Chapter 335: Behind Prince Lu, There Is Someone Else

Chen Hong hurried to Prince Lu's side and reached out to help him up.

Prince Lu's legs were weak at this moment; supported by Chen Hong, he managed only a few steps. Without Chen Hong's help, he likely could not have stood at all.

Helped by Chen Hong to sit in a chair, Prince Lu said directly, "Your Majesty, I am wronged! I have never harbored any thought of rebellion!"

"Enough, I know." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.

Seeing that Prince Lu's expression did not seem feigned, Zhu Youxiao felt a glimmer of understanding in his heart.

He had grown accustomed to matching wits with his ministers, so he always liked to speak harshly. Of course, he had also done harsh things, and before he knew it, it had become a habit.

But Prince Lu had clearly never experienced anything—he was simply a thoroughbred wastrel, and being frightened like this by him, he was scared out of his wits.

In fact, there was one more thing Zhu Youxiao had not realized: Prince Lu had already been frightening himself for quite some time.

Since Zhu Youxiao had discovered this, he could only change his strategy. He softened his tone and said quietly, "This time I came to Shandong precisely because someone is planning to rebel."

"I will not hide this from you, my lord. A great disaster has struck Shandong; officials at every level have colluded to embezzle disaster relief grain and funds, and the people are suffering beyond words. Already, unscrupulous elements have begun secretly gathering the populace, preparing to rebel."

"Once Shandong rebels, it will directly threaten the Grand Canal and threaten the capital—that is why I came to Shandong. First, to inspect governance; second, to relieve the people; third, to prepare to suppress the rebellion."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao say this, Prince Lu grew even more agitated and quickly said, "Your Majesty, there may be traitors and rebels causing chaos, but I have absolutely done no such thing!"

"Since Prince Lu has come, naturally he has no rebellious intent." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "This much I do believe. If Prince Lu truly had rebellious intentions, he would hardly dare to come."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Prince Lu said hastily, finally able to sit down properly and steadily.

Prince Lu's robes were soaked through, as if he had been pulled from water.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Prince Lu's state and let out a soft sigh.

The imperial clan of the Great Ming was truly finished.

After pondering for a moment, Zhu Youxiao continued, "After I arrived in Shandong, I sent people to investigate the situation here, and what they found was utterly shocking—countless people colluding to embezzle disaster relief grain and funds, and among them, the Prince Lu manor is implicated."

"I know somewhat of what the imperial clan does in various places. Large households, difficult days—that I can understand. But some money can be spent, and some cannot. I think you understand what I mean, my lord."

"Please punish me, Your Majesty." Prince Lu quickly knelt on the ground and said, "I am willing to offer up all my family assets to relieve the people and help Your Majesty suppress the rebellion!"

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

His heart was too tired! Talking with clever people was comfortable and simple, but talking with someone like Prince Lu was utterly exhausting.

Still, Zhu Youxiao had finally found a way to communicate with Prince Lu—speak directly, don't beat around the bush. This Prince Lu was simply useless.

"No need for that." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile. "Rise and speak."

Only after Prince Lu stood up did Zhu Youxiao continue, "Some ministers have already impeached you. The matter in Shandong has grown so large that although I wish to shield you, I cannot go too far. This time you will certainly face some punishment—you must be mentally prepared."

"But it has not reached the point of stripping your title or confiscating your property. No decision has yet been made on how exactly to punish you. My meeting you today is precisely to discuss this matter with you."

"I thank Your Majesty for your protective care!" Prince Lu said hastily.

"With people impeaching you, I cannot act too leniently, so before that, you must show some merit. This time Shandong has suffered disaster, the people are in distress, and yet you have been profiteering—that simply cannot be justified."

"After you return, write a routine memorial and submit it, offering some silver and grain to stop their mouths, to let them know that the imperial princes of our Great Ming are loyal to the sovereign and love their country, that they care for the lives of the people, and are willing to give silver and grain—not profiteering from the nation's calamity."

"With such conduct, I can speak on your behalf. Do you understand?" After saying this, Zhu Youxiao stared intently at Prince Lu, waiting for his answer.

Prince Lu quickly smiled and said, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will return at once and prepare—I will absolutely not give anyone cause for gossip. Your Majesty's protective care for me—how could I disappoint Your Majesty?"

Watching Prince Lu's excited expression, he was clearly delighted to have escaped disaster this time.

Zhu Youxiao's heart still held some doubt. This Prince Lu was indeed sincere. But how could such a man manage the affairs of the Prince Lu manor?

How had this embezzlement of grain and funds come about?

After all, he had just said so much, and Prince Lu had not picked up on any of the subtext; when he spoke to him so directly, he was instead pleased.

Zhu Youxiao shook his head, did not ask this question aloud, and prepared to have someone investigate.

He said, "Alright, you may go. Stay here for now—I have already arranged accommodations."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Prince Lu quickly agreed.

"Chen Hong, escort Prince Lu out." Zhu Youxiao looked at Chen Hong and directly ordered.

After Chen Hong escorted Prince Lu out, Zhu Youxiao sat in his chair, his expression complicated.

This time, the matter had indeed succeeded, yet there was no sense of accomplishment—instead, an emptiness, a feeling of loss.

He had begun preparing long ago, even before leaving the capital—he had specially arranged the four dishes and one soup, specially written that poem, and specially thought through how to speak with Prince Lu.

And yet today, it felt like punching cotton with all his strength—everything had come to nothing.

He truly had not expected Prince Lu to be such a person. Zhu Youxiao really did not know what he felt in his heart.

On one hand, he was glad such a useless fool was easy to deceive; on the other, he was furious—how could he be this useless? This was a Prince of the Great Ming dynasty, and this was his caliber?

After Chen Hong returned, Zhu Youxiao said directly, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard has people in the Prince Lu manor, right? If the Guard has no one, does the Eastern Depot have people?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, both have people." Chen Hong said hastily.

"Then have the Embroidered Uniform Guard ask—who normally makes the decisions in the Prince Lu manor's affairs? And in this case of embezzled grain and funds, who exactly was behind it?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong quickly agreed.

Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, then said, "In the coming days, have people keep watch over Prince Lu. Don't let anyone make any moves against him—protect Prince Lu's safety."

Hearing these words, Chen Hong's heart sank, and he quickly said, "Yes, I will certainly arrange people to guard Prince Lu."

Although Chen Hong said this, Zhu Youxiao was still not reassured.

After thinking it over, Zhu Youxiao said, "Not only must you guard against outsiders—the people around Prince Lu must also be watched. If there is nothing pressing, do not let them come into contact with Prince Lu. Understand?"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I understand." Chen Hong quickly agreed.

Having realized that Prince Lu was useless, this case of embezzled grain and funds could certainly not have been directed by Prince Lu himself—it could only have been the people around him.

He would next investigate this case, and the commotion would certainly not be small. When it truly came to a fight to the death, who knew what those people might do—they might even make a move against the Emperor himself.

If they found no opportunity, they might strike at Prince Lu instead. If Prince Lu were to die here under his watch, matters would become very troublesome.

If he were seen as harming an imperial prince, it would shake the realm—and some might even collude with rebels, after which many things could no longer be explained.

He absolutely had to avoid such trouble. After all, those people of the White Lotus sect had been watching from the shadows all along—who knew whether they might come for him.

After Chen Hong left, Zhu Youxiao let out a helpless sigh.

Things had turned out somewhat beyond his expectations. He had originally thought the Prince of Lu was a shrewd character, or at least not a fool.

Now it seemed this had disrupted his arrangements. News of the Prince of Lu's arrival naturally could not be hidden from anyone. Everyone had known beforehand that His Majesty had summoned the Prince of Lu, and now that the Prince of Lu had actually come, quite a few people were waiting to see what the outcome would be.

Whether it was Xu Guangqi or Huang Kezuan, everyone was waiting for the result. But no one had expected that no news would come out at all — the Prince of Lu had been kept behind by His Majesty.

That was the last piece of information anyone could obtain at present.

As for what His Majesty and the Prince of Lu had discussed, no one could find out, and no one dared to spread rumors or make guesses either.

After returning to the residence arranged for him by the Emperor, the first thing the Prince of Lu did was take a bath.

His whole body was covered in sweat, and he had been scared cold to the bone. If he didn't wash up, he would surely fall ill. In this regard, the Prince of Lu had his own ideas — he wanted to live a while longer and had no desire to die young like his eldest, second, and third brothers had.

If that really happened, what would become of his forty-eight wives and concubines?

This splendid world, this life so hard to part with — how could he let his life be cut short so unjustly?

After bathing with servants attending him, changing his clothes, and taking a Nourishing Spirit Pill, the Prince of Lu finally felt somewhat better.

It was at this moment that Chen He finally found the Prince of Lu at leisure. He cautiously approached the Prince's side, presented a cup of tea, and said, "Your Highness, what was discussed? Why did Your Highness look like that upon returning?"

"Don't even mention it." The Prince of Lu took a sip of tea and said dejectedly, "I almost didn't make it back."

"The Shandong region is not peaceful — someone actually wants to rebel! Even His Majesty was alarmed. Their audacity is too great. Fortunately His Majesty came, or else we would have been in trouble."

"If these people rebel, they certainly won't spare me. If the princely mansion were breached, what would happen to my family property? What would happen to my forty-eight wives and concubines? Now that His Majesty has come, these people won't be able to stir up any waves."

Although the Prince of Lu's words were somewhat offbeat, Chen He was already used to it, so he cautiously asked, "Did His Majesty say who was rebelling?"