The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the Carpenter Prince!

When we returned to Cining Palace, it was just dawn.

Emperor Taichang ascended the throne in early August and moved to the Qianqing Palace. These few neglected halls then fell to Zhu Youxiao, who lived there for less than a month. It wasn't really a move—Emperor Taichang had lived here for thirty years as crown prince, and Zhu Youxiao simply moved in with his luggage, only now he had a different title.

The autumn wind blew in, making the palace cooler than outside.

The window paper was pasted in two layers, but it couldn't block the wind.

The gold brick floor felt icy cold underfoot.

In the corner, there was a copper brazier covered with a layer of yesterday's charcoal ash; no one had come to replace the charcoal.

They were truly poor.

The allowance for the Crown Prince's expenses was never sufficient during the Wanli reign. Emperor Taichang himself suffered for thirty years, and his son suffered for fifteen years as well.

Charcoal, food, and clothing—the accounts look good on paper, but once you actually receive them, you're lucky if you get 70% of it; even then, it's considered a stroke of luck by the imperial treasury. The Crown Prince, living a life worse than a seventh-rank county magistrate.

On the workbench by the window lay several carving knives and a piece of wood that had been half-carved, with sawdust scattered all over the floor—the original owner had been ignored for fifteen years, but had managed to hone his carpentry skills on his own.

That works too, at least I have a skill.

Mr. Ke is already here.

She would be waiting before dawn and wouldn't leave until nightfall, a routine she maintained for fifteen years without fail, more punctual than clocking in for work. When Zhu Youxiao entered, she was directing two eunuchs to wipe the table, muttering something under her breath.

Her face changed immediately upon seeing him.

"My lord is finally back! He ran off to the warm chamber last night without a word, and Grandma waited all night, almost going to the Qianqing Palace to find you herself!"

"My father is ill, so I stayed with him all night." Zhu Youxiao yawned. "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving."

In a split second, Madam Ke's expression shifted from scolding to heartache. She turned and called to the small kitchen, "Hurry! Heat up a bowl of millet porridge and steam two pieces of osmanthus cake. The boy is starving!"

The Crown Prince's meals do not follow the procedures of the Imperial Kitchen. The Imperial Kitchen oversees the Emperor's meals, and the Crown Prince has neither the authority nor the privilege to provide them.

What she ate was entirely up to Madam Ke to arrange for people to cook; in the palace, this was called "Madam Ke's Home Dining".

The title sounds impressive, but in reality, it's just that Madam Ke is the head chef and the chief cook. She can decide what to cook and what time to serve meals. She knows exactly how many bowls of porridge the prince drank in the morning, which extra dishes he took at noon, and whether he ate much in the evening.

After Consort Wang passed away in the 47th year of the Wanli reign, the only woman left who could manage things around the former incarnation was Madam Ke. She not only took care of food, but also arranged everything from clothing and bedding to all the big and small matters in the palace.

The original owner was more dependent on her than on Emperor Taichang—after all, Emperor Taichang was only seen a few times a year, while Madam Ke was in front of him every day.

Controlling what people say means controlling what they do; controlling what people do means controlling what they do; this principle has been true throughout history.

When the porridge was served, my younger brother came along too.

Zhu Youjian jogged all the way from the back hall, his blue robe hanging loosely around his waist, and went straight to the table as soon as he entered.

"Brother, osmanthus cake!"

Two eyes were fixed on the two pieces of cake, their desire gleaming.

"That's your brother's." Mrs. Ke slapped his hand. "Yours is in the kitchen, it's gotten cold and you haven't even gone to get it."

Zhu Youjian ignored her completely, tugging at Zhu Youxiao's sleeve and shaking it, "Brother, give me a piece."

Zhu Youxiao broke off a piece and handed it over.

Ms. Ke exclaimed "Oh dear," too lazy to stop him, and shook her head with a smile.

Zhu Youjian squatted beside a low stool, munching on osmanthus cake, his cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's. The scheming that had taken place among the well-dressed people in the warm pavilion for half an hour just now was completely meaningless in front of the osmanthus cake.

"Brother, did you really go to see Father last night?" Zhu Youjian asked, his mouth full of cake.

"Um."

"What does Father look like?"

Zhu Youxiao paused for a moment.

Zhu Youjian and Emperor Taichang rarely met. When Emperor Taichang was the crown prince, he was too busy taking care of himself. Emperor Wanli treated him coldly, so he had no choice but to treat his sons coldly as well.

Zhu Youjian's birth mother, Liu Shunu, was of a lower rank than Consort Wang. As for how she died, the previous incarnation only had a vague memory of her death—it seemed that Emperor Taichang himself took matters into his own hands, and fearing that Emperor Wanli would find out, he hastily buried her in the Western Hills.

Zhu Youjian was initially supported by the Western Li family, but after the Western Li family had a princess, they couldn't take care of him anymore, so he was moved to the Eastern Li family.

At nine years old, my father's face was about as far away as the moon outside the palace walls.

"About the same as you, just a bit thinner." Zhu Youxiao ruffled his hair.

"Can I visit him in the future?"

"Yes, I'll take you when Father is feeling better."

"good!"

After finishing the cake, Zhu Youjian ran back to the inner palace to find the old nanny, completely satisfied.

Madam Ke cleared the table and sat down opposite Zhu Youxiao, lowering her voice.

"Young master, this morning Consort Li sent a young palace maid over to inquire about Your Highness's condition last night while she was attending to him, and whether His Majesty's health has improved."

He spoke in a very casual tone, as if he were talking about the weather.

But it's not that simple.

Consort Li sent someone to investigate early in the morning. Ostensibly, it was to inquire about the emperor's well-being, but secretly, she wanted to know two things—whether the emperor was alright and what the crown prince had done in the warm pavilion last night.

Whether the emperor is good or bad is related to her own future. Every day that Emperor Taichang lives, her window of opportunity for advancement opens one more day—she is still waiting for the imperial decree to be made an imperial concubine, and if she is lucky, she even dares to dream of becoming empress.

I heard that last month she even got in touch with Consort Zheng, and the two women helped each other get promoted: Consort Zheng helped her get promoted to Empress, and she helped Consort Zheng get promoted to Empress Dowager.

Two women who have been fighting for thirty years join forces with their mortal enemy; this kind of story could be the subject of a play in any dynasty or era.

As for what the Crown Prince did last night—the Crown Prince, who was "unlearned in the classics," suddenly went to the warm pavilion and stayed up all night. Something was wrong, and she had to find out.

"What did you reply?" Zhu Youxiao picked up the bowl of porridge.

"Grandma said that His Highness felt sorry for Father Emperor and stayed by his side all night, but he didn't know anything else." Madam Ke smiled. "That little palace maid is very clumsy with words. She left after asking the questions, so we couldn't find out anything."

If you can't tell, that's good.

Madam Ke revealed this matter to him, whether sincerely or to curry favor, at least she spoke up for the Crown Prince today. As for whether she turned around and passed the message to Consort Li—there's plenty of time to settle this later.

The relationship between Lady Ke and Consort Li was an open secret in the Qianqing Palace. The two women saw each other all the time, and while they were polite to each other on the surface, no one could say for sure what kind of deals were going on beneath the surface.

In her past life's memories, once Consort Li rewarded Madam Ke with a pair of gold bracelets. Madam Ke then told Consort Li everything about who Zhu Youxiao had met that day and what he had said.

That was back to the timeline of the previous system.

The trust that the original owner placed in Madam Ke was built up day by day over fifteen years, and it was as solid as bone. Having only been here for three days, this wealth could not be touched carelessly—to use it hastily would be like pulling chestnuts out of the fire for someone else, and to throw it away hastily would be like cutting off one's own arm.

Let's put it aside for now and test it slowly.

"Grandma, you've worked hard. If Consort Li comes to ask again, just deal with her the same way."

Ms. Ke agreed and hurried off to the kitchen to prepare her younger brother's lunch.

………………

After finishing his meal, Zhu Youxiao sat down at the workbench by the window and picked up a carving knife.

I finished carving the beginning of the wooden horse and then put it down; I've been too busy these past few days to finish it. The horse's body is roughly complete, but the four legs are still four sticks, and there's not even a glimpse of ears yet.

After making two cuts, I heard footsteps under the eaves.

Liu Shun arrived, first paying his respects before replying, "Your Highness, the osmanthus cake has been delivered."

Zhu Youxiao hummed in agreement.

Before returning from the warm pavilion yesterday, he asked Liu Shun to get two extra portions of osmanthus cake from the small kitchen—one for Xiao Su, the eunuch on duty by Wang An's side, and the other for Old Zhao, who guards the gate outside Qianqing Gate.

It's not really a cake; it's just a stepping stone, a way to test the waters.

Little Su has accepted your cake. Next time, have Liu Shun go to Wang An to deliver a message, and someone will help pass it on. Old Zhao has eaten your food, so people from the Eastern Palace will be questioned less when entering and leaving the Qianqing Gate.

Osmanthus cake is something you can eat without offending anyone, and receiving it isn't considered bribery; it's more effective than silver.

"Did Wang Daban's people accept it?"

"I'll take it." Liu Shun grinned. "Little Su said that Eunuch Wang doesn't allow accepting things from outsiders, but osmanthus cake isn't gold or silver. How can we return something given by His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Where is Qianqing Gate?"

Old Zhao accepted it as well, and even said, "Your Highness is very kind."

Liu Shun paused, then lowered his voice, "Your Highness, when I was delivering cakes, I ran into an unfamiliar eunuch in the corridor. He was squatting there wiping the stove. I asked him, and he said his name was Li Jinzhong, and he was here to deliver charcoal to the various palaces."

Li Jinzhong.

The carving knife paused for a moment.

This name is hardly memorable. He was originally a low-ranking eunuch who had served meals to his birth mother, Consort Wang. After Consort Wang passed away, he was relegated to doing odd jobs somewhere, and few people in the Eastern Palace remembered him.

But Zhu Youxiao later learned what this person would be called—Wei Zhongxian.

The Ninth Prince, the one who wields absolute power. Right now, he's still called Li Jinzhong, squatting under someone's porch wiping a stove.

He's fifty-two now, and has spent most of his life struggling at the bottom of society, from a street ruffian to being castrated and entering the palace.

He had a past relationship with Wei Chao, who was a concubine of Lady Ke, and used this connection to gain some influence near the Eastern Palace. He was inconspicuous and nobody paid much attention to him.

Those who will cause a huge stir in the future all start out like this.

"What does it look like?"

"He's not short, has an honest face, smiles at everyone, and doesn't talk much," Liu Shun thought for a moment. "He seems quite decent."

"Um."

Whether it's doing one's duty or not, just write it down.

………………

The sun was a bit brighter in the afternoon, and sunlight filtered through the paper windows, making the hall less cold at last.

Zhu Youxiao leaned against the windowsill, carving wood. The carving knife spun slowly, but his mind was busy.

Having lived there for less than a month, the only faces one could see in the East Palace were Madam Ke, Liu Shun, and two eunuchs who swept the floor. Wang An would come by every few days, and in total, there were no more than ten people.

A little information channel is better than nothing.

Who Emperor Taichang met, what he heard, and whether he was in a good mood in the warm pavilion—all of this would only be known when Wang An arrived. As for what Consort Li was up to in the Qianqing Palace, there was no clue whatsoever. And the attitudes of the outer court officials towards the selection of the heir apparent were completely unknown.

When a prince reaches this level, he's not much different from a clay idol in a temple—he receives offerings but knows nothing about the realities of life outside.

We need to build a network.

Madam Ke's information was all from the inner palace, and she was inextricably linked to Consort Li. Liu Shun's rank was too low; his contact was limited to the guards at the Qianqing Gate. Wang An was the real conduit, but the old eunuch was on duty at the Qianqing Palace and could only visit the Eastern Palace a limited number of times. None of these three lines of communication reached the outer court.

We're still short-staffed. There's no rush.

Just as I was making plans, Liu Shun rushed in again, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement.

"Your Highness, I went to Qianqing Gate to retrieve something just now, and Old Zhao pulled me aside and said a few words to me."

"explain."

"Old Zhao said that this morning, when Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe came out of the warm pavilion and returned to the cabinet, he had people look through the documents, specifically the notification that Cui Wensheng was transferred to the Imperial Pharmacy."

Liu Shun's eyes lit up. He probably didn't realize how heavy those words were.

Zhu Youxiao spun the carving knife twice without making a sound.

Fang Congzhe was checking the documents.

Well, the nail I planted yesterday has sprouted today.

The Grand Secretary went back to review the documents, his calculations simple—he hadn't uttered a word about the clubbing incident five years ago, and Donglin remembered that debt. Cui Wensheng's notification document bore his signature; only by having this document in his own hands could he feel secure.

But once he started looking through old files, the news couldn't be kept secret any longer. When the cabinet was going through old files, which of the clerks or junior officials handling the documents wouldn't let it slip? In less than three days, the news that "the Grand Secretary is investigating Cui Wensheng's personnel background" would have reached the Six Ministries.

When Yang Lian and his group of censors heard this, they exclaimed, "Wow, even the Grand Secretary has investigated. What are we waiting for?"

The person putting out the fire personally added more firewood to the fire.

have to.

The osmanthus cakes were only sent out a day ago, and a report came back. This deal was worthwhile.

"Got it. Just keep an eye on whatever Old Zhao says from now on. Don't ask around. If he's willing to talk, then listen; if he's not, then don't pursue it."

"Yes."

Liu Shun left.

………………

Corridor.

Li Jinzhong squatted on the ground wiping the stove.

The bronze stove wasn't large; it was a small one used for heating the Eastern Palace during winter. Ranked eunuchs wouldn't touch these chores like delivering charcoal, cleaning the stove, removing ash, and replacing bronze parts, but it was perfect for an idle person like him with no real job. He could run around to various palaces, become familiar with them, and hear all sorts of news.

He wiped slowly and deliberately, his ears perked up.

The little eunuch named Liu Shun ran in and out several times. Each time he went in, he lowered his voice, and when he came out, he had a fierce look on his face.

Not right.

He had been to these cold palaces several times. Usually, when he delivered charcoal, it was quiet. Only Lady Ke and two cleaners were in the palace, while His Highness the Crown Prince was whittling wood at the workbench, not even looking up.

Today is different. He couldn't quite put his finger on what was different, but after thirty years in the palace, his nose wouldn't lie to him.

Li Jinzhong polished the stove lid until it gleamed, stood up, and respectfully bowed towards the palace door—the door was closed, and no one inside could see him.

The rules, whether someone's watching or not, have to be followed properly. That's the capital he had to live to fifty-two in the palace—many people smarter than him didn't even live past forty.

He picked up the charcoal basket and walked towards the next hall, glancing at the sky as he passed under the corridor.

His old friend Wei Chao had mentioned to him last month that the emperor was seriously ill and that something was about to happen in the palace. Wei Chao was Lady Ke's lover and was well-informed, so his prediction of a change in the emperor's situation was probably not unfounded.

What does the change of regime have to do with Li Jinzhong? He's just a nobody who delivers charcoal to various palaces.

But then again, if things really change, who will be the new master? It'll be that Crown Prince who's whittling wood inside.

Lady Ke has served the Crown Prince for fifteen years. If the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne, her influence would be immense. Wei Chao is her partner, and he is an old acquaintance of Wei Chao—this connection, though thin, is at least a bond.

It won't hurt to visit the East Palace more often.