Chapter 5: A Silent Pact

“Your Highness wishes to study the Daoist arts?”

Tao Zhongwen’s face showed surprise, though inwardly he began to speculate. Could it be because of this matter?

Zhu Zaizhen’s expression was gentle and harmless as he said, “My father the Emperor diligently cultivates the Dao and is blessed by the ancestors of the Dao. It is because of this that I was able to avoid calamity this time. As the Emperor’s son and Crown Prince, shouldn’t I emulate my father and study the Daoist arts?”

Hearing the Crown Prince speak so decisively, Tao Zhongwen felt conflicted and his eyes revealed doubt. The Emperor’s personal cultivation of the Dao was one thing, but the Crown Prince also wanting to study it was quite another.

Now that the Crown Prince had just come of age, the civil officials of the previous dynasty had likely already privately arranged who would teach him the Four Books and Five Classics once he formally began his studies.

Yet at this moment, the Crown Prince wished to learn the Dao? Without a doubt, the civil officials would be thrown into uproar.

Tao Zhongwen’s heart skipped a beat as he carefully observed the seemingly harmless Crown Prince before him. He entertained a bold conjecture.

Suppressing the thought that arose, Tao Zhongwen quietly advised, “Your Highness, the Emperor’s intention in crowning you was precisely to prepare you for your studies. I imagine that in the future your studies will be arduous, and how could you find time to practice the Dao as well?”

Zhu Zaizhen shook his head and replied, “Master Tao, the Book of Changes says: ‘The natural order of heaven is expressed in the bonds of father and son.’ It also says: ‘Within the family there is a strict ruler, meaning the parents.’ My father cultivates the Dao in secret; as his son, how could I not draw near to my father’s path in order to serve him?”

Tao Zhongwen furrowed his brow, then relaxed with a smile. “Your Highness’s filial piety is evident today. As for your devotion to your parents, both within and without the palace it is well known. In the future, as the foundation of the nation and as you begin your studies, it will suffice to often inquire after your parents’ well-being. Why should you let it hinder your studies when your sole aim is to serve His Majesty?”

Though he had his suspicions, Tao Zhongwen dared not voice them outright.

Zhu Zaizhen smiled and shook his head. “Master Tao’s concerns are indeed for my sake, but you are perhaps too straightforward.”

“Oh?” Tao Zhongwen raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that, Your Highness?”

Zhu Zaizhen clasped his hands respectfully. “Although I will study under the ministers of the former dynasty, as heir to the Eastern Palace I must set an example for the realm and not neglect my studies. Yet among your disciples, Master Tao, there are those who also follow the Dao. If you were to petition my father to assign one of them to accompany me and instruct me in the Dao, I believe my father, knowing the circumstances of my birth, would surely consent, perhaps even granting a promotion to facilitate matters. Then I could frequently seek guidance from this Daoist master, and if I encounter difficulties, I could visit the Western Gardens during leisure to seek answers from my father and from you.”

He knew Tao Zhongwen fairly well—this was no man greedy for fame or fortune. Otherwise, he would not have returned all the jade, gold, ceremonial crowns, and even tens of thousands of taels of silver that he had been gifted over the years when he petitioned to retire due to illness.

But from ancient times, few have not considered their descendants.

Indeed, upon hearing Zhu Zaizhen request that one disciple or grandson be allowed to accompany him in the Eastern Palace, Tao Zhongwen’s heart leapt with joy.

Others might be unaware, but he knew full well the Emperor’s immense favor for this Crown Prince, who was beloved beyond measure except that he could not always be by his side.

And this Crown Prince was clearly exceptionally intelligent.

If all went well, after the Emperor’s passing, the future of the Ming Dynasty would rest in his hands.

Tao Zhongwen understood this clearly.

If his own descendants could be at the Crown Prince’s side early on, it would ensure the prosperity of the Tao family for three generations.

Now over seventy, with his time on earth limited, Tao Zhongwen’s thoughts began to wander.

At his age, nothing was more important than the flourishing of his family.

But in the next moment, Zhu Zaizhen sighed and shook his head. “Alas, precisely to protect me, I cannot always be by my father’s side to serve him. I do not know if my thoughts will gain my father’s approval. If not, I shall simply follow the usual path of study and relinquish this desire to cultivate the Dao.”

“Your Highness, you must not!” Tao Zhongwen almost blurted out, then felt embarrassed. He looked at Zhu Zaizhen awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Zhu Zaizhen smiled inwardly at the old Daoist’s struggle but expressed regret aloud. “I understand your concerns, Master Tao, and I know they come from good intentions. The saying that two dragons do not meet is meant to protect my life. If I truly cultivate the Dao in order to serve my father closely, something might go wrong. I cannot bear to cause my father worry or distress because of me.”

As he spoke, he furtively observed Tao Zhongwen’s reaction, then rose as if to leave, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation and signaling that it was time to bid farewell.

“Master Tao… please just forget my words today,” he said softly.

Finally standing, Tao Zhongwen had made his decision. The seasoned Daoist, nimble despite his years, quickly approached Zhu Zaizhen’s side. “Your Highness, this matter is not impossible.”

Zhu Zaizhen raised an eyebrow, feigning great joy. “Truly? Master Tao, you would not deceive me? I can really cultivate the Dao alongside my father and you to fulfill my filial duties?”

Tao Zhongwen felt a deep internal struggle but seeing that the Crown Prince seemed to be helping him out of a bind and that this was an opportunity to benefit his own descendants, he smiled with relief and nodded. “How could I dare deceive Your Highness?”

With the decision made, Zhu Zaizhen hesitated. “But…”

Tao Zhongwen waved his hand with a smile. “Do not worry, Your Highness. Have you forgotten that you have been touched by immortals and are under the protection of Shao Shaoshi, who ascended to the celestial realm?”

“Really?”

Zhu Zaizhen’s face brightened further.

Tao Zhongwen sighed inwardly. The more he interacted with this Crown Prince, the more he realized how truly exceptional he was.

But some truths must remain unspoken—to preserve a tacit understanding.

He smiled and said, “Indeed. I came to this Eastern Side Hall under His Majesty’s orders to examine your pulse and adjust your health, also to watch over you in case of emergency. I also serve His Majesty; if my grandson can accompany Your Highness, then all will be well.”

At this point, Tao Zhongwen deliberately bypassed mentioning his other disciples and directly proposed sending his grandson into the palace.

Seeing the old Daoist making arrangements on his own accord, Zhu Zaizhen relaxed. “In that case, Master Tao, it will trouble you and your family on my behalf.”

Tao Zhongwen replied promptly, “Your Highness is Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace and heir to the nation. Though we are recluses, it is our duty to assist the ruler.”

Silently, Tao Zhongwen had begun to regard Zhu Zaizhen with the reverence due a sovereign.

After some thought, he added in a low voice, “However, this cannot be accomplished overnight. Your Highness’s desire to cultivate the Dao grows daily, but I hope you can wait patiently.”

His earlier warning that two dragons should not meet had been firmly believed by the Emperor.

To suddenly change that stance would not be easy.

Yet having his grandson serve beside the Crown Prince meant the Tao family’s prosperity for generations to come.

Moreover, the influence of the Orthodox Daoist sect within the royal family could no longer rest solely on the current Emperor.

After much deliberation, Tao Zhongwen resolved to facilitate this arrangement.

With the matter settled and a tacit understanding between them, conversation flowed freely.

During their talk, Zhu Zaizhen also learned that the old Daoist was skilled not only in Daoist arts but also in medicine.

Following the Emperor’s orders, Tao Zhongwen diagnosed the Crown Prince’s condition and prescribed a remedy to restore his health.

“Thank you, Master Tao.”

At the door of the Eastern Side Hall, Zhu Zaizhen smiled warmly and spoke politely.

Tao Zhongwen had stepped outside but turned back with a respectful bow. “Your Highness coughed up blood today and must rest well. After I have prepared the decoction, I will send someone to deliver it.”

Zhu Zaizhen’s smile broadened. “Thank you for your hard work, Master Tao. Please take care.”

Watching the old Daoist’s retreating figure, Zhu Zaizhen’s smile grew even brighter.

Standing at the hall’s entrance, he placed his hands on his hips, straightened his posture, and took a deep breath, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Stretching his waist, he was about to turn back inside when from afar he saw Huang Jin returning from outside the palace, trailing respectfully half a step behind someone.

He focused his gaze and saw the figure was an elderly man, around sixty or seventy years old, dressed in a scarlet robe adorned with large peony patterns and a round collar, wearing a black gauze hat, a jade belt at his waist, walking slowly and deliberately toward the main hall of the Longevity Palace.

It was a top-ranking official of the current court!

As Zhu Zaizhen wondered about the old man’s identity, Huang Jin and the man reached the steps before the main hall.

Huang Jin respectfully cautioned, “Minister Yan, please watch your step.”

A shock struck Zhu Zaizhen’s heart.

This old man was none other than Yan Song, the current Grand Preceptor, Crown Prince’s Tutor, Grand Academician of the Huagai Hall, and Chief Minister of the Cabinet!