Chapter 146: Mourning Visit

The news of Zhou Jianzong's imprisonment and Luo Sigong's death from illness reached the palace almost simultaneously.

Setting aside how the Emperor might posthumously honor and reward him, Zhu Xu was momentarily stunned and lost in thought.

This old fox had never done anything evil in his life—he could be said to have died a natural death at a ripe old age.

Zhu Xu stood before the palace gate, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the setting sun. "I hear Wei Zhongxian has been stuffing quite a few people into the Embroidered Uniform Guard lately?"

Cao Wenzhao behind him hurriedly replied: "Yes, Your Highness. Several of Zhang Yanyao's brothers have received hereditary titles, and Wei Zhongxian's nephews and maternal relatives have also been reinstated—though they've kept a very low profile."

Zhu Xu narrowed his eyes. Wei Zhongxian surely knew that Luo Yangxing of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was his man, yet he still dared to insert people so brazenly. Besides needing the cells of the Provost Prison, he was likely also trying to tell Zhu Xu: let's keep to our own lanes—Wei Zhongxian would not move against His Highness Prince Hui.

Zhu Xu watched for a good while, then said: "Send word to Luo Yangxing—he must secure solid evidence against Tian Ergeng. The moment he shows any sign of disloyalty, execute him outright!"

Cao Wenzhao was taken aback. Tian Ergeng had no notable reputation and no record of misdeeds. Given Prince Hui's aversion to killing, why would he utter such harsh words as 'execute him outright'?

Still, he nodded and said: "Yes, Your Highness."

Zhou Jianzong held great prestige among the remonstrance officials. His repeated imprisonments had earned him admiration and respect from many upright scholars. Thus, rescue efforts of every kind unfolded both inside and outside the capital.

The Grand Secretary and Second Grand Secretary repeatedly sought audience with the Emperor, admonishing him by every means, even threatening resignation—all to no avail. Memorials impeaching Wei Zhongxian and defending Zhou Jianzong fell into Jingyang Palace like snowflakes, with no sign of stopping.

All manner of criticism circulated among the capital's officials, righteous indignation burning like fire, a boiling uproar.

On the third day, word came from the Northern Provost Prison: Fang Daren and Wang Si had both admitted to bribing Zhou Jianzong, and to filing false accusations after failing to extort bribes from the inner court eunuchs. Both had confessed and affixed their seals; the statements of guilt had already been submitted before the Emperor.

This further enraged the upright faction, who accused the eunuch faction of abusing torture and extracting confessions under duress.

However, the Eastern Depot had seized over thirty thousand taels of silver from each of the three men's residences. Given their salaries plus income from their fields' rents, such sums were simply impossible—the Eastern Depot insisted it was bribes. The three were utterly unable to defend themselves and one after another demanded to write memorials to present their grievances before the Emperor.

Zhou Jianzong gritted his teeth, his body covered in marks of torture, stained with blood. His once sharply defined face was now crisscrossed with bloody welts, not a trace of its former glory remaining.

Tian Ergeng, clad in his fish-dragon robe, sat sprawled not far from him in a swaggering pose, sipping tea and smiling: "So, Lord Zhou, are our Embroidered Uniform Guard's instruments of torture to your satisfaction?"

Zhou Jianzong stiffened his neck and sneered through clenched teeth: "You lackeys and hounds! Apply these things to me ten times over—I will never yield to your wishes!"

Tian Ergeng was tall and fierce-looking; even without smiling he appeared terrifying, and when he smiled he grew all the more sinister.

He set his teacup aside, adopting an air of perfect reasonableness: "Lord Zhou, whether you talk or not, I don't care. Lord Wang and Lord Fang have both confessed. What's more, your steward and your second son have both testified against you—and there's also an account book!"

At this, Zhou Jianzong's eyes flew wide, veins bulging on his forehead, the flames of fury in his gaze seeming ready to burn.

Whatever Wang Si or Fang Daren said, Zhou Jianzong wouldn't care. But if his steward—especially his second son—really did have some account book, that would absolutely leave him without a word of defense!

A son accusing his father was an act of great filial impiety—yet by the same token, such impiety would prove the credibility of the evidence! Though he was a man of clean repute who had never taken bribes or broken the law, his family property did not all come from salary and land—a considerable portion came from gray income that could not be clearly explained.

But if it were seriously investigated, his so-called reputation as an upright official would be utterly ruined, and his career cut short.

Zhou Jianzong's face darkened as he glared at Tian Ergeng and roared: "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Tian Ergeng smiled faintly, a bloody glint flickering in his eyes: "Lord Zhou's memorial struck like thunder, throwing my master into a panic. Shouldn't Lord Zhou offer me some explanation?"

Zhou Jianzong snorted coldly: "I am an upright official, ridding the state of traitors. I do not fear the likes of you! If you have any tricks, come at me directly—why drag my family into this!"

Tian Ergeng's smile grew ever more radiant: "Since Lord Zhou puts it that way, let's continue trying out our Embroidered Uniform Guard's instruments!"

Zhou Jianzong's expression was icy: "I don't believe you can cover the sky with one hand. Where is Luo Yangxing? I want to see him!"

Tian Ergeng said: "No need to rush, Lord Zhou. Lord Luo's father has passed away from illness—Lord Luo will likely be observing filial mourning for some time."

By regulation, when one's parents die, one must observe three years of mourning. But Luo Yangxing was not a civil official, nor was his post within the civil bureaucracy, so there were various ways to modify such observance.

For instance, holding a nominal post without real authority.

Listening to Tian Ergeng's words, Zhou Jianzong's expression grew only more resolute as he said in a deep voice: "Vile traitor! Whatever tricks you have, bring them at me directly!"

Tian Ergeng waved a hand: "Give Lord Zhou a taste of the harshest ones—Eunuch Wei will be here before long."

In these times there was no such thing as humanity; the instruments of torture were extremely cruel. Even with some restraint shown toward Zhou Jianzong, it was still enough to make one's blood run cold.

Zhou Jianzong's screams echoed ceaselessly through the prison. Each time he fainted, cold water was splashed on him to revive him, and then the torture continued.

For three straight days, Zhou Jianzong screamed without end—but this Lord Zhou truly had bones of iron, enduring round after round of severe torture without loosening his lips in the slightest.

The Luo residence.

Zhu Xu arrived in plain clothes, offered several sticks of incense before Luo Sigong, then sat in a side chamber drinking tea with Luo Yangxing accompanying him.

Zhu Xu looked at Luo Yangxing in his mourning garments and consoled him: "Lord Luo, please accept my condolences and bear this change with fortitude. Lord Luo Senior's death was a happy one—he should have ascended to paradise."

Luo Yangxing's expression was grief-stricken as he bowed slightly: "Thank you, Your Highness. My father lived a low-key life and did not wish for an elaborate funeral. If he knows in the underworld that Your Highness came in person, he must surely be greatly comforted."

Zhu Xu nodded, offered further words of consolation, presented the funeral gifts, and rose to leave.

Luo Yangxing watched Zhu Xu's carriage depart, standing before the gate, unmoving for a long time.

"My lord." Zhu Zonghan appeared silently at Luo Yangxing's side.

Luo Yangxing did not turn around: "His Highness came this time to have me restrain the unrest within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, didn't he?"

Zhu Zonghan's face had always been expressionless. Hearing this, he said: "Back then, the old master made several requests of His Highness, one of which was to protect the young master. And the young master's foundation lies in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His Highness merely feared the young master might forget, so he came to remind him."

Luo Yangxing turned to look at the coffin in the main hall, grief deepening on his face: "I know this. Please assure His Highness—Tian Ergeng cannot stir up any waves."

Zhu Zonghan watched Luo Yangxing's profile, his brow twitching slightly. Dimly, he realized that Luo Yangxing's tone at this moment was very much like the deceased Luo Sigong.

Zhu Xu left the Luo residence—and at that very moment, Wei Zhongxian was walking into the Northern Provost Prison.