Chapter Five: Zhu Zhanhe Ambushed at Home

In ancient times, a child was a woman’s greatest reliance. This was especially true within the grand, complex environment of the imperial family, where offspring served as a woman’s only true security. With Prince Han constantly obsessed with becoming the Crown Prince, the relentless infighting among the brothers left Princess Consort Wei feeling deeply insecure; only her own child felt like a true confidant. Although Prince Han had several other children who addressed her as "Mother," how could they ever compare to her own flesh and blood?

"Your Highness, Aunt Xiu, the Heir Apparent has arrived," a maidservant waiting by the door suddenly announced.

Princess Consort Wei stood up abruptly, and Xiu hurried to support her.

No sooner had the words been spoken than a tall, imposing figure appeared in the doorway, blocking out the sunlight. He was clad in heavy armor and wore a large helmet. Upon entering, he immediately lifted the helmet from his head and knelt firmly, like a golden mountain toppling onto a jade pillar. His uncle, showing great tact, did not enter but busied himself elsewhere.

"Your son, Zhanhe, pays his respects to Mother," Zhu Zhanhe said. Seeing his mother standing there, watching him with anxious eyes, he quickly kowtowed. When she remained motionless, still staring at him in a daze, he looked up, set his helmet aside, and spoke again to his teary-eyed mother and Aunt Xiu, whose eyes were also red-rimmed. "Mother, I am back. Aunt Xiu, I am back."

"Your Highness, the Heir Apparent has returned," Xiu said, finally finding her voice and gently calling out to the still-distracted Princess Consort.

"Oh! Oh, my son is back! Quickly, rise, rise. The floor is cold. Come here, let Mother get a good look at you." Perhaps prompted by Xiu’s words, or perhaps finally shaking off her shock, Princess Consort Wei hurried over, her face full of anxiety, and pulled her son to his feet. Zhu Zhanhe followed her lead; otherwise, given his massive frame, his mother would never have been able to budge him.

"Let Mother see. Let Mother get a good look at you." Princess Consort Wei held his hands, pulling him close as she stared at him intently. She could not take her eyes off her precious son, whom she hadn't seen for nearly a year, now standing before her in his iron armor like a tower of steel.

"Coming back is enough. Coming back is enough," she repeated, her voice trembling with excitement as she checked him over and found him unharmed.

"Your Highness, let the Heir Apparent change his clothes first," Xiu suggested, finally regaining her composure and noting that Zhu Zhanhe was still in his armor.

"Yes, yes, of course. I was so focused on looking at my son that I forgot he hasn't even changed yet. Someone, come! Attend to my son, help him wash up and change his clothes," Princess Consort Wei said, finally reclaiming her regal air.

"Mother, wait a moment. I will be back as soon as I change," Zhu Zhanhe said. Under his mother’s lingering, reluctant gaze, he left the hall, leaving the room feeling suddenly quiet.

Before long, however, the room became lively again as servants moved in and out, preparing a meal. Seeing this, Princess Consort Wei gave a subtle wink to Xiu, who then slipped away toward the area where Zhu Zhanhe was washing up.

Meanwhile, our comrade Zhu Zhanhe was bathing under the attendance of two personal maids. As he had just returned, he needed a thorough cleansing to wash away the bad luck of the battlefield.

The two young maids had been arranged by his mother and had been by his side since childhood. He had named them himself: Jian'er, seventeen, tall and willowy; and Yun'er, sixteen, with a full, graceful figure. They were also his designated bed-warming maids, though he had yet to make a move on them.

He was currently lying in the tub with his eyes half-closed, enjoying the warmth, while the two girls, dressed only in thin wraps, were blushing deeply as they carefully scrubbed his body.

The sound of the door creaking open didn't alarm him; he was at home, after all, and assumed it was just a servant adding more hot water. Indeed, moments later, more water was poured into the tub.

"Heir Apparent, could you please turn over?" Yun'er asked shyly.

"Mm," Zhu Zhanhe murmured, turning over. He suddenly sensed someone in front of him and opened his eyes, only to find Aunt Xiu staring at him with intense concentration.

"Aunt Xiu, why are you here?" Zhu Zhanhe asked, feeling a bit embarrassed and sinking lower into the tub. The two maids bowed their heads, playing the part of timid quails.

"What is there to be afraid of? I raised you from a child; what have I not seen? You’ve been at war for nearly a year. The Princess and I were worried sick, wondering if you’d been wounded. If you had, I would have gone to fight the Prince myself! Now, stand up and let me look at you properly." Aunt Xiu was not one to be trifled with; she reached out and pulled the crouching Zhu Zhanhe up. Unable to resist, Zhu Zhanhe had no choice but to endure the social death, standing obediently to be inspected.

"I’m relieved to see you aren't injured. The Princess has prepared a wonderful meal just for you. Come over as soon as you're dressed," Xiu said, her anxious expression vanishing once she confirmed he was unscathed. She reminded him to eat before leaving.

After surviving the social death, Zhu Zhanhe lay back in the tub, looking utterly defeated. He pulled the two maids over and gave each a light "pop" on their backsides.

"Aunt Xiu came in, and you two didn't even warn me! Remember to warn me next time, do you hear?" he said, looking at the two girls, who were now blushing furiously and clutching their rumps.

"Heir Apparent, Aunt Xiu said she had to inspect you personally. There was nothing we could do," Jian'er, the more introverted of the two, said with a look of pure innocence, covering her backside with her slender, lily-white arms.

Yun'er, being more extroverted, quickly forgot her sting and beamed at him. "Heir Apparent, I am very obedient. I will definitely warn you next time!" She hurried behind him to continue scrubbing, pulling Jian'er along as well. A splash of water later, the two girls resumed their duties.

Soon, Zhu Zhanhe emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a casual python robe, followed by the two blushing maids. He strode toward Princess Consort Wei’s quarters, but was stopped at the door by a servant who presented a brazier for him to step over. Rolling his eyes in resignation, he caught his mother and Aunt Xiu watching him nervously, and stepped over the brazier with a long stride.

"Warding off evil and misfortune, wishing for good fortune and long life!" the servant cheered with great tact.

"Well said! Go collect a reward," Princess Consort Wei called out from inside, her face beaming with joy. The servant thanked her happily and trotted off.

"My son, come quickly! It’s such a coincidence that you returned today—a cow at the farm died from a fall yesterday, and I bought it for you. It’s all cooked; come and see if it’s to your liking," the Princess said happily.

Zhu Zhanhe knew the truth, of course. Cows didn't just "fall to their deaths." When he was a child, he once mentioned wanting to eat beef, and within a few days, his mother had "acquired" a cow that had supposedly died of old age. Ever since then, whenever the household supply ran low, another cow would inevitably "fall" or "die of old age," only to be brought home for him. Whether it was stewed or braised, she indulged him completely.

In fact, he consumed roughly one cow a year, meaning he had polished off a dozen or so since childhood. The key was that he was the only one allowed to eat it; his mother had even installed a large ice cellar just to store beef for him. Even his father, Prince Han, had to ask Princess Consort Wei for permission if he wanted a taste.