Chapter 37: Negotiations

Madam Zhu scrutinized her daughter-in-law once more, suddenly discovering that the woman’s eyes held a gaze entirely different from before.

It was a look of resolute determination, one that refused to be manipulated and swore to resist to the end. That stubbornness, deeply ingrained in her bones, made Madam Zhu realize instantly that she was no longer facing a docile sheep, but rather a mother wolf willing to sacrifice everything to protect her cub.

"Mother, just say it plainly. Is sending Xiao Hao to the Prince’s Mansion for the sake of his education and a bright future, or is it to have him spy on the mansion for our family?"

Madam Zhu’s direct question caught the elder woman off guard. How could she have expected her daughter-in-law to see through to this layer of intent?

Madam Zhu’s voice was exceptionally cold. "That is not a matter for a woman of your station to concern yourself with."

"Then, Mother, are you suggesting this is a burden a child should bear? He is only eight. He should not have to shoulder such things, yet you are pushing Xiao Hao into a pit of fire..."

Madam Zhu remained firm.

The elder woman fell silent. With her conspiracy exposed, even her thick-skinned face felt a sense of shame. However, there was a fool nearby who feared no trouble—Zhu Wanjian, who had been incensed about being barred from entering the courtyard, heard that his nephew would inherit his late brother’s position as a Centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The thought immediately sparked a desire to stand up for his mother.

He lunged into the room, shouting aggressively, "If your boy can do something for the family, it’s a blessing he earned in his past life! If you refuse, I’ll bring him home immediately, lock him up, and beat him until he’s a bloody mess. If he cries for his mother every day, don’t blame the family for being heartless!"

Zhu Wanjian was vile and arrogant. Upon hearing his words, Madam Zhu felt a wave of regret—she should have listened to her daughter-in-law and kept this incompetent son outside instead of letting him jump in and cause trouble at such a critical moment.

Zhu Wanjian’s words effectively confessed to two things at once.

First, that Zhu Hao’s entry into the Prince’s Mansion was to spy for the Zhu family, which meant the family now had "needs" from the daughter-in-law; Madam Zhu shifted from the aggressor to the defensive.

Second, Zhu Hao had previously claimed that even if he returned to the Zhu family, they would not let him live in peace. His mother had thought he was judging the family’s character too harshly, but now she realized her son had not lied—the family truly would not allow them to live in peace. All talk of schooling and martial arts was nothing but a pack of lies.

Madam Zhu’s face was filled with sorrow. "Mother, Brother-in-law says that bringing Xiao Hao home for 'martial arts or study' actually means locking him up to beat him. Is this how you threaten your daughter-in-law? That is not what you said before... When the Fourth Uncle came, he said he would personally oversee Xiao Hao’s studies."

Truly, one is only as strong as their weakest teammate. Madam Zhu had painstakingly arranged for her fourth son, Zhu Wanquan, to meet with her daughter-in-law to appease her, but Zhu Wanjian’s words had effectively exposed their own faults and escalated the conflict.

"Third Daughter-in-law, if you comply, we can discuss the matter of your son inheriting his father’s position as a Centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard," the elder woman said, beginning to compromise.

However, she was clearly being generous with someone else’s property. The military rank was rightfully Zhu Hao’s to inherit when he came of age; she had stripped it away with a single word, and now she was playing the hypocrite by offering to return it. Who plays the hero like that?

Madam Zhu remained unmoved. She had seen the true face of the Zhu family. For a woman who had lost all hope, what was there left to fear?

"Mother, you don’t need to talk nicely to this woman. She has never considered herself a member of the Zhu family! I’ll go find the messenger right now and tell the Prince’s Mansion that her word doesn't count, and that the Zhu family absolutely agrees to send that little brat to be a page boy..."

Zhu Wanjian’s words earned him a cold glare from the elder woman. Thinking of chasing the messenger now? Why didn't he react sooner? Was he only showing a spark of intelligence now because he feared his own son’s inheritance of the late brother’s military post would fall through?

At this moment, Zhu Hao, who had been treated as if he were air, walked to his mother’s side, grabbed her sleeve, and said timidly, "Mother, am I going to the Prince’s Mansion to be a spy? I don’t understand... I don’t want to go... I’m scared..."

This was the moment to test a young actor's self-cultivation.

*The Zhu family agrees to me entering the Prince’s Mansion? Please, I passed the entrance exam myself through merit. Even with all your influence, the Zhu family couldn't get your own chosen child in, yet you want to reclaim the initiative? As long as I don't want to go, no one’s agreement matters.*

*You want me to spy? I simply won't go! And even if I do, I won't cooperate. What can you do to me? Unconvinced? Come and bite me!*

Madam Zhu cradled her son’s head, soothing him, "Mother won't let you suffer."

"You brat, you have to go, or I’ll beat you to death!" Zhu Wanjian, desperate, rolled up his sleeves to threaten the boy, only to be met with a furious glare from his mother.

"Get out!"

It was the second time the elder woman had shouted at the same person with such severity. Zhu Wanjian was left stunned on the spot. Once again, Steward Liu, ignoring the lack of decorum, entered to drag Zhu Wanjian out of the doorway and carefully closed the courtyard gate behind him.

Madam Zhu then turned her cold gaze toward the mother and son. "Third Daughter-in-law, come into the inner room with me... I have things to discuss with you."

Zhu Hao gripped his mother’s clothes tightly. "Mother, I’m scared."

"It’s alright, Mother will protect you."

Madam Zhu naturally wouldn't leave Zhu Hao behind; they had agreed beforehand that no matter what, Zhu Hao would remain by his mother’s side during discussions with the old woman.

...

In the inner hall of the middle courtyard, the elder woman saw her late son’s spirit tablet on the altar, surrounded by incense. Her expression softened, and though her tone remained cold, the overbearing arrogance was gone.

"Third Daughter-in-law, it is already night. Even if you send someone to the Prince’s Mansion now, they likely won't see anyone. I’ve told you of the family’s difficulties. You don’t want your son to take risks, but would you just stand by and watch the Zhu family perish? Is this what your late husband would want to see from the afterlife?"

Madam Zhu remained silent.

"How about this: as long as you agree to send your son to the mansion as a companion, the monthly allowance you pay to the family will be reduced to twenty taels. If he can bring back useful intelligence that helps your eldest uncle survive this crisis, not only will you not have to pay, but the family will provide for you instead. The family will never trouble you and your son again. My word is gold."

Madam Zhu had to compromise.

The daughter-in-law remained firm. "Mother, Xiao Hao is still young and doesn't know how to spy. You should find someone else."

The elder woman slammed the table. "I am begging you like this, and you still want to be stubborn? What good does it do you if the Zhu family falls? Don't you want your son to inherit his father’s position as a Centurion?"

Perhaps realizing her tone was too harsh, she shifted her approach. "Xiao Hao entering the Prince’s Mansion is merely to study alongside the young prince. He only needs to report on the prince’s daily life and habits; it’s nothing more than that. You cannot decide the fate of the Zhu family. You would do well to weigh the consequences..."

Threats and temptations. You can refuse to let your son enter the mansion, but I can just as easily drag him back to the Zhu family to suffer.

Zhu Hao tugged at his mother’s sleeve. His mother’s reaction was already becoming a bit extreme; as a mother, she was clearly pushed to her limits. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Having been bullied by the Zhu family time and again, and with her son’s future at stake, she would not easily yield.

"Give me a clear answer: yes or no?" The elder woman issued an ultimatum.

Madam Zhu gritted her teeth. She knew that according to her son's advice, she should agree—entering the Prince’s Mansion was better than suffering in the Zhu family home. But she didn't want to blindly follow orders. She wanted to stand up for her son, yet she felt so weak and powerless.

Seeing his mother waver, Zhu Hao quickly said, "Mother, I’ll go to the Prince’s Mansion... Studying with the young prince is actually quite good. Mother... I want to study and become a top scholar."

Madam Zhu’s gaze toward her grandson softened slightly. "See? Your son has more sense than you do. Why must you be so stubborn?"

"But Grandmother, my mother has worked so hard to support our family, rising early and working late, yet she has nothing left. We couldn't even afford a tutor for me before. Now that our business is struggling, twenty taels a month... I’m afraid Mother won't be able to pay it."

Zhu Hao was no simple child. Since the old woman realized that brute force was useless, and they were at a critical point in negotiations, they had to be open and honest; she couldn't have her own way in everything.

"What does a child like you know?" The elder woman, who had just praised her grandson’s awareness, changed her tune as soon as she heard him trying to negotiate lower payments, dismissing him as a child who didn't understand the situation.

Madam Zhu spoke up. "Mother, for me to agree to Xiao Hao entering the mansion, you must guarantee that he will eventually inherit his father’s position as a Centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard..."

"I said it can be discussed. Do you not trust me?" The elder woman was not one to make promises easily.

"But isn't what he is doing now exactly what the eldest grandson of the Zhu family should do? If his father knew of this in the afterlife, he would support him in working for the family. I dare not go against my late husband’s wishes, but it isn't fair for him to assume his father’s responsibilities without inheriting his official position."

Madam Zhu argued her case logically. Even Zhu Hao was impressed. He hadn't taught his mother to say this. She was clearly no longer a weak, easily bullied woman; she knew how to resist and how to fight for her own interests.

"Very well." The elder woman remained silent for a long time before her tone finally softened. "I can guarantee it. I can even write it down. At the next family council, we will confirm it."

"I also ask that you promise, Mother, that if Xiao Hao is in any danger at the mansion, he cannot be allowed to stay. Otherwise, even if I have to die before your eyes, I will not let him take the risk!" Madam Zhu was gradually reclaiming the initiative.

The elder woman’s expression turned grim. In the past, she never would have believed that her daughter-in-law had the courage to negotiate with her, let alone make one demand after another. No one in the Zhu family had ever dared to speak to her like this!

"Xiao Hao is a descendant of the Zhu family; how could we let him face danger in the mansion? Not only will we not harm him, we will assist him from the shadows. However... do not push your luck or treat a feather as an arrow. Whether he is in danger or not, the family will be the judge."

She paused and added, "If you have any other conditions, state them all at once!"

Madam Zhu replied, "I will hand over the monthly allowance of twenty taels to the family without fail. But I ask that you agree that, regardless of whether our business prospers or fails, the allowance will not be increased. Any excess money will be used to purchase property and land, and all of it will be in Xiao Hao’s name. I do all of this for the sake of the Zhu family; I have no selfish motives."