Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Perfect Opportunity!
“What? The Prince of Wu has led the Embroidered Uniform Guard to surround the Duke of Liang’s residence, intending to arrest him?”
Huang Zicheng, who was currently in the Eastern Palace inquiring after news from Consort Lü, was so shocked by this information that his jaw nearly dropped.
“Duke of Liang, Lan Yu, is his great-uncle. If the Prince of Wu acts this way, isn’t he essentially cutting off his own wings?” Huang Zicheng was puzzled.
After a moment, his eyes brightened.
He immediately took his leave from Lady Lü. “Consort Lü, this matter is most unexpected. I must hasten back to the Prince Xian’s residence to discuss and decide on a course of action.”
Lady Lü instructed a maid to bring a basket and personally handed it to Huang Zicheng. “Regarding Wener’s affairs, I must trouble you greatly, Mr. Huang.”
“Late autumn has arrived, and winter approaches swiftly. The air in Jinling City is damp and cold during winter.”
“I see your clothing is still quite thin. You must take care to keep warm and avoid catching a chill.”
“This basket contains clothes I have sewn with my own hands during idle moments; please accept them to keep warm.”
Huang Zicheng was deeply moved and said, “Consort Lü’s kindness overwhelms me; I dare not presume such favor.”
In this era, it was common for nobles and officials to exchange garments as gifts.
When Empress Ma was alive, she too had personally sewn many clothes to reward meritorious officials or their children.
A Crown Princess sewing clothes to gift others was not unprecedented.
Yet, those bestowed such favor were invariably those closest to her.
Lady Lü smiled faintly. “You are Wener’s teacher; no matter how grand the gift, you deserve it.”
“There is also Master Fang, who is said to be a scholar of great renown.”
“Regrettably, I have not yet prepared a gift for him.”
“It would be improper to present Wener’s teacher with anything hastily made.”
“It will take some days.”
“Once all is ready, I will send someone to deliver it to Master Fang.”
“I am counting on you all to teach Wener well, to support him, and give him a helping hand.”
Huang Zicheng bowed. “I will devote myself entirely.”
Lady Lü smiled. “Mr. Huang, your integrity is beyond doubt, and I trust you fully.”
“Just now, I overheard mention of Yun Teng. Though not my biological son, his mother died early, and I have raised him since infancy.”
“Though he has grown bolder with stronger wings, I still understand his character fairly well.”
“He has always been cautious, perhaps even somewhat timid and weak.”
“To see him now act so recklessly is truly puzzling.”
“There must be some hidden truth behind it.”
As she spoke, Lady Lü took a few steps forward.
“There is also Duke Lan Yu of Liang. He used to come to the Eastern Palace frequently and was close to me. I know his temperament well.”
“He is quick-tempered, intolerant of grievances, and cannot bear the slightest insult.”
“Regardless of what Yun Teng’s intentions are today, I fear Duke Lan Yu will never swallow this bitter pill.”
“Sir, perhaps you should try to fan the flames, add fuel to the fire, and let today’s incident escalate further.”
“Then, no one will be able to bring it to a peaceful resolution.”
Huang Zicheng bowed. “Consort Lü speaks wisely. Thank you for your concern.”
Lady Lü’s gentle smile remained. “I am but a woman and should not meddle in such affairs.”
“But Wener is my own son.”
“As long as his position as heir remains unsettled, my heart cannot be at ease.”
She walked a few steps aside and continued, “Regarding Yun Teng, I have doted on him since he was young and raised him single-handedly.”
When speaking of Zhu Yun Teng, her self-reference shifted from “I” to “this palace” instantly.
“Though not my birth son, he has never lacked for food or clothing since childhood.”
“I have truly been generous to him.”
“But now, he shows no gratitude and dares to challenge Wener for the position of heir.”
“How did I come to raise such an ungrateful whelp?”
At this, her voice brimmed with hatred and murderous intent.
“If only I had quietly strangled him in his cradle after his mother’s death.”
“Heaven and earth would have been none the wiser.”
“It would have spared me this day of raising a tiger to harm me.”
Huang Zicheng bowed. “Your kindness is profound, but he may not show gratitude.”
“The struggle for the throne brooks no mercy.”
Lady Lü said, “From this day forward, I will have no more of a woman’s compassion.”
“If you require anything from me, Mr. Huang, just say the word.”
“As long as it benefits Wener, helps him secure the position of heir, and inherit his father’s legacy, this mother would gladly die for him.”
Huang Zicheng hurriedly said, “Consort Lü, you are too generous.”
After some thought, he continued, “Since such an incident has occurred today, tonight will certainly not be peaceful.”
“Prince Xian has already gone to the palace to gather intelligence and should return soon.”
“For now, we must keep a close watch on palace happenings.”
“May I ask if you have any favored consorts within the palace?”
“If it is convenient, it would be best to enter the palace now, stay overnight, and be ready to send messages secretly if any news arises.”
Upon hearing this, Lady Lü’s eyes brightened. “Mr. Huang is always so thoughtful. I will enter the palace immediately.”
Men are forbidden from staying in the harem at night.
But Lady Lü, a woman, could.
After the palace gates close at night, no one may enter or leave.
Yet news can be passed by tossing items over the palace walls.
“Thank you, Consort Lü.”
Huang Zicheng said and hurried away toward the Prince of Wu’s residence.
At this moment, Zhu Yunwen had also returned home.
“Teacher, there is no news from within the palace. Though I did not see the Emperor Grandfather, I made inquiries everywhere. One thing is certain: the Emperor Grandfather did not issue an edict ordering the Third Prince to search the Duke of Liang’s residence.”
He felt somewhat frustrated.
Usually, he could see the Emperor Grandfather at will.
But today, for some reason, Old Zhu directly refused him.
Saying it was too late and he should rest early, and that any matters could wait until tomorrow.
Helpless, Zhu Yunwen had to seek information from palace eunuchs in secret to learn the palace situation.
As he left the palace, he heard that Zhu Yun Teng had led the Embroidered Uniform Guard to surround Lan Yu’s house, which shocked him greatly.
Seeing Huang Zicheng then, he hastened to explain eagerly.
Huang Zicheng paced thoughtfully.
Zhu Yunwen was anxious but dared not interrupt.
Suddenly Huang Zicheng stopped and turned sharply.
“The Emperor not seeing you means he does not wish to intervene immediately.”
“He likely wants to see what the Prince of Wu will do next—consider it a test.”
“We absolutely cannot allow the Prince of Wu to succeed.”
Zhu Yunwen said, “Teacher is right. We cannot just stand by. Have you thought of what to do?”
Huang Zicheng said, “No matter what the Prince of Wu’s plans are, we must fan this fire to burn even brighter.”
“Master Fang is still investigating. We should send word to him immediately, asking him to try and amplify the incident and cause a stir around the Duke of Liang.”
“If chaos breaks out and lives are lost, so much the better!”
“I will contact several censors and remonstrators to write petitions overnight, to be presented first thing at court tomorrow.”
“The Prince of Wu is trying to arrest the Duke of Liang, yes?”
“We will pour oil on the flames and join in the accusations.”
“The Duke of Liang has long committed many crimes—kidnapping the Mongol princess, leading troops through the gates unlawfully... all sorts of charges and villainies. Now is the perfect time to bring them up.”
“Besides that, we must also accuse the Prince of Wu.”
“To mobilize the Embroidered Uniform Guard without imperial order is outright lawlessness!”
“We will fabricate additional charges to ensnare them both.”
“He and Lan Yu are locked in a fierce struggle; we shall catch them both in one net.”
“Tomorrow at court may be the best chance to bring him down!”