Chapter 32: Cornered Beast

Since ancient times, the inner palace has been the bloodiest place of all. It often appears peaceful on the surface, yet murderous intent lurks everywhere.

Three days passed in succession, and the matter of Consort Feng's miscarriage seemed as if it had never happened. Emperor Zhu Youxiao only went to see her once, and then, just as Cao Huachun had anticipated, the matter was dropped and forgotten.

Zhu Xu also sighed with emotion — Consort Feng had at least managed to keep her life, whereas in the original history she had been executed directly by Madam Ke.

These past few days, he had been obediently staying in the study reading books. Empress Zhang had clearly sensed something amiss, and had sent people to inspect the palace several times these days, afraid there might be some poison about. Meanwhile, that imperial elder brother of his had begun focusing his attention on the court, and Ye Xianggao had already submitted his request to retire. One radish, one hole — the jostling and scheming at court was about to begin anew.

Zhu Xu lay in his rocking chair, eating pastries while flipping through a rare Song dynasty edition.

"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from Zhou Jianyu." Cao Wenzhao walked in from outside, speaking with great excitement.

Ni Wenhuan and Zhou Yingqiu were close friends, both capable stalwarts under Wei Zhongxian — one was one of the Five Tigers, the other the head dog of the Ten Dogs.

Zhu Xu looked up with a smile and said, "What good news is there?"

Cao Wenzhao stood before Zhu Xu and handed him the memorial that Ni Wenhuan had written, saying, "Your Highness, look — that old thing Zhou Yingqiu actually wants to go to Nanjing to be Minister of Rites."

The recent upheaval had caused four or five of the Six Ministry Ministers in both the northern and southern capitals to resign, and one of them happened to be the Nanjing Minister of Rites.

Zhu Xu gave it a brief look and chuckled, saying, "He's retreating in order to advance — he wants to run away."

Cao Wenzhao was also quite wary of that old thing's methods. Looking at Zhu Xu with eager anticipation, he said, "Your Highness, then what do we do? Should we take the opportunity to seize him and make it so he can never be reinstated?"

Zhu Xu shook his head and said, "No need. He won't give up until he's at death's door."

At the same time, he was thinking to himself — for Zhou Yingqiu to have Ni Wenhuan submit this memorial on his behalf at this time, his imperial brother most likely would not let him go. He would probably have him band together with Gu Bingqian, Wei Guangwei, and others to balance out Han Kuang, who was about to take over as Chief Grand Secretary.

Zhou Yingqiu should have anticipated this as well, so he probably still has some backup plan, right?

But no matter what backup plan you have, just keep it.

Zhu Xu's mind was turning as he looked up at Cao Wenzhao and said, "Have Wu Tian take some men to Zhou Yingqiu's residence, and say that we're investigating the buying and selling of offices during his tenure. Don't say anything else." After speaking, he thought to himself, 'Imperial brother, you should thank me. This Zhou Yingqiu is a big trouble, so your younger brother will handle him for you.'

Cao Wenzhao knew that Zhu Xu was putting pressure on that surnamed Zhou, and quickly responded, "Yes, I'll go handle it right away. But, Your Highness, if we do this, will he really submit and stop playing tricks, returning to his hometown obediently?"

"Return to his hometown? That's him thinking too beautifully."

Zhu Xu sneered coldly, stood up, and stretched his body. He didn't want Zhang Wenda and the others to leave the capital because they were all upright and capable men — not to mention that they might be reinstated in the future, simply having them remain in the capital was a great asset. As for this Zhou Yingqiu, letting him return to his hometown would be like releasing a tiger back to the mountain — he would never do such a thing.

Cao Wenzhao didn't know what Zhu Xu was planning, but after thinking it over, he turned and went to carry out Zhu Xu's orders.

Two hours later, the Ni residence.

Ni Wenhuan and Zhou Yingqiu sat facing each other. Zhou Yingqiu's expression was listless, his face full of self-mockery.

Between them were laid out wine and dishes, all homestyle cooking, making the two seem quite close.

Zhou Yingqiu had drunk quite a bit, and half-drunk, half-awake, he sighed, "Brother Ni, Lord Gu and Lord Wei won't even see me anymore."

"Why should Brother Zhou care? This is merely a small setback. We are both jinshi who fought our way through countless trials — there's no need to be disheartened." Ni Wenhuan consoled him like a dear friend, drinking along with him. In his heart, though, he thought, 'Gu Bingqian and Wei Guangwei are deeply favored by the Emperor now and will soon enter the Grand Secretariat — why would they meet with a troublemaker like you at a time like this?'

Zhou Yingqiu shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Think on it — I, Zhou, am a man who entered the court and walked the imperial study. Now that I've fallen on hard times, I never imagined only Brother Ni would remain as someone to drink with. Such is the fickleness of the world."

Ni Wenhuan looked at him, his gaze shifting slightly, and said as if casually, "Brother Zhou, may I ask one question — was Eunuch Wei really abducted from your residence?"

Zhou Yingqiu's expression grew even more bitter. He shook his head and said, "Would Brother Ni believe such a rumor? I have dozens of sturdy household retainers in my home — who would dare break into my residence to seize someone? Would that not be rebellion?"

But Ni Wenhuan believed that there is no smoke without fire, and he also knew that Eunuch Wei had indeed secretly slipped back into the capital. After a brief silence, he said, "Brother Zhou, if the Embroidered Uniform Guard were to dig up old accounts, even the Emperor would have to take notice. This memorial of yours..."

Zhou Yingqiu waved his hand and said, "I've troubled Brother Ni enough. I won't submit it after all. Now I only wish to leave the capital safely — what other extravagant hopes could I have?"

Ni Wenhuan narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew very well what kind of man Zhou Yingqiu was — he wouldn't come to his residence just to drown his sorrows with someone. There must be some reason behind it.

Ni Wenhuan's thoughts turned — besides his identity as a Censor, what else did he have that Zhou Yingqiu could be after?

Suddenly, Ni Wenhuan's body jolted. He remembered that 'master' of his whom he had never met.

Ni Wenhuan remained expressionless, drinking with Zhou Yingqiu and listening to his rambling complaints.

Seeing that Ni Wenhuan wasn't taking the bait after all this time, Zhou Yingqiu guessed that he had probably already figured it out. So, looking at Ni Wenhuan with hazy, drunken eyes, he said, "Brother Ni, I'm at the end of my rope now. If there's any way, please help your elder brother out. One day I will repay you handsomely!"

Ni Wenhuan smiled slightly and said meaningfully, "Brother Zhou, my master is no ordinary person — truly noble beyond measure."

The reason Zhou Yingqiu had come to Ni Wenhuan's residence was that he had indeed discovered that Ni Wenhuan's wife's younger brother had been rescued by the former Minister of Personnel, Zhang Wenda. Whoever could command Zhang Wenda's help, he guessed, must surely be a noble figure in the palace!

Zhou Yingqiu still had hazy, drunken eyes, as if speaking drunken words: "Brother Ni, rest assured — whatever is asked, I will comply with anything." As he spoke, he laboriously pulled a stack of banknotes from his bosom and pushed them toward Ni Wenhuan.

Ni Wenhuan glanced at the banknotes, his eyelids twitching slightly. But he didn't dare make decisions on his own, and after a pause said, "Brother Zhou, why don't you sleep for a while first. Tonight I'll take you to meet someone."

"Meet someone? Fine, then I'll meet someone." Zhou Yingqiu seemed unable to hold on any longer, and suddenly collapsed onto the table, as if drunk.

Ni Wenhuan had someone help Zhou Yingqiu to a side room, then wrote a letter and had a servant deliver it to the Zhou Silk Shop.

When Zhou Jianyu received the letter, he naturally passed it on to Zhu Xu.

Zhu Xu opened the letter and read what Ni Wenhuan had written, the corners of his mouth curling up involuntarily.

Seeing Zhu Xu smiling, Cao Wenzhao smiled along and asked, "Your Highness, what does it say?"

"Here — he's taken the bait." Zhu Xu laughed and tossed the letter to Cao Wenzhao.

After reading the letter, Cao Wenzhao looked at Zhu Xu with bright eyes and said, "Your Highness, is Zhou Yingqiu trying to defect to us?"

Zhu Xu waved his hand and said, "This old dog won't do anything proper. What would we want him for?"

Cao Wenzhao was confused, not knowing what purpose Zhu Xu had in doing all this. He hesitated and said, "Then, Your Highness..."

Zhu Xu sat up, propped his chin on his hand in thought, and said, "Have Zhou Jianyu go see him. Have him write a letter of fealty, and then let Wei Zhongxian escape."

Cao Wenzhao quickly understood Zhu Xu's meaning and said, "Your Highness, you want to trap him? Yes, I'll go make the arrangements right away."

Zhu Xu nodded with a smile, then turned his gaze toward the direction of Xian'an Palace. Once Zhou Yingqiu was dealt with, next would be that old witch.