Chapter 30: Iron Boldness
“No wonder the Great Ancestor called you Iron Bold.”
Tie Xuan frowned and said, “May His Majesty enjoy good health. To address you in such a manner seems disrespectful to filial piety. Could it be that Your Highness harbors rebellious intentions?”
“If I had rebellious intentions, I would have ended your life long ago. Why would I have kept you until now? I know you serve my father, and though you are an official of the Eastern Palace, Tie Xuan, your loyalty lies with the Great Ming.”
“Since Your Highness is aware of this, why summon me to your tent today?”
“Because just now, someone tried to harm my wife and our unborn child. Tie Xuan, tell me, what should I do?”
Tie Xuan’s face remained impassive as he replied, “Plotting against the royal family is tantamount to treason. The perpetrator and their entire clan deserve execution.”
Zhu Zhu laughed, “They cannot be executed, for I am that person's entire clan.”
Tie Xuan was shocked, “Could it be the current emperor...”
He pointed skyward, but Zhu Zhu shook his head.
“Even if it’s not his direct doing, it could be someone close to him. Now you understand why I must protect myself, don’t you?”
“But Your Highness issuing edicts and amassing troops in secret—without the incident at Xuanwu Gate becoming public, who would believe it?”
Zhu Zhu drank a cup of wine, then poured another for Tie Xuan, who drank it down in one.
Zhu Zhu, hands behind his back, gazed at the map before him. “The nation is yet to be unified, chaos still reigns. How can I rest peacefully upon my bed?”
“The people of the realm are scantily clothed and starving, while those in the court scramble for power and profit. The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every man. How could I possibly sleep soundly?”
Tie Xuan stared at Zhu Zhu in silence, thinking: The Crown Prince is a model heir, yet the Prince of Qin’s heart embraces the world — though the battle’s outcome seems already decided.
“What do you require of me, Your Highness?”
“Do your duty as my clerk. Do not inform my father of tonight’s events, or who knows how many heads will roll.”
Tie Xuan sighed deeply and promised before departing. Zhu Zhu stepped out of the tent, looked up at the starry sky, and sighed.
Though my elder brother, the Crown Prince, was not the instigator, he tacitly approved. Zhu Shuang, in a later age, examined the ruins of the Prince of Qin’s palace in Xi’an, dismantled during the Qing dynasty. Its scale was modeled after the Forbidden City in Nanjing. Coupled with Zhu Zhu’s original intent to relocate the capital to Xi’an, if not for Zhu Zhu’s directive, he wouldn’t have had the power to build such a capital.
Had the Crown Prince not fallen ill and died shortly after inspecting Xi’an, the Ming might have moved westward. History must have been suffocating for Zhu Zhu — agreeing to marry off Prince Bao’s sister effectively forfeited his claim to the throne. Ordered to build a capital city, only to be accused of harsh taxation and oppression, becoming a stepping stone for the Crown Prince to bolster his reputation. No wonder his temperament changed so drastically. As for the dragon throne and phoenix robe, like the iron certificate of immunity, their final authority rested with the emperor.
The Zhu imperial line has been notoriously harsh and unkind for generations. Wasn’t the Fourth Prince imitating this by wielding the phrase “You must strive harder” to manipulate the Han King?
Am I, Zhu Zhu, not the Han King under the Fourth Prince? A tool in his hands, treasured yet just a means to an end. He knows well that the Crown Prince is not only the Fourth Prince’s sole legitimate son but also his own creation, shaped with all his flaws and regrets, seen as the continuation of his political life and dreams. Under the Fourth Prince’s rule, the Crown Prince cannot be overthrown—they are one and the same.
In the vast palace, apart from Empress Ma, he trusts no one. Should she perish as in history, where would his family be?
“Your Highness, the two madams await your dinner.”
Ma Sanbao reminded softly.
Zhu Zhu looked toward the brightly lit military governor’s mansion, which he had remodeled from the Prince of Qin’s palace, and finally smiled.
This is truly my home in this life.
Back in the rear courtyard of the mansion, Zhu Zhu found Minmin fuming and scolding, “My lord, you finally finished your work. If you’d waited another hour, you’d be collecting our bodies instead.”
Xu Miaoyun quickly urged, “Sister, don’t speak ill omens. Pah, may the Bodhisattva not be offended.”
“Madams, it’s entirely my fault.”
Minmin rolled her eyes, “Busy or not, you can’t forget to eat. Even if the sky falls, we must eat first. If your health breaks down, it’s us women who suffer.”
Xu Miaoyun nodded, “Brother Qin Wang, you must take care of yourself. No matter how many affairs you have, remember to eat.”
Zhu Zhu took off his coat and sat down. “If I don’t return, you two eat first. No need to wait for me.”
“Miaoyun’s first day here and the family feast, it’s improper for you not to be present.”
“Exactly what my sister said—only when Qin Wang’s family dines together is it a true feast.”
Zhu Zhu noticed Ma Sanbao standing nearby and called out, “So many dishes and you haven’t eaten either, Sanbao. Sit down and eat.”
Ma Sanbao quickly refused, “I dare not, mistress.”
“It’s just adding another set of bowls and chopsticks.”
“Sanbao Gonggong, I’ll serve you rice.” Xu Miaoyun headed straight to the kitchen.
Sanbao rose hastily but was pressed down by Zhu Zhu.
“Lord, madam serving rice is too much kindness for your humble servant.”
“It’s fine, there are no outsiders here.”
Xu Miaoyun placed the rice and chopsticks before Sanbao.
Zhu Zhu asked, “Where are Xiaodie and Nurse Wu? Should we call them to join us?”
Xu Miaoyun replied, “It’s nearly midnight. My sister and I decided to let them eat and rest.”
Zhu Zhu couldn’t help but rub her adorable head. He knew well that the careless Minmin couldn’t be this thoughtful. He was beginning to understand what having a virtuous wife felt like.
“Sanbao Gonggong, you’ve worked hard for the master. Eat more dishes.”
At the table, Xu Miaoyun kept offering Ma Sanbao food, tears falling heavily into her bowl.
“I am not a gonggong to madam; just call me Sanbao by name.”
“You’re two years older than me, so I’ll call you Brother Sanbao.”
“That must never happen, madam.”
“Brother Sanbao, that’s my order.”
“As you command.”
Zhu Zhu was dumbfounded. Indeed, this fifteen-year-old future empress had mastered the art of winning hearts better than he, a modern leader.
No wonder the Fourth Prince had to share half his war merits with her. Zhu Zhu felt that with just one nod from him, Ma Sanbao would charge in wielding a blade.
After dinner, Minmin went to bed, exhausted. Ma Sanbao tidied up, while Xu Miaoyun led Zhu Zhu to the pavilion in the backyard. Leaning against him, she tilted her head and looked at him brightly.
Meeting her clear eyes, Zhu Zhu said, “Ask whatever is on your mind.”
Xu Miaoyun worried, “There were gunshots in the city tonight. Brother, are you hiding something from me?”
“Nothing major. I just had Sanbao lead some men to clear out some pests. You should stay safe at the mansion and keep Minmin company.”
“But as a woman, I want to do something for you too.”
The biting cold wind swept through. Xu Miaoyun wore thin clothes. Zhu Zhu took off his coat and draped it over her.
She rested her head on his shoulder.
Holding her hand gently, Zhu Zhu whispered, “You’re still young. I don’t want bloodshed staining your eyes. You and Minmin just need to live happily each day. Leave everything else to me.”
Xu Miaoyun stroked his rough palm and said softly, “But Brother, have you forgotten? I’m a daughter of a military family.”
Seeing her adorable, stubborn face, Zhu Zhu kissed her forehead. “You really want to help me?”
“Of course. In the army, there’s no idle talk.”
Seeing her serious demeanor, like a modern middle school girl, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Then you shall be the first female president of the National Bank.”
Xu Miaoyun pouted in mock displeasure and stood up. “Brother, are you treating me like a child? What exactly is this National Bank? A money house?”
Zhu Zhu smiled at her cuteness and said seriously, “Don’t underestimate the National Bank. It’s not just my purse—it might well be the entire Great Ming’s treasury.”
Xu Miaoyun placed her hands on her hips, proudly declaring, “Then I shall reluctantly help you bear that burden.”
Zhu Zhu kissed her fair cheek and slipped away. Xu Miaoyun stomped shyly, “Ah, men and women should keep their distance before marriage! How embarrassing!”
Zhu Zhu dared not linger, fearing he could not control himself. Silently chanting a three-year purification spell, he cursed inwardly: Damn, if only there were JK uniforms back then—it would be thrilling to imagine.