Chapter 5: Luo Sigong

West of the city, the Guard Commander's residence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, main hall.

Luo Sigong, with graying hair and a haggard face yet still spirited with eagle-like sharp eyes, sat in a chair, staring coldly at Luo Yangxing, who knelt on the ground with a stubborn expression.

After nearly half an hour, Luo Sigong finally said coldly, "Who told you these things?"

Though stubborn-faced, Luo Yangxing replied respectfully and truthfully: "Zhou Jianyu, who deals in cloth in the east of the city—the person behind him passed the message."

Luo Sigong sneered even more, saying, "Just because of a few words, you change your stance so drastically?"

Luo Yangxing frowned deeply, seemingly unwilling to concede: "Your son was not persuaded—I already had such thoughts. If someone else truly gets the Embroidered Uniform Guard, our Luo family will surely..."

"Silence!" Luo Sigong snorted coldly, cutting off Luo Yangxing's words, his gaze like arrows, as if trying to pierce through Luo Yangxing's very organs, and said frostily, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard serves the Emperor. With your current conduct, how can I recommend you to His Majesty!"

Hearing this, Luo Yangxing quickly said: "Father, do you think your son truly wants this Guard Commander position? I know my own abilities well. I want to cut off others' designs on the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to prevent them from bullying their way over you..."

Luo Sigong's expression did not change, but a faint killing intent leaked from his eyes.

Luo Yangxing's heart trembled, yet he grew more resolute. He suddenly prostrated himself on the ground and said loudly: "Father, now Grand Secretaries and Ministers of the Six Ministries resign at a word, or have their families confiscated at a word. Do you truly want to wait until that day before you are willing to act!"

"How dare you!" Luo Sigong slammed the table, his face incomparably gloomy.

Luo Yangxing lay prostrate without moving, but inwardly he was overjoyed. He knew his father too well—this had struck his sore spot.

Luo Sigong's face remained unchanged, but his expression grew ever colder and fiercer.

After who knows how long, he picked up the memorial from Zhang Yunru beside him and said flatly, "Do you know how this memorial came to be?"

"Your son does not know." Luo Yangxing remained kneeling prostrate on the ground.

Luo Sigong let out a scoffing laugh and said, "Of course you don't know. Even I am unclear—not a single hint of wind has leaked."

Luo Yangxing's heart suddenly turned cold, yet he said loudly, "Your son is certain it is true."

"It is indeed true," Luo Sigong calmed down, his tone returning to normal, and said, "Get up."

"Yes." Luo Yangxing grew even more fearful as he stood up.

Luo Sigong glanced at him and said, "This memorial first went to the Ministry of Personnel, then was transferred to the Grand Secretariat, then went to the Directorate of Ceremonial, and finally reached the imperial presence. This memorial came out of the Imperial Study—the Emperor never even saw it."

Luo Yangxing kept his head lowered and said nothing. He knew this involved matters of grave importance, not something he could comment on.

"This noble patron you speak of—he is indeed not simple, I fear." Luo Sigong narrowed his eyes, looking out the window, but then a smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "But they underestimate me, Luo Sigong, too much. I have served in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for decades, standing through three reigns without falling. Though I cannot see through their intentions, I can guess a thing or two."

After finishing, Luo Sigong hesitated briefly, then said, "In a moment, I will send those few relatives of the Sage Mother of Reverent Holiness to the outer provinces—they won't be back for ten days to half a month. After you take office, purge the Embroidered Uniform Guard, then leave the capital yourself."

Luo Yangxing was overjoyed inwardly and quickly said, "Your son thanks you, Father."

Luo Sigong waved his hand, and Luo Yangxing quickly turned and walked out.

After a long while, Luo Sigong slowly rose, walked to the desk, sat quietly for a time, then picked up his brush to write a memorial. He then wrote several letters in succession and had the household servants deliver them through the night, only then letting out a slight sigh of relief.

His gaze was calm yet tinged with cold light. Looking out the window, he murmured to himself: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is useful, but throughout history, the good die well while the wicked come to no good end. I want to see whether you, in your haste to force me out of the way, are wicked or good..."

At this moment, Jinghuan Palace.

Zhu Xu sat with his legs crossed, lounging comfortably on a large reclining chair, slowly nibbling on pastries.

"Little Cao, are you used to things here?" Zhu Xu suddenly said with a beaming smile, looking at Cao Huachun, who stood respectfully before him.

Cao Huachun's body trembled. Though many people called him that, there was always something sinister in the words of this young prince before him. Still, he steeled himself and said, "Reporting to Your Highness, everything is quite familiar."

Zhu Xu narrowed his eyes, like a little fox. This only made Cao Huachun more terrified.

Inwardly, Zhu Xu was quite pleased with himself. Though there was historical controversy over whether the great eunuch Cao Huachun had opened the gates and surrendered to Li Zicheng, now that he had claimed him, this future great eunuch's fate had been decisively severed by his own hand.

Beside him, Cao Wenzhao felt a chill run through him. He had followed Zhu Xu for a long time and knew this master's temper well. He couldn't help muttering inwardly: 'This eunuch has offended His Highness not lightly—he's probably in for a world of trouble.'

While Cao Huachun trembled in fear, Zhu Xu took a sip of tea and said slowly again, "Little Cao, you're an old hand by the Emperor's side—you have good connections there, don't you?"

Since being assigned to Zhu Xu by the Emperor, Cao Huachun had known in his heart that he would inevitably leave the palace, moving out of the Forbidden City with Zhu Xu into the Prince Hui residence. With this realization, he immediately pledged his loyalty: "Reporting to Your Highness, this servant has taken disciples in the Imperial Study, the Directorate of Ceremonial, and other offices. Any news will be brought to this servant's attention."

Zhu Xu nodded, then said seriously, "From now on, pay attention—anything concerning the Embroidered Uniform Guard must be reported to me."

Cao Huachun was startled for a moment, but immediately said, "Yes, Your Highness." With that, he bowed and hurried out to gather information.

"Your Highness, can this man be trusted?" Cao Wenzhao approached Zhu Xu only after watching Cao Huachun leave.

Zhu Xu smiled slightly and said, "I don't know, but he's not one of Wei Zhongxian's men." After saying this, he muttered inwardly—if he were Wei Zhongxian's man, given his fifth brother's temperament, he would have died who knows how many times over, and there would have been no later surrender to speak of.

Still, he would have to test him eventually.

"By the way, Big Cao, tomorrow you'll come out of the palace with me again." Suddenly, Zhu Xu sat up, his gaze burning.

Cao Wenzhao instinctively felt a chill below his belt. He silently recited 'I am not a eunuch' 'I am not a eunuch' several times before suppressing the dread in his heart, and said, "Is Your Highness going to meet someone?"

Zhu Xu stood up, a fervent heat in his eyes, and said in a low but firm voice, "Indeed—my future residence steward!"

Cao Wenzhao immediately felt deep admiration once again for his prince's far-sighted planning.

According to the rules, Zhu Xu would not move into his princely residence until at least eighteen years of age. Zhu Xu was now seven—meaning there were still eleven years to go!

Zhu Xu was washing up, about to pay his respects to the Emperor and Empress before returning to sleep, when Cao Huachun hurried back.

"Your Highness, Lord Luo has entered the palace." Cao Huachun said directly.

Zhu Xu was startled, then immediately realized—the Lord Luo that Cao Huachun spoke of was none other than Luo Sigong, the Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After a brief moment of thought, the corners of his mouth curled up. He had thought he would need to expend considerable effort, but now that was saved.

Zhu Xu was very satisfied with Cao Huachun's performance. He nodded and said, "Little Cao is quite good. In the east of the city, I have a courtyard—find a trusted confidant to manage it for me."

Cao Huachun had originally wanted to show his loyalty anyway. Hearing Zhu Xu speak with such intimacy and trust, he was immediately moved to gratitude and said, "Yes, Your Highness. Rest assured, Your Highness—this servant guarantees to manage it in perfect order."

Zhu Xu smiled and helped him up, saying, "From now on, you're one of my Prince Hui household—no need for such formality. Have someone keep watch. When Lord Luo leaves the palace, I want to know the result at once."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Cao Huachun's voice rose by a third, and he went off to run errands for Zhu Xu again.

Cao Wenzhao watched Cao Huachun's manner, then looked at Zhu Xu like a fox that had stolen a chicken, and silently recited again in his heart: 'I am not a eunuch, I am not easily fooled.'

"Worthy of a veteran of three reigns." Half an hour later, with this sigh, Zhu Xu lay down contentedly, covered himself beautifully with the brocade quilt, and slept soundly.

His imperial brother, the Tianqi Emperor, had approved Luo Sigong's resignation and approved Luo Yangxing's succession. The appointment edict had already reached the Grand Secretariat, taking effect that very day.

At this moment, Wei Zhongxian was rushing frantically into the palace, running toward the Imperial Study.

"Too late." Zhu Xu curled the corner of his mouth, as if murmuring in a dream.