Chapter 292: Favoring Two Consorts

Under such circumstances, Zhu Changxun knew he truly had no choice but to follow the direction his imperial nephew wanted him to take, so he decisively chose to follow his heart.

Hearing Zhu Changxun's words, a flicker of emotion passed over Zhu Youxiao's face. He then stepped down from the dragon throne, reached out to help Zhu Changxun up, and said, "For my imperial uncle to have such filial devotion truly moves me."

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao let out a sigh, as if he had made a great resolution, and said, "In that case, I shall defer to my imperial uncle's wishes. As the saying goes, a gentleman does not deprive another of what brings them joy—how much less so when it is my uncle's filial piety? If I were to refuse your kindness, that would hardly be proper."

"Very well, then we'll do as my imperial uncle suggests." Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhu Changxun and smiled, then turned to Chen Hong and instructed, "You oversee this matter. Once my uncle's silver enters the palace, personally escort it into the inner treasury and don't give anyone a chance to get their hands on it. This is silver my uncle is using to fulfill his filial duty—nothing can go wrong. Do you understand?"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, this servant will handle it properly." Chen Hong hastily acknowledged.

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction and said, "Then let it be settled. Since my imperial uncle has already come to the palace, stay and have a meal with me today."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhu Changxun hastily bowed.

Food and wine were naturally soon laid out.

Zhu Youxiao dined with Zhu Changxun, and the meal naturally passed with both host and guest thoroughly pleased. Because Zhu Youxiao was happy, Zhu Changxun had no choice but to be happy as well, so the atmosphere was excellent.

Zhu Youxiao also plied Zhu Changxun with drink until he was more than tipsy, making it impossible for him to leave, so Zhu Changxun ended up staying the night in the palace.

"All arranged?" Zhu Youxiao asked expressionlessly as he watched Chen Hong return.

Now that Zhu Changxun was no longer present, Zhu Youxiao naturally didn't need to keep smiling—his face was sore from all the grinning.

Zhu Youxiao also reflected inwardly that it had been so long since he'd bamboozled anyone like this that his face was no longer used to it.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything has been arranged." Chen Hong said hastily.

Han Li nodded and said, "Tomorrow at first light, have someone spread the word that Zhu Changxun sent two million taels of silver into the palace—one portion to build an opera stage for Noble Consort Zheng, and the remainder for palace construction."

"This servant understands. I will arrange the men tomorrow at first light." Chen Hong hastily acknowledged.

This matter posed no difficulty for him—or rather, he had long since grown adept at such things—so he agreed readily.

"Like this—add a bit more. Say that I am very pleased, that I greatly enjoy the opera troupe Zhu Changxun sent, and that I am also satisfied with his filial devotion." Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, then added another line.

"Very well, this servant understands." Chen Hong bowed in acknowledgment.

Nodding, Zhu Youxiao turned and asked, "Where are Consort Yuan and Consort Tian?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, they are already in Your Majesty's bedchamber." Chen Hong said without a moment's hesitation, his tone extremely cautious, as if afraid of saying something wrong.

Within this palace, those two consorts were like a taboo subject. Everyone knew that since the two consorts had entered the palace, they had been consorts in name only—His Majesty had always doted solely on the Empress and no one else. His Majesty's favor toward the Empress had reached an almost incomprehensible degree.

Now that these two consorts had come, the timing was rather contradictory, so Chen Hong decided that if he could avoid speaking, he would—making a mistake would be bad. At times like this, doing more meant making more mistakes, doing less meant fewer mistakes, and doing nothing meant no mistakes at all.

"Lead me there." Zhu Youxiao said after thinking it over.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong hastily acknowledged and led Zhu Youxiao toward the bedchamber.

When Zhu Youxiao arrived at the bedchamber, Consort Yuan and Consort Tian were already waiting there.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, the two dared not be remiss and hastily performed their courtesies: "Your concubines pay respects to Your Majesty."

By the candlelight in the room, Zhu Youxiao began to appraise the two women. To be fair, both were beauties with very distinctive qualities—each had her own merits.

Consort Tian was slightly fuller in figure than Consort Yuan, but she could hardly be called plump—it was that sort of look where clothes make her seem slender, yet there's flesh beneath. Soft wherever you touched, with curves in front and behind, delicate and well-proportioned.

As for Consort Yuan, she was tall and willowy, with a slender waist and long legs—taller than Consort Tian, with longer legs too, quite possessing that quality later generations would call "legs for days."

Each had her own merits, each different in her own way, and Zhu Youxiao found himself quite stirred.

Having endured for so long, he had finally waited until this moment. If he treated them well from now on, the harem probably wouldn't pose any major problems.

Zhu Youxiao stepped forward and reached out to pull both women up.

Zhu Youxiao could clearly sense that the two were somewhat nervous.

That was understandable—they had been in the palace for so long, yet their meetings with the Emperor could be counted on one hand. One could say their days had been very hard indeed.

Now, suddenly summoned by the Emperor, how could their hearts not be filled with trepidation and fear?

Zhu Youxiao didn't bother with words of gentle comfort—after all, given what he had done recently, any words would have sounded hollow and feeble.

As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words; actual deeds mattered more.

Leading the two women to the bed, Zhu Youxiao paid no heed to anything else and simply began to act.

Candlelight flickered, and within the crimson gauze curtains a night of spring passion passed—and so the night went by.

When Zhu Youxiao woke again, the sun was already high in the sky, sunlight streaming through the bed curtains and casting dappled patches of light across the quilt.

Glancing at the two women lying there, Zhu Youxiao yawned—he was still somewhat sleepy.

It seemed he had overexerted himself a bit last night.

Rolling over, he pulled Consort Tian, who was closest, into his embrace, placed his hand somewhere he found comfortable, and sank back into a deep sleep.

While Zhu Youxiao slept, the great decisive battle in Yunnan had already begun.

The two armies faced each other; men toppled and horses reared, neighing wildly.

Sun Chuanting sat upright on his horse, his expression somewhat grave.

Though he had spoken boldly before, he knew this battle would not be easy, and he knew its importance.

Glancing at Qi Yuangong beside him, Sun Chuanting said, "This battle still depends on you!"

"Nothing to it," Qi Yuangong said directly.

"In a moment, I'll press straight through the center and charge directly at She Chongming. You have your men hold the flanks—just make sure my flanks don't get ambushed." Qi Yuangong spoke with complete confidence on his face. Though he faced several times his own numbers, Qi Yuangong showed no fear, filled with confidence all the same.

"Good, I'll make arrangements right away." Sun Chuanting acknowledged.

On the other side of the battle formation.

Qin Liangyu was also mounted on her horse at this moment, and her expression was far more solemn.

Because she felt this battle would not be easy to win—in fact, it might well be lost. She had even already instructed her subordinates to retreat if things turned unfavorable.

Sun Chuanting could afford to lose his men, but she could not afford to lose hers. There was no need to have her troops slaughtered alongside that fool Sun Chuanting here, routed and casting away armor.

Just then, the sound of war horns rang out across the battlefield, and drums rumbled thunderously.

The Ming forces looked few in number, but their movements were anything but slow—the central army pressed directly toward She Chongming's formation.

In the front, a force of five thousand men slowly advanced. Heavy armored infantry led the way, with musketeers following behind; on both flanks were shield bearers and axemen, along with many crossbowmen; at the rear were the artillerymen, who spread out in formation on both sides.

Though few in number, their movements were perfectly uniform, their momentum majestic.

Seeing this, Qin Liangyu's expression also turned grave. She said hesitantly, "These troops look very different. Judging by their equipment, they shouldn't be from the southwest."

"Even without looking at their equipment, you can tell—these men are so tall and powerfully built. You couldn't assemble an army like this anywhere in the southwest. Clearly these were brought from the capital. So this is where Lord Sun's confidence comes from." Qin Liangyu said slowly.

Seeing this, She Chongming's expression was also not very pleasant.

He knew these were elite troops, and this would be a hard battle. But it had to be fought—there was no room for hesitation.

Fortunately, the enemy had few men. Otherwise, this would truly be difficult to handle.

She Chongming said, "Fan Long, lead twenty thousand troops to meet the attacking Ming army and wipe out this portion that has come out. If reinforcements charge in from the flanks, I will send men to support you."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Fan Long acknowledged loudly. Clearly, fighting under the command of the king gave him more confidence.

The young master was, after all, still the young master—not yet up to the task. Although these were the troops that had defeated his forces that day, Fan Long still had confidence in his heart. He had the advantage in numbers; there was no way the same accident as last time would occur.

The rebel army also slowly advanced toward the front of the formation. Both sides were preparing for today's battle.

The horns and drums grew even denser. Everyone knew the great battle was about to erupt.

When both sides entered firing range, the first to begin were the crossbows.

The Ming army had no such intention at all—the moment the enemy drew near, their cannons opened fire.

Boom-boom-boom—the sounds instantly rang out in a continuous roar as solid iron cannonballs smashed directly into the enemy formation. The purpose was simple: use a barrage of solid shot to break apart the enemy's formation. Keeping a neat formation—was that even possible?

While reorganizing his ranks, Fan Long urged his troops to speed up. If they were any slower, the formation would be scattered.

The rebel troops moved very quickly, soon breaking into a run as they charged at the Ming army.

Qi Yuangong stood in the middle of the formation, directly waving his blade and shouting, "Fire!"

At his command, the crack-crack-crack of muskets rang out across the formation in an instant. Smoke immediately shrouded the entire battlefield as countless bullets rained down upon the rebel troops.

The rebels charging at the front fell to the ground in waves, like wheat being scythed down.

Screams of agony filled the entire battlefield.