Chapter Sixteen: The Conspiracy

Prince Xing Zhu Youyuan currently has only one son, Zhu Housong. If Zhu Housong were to die, the threat posed by Prince Xing’s lineage to the royal succession would vanish. Empress Dowager Zhang would no longer focus her attention on Anlu, and Zhu Housong’s elder brother, Zhu Wanhong, would not be harassed any longer. This would be a golden opportunity for the Zhu family to turn the tables.

However, Zhu Jiashi had no better plan.

After seeing off Lin Baihu, Zhu Jiashi entered the bedroom to the east of the main chamber and found her husband bedridden.

Although he was mostly unable to speak, his hearing and comprehension remained intact. After she roughly recounted Lin Baihu’s report, Zhu Mingshan’s eyes revealed a helpless resignation.

“Master, our Zhu family has been stationed in Huguang for so long. If we truly complete this mission, we can settle here in peace. The eldest son can serve safely as the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital… The palace once hinted that the eldest might one day independently command a unit…”

Zhu Mingshan closed his eyes gloomily, offering no further comment.

Zhu Jiashi’s gaze hardened. “For the sake of the Zhu family, even if it means defying all under heaven, we must act. The late emperor once arranged people in Anlu to assist you—many skilled men. If the chance arises… strike. Not against Prince Xing himself, but target the young prince. Please, do not persist any longer.”

It became clear that the Zhu family had long planned to assassinate either Prince Xing or his heir.

Prince Xing had been in Anlu for many years but had only fathered two sons, one of whom died shortly after birth. There were reasons behind this.

Zhu Mingshan did not open his eyes, tacitly agreeing with his wife’s plan.

...

Zhu Hao had been wandering the city of Anlu these past few days.

Officially, he was surveying the city’s commercial layout, but in reality, he was focused solely on Prince Xing’s mansion.

“The Ming dynasty’s ancestral rule states that when a brother dies, the younger succeeds. Zhu Housong became emperor thanks to his cousin Zhu Houzhao, who was originally adopted into Emperor Hongzhi’s line. If Zhu Housong dies, Prince Xing’s lineage will never again threaten the throne, even if Emperor Zhengde dies while Prince Xing is still alive…”

Zhu Hao circled the Prince Xing mansion multiple times over several days.

The mansion had four gates: south, north, southeast, and southwest.

Its exterior resembled the old palace in the capital. According to his previous knowledge of the Forbidden City layout, the heir’s quarters should lie on the east side of the mansion. Yet entering was nearly impossible.

He found no signs that the mansion was recruiting servants or slaves—no chance to infiltrate.

East of the mansion was a bustling flower and bird market, surrounded by wealthy merchants and nobles with refined tastes. Zhu Hao wandered the market, seeking opportunities. Rumor had it that Prince Xing, Zhu Youyuan, was fond of antiques and calligraphy—much like the late Prince Ning, Zhu Quan, who survived suspicion under Zhu Di by keeping a low profile.

Zhu Youyuan was well aware of the dangers he faced.

Emperor Hongzhi, Zhu Youyuan’s father, had only one son, Zhu Houzhao, who still had no heir.

It was a precarious situation.

Prince Xing enjoyed collecting antiques and frequently bought from the market. Around the flower and bird market on the mansion’s east side, a street of antique shops and teahouses flourished, becoming a hub for scholars and literati. Zhu Hao had come and gone many times but found no way in.

One day, bored, he bought two baked flatbreads from a street vendor and noticed a bird seller pushing a wooden cart from afar, loudly hawking his goods toward the Prince’s mansion.

Selling goods was nothing unusual, but the vendor found a spot in the flower and bird market and, when slightly lifting his garment, revealed exquisite leather boots beneath.

A wandering peddler wearing fine boots?

Zhu Hao watched closely and saw people occasionally sit by the bird stall, seemingly admiring the birds, while the vendor looked around warily, lips moving as if relaying some message.

From this alone, Zhu Hao suspected this person had ulterior motives regarding the Prince’s mansion.

...

The bird seller packed up and left within half an hour.

Zhu Hao smiled and approached an elderly woman selling flowerpots nearby. “Was there a bird seller here just now? I want to buy a myna bird for fun.”

The old woman gave him a strange look, as if to say, “You want to buy a bird, and you’re asking me, a flowerpot seller?”

“He’s gone!” she replied impatiently.

Zhu Hao was puzzled. “Why did he leave? Do you know him? Where can I find him?”

The woman shook her head disdainfully. “No idea.”

“Are there often bird sellers around here?” Zhu Hao pressed.

The woman’s annoyance grew. “If you want birds, go further inside. There are many stalls. Don’t just stand here in the way… Some clueless kids come to cause trouble.”

Clearly, the woman had been selling here for a long time. Zhu Hao felt he had found a lead.

He asked the price and bought a small flowerpot for two copper coins. The woman’s expression softened, and she was willing to chat.

Zhu Hao asked, “Old lady, that’s the Prince’s mansion, right? Such tall walls, doors always closed. Does anyone ever come out to buy things here?”

She laughed, “Those are nobles and dignitaries. Why would they care about these cheap trinkets?”

“So no children or anyone ever come out to buy a myna or other curious things, like me?” Zhu Hao shifted the question to what interested him most.

Her smile faltered. After a moment’s thought, she recalled, “Two or three months ago, before it got this hot, a few people came out of the east gate. One child, around your age, had a very delicate voice, asking if anyone sold rabbits… Strange things happen every year.”

Buying rabbits?

This was a useful clue for Zhu Hao.

When studying the mansion’s layout, he had wondered: children love to play. No matter how strict the household, they would find ways to seek novelty. Surely Zhu Housong wouldn’t just stay inside the courtyard, cut off from the outside world?

The heir’s quarters were likely on the mansion’s east side, adjacent to the lively flower and bird market. If he were Zhu Housong, he would find a way to sneak out.

“I’m quite the expert at catching rabbits. Could I set up a stall next to yours to sell rabbits?” Zhu Hao asked with a grin.

The old woman shot him a sideways glance. “You little rascal, looks like you’re up to no good. Are you here to buy a myna or just to tease an old woman like me?”

Zhu Hao tossed a coin on the ground. “Thank you, old lady. Next time I’ll bring some rabbits to sell. If any children come out of the mansion again, I’ll trade rabbits for money. Please keep an eye out for me. Thanks!”

...

The old woman seemed truthful, though whether the child buying rabbits was truly Zhu Housong was uncertain.

Still, Zhu Hao felt this was the biggest breakthrough he had found in days.

As for the bird seller, Zhu Hao didn’t care much, but he guessed the man’s presence was linked to the Zhu family’s mission upon relocating to Anlu.

Prince Xing’s mansion attracted attention, so their actions were necessarily discreet. Even local officials rarely had contact with Zhu Youyuan, who was cautious in life, unwilling to give others a foothold for gossip.

Zhu Hao returned home.

His first act was to get some rabbits and set up a stall outside the Prince’s mansion.

Even if luck was slim, it was better than waiting idly.

Just then, Madam Zhu called him over. “Little Hao, Yu Sang sent a letter from Wuchang Prefecture. They found a buyer and will bring people to Anlu to collect the goods in the next few days via the Han River.”

Zhu Hao replied, “Why don’t you handle the negotiation with them yourself, Mom? Why involve me?”

“Little Hao, are we really going to sell salt to others? We could keep it for ourselves to sell… that’s not impossible either.”

Madam Zhu clearly worried about selling illicit salt, but the stock they kept was official government salt, traceable and legitimate. Her caution stemmed from never having engaged in wrongdoing before and feeling uneasy now.

Zhu Hao smiled broadly. “Why all the second-guessing now, Mom? The buyer’s ready; what’s there to fear? By the way, didn’t you say you’d contact Aunt? She’s in Jingshan County and can help sell salt too…”

Madam Zhu said, “Time’s tight. I haven’t informed her yet… ‘Second-guessing’ is a good word. But you haven’t learned such fresh words yet. Where did you pick them up?”

Zhu Hao grinned, “Heard them from others and liked the sound, so I remembered.”

As a child expected to be illiterate, sometimes his vocabulary was surprisingly advanced for his age.

Previously, Madam Zhu’s attention had been fully on preserving their shop, so she hadn’t focused on her son’s speech.

Now that she relaxed a bit, she immediately recognized the problem.

“I’d better hire a teacher for you soon…”

Madam Zhu seemed resolved to have her son educated. “I can’t keep letting you run wild outside. I’m doing business out of necessity, but you… you mustn’t grow up a common peddler. That would be a betrayal to your father.”

As the mother prepared to speak more, Zhu Hao dashed past her toward the counter.

“Mom, give me two taels of silver—or two hundred copper coins will do. I need to hire a few men outside the city… Don’t worry, I won’t waste the money.”

Madam Zhu looked at her son’s earnest face, puzzled.

“Why do you need to hire people?”

Though confused, she recalled that he had managed the salt pond repairs before, so she had no reason to doubt him and handed over two strings of coins.

Zhu Hao said, “I’ll explain later. This concerns whether I can stay by your side in the future… Think of it as a way to repay the gods.”

“Repay the gods?”

Madam Zhu was bewildered.

Zhu Hao scratched the back of his head and nodded. “Of course, repay the gods. Otherwise, how do you think I came up with so many good ideas? I’m going to the temple to thank the spirits for my clever mind. Mom… I won’t say more. I’m off!”

Madam Zhu wanted to call him back to discuss hiring a teacher but watched as he fled without looking back.

“This child is far too wild. I must find a way to make him focus, or his future will be worrisome!” Madam Zhu sighed helplessly.