you must not worry anymore, Sister. The Crown Prince is the epitome of filial piety; his coming to Yongning Palace today shows that you will enjoy great blessings and longevity in the future."

Zhu Zaiji glanced at the childless Consort Shen before helping Consort Wang up.

The rest of the harem, seeing the Crown Prince alive and well, exchanged pleasantries before preparing to take their leave.

Zhu Zaiji scanned the room and suddenly spoke up.

"Mother, ladies."

At his call, the consorts who had already risen were forced to stop, all looking with curiosity at the Crown Prince who had truly returned from the grave. Consort Wang looked at him in confusion.

Zhu Zaiji smiled calmly. "Today at Wanshou Palace, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Yan Song, came to report on state affairs and mentioned my studies. The tutors have already been selected by the court, and I expect I will soon begin my lessons with the scholars."

Consort Wang could hardly process these words. As long as her son was alive, nothing else mattered.

Consort Shen nodded with a smile. "The Crown Prince has come of age and is the heir to the Eastern Palace; it is indeed time to study diligently. With your intelligence, you will surely earn the praise of your tutors and make great progress."

Zhu Zaiji bowed and added, "Mother, since I am to begin my studies, and I am not the only one—there are my brothers—I was thinking..." He glanced at Consort Kang standing in the crowd.

"If you and the ladies find it suitable, I would like to petition Father Emperor to allow my Third and Fourth brothers to study alongside me!"

According to the history he knew, the education of Prince Yu and Prince Jing would not happen until after they were married and moved out of the palace. But that was based on the premise that his predecessor had died completely. Since he was alive and well, the education of these two would likely not be delayed for long. Rather than waiting for it to happen, he would propose it himself.

As for the fear that they might become talented, win the favor of court officials, and gain support? If that were the case, he might as well go find a crooked tree on Coal Hill behind the Forbidden City right now. Furthermore, while he could not be certain if Consort Kang was involved in the sudden death of his predecessor, the fact that she had so anxiously sent someone to the Eastern Palace to investigate the moment she heard the news proved she harbored ill intentions.

Rather than responding passively, it was better to keep her "honeybee" son right under his own nose.

Consort Wang frowned, initially wanting to refuse outright, but changed her tone. "Your education is mandated by His Majesty; how could I interfere?"

She was clearly unwilling to let the other princes, Prince Yu and Prince Jing, begin their education and gain wisdom so early.

Zhu Zaiji smiled and turned to Consort Kang and Prince Jing’s mother, Consort Jing.

"Mother, my Third and Fourth brothers are already grown, only a year younger than me. As their older brother, since I am to begin my studies, how could I not think of them?"

"If I petition Father Emperor for this, I believe he will grant it."

Zhu Zaiji wore the mask of a benevolent older brother thinking of his siblings. Consort Wang’s brow tightened, unsure of his true intentions. Consort Kang and Consort Jing were equally bewildered.

What was the Crown Prince planning?

The next moment, Zhu Zaiji looked at Consort Kang with a pure, harmless expression. "If you and Consort Jing are willing to let the two younger brothers study with me, I will inform Father Emperor."

"When the time comes for us to study, I will have them move from the harem to the side halls of Qingning Palace. That way..."

"It will also be more convenient for them to study."