Chapter Nineteen: Wei Xiaobao, the Fortunate General

At the words, the assembled imperial physicians seemed to receive a great pardon. They all bowed, expressing their gratitude for the emperor’s boundless grace, and quickly filed out of Zhu Hao’s bedchamber. Only Zhu Hao and his parents remained. Zhu Changluo gazed at his son for a long moment before finally speaking: “Youjian, don’t worry. Once you recover, your father will take you to avenge this wrong!” Then, turning to Consort Liu, he said, “It’s late, my dear. You should go rest as well. I still have urgent matters to attend to.”

Consort Liu’s face, however, showed no trace of joy at the emperor’s words. Instead, she was clouded with worry, as if there was something she wished to say but could not. At last, she drew a deep breath and spoke: “Your Majesty, I do not understand the affairs of the court. I only wish for our family to live in peace. Please, listen to me—do not make things difficult for the Empress. After all, behind her…”

Before she could finish, Zhu Changluo cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Say no more, my dear. I have my own plans. You should rest.” With that, he left the room without another word, not waiting for Consort Liu to reply.

Consort Liu, her heart aching, turned back to look at Zhu Hao, who lay on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling. With a sigh, she too left his chambers, leaving Zhu Hao alone with his tangled, troubled thoughts.

Not long after both his parents had gone, Gongsun Ce entered the room. He looked at Zhu Hao, still staring dazedly at the ceiling, and said, “It seems Your Highness has found a better way?”

Gongsun Ce’s meaning was clear: Zhu Hao had stopped feigning madness, and now pretended to shut himself off from the world. This would lessen his parents’ worry and make the Empress believe he posed no threat.

Zhu Hao heaved a deep sigh. “You jest, Gongsun. Living like this, I’d rather be dead. Seeing the way my father and mother looked at me today was worse than any torment I suffered in the Empress’s palace. There, it was my body that suffered—but now, it’s my heart.”

Gongsun Ce was visibly moved. “Such filial piety, Your Highness! I am full of admiration. Still, take heart. Judging by today’s events, His Majesty already contemplates deposing the Empress. Your brighter days are coming—soon, you’ll have your chance to ascend! ‘When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility upon a person, it first tries their resolve, exhausts their sinews and bones, exposes them to hunger and hardship, and harasses their every step, so as to stir their spirit and strengthen their character. Endure a little longer, and I predict a turning point will come within three days!”

Zhu Hao sighed deeply. “You speak too lightly, Gongsun. You’re new here and don’t understand the true power behind the Empress. Even my father fears them. Were it not so, I’d never have gone to such lengths to feign insanity.”

Gongsun Ce smiled. “Your Highness sees only half the truth. The Empress indeed has formidable supporters among her kin, but all beneath Heaven belongs to the Emperor; all within the realm are his subjects. I believe His Majesty is wise and capable, and he will resolve this matter. You need not worry.”

Zhu Hao could only offer a wry smile, saying nothing more. His mind was consumed with the looming specter of the “Red Pill Case.” His father would soon join his ancestors before the month’s end. Though talented, his father was not favored by fate. Clearly, Zhu Hao needed to find a way for his father to survive this ordeal.

With such worries, Zhu Hao had no desire to continue the conversation. He nodded and said, “Let us hope you’re right, Gongsun. It’s late—you should rest. Tomorrow you’ll need your strength to investigate the fire.”

Gongsun Ce smiled and nodded. “Indeed, it is late. You are wounded and need rest; I won’t disturb you further. As for the fire, there’s no need to investigate tomorrow—I’ve already uncovered the truth.”

Zhu Hao, startled by this, ignored his pain and sat up abruptly in bed, only to wince as his wounds protested. Still, curiosity got the better of him. “You’ve solved the case already? Quickly, tell me what happened!”

Alarmed by Zhu Hao’s sudden movement, Gongsun Ce hurried over and urged him to lie down. “Your Highness is injured—be calm and rest. Once you’re well, I’ll reveal everything.”

Zhu Hao understood Gongsun’s concern and, though burning with curiosity, forced himself to lie back down. As soon as he was settled, Gongsun excused himself. “Rest well, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave.” With that, he departed.

But Gongsun’s departure left Zhu Hao more restless than ever. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep, his mind filled with questions—what had Gongsun discovered about the fire? And how could he avert the disaster of the “Red Pill Case”?

Time slipped by, and before he knew it, the night was deep. Still awake, plagued by anxiety, he suddenly heard his door creak open.

Lying motionless, Zhu Hao wondered, “Who would come at such an hour? My mother? No, she never stays up late, not even for worry’s sake. Could it be… a thief?” He quickly dismissed the thought—any thief bold enough to enter the palace would target the main halls, not a remote side chamber like his.

His thoughts were interrupted by the unmistakable sound of a sword being drawn. Instantly, Zhu Hao realized: “This is bad. The old witch isn’t done with me yet!” He gritted his teeth and prepared to dodge, but just then, a sharp voice cried out from the doorway: “How dare you attempt an assassination on the prince! The Imperial Guards are here—surrender at once!”

Though Zhu Hao had not yet seen who drew the sword, he felt the would-be assassin freeze, and in the next moment, a squad of guards swept into the room. At their head was a figure who left Zhu Hao stunned—but the sight of the guards brought some relief.

The one who so surprised Zhu Hao was none other than Wei Xiaobao, whom he had sent to keep watch on Kunning Palace. The assassin, realizing the plan had failed, tried to escape, but the guards blocked his retreat and cautiously surrounded him, lest desperation drive him to harm Zhu Hao.

A fierce struggle ensued, blades flashing in the dimness. Zhu Hao could make little sense of it. After perhaps fifteen minutes, the assassin managed to seize an opening and flee. The guards left two men to protect Zhu Hao and rushed out in pursuit.

Wei Xiaobao turned to the two guards. “Brothers, wait outside. I have a private matter to report to His Highness.” The guards bowed and obediently left the room.

Watching Wei Xiaobao command the guards with such authority, Zhu Hao couldn’t help but be puzzled—he seemed less like a humble eunuch and more like a leader of the Imperial Guards.

With a smile, Zhu Hao asked, “Well, Xiaobao, has my father made you Commander of the Imperial Guards? Since when do you have the power to give them orders?”

Wei Xiaobao, ever the clever rogue, caught the joke and grinned sheepishly. “It’s all thanks to Your Highness’s favor. I’m no official—just lucky enough to serve you. That’s all I want in this life!”

Zhu Hao laughed. “Enough nonsense—tell me what happened.”

Wei Xiaobao knelt respectfully. “Your Highness told me to keep watch on Kunning Palace. I thought, if I made friends with a few of the guards nearby, it would make surveillance easier. So, I befriended a few of them.”

Wei Xiaobao made it sound easy, but Zhu Hao doubted it was so simple. If he’d only made a few friends, why would the guards defer to him and salute him?

Determined to get the truth, Zhu Hao pressed, “No more evasions. Tell me exactly what you did and which guards you befriended.”

Wei Xiaobao scratched his head, embarrassed for once. “Well… it’s nothing really, just a few tricks.”

Seeing Zhu Hao’s stern look, Wei Xiaobao knew he couldn’t get away with being vague. He answered honestly, “Please don’t be angry, Your Highness. I’ll tell you everything. The guards like to play dice in their spare time, and I’m rather good at it myself. So, I joined them, and ended up winning the commander’s underclothes and even his concubine! Of course, being half-crippled, I had no use for such things and returned them all. He was so grateful, he insisted on becoming sworn brothers with me. I couldn’t refuse. Tonight, when someone plotted to assassinate Your Highness, it was my sworn brother—the commander, Xie Gang—who tipped me off. That’s why I rushed here with the guards to save you. If I’d been any later, I’d never have been able to redeem myself, even with a hundred deaths!”

Hearing this, Zhu Hao took a deep breath. When he’d first summoned Wei Xiaobao, he’d been reluctant a million times over, but now he realized the man truly was a treasure—his lucky star. Without him tonight, Zhu Hao would surely have been doomed.

Clearing his throat, Zhu Hao said, “Since that’s the case, have your brother come see me. I’d like to meet him.”