Chapter 71: The Emperor's Fury

After escaping a disaster, Zhang Jing felt much more relaxed.

The wedding of Princess Yongning and Liang Bangrui was also being prepared in full swing; in the blink of an eye, it was June, with only five days left until the wedding.

The usually cold and quiet deep palace walls became exceptionally noisy because of this wedding.

Early this morning, the Wanli Emperor finished washing up and, as usual, came to the Western Warm Pavilion to read the memorials.

Before he had even stepped inside, suddenly, a voice with a shrill tone drifted out.

"Have you heard? The new Imperial Son-in-law didn't catch a cold, he has consumption!"

Another exclamation followed: "Ah, if the Princess marries him, won't she have to live as a widow?"

"Isn't that so?" the eunuch who spoke before sighed deeply and continued, "I also heard that this Liang Bangrui used many tricks just to climb up to this royal marriage."

"Are you sure? You dare to wag your tongues here!" A trembling voice rang out.

"Sigh, that day Wang Yong and I personally sent Liang Bangrui back; he was coughing up blood. If it isn't consumption, what is it?"

"Then why didn't you report it to the Emperor?"

"Who would dare? The Emperor trusts Zhangin so much. If it turns out to be just a reprimand, wouldn't we be shooting ourselves in the foot by snitching, only to get ourselves into trouble?"

The Wanli Emperor heard it clearly, and he felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

In an instant, the feelings of being deceived, humiliated, and enraged surged into his heart, making his face turn livid and his features contort.

Wei Qing, standing to the side, observed this clearly; he stood with his hands hanging down and said nothing.

After a long silence, the Wanli Emperor, with a livid face, flicked his sleeves, turned around, and stormed toward the East Warm Pavilion. "Go, call Zhang Yunxiu to see me immediately."

Wei Qing received the order and immediately went to invite Zhang Yunxiu; shortly after, the two arrived outside the Qianqing Palace together.

Before entering the hall, Wei Qing reminded him: "The Emperor is very angry today after learning that Zhang Jing fooled him, but in my view, the Emperor has not yet made up his mind to kill him."

"The Emperor doesn't need to do it himself. As long as he is knocked off that position and leaves Beijing, Eunuch Feng has plenty of ways to deal with him." Zhang Yunxiu looked calm and composed.

"Then this kid is really unlucky this time; he offended Eunuch Feng and also offended you." Wei Qing chuckled.

"It is also destined for you, Eunuch Wei, to rise in the world. I have removed this Buddha for you; when you move up in the future, you must not forget me."

"Rest assured, Director Zhang, I won't forget." Wei Qing smiled, turned sideways, and gestured toward the inside with his palm. "Let's go quickly; it won't be good if the Emperor waits impatiently."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded and followed him into the East Warm Pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, the Wanli Emperor had a livid face, his hands pressed against his knees, sitting angrily on the embroidered couch.

Zhang Yunxiu entered and first performed a salute. The Wanli Emperor waved his hand to excuse him and then demanded: "Zhang Yunxiu, do you know of Liang Bangrui outside the palace?"

"The new Imperial Son-in-law, of course I know of him, Your Majesty."

"Very well, I ask you, and you must tell the truth." The Wanli Emperor took a deep breath, then glared at Zhang Yunxiu and asked, "I ask you, does Liang Bangrui have an illness or not? You must answer truthfully."

"Illness? What illness?" Zhang Yunxiu feigned great surprise.

"Consumption!" the Wanli Emperor said through gritted teeth.

"Ah? How is that possible? That is the Imperial Son-in-law personally chosen by Zhangin; how could he have such an illness? Did Your Majesty make a mistake? Zhangin has always been loyal to you."

In the past, if the Emperor heard this, he might have felt favorably toward Zhang Jing.

But now he was in a fit of rage, and Zhang Yunxiu's words, which seemed like praise, were actually like pouring oil on a fire.

The Wanli Emperor slapped the dragon throne, stood up, and shouted: "Zhang Yunxiu, are you afraid of him too?!"

Zhang Yunxiu did not commit to an answer, and the Wanli Emperor became even angrier.

He stormed down the dais, came before Zhang Yunxiu, grabbed his collar, and demanded: "Zhang Yunxiu, are you a loyal subject?" "I am a loyal subject."

"Then good, take me out of the palace. I want to go and see Liang Bangrui for myself again."

"This..." Zhang Yunxiu looked troubled.

"What 'this'? Why aren't you preparing yet!"

The Wanli Emperor stamped his foot, so angry that his features contorted. Seeing that the time was ripe, Zhang Yunxiu agreed half-reluctantly.

Half an hour later.

Outside the Liang Residence, the Wanli Emperor had a frosty expression, staring straight at the tightly closed wooden door. Although it was midsummer, the Liang Residence was unusually desolate and devoid of any human presence.

Zhang Yunxiu stepped forward a few paces and knocked lightly on the gate.

After a long while, a voice came from inside: "Coming, coming."

With a creak, the gate slowly opened, and a middle-aged man poked half his head out.

He scanned the elegantly dressed group and asked suspiciously: "Who are you looking for?"

"Is this the home of the new Imperial Son-in-law, Master Liang?"

"Yes, it is," the man replied.

"Oh, it's like this." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and pointed at the Emperor. "We heard that the new Imperial Son-in-law is a hero among men, so our young master became curious and insisted on seeing your young master."

The man became nervous and waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, our young master has caught a cold and isn't seeing anyone right now."

As he spoke, he moved to close the gate, but Han San stepped forward, stuck a foot into the crack of the door, and shouted with a dark face: "Our young master wants to see him; that is giving you face. If you dare to spout nonsense again, believe it or not, I'll open a soy sauce shop on your head!"

"You man, how unreasonable. I already said our young master is unwell, yet you still insist on barging in."

"Hehe, whether he is truly sick or just unfit to be seen, it's not for you to decide; it's for our young master to decide." Han San kicked the gate open and beckoned for the Emperor and Zhang Yunxiu to barge in.

In a small hall inside, Liang Bangrui's face was pale, and his breath was as thin as a thread.

Violent coughing sounds echoed one after another, and the air was even permeated with a hint of a bloody smell.

Liang Mancang and Lady Liang watched with hearts torn to pieces, patting their son's back incessantly.

"What a sin, how did our son get this illness?" Lady Liang covered her face with her hands and said with a sobbing tone.

"Stop wailing. As long as he becomes an Imperial relative, our child will have imperial physicians to treat him." Liang Mancang glared, but his voice weakened. "By then, everything will get better, everything will get better."

At this moment, a servant rushed in.

"Master, Master, something terrible has happened! A group of people has barged in."

"What kind of people?" Liang Mancang asked nervously.

"I don't know, but the visitors are not here with good intentions; you should prepare early, Master."

Lady Liang knit her brows and said with deep worry, "They wouldn't be here to collect debts, would they? The only thing our family has left to sell is this house; we cannot give it to them as well."

"Hmph, a bunch of marrow-sucking beasts. When I was doing well, everyone clung to me; the moment my luck turned, they swarmed in immediately." Liang Mancang gritted his teeth and shouted, then exhorted his wife, "Take good care of Rui'er, I will go meet them."

"There is no need."

The Wanli Emperor had already strode inside.

He merely took one look at Liang Bangrui on the chair, and the rage in his heart was already enough to boil a cow.

(End of chapter)