Chapter 29: Reaction

"Get in!"

After the two confirmed, they stuffed Wei Zhongxian inside, and at the same time, the man in black beside the carriage said coldly to the driver, "Go, follow the direction I told you. If you deviate even a little, I'll chop off your head and drive myself!"

The driver was himself a minor eunuch from the Directorate of Palace Supplies. Hearing this, his whole body trembled. He nodded frantically, raised his whip, and drove the carriage away.

Crack, crack, crack.

Not far along the way, a string of firecrackers was tossed out of the carriage, exploding at the entrance of the Zhou residence.

"Master, something terrible has happened—Eunuch Wei has been kidnapped!"

Inside the Zhou residence, Zhou Yingqiu, who was still sitting in his study pondering Wei Zhongxian's words, was suddenly startled awake by a servant's urgent call at the door.

His expression changed drastically. He sprang to his feet, opened the door, and glared at the servant, barking, "What did you say? Say it again!"

The servant was startled out of his wits and stammered, "Master, Eunuch Wei's carriage was seized by a group of men in black, and they even set off firecrackers."

Zhou Yingqiu had a thin, pale face and a tall, lean frame, and he was in the habit of holding his chin up.

The moment he heard the servant's words, his face turned terrifyingly dark. He shoved the servant aside and charged outside.

"Gather all the household retainers, arm yourselves, and follow me to the back gate!"

Zhou Yingqiu strode toward the back gate, bellowing as he went.

The Zhou household had over a dozen retainers, who were quickly assembled and followed Zhou Yingqiu to the back gate in a murderous rush.

"Master, don't open the gate!"

Just as Zhou Yingqiu neared the back gate, a gatekeeper cried urgently, "The city patrol has surrounded our compound!"

At these words, Zhou Yingqiu's body swayed unsteadily, and he nearly collapsed.

"Master, Master, are you all right?" The retainers around him immediately scrambled to help him up.

Zhou Yingqiu's face turned even paler, his eyes filled with boundless terror, as if he had realized something extremely dreadful. In a voice utterly feeble, he said, "Take me back to the study."

The retainers immediately carried Zhou Yingqiu back to the study at a run. Those among them who knew the inside story also began to worry.

Zhou Yingqiu sat down in his chair and shooed everyone out.

Alone, he stared at the single flickering lamp flame in the pitch-black room, hunched over like a ghost.

No one knew how long passed before the study door creaked open, and a middle-aged woman walked in. She wore fine silk brocade, had a full figure, and still carried traces of her former grace.

She walked to the seat across from Zhou Yingqiu, looked at his shifting, uncertain expression, and said softly, "Master, the city patrol has withdrawn."

Zhou Yingqiu's expression was indifferent as he gave a slight nod.

This was Zhou Yingqiu's first wife, the same one who had urged him to stay in the capital. Looking at his expression, she said in a low voice, "Master, Eunuch Wei being kidnapped will bring some trouble, but it shouldn't weigh on you this heavily..."

Zhou Yingqiu's gaze rested on the dancing flame, his eyes dark and unreadable. He said, "You're thinking too simply. Kidnapping Eunuch Wei and then having the city patrol surround our residence—that wasn't to stop me from chasing after them. It was a warning."

"A warning?" Madam Zhou raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Warning us about what? Warning us not to be loyal to His Majesty, not to serve the court?"

Zhou Yingqiu shook his head slightly and said, "You don't understand. Our very presence here is a defiance of the imperial decree. If anyone wanted to move against me, all they'd need to do is leak word that I'm still in the capital, and the Donglin Faction would tear me apart. By doing this, he's not only cut off my connection to the palace—he's also threatening me."

Madam Zhou grew more confused the more she heard. Looking at him, she asked, "Threatening you? Threatening you with what?"

Zhou Yingqiu frowned slightly and said, "That's what puzzles me as well. Whoever kidnapped Eunuch Wei tonight—his identity is hardly ordinary."

Though Madam Zhou didn't fully understand, a chill ran through her heart. She abruptly walked over, grabbed his arm, and said, "Master, then let's leave. Let's go back to our hometown. We'll have nothing more to do with court affairs."

Zhou Yingqiu said nothing. He sat there with flickering eyes, and after a long while, suddenly sneered, "I haven't lost yet. Whoever this person is, since he didn't strike directly, it means he has misgivings! Eunuch Wei is His Majesty's man—he surely wouldn't dare act rashly. Let me see just who dares to scheme against me!"

Madam Zhou seemed about to speak but held back. She did enjoy the glory of being a Vice Minister's wife, but if it came down to a choice against her life, she would rather live on peacefully.

Zhou Yingqiu picked up the oil lamp, lit up the entire study, spread out paper, and wrote six letters in a row, none of them signed. He called in a servant and instructed, "After dawn, deliver these. Remember—this one is for Minister Gu, this one is for the Eastern Depot's constable captain... Remember, don't deliver them wrong, and don't let anyone notice."

"Yes, Master!" The servant nodded respectfully, his face sharp and capable.

After the servant and Madam Zhou had left, Zhou Yingqiu let out a confident sneer and said, "Let's see whether your move is cleverer, or my plan is more thorough!"

East of the city, in Zhu Xu's compound.

Cao Huachun had changed his clothes and now came cheerfully to see Zhu Xu, saying, "Your Highness, everything is arranged. He's locked up in a rundown temple outside the city."

It was too late to return to the palace, and Zhu Xu was sitting in a chair reading. Hearing this, he thought for a moment and said, "Don't ask him anything. Keep him well fed and comfortable. Once we see what scheme Zhou Yingqiu proposes to His Majesty, we'll decide our next move."

"Yes, Your Highness." Cao Wenzhao also nodded. What they worried about most right now was that Wei Zhongxian and his faction's schemes might spill over and affect their own affairs.

——

——

The next day, well past noon, Zhu Xu finally returned to the palace at a leisurely pace. Lately the palace had been as stifling as a steamer, and he had no desire to linger there a moment longer.

"Your Highness."

Zhu Xu had just entered his room to change clothes when Yao Qingqing called from outside, "Eunuch Cao is here."

Zhu Xu continued changing as he said, "Tell him to wait."

"Yes." Yao Qingqing was from the north, yet her voice carried a soft, lilting southern accent—quite pleasant to the ear.

The moment Zhu Xu came out, Cao Huachun walked over and handed him a booklet, saying, "Your Highness, please take a look at this."

Zhu Xu glanced at him, took it curiously, and looked it over. It was a record Cao Huachun had compiled. Skimming through it at a glance, the corner of his mouth couldn't help twitching.

At today's court assembly, Zhu Youxiao hadn't mentioned moving the capital at all. Instead, he lavishly rewarded people—promoting over a dozen of those who had opposed him most fiercely, then "reassigning them to posts outside the capital," with orders to leave the city within a set number of days!

"This must be Zhou Yingqiu's doing."

Zhu Xu nodded inwardly. This tactic of a disguised demotion was one no one could refuse, and others couldn't refuse it on their behalf either. In later ages, this was played to perfection.

"But it probably doesn't stop here." Zhu Xu patted the small booklet, looking thoughtful.

Zhou Yingqiu was a wily old fox. After Chongzhen took the throne, he'd nearly wriggled his way out of punishment. If not for Chongzhen's grudge against him, he might well have slipped off to Nanjing to enjoy his old age in comfort.

"Your Highness, the Eastern Depot has also submitted a memorial saying that Eunuch Wei has been missing for days and may have fallen victim to kidnappers." Cao Huachun glanced at Zhu Xu, then spoke in a low voice. He had already learned some things about Zhu Xu and knew that Zhu Xu kept certain matters from him, so he was especially cautious.

Zhu Xu raised an eyebrow. This Zhou Yingqiu really was quick to react. With this move of his, if Zhu Xu wanted to use Wei Zhongxian for anything next, it would be far less effective.