Chapter 131: Old Zhu, Do You Know How The Crown Prince Died?
The night was as dark as ink, and all was silent.
Inside a room so secret it was almost entirely merged with the darkness, the air was so stagnant it felt like it could crush one’s bones.
“Your Highness, the situation in Yingtian is escalating.”
“That ‘madman’ Zhang Biao is truly uncanny; one wonders where he gets his information.”
“Your Majesty is almost driven mad by him; it seems he is preparing to launch a **frenzied**, thorough purge.”
A man clad in a night-crawling brocade robe knelt on the cold ground, his head deeply bowed. He suppressed his breathing to the barest minimum, his voice filled with absolute reverence and a trace of undetectable fear as he reported to the deep darkness ahead:
“Fu Youwen and the others are already completely watched by Your Majesty.”
“Heh.”
From the depths of the darkness ahead, a very faint chuckle, laced with laziness and a thick undertone of mockery, could be heard, as if listening to an inconsequential joke.
“Driven mad? How many years has it been, and it’s still the same old story!”
“The thunder and rain, all are the Emperor’s grace? Tsk tsk, in my opinion, investigating corruption is a pretense; the real reason is to clear the path for that brat Zhu Yunwen, isn’t it?”
His tone was bình thản, yet carried a condescending, all-knowing coldness, like a player off the chessboard, indifferently watching the struggles of the pieces.
“Then their plea for help, should we…” the man in the black robe asked cautiously.
“Plea for help?”
The voice in the darkness took on a playful tone: “They are merely a group of fools who are too clever for their own good and yet insatiably greedy.”
“Do they think that by doing a few small things for me, they are my people?”
“Unable to achieve anything, only capable of causing trouble. Why bother with them? Or do you think… they have the guts to reveal even half a word related to me?”
“Your Highness is wise!”
The man in the black robe bowed even lower, quickly saying: “Unless they want their entire clan exterminated immediately. Otherwise, their mouths are tighter than a sealed iron box!”
“However…”
The voice in the darkness paused, and that playful chuckle sounded again: “We still need to put on an act. My father, he really enjoys seeing his sons put on an ‘obedient and filial’ and ‘worried about state affairs’ facade.”
“As for what we do behind the scenes…”
“Heh heh, all the beastly things that Second Prince has done, does he know any of them? Haven’t they still been ‘father and son loving’ for so many years? He is strict with others but lenient with himself!”
The coldness and sarcasm in his words sent a chill down the kneeling man’s spine. He buried his head deeper, not daring to reply.
“Then, according to Your Highness’s opinion, what should we do now…” he could only continue to ask for instructions.
A brief silence fell within the dark curtain, as if weighing something.
After a moment, the voice with absolute control slowly resumed, each instruction clear and cold:
“First, since my father likes to kill to establish authority, let’s push out a few individuals who are sufficiently influential but not too deeply entangled with us, to let him kill to his heart’s content.”
“This fire needs to burn brighter to be worth watching.”
“Second, relay an order to all our moles in Yingtian: from this moment on, all of you will keep your heads down and act like ordinary people!”
“Without my direct order, no one is to contact anyone from Li Jinglong’s or Guo Ying’s households, not even the old dog guarding their gates! Let them fight amongst themselves, and the fiercer the better.”
“Third!”
The voice suddenly turned bone-chilling: “All traces of correspondence with Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and others, and all those responsible for transmitting messages, must be thoroughly cleaned up, as if they never existed.”
“Related accounts and chains of illicit benefits should be cleared immediately; what needs to be cut off should be cut off, what needs to be destroyed should be destroyed. If there are any that cannot be immediately erased…”
The voice paused, revealing a cruel smile: “Find a way to ‘legitimately’ shift the blame onto the heads of several other princes who are being too active. Especially towards Second Prince’s side; he’s already in deep trouble, he won’t mind one or two more.”
“Yes! Your subordinate understands! I will proceed immediately!”
The man in the black robe stiffened, responding without hesitation.
“Go. Be thorough.”
The voice in the darkness returned to its previous lazy and indifferent tone, as if merely assigning a trivial task.
“Yes!”
The man in the black robe, as if granted a great pardon, bowed respectfully.
Immediately after, maintaining his bowed posture, he quietly and swiftly exited the room, merging with the night outside, as if he had never been there.
Within the room, an endless darkness and silence descended once more.
Only the Prince, hidden in the deepest part of the darkness, seemed to curve his lips into a cold, inscrutable arc, silently gazing in the direction of Yingtian Prefecture to the south, as if watching a grand play about to reach its climax.
And he was the one truly holding the ‘script’.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Inside Huagai Hall, the candlelight still flickered.
Old Zhu finally stopped his brush as he reviewed the memorial. He rubbed his tired eyes, and his gaze fell back onto the memorial sent by Jiang Huan.
Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He said to Yun Ming, who was standing by: “Go, relay my imperial oral decree to Jiang Huan.”
“The set of glass wine ware that Li Jinglong confessed to, after it’s retrieved, do not send it to the Imperial Treasury.”
“Directly… send it to the Imperial Prison, to Zhang Biao.”
Yun Ming was stunned, almost thinking he had misheard: “Your Majesty? You mean to give such a precious item to that convict Zhang Biao?”
A profound, almost cold smile appeared on Old Zhu’s face:
“I want to see, what that thing he desperately wanted, can do in his hands… a death row inmate, what can he do with it?”
“Yes, yes…”
Yun Ming, frightened, dared not ask further and hurriedly bowed to go relay the decree.
But then Old Zhu said indifferently: “Also, find him a warmer place and provide him with good wine and meat until he writes down what he wants to write.”
“Ah? This…”
Yun Ming was again surprised by Old Zhu’s actions for a moment, but quickly lowered his head and replied: “This servant obeys your decree.”
After Yun Ming left, Old Zhu sat back on the dragon throne, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
Zhang Biao, Zhang Biao, I know you are capable and cunning.
You want treasure? I will give you treasure.
You want a warmer place? I will change your accommodations.
Whatever you want, I will satisfy.
I want to see, what other surprises you can give me.
His gaze turned back to the window, as if he could already see the expression of astonishment that might appear on Zhang Biao’s face upon learning of his ‘benevolence’.
The next morning, in the death row section of the Imperial Prison.
Li Jinglong huddled in a corner, hunger and fear intertwined, causing him to occasionally let out unconscious groans.
Guo Ying still sat upright, but his taut lips and slightly trembling fingers revealed his inner turmoil.
Zhang Biao, bored, was counting the cracks between the wall bricks, contemplating how to throw that stone.
Just then, footsteps, different from the usual, sounded—steady and strong, accompanied by the faint rustle of metal armor.
Jiang Huan, along with several Imperial Guards, appeared outside the prison cells.
His gaze swept coldly over the three cells, finally fixing on Zhang Biao.
Li Jinglong flinched violently in terror, almost shrinking into the wall.
Guo Ying also opened his eyes abruptly, his gaze alert and sharp.
“Zhang Biao!”
Jiang Huan’s voice was devoid of any emotion: “The Emperor has a decree.”
Zhang Biao raised an eyebrow, not getting up, and lazily replied:
“Oh? What instructions does Old Zhu have now? Is he planning to send me to the execution ground early, or has he thought of some new trick to torment me?”
Jiang Huan seemed accustomed to his disrespect and continued expressionlessly: “The Emperor, recognizing your ‘meritorious auditing,’ specifically bestows upon you a set of glass wine ware.”
As soon as he finished speaking, an Imperial Guard stepped forward, holding a box wrapped in silk brocade, and passed it through the small window of the cell door.
Li Jinglong recognized the box containing his treasured possession at a glance, his eyes widening instantly, his face filled with disbelief.
The Emperor actually gifted it to this madman Zhang Biao?!
Guo Ying’s pupils also contracted, a look of extreme complexity flashing across his face.
What did the Emperor mean by this? Encouraging extortion? Or… was there another deeper meaning?!
Zhang Biao was also taken aback, clearly not expecting Old Zhu to do this.
He took the box and opened it. Indeed, it was the set of colorful Persian glass wine ware that, even in the faint light, refracted a hazy brilliance.
Exquisitely crafted, it was truly a masterpiece.
“Yo?”
Zhang Biao picked up a wine cup, held it up to the light from the ventilation opening, and whistled: “Old Zhu has seen the light?! Duke Li, thank you, your treasure now belongs to me!”
Li Jinglong wore a wry smile, unsure how to respond.
Jiang Huan seemed to see and hear nothing, continuing to relay Old Zhu’s even more shocking decree:
“Zhang Biao, the Emperor decrees that this place is cold and damp and not suitable for prolonged stay. From now on, you will be moved to a different cell.”
Saying this, he turned to those behind him and ordered: “Take him to Room Jia Zi San!”
“Room Jia Zi San?”
The prison guards nearby were stunned, thinking they had misheard.
That was the best room in the Imperial Prison, usually reserved for high-ranking officials whose cases were still pending.
It was dry, spacious, and even had a table, chairs, and a bed.
Li Jinglong and Guo Ying were even more dumbfounded, completely bewildered.
The Emperor not only gave him our treasure but also gave him a good room? Has the world gone mad?!
The flippant expression on Zhang Biao’s face also subsided somewhat, a genuine hint of surprise and caution flashing in his eyes.
Old Zhu’s actions were a bit beyond his expectations.
When things are abnormal, there must be a reason!
Immediately after, two Imperial Guards stepped forward, opened the cell door, placed shackles on Zhang Biao, and then escorted him out.
Zhang Biao, carrying the box of glass wine ware, paused as he passed Li Jinglong’s cell and specifically shook the box:
“Duke Li, don’t miss me too much! I will cherish them well!”
Li Jinglong still offered a wry smile and shook his head helplessly.
Passing by Guo Ying’s cell, Zhang Biao glanced at him, noticing that although the old man was still forcing a stoic expression, the shock and confusion in his eyes were almost overflowing.
Zhang Biao grinned, not provoking him further.
Soon, Zhang Biao was led away from the gloomy death row section and arrived at the legendary ‘Room Jia Zi San’.
Indeed, although it was still a prison cell, it was clean and tidy, with a bed and a table, and even a small window with iron bars that let in a bit of daylight.
The shackles were removed, and the prison guards’ attitude became much more polite.
Before long, someone even brought hot meals and a pot of wine.
Although this person was not Zhu Gao Sui, Zhang Biao looked at all of this, not with joy, but with his chin resting in his hand, deep in thought.
【That old fox Old Zhu probably doesn’t have much patience left. He likely wants to quickly extract my ‘auditing’ results and then discard me like a broken tool.】
【It seems Shen Lang and the others are already taking action in their own way.】
Thinking of this, Zhang Biao subconsciously looked towards the cell door.
Just as expected!
Jiang Huan was standing at the cell door, staring at him.
If I don’t write something today, this scoundrel probably won’t leave.
Since that’s the case…
“Commander Jiang, aren’t you the Emperor’s dog?”
He said mockingly: “Why are you always lurking around me? Your presence makes me feel very insecure…”
Jiang Huan replied expressionlessly: “Zhang Biao, whatever tricks you want to play, this commander will accompany you. Whatever you want, the Emperor will satisfy…”
“Oh?”
Zhang Biao raised his eyebrows: “Really? Then I want the throne…”
“Presumptuous—!”
Jiang Huan immediately roared, then drew his saber and ordered:
“Torture him! Today, I will risk my life! To make him unable to live and unable to die!”
“Don’t get so agitated! Look at you, you’re impatient again!”
Zhang Biao smiled and waved his hand, then continued:
“I haven’t finished speaking yet. I mean, I want to say… the temptation of the throne must be very great, right? So great that it can make people lose their reason, lose their humanity, right?”
“What exactly do you want to say?”
Jiang Huan raised his hand to stop his subordinate, who was about to torture Zhang Biao, and stepped forward quickly.
His face was almost pressed against the cold iron bars, his voice squeezed through his teeth, carrying a deadly threat:
“This commander sees that you refuse a toast and prefer a penalize! Do you really want to taste the eighteen tortures of the Imperial Prison before you confess honestly?!”
Zhang Biao sighed, as if greatly wronged:
“Commander Jiang, you say that as if I’m intentionally concealing something. It’s just that I’m afraid the news will be too shocking and make the Emperor faint again.”
As he spoke, he suddenly sat up straight, the playful smile on his face fading slightly, his eyes becoming somewhat unfocused, as if trying hard to recall something very distant.
“Speaking of which… I’ve been having a strange dream recently.”
Zhang Biao’s tone became somewhat absentminded, even with a hint of casual conversation:
“In the dream, I always see someone… ah, I don’t know who it is, but they seem quite noble, just their complexion isn’t very good, sickly…”
Jiang Huan frowned, not understanding what this madman was rambling about, and sternly interrupted: “Stop beating around the bush! Get to the point!”
Zhang Biao seemed not to hear his reprimand, continuing to murmur to himself, his voice not loud, but drilling into Jiang Huan’s ears like a viper:
“The person in the dream always coughs severely. Many Imperial Physicians are around, prescribing medicine… tsk, it seems a bit interesting…”
Jiang Huan’s heart skipped a beat inexplicably, and a premonition of misfortune suddenly arose.
Zhang Biao raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly unfocused, yet precisely fixed on Jiang Huan.
He was seen to curve his lips into an extremely subtle, almost eerie arc, and in a light, as if casual, tone, he threw out the stone that could overturn the entire Great Ming Dynasty:
“Hey, Commander Jiang, you say, the Crown Prince back then… how did he actually die?”
“Was it just from illness?”
Boom!
It was as if a thunderous bolt of lightning exploded directly in Jiang Huan’s mind.
His face instantly turned deathly pale, as if all the blood had been drained from him in an instant.
His pupils suddenly contracted to the size of a pinprick, filled with extreme shock, fear, and disbelief.
This Zhang Biao… how dare he?!
Seeking monthly tickets~
I want to explain something to everyone. It’s not that my updates are not enough; I’ve been maintaining over ten thousand characters daily. But the past two days might not be possible because my maternal grandmother has passed away. I need to go back to my hometown. Updates will not be on time for the next two days. I apologize. If I have time, I will write.
