Chapter 627: Human Relations

In the early autumn of July, the Han Prince’s mansion in Le’an was shrouded in the harshness of a winter-like atmosphere. Although Le’an still had a county magistrate, the Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu, even though he had been exiled here, was not someone a mere county magistrate could withstand. As a result, for over a dozen days in a row, there were constant horse races on the streets of Le’an. The townspeople, though frightened by the incessant sound of hooves, dared not complain.

Zhu Gaoxu had never lived in the mansion in Yunnan, and he had barely settled in the one in Qingzhou before being recalled, almost losing his life. Thus, he was even more annoyed at the Han Prince’s mansion in Le’an from the moment he saw it. Out of 365 days a year, he spent more than half of his time in the garden behind the mansion—the garden he had personally supervised the construction of, which truly met his tastes.

The Xuanren Hall, located in the center of the garden, was named a hall but was built according to the standards of the main palace hall. Its roof was covered with blue glazed tiles, with intricate carvings and gold inlays everywhere. The windows and doors were adorned with auspicious patterns. The main hall consisted of eleven rooms, with the largest room in the center being where Zhu Gaoxu received his subordinates. In addition to a throne, there were several nanmu wood chairs. Behind the throne was a painting of a coiling dragon, and in front hung a red and gold dragon canopy, creating an atmosphere of absolute authority. Usually, when Zhu Gaoxu met his generals here, so many people filled the large room that their orderly lines stretched all the way to the steps outside.

Yet now, only two people were in the Xuanren Hall. Zhu Gaoxu, seated on the throne, carefully read the letter in his hands before suddenly throwing it on the ground in anger. Wang Bin, standing nearby, was used to his master’s violent temper, inherited from Zhu Di, so he stepped forward to pick up the letter. After reading it carefully, he set it aside and said with a smile, “Since Mei Qing has successfully settled in the capital and sent such news, Your Highness should be happy.”

“Happy? I’m not happy at all! I sent him to the capital to keep an eye on my father and the crown prince, not to watch those officials engage in petty theft! What’s the big deal about a mere ceremonial officer going missing? There are so many important things to investigate in the palace, yet he chooses to meddle in my father’s personal affairs—what an idiot!”

Zhu Gaoxu certainly had reason to be angry. The letter detailed the activities of various important officials in the court over those days, but it was all about trivial matters such as whom they met or what banquets they attended—nothing significant at all. Even more outrageous was the fact that it bluntly mentioned Zhu Di’s recent affairs with concubines. Normally, such things might be tolerable, but after just a glance, Zhu Gaoxu felt extreme resentment. If Mei Qing were here, he would have kicked him right in the face.

“Your Highness probably didn’t read carefully. Mei Qing added a sentence at the end. Although the Emperor now occasionally attends court, rides horses for inspections, or receives envoys from foreign nations, he always has maids to support and accompany him, and every night he indulges with women. Those Korean concubines are the most favored, but there are reliable rumors in the palace that the Emperor… that he is no longer capable in matters of the flesh and is merely going through the motions.”

Although Wang Bin was Zhu Gaoxu’s confidant, he was merely in charge of coordinating guards and communicating with military officers in Shandong. He knew little about matters within the prince’s private household. When he heard this, he noticed Zhu Gaoxu’s face turn ashen and grew deeply puzzled. Yet, no matter how rough-and-tumble he was, he knew he must not continue discussing this matter.

“Your Highness, after all, soldiers are the foundation. During the Jingnan Campaign, you fought bravely on the battlefield and achieved great feats. The nobles remember your military achievements. So if things reach a critical point, those who can stay idle will surely do so. Even if ordered to lead an expedition, they might turn against us at the last moment. Although some guards have been recruited since the previous cuts, the Tiance Guard is still smaller compared to the once-famous Yanshan Guard. I think it would be wise to formally incorporate those people gathered by the prince’s household into the army at a crucial moment…”

“Take care of these matters!”

Annoyed, Zhu Gaoxu snapped this order before standing up and walking straight out without even looking at the stunned Wang Bin. The two eunuchs in front of him quickly followed. After walking a short distance left along the passage in front of Xuanren Hall, they reached a stone arch bridge spanning the water. He climbed to the top in a few steps. As he descended, he couldn’t help but recall the time when he mocked Zhu Chizi, only to give Zhu Zhanji an opportunity to get back at him, which made him grit his teeth in anger.

“You little brat! The world can’t be won just by talking!”

Xuanji Courtyard ranked third in the garden after Xuanren Hall and Leiting Residence, and it was the residence of Wei Fei, the Han King’s second wife. Although she was a concubine taken to fill a void, she gradually won the Han King’s favor over the years, and since she held the status of a legitimate wife, no one dared treat her poorly. Yet now, this serene place with its graceful bridges and flowing water was utterly silent, surrounded by dozens of strong eunuchs, with not a single sound inside. When Zhu Gaoxu was seen approaching from afar, someone immediately went inside to inform them.

Soon, a middle-aged eunuch came out to greet him. Seeing Zhu Gaoxu’s angry expression, he hurriedly served him with utmost caution. However, he dared not take Zhu Gaoxu to the main building of Xuanji Courtyard; instead, he led him to a clean side room, where he respectfully brought tea and water, wishing the lord would never ask any questions.

“I’m not here to drink tea!” Zhu Gaoxu, already seething with anger, slammed the teacup down on the side table, ignoring the tea that splashed all over the surface. “I’m asking you—where did that wench get the audacity to try to harm me, and where did she get the medicine? And is there someone behind her instigating this?”

The middle-aged eunuch, terrified, still forced himself to speak. “Your Highness, it was the queen… The queen is dead…”

“Even if she’s dead, don’t those maids and servants know anything? I’ve told you before—use any torture you want, just to get words out of them, true or false. I just need a reason! After all these days, you should have figured something out!”

Zhu Gaoxu raised his voice sharply, his clenched fist slamming into the armrest. He was as obsessed with women as Zhu Di, but his ability to produce heirs far surpassed his father’s. Though his first two sons were either dead or disabled, he still had seven sons. Yet over the years, it seemed as if something was wrong—there was no sign of pregnancy among the concubines in the palace. Recently, he had even realized he was losing his strength in matters of the bedroom, so he sought medical help and eventually found the cause with Wei Fei. Upon discovering those packets of medicine, filled with rage, he killed her with a sword. But to avoid alarming the court, he kept her death a secret.

“Your Highness, I indeed used severe torture. Three maids and one mother have already died, and we’ve obtained some information, but…” The moment Quan Zhengshan thought of those fragmented pieces of information, he felt terrified. But under Zhu Gaoxu’s blazing gaze, he dared not hesitate further and could only stammer, “One of the mothers said that the late crown prince had visited the queen several times, giving her some advice. One suggestion was for her to use secret methods to conceive and maintain the prince’s favor, while another was for her to host more family members of military officials, so as to serve Your Highness’s cause better…”
“It was that sickly wretch! Even after his death, his spirit lingers on! That bastard, that persistent little bastard!”
Upon hearing that the matter involved his deceased eldest son, Zhu Gaoxu became even more furious. After venting his anger, he felt suffocated, so he leaned on the table and took deep breaths before looking up at Quan Zhengshan and saying, “After such prolonged torture, is this all you’ve managed to get out of them?”
“Also, another mother, unable to bear the torture, revealed that the queen had paid a fortune for medicinal pills outside, and over the years had bought many powders from a Taoist temple in Le’an, claiming they were secret formulas from the Buddha Mother of the White Lotus Sect, extremely effective—adding them to food could ensure the prince’s continued favor toward her…” At this point, seeing the veins bulging on Zhu Gaoxu’s forehead, Quan Zhengshan stopped speaking immediately, daring not utter another word. He cursed inwardly at the deceased Queen Wei and Crown Prince Zhu Zhantan.
Once those two died, everything was over, but they, as servants, would have to bear the consequences!
“Good, truly excellent! One is my own eldest son, the other my wife—how could they scheme things like this little by little!”
Furious, Zhu Gaoxu drew his sword and wildly slashed at the table until everything was smashed to pieces before stopping. By then, the teacups had long been shattered on the ground, with yellow-green tea and green tea leaves making a mess everywhere. Quan Zhengshan had curled up on the floor, too terrified to lift his head.

“Send troops to wipe out that Taoist temple! As for those who were used by that bitch, kill them all and grind their bones to dust! As for Princess Wei…” Though filled with hatred, Zhu Gaoxu still cared about his reputation. It was easy to fabricate a crime against Princess Wei and report it to the court, but the consequences could be disastrous. Thus, he could only say resentfully, “She is dead, but her family members are still alive. Find a way to exile them to the border so they can never return! Report her death to the court—after all, I’m already infamous for killing my wife!”
Drenched in sweat, Quan Zhengshan agreed repeatedly. As he got up, he added in a low voice, “I’ve already ordered people to secretly bring in skilled doctors. Doctor Feng, who once cared for the legitimate son of the Duke of Ying, has also been quietly brought to Le’an. With such people providing careful care, Your Highness needn’t worry.”
Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu’s expression eased slightly. Then he thought of Zhu Di, whose vigor had also waned. He was still young and had a chance to be saved, but his once brilliant and heroic father… the day his tomb would be desecrated must be near!