Zhu Nanxian recalled what Shen Xi had said this morning—
In today’s situation, the Crown Prince cannot win, because he has “interfered” with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and your Father Emperor will not allow anyone’s power to stand above his own. The Seventh Prince cannot win either, because this trap has already been exposed. Your Father Emperor knows perfectly well whose man Zeng Youliang of the Ministry of Personnel is, but he won’t lose either, because your Father Emperor still needs to use him to check and balance the Crown Prince, so he won’t move against Zeng Youliang.
Calculated this way, who is most innocent?
You are.
In your Father Emperor’s eyes, he cannot punish the Crown Prince, nor can he punish the Seventh Prince, so you, who were dragged into this situation without cause, are the one he owes the most.
Therefore, the first thing you must do is make your Father Emperor understand he owes you. This way, when you want to ask him for something, he’ll be more likely to give it to you.
So how do you make him feel he owes you?
Feign innocence, feign ignorance, feign brotherly harmony and fraternal respect.
Zhu Nanxian said: “Since the Spring Examinations, the case of examination fraud and scholars causing disturbances has been a constant worry in Father Emperor’s heart. When your son returned from the Northwest, I personally witnessed how Elder Imperial Brother and Seventh Imperial Brother busied themselves with this case on multiple occasions. Your son wished to share Father Emperor’s and my two imperial brothers’ burden but didn’t know where to start. It so happened that your son is an old acquaintance of this Magistrate Su. I had heard earlier that she was investigating the case of missing scholars and suspected the disappearance case was related to the disturbance case. So when I heard Magistrate Su had rushed to Minister Ma’s banquet to search for clues, your son acted rashly in my urgency and followed.”
As he spoke, he bowed to the throne: “Father Emperor, your son was reckless in this matter. I never imagined it would nearly bring mortal danger. In the future, your son will certainly think thrice before acting.”
Having heard these words, Emperor Jingyuan’s eyes sternly swept over Zhu Zhaowei before he said to Zhu Nanxian: “This matter should not be blamed on you.” He paused, then asked: “So in your view, this trap was entirely orchestrated by Vice Minister Ma and those ministers?”
Zhu Nanxian did not answer immediately.
Shen Xi had said, your Father Emperor is shrewd and perceptive. With these words, though you’ve gained his sympathy, you may not necessarily gain his trust.
So the second step is to make him completely trust you.
Zhu Nanxian, do you know why you’ve been so favored since childhood?
It’s precisely because of your late mother.
Your Father Emperor was devoted to your late mother, and your temperament most resembles hers—sincere, kind, decisive, frank, and most importantly, magnanimous with a compassionate heart.
Several years ago, the Seventh Prince’s mother once put poison in your mother’s medicinal soup. There were witnesses and evidence, but when it came time for trial, your mother, mindful that the Seventh Prince was young, claimed she had accidentally put the poison in herself, and only then did your Father Emperor spare Consort Cen’s life.
In this world, only emotions can most effectively blind one to all else.
You need not mention your late mother. You only need to make him feel this matter has striking similarities to that incident from years past, and he will trust you.
Zhu Nanxian said: “Though your son doesn’t know why Vice Minister Ma plotted to harm me, the reason your son was able to preserve this life—” He paused and glanced at Zhu Minda and Zhu Zhaowei. “—if not for Seventh Imperial Brother’s Eastern City Military Command clearing the way for Elder Imperial Brother’s Feathered Forest Guard, your son would likely have already perished at Zhaohe Bridge.”
Hearing these words, Emperor Jingyuan said coldly: “Had they been any later, We would have taken their heads.” Then he said warmly to Zhu Nanxian: “Nanxian, rise and speak.”
Shen Xi said, since you’ve already gained your Father Emperor’s sympathy and trust, logically you could now make your request.
However, your request is to go to your fief without taking a wife—this is unprecedented. Your Father Emperor is a man who values rules and propriety. Indebtedness and trust alone are insufficient to make him agree.
Though your late mother was magnanimous, she was also decisive and wise. Though she spared Consort Cen’s life back then, from that day forward, she never again permitted her to step even half a foot into the main palace hall.
So you must do the same. Your purpose in going to your fief is that you’ve long suspected someone in the palace wished to harm you, but you’re unwilling to repay evil with evil, so you’ve become disheartened and wish to avoid it all by distancing yourself.
Zhu Nanxian did not rise. He lowered his eyes and said quietly: “Father Emperor, your son has thought it over these past few days. Your son remains in the palace accomplishing nothing. Please permit your son to go to his fief soon.”
Emperor Jingyuan said solemnly: “You have not yet taken a consort, and the fief location must be carefully selected. This matter is too hasty. We shall discuss it later.”
Shen Xi said, there’s also a particular consideration regarding the fief location. I ask you, where could you go that your Father Emperor would certainly agree?
Zhu Nanxian thought briefly and said, Jiangxi, Nanchang Prefecture?
Shen Xi said, correct, precisely Nanchang.
Your Father Emperor met your late mother in Nanchang. The courtesy name he gave you, Nanxian—the character “nan” also derives from Nanchang.
In his private heart, your Father Emperor has always wanted to reserve this treasured place for you or Seventeen.
Moreover, this year bandits have been rampant in Nanchang Prefecture, urgently requiring governance, and there is no suitable candidate yet. If you can go to your fief in time, you’ll undoubtedly solve a pressing concern for him.
Zhu Nanxian said wistfully: “These past few days, your son has often thought of Mother. Before she passed, Mother spoke to your son of the days when she and Father Emperor shared hardships together in Nanchang Prefecture. Regrettably, your son was born in Yingtian and never had the fortune to return to Mother’s homeland to see and hear it for myself. If Father Emperor is willing, please graciously permit your son to select a date to go to Nanchang as my fief.”
Emperor Jingyuan said: “Very well. Bandits have been rampant in Nanchang recently. You’ve always been skilled at leading troops, so it’s good for you to go.” He paused and asked: “Minda, how is Shen Jing managing Nanxian’s marriage arrangements?”
Zhu Minda replied: “In response to Father Emperor, selections are still being made.”
Emperor Jingyuan hummed in acknowledgment: “Hurry it along.”
Shen Xi, hands clasped behind his back, gazed at the rising sun and said, Zhu Shisan, in truth your mind is clear. Many things—you’re not ignorant of them, you simply don’t wish to think too deeply about them.
Today I’ll say these words only once. Remember them.
If you want to obtain something from someone else, you must know clearly what they want most.
If you want to strike a decisive blow, you must know where your opponent’s most fatal weakness lies.
In your heart, you actually understand it all—what your Elder Imperial Brother and Seventh Imperial Brother want, what those ministers at Minister Ma’s residence who wished to harm you want, and even what your Father Emperor wants.
Shen Xi paused and continued, you even understand why I’m saying all this.
Because I don’t know whether helping you go to your fief today is right or wrong.
Though you appear powerless, your foundation is too strong. You’re a legitimate imperial son, and over these years, though you’ve never cultivated influence, inadvertently the Left General Zuo Qian of the Jinwu Guard has been won over by you. You’ve worked diligently in the Northwest for five years—even if one day you lose command authority, you still have the military’s loyalty there.
If you go to your fief and suppress the bandits, gaining political achievements and your own personal guard force, if you govern diligently, gaining financial resources and popular support, truly becoming a regional prince—then the power structure within this palace will change.
Naturally, your Elder Imperial Brother won’t consider this a bad thing.
Because he understands you. Your brotherly bond is deep. You don’t care about the heir apparent position and would never compete with him for it. Your rise can only benefit him.
Your Seventh Imperial Brother also won’t consider this a bad thing.
Because with regional princes holding separate territories, though your taking a portion of power appears superficially disadvantageous to him, when you transform from a dead piece under the Eastern Palace to a living piece that can move independently, he’ll see it as an opportunity.
However, circumstances change in an instant, and pulling one thread moves the entire net.
Your choice today, on the surface, is merely going to your fief, but in reality, you’re stepping out from under the Crown Prince’s wing and walking alone into this bloodthirsty vortex.
From this day forward, you must face alone the treacherous currents of power struggles. On this path of mutual deception, you’ll forge ahead through thorns and brambles. What you shoulder will no longer be merely the military loyalty of one region’s soldiers—you’ll also need to bear territorial governance and people’s livelihood, the state and political positions. Your hands will truly become stained with blood.
May you remain true to your original intentions even then.
Have you thought this through?
Zhu Nanxian slowly drew a deep breath and solemnly kowtowed to the throne.
If he needed to rely on others’ protection to preserve his original intentions, unable even to protect those he truly wished to protect, what use was such security?
“Father Emperor, your son has thought it through. Seven days hence is Mother’s memorial day. Once the memorial passes, your son will go to his fief. These years your son has wandered abroad, unable to remain by Father Emperor and Mother’s side to fulfill filial duties—this was truly improper. In ancient times, there were distinguished scholars who observed mourning for their mothers for five years. Your son misses Mother deeply and wishes to emulate this, wishing to observe mourning for Mother for another two years in Nanchang. The matter of taking a consort can wait until after two years.”
Emperor Jingyuan sighed deeply: “Since it is your heartfelt wish, very well, We grant it.”
The deep hall fell silent. For a moment, no one in the hall spoke.
Emperor Jingyuan looked toward Su Jin again and asked: “You said this person is your old acquaintance. What do you mean by that?”
Zhu Nanxian pressed his lips together but did not look at Su Jin. In his heart, he recalled Shen Xi’s words—
If you want to obtain something from someone else, you must know clearly what they want most.
To his Father Emperor, Su Jin was merely an ant. Who exactly she was, what role she played in this matter—none of it was important. Better to speak truthfully and thereby dispel his doubts.
Zhu Nanxian said: “In response to Father Emperor, when your son was about to depart for the Northwest years ago, Elder Imperial Brother commanded your son to respond to an extremely difficult couplet. Your son had no choice but to seek advice everywhere. Magistrate Su was a second-rank jinshi that year. It was precisely through her guidance that your son passed Elder Imperial Brother’s test.” He paused slightly, then suddenly added: “Father Emperor, since your son will soon go to his fief, the command authority over the Jinwu Guard—your son will go to the Ministry of War early tomorrow morning to return it?”
Emperor Jingyuan looked at him, his expression gradually softening: “Good. It’s rare that you’ve considered everything so thoroughly.” As he spoke, seeming to remember something, he looked toward Liu Chaoming: “Minister Liu, We recall that old Censor Meng petitioned several times years ago to strongly recommend a scholar surnamed Su. Is this that person?”
Liu Chaoming replied: “In response to Your Majesty, it is precisely this person.”
Emperor Jingyuan looked toward Su Jin and asked again: “What year were you a jinshi?”
Su Jin replied: “In response to Your Majesty, this humble minister was a special examination jinshi in the eighteenth year of Jingyuan.”
At this mention, Emperor Jingyuan remembered—surnamed Su, provincial examination first place from Qizhou, wrote brilliantly polished essays with the talent of a top scholar. When he saw her age that year, he had been quite shocked. Fearing this person’s brilliance was too sharp and would invite disaster, he personally commanded the Ministry of Rites to lower her ranking from first to fourth.
Never imagined she still couldn’t escape calamity.
However, looking down from the throne, her brilliance had already become restrained, her great skill appearing unstudied.
Consider it Heaven bestowing great responsibility upon this person.
Emperor Jingyuan said: “Since you’re a second-rank jinshi, serving as a mere magistrate in the Capital Bureau truly wastes your talents. Moreover, We’ve also heard this person distinguished herself during the scholars’ disturbance incident?”
As he spoke, he looked toward Liu Chaoming: “If so, Minister Liu, you may fulfill your mentor’s wish. Accept Su Jin into the Imperial Censorate and promote her to the position of Regional Inspector.”