The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Although she had grown estranged from her husband and children due to living in the palace for so long, she still had hope. At worst, Prince Jing would take care of her in her old age, so she wouldn't be left destitute.

But it's different for eunuchs, especially those who have lost their masters' trust; they become incredibly miserable in their old age.

They were either seriously ill and difficult to cure, or starving and freezing, and when they died, there were no relatives to properly bury them, let alone offer them a memorial service.

"Hehe." Ma Dezhao knew what she was thinking: "It's alright. Over the years, Consort Jing and Imperial Noble Consort have rewarded me quite a bit. How much can someone like me spend?"

"It's just a few things you can't take with you when you die. We've known each other for over ten years, so there's some affection between us. No need to be so polite."

"Alright, then I thank you very much, Eunuch." Unable to refuse, Liu bowed and accepted the heavy brocade pouch. She made up her mind that she would do everything she could to beg His Highness to take Eunuch Ma with her to his fiefdom.

After Liu left, Ma Dezhao sat down and silently drank cold tea, which was his habit; he didn't like drinking hot tea.

The night was so long, it filled my mind with thoughts, but no matter how much I thought, I couldn't remember what my parents looked like.

...............

As was his long-standing habit, Zhu Zaizhen woke up precisely at dawn, rolled over in bed and stretched, his legs rubbing against the soft mattress, feeling a tingling, numbing sensation, and he couldn't help but groan.

"Your Highness is awake." Tao Ze, enduring the pain, entered and used a silver hook to lift the bed curtains. "Shall I help you to get up?"

"Hmm, where's Zhang Xing?"

"Your Highness, Zhang Xing has gone to invite Imperial Physician Zhou. He will be back shortly."

He first put on a silk shirt and then a green cloud-patterned robe. After combing his hair with a rhinoceros horn comb, he hurriedly went to the official room in the northwest corner of the side hall. It was an urgent matter to relieve himself.

When he returned from relieving himself, Ma Dezhao was already waiting with a court official dressed in a blue robe, while Zhang Xing was arranging breakfast.

"Your subject, Zhou Shouzheng of the Imperial Medical Academy, pays respects to Your Highness Prince Jing."

Zhu Zaizhen carefully examined the old man before him. From the details of his face, it was clear that he was very old. However, as Gao Zhong had said, his back was still straight at such an age, his complexion was ruddy, and his beard and hair were only slightly gray. It was evident that he had mastered the art of health preservation.

"No need for formalities, Master, please offer Judge Zhou a seat."

Ma Dezhao ordered someone to bring over a chair, and Zhou Shouzhen bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. Please allow me to take Your Highness's pulse first."

Zhu Zaizhen readily agreed. Zhou Shouzhen stepped forward, reached out to take his pulse, and after a long pause, withdrew his hand: "Your Highness is fine. It's just an old ailment. You should be careful with your diet and avoid overexertion."

The princes and princesses in the palace, those with slightly more seniority in the Imperial Medical Academy, have all been involved in diagnosis and treatment, and Zhou Shouzhen is no exception.

However, he was lucky; none of his princes or princesses died young. The unlucky ones, like the previous heads and judges of the academy…

Zhu Zaizhen asked directly, "I summoned the judge here simply to inquire whether, besides the usual dietary and medicinal supplements, there are other methods to strengthen the body, consolidate the foundation, and nourish the vital energy."

"Of course I do," Zhou Shouzhen said solemnly. "Your Highness summoned me specifically because you know I have some knowledge of health preservation. My family's Five Animal Frolics and Eight Pieces of Brocade are both effective in nourishing the kidneys, strengthening the spleen, and clearing the meridians."

"However..." He paused slightly, "This is a slow process that requires perseverance and years of effort to see results. I'm afraid Your Highness may not have that kind of patience."

He had actually taught this skill to many nobles in the palace, including His Majesty, but unfortunately very few of them could stick with it. Prince Jing was said to be the most unruly and restless, and probably wouldn't even be able to stick with it for half a month.

"When the body is unwell, the father and mother worry. Even if not for oneself, one should strive to relieve their worries." Zhu Zaizhen stood up and solemnly said, "Please teach me, sir."

Historically, among Emperor Jiajing's sons, only two lived to adulthood, with the longest-lived, Zhu Zaiji, only reaching the age of thirty-five or thirty-six.

Often, it comes down to who survives the longest, especially in politics.

Zhou Shouzhen was quite surprised, not expecting that Prince Jing would be so filial at such a young age. He quickly stood up and said, "Your subject will do his utmost."

At this moment, Ma Dezhao spoke up: "Your Highness, you should have your meal and then go to your morning lesson. Please ask Judge Zhou to come and teach you in the afternoon."

The princes had a fixed time to study Confucian classics in the morning, and they could not easily ask for leave unless the emperor gave the order or it was an exceptionally important occasion.

Zhu Zaizhen, however, had just woken up and had little appetite. Seeing this, Zhou Shouzhen advised, "The way to maintain health is to eat in moderation and have regular daily routines. Judging from Your Highness's complexion, your spleen and stomach are slightly weak. This is probably related to your hurried mornings, hasty breakfasts, or even skipping breakfasts."

Zhu Zaizhen nodded: "Then I will have my meal. Master, please see the master out for me."

"promise."

"Then I shall take my leave for now. Your Highness, for breakfast you should eat warm, soft, and moderate amounts of food, chewing slowly and thoroughly so that your stomach energy can be generated and your spleen energy can be properly digested. The essence of food and water is the foundation of life, so do not neglect it just because it is common."

Upon hearing this, Ma Dezhao walked to the side of the Imperial Physician Zhou and respectfully asked for instructions. Unlike his slightly cold attitude just now, to these servants of Prince Jing, His Highness's teacher was much more noble than the head of the Imperial Medical Academy.

Zhou Shouzhen naturally sensed this, but he remained very polite, bowed respectfully, and left.

Zhu Zaizhen rinsed his mouth and cleaned his teeth under Tao Ze's service, then moved to a side hall to have his meal. On the table were already steaming bowls of Job's tears porridge and pine nut, water chestnut, and jujube porridge.

The menu is extensive, featuring a variety of foods including sesame oil flatbread, small steamed buns with fillings, pepper and salt flatbread, sesame flatbread, eight-treasure steamed buns, and butterfly rolls, accompanied by garlic cheese, bean soup, and tea.

Several meat dishes, such as chicken and duck, were placed a little further away because they were greasy, serving only as decorations. At the very edge was the traditional dish designated by the founding emperor—a bland dish of wild vegetables mixed with tofu, which lay there and was rarely touched.

Zhu Zaizhen chewed slowly as instructed. Zhang Xing and Tao Ze, who were standing by, relaxed their backs slightly after seeing that Ma Dezhao had left. Although the ten lashes last night were not really enough, they were still enough to make them suffer.

"Your Highness..." The two hesitated, unable to finish their sentence.

Zhu Zaizhen understood: "Alright, I understand. You can rest for the next few days."

Last night, I didn't see them during my night watch in the palace. I guess they were taken away and reprimanded by the chief attendant, which is a good thing.

Even he couldn't personally order severe punishment for those who served him closely. If they were severely punished, they couldn't stay by his side to serve him. A son of a wealthy family shouldn't sit under a dangerous roof; that's all there is to it.

The two felt a chill run down their spines, and the slight soreness vanished instantly. Not serving for a few days might sound like an easy job, but it was actually a dangerous sign of being marginalized.

They hurriedly replied, "We would feel more at ease if we were serving Your Highness."

His Highness is growing up and his mind is different from before. If they cannot keep up with him and adapt to him as soon as possible, how can they expect to enjoy a life of luxury in the Prince's Palace in the future? They may not even be able to keep their current positions.

...............