Chapter 3: The Legacy of Wei Wu

The bedroom was quiet for a moment.

Muxiang thought he had fallen asleep and was about to quietly move her stiff and sore waist when she suddenly heard the prince ask:

"Who is that Concubine Ding?"

"Um..." Muxiang froze for a moment before softly replying, "I cannot speak ill of the ladies of the court."

"Cut the crap." Zhu Zhen sneered, "If you didn’t gossip behind the scenes, the sun would rise in the west."

"This..." Muxiang couldn't help but look up, surprised at Zhu Zhen. How could he be so worldly-wise? He didn’t seem like the naive little prince anymore.

"Why are you looking at me?" Zhu Zhen turned his head, his big eyes bright like morning stars, showing no sign of sleepiness.

But with his thick eyebrows and the baby fat on his cheeks, he looked quite comical.

"I dare not, I am being disrespectful." Muxiang quickly bowed her head and apologized, speaking softly, "It’s just that after the incident, the prince has changed a lot."

"You’ve changed a lot too." Zhu Zhen had already thought of what to say, calmly replying, "I just grew up overnight."

"That must be the blessing of the Bodhisattva." Muxiang was overjoyed to the point of tears, "If the lady knew, she would be so happy."

"..." Zhu Zhen fell silent, pouting and burying his head in the pillow, pretending to sob.

"Is the prince missing the lady?" Muxiang hurriedly approached, gently patting his back.

"Yes." Zhu Zhen lifted his head, his big eyes filled with tears, "I miss my mother."

"It’s all my fault, I spoke out of turn." Muxiang hurriedly apologized, taking out a fragrant handkerchief to wipe his tears.

"If she could come back, it would truly be a joy." Zhu Zhen gently guided her.

"I also want the lady to come back, who in the palace doesn’t want her to return?" Muxiang joined in the crying.

"Recently, we’ve been bullied by the people of Changyang Palace. They don’t give us our monthly rations, and they cut our food. Other palaces have already changed to ramie, but we are still wearing summer silk skirts."

"Is Changyang Palace where Concubine Ding lives?" Zhu Zhen asked uncertainly.

"Yes."

"How did she get to be in charge?" Zhu Zhen asked curiously.

"After the Empress visited her hometown, the Noble Consort was supposed to take charge of the six palaces. But as soon as the Empress left, Consort Sun fell ill." Muxiang said angrily,

"The Emperor originally intended for our lady to take over, but after that incident, Concubine Ding got the advantage..."

"Because of that?" Zhu Zhen waved his hands in the air.

"So the prince already knows." Muxiang covered her mouth in surprise. Then she no longer held back, saying angrily, "The lady was tricked by that treacherous woman, Lady Da!"

"Concubine Ding’s surname is Da? Lady Big Buttocks?" Zhu Zhen asked curiously, "Is there such a surname?"

"She is a Semu person." Muxiang replied disdainfully. In the Ming Dynasty, Mongols and Semu people were derogatorily called "barbarians," but since Zhu Zhen’s mother’s surname was Hu, the palace people naturally avoided using the term.

"These Tartars are ambitious. Though they dare not compete with the Empress, they have always coveted the position of Noble Consort. Now that Consort Sun is failing, she deliberately provoked the lady, staging a show of suffering before the Emperor to eliminate the lady as a rival!"

"You really know a lot." Zhu Zhen chuckled.

Muxiang’s heart tightened, and she quickly lowered her head, speaking softly, "I just didn’t dare to hide anything from the prince."

"Then why don’t you tell me everything you know!" Zhu Zhen sat up, pressing for more details.

Muxiang spilled the beans, revealing quite a bit of useful information.

For example, Concubine Da was originally a consort of Chen Youliang. After Zhu Laoban defeated Chen Youliang, he took her for himself.

Zhu Yuanzhang claimed he never took women by force, but this was the one exception. He openly said it was because he was angry that Chen Youliang had killed so many of his generals, so he took his concubine to vent his anger.

But the palace people whispered that it was because Lady Da was too seductive and too good at bewitching the emperor. Otherwise, the usually strict and disciplined Zhu Laoban wouldn’t have imitated Cao Laoban.

Although no one could threaten Empress Ma’s position, a man’s spirit and flesh could be clearly separated.

In any case, Lady Da was very favored, giving birth to the seventh, eighth princes, and a princess, thus rising in status and becoming increasingly arrogant.

"Like mother, like son, her son, Prince Qi, is no good either!" Muxiang said angrily, "At a young age, he bullies the palace people and even harms the cats and dogs in the palace."

"He destroyed a swallow’s nest in Changyang Palace because it was noisy, and then burned the baby birds to death!" Muxiang gave an example, "The scar behind the prince’s ear was also from when he was beaten by him!"

Zhu Zhen touched behind his ears and indeed found a half-inch scar on the left side.

"Don’t look at him being half a year younger than the prince, but he is very cruel. During the Dragon Boat Festival, he kicked a palace maid and broke her ribs." Muxiang continued angrily, "Unfortunately, Lady Da is treacherous and vicious, and no one dares to report to the Emperor for fear of her retaliation..."

As Zhu Zhen listened, he fell into a thoughtful sleep.

~~

The next day, Zhu Zhen didn’t wake up until the sun was high in the sky.

Muxiang had already finished her shift, and a younger palace maid, whose name he didn’t know, was now serving him.

After dressing and having a simple breakfast, Zhu Zhen said he wanted to go out.

Wang Defa quickly ordered the carriage to be prepared.

A young eunuch presented a black wooden waist tag for entry and exit, which Wang Defa hung on his waist. Then he supported the prince’s hand and bowed as they left the palace door.

Ten young eunuchs were already waiting outside the door.

Two eunuchs carried red silk lanterns in front, one with "Wanan Palace" written on it, and the other with "Prince Chu."

The other eight eunuchs followed behind, carrying water jars, spittoons, folding chairs, clothing boxes, golden umbrellas, and incense burners.

Zhu Zhen looked at Wang Defa and said, "Is something missing?"

"Yes, it is, but according to the rules, the full entourage can only be used outside the palace. Inside the palace, it must be simplified," Wang Defa explained gently.

"Wang Defa, at least there should be a sedan chair, right? How can I, a prince, walk out of the palace?" Zhu Zhen looked at Wang Defa, wondering if the old eunuch was playing with him.

"Oh, my, how much did the prince forget after the incident?" Wang Defa said with a face of concern for a mentally challenged child, "The Emperor, to prevent the princes from being lazy, has specially decreed that all princes, except the Crown Prince, must walk in the palace!"

"Is there such a rule?"

"Indeed, even when leaving the capital, they cannot always ride in carriages or sedan chairs. They must walk for three out of ten stops," Wang Defa added.

"Damn..." Zhu Zhen was speechless, feeling an ominous premonition.

With such a "loving father," his dream of a prince’s happy and carefree life might not come true.

~~

However, one thing Zhu Zhen was clear about: in the Forbidden City, the Emperor’s word was law, and there was no room for negotiation.

He could only obediently walk, guided by two eunuchs, out of Wanan Gate and onto the First Western Street.

The First Western Street was a street between the Western Six Palaces and the Qianqing Palace. On the east side, behind the high red walls, was the Emperor’s residence.

Zhu Zhen was conflicted, unsure whether to go in and pay respects to his father, to see what he looked like.

To be honest, Zhu Zhen was always nervous about "meeting the Emperor."

In front of others, a small mistake could be forgiven, and he could rely on his status to get by.

But in front of the ruthless Emperor Hongwu, who could kill without hesitation, he feared he would be exposed. If the Emperor thought he was a monster or possessed by a ghost, a quick beheading would be the least of his worries; being flayed and stuffed with straw was also a possibility.

Wang Defa, reading his expression, saw his pale face and guessed his thoughts. "Prince, the Emperor should be in the Wuying Hall handling state affairs, not in the Qianqing Palace."

"Oh, then I’ll come another day." Zhu Zhen sighed in relief.

"But there should be a specific date, so I can request it in advance for the prince," Wang Defa reminded him, "The Emperor is very busy and has no free time. Only the Crown Prince can visit without prior notice. Of course, the Empress can too..."

In other words, the prince’s status wasn’t high enough.

"Alright, you decide." Zhu Zhen felt a bit hurt. It turned out he couldn’t just see his father whenever he wanted, he had been too presumptuous.

"Understood." Wang Defa responded, then asked, "Where are we going now?"

"The Grand Study Hall." Zhu Zhen said firmly.