Chapter 737: Underwater Rapids
Guangzhou still enjoyed bright and sunny weather, while the capital was already preparing firewood for winter. Since September, the capital, which usually saw little rain in autumn, had experienced continuous rainfall for several days. Many homes with weak structures had to rush to cover their roofs with tarps despite the rain, while the palace had already prepared heating stoves for the older concubines. Although Empress Dowager Zhang had always been in good health, at Zhu Zhanji’s orders, red rogu charcoal for heating was sent to Renshou Palace in advance.
That day, Zhu Ning went to the palace to accompany Empress Dowager Zhang in praying to the Buddha. After having some snacks and chatting for a while, Queen Hu and Concubine Sun came to pay their respects. She quickly stood up to greet them. Empress Dowager Zhang told the queen and concubine to sit down, then smiled at Zhu Ning and said, “They are all younger than you. I know you’re cautious, but since we’re all family here, there’s no need for such formalities. Come, sit beside me.”
Zhu Ning moved over when Empress Dowager Zhang pointed to a cushion by the couch. As the conversation consisted mainly of casual talk, she responded while thinking about the ceremony at the Prince of Zhou’s residence the next day, and gradually became distracted. Suddenly, she heard a announcement from outside and quickly snapped back to reality. Indeed, as soon as she stood up with Queen Hu and Concubine Sun, she saw Zhu Zhanji, dressed in casual clothes, entering the room with a smile.
“It’s usually the time to handle government affairs. Why have you suddenly come here?”
“The cabinet is fully staffed today, and there aren’t many tasks. Mother also instructed that Yang Dongli and the others can draft proposals for all matters. I’ve managed to steal some free time, so I came to chat with Mother.” Zhu Zhanji let Wang Jin, who was with him, remove his blue woolen cloak. Waving his hand to indicate that the concubines and Zhu Ning didn’t need to be overly formal, he stepped forward to greet Empress Dowager Zhang. Then he sat down on a brocade cushion brought by someone nearby and said with a smile, “I really didn’t expect there to be someone here to keep Mother company.”
“The queen is a filial child, and with you, Aunt Ning, I don’t need you here. You are now the ruler of the country. Although there’s Jian Xia in the government departments, the cabinet is full of capable people, and among the military officials is the Duke of Ying. But you can’t leave everything to others—you must not neglect state affairs.” As she spoke, Empress Dowager Zhang naturally adopted a reprimanding tone. “I heard that you were quite indulged in cricket games recently. What kind of example is that? Remember, indulging in hobbies can lead to losing one’s ambition. You are the emperor—what if others follow your example?”
Empress Dowager Zhang reprimanding the emperor naturally left those around her extremely awkward. Empress Hu, who was kind and gentle by nature, didn’t know what to say to persuade him at this moment. Meanwhile, Concubine Sun, seeing the emperor bowing his head in agreement, remembered that Empress Dowager Zhang had only mentioned Empress Hu and Zhu Ning, completely ignoring her, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable. Unable to control her emotions, she forced a smile and said, “Empress Dowager, please calm down. The emperor only plays games occasionally in his free time from handling state affairs; he certainly doesn’t dare to be slack…”
“I didn’t ask you!” Empress Dowager Zhang suddenly cut her off coldly andreprimandedured in a stern voice, “As a concubine, it is your duty to serve the emperor. Where do you have the right to interfere in other matters? Learn from the empress’s gentleness, modesty, and frugality. Don’t imitate those cunning and charming treacherous concubines throughout history! Empress, as the head of the six palaces, you too must properly teach the other concubines about proper conduct and virtues!”
After saying this, she didn’t even glance at Concubine Sun, whose face turned pale and red alternately, and turned to Zhu Zhanji, saying, “It’s only two o’clock in the morning; it’s not yet noon. The emperor should go back to handle state affairs instead of wasting time with an old woman like me. Ah Ning, since you’re heading back anyway, accompany the emperor on his way.”
Zhu Ning already knew Empress Dowager Zhang had a strict and serious temperament, but seeing her show no mercy to the emperor firsthand still surprised her. Since she couldn’t disobey the empress dowager’s orders, she got up and agreed, accompanying Zhu Zhanji in bowing and taking their leave. Once they reached the marble steps in front of the palace and stepped down from the platform, seeing Zhu Zhanji’s gloomy expression, she glanced back and, seeing Wang Jin leading the eunuchs at a distance, whispered a few words of advice to him.
“The emperor is indeed hard-pressed handling countless affairs daily. It’s not wrong for him to play games in his free time. But the empress dowager has always been so strict, so her words are inevitably harsh. Her heart is that of a kind mother, but burdened by the responsibilities of the realm, she can’t show it on her face or in her words.”
Originally intending to come and show filial piety to her mother, Zhu Zhanji was naturally very upset after being reprimanded for no reason. Hearing Zhu Ning’s gentle advice, he let out a long sigh and said with a bitter smile, “I just feel that my mother is becoming stricter day by day, controlling me even more tightly than before. Of course I know the importance of diligence in governance, but with capable people handling both internal and external affairs, as long as I pay attention to appointing the virtuous and make decisions when necessary, is it wrong to enjoy some leisure? Not to mention this time, even before, when my mother found out I asked Wang Jin to select some good crickets, she already scolded me, and Wang Jin also got a few lashes!”
“Though that’s true, the emperor is the Son of Heaven, and if his subjects serve him wholeheartedly, they may inevitably try to please him. Take these crickets, for example—if local officials who seek promotions learn of this and start searching the countryside for strong insects to present to the emperor through eunuchs, it could soon cause great disaster among the people. The emperor only uses this as a form of entertainment, but others can’t help but misinterpret his intentions. Thus, without your knowledge, his reputation might already be ruined by others.”
Zhu Zhanji, who had been walking with his head down, suddenly stopped listening. He turned to look at Zhu Ning; seeing that she met his gaze without flinching, he couldn’t help but smile. “Aunt Ning still has the same sharp tongue—her words are so incisive that I don’t even have a reason to refute her. You know Wang Jin—he’s reliable and cautious and would never do anything that could cause a stir locally.”
“Lord Wang is indeed a proper person, but what if others think he’s won the emperor’s favor this way and imitate him, pretending they caught these insects by chance?” Zhu Ning countered him, and seeing him stunned, she sighed. She felt a pang of sympathy. “I also know that one should balance work and rest, but since the emperor is the Son of Heaven, with so many eyes watching, it’s hard to be free. The slightest mistake could lead to criticism of neglect, and the Empress Dowager would also reprimand and admonish him. If he really wants to engage in such pastimes, the emperor must be cautious and keep it secret, so as not to give others an opportunity.”
As Zhu Ning’s voice grew softer in her last few words, Zhu Zhanji immediately understood her meaning and couldn’t help but laugh silently. Though he was still a bit upset by Empress Dowager Zhang’s rebuke, he felt much less depressed than when he left Renshou Palace. Empress Hu was dull and awkward, and Concubine Sun, though clever, wasn’t someone who could discuss court affairs. Empress Dowager Zhang often criticized him on matters of righteousness, so as they walked, he gradually began to talk about recent difficulties. Although Zhu Ning didn’t reply much, it still eased his burden somewhat.
“By the way, when you have time, you might as well visit the Duke of Ying’s residence. You have a very good relationship with Zhang Yue’s family. Now that his sister is at the Duke of Ying’s place, she’s hardly an outsider. Though I assigned him to Guangdong as ordered, if he settles there as an official and doesn’t want to return, it will be troublesome for me. The Empress Dowager, worried that I rely too much on young officials because of my youth, keeps reminding me time and again. Even my decision to assign young Hanlin scholars to the Six Ministries and Censorate seems unsuitable to her. Others may lack experience, but he does. If he returns someday, he could surely help… And also, the Duke of Ying…”
After pondering for a long time, Zhu Zhanji finally revealed the truth: “I have already rejected the duke of Yingguo’s request to resign as commander of the Central Army. He has submitted another request, which I have kept on hold for now. Go and see the duke of Yingguo. Tell him that I cannot do without him. Since he has requested to resign as commander, he must not forget his duty to assist me day and night in handling state affairs.”
The words “cannot do without him” sounded sincere, but Zhu Ning’s heart skipped a beat. She was stunned before agreeing. After seeing Zhu Zhanji back to the Qianqing Palace, she had no choice but to leave through the East Hua Gate along the palace corridors. Her mind kept racing as she walked. When passing by the Wenzhao Pavilion, she happened to see Huang Huai coming this way with a large stack of memorials and quickly stopped.
“Lord Huang.”
“Princess Chenliu?”
Huang Huai saw Zhu Ning and wanted to bow but couldn’t free his hands, so he simply bowed slightly. One was the deputy head of the cabinet, the other a princess of the imperial family—there was usually no interaction between them. After exchanging greetings, seeing Zhu Ning nod and about to leave, Huang Huai also planned to go. But as soon as he took a step, he heard a shrill voice behind him.
“Oh, Lord Huang, with such a heavy load, why don’t you have a few servants help carry it? It’s a long way to the Qianqing Palace, and it’s getting dark!” Wang Zhen rushed over, complained a bit, then ordered the eunuchs beside him to take the memorials from Huang Huai. With a smile, he added, “It just so happens that I’m on my way to the Qianqing Palace to report on matters related to the Inner Study. I can help distribute some of these for you. Several people from the cabinet have been sent there—how could they just be lazy?”
Seeing Huang Huai merely nod in response, knowing that this cabinet scholar was usually cold toward eunuchs, Wang Zhen didn’t take it personally. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Zhu Ning. Seeing her wave her hand without saying anything else, he then sent Du Zhen off toward the Chang’an Gate. After he left, Zhu Ning called over a young eunuch from the Renshou Palace and asked, “During my absence, I kept hearing that the emperor has established an Inner Study. What’s the deal with that?”
The little eunuch, walking around the Renshou Palace, was naturally very clever. He quickly smiled and explained, “Your Highness, this is the emperor’s benevolent policy. The emperor said that the First Emperor forbade eunuchs from learning to read and write, yet he still selected skilled scribes who understood books and calculations to manage documents, showing that crude people are not fit for such tasks. Especially now, since the emperor orders eunuchs to deliver important documents to the cabinet, if they can’t read, it will only cause delays. So, the emperor decided to establish an official school for eunuchs, selecting young eunuchs around ten years old to study reading and writing. I’m not fortunate enough; otherwise, I might have learned a few more characters.”
Zhu Ning gazed thoughtfully at Wang Zhen’s retreating figure as he escorted Huang Huai away, then casually asked, “Since the emperor established this school, did the empress dowager and the cabinet ministers object? That eunuch Wang just now seems to be literate; perhaps he teaches at the school?”
“The empress dowager initially said that ancestral traditions should not be changed arbitrarily, but the emperor said that the First Emperor’s ban was not meant only for those who couldn’t read. Besides, teaching eunuchs to read has existed since the Yongle era, so after some consideration, the empress dowager agreed. As for the cabinet ministers, they offered a few suggestions, but it wasn’t a big deal. Since the emperor had made up his mind, they stopped urging further. It is said that some senior eunuchs like Liu and Hai also advised against it, but the emperor ignored them, and that’s how it was settled. As for Eunuch Wang, since he had taught before entering the palace, he now serves as a teacher at the school, though the actual supervisor is a scholar from the Hanlin Academy.”
Although Wang Zhen had escorted her to the capital all the way, Zhu Ning had always disliked using eunuchs. Moreover, as they were palace people, she naturally kept her distance. After returning to the palace, those who dealt with her were mostly people like Wang Jin, Fan Hong, Liu Yongcheng—Wang Zhen wasn’t even in that category. But seeing his overly respectful attitude toward Huang Huai today, she finally understood why her elder brother Zhu Youdun wanted to keep Wang Zhen.
Such people who could read and write yet remained humble were, after all, the most likable.
Zhu Ning’s carriage stopped outside the Dong’an Gate. The little eunuch who had accompanied her was sent back at the gate. Just before she boarded the carriage, several riders rushed over at full speed and stopped not far in front of her. The leader glanced at her, then immediately dismounted and approached her with a smile.
“Princess, may you be safe.” Lu Feng bowed with a smile, glanced at Zhu Ning’s expression, and said cheerfully, “I was merely ordered to make a trip to Xuanfu. Who would have thought I’d happen to miss your return to the capital? So I came here to pay my respects. After all, you are a noble princess—why do you bring so few people when entering the palace? If you plan to leave again, please let me know, and I’ll assign some Jinyiwei officers to escort you. Things in the palace have changed from before; Eunuch Liu has gone to Nanjing to replace the previous eunuchs, Wang and Hai, as supervisors of military affairs. I too am often on missions outside…”
It sounded like ordinary flattery, but Zhu Ning was perceptive and quickly caught the underlying meaning in Lu Feng’s words. She nodded lightly in thanks and, with her mother’s assistance, got into the carriage. Before lowering the curtain, she gave Lu Feng another nod: “Thank you for your kindness, Eunuch Lu. I’m currently just staying in the capital temporarily, so there’s no need to cause a fuss. You are the supervisor of the Eastern Depot appointed by Emperor Taizong, but just do your duty—there’s no need to worry about anything else.”
It wasn’t until the carriage sped out of Changjie through Dong’an Gate that Zhu Ning furrowed her brows. Since the Yongle era, eunuchs had gradually gained power, either serving as governors, envoys, or inspectors, holding positions almost on par with nobles, though there was still some order. Now, the Inner Study even had Hanlin scholars as teachers to teach young eunuchs to read—unfairly speaking, this was almost like the scholars who entered the imperial academy. Moreover, although the older generation of eunuchs had been removed from central positions, they still held important roles.
Compared to military officials who held military power, using eunuchs to check the power of civil officials was indeed much easier!
Although she was a woman and shouldn’t worry about such things, after some thought, Zhu Ning decided to find a suitable person to warn. So she immediately ordered the driver in front of the carriage, “Don’t rush back to the mansion. Go to the Du family’s residence!”