Chapter 114: Empress Zhang's Platform

Wang Ji was not as agitated as ** Xing. He flipped through the documents for a while, and once he had a rough picture of the situation, he spoke up: "These pieces of evidence point directly at the Shen family. Although the main branch may not be implicated much, that branch of Shen Aodong is probably doomed."

** Xing naturally understood this as well, suppressing his anger as he said: "I don't care much about the Shen family. I'm just afraid they'll use this as an excuse to implicate the Li family. Brother Sancai's body is still warm—I can't let the Chu faction deal with the Li family so easily."

Wang Ji shook his head slightly and said: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard already arrested Li Jinyan before. Although he was released later under your pressure, it's clear they've had their eyes on him for a while. It's probably too late to stop this now."

** Xing knew this full well. After pondering for a moment, he looked at Wang Ji and said: "That workshop—I think its origins are no simple matter. It's most likely connected to the eunuch faction. Can we stir up some more trouble with it?"

Wang Ji furrowed his brow. He had investigated that workshop before making his move, but no registration documents revealed any problem, and he could not find the person behind it. Yet a workshop that had single-handedly driven down the price of flour-based foods in the capital by a full twenty percent without suffering any losses—its background was obviously anything but ordinary.

But he could no longer uncover even a trace of a clue. Listening to ** Xing's words, he thought for a moment and said: "It's not impossible, but since they've already made their move, if we do this too, I'm afraid it will create new complications and stir up more trouble."

** Xing pushed himself up from his chair and said: "I know that. You think of a way."

Seeing that ** Xing had made up his mind, Wang Ji said: "That workshop has an unusual relationship with the Huimin Merchant Association. I'll pull my people back tonight and directly seal off that association."

** Xing nodded thoughtfully, pacing back and forth a couple of steps, then suddenly turned his head and said: "Handle this as you see fit. I'll head back first—I must deal with matters while they're still under control, lest the Zhejiang faction, the Chu faction, and the Xuan faction come out again to muddy the waters."

Wang Ji stood up and said: "You're right, sir."

While ** Xing and Wang Ji were finishing their discussion in the inner courtyard, outside, Guan Yingzhen was also defeated by the Ministry of Justice Bureau Secretary's taiji-style stalling and left in a huff.

At this moment, Zhu Xu was in the palace keeping Empress Zhang company, telling her little jokes here and there, chatting idly with her to help pass the time.

Empress Zhang's belly was swollen, making walking very inconvenient. She still held onto hope—hope that she could give birth to an imperial prince normally.

Zhu Xu was worried as well. According to the imperial physicians, Empress Zhang's body simply could not bear a child. Sanitary conditions in this era were extremely poor, infant survival rates were low, and the harm to pregnant women was also immense.

He did not know whether Empress Zhang's insistence on giving birth might end up endangering her own life.

The two chatted and laughed for quite a while. Empress Zhang seemed somewhat weary, and then looked at Zhu Xu and said: "Haven't you been to the Imperial Study recently to keep the Emperor company for a chat?"

Zhu Xu shook his head directly, speaking with an air of righteousness: "His Majesty is busy with affairs of state—how would I, his younger brother, dare to disturb him?"

Empress Zhang let out a light snort with a smile in her brow, then with a slightly solemn face said: "That matter that happened outside the palace—how much did you meddle in it?"

Zhu Xu naturally knew Empress Zhang was referring to the Cuifang Tower affair. Adhering to the principle that when one's heart is not at ease, one's face must be all the more at ease, he said with a perfectly composed expression: "I merely played a role in fanning the flames. I had no part in anything else."

Empress Zhang shot him an exasperated glare and said: "Enough. I can't be bothered to manage these things, as long as you know your limits. I've also learned of your merchant association—it's a good thing. I support you. I've already sent word to my father to take a share in that association."

Zhu Xu's eyes flew wide open. Although Empress Zhang said she was taking a share, in reality, this meant she was throwing her support behind him!

Zhu Xu was thrilled. He ran over, grabbed Empress Zhang's hand, and shook it as he said: "Sister-in-law, thank you. Your younger brother is moved to tears."

Empress Zhang looked at Zhu Xu's eyes, which were indeed moist, then extended her right hand and tapped his brow ridge, saying: "Don't give me that. Alright, off you go—I should rest now."

Zhu Xu hastily made a bow and took his leave. Wu Qing escorted him out.

As Zhu Xu walked out of Kunning Palace, his heart was still pounding. Having the always clear-headed, restrained, and upright Empress Zhang stand up for him—Zhu Xu was moved beyond words and could not speak for a long time.

Wu Qing walked a stretch with Zhu Xu, glanced around to confirm no one was nearby, and whispered in his ear: "Your Highness, Prince Xin came to Kunning Palace earlier, hoping that Your Highness would move into the Ten Princes' Mansion together with him."

Zhu Xu pulled himself out of his emotions, took a long breath, and said: "What did my sister-in-law say?"

Wu Qing said: "From what Prince Xin indicated, His Majesty is hesitating—it only needs Her Majesty the Empress to nod her head. Her Ladyship said that Your Highness is still young and needs her care, so she did not agree."

Zhu Xu nodded, his heart growing very wary.

Inside the palace, with Empress Zhang's indulgence and Zhu Youxiao turning a blind eye, he was still relatively free. But if he left the palace, the Ten Princes' Mansion would have eyes everywhere above and below. Moreover, once one left the palace, it meant coming of age—and that would truly begin the days of being confined while waiting to be sent to a fief to continue being confined.

Not to mention, the future Chongzhen Emperor was also watching covetously from the sidelines.

But this matter truly was not up to him—the final decision rested with Zhu Youxiao.

"It seems I'll need to go deepen my bond with my imperial brother more often." Zhu Xu sighed, then waved his hand to send Wu Qing back.

Zhu Xu returned to Jinghuan Palace and once again had Cao Huachun keep a close watch on Prince Xin's palace, not allowing the slightest lapse in vigilance.

In the evening, a cool breeze drifted by, the summer wind carrying warmth.

Several people in Zhu Xu's palace were gathered in the pavilion, seated around the stone table, admiring the moon while sharing strange tales and curiosities from various regions.

Zhu Xu held a piece of watermelon in his hand, gazing at the moonlight in the sky with a sigh—no poetry and no wine, wasting such a fine moonlit night.

"Your Highness." Feng Zhu came rushing in from outside, breathless.

Zhu Xu was staring at the moon, pondering verses, and turned his head toward him upon hearing the call.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of Justice has withdrawn the men surrounding the workshop," Feng Zhu said, panting heavily, his forehead covered in sweat—clearly he had run all the way from outside the palace. He looked at Zhu Xu urgently and continued: "But they've sealed off the Huimin Merchant Association instead, saying they received a report that our food has poisoned people to death."

Zhu Xu raised an eyebrow. That excuse from the Ministry of Justice was quite clumsy.

He tossed away the watermelon in his hand, wiped his hands, stood up, and said slowly: "Don't worry—someone will deal with the Ministry of Justice people for us. Xiao Cao, tomorrow you notify Luo Sigong that this prince is ready to see him."

Cao Huachun was startled, then quickly stood up as well and said: "Yes, Your Highness."

After Zhu Xu finished speaking, he looked up again at the bright moonlight in the sky and opened his mouth—the two lines of verse he had just thought of had slipped completely from his mind.

Just as Zhu Xu finished speaking, at the Zhang residence in the east of the city, Zhang Guoji also received word that the Ministry of Justice had sealed off the Huimin Merchant Association.

An old man who looked like a steward looked at Zhang Guoji with an angry expression and said: "Master, the Ministry of Justice is clearly trying to show you who's in charge. We absolutely cannot let them get away with this."

Zhang Guoji's brows were also furrowed at this moment. He had received Empress Zhang's message earlier and learned that the workshop and the merchant association were the properties of His Highness Prince Hui. He had planned to make a personal visit tomorrow, but never expected the Ministry of Justice to get there first.

If he still did nothing after this, then what use was he, bearing the title of the Emperor's father-in-law?

He thought for a moment, then said: "Bring me my court robes and prepare the sedan chair. Also, notify the Shuntian Prefecture to accompany me."