Lying on the flagstones of the courtyard, he suddenly felt something was amiss. Instinctively, he jumped up and began to flail his arms and shout like a madman, then went to embrace a tree. Only then did his eyes glance towards the courtyard gate.
As expected,
A figure was already peeking from outside the gate. With a creak, the gate was pushed open.
King Jing recognized this person. It was the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhang Er! As far as he remembered, during his years in the capital, Zhang Er had always followed Yan Shifan and was present at every banquet. Why was he here now?
“King Jing? Your Highness King Jing?”
Zhang Er, being an Embroidered Uniform Guard, possessed more courage than ordinary men. He stepped forward a few paces and asked in a low voice.
As Zhang Er addressed him as "King Jing," King Jing immediately understood.
This person was unaware of the truth! If someone from the Yan family, like Yan Maoqing, were to come, they would have called him "Zhu Xue." So, who sent him? It couldn't be the Emperor, as Zhang Er had already been dismissed.
King Jing was instantly filled with dread.
This man was either sent by Prince Yu or Zhu Mo!
Either of them would happily see him dead!
He immediately hugged the tree tightly and roared,
“Impermanent Ghost! Black Impermanent! Hahahaha…”
With a swish,
He suddenly turned around and crouched down, digging frantically at the earth with his hands, his eyes fixed on Zhang Er. He muttered, “Bring me my magical artifact! Bring me my magical artifact…”
Zhang Er had seen people feigning madness before, but at that moment, he truly couldn't tell if this man was genuinely mad or just pretending. Prince Yu had said earlier that if he was faking, Zhang Er should find a way to finish him off, otherwise, if this man were to be used by others, it would be a colossal problem.
“King Jing, stop pretending… Everyone knows you’re having a hard time…”
Zhang Er tested the waters, hinting that he was sent by Yan Shifan.
King Jing acted as if he hadn't heard a word. He continued to dig at the soil with all his might, digging harder and harder. In no time, two of his fingernails were ripped off. Despite the searing pain, he seemed oblivious, his hands continuing to dig.
Finally, with a sudden grab, he caught a worm, popped it into his mouth, chewed it for a few moments, and grinned broadly,
“Bah! Black Impermanent! I will shatter your very soul and form!”
With a whoosh,
He raced to the edge of the courtyard again, grabbed a clump of his own feces from earlier in the day, and hurled it with a splat. He then began to run around Zhang Er, like a Taoist priest performing a ritual. Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of chewed filth, startling Zhang Er, who retreated a few steps to the gate, shouting,
“King Jing! The Emperor sent me to see you! I am Zhang Er! The Embroidered Uniform Guard Zhang Er! You’ve met me!”
King Jing secretly thought: This Zhang Er is so cunning. Failing to impersonate someone from the Yan family, he now pretends to be sent by the Emperor… That means he’s even more likely to be sent by Prince Yu…
He suddenly stopped and shushed Zhang Er, hissing lowly,
“They’re here! Boy, quickly, bring me your boy’s urine!”
Zhang Er was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. Looking at King Jing’s expression, he couldn't possibly be faking madness. King Jing, confined by his Taoist father, had been driven insane, mistaking him for a Taoist priest himself…
He shook his head, about to ask one last time.
However, King Jing had somehow crept closer and was shouting anxiously,
“My son! Quickly! Boy’s urine!”
Saying that,
King Jing lunged to pull down Zhang Er’s pants. Zhang Er cried out in alarm, shoved the gate open, and fled to the outer courtyard.
As expected,
Despite this commotion, the entire mansion remained as if nothing had happened. Even if the staff knew, they could only pretend to be asleep. It had been like this even when they were in the capital, otherwise, how could Zhu Xue have found his way into his chambers… King Jing continued his antics in the courtyard for a while longer before lying down again. Tears suddenly streamed from his eyes—
The final hurdle had finally been cleared…
From now on, it was up to them to stir up trouble. When Yan Song pushed him forward, he would secretly communicate with his Taoist father, pushing and ambushing simultaneously, and finally annihilate the Yan clan.
…
The capital,
The side hall of Yuxigong Palace, late at night.
Beneath a solemn portrait, Jiajing paced, feigning composure. Xu Jiu knelt on the ground, having just reported on the condition of Prince Jing of Anlu.
Jiajing had initially expected him to recover soon. However, Li Shizhen believed that Prince Jing had been feigning madness for years, resulting in a significant mental ailment. Combined with years of irregular diet, sleep, and frequent consumption of mud and insects, his internal organs also required conditioning. Li Shizhen had thus stayed at the Prince’s mansion to formulate a treatment plan with the medical official, which would take at least a year or two to show results.
Alas…
Jiajing deeply regretted listening to Tao Zhongwen. He hadn't seen Prince Jing since he was enfeoffed, and worse, he had believed the slanderous accusations from Yan Shifan’s faction, almost harming his son. Now, knowing he had been faking madness, he couldn't cure him immediately…
His original plan was to have Prince Jing return to the capital for reporting as soon as he recovered, then thoroughly assess him. If he proved capable, he would be sent to Jizhou for experience, to curb Yang Bo. After a few years of training, and depending on whether Prince Yu could grasp the fundamental principles of the Great Ming, a choice would be made between Zhu Mo and Prince Jing for the succession.
The most advantageous aspect was that—
Yan Song likely still believed Prince Jing to be their puppet. In this way, the entrenched Yan Party throughout the realm could be kept firmly in his grasp, unable to cause any further disturbances… But it seemed this wish could not be granted…
Currently,
The Great Ming Dynasty was at a critical juncture. Without Zhu Mo causing trouble, while things were much quieter, it again brought back the sense of despair of being mired in mud. It felt as if every move was wrong, like playing chess where not a single piece could be placed.
Prince Yu was naturally terrified. When this child became fearful, his stubbornness would emerge, and he was likely calculating that his claim to the throne was in jeopardy. In the past, Prince Yu would not have been an issue, but the situation changed after Yan Song leaned towards him. The biggest variables were the meritorious officials from Jianwen, and the meritorious officials from the Jingnan period who followed Yan Song. With their backing, Prince Yu became a force to be reckoned with.
Especially Yan Song, who was playing both Prince Yu and Prince Jing, outwardly supporting Prince Yu while secretly backing Prince Jing, he could never lose!
He also thought of Zhu Mo. The reforms in Jiangnan were in the initial stages of showing results. If Prince Yu could understand the broader picture and truly push for them, or if Prince Yu and Chen Yiqin were less detached and more earnest and practical in their approach, the achievements of the Jiangnan reforms could be consolidated. As a result, these two were too pedantic, allowing Yan Song to seize an opportunity, almost leading to an unmanageable mess. And it was Zhu Mo who cleaned up that mess… With sons on both sides, how could he possibly maintain impartiality?
However, there was one point he was certain of—
No matter what fate befell Zhu Mo, he would accept it. It was just a pity for the reforms. If the reforms were to halt here, the revival of the Great Ming would only be a small step, perhaps lasting another decade or two. The situation in Jiangnan would revert to complete darkness, and who would clean it up then?
At this moment,
He felt the most desperate moment of his life once more, the feeling of endless, empty fatigue washing over his body and mind. He said dejectedly,
“Xu Jiu, you may withdraw… Go and summon Zhu Qi…”
Xu Jiu had known from the beginning that he was walking into trouble today. Relieved to be able to escape, he withdrew and headed for the Western Garden's duty room.
Not long after,
Zhu Qi entered.
Jiajing said,
“Zhu Qi, send more men to investigate why Mu Chaobi, who came to the capital for reporting, hasn’t returned. And what about Marquis Gongshun, Duke of England, Marquis of Wuding… What are these people doing? Find out if they are getting too close to Prince Yu. Once you know, report back immediately… Oh, and don’t tell Lü Fang. Just investigate it yourself…”
Zhu Qi’s heart grew solemn.
He naturally knew that the current situation was extremely perilous. Prince Yu had been moving frequently of late, and how could the Eastern Depot not know? Even the Embroidered Uniform Guards had been treading carefully. They, of all people, feared political instability, as it always led to misfortune for the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Among the thirteen, he, Zhu Qi, was not the closest or the most competent, but he was closest to Zhu Mo. If a catastrophe were to occur, could he escape?
He immediately kowtowed, turned, and exited the hall.