Chapter 148: Empress Zhang Runs an Ad (Calling for Subscriptions~~)

Zhu Xu raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Fu Tao, asking, "Who did it? Was it deliberate?"

Fu Tao shook his head slightly and said, "Not clear, but he did die. I made some inquiries—word is he was over-tortured in interrogation, and the outside story is that he committed suicide out of fear."

Zhu Xu's face fell silent. Wei Zhongxian—it was finally going to come to this.

Zhou Jianzong's death was only the beginning.

Seeing Zhu Xu's unusual demeanor, Fu Tao tested the waters: "Your Highness, will you step in and suppress him?"

Zhu Xu shook his head. Empress Zhang's repeated warnings could not be taken lightly. If Zhu Youxiao truly caught on and grew wary, all his efforts would flow away like water.

Fu Tao could see Zhu Xu's stance and changed the subject: "Your Highness, He Yunshan has proposed merging the three trading companies into a single grand chamber of commerce. What do you think?"

Zhu Xu was taken aback, tapping his fingers on the chair. This He Yunshan had real foresight—he himself had been mulling over this matter, but it had never quite matured.

Fu Tao was the eldest son of the Vice Minister of Revenue and his eldest cousin. In the Huitong Trading Company, the Huimin Chamber of Commerce, and the Huiyun Shipping Company, he was effectively the invisible, true grand manager. If the three were truly merged into one, their strength would naturally surge, making it easier to expand and broaden the profit surface.

Zhu Xu pondered for a long while, then said, "That is indeed a good idea. After the new year, gather Wei Liangqing, Zhou Jianyu, and He Yunshan, seriously hash it out together, write up a memorial, and bring it to me for review."

Fu Tao acknowledged and was about to leave—though Zhu Xu's Jinghuan Palace was not part of the inner palace, lingering too long was still inconvenient.

But Zhu Xu pulled him back and kept him for a meal.

At the table, only Zhu Xu and Fu Tao sat, chatting idly about this and that.

"What has Uncle been busy with lately?" Zhu Xu asked while picking up a piece of braised pork.

Fu Tao was far less stiff now, sipping his soup as he said, "Mid-year affairs are many and chaotic—I've been at the yamen more and home less."

Zhu Xu chewed on the braised pork and said, "Mm. When you go back, tell Uncle to mind his health—balance work with rest."

Fu Tao nodded, then picked up his bowl and took a slice of watermelon.

Zhu Xu moved the plate of jellied fish aside, picking out bones as he said, "Elder Brother, are you familiar with that Yang Lian, Vice Censor of the Censorate?"

Fu Tao was startled, looked up at Zhu Xu, thought for a moment, and said, "This Lord Yang is hailed as the number one incorruptible official of the Great Ming. He holds enormous influence in the Donglin. I hear someone has recommended him for the post of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief."

Zhu Xu scraped a good half of the jellied fish into his own bowl and said, "Mm. I'm not too convenient leaving the palace lately. In a few days, take some gifts and pay him a visit on my behalf."

Fu Tao looked puzzled: "Your Highness, why suddenly send him gifts?"

Zhu Xu finished the jellied fish mixed with rice, then poured half of the cabbage and vermicelli into his bowl, stirring as he said, "My sister-in-law intends to have him serve as my teacher. Send the gifts first to pave the way."

Fu Tao's chopsticks stopped mid-air, his face even more bewildered: "Your Highness, what is Her Majesty the Empress's intention in this?"

Zhu Xu had always loved cabbage stewed with vermicelli—slightly sour, slightly spicy—eating as he said, "The Xiong Tingbi matter leaked. My sister-in-law worries for me and wants someone to escort me along the way."

Fu Tao brought the bowl to his lips, mechanically shoveling food in, thinking to himself, 'I suspect Her Majesty the Empress isn't only worried about Your Highness straying off course and getting dragged into factional strife—she's also eyeing Lord Yang's influence in the Donglin and at court...'

After finishing that, Zhu Xu began ladling soup, stirring it with the spoon, and added, "Don't make the gifts too heavy. You can let a little slip."

Fu Tao nodded, then looked at the dishes on the table—hardly anything was left.

Fu Tao: "..."

This snow in the capital, once it started, simply wouldn't stop—for three straight days it fell, big and small, without pause.

During this period, Zhu Xu spent his time either reading and enjoying the snow before his door or doing the same in his study.

Empress Zhang recovered quite well and would call him over for meals every few days. Occasionally he even ran into Zhu Youxiao and Zhu Youjian.

Perhaps under pressure from Zhu Youxiao and Empress Zhang, Zhu Youjian had stopped hounding Zhu Xu relentlessly, though he still wore a cold face whenever they met, without a trace of a smile.

Zhu Xu paid him no mind either, appearing once more at Kunning Palace.

He set a large basket on the table and pulled out one transparent glass vessel after another, speaking rapidly: "Sister-in-law, look at this—this one's for you, this one's for my eldest niece. Sister-in-law, don't grab now..."

After giving birth to the Princess, Empress Zhang's figure had grown fuller, so she dressed more thickly as well. With a curious look, she reached out and took the glass plate.

What Zhu Xu had brought included bowls, chopsticks, wine pots, wine cups, tea cups, and plates—nearly a full table setting.

In the rocking cradle by the table, the little Princess had grown into her features—skin crystal-clear, big eyes wide open, small mouth opening and closing, waving her little hands with cooing sounds, utterly adorable.

Zhu Xu reached out a finger to tease her, and she immediately grabbed it, babbling happily, blinking her big dark eyes, her little face blooming into a smile.

Zhu Xu was delighted, looking around the table to find something to feed her.

Empress Zhang's originally delighted face suddenly took on an annoyed expression as she glared at him without much patience: "Out with it—what scheme are you really cooking up today?"

Zhu Xu looked up and saw Empress Zhang staring at the bottom of the plate, brows raised, expression none too friendly.

"Ah-ha..." Zhu Xu chuckled sheepishly, dragging his stool closer: "Sister-in-law, come the year's end, aren't you going to bestow gifts upon the ladies of the princes, dukes, and ministers? These—these are the gift items I've prepared for you to bestow..."

Empress Zhang looked at the address and contact name written on it, furrowing her brow slightly: "How much silver do you plan to sell all this for?"

Zhu Xu immediately put on a solemn face: "Sister-in-law, a set of bowls and chopsticks—two taels of silver; a plate—five mace of silver. This whole set on the table—thirty taels total!"

Though Empress Zhang had almost never personally bought anything, she still knew the capital's prices and said with slight surprise: "It's really that expensive?"

'Whatever I say it costs, it costs!'

Zhu Xu thought to himself, but on the surface he smiled without a word.

Empress Zhang took a deep breath, her expression souring, and waved a hand: "Fine. Tomorrow I'll summon Lord Yang to the palace. You prepare yourself."

Zhu Xu paid Yang Lian no mind, craning his neck: "Sister-in-law, then..."

Empress Zhang's gaze grew even more displeased. She snorted coldly: "Send more over. In a few days I'll summon the wives of the princes, dukes, and nobles in the capital to the palace for conversation, and I'll bestow some gifts along the way."

Zhu Xu hastily stood up and drawled out: "Thank you, Sister-in-law!" With that, he turned and slipped away swiftly.

The moment Zhu Xu left, Empress Zhang pressed both hands to her temples and rubbed hard.

"Your Majesty, the milk is warmed." Huan'er came out from within, holding a bowl, her face puzzled.

Empress Zhang let out a soft breath, still feeling a terrible headache. Taking the bowl, she said with feigned anger: "Next time, Prince Hui is not to enter without my summons!"

Huan'er blinked, answering crisply.

The little Princess, watching the bowl in Empress Zhang's hands, waved her little hands all the more vigorously, babbling merrily.