Chapter 109: Cuifang Tower

Zhu Xu had placed a rocking chair in front of Jinghuan Palace, cushioned with a cool brocade quilt, and lay on it swaying gently as he flipped through a book.

Perhaps due to his professional background, Zhu Xu favored history, with a particular fondness for unofficial histories.

This was a book about the Shang and Zhou dynasties, covering various rites and rituals, interspersed with all sorts of unofficial and apocryphal accounts—which Zhu Xu found utterly absorbing.

The Great Ming Dynasty modeled its ancestral laws on the Zhou, and all its rites and ceremonies were imitations of the Zhou court. Having grown up in the palace, Zhu Xu understood the tedious formalities all too well and detested them deeply.

But that didn't stop him from enjoying something interesting.

"Your Highness."

Almost simultaneously, Cao Wenzhao and Cao Huachun approached from the east and west sides, calling out in unison.

Without lifting his head, Zhu Xu moistened his finger with his lips and turned a page.

"This Zhou dynasty evaluation method is truly fascinating." Zhu Xu ignored the two men, muttering to himself with slight excitement as he read: "If I could apply this evaluation method to our dynasty, incorporating disaster relief and people-soothing into the assessments, it would surely work wonders."

Cao Wenzhao and Cao Huachun were the two Caos of Jinghuan Palace; Zhu Xu called them Big Cao and Little Cao.

Both men wore grave expressions as they stood before Zhu Xu.

But Zhu Xu paid them no heed whatsoever, continuing to read, and added as if talking to himself: "Governance always rots at the roots. If the bottom isn't fixed, no amount of effort at the top will help. In chaotic times, governance demands harsh penalties—hmm, well said."

The two waited a long while without Zhu Xu speaking, exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion, and dared not disturb him.

Yao Qingqing carried out a plate of iced watermelon and gently set it beside Zhu Xu.

The two men immediately looked up, gazing over with puzzled expressions.

Yao Qingqing shook her head slightly—she didn't know either—and watched Zhu Xu with some worry as he rocked back and forth in the chair, looking utterly carefree.

"Your Highness."

Cao Wenzhao, having served Zhu Xu longer after all, stepped forward and called out in a low voice.

Without raising his head, Zhu Xu said: "Has something happened at the workshop?"

"Yes," Cao Wenzhao said: "The Ministry of Justice sent men to surround the workshop, demanding that Li Deyong hand over the formula and raw materials by a deadline, or they'll confiscate everything directly into the state treasury."

Zhu Xu closed the book, looked up at him, and said: "Do they know Li Deyong's identity?"

Cao Wenzhao said: "No. As Your Highness instructed, he hasn't shown his face."

Zhu Xu nodded, then looked at Cao Huachun and said: "And you?"

Cao Huachun hurriedly said: "Your Highness, Luo Sigong wishes to see you."

Zhu Xu raised an eyebrow—this was unexpected. Luo Sigong had been in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for decades; if anything happened in the capital, it might escape others, but never that old fox.

Zhu Xu pondered briefly, then stood up with a beaming smile and said: "Let him stew for a while. Come—today I'll take you two to watch a good show."

Both Caos looked bewildered, but Zhu Xu turned and went inside to change clothes, then made straight for the palace gates.

At this sensitive juncture, neither man dared be the least bit careless; they hastily gathered men and followed behind Zhu Xu.

"Everyone change into plain clothes—we have important business today."

Zhu Xu wore ordinary attire with a black gauze cap, hands clasped behind his back, looking every inch the imposing figure.

The two were even more puzzled, but they hurried off to change and gave orders to the selected palace guards.

Just as they left the palace gate, Cao Wenzhao moved to switch carriages, but Zhu Xu waved a hand and said: "No switching today—we're going out in the open."

Cao Wenzhao sat at the front of the carriage while Cao Huachun sat inside. Watching His Highness the Prince of Hui leaning back against the carriage wall, looking utterly relaxed and comfortable, he hesitated before asking: "Your Highness, where exactly are we going?"

"Cuifang Tower." Zhu Xu said with a perfectly straight face.

Cao Huachun was startled, then immediately thought of Bi Maokang's matter, and said: "Your Highness, are we going to meet someone?"

A strange smile curled at the corner of Zhu Xu's mouth as he said: "We'll meet someone first. Don't rush—a good show must be watched slowly."

Cao Huachun felt that Zhu Xu's smile made him uneasy, and knew he shouldn't ask further, so he fell silent and waited.

"Old Cao, let's stop by Qian Qianyi's residence first—we'll pick him up along the way." Zhu Xu suddenly called out to Cao Wenzhao outside.

The corner of Cao Wenzhao's mouth twitched. Cuifang Tower was in the west of the city, Qian's residence in the east—this was hardly on the way; it was clearly a full detour.

He acknowledged the order and urged his horse toward the east.

Zhu Xu's carriage soon stopped before the Qian residence, and Cao Wenzhao stepped up to knock on the door.

In his study, Qian Qianyi's expression changed instantly upon hearing that His Highness the Prince of Hui had summoned him.

He saw the recent affairs at court with perfect clarity. In his view, this matter had been stirred up by His Highness the Prince of Hui, who wanted to get a foothold in grain transport—and the party that stood to lose the most was undoubtedly the Donglin Faction.

But he was still a newcomer after all, lacking much weight against the senior figures of the Donglin Faction. Therefore, regarding this matter, he had pretended ignorance from start to finish. Inwardly, he secretly hoped that if the Donglin Faction suffered a great loss this time, perhaps his opportunity would come.

Thus, during this period he had barely left his home, making himself nearly invisible. Now, with Zhu Xu knocking at his door, his alarm was more than a little.

Qian Qianyi also recalled the question Zhu Xu had asked him at Xishan Academy, and his heart grew uneasy, his expression turning grave.

"Master." The steward looked at Qian Qianyi's expression and spoke with some concern.

Qian Qianyi's expression quickly returned to normal, and he waved a hand at the steward, saying: "It's nothing. I'll step out for a bit."

Qian Qianyi soon arrived at the front gate. Cao Wenzhao gestured toward the carriage and said: "Lord Qian, His Highness the Prince of Hui requests your presence."

Qian Qianyi nodded slightly, walked to the carriage, and bowed: "Your subordinate Qian Qianyi pays respects to His Highness the Prince of Hui."

Zhu Xu lifted the curtain, looked at Qian Qianyi with a smile, and said: "Lord Qian need not stand on ceremony—please, get in."

Qian Qianyi hesitated for a moment, then said: "To answer Your Highness, your subordinate still has important matters at home. If you have any instructions, please speak plainly."

A strange smile flickered across Zhu Xu's face as he said: "Mm, I've always been one to respect others' wishes. The matter is very simple—to put it simply, today, Lord Qian must come with me."

The moment Zhu Xu finished speaking, four palace guards in plain clothes moved to surround Qian Qianyi.

The flesh on Qian Qianyi's plump face twitched. Looking calmly at Zhu Xu, he said: "Does Your Highness truly intend to abduct your subordinate like this? I am a Hanlin scholar—I have the right to submit memorials and impeach."

Zhu Xu glanced upward, then said: "Please get in the carriage, Lord Qian."

"My lord, please." The moment Zhu Xu finished, a guard stepped forward and gestured. His posture made it clear that if Qian Qianyi didn't board, force would be used.

Qian Qianyi was utterly unwilling, but clearly he could not refuse His Highness the Prince of Hui. He assessed the situation, looked at Zhu Xu, then stepped up into the carriage.

Cao Huachun stepped out of the carriage before Qian Qianyi entered through the curtain.

Qian Qianyi glanced at him, walked inside, and gave a slight bow to Zhu Xu, saying: "Your Highness."

Zhu Xu waved a hand and, smiling, gestured for him to sit down.

Before Qian Qianyi had even settled into his seat, Cao Wenzhao turned his horse around and headed toward Cuifang Tower.

Qian Qianyi steadied himself with some effort, sitting with an air of dignity, and said, "May I ask where Your Highness is taking this humble official?"

Zhu Xu's smile grew even wider, and he said, "To visit the courtesans."