Chapter Twenty: Continuing Preparations for the Return of the Crocodile Dragon King

Watching his father stride away, followed closely by Chief Steward Hu, Zhu Zhanhe could not help but heave a silent sigh. Turning back with a vacant expression, he saw his mother, who looked as though she had words she dared not speak.

"Mother, please rest assured, everything will be fine. I will certainly be able to persuade Father to go to our fief, and our whole family will be safe and sound," Zhu Zhanhe said, offering comfort to his visibly anxious mother.

"He'er, your father is stubborn. Don't pay any mind to what he says. As long as our family is safe, that is all I ask for," Princess Consort Wei replied, her voice trembling. She fidgeted nervously with her silk handkerchief, looking at her son with eyes full of desperate hope, her words tumbling out in a disorganized rush.

"Mother, don't worry. I didn't manage to persuade him today, but I will continue to try. There is more I have yet to say, and when the time comes, Father will surely follow us to the fief willingly. Our family will be safe!" Seeing his mother so distraught, Zhu Zhanhe felt a sense of extreme helplessness toward his father. However, he had a contingency plan—a heavy-handed one, to be sure, but one that would force the Prince of Han to retreat from his reckless ambitions. For the sake of his family's safety, he would stop at nothing.

"That is good, that is good. My He'er has truly grown up." Princess Consort Wei looked at her determined son, and her heart eased slightly. The Prince of Han was obsessed with becoming the Crown Prince, leaving her to live in constant fear, walking on thin ice. To finally have someone who understood her plight—and for that person to be her most beloved son—was a profound relief.

On the other side, having exited the manor, the Prince of Han turned to look at Chief Steward Hu.

"Old Hu, I do not want a single soul to know about my conversation with the Heir Apparent today! Not a word must leak out! See that everything is handled properly. Do you understand?" Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, paused after stepping out of the manor gate, his expression stern as he addressed the steward.

"Your Highness, I will do my best, but there were simply too many people present today. It is impossible to silence them all; I fear this cannot be kept secret. In the future, if you have sensitive matters to discuss with the Heir Apparent, please do so in a private chamber," the steward, dressed in grey eunuch robes, replied with calm composure. He knew full well that the matter was already likely being reported to the Emperor.

"Hmm? Ah!" The Prince of Han was taken aback. A wave of despondency washed over him, and with a heavy sigh, he let the matter drop, mounted his carriage, and rode away with a look of grim determination.

Back in the courtyard where the conversation had taken place, Zhu Zhanhe called out, "Someone, come here!" A group of attendants and maids entered, all keeping their heads bowed. Even those who dared to glance up did so with expressions of deep reverence and awe.

"Heir Apparent, what are your orders?" one of the eunuchs asked. Zhu Zhanhe recognized him as Xiao Xizi.

"Xiao Xizi, have Auntie Xiu come to accompany my mother to her quarters to rest. You, come with me to the study." Zhu Zhanhe looked at the eunuch kneeling before him. Xiao Xizi, ever cautious, looked back at his young master with undisguised adoration and excitement.

"As you command, Heir Apparent. I will see to it at once," Xiao Xizi replied. He retreated with careful steps, terrified of displeasing his master. Once at a distance, however, he straightened his posture, puffed out his chest, and walked toward the other attendants, promptly kicking one of them. "Did you not hear the Heir Apparent? Go fetch Auntie Xiu at once!" The other servants showed no resentment at his arrogance; instead, they looked at him with envy and eager subservience. The one who had been kicked even scrambled up with a beaming face.

"Yes, Eunuch Xi, right away!" the young attendant replied, clearly feeling honored to have been noticed by him.

"Good. Work hard. The Heir Apparent has given you an opportunity; if you mess it up, don't bother coming back," Xiao Xizi said, acting the part of a master. Having experienced the "dragon's might" of his young lord twice, he felt he had finally found his purpose in life.

"Heir Apparent, Auntie Xiu will arrive momentarily. What are your further instructions?" Xiao Xizi asked, his tone shifting back to one of cringing respect the moment he returned to Zhu Zhanhe's side. He knew that if he served the Heir Apparent well, he would surely become his right-hand man in the future.

Moments later, Auntie Xiu arrived. Xiao Xizi hurried forward with an ingratiating smile. "Auntie Xiu, you've finally arrived! The Heir Apparent has been waiting for you." He knew his master trusted and relied on her, so he treated her with the utmost deference.

"Auntie Xiu, please accompany Mother back to rest; she is exhausted. I have matters to attend to," Zhu Zhanhe said. Seeing his mother's lingering anxiety, he signaled Auntie Xiu to offer her comfort.

Auntie Xiu, sharp and perceptive, noticed the Princess Consort's distress. She leaned in to whisper a few words before gently guiding her toward the inner chambers. Before they left, the Princess Consort looked at her son with a strange, lingering expression, as if she had more to say but chose to keep it to herself.

When Auntie Xiu returned, she approached Zhu Zhanhe one last time. "He'er, you are a man now. Your mother will be a nag for a moment—Confucius said, 'The gentleman has three things to guard against.' You are at an age where you are prone to impulsiveness; take care of your health." With that, she left without looking back, leaving a bewildered Zhu Zhanhe in her wake.

Watching her leave, Zhu Zhanhe guessed what had been whispered, but he didn't mind. He knew his own mind.

"Xiao Xizi, let's go. To the study."

"Heir Apparent, rest assured, I have prepared the maps of the coastal areas around the Liuhe port and all the river channel information you requested. They are waiting for your review," Xiao Xizi said, his eyes shining with pride.