Chapter 42: Empathy
Lu Song has practiced martial arts since he was a child. He has a sturdy figure and bulging temples. It is obvious that he is quite skilled. His eyes were full of vigilance. If Zhu Hao had not mentioned his son, he would never have risked visiting.
Everyone in Prince Xing's Palace knew that Zhu Hao was from the Zhu family of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Yuan Zonggao, the Palace Chief Clerk, ordered to be on high alert against Zhu Hao. If he came to see them at night and people knew about it, how could it not arouse suspicion from outsiders?
"Lu Dianzhang, I'm ashamed to say that I have been in Prince Xing's Mansion for five days, but during these five days, I haven't even entered the door of the inner courtyard of the mansion. People are watching me like a thief. Being trapped here every day is like being in jail... Lu Dianzhang, can you understand my mood?" Zhu Hao's tone of voice did not sound like a seven-year-old child at all.
Lu Song said nothing.
Why do you need others to understand your feelings?
"Lu Dianzhang's recent situation should be similar to mine."
What Zhu Hao said next made Lu Song feel alarmed.
Lu Song frowned and said, "Master Zhu, I heard that you are from the Jinyiwei Zhu family. What is your purpose in coming to the palace?"
Is this to force Zhu Hao to confess his "crimes"?
Of course, Zhu Hao could not do as Lu Song wished. There were some things he was not sure about. Even if Lu Song really had dealings with Captain Lin, what if Zhu Youqiu also knew about it, and it was he who instructed Lu Song to be a double agent?
"Lu Dianzhang, I met a man today. His last name was Lin. He asked me a lot of questions and then left in a hurry. Do you know about this?"
Zhu Hao controlled the rhythm of the conversation.
After hearing this, Lu Song's face changed drastically, and he looked at Zhu Hao with a changeable look... He didn't have time to use his identity as an adult to deceive Zhu Hao, and he fell into the trap first.
Zhu Hao said, "To be honest, I was not aware of the fact that Master Jing, I, and your son were studying with each other in the palace. He was actually unaware of this. After hearing my story, he would have definitely associated some things with it and asked someone to verify it. Fortunately, I discovered it in time and did not say more."
Lu Song's hand was already on the hilt of the knife, his eyes were ferocious, and he was ready to kill to silence the witness if they disagreed with him.
Zhu Hao took a quick glance and knew the current situation. He had to stabilize the situation before Lu Song took desperate measures.
"Lu Dianzhang, don't worry. Even the Zhu family doesn't know your identity in the palace. Besides, we have the same goal, so there is no need to betray you... I haven't told my family about my guess, but I have recorded the relevant information, mainly to prevent me from encountering any accidents in the palace When the time comes, my family will naturally find what I wrote..."
When Lu Song heard this, he stared at Zhu Hao, obviously not believing that this was something a child could possess.
Zhu Hao said, "Last night, Jianmao Zhu and others conspired to harm me secretly, but Lu Dianzhang took action today and taught them a lesson. So I think Lu Dianzhang still wants to complete the mission and get out of this misery as soon as possible, right?"
This was just Zhu Hao's test, but Lu Song frankly admitted: "I was the one who exposed their dirty tricks. I didn't expect to find evidence during the search. It was just a coincidence."
This means that both parties have laid everything out in the open.
Lu Songzhen is the spy planted by the Jinyiwei in Prince Xing's Mansion.
Lu Song's current situation is much more dangerous than Zhu Hao's. He has to work for the court, but he is also afraid that the court will reveal his identity. More importantly, he has gained the trust of Prince Xing's Mansion and wants to escape from the control of the Jinyiwei...
After understanding Lu Song's contradictory psychology, Zhu Hao was able to act more cautiously.
"Lu Dianzhang, why don't you and I sit down and talk in detail? Here is some pie, shall we enjoy it together?"
…
…
The elder and the younger sat down.
They were on guard against each other. Lu Song might have had murderous intentions before, but Zhu Hao judged that this man was well-read and had never been on a battlefield. As a result of reading so many books, he became pedantic and cowardly.
Perhaps after his father's death, Lu Song never thought of working for the Jinyiwei again. Unfortunately, he was found by his superiors after hiding for many years and had to pretend to be nice.
"Lu Dianzhang, it seems that the court has no intention of making things difficult for Prince Xing's Mansion for the time being. As long as we can get the intelligence out on time, especially if it involves the little prince, the court will not make things difficult for us."
Zhu Hao was the first to speak, showing his sincerity, "But for me, the current situation is still a little dangerous."
Lu Song picked up a piece of pie and was about to put it in his mouth, but he put it down after hearing this: "This is a place of trouble. You are from the Zhu family of Jinyiwei. Prince Xing's Mansion has been prepared for it. You'd better leave."
This is to tell Zhu Hao, don't struggle, your background has been investigated clearly. You are different from me. I can hide my identity well. Are you staying here just to wait miserably to be eliminated?
Zhu Hao said, "But... I am unwilling to do this! Once I leave Prince Xing's Mansion, I will be imprisoned by the family. I will not have the opportunity to study or even practice martial arts in the future... Entering Prince Xing's Mansion is my last resort."
"Um!?"
Lu Song looked at Zhu Hao with disbelief.
Is the internal strife in your Zhu family so serious?
Are you trying to trick me, kid?
"In fact, before I entered the palace, I had already had contact with the little prince and the little princess. We can be said to have similar interests." Zhu Hao once again said a piece of news that made Lu Song unbelievable.
Lu Song stood up suddenly and said in a lost voice: "This... How is this possible?"
Zhu Hao said, "They call themselves Zhu San and Zhu Si. The older one is probably the little prince's sister, about eight or nine years old. I met her when I sold her rabbits... As for Zhu Si, she is about my age, so she should be the little prince... Am I right?"
"ah?"
Lu Song was stunned.
His shock was enough to show that he had actually known the real situation in the palace for a long time. Zhu Hao estimated that Lu Song had never told Captain Lin such important information.
"Don't worry, Lu Dianzhang. I just recorded these things and didn't report them... You'll know when you ask around. My mother was bullied by my grandmother, and the family is always trying to control us. I entered the palace more to win a chance to stand out for myself. Working for the Zhu family or the court is not as important as planning for my own future."
Zhu Hao spoke frankly: "The current emperor has no children... Lu Dianzhang, you have been in the palace for many years, and your wife is the little prince's wet nurse. You have always avoided interacting with people in the court. I think you have considered your personal and family's future and destiny... Can you understand what I said?"
Before this, Lu Song was still considering whether to kill this boy in front of him who knew too many secrets, to prevent the affairs of the palace and his own affairs from being known by Captain Lin or the Zhu family.
After listening to Zhu Hao's words, he realized that Zhu Hao was not an ordinary person. He knew everything about the situation in the palace. It was a little unbelievable for a moment.
"What are you talking about, wet nurse? Master Zhu, there are some things you can't say carelessly."
Lu Song frowned, and there was a hint of threat in his eyes as he looked at Zhu Hao.
Zhu Hao smiled and said, "Then just pretend I didn't say anything, but I still think that staying in the palace is much better than returning to the Zhu family... Just as Lu Dianzhang thought, isn't it better to stay in the palace and plan for the future than to return to the Jinyiwei and become a nobody who depends on others for his livelihood?"
Zhu Hao's words hit Lu Song's soft spot.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard represented the imperial court.
But even if he worked hard for the Jinyiwei and made great contributions, at most Lu Song would inherit his father's position as the general flag bearer. In the future, it might be difficult for him to become a centurion or a deputy centurion, let alone a centurion of the Jinyiwei.
But if he stayed in Prince Xing's Palace, he would have a great chance to make contributions to the emperor in the future. His wife was the little prince's wet nurse, and now his son was studying with the crown prince, while he was still the chief guard of Prince Xing's Palace...
"We have the same idea. We all want to stay in Prince Xing's Mansion. So if there is anything that is harmful to the palace, we have to keep it a secret if we can avoid telling anyone else... You think the same as I do, right?" Zhu Hao looked eager.
Lu Song hesitated for a long time, but finally nodded and revealed his true thoughts in front of a child.
A child accurately explained the current situation and aroused his empathy, so he felt that Zhu Hao's words were trustworthy.
"Lu Dianzhang, since we have the same goal, we shouldn't be on guard against each other. We should help each other in the future. You help me to be a companion to the little prince, and I will help you hide the identity information of you and your family. If the little prince can achieve... great things , we may be able to rise to prominence. It's better than working with the Jinyiwei, right?"
When Zhu Hao said this, he observed carefully and found that the wariness on Lu Song's face had faded a lot.
This is because Zhu Hao has grasped Lu Song's psychology and knows what the other party is most looking forward to. In addition, Zhu Hao himself has the same idea, so naturally they appreciate each other.
Lu Song asked: "Master Zhu, has...someone given you some advice?"
"Um."
Zhu Hao could only nod in acknowledgment.
No one would think that a child could think of so much.
"Lu Dianzhang will know if he asks around. After my father died for his country, the family has always wanted to take back the property he left behind. Even my entry into Prince Xing's Palace was arranged by the family. They are deliberately pushing me into the fire pit... The expert behind me said that only by relying on Prince Xing's Palace can I get rid of the family's control and have a promising future... I didn't lie to you."
"I believe you."
Lu Song's attitude finally softened. "How do you want me to help you?"
This statement fully demonstrates that Lu Song is not completely ignorant of the origins of the Zhu family.
Since he knew that the Zhu family and his contact behind him, Captain Lin, had the same goal, why wouldn't he investigate the Zhu family's background?
Zhu Hao was very happy. He had a private conversation with Lu Song, which was full of dangers. Now it seemed that the progress and gains were quite good. He said, "I hope that Lu Dianzhang can help me gain a foothold in Prince Xing's Mansion and protect my safety."
"Yeah." Lu Song nodded.
Zhu Hao said: "Also, I want to convey the message to the little prince and the princess through your son, and tell them the true situation of my situation here."
Lu Song stretched out his hand to interrupt Zhu Hao: "By the way, you haven't told me yet, how did you get to know... Zhu San and Zhu Si?"
"We caught rabbits together... There is a secret passage in the palace that can be used to sneak out. I met them at the flower and bird market, and later we became good friends... In fact, it was me who asked them to make suggestions to King Xing about selecting a study partner..."
Originally, Lu Song had doubts about Zhu Hao's words.
But now the little fellow even knew about Zhu San and Zhu Si raising rabbits. Besides, it was indeed Zhu San and Zhu Si who proposed to Zhu Youlang to recruit study companions. All the circumstances matched up, and he couldn't help but believe it.
