Chapter 23: Setting Out to Capture Lan Yu

"Xu Xingzu, did he really go to apologize to him specifically?"

Upon receiving the news from Dongqing, Lady Lü could not help but gnash her teeth. "I knew that old thing was unreliable. The moment he was reprimanded, he went to curry favor with Zhu Yunsong. He has taken so many benefits from us, yet he still dares to betray us. He deserves to..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the intensity of her agitation and the sudden movement aggravated the pain from the beating she had received that morning. She gasped, drawing a sharp breath, while inwardly cursing Consort Guo as a vile woman.

The eunuch serving Consort Guo had truly dared to strike her, and with such force.

How detestable!

Lady Lü dared not curse aloud, so she could only do so in the recesses of her mind.

Everything had been in her favor, but since Zhu Yunsong began to disrupt things, her advantages had been vanishing one by one. She could not yet fathom the exact reason, only that she was now descending into panic.

Her carefully constructed persona was crumbling, and her advantages were gone.

What would happen next?

Lady Lü could not bring herself to imagine.

She was even more astonished by how Zhu Yunsong had suddenly become so formidable. He was like a dormant dragon that, once awakened, shocked everyone, keeping them pinned down and utterly overwhelmed.

"Yunwen, why are you not saying anything?"

Lying on the daybed, Lady Lü glanced at Zhu Yunwen, who was burying his head in a book, and felt deeply displeased.

Zhu Yunwen finally looked up, and after a long silence, he said, "Zhu Yunsong is too capable. Even his studies surpass mine. He has already memorized the entire Four Books. I cannot fall behind; I must memorize them as well."

Then, he continued to recite. However, the more he recited, the more restless he felt. He could not calm his mind, and the words would not stick. Since Zhu Yunsong had escalated the pressure, Zhu Yunwen had been questioning his own existence, losing faith in himself, yet refusing to be defeated by Zhu Yunsong time and again.

He had to strike back. He had to hit him where it hurt!

Lady Lü gritted her teeth. "He won't be arrogant for much longer!"

She had already arranged for the incense to be delivered. Now, she would wait for Zhu Yunsong to die quietly. Once he was gone, Zhu Yunwen could still become the Imperial Grandson!

She wanted Zhu Yunsong dead so that no one could compete with Zhu Yunwen.

—

The next morning, early.

Xu Xingzu came again, taking the initiative to please Zhu Yunsong by bringing a variety of breakfast items.

Zhu Yunsong handed a few clean steamed buns to Liu Liu, then headed toward the Qianqing Palace.

Liu Liu held the large buns in his hands, feeling an indescribable sense of being moved. For someone like him, receiving respect made him feel more like a human being.

"His Highness is so good to me, yet... yet I am still plotting to harm him!" Liu Liu felt that he was no longer worthy of being called a man.

Seeing the look of gratitude on his face, Zhu Yunsong wondered to himself if this fellow was truly that easy to manipulate.

Putting that aside for the moment, Zhu Yunsong strode out and headed toward the Qianqing Palace. However, just as he reached the gates of the Eastern Palace, he saw that Zhu Yunwen had arrived as well.

"Third Brother..."

Zhu Yunwen, needing to maintain his persona, prepared to offer a greeting.

However, Zhu Yunsong acted as if he did not see him and strode past without looking back. This left Zhu Yunwen feeling humiliated, yet he could not afford to get angry. He could only suppress his frustration, stifle a yawn, and hurry to catch up.

After walking a few steps, he felt the world spinning and could barely stand steady.

To memorize his books and surpass Zhu Yunsong, he had stayed up late for several nights. He had nearly failed to get up for his morning greetings with Emperor Zhu, and now that he was up, his head was spinning, terrifying the eunuchs trailing him.

Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yunsong spoke directly: "Grandfather, you showed me that memorial regarding Lan Yu on purpose. I have seen it. Let us stop pretending."

Such a blunt statement made Zhu Yuanzhang pause. He asked, "What do you intend to do?"

Zhu Yunsong replied, "Lend me the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I guarantee the results will satisfy you!"

"Very well!"

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have anticipated something. He produced a token he had prepared beforehand and said, "Do whatever you wish; it is fine. However, I will not give you an imperial decree. You must accomplish this through your own strength!"

Zhu Yuanzhang felt a sense of gratification that Zhu Yunsong had the foresight to ask for this.

"I am taking my leave, Grandfather!"

Zhu Yunsong took the token, walked out of the Qianqing Palace, and added, "I am exhausted. I’ll go back for a nap first, then I’ll start."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "..."

This defiant little grandson was truly unlike others; he was always full of surprises.

"Pass the order: the morning court session is suspended today."

Zhu Yuanzhang also wanted to keep Lan Yu at home, waiting for the show Zhu Yunsong was about to put on.

By around noon, Zhu Yunsong finally left the imperial palace. With the token in hand, the palace guards dared not stop him. Once outside, he inquired about the location of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's headquarters and headed straight for it.

He showed his token, and with his face now recognized, he proceeded inside without a hitch.

The current Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was Jiang Huan. Hearing that Zhu Yunsong had arrived, he hurried out to greet him.

"Why has the Third Imperial Grandson come here?" Jiang Huan was deeply puzzled.

In truth, Zhu Yuanzhang had not yet spoken to Jiang Huan; he had merely given the token to Zhu Yunsong, leaving them to play out the rest. Everything remained within Zhu Yuanzhang's control, so he did not fear things spiraling out of hand.

"Do you recognize this?"

Zhu Yunsong held up the token to let Jiang Huan see it clearly.

"Please, Your Highness, give your orders!"

Jiang Huan's attitude became instantly respectful. He certainly recognized this token; whoever held it was as if the Emperor were present in person, and they could command the Embroidered Uniform Guard to do anything.

After saying this, Jiang Huan remained perplexed. What could the Emperor possibly need the Prince to do? He could not grasp the situation.

"Assemble all of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Zhu Yunsong declared loudly, "Follow me to make an arrest!"

Jiang Huan hesitated, asking, "Your Highness, whom are we arresting?"

"The Duke of Liang, Lan Yu!"

At these words, Jiang Huan was stunned. He was certainly aware of the investigation into Lan Yu; he was the one who had submitted that very memorial. But why was Zhu Yunsong leading the Guard to make the arrest?

Wasn't that the Prince's own relative?

For a great-nephew to arrest his great-uncle was completely against the natural order!

Jiang Huan was confused, but he dared not disobey, nor did he dare to ask further questions. All available members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were assembled, and they followed behind Zhu Yunsong as he marched toward the Duke of Liang’s residence.

The movement of so many guards caused a sudden stir, drawing the attention of countless people in Jinling City. They speculated wildly: why was the Third Imperial Grandson parading through the streets with so many guards?

Could it be that the tides were turning once again?

—

Zhu Yunwen was having a miserable day. Because he had fainted from exhaustion after staying up all night to study, he could not go to pay his respects to the Emperor.

After resting for a long time, he finally made it to the Grand Learning Hall when classes were supposed to begin, only to discover that Zhu Yunsong had not returned all morning.

At first, Zhu Yunwen was pleasantly surprised. He wondered if Zhu Yunsong had skipped class, but he quickly dismissed the idea, wondering instead if his Grandfather had kept Zhu Yunsong there.

If that were truly the case, Zhu Yunwen would be devastated again, and he remained depressed throughout the morning.

Because he had stayed up all night, he was incredibly sleepy, and several times he almost drifted off. But his persona reminded him that he absolutely must not sleep; if he did, he would not be a good student.

"Your Highness!"

At this moment, Qi Tai hurried in and said, "There is a new piece of news that might be helpful to us. Our opportunity may have arrived."

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen was no longer sleepy. He hurried to the back hall of the Grand Learning Hall.