Chapter One Hundred Sixteen: The Nursemaid Repeatedly Beaten

Before Mrs. Ke could finish speaking, she was interrupted once again by a sharp slap across the ear. This time, it was not ordered by Zhu Hao, but delivered by Wei Xiaobao, who had just gotten up from the ground, his face bruised and swollen.

Hearing Mrs. Ke threaten his master and catching the look in his master’s eyes, Wei Xiaobao immediately stepped forward and gave Mrs. Ke a hard slap, cursing as he said, “Who do you think you are, threatening my lord? You wanted to talk about the law? Well, this is the law!” He struck her again.

After the blows, Wei Xiaobao continued, “What did my lord just say to you? Have you forgotten already? And you still dare to call yourself ‘Her Ladyship’ in front of my lord? You’re truly a dog who only remembers being beaten but not learning from it!” With that, he slapped her once more.

Mrs. Ke was silenced, too stunned to utter a word. Just then, her son, who had fainted from Wei Xiaobao’s earlier blows, regained consciousness. Without understanding the full situation, he ran over crying, clutching at Mrs. Ke’s leg, “Mother, please kill these people and avenge me!”

Her son was Hou Xingguo, born to Mrs. Ke and Hou Er of Dingxing County. Upon hearing that his mother had been officially bestowed the title of Imperial Wet Nurse by the current emperor, he eagerly volunteered to clear the way for her as a sign of filial devotion. Under normal circumstances, given his status, he would have been riding in the carriage behind Mrs. Ke. This sudden misfortune could only be attributed to Hou Xingguo’s own ill fortune—he had offended the wrong people and spoken out of turn.

Mrs. Ke was already deeply troubled, and with Hou Xingguo’s untimely outburst, she feared Zhu Hao might take his words as another grievance against her. She immediately struck Hou Xingguo hard across the face and angrily commanded, “Be quiet!”

Hou Xingguo was bewildered—he didn’t understand the situation. Though it was he who had been struck earlier, his own mother neither avenged him nor defended him, but instead hit him. He felt helpless and crouched on the ground, weeping in frustration.

Mrs. Ke understood her precarious position and had no heart to comfort her son. Her sole focus was on how to escape Zhu Hao’s grasp alive. After striking Hou Xingguo, she cautiously addressed Zhu Hao, “My lord, my son is ignorant—please do not hold it against him. I will have him apologize to you.”

Turning coldly to Hou Xingguo, she ordered, “You insulted my lord just now. Hurry and kneel to apologize!”

Though slow-witted, Hou Xingguo recognized that he had angered someone he could not afford to offend. He promptly knelt before Zhu Hao, kowtowing and apologizing profusely.

Zhu Hao had no intention of making a fuss over this insignificant youth. His concern was solely with Mrs. Ke, the woman who might bring chaos to the Ming dynasty. Seeing Hou Xingguo’s submission, he magnanimously said, “It’s alright. Ignorance is no crime. I won’t blame you. You may rise.”

After addressing Hou Xingguo, Zhu Hao ignored the boy and turned his attention to Wei Xiaobao’s recent actions, pretending to scold, “Xiaobao, this is Lady Imperial Wet Nurse. How dare you treat her like this? Apologize at once!”

In truth, Zhu Hao had guessed Mrs. Ke’s identity the moment they met. He feigned ignorance to teach her a lesson. Once she revealed her status, he could no longer mistreat her outright—he had to show respect for his imperial elder brother. Yet, he remained displeased with her earlier threats and signaled Wei Xiaobao to deal with her. His scolding of Wei Xiaobao was a performance meant to discipline Mrs. Ke without appearing disrespectful himself.

Wei Xiaobao understood Zhu Hao’s intentions perfectly. After Zhu Hao finished speaking, Wei Xiaobao sincerely put on a repentant act and said to Mrs. Ke, with insincere politeness, “Ah, so you are the Imperial Wet Nurse! I’m sorry, I didn’t hear properly earlier. Please forgive me!”

Mrs. Ke knew this display was a farce, just like her master’s. Since she had already introduced herself, and Wei Xiaobao was standing so close—his eyes and ears could not possibly have missed anything.

Though aware of their duplicity, Mrs. Ke understood she was outmatched. All would have to wait until they reached the palace. As long as she could leave safely, there would be time to seek revenge.

With this in mind, she dared not provoke Zhu Hao further. When Wei Xiaobao apologized, she cooperated, saying, “It’s nothing. I... I bear no grudge against you, sir. Your warning was well-intended.” After all the turmoil, she no longer dared call herself “Her Ladyship” in front of Wei Xiaobao, instead humbling herself as a concubine.

Seeing Mrs. Ke subdued, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Zhu Hao’s mouth before he mockingly rebuked Wei Xiaobao, “You wretched lackey, it’s thanks to Her Ladyship’s magnanimity that I won’t hold this against you! Now get lost!”

Though he appeared to be scolding Wei Xiaobao, Zhu Hao’s true message was for Mrs. Ke—to get out of his way.

Mrs. Ke understood perfectly. Though her heart burned with resentment toward Zhu Hao, she knew she could not confront him now. Everything would have to wait until she met the emperor. For now, she quickly said, “It was my men’s ignorance that blocked your path, my lord. I apologize on their behalf. Please do not take it to heart. I will have them clear the way for you to pass.”

Secretly admiring Mrs. Ke’s patience and understanding, Zhu Hao thought, “This old witch is quite formidable. Perhaps she will be a worthy adversary. Her restraint and comprehension are no ordinary traits. Alongside that patient old fox Wei Zhongxian, they truly are a perfect pair, stirring up trouble in both court and harem. There’s some reason behind their success.”

Though Zhu Hao thought this, he had no intention of harming Mrs. Ke just yet. His elder imperial brother urgently needed this woman to legitimize certain matters. If she were to be killed at the city gate by his hand, it would be hard to explain.

With a faint smile, Zhu Hao said, “Madam, since you are the wet nurse of the emperor’s brother, I should give way to you today. Please, proceed first.”

He then commanded, “Clear the way! Let Madam’s procession pass!”

His actions were cunning rather than kind. He intended for the world to see Mrs. Ke as rude and overbearing, forcing the imperial envoy to yield to her. Should this reach the emperor’s ears, it would justify limiting her privileges and curb her unchecked power in the future.

Unfortunately for Zhu Hao, his plan did not unfold as smoothly. Mrs. Ke had been slapped by his guards and struck several times by Wei Xiaobao, leaving her with little courage to go first.

Hearing Zhu Hao’s order to proceed, Mrs. Ke thought it was merely a show and dared not comply. Instead, she knelt on the ground, weeping, “I did not recognize greatness and blocked your path. That was wrong. How could I expect you to clear the way for me? I beg you, spare me!”

Pausing briefly, she continued, “Please, my lord, go ahead. If you refuse, I shall remain on my knees forever.”

Zhu Hao sighed in resignation, shaking his head. His mind was consumed with matters in Zhejiang, leaving no desire to quarrel further with this woman. Besides, he had suffered no real loss.

In truth, Zhu Hao had taken full advantage—Wei Xiaobao had struck Mrs. Ke’s son, then Zhu Hao’s men had slapped Mrs. Ke herself, and Wei Xiaobao had struck her again. This was a complete rout; only Zhu Hao’s thick skin allowed him to claim he had not lost out.

Regardless, Zhu Hao no longer wished to argue. Hearing Mrs. Ke’s plea, he said, “Madam, please rise. Let us call this a misunderstanding—family quarrels among kin need not be held to heart. Since you have spoken, I shall not refuse. Once my duties are done, I will pay you a visit. For now, I must take my leave.”

Mrs. Ke, still kneeling, quickly replied, “I dare not! I bid my lord a safe and victorious journey!”

With that, Zhu Hao climbed into his sedan chair and ordered, “Set off!”

At his command, the conflict came to an end.

Mrs. Ke had barely reentered the Forbidden City before fate cruelly set her at odds with Zhu Hao again. It seemed their fierce rivalry was destined.

Upon arriving at the palace, Mrs. Ke would naturally lodge complaints against Zhu Hao. Yet, despite being thoroughly manipulated by Wei Zhongxian, the emperor’s elder brother never believed ill words about Zhu Hao. The bond forged through shared hardships could not be broken by slander from petty schemers.