Chapter Nine: Efforts in Vain

Chapter 9: Futility of Efforts

Before dawn, the carriage stopped outside an inconspicuous thatched cottage in the countryside. Zhu Yunxuan descended with Gao An's assistance. A servant tending to the courtyard let out an "Ah" upon seeing him and hastily abandoned his broom, scurrying back into the house.

Moments later, a white-haired elder led his entire family out, trembling as they knelt before Zhu Yunxuan. "Your humble subject pays respect to our Emperor, long live, long live, long live!"

"Rise, teacher," Zhu Yunxuan stepped forward, bending down to personally help the man up.

Fifteen minutes later, both sat facing each other in the study, two cups of clear tea between them. Zhu Yunxuan surveyed the simple yet elegant room and smiled faintly. "How have you been enjoying life in this rural area, teacher?"

The elder sighed. "Living like a free-spirited bird, content with my own pleasures. Nowadays, I spend my days doting on my grandchildren and nurturing flowers, quite enjoyable indeed."

"That does sound nice," Zhu Yunxuan nodded, sipping his tea gently. After a moment of silence, he spoke, "Teacher, would you be willing to return... to assist me?"

"Does Your Majesty face difficulties?"

Zhu Yunxuan forced a bitter smile. "I've just ascended the throne and am constrained at every turn. The cabinet is empty, and many officials in the court have divided loyalties. Few are willing to serve me. I know you're advanced in years and should be enjoying your retirement, but I truly have no other options. Please, teacher, consider helping me, given that I studied under you for several years."

Recalling the past, Zhu Yunxuan's words were laced with resignation. The elder, hearing this, was filled with emotion. "After these years, Your Majesty has changed significantly."

"One must grow up eventually."

This elderly man had once served as the Imperial Preceptor to the Eastern Palace's crown prince, whose name was Zeng Huai. He was the mentor who enlightened Prince Zhu Yunjing in his early years. Back then, Zhu Yunxuan, as a child, would stick to his elder brother every day and also studied under this old Grand Preceptor for several years. Five years ago, due to his involvement in the Eastern Palace witchcraft scandal, all the officials belonging to that palace were investigated, and Zeng Huai was dismissed from his position and stripped of his rank. As a result, he returned to this rural area with his entire family, severing all ties with the world's affairs ever since.

In Zeng Huai's memory, the young prince who often followed closely behind the Crown Prince was always lively, mischievous, and full of wit. This was in stark contrast to the melancholic and burdened emperor standing before him now. It was as if fate had played a trick on them all.

Zhu Yunxuan implored, "Esteemed Teacher, return and aid Your Majesty. I am truly left with no one to turn to, utterly forsaken..."

Zeng Huai hesitated, "My official position was revoked by the late emperor. If I were to return now, I fear it might invite controversy and bring trouble to Your Majesty."

"There's no need to worry about that. The case of the witchcraft has long been rectified. Master was unjustly implicated in it and should have been reinstated long ago."

Ever since Prince Yu Zhu Yunxun's rebellion was crushed, the Eastern Palace had already been officially rehabilitated. However, Emperor Zhao Yang refused to bring Zhu Yunjing back to life, let alone reemploy his former officials. Now, Zhu Yunxuan found himself without capable allies. Zhu Yunjing had mentioned Ceng Huai in his letter, an elderly scholar known for his vast knowledge and integrity. Well-connected within the scholarly elite, he was highly respected. His presence could alleviate the controversies and doubts aroused by the execution of Zhang Nianling and others.

Observing that the elder still wore an expression of hesitancy, Zhu Yunxuan implored once more, "Esteemed Master, if only for the sake of my elder brother, I humbly beseech you to lend me your aid."

Zeng Hu let out a deep sigh. For over a decade, he had shared a bond of mentorship with Zhu Yunjing. Even though Zhu was not the student who could fully satisfy him, his wrongful accusation and subsequent execution by imperial decree remained a profound regret in Zeng's heart. Alas, if he could assist the new emperor, it would at least serve to partially alleviate that regret.

Realizing this, Zeng Huai respectfully knelt, accepting the imperial decree with gratitude, "Deeply touched by Your Majesty's profound affection, this old minister is willing to exert every effort and serve Your Majesty with unwavering loyalty!"

Zhu Yunxuan gently helped the man up, "Please rise, Teacher. It is I who should be expressing my gratitude to you."

After chatting with Zeng Huai for an hour, Zhu Yunxuan bid farewell and departed. On his return journey, a light rain began to fall from the previously gloomy sky. Zhu Yunxuan instructed his entourage to hasten their pace, hoping to reach the palace before noon.

However, fate seemed against him. As they entered the city, the rain intensified, the sky growing even darker. Vendors on either side of the road hurriedly packed up their stalls, while numerous shops closed their doors. A sudden spring thunderclap boomed, followed by a downpour that blotted out the last traces of daylight. The world outside was now pitch black, like nightfall had arrived early.

Feeling inexplicably restless, Zhu Yunxuan's carriage came to a halt. Gao An's voice echoed within, "Your Majesty, we've arrived at Prince Zhao's Mansion. Prince Zhao has sent someone over, requesting your presence at his residence for a temporary respite."

Peering out through the window, Zhu Yunxuan observed that he had ventured out incognito today, accompanied by only a dozen attendants and guards, all now drenched and disheveled. In front of the carriage, a representative from Prince Zhao's Mansion knelt on the ground, awaiting his decision.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhu Yunxuan agreed, "Then I shall trouble Prince Zhao."

The grand gates of the Zhao Palace swung wide open, revealing a procession of dozens of palace attendants bearing lanterns, who streamed out in an orderly fashion behind Liang Zhen. The lanterns they held illuminated the dimly lit street with a soft glow. Liang Zhen approached the imperial carriage and, with a smile, watched as Zhu Yunxuan alighted from within. He said gracefully, "Your Majesty's unexpected visit has caught us unprepared; please forgive our lack of a proper welcome."

Zhu Yunxuan nodded subtly. "I've troubled Prince Zhao."

Liang Zhen took the umbrella from Gao An's hand and held it personally over Zhu Yunxuan. Zhu Yunxuan paused in his step, meeting Liang Zhen's gaze. The latter smiled and winked at him. Though words were on the tip of his tongue, Zhu Yunxuan ultimately said nothing, entering the prince's residence alongside Liang Zhen.

This princely estate was a personal gift from Emperor Zhao Yang to Liang Zhen, renowned for its excellent feng shui and grandeur. Unlike Zhu Yunxuan, who, despite having been granted an imperial title, had yet to marry and thus had no mansion of his own, residing in the palace instead. The darkness of the night obscured the surrounding scenery, and Zhu Yunxuan was not particularly interested. He followed silently as Liang Zhen led him to the main courtyard where he resided.

Servants served them tea, and Zhu Yunxuan's gaze inadvertently swept over the graceful maidservants before resting on Liang Zhen's smiling eyes. He cleared his throat and asked, "How did Prince Zhao know that I happened to pass by your residence?"

"Knowing is knowing," Liang Zhen replied with a smile, turning the question back on Zhu Yunxuan. "Your Majesty, why were you out of the palace incognito?"

"Since you already know, there's no need to ask further," Zhu Yunxuan said coldly. Any emperor would be displeased to have their movements so thoroughly tracked by a subject.

Liang Zhen tactfully changed the subject. "I've prepared lunch for Your Majesty. Would you like to stay and dine with me?"

Zhu Yunxuan glanced at the still dark sky outside and did not object.

The food at Prince Zhao's residence was abundant, but Zhu Yunxuan had little appetite. He tasted each dish only once before putting down his chopsticks. Liang Zhen called for more soup to be served, asking, "Does His Majesty find the food unsatisfactory? These chefs were invited from the south of the Yangtze River; could it be that their cooking doesn't meet Your Majesty's taste?"

"Prince Zhao certainly knows how to indulge," Zhu Yunxuan commented calmly. In the past, he too enjoyed fine wine and delicious food, as well as leisurely pursuits. However, since his elder brother was deposed and executed, he had been living in constant tension, never daring to relax. Even after ascending the throne, he found it hard to rest easy, leaving him with no inclination to indulge like Liang Zhen.

"If Your Majesty likes, this minister will send two chefs to the palace tomorrow," Liang Zhen offered with a smile.

Zhu Yunxuan didn't respond, instead lowering his head to quietly enjoy his soup.

After lunch, Liang Zhen invited Zhu Yunxuan to his study. Upon entering, Zhu Yunxuan casually glanced around. The study was spacious and intricately decorated, a world apart from the rustic cottage he had visited that morning. He walked over to the bookshelf that covered an entire wall and randomly picked up a volume, which turned out to be a treatise on naval tactics.

Though Liang Zhen was a military general, he had never seen actual battle, let alone naval warfare. Zhu Yunxuan didn't expect him to read such materials in his leisure time, causing some doubts to surface in his mind. Amidst his turmoil, the man behind him approached and whispered into his ear, "Your Majesty, how about I accompany you to play chess to pass the time?"

Zhu Yunxuan placed the book back on the shelf and glanced at him sideways, neither confirming nor denying, which was taken as acquiescence.

The chessboard was already set up on a low table on the couch. As they both sat down, a maid brought in hot tea. Zhu Yunxuan observed the submissive young girl and felt a slight stir in his heart. After she left, he suddenly asked Liang Zhen, "Prince Zhao is now twenty-two years old. Isn't it time for him to take a wife?"

Liang Zhen paused in his arrangement of the chess pieces, quirking a smile. "When did Your Majesty find the interest to concern yourself with my life's matters?"

Zhu Yunxuan put down his teacup. "Just a casual remark. Prince Zhao has accomplished much at a young age and is a sought-after talent in the court. Many families' daughters are vying for his attention. It's high time he settled down and..."

Liang Zhen leaned forward, almost touching noses with Zhu Yunxuan, their breaths intertwining. With a smile in his eyes, he gazed intently at Zhu Yunxuan. Zhu Yunxuan's unfinished words were abruptly interrupted. His pupils dilated slightly, a flicker of panic crossing his face before he regained his composure, his gaze turning cold. "What does Prince Zhao intend?"

Liang Zhen smiled and raised his hand, gently caressing Zhu Yunxuan's cheek as he murmured, "What does Your Majesty think?"

Zhu Yunxuan sneered. "Prince Zhao's residence is filled with beautiful maidens, isn't that enough to satisfy you? If you truly have boundless energy, taking a wife and having children would be the proper path."

Warm breath brushed against Zhu Yunxuan as Liang Zhen's amused voice rang in his ear, "Your Majesty is so concerned about whether I marry or not, why not you wed me and become my wife?"

Zhu Yunxuan turned his face away, gritting his teeth as he commanded, "Withdraw."

Liang Zhen chuckled softly and planted a fleeting kiss on Zhu Yunxuan's lips before stepping back.

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes instantly reddened as he glared at Liang Zhen. Liang Zhen clicked his tongue lightly. This young emperor was always so easily provoked; it was incredibly amusing.

Placing a chess piece on the board, he spoke leisurely, "Your Majesty need not concern yourself with such matters. There's no need for you to pretend ignorance when you clearly understand. I have no interest in those women, so there's no need for Your Majesty to waste any more effort."

Zhu Yunxuan reminded him coldly, "Prince Zhao is also wasting his efforts."

Liang Zhen's expression remained unchanged as he offered a faint smile. "That remains to be seen."