Volume One, Chapter Seven: Entering the Game
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The news that Zhu Xiongying often sent gifts to Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma soon reached the ears of Lady Lü.
In the main hall of the Eastern Palace, Lady Lü sat before her writing desk.
Clutching a handkerchief in her hand, her smile appeared gentle, yet her eyes concealed an undeniable cold cruelty.
She had long learned through secret channels that Zhu Xiongying behaved with extreme familiarity before Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma in the Kunning Palace.
“Hmph, quite adept at currying favor with the elders!” Lady Lü sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in her gaze.
Beside her, the senior palace maid Xiao He whispered softly, “Your Highness, though Zhu Xiongying seems young, he is rather cunning.”
“Now that His Majesty and the Empress both favor him so much, if this continues—”
“If what?” Lady Lü interrupted coldly, twisting the handkerchief in her hand until it was nearly a ball.
“I once thought he was just an orphaned child, young and weak, a mere ant easily crushed.”
“But now, it seems he even has the protection of His Majesty and the Empress!”
“If he truly uncovers something, our lives, and Prince Yuwen’s future, will all be destroyed by him!”
At these words, Lady Lü suddenly rose, her expression dark and terrifying.
She covered the corner of her mouth with the handkerchief and let out a low, cold laugh: “Since the move has already been made, there is no turning back.”
“As long as he lives, the Lü family shall not find peace.”
Her eyes were icy, filled with a gnashing hatred: “It seems I must silence him completely, forever.”
Xiao He stood cautiously by her side and timidly inquired, “Does Your Highness mean...?”
“The autumn hunt at the imperial hunting grounds outside the palace is in half a month. It’s the perfect opportunity.”
Lady Lü spoke coldly, her voice low and sharp as a blade.
Xiao He hesitated before asking, “Your Highness means... to act at the hunting grounds?”
Lady Lü smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in her eyes: “Exactly so. The terrain outside the palace is complex, and wild beasts roam there. He is but a child...”
“Who can say what might happen? As long as our hands are clean, no one will be able to trace it back to us.”
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“Your Highness, you are wise indeed,” Xiao He whispered in admiration, then asked, “How shall we arrange it?”
Lady Lü turned around and sat back at her desk, her fingertips tapping the surface coldly: “Have Nurse Chen contact He Zhen, the commander of the hunting ground guards. His mother is ill; I’ve already sent him some silver.”
“He’s sensible and knows whose orders to follow.”
“At the appointed time, have him reassign the guards around Zhu Xiongying, replacing them with our own men.”
Pausing, she sneered, “I heard there have been wild wolves in the outskirts recently... With a little provocation, everything can be done neatly and flawlessly.”
Xiao He nodded but hesitated, “But Your Highness, if the Empress or His Majesty intend to assign someone to follow the Crown Prince...”
“Hmph.” Lady Lü snorted, a mocking curl at her lips, “Rest assured, I’ll make Empress Ma lower her guard.”
“Just have someone mention the upcoming autumn hunt in front of the Empress, feigning concern for Zhu Xiongying.”
“If we act indifferent, we’ll only arouse suspicion.”
She narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp and merciless: “Besides, even if she harbors doubts, once the incident happens outside the hunting grounds, away from her watchful eyes, what can she do?”
Elsewhere, Zhu Xiongying sat upright at his desk, holding a wolf-hair brush, concentrating on his writing.
At that moment, Xiao Cui entered quietly.
Bowing slightly, she whispered, “Your Highness, someone sent by Her Highness arrived, saying they wished to inform you about the autumn hunt.”
Zhu Xiongying’s brush paused briefly. He did not look up but asked calmly, “Who brought the message?”
Lowering her eyes, Xiao Cui replied, “It was Nurse Chen from Her Highness's side. I have her waiting outside.”
Zhu Xiongying smiled faintly and set down the brush, a cold glint in his eyes: “As expected, they have come.”
Moments later, Nurse Chen stood respectfully in the hall, her voice gentle: “Your Highness, the Eastern Palace Lady specially instructed me to inform you that in half a month, His Majesty will arrange for the royal uncles to go hunting at the imperial hunting grounds. Lady Lü says that since you’ve been studying hard lately, the autumn hunt is a good opportunity to stretch your limbs and relax. You should join them.”
Zhu Xiongying’s face bore just the right touch of youthful innocence as he smiled slightly, “Thank you, Lady Lü, for your concern. I have taken note.”
Nurse Chen lingered, adding with apparent concern, “Lady Lü also specially ordered that since the hunting grounds are dangerous, and you’re still young, you must bring several guards to protect you.”
Though meant to sound considerate, a trace of sarcasm flashed across Zhu Xiongying’s eyes.
His tone remained gentle, as if unaware: “Please rest assured, Nurse Chen, I will be careful. Also, please thank Lady Lü on my behalf.”
After a few more words of caution, Nurse Chen departed. Zhu Xiongying watched her go, his gaze growing colder.
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With his hands clasped behind his back, he murmured softly to himself, “They pretend to be so caring, but the more they do, the more suspicious it becomes.”
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the hunting flags fluttered in the wind.
At the entrance to the hunting grounds, young members of the royal family gathered, all dressed in hunting attire, each radiating vigor yet wearing different expressions.
Zhu Zhu, the eldest, carried a refined and scholarly bearing, clearly the leader among the royal uncles.
He sat astride his horse, brandishing a longbow and shouting loudly, “Today we settle who can catch the biggest prey!”
Zhu Zhen and Zhu Di rode side by side, each holding a simple spear.
A subtle sharpness lay between their brows: “Second Brother, don’t boast too early, or you might come back empty-handed.”
Zhu Zhu smiled gently and advised warmly, “Though today’s autumn hunt is a contest, safety is paramount. Don’t be reckless.”
Zhu Di scoffed, “Second Brother, you’re too cautious. Such good weather shouldn’t be wasted without some fun.”
This was the future Yongle Emperor, already full of heroic spirit and bearing the aura of a sovereign.
Spurring his horse forward, he waved to the crowd, calling out, “Nephew and second nephew, stop dawdling and hurry up!”
Nearby, Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Xiongying both wore dark hunting outfits, young but already showing the composure of youth.
They greeted the royal uncles one by one and then mounted their horses beside their guards to join the group.
Zhu Xiongying appeared more reserved. He wore a deep blue short hunting coat, a small curved dagger hanging at his waist.
Though only nine years old and not very tall, he carried an air of calm dignity.
He glanced around at the guards, frowning slightly.
Several familiar personal guards were absent, replaced by unfamiliar faces.
These new guards appeared respectful but moved with a hint of awkwardness, clearly assigned at the last moment.
Zhu Xiongying’s gaze swept over them without a flicker, but his heart sounded alarm bells: “As expected, this autumn hunt hides a scheme. Lady Lü cannot conceal her impatience.”
Suppressing the chill within, he mounted his horse and smiled faintly: “Since the royal uncles are ready, let us depart.”