Chapter 174: A Sudden Uniformity, Beyond Expectation

As Zhu Zhu Xizhong and Wu Wu Jinghe each grew more aggressive than the last, their faces flushed with furious anger, showing not the slightest mercy.

Several commandery princes finally swallowed their humiliation, bowed their heads, and descended the imperial steps, reluctantly inviting the two envoys into their mansions.

Perhaps the heat of others' gazes was too intense, causing the leading commandery princes to blush crimson.

Angered, they dispersed the surrounding crowd, marched ahead in sullen silence, saying not a word.

This is what a powerful exterior but hollow interior looks like among the imperial clans.

As long as they had no intention of rebellion, faced with the imperial envoys acting on the Son of Heaven's behalf and the Embroidered Uniform Guard watching like hawks, bowing their heads was their only option.

The heir of Fushun Prince witnessed throughout how Zhu Zhu Xizhong and Wu Wu Jinghe abused their power, occasionally murmuring in agreement with the commandery princes only when others spoke, terrified of drawing the envoys' wrath.

Once the situation became clear, the heir of Fushun Prince finally stepped out from behind the crowd.

Zhu Zaigang was around thirty, with bright eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips—possessing a certain degree of charm.

He stepped forward defiantly, approached the envoys, smiled warmly, and apologized: "Your Excellencies, please do not be angered. The prince has just taken his own life; under their grief, the princes may have spoken rashly and offended you. There is reason behind it—pray, have mercy."

"Let us speak calmly, speak calmly."

As soon as he finished speaking, the leading commandery princes turned back, glaring at him with ill temper. Fortunately, none of them could bring themselves to beg for mercy—someone had to say it, and so they held back their anger without retorting.

This heir of Fushun Prince was deeply out of step with his kin.

It was not merely because he, as a junior son, had risen to power and encroached upon the legitimate line.

As a child, Zhu Zaigang fell gravely ill, his condition beyond the reach of the mansion's physicians. His father, the Fushun Prince, intended to petition the court for an imperial doctor—but Zhu Zaigang threatened suicide unless he was treated by a thirty-something common physician named Li Wang Shizhen.

Though he was cured, this act earned him disfavor from his elders.

As he grew older, he neglected his duties, refusing to pursue concubines or indulge in idle pleasures, instead fraternizing with scholars and studying military strategy.

His peers had nothing in common with him.

Unable to fit in with his equals, Zhu Zaigang, disregarding his noble status, mingled with the mansion's officials.

In the second year of Emperor Longqing, a new Records Officer named Wu Li Chengen arrived at the Jing Mansion. This fellow fawned upon him, constantly drinking and reveling with him, and drafting novels.

When the Records Officer departed, the heir of Fushun Prince shamelessly took his manuscripts, begged him to compose the poem "Banquet at Phoenix Terrace," then refused to mount or frame it, ordering craftsmen to preserve it for centuries without decay, treating it as a treasure—soon becoming the laughingstock of the mansion.

On this day, when such a moment demanded it, the Fushun Prince himself did not appear—instead, this man was sent out to humiliate them all.

The group crossed an arched bridge, stepped over the golden threshold, and headed toward the central hall.

Wu Wu Jinghe suddenly spoke: "We need not go to the central hall—go to the ancestral hall!"

Fan Mountain Prince Zhu Zuan frowned: "Prince Tai Ning's body lies in the central hall."

His face showed only confusion, but his heart sank steadily.

Since the gate arch, he had been probing these two men's purpose in coming to the Jing Mansion.

Their firm stance had already crushed any hope he might have harbored.

Now they even skipped the condolences and comfort—this was clearly a posture of punishment!

Wu Wu Jinghe glanced at him and said coldly: "I am here to enforce clan law—naturally, I must go to the ancestral hall."

The fiery-tempered De'an Prince exploded again: "Wu Wu Jinghe, don't push your luck!"

"Clan law? What crime has the Jing Mansion committed!?"

Zhu Zhu Xizhong suddenly raised his head: "Prince Tai Ning himself committed suicide out of guilt—how can you claim innocence?"

The De'an Prince shouted: "What suicide out of guilt? You forced the imperial clan—"

Before he could finish, the heir of Fushun Prince, Zhu Zaigang, tugged at the De'an Prince's sleeve and quickly silenced him.

He seized the floor and said with flattery: "Your Excellencies, the two men rescued from the fire have just regained consciousness today."

"Though still shaken and speaking incoherently, they have finally recounted the events of that day."

"Prince Tai Ning did not burn himself out of guilt—he was murdered by our clan's heir, Zhu Zhu Changling!"

Saying this, he moved to summon the witnesses.

Fan Mountain Prince and the others exchanged glances, their expressions grim.

Hadn't they agreed this morning to conceal the matter and use it to pressure the Emperor?

This heir of Fushun Prince had acted on his own!

Contrary to both sides' expectations,

Zhu Zhu Xizhong halted Zhu Zaigang and said coldly: "Prince Tai Ning himself wrote a letter denouncing this dynasty as corrupt and tyrannical. Is his suicide not proof enough? I need not argue further!"

With that, he signaled Wu Wu Jinghe.

The latter nodded, ceased further debate, and with Zhu Zhu Xizhong, bypassed the host family entirely, heading straight for the ancestral hall.

They left behind only their retreating figures—and Wu Wu Jinghe's words: "Summon all mansion officials, Jing Clan's third son Zhu Zhu Changsi, and all collateral branches to the ancestral hall."

Acting as if they were the rightful masters.

The commandery princes' faces darkened; the De'an Prince kicked a garden ornament by the path, seething with rage.

Though the heir of Fushun Prince's expression was also grim, he still ordered servants to carry out Wu Wu Jinghe's command.

Then he walked slowly toward the ancestral hall, straining to decipher the envoys' strategy.

…

The envoys sat upon the dais.

The imperial clansmen, summoned, abandoned the prince's funeral and hurried to the ancestral hall to pay their respects.

The commandery princes, needless to say, were present; Jing Mansion's third son Zhu Zhu Changsi arrived in haste and stood silently by, hands clasped.

Once all collateral branches and mansion officials had arrived, the meeting began.

Those latecomers from other princely houses, upon entering the ancestral hall, were met with a bucket of icy water.

"Prince Tai Ning was not the heir—he received imperial grace to govern the Jing fief, yet failed to repay even a fraction, and instead conspired in rebellion!"

"Though his crime is grave, we might still show leniency as imperial kin."

"Yet this wretch dared to use self-immolation to coerce the Emperor, leave behind a final letter denouncing His Majesty's dignity, defy the envoys' inquiry, and hope to erase his guilt by death."

"Do you not know: even in death, guilt may still be pursued!"

After Zhu Zhu Xizhong finished speaking, the ancestral hall erupted into a buzz of murmurs.

Faces turned pale; voices rose in chaos.

Zhu Zhu Changsi, still bewildered, looked up in shock.

What's going on?

Are they going to punish the entire Jing Mansion? That's why they summoned me? I thought I'd inherit the princedom—now they tell me the Jing Mansion is to be punished!?

But I'm only twelve!

Zhu Zaigang hurriedly added: "Your Excellency, that letter slandering the court must have been forged by Zhu Zhu Changling! Please, Your Excellency, see clearly!"

The De'an Prince slammed his fist on the table: "Zhu Zhu Xizhong! Don't push your luck!"

Fan Mountain Prince stared in disbelief: "Duke of Cheng, Prince Tai Ning is a commandery prince, heir to the Jing fief—even an envoy has no authority to convict him!"

"Only the Emperor may punish a commandery prince!"

What "special authority"? What "discretion"? It sounded plausible, but who truly believed it?

To take it seriously would invite a charge of overstepping authority!

To act so recklessly, so brazenly, without regard for boundaries—how dare he not fear retribution?

How could he possibly do this?

Zhu Zhu Xizhong ignored the clamor, locking eyes with Fan Mountain Prince.

He offered the first smile since entering the mansion—a knowing, chilling smile: "My special authority comes from the Emperor's own lips, clearly stated in the imperial edict."

"In Huguang, I have no matter beyond my jurisdiction."

Fan Mountain Prince fell silent, whispering: "Perverted justice! Perverted justice! The Emperor will not tolerate you—the Grand Secretariat will not tolerate you!"

Zhu Zhu Xizhong's smile vanished. He withdrew a handkerchief from his sleeve, embroidered with delicate plum blossoms, strikingly beautiful.

He unfolded it before him and said calmly: "Your words echo those of my two colleagues who accompanied me to Huguang."

"They, along with Provincial Governor Liang Liang Menglong and all Huguang officials, have already submitted memorials accusing me of overstepping authority."

"If you wish, you may add your own memorial and send it to the capital."

He paused, his tone turning icy: "Let us see whether you can outlive me before the imperial reply arrives."

With that, he suddenly coughed twice.

He displayed the handkerchief, now stained crimson: "Cough… I ask again: do you admit your guilt?"

The hall fell utterly silent.

Zhu Zaigang recalled Zhu Zhu Xizhong's words, turning them over slowly in his mind.

Overstepping authority… overstepping authority…

No wonder Zhu Zhu Xizhong acted so arrogantly!

He's taking the Emperor's blame upon himself!

The court whispers that the Emperor intends to reduce the clans' power and oppress the imperial kin—yet Zhu Zhu Xizhong immediately appears as a ruthless official, overstepping his bounds to investigate!

He is brazen enough that even his own companion, Hai Rui, cannot bear it and plans to submit a memorial against him.

In short, the Emperor's intent is good—but Zhu Zhu Xizhong has executed it wrongly.

How can one tie one's life, family, and honor to the Emperor's moral character alone!?

Are you mad?

This isn't just about your safety—Duke of Cheng's entire lineage depends on the Emperor's virtue.

Wu Wu Jinghe is alone, so it doesn't matter—but you, Zhu Zhu Xizhong, with your vast family and wealth—why take such a risk!?

Besides… a reputation for villainy isn't something you can simply shoulder and be done with!

As always: what people choose to believe is not up to you.

As long as the Jing Yueyang Wangfu firmly refuses to budge, they can still cast upon the Emperor the accusation of oppressing the imperial clan and framing the innocent.

He could think of it; naturally, others could too.

As expected, the Prince of Fenshan immediately boomed: "If His Majesty wishes to reduce the princedoms, say so plainly! We shall gladly offer our necks—why this pretense?"

"Imperial princes and descendants must not be lightly insulted! The Jing Yueyang Wangfu is spotless—we will not allow your tyrannical officials to defile us!"

"If the Duke of Cheng insists, I shall today smash my head against the ancestral hall—what of it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, murmurs of approval rippled through the hall.

The Prince of De'an was even more inflamed, echoing: "Well said! I too will not be insulted today! If need be, I shall die with blood as a warning to His Majesty, so he remembers the kinship of the imperial house!"

Zhu Zhu Xizhong watched coldly.

He knew full well this matter would not be so simple—otherwise, why had the struggle in Huguang dragged on so long?

These men were using the Emperor's virtue to coerce the imperial envoys.

If the Emperor so much as bore the taint of reducing princedoms, the investigation, once righteous, would instantly become unjust.

They were not afraid the Emperor would fear it—though he called himself solitary, he would never truly wish to become so; such an imperial throne could not be held.

Fortunately, Zhu Zhu Xizhong and Wu Wu Jinghe had come prepared.

The two exchanged glances.

The latter understood, stepped forward, and was about to speak.

At that moment, a sudden childish voice drew all eyes.

The third son of Jing, Zhu Zhu Changyi, stood alone and helpless, suddenly prostrating himself and declaring firmly: "The Jing Yueyang Wangfu admits guilt!"

"My elder brother, the Prince of Tai'ning, was implicated in rebellion; my elder brother, the Jing heir, aided the wicked; our lineage is steeped in sin—the Jing Yueyang Wangfu admits guilt!"

As soon as the words left his lips, the hall fell into stunned silence.

Not only were the two imperial envoys taken aback, their expressions bewildered—who was this man's subordinate?

Several commandery princes were caught utterly off guard; there had still been room for maneuver—how had he surrendered so readily?

Both sides stared blankly at each other, then turned together toward this twelve-year-old child.

Though young, this third son of Jing, as the sole surviving direct heir, was the only one who truly represented the Jing princedom!

The commotion from the commandery princes meant nothing—so long as this direct heir remained silent.

Now that he admitted guilt, it was virtually settled.

The imperial relatives in the hall, unaware of the truth, saw only this direct heir's resolute face accepting every charge—and their spirits collapsed.

Only the hot-tempered Prince of De'an flew into a rage: "Silence, you brat! This is no place for your babbling!"

How everything had gone wrong today!

The plan to coerce the envoys with the death of the Prince of Tai'ning had been sabotaged by the heir of Fushun.

Now, at this life-or-death moment, when they were using the Emperor's virtue to pressure him, this child had recklessly confessed guilt!

If the Jing Yueyang Wangfu truly admits guilt, then the envoys are punishing crime—not the Emperor forcing princedom reduction!

Does he even understand how grave this situation is?!

Is Heaven determined to destroy us?!

Zhu Zhu Changyi, calm and unafraid, replied composedly: "I am the third legitimate son of Prince Gong of Jing, eighth-generation descendant of Emperor Renzong—Zhu Zhu Changyi, I came of age last year."

"My two elder brothers are dead from fear of punishment or fled in connection with the case. I am no child, and the affairs of the Jing Yueyang Wangfu must be led by me—I have every right to speak."

He met the gaze of the heir of Fushun, then bowed again to the envoys, respectfully: "Zhu Changyi, I take responsibility for my brother's crimes. I beg the envoys to punish me."

"Only please, in consideration of the imperial house's century-long lineage, show mercy."

The Prince of Fenshan fell silent, defeated.

What a worthy prince! This prince, who spent his days fraternizing with the heir of Fushun, was barely twelve—and yet possessed such poise and composure.

With this silent admiration, his last shred of hope was extinguished.

This was no panicked, incoherent outburst, nor ignorance of urgency.

Likely—he had planned this all along.

He looked bitterly at the two envoys, ceased struggling, and said with admiration: "Your Excellencies see clearly—I was nearly blinded."

"The Jing Yueyang Wangfu is steeped in sin. My Fenshan Yueyang Wangfu also admits guilt!"

If Zhu Zhu Xizhong had already persuaded the direct heir, why stage this farce?

He had no choice but to yield—the Embroidered Uniform Guard had already reached the Jing sons. Truly, deep planning, leaving no escape.

Zhu Zhu Xizhong, repeatedly underestimated, now closed his eyes and fell into thought.

Wu Wu Jinghe also remained silent, offering no reply.

Both fell into unspoken suspicion—whose hand was behind this?

Or was it merely extraordinary foresight—anticipating their hidden moves, unwilling to let the situation worsen?

But no matter what, now that matters had reached this point, retreat was unthinkable.

After a long while, they weighed the pros and cons, discarded their original plans, and recalculated.

Wu Wu Jinghe nodded as if satisfied, swept his gaze over the assembly, and murmured: "Before we departed, the court discussed the disposition of guilty princedoms. The Ministry of Rites submitted a memorial to His Majesty: all guilty princedoms shall be abolished."

Zhu Zhu Changyi's expression did not change; he waited.

As expected, Wu Wu Jinghe continued: "But His Majesty, possessing benevolent virtue, has agreed with the Grand Secretariat: guilty princedoms shall be demoted in rank upon succession."

Currently, sons of commandery princes remain commandery princes—no matter how many, they establish their own courts and receive an annual stipend of one thousand taels.

Demotion upon succession means: a commandery prince's son inherits as a Garrison General; a Garrison General's son inherits as a Assistant General; then as a Supporting General, then as a Third-Rank Lieutenant—after six generations, they become commoners.

To prevent accusations that the Emperor lacks kinship, this applies only to guilty princedoms—for previously, guilty princedoms were abolished outright. This is, in fact, an act of grace—could this not be called benevolence?

Currently, the guilty princedoms are only those implicated in the Huguang case—all began with rebellion.

In the future, who can say? Perhaps even an improperly formatted congratulatory memorial might qualify as guilt.

Zhu Zhu Changyi bowed again: "Thank Your Majesty's great grace!"

Wu Wu Jinghe studied Zhu Zhu Changyi intently: "The Jing princedom's lord died by suicide out of fear of guilt; the heir fled implicated in the case. For now, Zhu Zhu Changyi shall temporarily administer the Jing princedom. We shall petition His Majesty for approval before formally installing him."

Aside from Zhu Zhu Changyi's thanks, no one in the hall spoke.

Wu Wu Jinghe helped Zhu Zhu Changyi to his feet, placed him beside himself, then made another move.

He took a scroll from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, turned to the Prince of Fenshan and the Prince of De'an, and read aloud: "Prince of De'an, Zhu Zhu Yijun, gathered miners in Guifeng Mountain, Maicheng Prefecture, to illegally mine sand; at the southeastern mines of Huangmei Prefecture, he illegally mined iron."

"Secretly cast weapons and armor; secretly conspired with foreign barbarians!"

"Prince of Fenshan, Zhu Zai'an, bribed Surveillance Commissioner Du Si to track the movements of high officials, colluded with Prince Zhu Zhu Yingyan of Yueyang, and conspired in the murder of Zhang Chucheng!"

"Do you two admit guilt?"

As soon as the words ended,

the Prince of Fenshan collapsed to the ground, mumbling incoherently.

The Prince of De'an turned livid, snarled, and lunged at Zhu Zhu Xizhong.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard reacted swiftly, stepped forward, gripped their sword hilt, and knocked the Prince of De'an unconscious.

The hall erupted in chaos.

Zhu Zhu Changyi turned to the envoys and declared solemnly: "These two villains have disrupted the Jing princedom—crimes beyond pardon. I beg the envoys to execute them!"

Even Zhu Zhu Xizhong opened his eyes, gazing at Zhu Zhu Changyi, his expression unreadable.

After a long pause, he slowly nodded: "Then let justice be carried out."

Zhu Zhu Changyi, energized, said: "I shall submit a full account of the Jing princedom's affairs to His Majesty, ensuring the Duke is not wrongfully accused!"

Zhu Zhu Xizhong said nothing, closed his eyes again.

Yet his face bore a troubled expression, as if weighing something deeply.

Wu Wu Jinghe stared fixedly at Zhu Zhu Changyi and probed again: "The stipends and estates of guilty princedoms shall also be revised."

Zhu Zhu Changyi's expression finally showed a flicker of reluctance, and he bowed his head in submission.

Ah, titles under four thousand are four-character; over four thousand are eight-character. No other meaning—it's just my own calculation for subscription.

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(End of Chapter)