Look what baby discovered!
Prince Han was so excited he rubbed his hands together like a fly. In his extreme joy leading to sorrow, the telescope in his hands fell onto the rocks with a bang, the lenses cracking into spider web-like patterns.
Prince Han hurriedly picked it up to see if it could still be salvaged. When he held it up to look into the distance, his eyes were nearly blinded by the light reflecting off the cracked lenses.
Helpless, Prince Han had to give up, watching the four tiny ant-like figures in the distance gathered around a fire eating roasted meat.
Prince Han was terrified upon reflection. The Hu residence and Prince Han’s mansion were neighbors, and the rumors and gossip about Palace Supervisor Hu outside had never ceased. Prince Han had always thought they were just rumors.
Palace Supervisor Hu remained youthful, with delicate features. A woman who wielded great power and held an important position naturally possessed an allure that ordinary women lacked. For men, there were generally two views about this kind of allure.
The first was contempt mixed with fear. They felt that Hu Shanwei, as a woman, didn’t know her place. She should just serve properly in the palace as a female official, yet she entered and left the palace daily, living at home, parading through the streets—what kind of propriety was that?
But Palace Supervisor Hu was the Emperor’s close minister, with direct access to the throne, assisting Noble Consort Zhang in managing the inner palace. Officials who offended Palace Supervisor Hu all met terrible ends—arrested by the Imperial Guards and thrown into the imperial prison. All sorts of old grievances were dug up. Who among them was a saint? Who could withstand detailed investigation? Those who lost their positions lost them, those who were demoted were demoted.
The second type was men’s secret and shameful desire to conquer. A Palace Supervisor of three dynasties at the fifth rank—that was quite remarkable. Even among court officials, those who served through the Hongwu, Jianwen, and Yongle reigns were rare species. Heaven knew what they had experienced—it was a combination of wisdom and luck that allowed them to survive until now.
Surviving one round of werewolf could be called ordinary, two rounds was luck, three rounds was wisdom, but those who could survive ten rounds of werewolf could be called auspicious omens.
A woman who fought her way through palace struggles, for whom the Emperor made exceptions allowing female officials to live outside the palace—she possessed wisdom, status, power, and beauty all at once.
If such a woman could be held in one’s arms, locked in the inner quarters, made to bow and submit, what a dreamlike scene that would be.
But men of the second type only thought about it. In reality, they didn’t even have the courage to look directly at Palace Supervisor Hu. They could only fantasize in their minds, then spread rumors behind her back about her keeping wild men outside: “At thirty like wolves, at forty like tigers, at fifty sitting on the ground she can absorb earth—how could a mature woman endure such loneliness…”
Unable to conquer in reality, perhaps even having to grovel at her feet, unable to obtain her themselves, their hearts inevitably harbored such sordid thoughts: If I can’t have you, I’ll degrade you, splash dirty water on you. A woman who’s kept countless wild men is dirty. My inability to sleep with you is my good fortune.
Previously, Prince Han didn’t believe it, because Palace Supervisor Hu was a neighbor, and his eldest son Zhu Zhanhe often ran to the Hu household. In Yunnan, he frequently ate and stayed overnight at the Hu house. If Palace Supervisor Hu truly had improper conduct, would Zhu Zhanhe be blind?
But today, seeing was believing. Prince Han had to believe it even if he didn’t want to. The only thing that puzzled him was why Zhu Zhanhe would conceal this from his biological father, never revealing half a sentence.
Could it be I’ve raised a fake son? Was he switched when following Duke Qianguo to learn archery and horsemanship in Yunnan?
For an instant, Prince Han’s mind played out at least twenty episodes of melodramatic plots about “switched children becoming dragons” and “fate exchanges.” However, it was only for an instant. When his eldest son was in Yunnan, he lived at his uncle Prince Zhou’s mansion. Prince Zhou was his biological uncle—he wouldn’t deceive him.
With the telescope broken, Prince Han worried about alerting his targets, so he had to return to the mansion first and wait for his son, planning to interrogate him thoroughly.
Zhu Zhanhe lived up to his name—”zhanhe” meaning ravine or pit. His rash action of coming to Ox Head Mountain had created trouble for the Hu family of three, for himself, and for his biological father Prince Han.
Mu Chun’s identity and his secret marriage with Hu Shanwei was a secret that couldn’t be told—not knowing was safer than knowing.
At this moment, little brother “Water Pit” was completely unaware of his natural talent for creating trouble. The meat roasted with pine cones had its own unique flavor. After eating their fill, the four continued hunting. Mu Chun, being an old general after all, overcame his brief rustiness from the morning and made a comeback in the afternoon, hitting almost every shot. Having just recovered his touch, Mu Chun began to get cocky and complained about A’Lei’s flintlock making too much noise:
“Hunting should use bow and arrows—silent killing of prey. When you fire your gun, it’s like thunder, scaring away all the other game. We didn’t bring hunting dogs today, so we don’t see prey for ages.”
Hu Shanwei protected her daughter. “You can like bow and arrows yourself. Don’t develop a superiority complex from drawing a bow. Whether it’s a black cat or white cat, the one that catches mice is a good cat.”
A’Lei picked up Mu Chun’s bow and tried to pull the bowstring, giving up after pulling it only halfway. “I don’t have enough strength—I can’t pull it all the way back, so the range isn’t sufficient. The arrow would fall halfway. Bow and arrows and flintlocks each have their strengths—I just personally suit flintlocks better.”
Zhu Zhanhe interjected, seeking attention: “Me too, I also prefer flintlocks.”
Mu Chun: I didn’t ask you!
Mu Chun watched Zhu Zhanhe and A’Lei skillfully using flintlocks while his thumb rubbed the bow and arrows passed down from his maternal grandfather Feng Guoyong. Unlike iron implements, no matter how well maintained, wooden implements would age, rot, even break. Especially when drawing the bow fully, he could hear faint cracking sounds from within, like joints dislocating. This bow’s life was coming to an end.
Mu Chun didn’t dare use it anymore, afraid of breaking it. He started using the flintlock A’Lei had given him, finding it increasingly handy. Sigh, old things would always be replaced by new ones—one had to keep up with young people’s pace.
This rest day could be called perfect—if not for Prince Han’s spying.
To protect privacy, the Hu family of three left first. Zhu Zhanhe waited until it was getting dark and the city gates were about to close before heading back to the city at the last moment.
People from Prince Han’s mansion had long been lying in wait at the city gate. They swarmed forward and surrounded Zhu Zhanhe, demanding he return home.
Zhu Zhanhe shouted: “Help! Bad people are kidnapping children in broad daylight!”
The city gate soldiers surrounded the Prince Han mansion people, forcing them to show their identification badges. The heir prince was quite pleased with his little prank!
Zhu Zhanhe was brought to Prince Han’s mansion with the posture of heroic martyrdom.
Prince Han locked all doors and windows, ensuring his son had no escape route. “Where did you go today?”
Zhu Zhanhe: “To the palace, to offer incense to Imperial Grandmother.”
Prince Han tapped the table. “What about this afternoon?”
Zhu Zhanhe: “Left the city, wandered around outside.”
This kid wouldn’t shed tears until he saw the coffin. Prince Han said: “Was the roasted meat you ate at noon with Palace Supervisor Hu’s family fragrant?”
Zhu Zhanhe’s pupils suddenly contracted.
Prince Han knew he’d hit the mark and was quite pleased, deliberately fishing for information: “I underestimated you. You little rascal, impressive—at such a young age, you’ve kept this from me for so long. You think that just because you don’t tell me, I don’t know Palace Supervisor Hu has a man outside?”
Prince Han wanted to use his son to fish out Hu Shanwei’s wild man.
Who knew that after initial panic, Zhu Zhanhe quickly calmed down. “Yes, otherwise why didn’t Father ask me about it earlier?”
Zhu Zhanhe’s heart sank, knowing he’d caused trouble. When he went to Ox Head Mountain, Father must have secretly followed and tracked him, but the result was an unexpected harvest.
Zhu Zhanhe blamed himself greatly for exposing Mu Chun and bringing trouble to the Hu family.
What to do? Zhu Zhanhe was a child who didn’t follow conventional paths. Since he was already in hot water, he shouldn’t panic—he’d first figure out how much Father knew.
Prince Han was at a loss for words and said: “Don’t play riddles with me here. We’re father and son—what secrets can’t we share? You must have had some difficulties concealing this from me before. Tell me about it, and I’ll definitely protect you.”
He thought if the hard approach didn’t work, he’d try the soft approach.
Zhu Zhanhe was impervious to both carrot and stick: “Isn’t Father very capable? You can even track your son now. With Father’s abilities, investigating that person’s background should be a piece of cake. Why ask your son here? Your son is tired from the whole day and wants to wash up and sleep. I won’t keep you company.”
Prince Han flew into a rage: “Unfilial son, stop!”
Hearing his father yell at him, Zhu Zhanhe was actually happy: I bet correctly—Father only knows such a person exists, but doesn’t know this person is Mu Chun, officially declared dead twelve years ago, Duke Qianguo.
Zhu Zhanhe said: “Father, don’t waste your energy. This is an untouchable secret. Besides, what if Father found out? Would Father use this to blackmail Palace Supervisor Hu?”
Blackmail was putting it too strongly, but it could be useful at critical moments. Prince Han was hit where it hurt, but said: “Why would I make things difficult for a Palace Supervisor? Knowing more prevents saying wrong things in the future and unknowingly offending people. You’re the heir to Prince Han—if you don’t help me, who will?”
Zhu Zhanhe sighed: “Father, I’m helping you right now. Your knowing this would bring no benefits whatsoever, only trouble. Father, you must trust me—I would absolutely never harm Prince Han’s mansion.”
Seeing his son was unmoved by both soft and hard approaches, Prince Han played the family card: “Fine, I trust you. It’s just that if it comes to an absolutely necessary moment, you’ll tell me, right?”
Zhu Zhanhe responded with his father’s own tactics, first stabilizing his father, and nodded: “Yes, your son definitely will.”
Definitely will keep it secret.
Father and son looked at each other and smiled, reconciled as before.
Prince Han looked at his rebellious teenage son with great melancholy. Soft and hard approaches, beatings and scolding were all ineffective—his son simply wouldn’t submit to management.
Sigh, so worrying.
Mu Ying, Marquis Xiping, who had been buried in the earth for fifteen years: Welcome to the Worried Fathers Alliance.
Prince Han wouldn’t give up. He secretly sent people disguised as beggars to spread out and stake out several entrances and exits of the Hu residence, determined to find clues.
Three days later, Imperial Guard Commander Ji Gang came to find Prince Han.
No longer the secretive meetings of the past when they met on painted boats at dusk when the moon rose above the willow branches, but a personal visit, knocking on the gates of Prince Han’s mansion.
Prince Han warmly received Ji Gang. Ji Gang handed him several portrait sketches and asked: “Are these people from your Prince Han mansion?”
Prince Han looked carefully—hey, weren’t these the paparazzi squad he’d sent out to stake out Palace Supervisor Hu’s wild man while disguised as beggars?
Prince Han denied it: “Don’t know them.”
Ji Gang said: “Oh, if that’s the case, then I won’t be polite. These people are currently guests in the imperial prison. I’ll have my brothers let loose in their interrogation.”
Prince Han understood the methods of the imperial prison. Ji Gang’s nickname was “Jade-Faced Raksha”—the more beautiful the person, the more ruthless the heart.
Prince Han played dumb while knowing full well: “Commander Ji, what crimes did these people commit?”
Ji Gang pointed at the portrait sketches: “Usually there are three beggars stationed around Palace Supervisor Hu’s residence. These past few days, several more appeared to compete for territory. One street can normally only support two beggars, unless it’s a busy marketplace. When the numbers increase, it raises suspicion.”
Prince Han: “Oh, I see. But beggars fighting over territory and competing for food—is that worth alerting the Imperial Guards and sending them to the imperial prison?”
Ji Gang said: “Those three beggars are secret agents sent by our Imperial Guards to protect Palace Supervisor Hu. The Hu residence is run by women, and we worry about people harassing them and causing gossip. So whenever idle persons appear near the Hu residence, we Imperial Guards won’t let them off.”
“Real beggars mostly go to busy markets to beg. Besides, these people are all young and strong, not at all like beggars, so we arrested them all.”
Only then did Prince Han realize he’d kicked an iron plate. Relying on his status as prince and refusing to give up until he saw his coffin: “Since Commander Ji hasn’t begun interrogating them yet, why come directly to my Prince Han mansion?”
Ji Gang pointed toward the inner quarters of Prince Han’s mansion: “Prince Han’s heir said recently Prince Han encountered the Hu family at Ox Head Mountain and was very curious about who the man hunting with Palace Supervisor Hu was. He asked the heir several times, but the heir wouldn’t answer.”
So he’d been betrayed by his own son!
This father-trapping son!
Seeing Prince Han’s expression, Ji Gang smiled: “Everyone has curiosity—this humble official completely understands Prince Han. However, Palace Supervisor Hu, as a Palace Supervisor of three dynasties, carries many untouchable secrets known only to His Majesty and a few others. Otherwise, why would His Majesty make exceptions allowing Palace Supervisor Hu to live outside the palace?”
Prince Han was indignant: “Could it be that with my princely status, I’m not worthy of knowing this secret? Even my son knows it.”
Prince Han didn’t understand—Zhu Zhanhe was still a child, he was his son. Could he supersede his father?
Ji Gang said: “The heir stumbled upon it by accident and swore an oath not to reveal secrets. I came here today to give Prince Han a reminder—what His Majesty doesn’t want you to know, even if you know it, you don’t know it. Knowing it is not knowing, not knowing is not knowing—this is true knowledge.”
Observing Prince Han’s somewhat ashamed and angry expression, Ji Gang softened his tone and appealed to their relationship: “Between you and me, there’s no need for meaningless words or beating around the bush, so I spoke directly. Don’t be angry, Your Highness. This matter is of great importance—it’s a secret the Great Ming has carried for three dynasties. Palace Supervisor Hu belongs to the inner palace. Your Highness shouldn’t reach too far—those who reach out will be caught. Your Highness’s future is important. Don’t let small losses lead to great ones. Losing the Emperor’s favor over these irrelevant matters wouldn’t be good.”
Ji Gang was no longer the fair-skinned, beautiful, long-legged vase of the past. Now his mind could match his looks.
After these words, Prince Han’s expression obviously improved, feeling Ji Gang was thinking of his benefit.
Prince Han sighed: “Forget it, forget it. Palace Supervisor Hu is like a veteran of three dynasties and must have various extraordinary encounters. Since Father Emperor tacitly permits it, what can I say?”
Ji Gang said: “That’s right. Prince Han has important matters to attend to—don’t be distracted by Palace Supervisor Hu’s affairs. Whoever the man behind Palace Supervisor Hu is poses no threat to Prince Han. If Your Highness really can’t suppress your curiosity and must have an answer to be satisfied, just consider that man to be me.”
Pfft!
Prince Han was drinking tea and upon hearing this, sprayed out a mouthful. Back when he was still a hostage in the capital, Ji Gang had indeed had some romantic rumors with Hu Shanwei. They said the two had been secretly communicating for years, mutually admiring each other. Whenever Hu Shanwei went on missions, Ji Gang was sure to be her guard.
When Empress Xiaoci encountered assassins during the silkworm ceremony and Hu Shanwei’s life hung by a thread, it was also Ji Gang who came to the rescue. This was known to everyone. Truth mixed with fiction, rumors flying everywhere. At that time, his eldest brother, who was still heir apparent, strictly forbade the three younger siblings from spreading rumors. Prince Han’s memory was especially vivid.
While coughing, Prince Han studied Ji Gang. That day through the telescope, he couldn’t see faces clearly, but the silhouette seemed familiar and quite handsome—hey, it really did resemble Ji Gang.
The beggars staking out near the Hu residence were Imperial Guards.
Palace Supervisor Hu’s daily conspicuous travels in and out of the palace gates were escorted by Imperial Guards, rain or shine.
When officials mocked Palace Supervisor Hu on the roadside, calling her shameless, it was also the Imperial Guards who arrested them to the imperial prison for a beating, digging up old accounts, demoting those to be demoted, stripping those to be stripped of office.
When I discovered Palace Supervisor Hu had a man outside and pressed my son for information, the first to come knocking demanding my silence was still Ji Gang.
Could it be…
Prince Han had a bold guess.
Can’t afford to provoke, can’t afford to provoke! Prince Han thought to himself. One Palace Supervisor Hu was scary enough—add Ji Gang to that, and I still want to live a few more years to charge at the succession.
Better focus on tattling to Father Emperor. What bad things had the Crown Prince done recently?
Right, the Crown Prince had recently held another literary gathering at the newly built villa for family visits at his father-in-law Earl Pengcheng’s mansion. When leaving, he took a fancy to a beautiful serving maid pouring wine. His brother-in-law Earl Pengcheng adopted the maid as his goddaughter, changed her surname to Zhang, cleaned her up, and had Earl Pengcheng’s wife bring her to the palace to kowtow to Noble Consort Zhang.
Noble Consort Zhang sent Zhang’s birth data to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau. The result was that she was suitable for family harmony, very auspicious. So Noble Consort Zhang agreed to let Zhang enter the Eastern Palace to bear children for the imperial family.
Since Eastern Palace’s Guo Liangdi was pregnant and inconvenient for bedchamber duties, it was this fresh Beauty Zhang’s turn to receive favor, with hardly a night’s rest.
The Crown Prince was busy with government affairs during the day and busy spreading favor at night. When weighed after a month, he’d actually lost four pounds!
Of course, due to the Crown Prince’s large weight base, losing four pounds wasn’t noticeable.
The Crown Prince quickly reported the good news to Father Emperor, saying his son had successfully lost weight.
Emperor Yongle replied with another scolding, saying “I left you in the capital to supervise the nation, not for health maintenance and weight loss!”
The Crown Prince replied, saying it was cold recently, and after finishing memorials at night, he was dizzy and panicked from hunger, so he ate some late-night snacks, and the four pounds he’d just lost had grown back…
Emperor Yongle was speechless after reading the reply. Just then, Prince Han’s small report arrived again, saying the Eastern Palace had gained a Beauty Zhang, and the Crown Prince was indulging in feminine charms, etc.
Another one of these things! Emperor Yongle glanced at the beginning and set it aside, too lazy to continue reading—it was a waste of time.
Emperor Yongle read the secret letter Ji Gang sent, reporting that Prince Han had followed his heir Zhu Zhanhe but inadvertently encountered the Hu family of three hunting and playing at Ox Head Mountain, nearly exposing Mu Chun. Prince Han sent people disguised as beggars to secretly observe the Hu residence, trying to dig out Mu Chun, but was stopped by the Imperial Guards. To silence Prince Han, Ji Gang personally visited and took on false notoriety for Palace Supervisor Hu once again.
After reading Ji Gang’s secret report, Emperor Yongle was displeased: Prince Han’s ambitions were too great, actually reaching toward my Palace Supervisor. The inner palace is my inner palace. Even the Eastern Palace deliberately keeps distance from Palace Supervisor Hu—what are you investigating her background for?
Seeing the mountain of small reports Prince Han had filed against the Crown Prince piled on the desk, Emperor Yongle felt that letting this continue, Prince Han would probably go further astray. It was time to beat the grass to scare the snake and make Prince Han restrain thoughts he shouldn’t have.
At this time, Emperor Yongle was in Beijing, occasionally campaigning to fight the Tatars, preventing them from taking advantage of winter to raid the Great Ming and harass the borders. For this campaign, Emperor Yongle ordered Imperial Grandson Zhu Zhanji to remain in Beijing, handling all northern military and political affairs.
For a time, the court had the Crown Prince supervising the nation in the south and the Imperial Grandson supervising the nation in the north. This winter, the Eastern Palace received unprecedented attention. Prince Han’s heart grew cold—his small reports were not only useless but actually made Father Emperor trust the Eastern Palace more.
Why! Was this the distortion of human nature or the decline of morality?
A new year arrived—the ninth year of Yongle. Just as spring began, Emperor Yongle returned to Beijing from his campaign, very satisfied with the Imperial Grandson’s performance in supervising the north. With a grand gesture, he elevated the Imperial Grandson to Imperial Grand Grandson!
Hearing this news, Prince Han’s heart collapsed.