Chapter 30: Killing Intent

"Your Highness,"

Cao Wenzhao hurried in from outside and said to Zhu Xu: "Zhou Yingqiu went to visit Ni Wenhuan and a number of his other old friends today."

Zhu Xu was taken aback and said, "He's openly showing his face now?"

A trace of anger appeared on Cao Wenzhao's face as he said, "Yes, Your Highness. He used the excuse that his old mother had come to the capital for medical treatment, and entered the capital several days ago. There's a record of it at the Ministry of Personnel."

This time Zhu Xu truly looked at this dog-head with new respect. In this way, this Master Zhou, who couldn't bear to be seen, had not only shed every piece of evidence against him, but was now even moving about the capital openly and lawfully.

Cao Wenzhao looked at Zhu Xu's half-smiling expression and asked curiously, "Your Highness, this Zhou Yingqiu isn't a good man either — buying and selling offices, murder and arson, he does every kind of dirty deed. How do we deal with him?"

Zhu Xu shifted his posture and said with a beaming smile: "Since this old thing has gotten himself tangled up with Wei Zhongxian, it won't be that easy for him to wipe himself clean. Come closer."

The moment Cao Wenzhao saw this, he knew their Highness had another sly scheme brewing, and immediately brought his ear to Zhu Xu's lips.

Zhu Xu whispered a few sentences in his ear, and Cao Wenzhao's eyes suddenly opened wide as he said, "Yes, Your Highness, I'll go make the arrangements right away."

Zhu Xu stretched lazily, drowsiness welling up, and said to Yao Qingqing not far away: "Sister Qingqing, wake me in an hour. I'm going to sleep for a bit." With that, he walked toward the bedroom.

"Yes, Your Highness." Yao Qingqing acknowledged.

West of the city, the Zhou residence.

Madam Zhou looked at Zhou Yingqiu, who had returned from 'visiting friends,' and said with great delight, "Husband, those letters of yours have served a great purpose. We don't need to fear anyone's threats now."

Zhou Yingqiu smiled faintly, his face full of composure and confidence, and said: "From now on, open the doors wide and turn no one away. I've already had Censor Ni submit a memorial on my behalf — in a few days I'll be able to see the Emperor."

Madam Zhou was overjoyed and said hurriedly, "Then husband, are you going to be reinstated?"

Zhou Yingqiu seemed filled with soaring ambition, puffing out his chest, and said: "Not so fast. First, rescue Eunuch Wei, and dig out the man behind this — then we'll talk."

Madam Zhou hastily agreed, saying, "Right, right, no rush. There are plenty of vacancies at court now — once you're reinstated, it's sure to be a Minister's position!"

Zhou Yingqiu secretly shook his head and gave a faint cold smile. Minister — that was merely a stepping stone for him. Ye Xianggao's seat, he, Zhou Yingqiu, could sit in it too!

"Master, a letter has arrived."

Just as the two were talking, the gatekeeper walked over and said.

Madam Zhou's expression changed at once, and she said coldly and sharply, "A letter? What letter? Who sent it?"

Zhou Yingqiu wore a stern expression, ignoring Madam Zhou, and took the letter to open and read it. His face immediately changed drastically.

Seeing Zhou Yingqiu's expression, Madam Zhou also cried out in alarm, "Husband, what's wrong?"

"The kidnappers have come to demand a ransom."

Zhou Yingqiu's face was like that of a man who had swallowed a fly that had just eaten shit — it shifted and changed without cease, finally settling into an unbearably ugly look.

"Ransom? What ransom?" Madam Zhou looked puzzled. She took the letter to look at it, then suddenly cried out: "Eunuch Wei was abducted — why should they come to us demanding ran—"

Zhou Yingqiu's expression changed and he suddenly bellowed, "Shut up!"

Madam Zhou's heart trembled, her whole body shaking. She looked around, then gazed at Zhou Yingqiu with a somewhat pitiful look.

Zhou Yingqiu stared at Madam Zhou with piercing eyes, while thoughts churned ceaselessly in his mind.

He knew that the other party wouldn't simply send a letter — by now, rumors were most likely flying everywhere outside.

Since the founding of the Great Ming, nothing had been more taboo than eunuchs meddling in government; and since Emperor Yingzong's time, the greatest taboo of all was collusion between inner court and outer court officials. Especially now — anyone who got tangled up with Wei Zhongxian would come to no good end!

Zhou Yingqiu pondered for a long while but could find no way out. He said to the gatekeeper, "Go outside and find out what rumors are circulating."

"Yes, Master." The gatekeeper acknowledged and hurriedly turned to leave.

Seeing the gatekeeper leave, Madam Zhou asked in a low voice, "Husband, is it really that serious?"

"In the study." Zhou Yingqiu's face was gloomy as he strode quickly toward the study, with Madam Zhou following in fearful trepidation.

Madam Zhou followed him into the study and immediately asked, "Husband, is this letter really that important?"

Zhou Yingqiu sat down in a chair, his expression still cold and terrifying.

This matter was not as simple as a single letter. Wei Zhongxian had been seized at his very doorstep, and Wei Zhongxian was a man already awaiting punishment. If it were truly dragged out and argued, charging him with plotting rebellion would not be excessive. Most importantly, even the Emperor probably couldn't protect him now. Reinstatement, becoming Chief Grand Secretary — it would all become a dream of yellow millet!

Zhou Yingqiu mused for a long while, and finally could not help but let out a sigh. He raised his head to look at Madam Zhou and said, "This time, he has set a death trap for me."

"A death trap?"

Madam Zhou's face turned deathly pale. She grabbed Zhou Yingqiu's arm and said urgently, "Then husband, let's soften our stance with him, beg him to spare you. We won't stay in the capital anymore — we'll go back to our hometown…"

Listening to Madam Zhou's words, Zhou Yingqiu gave a bitter smile at the corners of his mouth. He didn't even know who the other party was — even if he wanted to soften his stance, who would he soften it toward?

"Master." The gatekeeper knocked on the door outside.

"Come in." Zhou Yingqiu straightened his body and said in a full, vigorous voice.

The gatekeeper pushed the door open and entered, bowing as he said, "Master, word outside is that Eunuch Wei was seized at our residence, and moreover, that Eunuch Wei had come on the Emperor's decree for a secret meeting with you."

Zhou Yingqiu said indifferently: "I understand. You may go."

"Yes, Master." The gatekeeper bowed, withdrew, and closed the door.

Rumors that are half true and half false are the ones that seem real — by now, probably most of the Forbidden City believed it.

Zhou Yingqiu watched the gatekeeper leave, then was silent for a long while before saying to Madam Zhou: "From today on, close the gates and receive no guests."

Madam Zhou nodded hastily and said, "Yes, Master."

The doors of the Zhou residence, which had just been thrown open, were shut once more.

"Have you heard? Wei Zhongxian secretly slipped back into the capital."

"It was the Emperor's order. I heard the Emperor wants to reinstate the Wei eunuch…"

"I heard they're plotting together, planning to move against the Donglin Faction…"

In teahouses and wine shops everywhere, in brothels and inns, such discussions were taking place, and before long they had spread throughout the entire capital.

East of the city, the Zhou residence.

"What did you say?"

Zhou Jianzong smashed the teacup in his hand to pieces and suddenly stood up, bellowing.

The two servants across from him trembled in fright and said in panic, "Old Master, that's what everyone outside is saying. Word is the Zhou residence has closed its gates to all guests and won't see anyone."

Zhou Jianzong's face turned white with rage, and he gnashed his teeth and said: "I knew it! As long as those eunuch traitors are not eliminated, the calamity will never end!"

Zhou Jianzong stood there, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. Suddenly he spoke with hatred in his voice: "Fine, I'll contact my colleagues again. This time, we must uproot Wei Zhongxian's faction root and branch!"

Inside Jinghuan Palace, Yao Qingqing watched the hourglass. When the last grain of sand fell, she pushed open Zhu Xu's door. Seeing Zhu Xu's ungraceful sleeping posture, she let out a soft laugh, then quickly lowered her voice: "Your Highness, Your Highness, the time has come."

Zhu Xu sat up with a sudden twist of his waist, still bleary-eyed, and said listlessly: "Prepare hot water, I want to bathe. Have Xiao Cao find out where His Majesty is—I want to go see him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Yao Qingqing was most considerate and obedient.

Zhu Xu had a heavy case of morning grumpiness. He dawdled in bed for a long while before climbing out, then soaked in the bath barrel for quite some time before finally waking up.

After Zhu Xu dressed and came out, Cao Huachun immediately stepped forward and said: "Your Highness, His Majesty is in the Imperial Study. From the sound of his voice, His Majesty is in an especially good mood today."

Zhu Xu was taken aback. With such a major matter happening, his imperial brother could still be in good spirits?

Zhu Xu straightened his clothes and headed straight for the Imperial Study.

The guards at the Imperial Study were still the same people, yet they seemed to have been swapped out—the previous relaxed and casual air was completely gone.

The eunuchs and guards each kept their eyes lowered and minds focused, acting as if they hadn't seen Zhu Xu approach at all.

"Your subject brother pays respects to Your Majesty."

Zhu Xu walked into the Imperial Study and, in a proper manner, clasped his fists and bowed.

Zhu Youxiao saw him and said with a smile: "You've come at just the right time. Give me a hand."

"Sure thing."

Zhu Xu rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward, coming around to the inside of the table. On the imperial desk lay a very peculiar sculpture.

Two tigers, with a seal-shaped object above their heads, ferocious beyond compare, baring fangs and brandishing claws—an odd, mismatched thing that looked quite strange.

Zhu Xu looked at Zhu Youxiao's profile—there wasn't the slightest trace of displeasure. It was as if he knew nothing at all about Wei Zhongxian being bound or Zhou Yingqiu's rumors?

Zhu Xu mulled it over in his heart, while saying aloud: "Imperial Brother, what are you carving? I've never seen you carve animals before."

Before Zhu Youxiao could speak, Liu Shimin entered, holding an imperial edict. He bowed and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the decree has been drafted."

Zhu Youxiao's hands were full of carving knives. Without lifting his head, he said: "Read it." Then he said to Zhu Xu: "Imperial Brother, hold it steady—I'm about to make my cuts."

Liu Shimin glanced at Zhu Xu, then said: "As Your Majesty commands."

'An imperial edict?' Zhu Xu looked at Liu Shimin, waiting curiously.

Liu Shimin raised his head, opened the edict, and read in a shrill voice: "Gu Bingqian, loyal to the sovereign and devoted to the state... proposed to be elevated to Grand Secretary of the Hall of Martial Valor, with the added title of Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent..."

Zhu Xu winced as he listened. This Gu Bingqian had just been promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and now he was entering the Grand Secretariat.

After Liu Shimin finished reading, he said: "Your Majesty, shall this be sent to the Grand Secretariat now?"

This was His Majesty's wish, but it couldn't bypass the Grand Secretariat. The Grand Secretariat needed to understand His Majesty's intent, then submit a memorial, which His Majesty would approve, after which His Majesty would make it known to the Grand Secretariat and promulgate it to the realm.

"Wait."

Zhu Youxiao's hand holding the carving knife paused. He suddenly turned to look at Zhu Xu.

Zhu Xu was startled and asked, not understanding: "Imperial Brother?"

"Nothing," Zhu Youxiao said with a slight smile. "Go to the Empress later and tell her that Gu Bingqian's granddaughter and **xing's grandson are a well-matched couple. Have her bestow a marriage upon them."

Zhu Xu looked at the smiling Zhu Youxiao, and ten thousand grass-camels stampeded through his heart. Had this imperial brother suddenly grasped the art of imperial mind, or had he been playing dumb all along, waiting for an opportunity?

Zhu Xu tilted up his fair, clean face and said very seriously: "Sure thing, I guarantee I'll deliver the message word for word."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhu Xu's face, his mood greatly improved, and said: "Good. Once I finish carving this, I'll give it to you."

Zhu Xu looked at the two tigers and finally understood Zhu Youxiao's meaning. When two tigers fight, the fisherman profits—and that seal was himself.

After more than half an hour, Zhu Xu walked out of the Imperial Study carrying the lifelike carving, still sighing inwardly.

This imperial brother of his—sometimes he truly couldn't read him. When clever, extremely clever; when willful, extremely willful.

Moreover, this matter might not have all come from Zhou Yingqiu's scheming. Most likely he had long planned it himself and had been waiting for the opportunity.

Zhu Xu walked along, thinking. These past two years he had done quite a few things—some openly, some in secret. He wondered how much this imperial brother had detected.

"It seems I'll need to be even more careful from now on."

Finally, Zhu Xu nodded and said with certainty.

"Your Highness, Your Highness."

Just as Zhu Xu returned to Jinghuan Palace, Cao Huachun came chasing after him, saying: "A message has come from Lady Wu on the Empress's side—she asks that you go over immediately."

Lady Wu—Wu Qing, Wu Rou?

Zhu Xu's expression shifted slightly. He tossed the carving to Cao Huachun and said: "Take it back for me." With that, he headed straight for Kunning Palace.

Cao Huachun watched Zhu Xu's retreating figure. For some reason, he always felt it was very dangerous.

Before he even reached Kunning Palace, he saw Wu Qing waiting for him from a distance.

Wu Qing looked around to confirm no one was nearby, then quickly stepped before Zhu Xu and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, just now we inspected Her Majesty's soup and discovered safflower."

"Safflower!"

Zhu Xu's eyes instantly filled with killing intent. This was an abortifacient!

That old witch had indeed already returned to the palace!

"Where is she?"

Zhu Xu's young face was full of murderous intent. He had practically been raised by Empress Zhang—he would never allow anyone to harm her!

Wu Qing looked around once more and said: "She's been detained in an abandoned courtyard not far from Qingfang Palace. It was originally where an old palace maid lived. She died not long ago, and no one has cleaned it up yet."

Zhu Xu nodded, forcibly suppressing the killing intent in his heart, and said coldly: "Keep a close watch on her for me. I'll go see her tonight. Also, keep a tighter watch on the Empress's side. Once the person is caught, that old witch will surely know—all of you be careful."

Wu Qing's heart was pounding as well. She pressed her lips together and said: "Yes, Your Highness." She didn't dare stay away for too long, and quickly turned to run back.