Chapter 72: The First Step

"Your Highness."

Cao Wenzhao soon arrived before the palace gate, giving Zhu Xu a slight bow, and said: "Everything happened as you predicted—the man has been brought back under guard."

Zhu Xu nodded, gazed into the depths of the palace, drew a quiet breath, stepped down from the carriage, and walked step by step into this Great Ming palace city.

Cao Wenzhao had Zhang Heming placed at the rear; he himself walked at Zhu Xu's side, his expression somewhat grave.

Only after confirming they were far enough away that no one could overhear their conversation did Cao Wenzhao ask in confusion: "Your Highness, today... why do this?"

Zhu Xu walked slowly with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling: "You want to ask why I, who always stayed hidden in the shadows before, have chosen to surface this time?"

Cao Wenzhao followed behind, saying: "Yes. After today, many people will begin to suspect Your Highness. Handling matters from here on won't be so easy."

Zhu Xu sighed softly and said: "There's no helping it. The lords at court fight too fiercely, and they drag us into it at every turn. This time is an opportunity—by borrowing Her Majesty the Empress's name, perhaps we can make them hold back somewhat."

Though Cao Wenzhao felt Zhu Xu's words made sense, he still worried: "Your Highness, since we've now stepped into the open, will we be dragged into court struggles from now on?"

Zhu Xu gave no direct answer, saying: "For now I pose no threat to them. We'll do as before—work quietly. The most important thing right now is to expand the Huitong Trading Company, and then have Li Deyong use low food prices to build up the distribution channels."

Cao Wenzhao bowed and asked no more. He knew in his heart that Zhu Xu himself had little certainty—it was simply that circumstances had forced him to step forward.

From today on, everything was going to change.

Pacing slowly, Zhu Xu calculated in his mind as he made his way toward Kunning Palace.

After a long while, just as Zhu Xu turned past a palace gate, Liu Shimin suddenly appeared before him, bowing slightly: "This servant pays his respects to His Highness Prince Hui."

Zhu Xu's nerves were taut at that moment; he stared at Liu Shimin in surprise and said: "Was Eunuch Liu waiting here especially for this prince?"

Liu Shimin kept his bow, his face revealing nothing, and said: "It was Her Majesty the Empress who ordered this servant to wait here for Your Highness, and to convey this message: you must insist firmly that it was Her Majesty who instructed you to do this."

Zhu Xu nodded in understanding and said: "Good, this prince has taken note."

"This servant takes his leave." Liu Shimin bowed once more, turned, and hurried away.

Cao Wenzhao watched Liu Shimin's retreating figure, his gaze hesitant: "Your Highness, can he be trusted?"

The corner of Zhu Xu's mouth curled slightly: "This Eunuch Liu has changed quite a bit since becoming a brush-holding eunuch. But whether I trust him or not doesn't affect my plans. Come—let's go welcome the coming storm."

However, Zhu Xu was soon intercepted. The Tianqi Emperor had already moved to Jingyang Palace—not only were the Emperor and Empress both there, but also Duke Zhang Guoji, Prince Xin Zhu Youjian, Chief Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao, and Second Grand Secretary Han Kuang. Nearly all the most powerful figures of the Great Ming were gathered there.

As Zhu Xu arrived before the Imperial Study, he could feel an aura of grim, chilling silence from afar.

Cao Wenzhao was deeply worried in his heart, but he knew that saying anything now was too late; he could only watch Zhu Xu with a calm expression.

Zhu Xu rubbed his somewhat stiff face, took the ledger from Cao Wenzhao's hands, gritted his teeth, and with a look of unyielding resolve in his eyes, strode toward the Imperial Study.

He knew that today was the most important examination of his life. If he passed, he would truly stand firm in this Great Ming dynasty; if he failed, there was only one outcome—confinement for life!

Step by step, Zhu Xu approached the door of the Imperial Study, his heart pounding like a drum.

Zhu Youxiao sat on the dragon throne with a cold expression, staring straight out the window. Empress Zhang knitted her brows, her face displeased.

On either side below the imperial desk, Zhu Youjian, Zhang Guoji, Ye Xianggao, and Han Kuang all stood with slightly bowed postures, casting sidelong glances at the approaching Zhu Xu.

Zhu Xu stepped over the threshold and entered.

Zhu Youxiao's brow furrowed slightly, his face expressionless. Empress Zhang seemed about to stand, but glanced at Zhu Youxiao and sat back down.

Zhu Youjian's expression was cold and aloof, as if unwilling to spare Zhu Xu another glance, his head tilted to one side.

Ye Xianggao watched Zhu Xu, his plump face showing little expression; Han Kuang's eyes gleamed sharply, carrying a severe look.

Zhu Xu drew a quiet breath, and his stiff face suddenly broke into a grinning smile as he strode in quickly, saying: "Your younger brother greets His Majesty the Emperor, greets Her Majesty the Empress, greets Brother Prince Xin, and greets the two lords."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhu Xu, straightened up, and said coldly: "I ask you—did you privately detain Zhang Heming, the Minister of the Ministry of War?"

Zhu Xu swept his gaze over everyone present and was just about to speak when Empress Zhang cut in: "Your Majesty, Prince Hui is young and doesn't understand things. That Zhang Heming detained my father first—his crime should be examined first."

Zhu Youxiao furrowed his brow, swept a sidelong glance at Ye Xianggao and Han Kuang, and said grimly to Zhu Xu: "I'm asking you a question—answer honestly!"

Empress Zhang pressed her lips together, anxious at heart, continuously signaling Zhu Xu with her eyes.

Zhu Xu seemed not to see Empress Zhang's look at all, and answered crisply: "Yes!"

Zhu Youxiao's expression changed, and he said darkly: "Do you know that even I cannot casually arrest a high official of the second rank like him?"

Zhu Xu didn't even blink: "I know."

Zhu Youxiao's eyelids twitched, his voice growing harsher: "Then do you know what the consequences of such a great crime are?"

Zhu Xu looked left and right, and said casually: "I know."

Seeing Zhu Xu's attitude, not only was Zhu Youxiao angered—the expressions of Zhu Youjian, Ye Xianggao, and Han Kuang all changed as well, their gazes fixed straight on Zhu Xu. The Great Ming forbade imperial clansmen from holding any official post, let alone placed strict controls on princes; the slightest transgression was a great crime!

Zhang Guoji's heart pounded with fear at Zhu Xu's words. He knew well that the imperial house was most ruthless of all—especially the Emperor—and couldn't help but turn nervously toward Empress Zhang.

Empress Zhang had also been extremely worried, but seeing Zhu Xu's demeanor, her heart relaxed instead. She flashed a faint smile at Zhang Guoji and gave an imperceptible nod.

Zhang Guoji was briefly startled, then paused and stepped forward, saying: "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that Prince Hui should be allowed to explain the whole matter from beginning to end. Then, whether to beat or punish him can be decided accordingly."

Ye Xianggao and Han Kuang exchanged a glance, and reluctantly stepped forward as well: "We ministers share this view."

This time, before Zhu Youxiao could speak, Zhu Xu turned to the two men with murderous intent in his eyes and sneered: "Do the two lords truly share this view as well?"

Ye Xianggao and Han Kuang turned to look at Zhu Xu, somewhat bewildered.

Zhu Youxiao's expression darkened, and he said coldly: "Explain it clearly to me—otherwise, even the Empress won't be able to protect you today!"

Zhu Xu showed no fear at all, and said to Zhu Youxiao: "Your Majesty, you'd better brace yourself."

Zhu Youxiao's brow furrowed. He knew Zhu Xu had always had many clever schemes, and he'd thought he understood him well. Seeing his expression today, he couldn't help but grow suspicious. He glanced at the Chief Grand Secretary and the Second Grand Secretary, then said with even colder tone: "Speak."

Zhu Xu smiled slightly—though it was a cold smile.