Chapter 38: The Aftermath of Killing

Across his past and present lives combined, this was the first time Zhu Yunsong had ever killed a man.

As for how it actually felt, he could not quite put it into words.

Fear was certainly there, along with a lingering trace of nerves. He could only force a facade of calm, repeating to himself internally that today he was executing men to establish his authority and could not show cowardice first. He had to project an imposing aura to control the situation.

Otherwise, everyone would assume he was just as weak and incompetent as Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen was weak, but he would absolute not be!

He took a deep breath, only to find the air thick with the stench of blood.

Suppressing a wave of nausea, Zhu Yunsong handed the blade back to Jiang Huan and commanded, "Continue the execution!"

"Understood!" Jiang Huan replied.

The remaining executions did not require Zhu Yunsong's personal touch; the Embroidered Uniform Guard carried out the rest.

"Well killed!"

Someone among the surrounding crowd of onlookers shouted aloud.

The rest immediately echoed the cry, cheering that it was well deserved. From this, it was clear just how utterly despised Duke Lan Yu's adopted sons were within Yingtian Prefecture. Seeing them about to be put to death, the citizens clapped and cheered.

This serendipitously added a measure of renown to Zhu Yunsong's name.

With so many people to execute, it took a long time.

Zhu Yunsong stood motionless, his expression unchanged as he watched man after man fall, watching the blood run so profusely it nearly dyed the ground outside the Pichang Temple crimson.

He could not help wondering inwardly: were the watching commoners not afraid at all?

In truth, they had witnessed far bloodier spectacles before.

In the past, Old Butcher Zhu used to flay people right here, and the nearby residents had watched it often enough. Having seen it so many times, they naturally grew indifferent. To them, the scene before their eyes was just a minor affair, hardly worth mentioning!

When the executions were finally finished, Zhu Yunsong left behind a detachment of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to deal with the corpses and clean the scene, while he headed back first.

If he did not leave now, he feared he might not be able to hold himself together much longer.

"Your Highness, please board the carriage!"

Jiang Huan had thoughtfully prepared a carriage and added, "All of you, follow closely behind, but do not get too near. I shall drive for Your Highness."

Once inside the carriage compartment, Zhu Yunsong finally dropped his pretense, collapsing heavily onto the seat and taking deep, ragged breaths.

To bear witness to such a mass execution with his own eyes, and to have personally slain three men himself with blood splattering across his garments—the psychological toll was indeed exceedingly heavy.

Inside the carriage, he noticed a basin placed in the corner, seemingly provided in case he needed to vomit.

In that instant, Zhu Yunsong understood why Lan Yu had made such arrangements and kept people at a distance; it was to prevent the authority he had just established from being compromised.

In the end, Zhu Yunsong did not vomit. He simply said, "Thank you."

"You are too kind, Your Highness."

Jiang Huan's voice came from outside, followed by, "There is also a change of clothes. Since Your Highness's robes are soiled, you may change into these."

Indeed, there was a set of clothes.

Zhu Yunsong opened the bundle and saw that the garments looked quite precious, feeling like the finest silk to the touch.

"No wonder Jiang Huan has earned His Imperial Grandfather's trust and commands the Embroidered Uniform Guard; he is a clever man indeed," Zhu Yunsong muttered to himself.

However, this clever man would eventually be liquidated by Old Zhu after the Lan Yu case.

With the Lan Yu case averted for now, Jiang Huan should be able to escape death.

If he himself were to ascend the throne in the future, Zhu Yunsong thought that Jiang Huan could still be of use.

After changing his clothes, he sat quietly inside the carriage.

"Your Highness, I have already sent men to spread the word," Jiang Huan's voice drifted in from outside once more. "Outside, the talk will be that Your Highness detests evil as an enemy, chose righteousness over family ties, and personally executed the wicked and lawless sons of the Duke of Liang, drawing the joyful applause of the common people."

While the modern concept of public opinion did not exist yet, they certainly understood certain methods of controlling discourse.

Having the Embroidered Uniform Guard plant such narratives was a form of controlling the narrative.

"To the common people, this spreads Your Highness's good reputation. From another perspective, however, it establishes your authority."

"The men were killed by Your Highness's own hand."

"It serves to tell certain people that Your Highness is not some weakling—you dare to kill, and you do not fear killing. Choosing the Pichang Temple was quite fitting."

Jiang Huan spoke rather more than usual today, largely because he wanted to leave a favorable impression on Zhu Yunsong.

Having served by Zhu Yuanjiang's side for so many years, he understood better than anyone that Zhu Yuanjiang cared far more deeply for Zhu Yunsong, while Zhu Yunwen was increasingly being alienated.

Fawning a little in advance was still necessary.

"Good!" Zhu Yunsong nodded.

After that, silence fell once more.

Only the rhythmic rumbling of the carriage wheels remained.

Upon returning to the Zhenfusi Yamun, Zhu Yunsong stepped down from the carriage and proceeded to have Lan Yu released.

"Your Highness!"

Lan Yu bowed deeply, offering a salute. "Lan Yu expresses his utmost gratitude to Your Highness for saving my life!"

As for anything else, he would not ask.

To be able to walk out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison alive was already a blessing.

"Uncle-Grandfather, there is no need for such formalities," Zhu Yunsong cautioned him. "Remember, do not behave as you did in the past. When the Crown Prince was alive, you could get away with it, but now that the Crown Prince is gone, even if I wished to protect you, His Imperial Grandfather would not allow it."

"Understood!"

Lan Yu finally understood. In the past, Zhu Yuanjiang had never dealt with him purely out of regard for Zhu Biao, a fact he had been blissfully unaware of.

If things had continued down that path, given his temperament, he would have met his end sooner or later.

"You should return home first," Zhu Yunsong said.

He did not mention the fate of Lan Yu's adopted sons; those who understood, understood. He added, "I am returning to the palace."

With Lan Yu having left the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Yunsong headed straight back to the palace. Upon returning to his quarters, he took a deep breath, slowly regaining his composure and finally feeling somewhat more at ease.

As for the events of the day, under the deliberate guidance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the news was spreading far and wide.

When the civil officials heard of it, they would undoubtedly feel immense revulsion.

Yet, Zhu Yunsong cared not a whit for their revulsion.

Revulsed or not, the civil officials were never going to stand on his side anyway.

There was no need for Zhu Yunsong to court their favor; doing what he ought to do was quite enough.

He lay down to rest for a while, and before he knew it, evening had arrived.

"Your Highness!"

Liu Liu walked inside and announced, "The Imperial Dietary Bureau has sent over dinner."

This time, Xu Xingzu had finally not come in person.

Which was normal; previously he had come repeatedly, which was fine on occasion, but coming continuously would certainly be inappropriate.

"Bring it up!"

Zhu Yunsong felt a wave of hunger as his stomach began to protest.

However, upon seeing the braised meat served before him, for some reason, a sudden wave of nausea rolled over him. He frowned, finding himself unable to eat and entirely lacking appetite.

Having killed a man with his own hands for the first time and witnessed such a bloody spectacle, he had thought he had recovered, but looking at it now, it was not so easily shaken off.

"You eat these!"

"Tell the Imperial Dietary Bureau to replace them with some plain white congee and salted pickles."

Zhu Yunsong waved a hand dismissively.

"Ah?" Liu Liu was stunned.

His Imperial Highness did not wish to eat?

"Go on!" Zhu Yunsong repeated with a wave.

"This slave is on it!" Liu Liu scrambled hastily toward the door.

Yet in that brief moment, he was once again moved almost to the point of tears.

His Highness seemed to treat him even better now.

He felt an even deeper wave of shame for previously helping the Crown Princess frame His Highness, mentally cursing himself for being ungrateful and devoid of conscience.

Zhu Yunsong had no idea the fellow's mind was wandering so far; he simply could not stomach anything overly greasy.

When the plain congee and salted pickles were brought up, he drank two bowls, finally feeling much more comfortable. Afterward, doing nothing else, he lay down to rest and drifted into sleep before he knew it.