Chapter Ten: Zhu Biao — Perhaps It's Best to Give Up on This Son

With a resounding clang of the gong, the nine-day imperial examination finally drew to a close. After days of relentless struggle, the scholars were utterly exhausted. As soon as they handed in their papers, they rushed out the gates, eager to restore their spirits on the painted boats that lined the Qinhuai River.

Dressed as a nobleman, Zhu Biao stood at the entrance to the examination hall, anxiously scanning the crowd within, but he never caught sight of Zhu Yang.

“Jiang Qing, has Zhu Yang come out yet?” Zhu Biao asked urgently.

“Your Highness, please be patient. When Master Zhu emerges, I’ll point him out to you,” Jiang Huan comforted him, though his eyes were not on the gate but rather on the tavern next door. He sensed something odd—there seemed to be many people hiding there, and even the street vendors seemed peculiar. Though they appeared busy with their own affairs, their attention was focused on the examination hall entrance.

What was going on? Was there an assassination attempt in the works? Had Zhu Yang’s identity been exposed?

Jiang Huan tensed, one hand gripping the hilt of his sword, the other clutching a signal flare. At the slightest sign of trouble, he was prepared to raise the alarm.

Inside the examination hall, Zhu Yang lingered after handing in his papers, craning his neck at the threshold to peer outside. Beyond the gate, aside from anxious servants awaiting their young masters, vendors paced back and forth. It all seemed peaceful, harmonious.

“It seems the Xu family’s anger has subsided,” Zhu Yang thought, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. To avoid enmity with the Xu family, before fleeing to the examination hall, he had instructed his men to spread rumors and divert public attention. Zhu Yang was well-versed in the art of guiding public opinion.

“It appears those boys did a fine job disseminating rumors,” Zhu Yang mused, stroking his chin with satisfaction. He congratulated himself on training such capable subordinates, who could now handle matters independently.

“I must reward them well when we return!” Straightening his attire, Zhu Yang headed toward the gate. Since all was calm, what was there to wait for? The beauties on the painted boats awaited him…

Suddenly—

“Look, that’s Zhu Yang!”

“What? Zhu Yang has come out?”

“Hurry, bring out the props!”

“Zhu Yang’s here, everyone get ready…”

At the moment Zhu Yang stepped from the examination hall, the vendors who had been busy with their own affairs dropped their disguises. From the tavern nearby, a throng of youths poured forth, brandishing banners and placards.

“Protect Xu Miaojin, reject the scoundrel!”

“Casanova, begone! Zhu Yang, begone!”

“Xu Miaojin belongs to us, Zhu Yang, begone!”

“Scoundrels out of the capital!”

“Sisters of the painted boats refuse Zhu Yang boarding!”

“Eighteen miles of pleasure barges refuse Zhu Yang!”

Banners filled the street before the examination hall, stretching as far as the eye could see.

“What is all this?” Zhu Yang stared, dumbfounded at the slogans. Among the crowd, he even spotted courtesans in heavy makeup, holding banners themselves. Judging by their messages, he had been blacklisted by the brothels and pleasure boats.

“Am I the first time-traveler to be banned by brothels?” Zhu Yang couldn’t fathom what he had done to incur such universal wrath—even the lively beauties wanted nothing to do with him.

“Young master, let’s hurry! I heard another group is on their way!” Liu Yuan, who fancied himself capable, hurried over just as Zhu Yang was perplexed by the scene.

“What on earth is going on?” Zhu Yang demanded.

“It’s a long story, we should leave first!” Liu Yuan replied sheepishly, knowing they were responsible for the current chaos.

“A long story?” Zhu Yang’s expression darkened as he cast a deep glance at Liu Yuan. He realized the problem was either with Liu Yuan or the still-absent Lü Jin.

To hell with capable subordinates! When I get back, I’ll lock these two fools in the pigsty.

“Go!” Zhu Yang knew this was no time for blame—he needed to escape the mob first.

“Young master, I’ll protect you!” Liu Yuan began to clear a path for Zhu Yang.

“Not good, Zhu Yang’s trying to run! We can’t let him get away!” Someone in the crowd noticed Zhu Yang fleeing and directed the mob toward him, seeking to block his escape.

Though Liu Yuan was inept, he was fast. He led Zhu Yang through twists and turns, narrowly avoiding being trapped multiple times.

The crowd, realizing they couldn’t catch him, began hurling rotten eggs and cabbages at Zhu Yang.

“This… is that truly my son?” Zhu Biao stared, dumbfounded, at Zhu Yang fleeing in disgrace, unable to believe his eyes.

In his mind, even if Zhu Yang was no longer as adorable as a child, he should at least be a refined gentleman.

But the youth before him was neither adorable nor gentlemanly.

“Your Highness… actually, there are reasons for this!” Jiang Huan suppressed his laughter and began to explain all he had learned over the past few days.

In a secluded courtyard, Zhu Yang faced Liu Yuan and Lü Jin, both kneeling before him.

He had purchased this courtyard before coming to the capital, equipped with a secret passage leading to the outskirts, intended as a base for escape should Zhu Yuanzhang ever decide to purge the court and Zhu Yang found himself on the kill list.

“It’s all Lü Jin’s fault. I’d crafted a story saying you and Miss Xu grew up together, but due to differences in status, the Xu family opposed your union, and you, being timid, didn’t resist…” Liu Yuan explained, “But Lü Jin went out drinking and, drunk, began boasting to the courtesans about your exploits—how many women you have, how you sleep with many at once…”

“By the time I found out, all sorts of tales were circulating widely, and it was too late to redirect public opinion!” Liu Yuan continued.

“I acknowledge my guilt!” Lü Jin knelt, his face ashen.

“What childhood sweethearts? What Xu family opposition? I told you to spread rumors to divert attention, not to concoct tales about me and Xu Miaojin!” Zhu Yang raged.

A bunch of pig-headed fools.

“You could have made up a story about a minister’s concubine having an affair, or a son not being his father’s, or even a minister not being his mother’s child… As long as it was about the six ministries’ officials, the capital’s citizens would have eagerly gossiped. Not to make me the target!” Zhu Yang fumed.

“But you never specified, young master. You just told me to make up rumors!” Liu Yuan muttered.

“I… you…” Zhu Yang felt his blood boil. Locking these idiots in the pigsty wasn’t enough—they deserved to be locked in with rutting boars.

Outside the courtyard, Zhu Biao and Jiang Huan stood by the wall, listening to Zhu Yang’s furious tirade.

Unable to rest easy, they had followed Zhu Yang, only to overhear his original plan.

“I think the ministers of the six departments will come bearing gifts tomorrow to thank Master Zhu’s two subordinates,” Jiang Huan whispered.

“I think so too,” Zhu Biao nodded, though in his heart he pondered whether to tell the emperor that perhaps this son was best given up.