Chapter 136: Writing a Letter to Sun Chengzong

Wang Shaohui, a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, impeached Wang Ji, the Minister of Justice, for "misconduct and allowing his servants to commit violence."

Ni Wenhuan, a Censor of the Censorate, impeached Wang Ji, the Minister of Justice, for "arbitrary judgments and accepting bribes while perverting the law."

Following that, the remnants of the Chu faction that had quieted down, members of the Donglin Faction, and others of Zhu Xu's camp all mixed together, stirring up a massive wave of impeachment.

At the same time, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot were also stirring restlessly, beginning to investigate Wang Ji with "secrecy that was not secret."

That evening, Wang Ji hurriedly rushed to **Xing's residence. At this moment, not only was **Xing there, but also a Grand Secretariat drafter—Wang Wenyan!

"Lord Zhao, Lord Wang." Wang Ji walked in with a grave expression, raising his hands in greeting to the two. He was agitated and restless, entirely lacking his usual composure.

Wang Wenyan lacked the elegance of a scholar, instead exuding an air of the jianghu, with a wild and unrestrained demeanor. But he was naturally adept at social maneuvering and had an excellent relationship with Wang Ji. Seeing Wang Ji, he stood up and said, "Brother Wang, is this about the impeachment?"

**Xing also stood up, his aged face gloomy and silent.

Both men knew that wave after wave of impeachment meant Wang Ji could not hold on—no one could hold on against this.

Wang Ji nodded with an ugly expression and said, "If I don't resign immediately, I fear the imperial prison is not far off."

Wang Wenyan frowned deeply, glanced at **Xing, and found himself helpless as well.

In the court now, no matter how high your office or how great your prestige, once you were caught with a handle, you either resigned quickly and returned home, or you waited for a great imprisonment.

**Xing's gaze was like a sharp sword, flashing with cold light. In his view, Wang Ji was a loyal and upright minister. Every one lost was one fewer, and their positions would be taken by treacherous sycophants, bringing disaster to the state and harm to the people!

The three fell silent for a while. Wang Ji sighed and said, "I will enter the palace tomorrow to request resignation. The affairs of the court will have to rely on the hard work of you two lords."

Wang Wenyan said nothing. **Xing said, "Very well, go back first. I will find an opportunity to have you reinstated. Tomorrow, finish the case of Xiong Tingbi first, then enter the palace."

Wang Ji nodded. This was also the only thing he could still do in the capital.

Inside Jinghuan Palace, Zhu Xu fiddled with a paper fan. On his desk lay the ceremonial protocols for receiving the Joseon envoy delegation sent over by the Court of State Ceremonial, giving him a headache just looking at them.

"Your Highness."

Cao Wenzhao walked in quickly and said to Zhu Xu, "Lord Xiong has been released."

Zhu Xu looked up at him and said, "Released without charge?"

Cao Wenzhao was startled for a moment, then said, "He is still a man awaiting punishment."

Only then did Zhu Xu nod with a satisfied smile and say, "Good, then let him stay put. It won't be long before he has his chance to be reinstated."

Cao Wenzhao was already deeply grateful that Xiong Tingbi could be released, but he never expected that Zhu Xu was already planning to have Xiong Tingbi reinstated. Puzzled, he asked, "Your Highness, what position do you intend for Lord Xiong?"

Zhu Xu narrowed his eyes and said word by word, "Regional Commander for Pacifying Liaodong!"

Cao Wenzhao was startled and said, "Your Highness, what position is this?"

This was not a position just anyone could hold. Moreover, the situation in Liaodong was relatively stable now, with Sun Chengzong in command—who could possibly take this post? Not to mention, Xiong Tingbi was still a man awaiting punishment.

Zhu Xu did not elaborate. He stood up and said, "The Joseon envoy delegation will arrive in a few days. You will accompany me to receive them. I don't care for these reception protocols from the Court of State Ceremonial."

Cao Wenzhao acknowledged the order, but he was still wondering—what position exactly did His Highness intend to arrange for Lord Xiong? Yet he did not question whether it could succeed. In his view, as long as His Highness the Prince of Hui had a plan, there was no reason it would fail!

After dinner, Zhu Xu finished writing a letter and called Cao Wenzhao over, saying, "Old Cao, find someone absolutely trustworthy to deliver this to Liaodong."

Cao Wenzhao took the letter and glanced at the recipient, then was startled and said, "Your Highness, you're writing to Lord Sun?"

Zhu Xu picked his teeth with a smile and said, "I did him such a big favor—he ought to give me something in return."

Cao Wenzhao was puzzled and asked, "Your Highness, what return do you want?"

"You'll know in the future." Zhu Xu smiled meaningfully, paused, then said, "Oh, right. The Joseon envoy delegation arrives the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm leaving the palace—notify him to come see me."

Cao Wenzhao was overjoyed to hear this and said, "Yes, Your Highness. This subordinate will arrange it at once."

Zhu Xu nodded, but in his heart he was pondering—would Sun Chengzong really give him this face?

"Your Highness, something has happened to Her Ladyship!" Suddenly, Yao Qingqing rushed in hastily and said anxiously.

Zhu Xu leaped up from his chair and ran over, asking urgently, "What happened?"

Yao Qingqing's face was anxious, her brows furrowed as she said, "Miss Qing sent word—Her Ladyship suddenly has severe abdominal pain. Even His Majesty has been alarmed."

Zhu Xu didn't wait for her to finish before rushing out in a panic.

Empress Zhang's due date was around this month. A premature birth was entirely possible. With her constitution, Zhu Xu truly didn't know what complications might arise.

Zhu Xu ran breathlessly to Kunning Palace and immediately saw Zhu Youxiao coming out leaning on a cane. Seeing him, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "It's fine now. Your sister-in-law just had abdominal pain—she's already much better."

Only then did Zhu Xu let out a long breath of relief and said, "Brother Emperor, you should still find some female imperial physicians. Sister-in-law can't be without physicians by her side."

Zhu Youxiao let out a laugh and waved his hand, saying, "Enough, go see your sister-in-law."

In a society that valued men over women, Zhu Xu could only make such a casual remark. He acknowledged the order and walked inside.

Empress Zhang lay on the cloud bed, her expression quite good. Seeing Zhu Xu enter, she instructed Huan'er, "Quick, wipe the sweat off for the Prince of Hui and bring a stool over."

Zhu Xu studied Empress Zhang and saw that her complexion was indeed fine. Only then did he relax and complain, "Sister-in-law, you scared me to death."

Empress Zhang was eating pickled plums. Hearing this, she said with exasperation, "You little monkey. When you stuffed your people in here back then, I knew you had no good intentions. Those two girls, Wu Qing and Wu Rou—are they reporting to you every day? Do you know my every move?"

Zhu Xu tilted his fair, clean face up, looking left and right, then suddenly looked at Huan'er and shouted loudly, "Sister Huan'er, Sister-in-law told you to wipe my sweat—are you trying to slack off? Do you believe this prince will drag you back to my palace and teach you a proper lesson?"

Huan'er was stunned, her mouth hanging open, momentarily at a loss.

Empress Zhang burst out laughing, then clutched her belly and suppressed her laughter, saying, "Enough, stop your nonsense. You—alright, don't even think about Huan'er. If you don't fancy anyone else, go pick people from somewhere else yourself. Stop scheming after the people in my palace."

Only then did Huan'er react. She shot Zhu Xu a charming glare, then turned and withdrew.

Zhu Xu chuckled and said, "Sister-in-law, I have enough people in my palace. I'm only missing a Huan'er. If Sister-in-law can't bear to part with her, then forget it." The people in his palace were all of known background. The reason outsiders couldn't get a drop in was precisely because there were so few people. Besides, he didn't like seeing so many people every day anyway.

Empress Zhang took a moment to catch her breath and said, "Alright. The day after tomorrow you'll be receiving the Joseon envoy delegation. Don't you go pulling any tricks to anger me then."

Zhu Xu blinked his eyes and casually laid his groundwork, saying, "Sister-in-law, I've always followed the rules. Even if there's some trouble, it won't be too big."

Empress Zhang's brow furrowed slightly. She sensed something in his words and twitched her lips, but in the end just waved her hand and said, "Get out now. Seeing you gives me a headache."