Chapter 65: Breaking the Cocoon 8 “I knew you were coming, and I wanted to see you earlier. …
When Zhu Song saw the emperor coming out, the rest of the group had already left. Only the virtuous prince and his concubine, Meng Xiaohe and Gu Huaiyu, were still waiting. Seeing him come out, Meng Xiaohe hurried to greet him, "What did your majesty say?"
Zhusong said: "Your Majesty has given me full authority to judge this matter."
There were so many people around that no one asked any more questions. Concubine Shu hurried off to accompany Emperor Liang. The virtuous prince didn't want to stay any longer either, so he just said to him, "If you encounter any obstacles, let me know immediately."
Zhu Song bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
The wise king made an excuse that he was busy and left.
Gu Huaiyu then came up and asked, "How do we check now?"
Zhu Song said: "Let's just fool around for now."
After hearing this, everyone understood what was going on. Meng Xiaohe said, "Then I'll go back too."
Zhu Song called her and whispered something in her ear. Meng Xiaohe was shocked and whispered, "Are you crazy?"
Zhu Song nodded at him seriously with a firm attitude. Seeing this, Meng Xiaohe knew that she could not persuade him anymore. She frowned and pinched him, "Oh, oh." Then she stomped her feet and walked away.
Gu Huaiyu looked surprised and asked curiously, "What did you say to Aunt Meng?"
Zhu Song asked, "The handwriting on the note looks familiar. Do you know whose handwriting it is?"
Gu Huaiyu leaned over and whispered, "This is Concubine Shu's handwriting."
Zhu Song remembered that it was indeed Concubine Shu's handwriting. He had seen Concubine Shu's copied music score in the Princess's Mansion before.
Zhu Song whispered a few words into Gu Huaiyu's ear. The moment he heard what Zhu Song said, his eyes widened and he looked at him in disbelief. Zhu Song tilted his head, looking nonchalant. Gu Huaiyu clenched his fists, "Don't say Aunt Meng wants to pinch you, I want to pinch you too."
Zhu Song said, "You have to help with this."
Gu Huaiyu rolled his eyes and was about to pout, "Can I refuse you?"
Zhu Song said: "Are you still asking?"
Gu Huaiyu clenched his fists and turned away. Zhu Song went back home first on the pretext of feeling unwell and would investigate the matter tomorrow. He had full authority over the matter, so naturally no one would say anything.
Zhu Song returned home and was scolded by Meng Xiaohe again, "Boss, I really want to crack your head open to see what you are thinking. How dare you do such a thing?"
Zhu Song asked her, "Is the carving done?"
Meng Xiaohe paused for a moment and replied unhappily, "Not so fast. The earliest it can happen is tonight."
Zhu Song then asked, "Can you imitate Concubine Shu's handwriting?"
"That's enough." Meng Xiaohe was almost mad. "Why would I imitate her handwriting for no reason?"
That makes sense. Looks like we need to find someone else.
Seeing him lost in thought, Meng Xiaohe knew what he was thinking. "Who do you want to find?"
Zhu Song told the truth, "I haven't figured it out yet."
Meng Xiaohe was at her wit's end. "I'll write it to you. This matter must be kept between mother and me. We can't let anyone else know about it."
Zhu Song didn't want to listen to the teaching anymore and just responded.
Meng Xiaohe was so angry that she couldn't stand or sit. "I told you that if you met him, you would be doomed. You were being drugged."
Zhu Song said: "He doesn't know."
Meng Xiaohe was stunned. She was so angry that she didn't know what to say. In the end, she drove the person away and said, "Go away, out of sight, out of mind. I'm so fed up."
"Thank you, mother." Zhu Song said in a corny tone and then ran away.
Meng Xiaohe looked at his back and sighed heavily, hoping that the prince would remember her kindness when he ascended to the throne.
At night, Meng Xiaohe handed the things to Zhu Song. Zhu Song was very satisfied when he saw that the doll was exactly the same as the one in the afternoon.
Meng Xiaohe warned: "You must keep this a secret and don't tell anyone."
Zhu Song said: "Don't worry, I know what to do. I'll leave first."
Meng Xiaohe was still worried, "Dress warmly so no one can recognize you."
"Um."
Meng Xiaohe personally tied a black cloak on him and let him go after giving him repeated instructions.
Zhu Song went out, turned a corner and went to the Marquis of Ping'an's Mansion.
Zhu Song saw Gu Huaiyu and gave him the things, "Thank you for your hard work."
Gu Huaiyu said: "If you come here, don't say it's hard. If you say it's hard, don't come."
Zhu Song patted his shoulder, and Gu Huaiyu asked, "Going to the East Palace?"
Zhu Song nodded and said, "I have something to confirm."
Gu Huaiyu couldn't believe it. "You haven't confirmed it yet. What if it wasn't the prince who did it?"
Zhu Song looked at him without saying anything. Gu Huaiyu sighed, "Okay, forget it."
There was no need to confirm, they all knew that it must have been done by the prince.
Gu Huaiyu warned: "Be careful, don't let anyone see you."
"Don't worry."
Gu Huaiyu said, "It's been spread all over the capital today, saying that you are having an affair with the Crown Prince."
Zhu Song's eyes widened, his mind racing, unable to figure out where he had been exposed. Seeing his resistance, Gu Huaiyu patted him on the shoulder and said, "I don't know how this morning's incident became so widespread. But don't overthink it. Since it's already happened, just make the most of it."
Zhu Song secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but because he felt guilty, he didn't think about it for a moment, "How to use it?"
Gu Huaiyu said, "This is a good opportunity to turn against the Crown Prince and make the virtuous prince and his men relax their guard."
Zhu Song really wanted to say no, because he had already promised Emperor Liang to marry Jiang Qingyan, but he was in a hurry to go to the Eastern Palace, so he didn't say much, just agreed and left.
It was already midnight when Zhu Song arrived at the East Palace. He climbed over the wall from the usual place as usual. As soon as he emerged, he saw Wen Fengxuan sitting in his old seat with a rosy complexion. He looked not only fine but also healthier than usual.
Zhu Song jumped down from the wall. He was originally full of thoughts, but looking at Wen Fengxuan's expression, he was speechless for a moment. In the end, he only shouted, "Your Highness."
Wen Fengxuan looked up at him and said, "Sit down."
Zhu Song sat down opposite him and was speechless for a while. The cold wind blew, chilling him to the bone.
After a moment of silence, Wen Fengxuan spoke first, "Your Excellency, there is no need to bother investigating. I did it."
His tone was calm, without any emotion, as if he was just talking about a trivial matter.
Zhu Song looked at his calm demeanor and gritted his teeth secretly, "Why?"
Wen Fengxuan pulled up the corners of his mouth and revealed an ugly smile. "I was bullied when I was young, and I dreamed of climbing to a high position one day, where no one dared to bully me and everyone was afraid of me."
Zhu Song clenched his fists. "You've already done it, why risk your own body?"
Wen Fengxuan was stunned for a moment, then explained: "I'm fine, Qiu Tong is here, don't worry."
Zhu Song stood up suddenly. Wen Fengxuan probably thought he was going to leave, so he quickly said, "Sorry to trouble you again."
Zhu Song took two steps at a time and walked to his side. He looked down at him and said through gritted teeth, "Stand up."
Wen Fengxuan was stunned. Although he was very confused, he still stood up as he was told. However, his footing was not very stable and he swayed a little. Zhu Song pretended not to see it and said, "I promised you before that I would do anything you asked for."
Although Wen Fengxuan was puzzled, he nodded. Zhu Song continued, "I'll give it to you."
Wen Fengxuan was still surprised when Zhu Song kissed him. Wen Fengxuan shrank back and was hugged by Zhu Song. With no way to retreat, their lips touched.
Huh? Something's wrong.
Zhu Song stepped back and reached out to wipe Wen Fengxuan's lips. Did the color fade?
It was pink powder. Zhu Song frowned and applied it to Wen Fengxuan's face. The pink powder disappeared, revealing a pale face.
Zhu Song frowned even more tightly, his voice subdued and controlled, but anger could still be heard, "Is this what you mean by 'it's okay'?"
Wen Fengxuan blinked guiltily and explained in a low voice, "Poison is bound to harm your body, but it will be fine after a few days of rest. Really, I used to be like this."
"Before?" Zhu Song repeated word by word through gritted teeth, "How many times have you done this?"
Wen Fengxuan hesitated, "Just... not a few times."
Zhu Song took a deep breath. Wen Fengxuan took the opportunity to wipe the powder off his lips. Then he gently pulled Zhu Song's sleeve and whispered, "I didn't put it on just now."
Zhu Song didn't respond to him, even though he could barely stand. "I'll hold you and take you to sleep."
Wen Fengxuan negotiated with him, "Is it okay if I don't sleep?"
Zhu Song knew that he had misunderstood and felt helpless. "What are you thinking? I've been cured of the poison. I don't want to be with you..."
The more he talked, the weirder it got. Zhu Song simply shut up. Wen Fengxuan took over and said, "I didn't think about it either."
The two looked at each other in silence for a long time. Wen Fengxuan tilted his head and asked him, "Why don't you hug me?"
Zhu Song paused, then bent down, picked him up, and walked into the house. Zhu Song couldn't help but say, "It's freezing cold, aren't you afraid of freezing yourself?"
Wen Fengxuan hugged his neck affectionately and put his face on his chest, "Want to hear the truth?"
Zhu Song replied, "Your Highness, it's fine if you want to deceive me."
Wen Fengxuan said: "I knew you were coming, and I wanted to see you earlier."
Zhu Song smiled and asked, "What's the truth?"
Wen Fengxuan said: "I knew you were coming, and I wanted to see you earlier."
Zhu Song asked, "How did Your Highness know I was coming?"
Wen Fengxuan said: "A premonition."
"oh?"
"The elegant way of saying it is that we are in perfect sync with each other."
Zhu Song said: "If I hadn't come, wouldn't I have been freezing for so long in vain?"
"But you came."
Zhu Song couldn't argue with him, so he just said, "Don't do that next time."
Wen Fengxuan responded obediently, "Okay, I'll wait for you in the house next time."
Zhu Song placed Wen Fengxuan on the bed and covered him with a quilt. Wen Fengxuan moved inside and gestured to Zhu Song, "Come up."
Zhu Song wanted to refuse, but then he felt that he had done too many inappropriate things, so this one thing wouldn't make any difference. So he got on the bed and sat next to him, just to warm the quilt.
Wen Fengxuan's hands were very cold, so Zhu Song pulled them in to warm them, and Wen Fengxuan leaned on his shoulder. Zhu Song was very moved by this intimate gesture.
Zhu Song stroked Wen Fengxuan's hand and asked, "Have you met Abbot Ji?"
Wen Fengxuan knew what he wanted to ask, "My uncle knows him."
Zhu Song was a little surprised, because he never knew Wen Fengxuan had an uncle, "Your uncle?"
Wen Fengxuan said: "Well, when this is over, I will introduce him to you."
Zhu Song had no interest in his uncle and asked, "What about the rumor that he won't live past 25?"
Wen Fengxuan replied: "Of course it's fake."
"That's great." Zhu Song breathed a sigh of relief. Wen Fengxuan smiled at him. "Don't worry. Abbot Liao Ji said I have a long life ahead of me. I can live to at least a hundred." After that, he got down to business again. "What are you going to do about today's incident?"
Zhu Song turned his head to look at him, grabbed his wrist, and said, "Catch you."
Wen Fengxuan said, "That's fine."
Zhu Song asked, "It is best to act cautiously at this time. Why would you take such a risk?"
Wen Fengxuan said, "They won't let me go anyway, so I might as well give them some trouble first."
Zhu Song let go of him and leaned against the headboard, "Wen Fengxuan, you dare to tell me such a thing? You are asking for death."
Wen Fengxuan replied, "Zhu Song, whether you believe it or not, ever since you left for Beimo, I've realized that the obsession I had as a child has faded to the point where only a shadow remains."
And you have become my only delusion.
Zhu Song turned his head to look at him, "Wen Fengxuan, I've been in the Dali Temple for seven years. Everyone says I'm clear about right and wrong and impartial. Is that why you came to me?"
Wen Fengxuan said earnestly and sincerely, "Zhusong, if you have developed a private relationship, I am willing to kowtow three times and nine times to the Xiangguo Temple and thank the Buddha for making my wish come true."
Zhu Song didn't say anything, but just held Wen Fengxuan's hand for a long time without letting go.
I don't know how much time passed, I only know that after a long time, when the bed was already as warm as summer, Zhu Song finally spoke again, "I need someone for you."
Wen Fengxuan nodded.
"Who do you want without asking?"
Wen Fengxuan replied: "Anyone will do."
If it were a normal blessing, he would definitely make a few jokes, but right now he had too many things on his mind, so he just said seriously: "Li Qiutong."
"good."
Zhu Song said: "Don't ask me what I want to do?"
Wen Fengxuan still said the same thing, "You can do anything."
Zhu Song felt very happy to have such trust from Wen Fengxuan, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, but he couldn't smile when he thought about what he was going to do. He just said, "The matter is complicated, Your Highness, just trust me."
Wen Fengxuan looked at him deeply, "Don't hurt yourself."
Zhu Song leaned over and kissed him lightly on the forehead, "Okay."
The moment they touched, they separated. "I'm leaving."
Zhu Song got out of bed. Wen Fengxuan stood up and looked at him. Zhu Song put on his shoes and stood up, looking back at him, "Let's go. Your Highness, go to bed early." After saying this, Zhu Song turned and left.
"Don't you want anyone anymore?" Wen Fengxuan asked from behind him. Zhu Song turned around and looked at him, extending his hand towards him. Wen Fengxuan pursed his lips and smiled, then called out, "Ning Yuan."
The next moment, Xie Ningyuan's voice rang out at the door, "Here."
Wen Fengxuan ordered: "Let Qiu Tong come over."
"yes."
After a while, Li Qiutong's voice rang out at the door, "Your Highness."
Zhu Song left the house. Li Qiutong and Xie Ningyuan were not surprised to see him. Instead, they politely called out, "Master Zhu."
Zhu Song said to Li Qiutong, "I'll ask His Highness to lend you for a few days. Come with me."
"good."
The two came out of the East Palace, and the carriage was already waiting in the dark. Zhu Song asked, "How does Your Highness feel about the Emperor?"
Li Qiutong replied: "My love is deep."
Zhu Song let out a long sigh, "Then don't let him know what I want you to do."
Li Qiutong paused for a moment before responding, "Okay."
It was almost dawn when Zhu Song brought Li Qiutong into the palace. Qin Shidong had been waiting there, and when he saw them coming, he was obviously relieved. "Master Zhu, is this the Ghost Valley Divine Doctor?"
Zhu Song replied: "Yes, he is Su Li."
Qin Shidong looked at the mask on Su Li's face and reminded her, "Doctor Su, you can't wear a mask when you see me."
Su Li replied: "I'm sorry, I'm used to wearing a mask. I can only sleep without it."
Zhu Song pulled Qin Shidong over and whispered, "Eunuch Qin, Su Li is a skilled doctor but has a bad temper. I've tried to persuade him all the way here, but he refused to take off his tattered mask. How about I go in and talk to the Emperor?"
Qin Shidong said, "Your Majesty is not feeling well, so Lord Zhu should not go in."
"What about this?"
Qin Shidong said, "Master Zhu, don't worry. Go back."
Zhu Song knew that the matter was settled, so he didn't say anything more. He agreed and left.
Zhu Song took five steps and looked back, seeing Qin Shidong bringing Su Li into the Yangxin Palace. A cold wind was blowing, the palace lanterns were swaying, and the atmosphere was gloomy and eerie. Turning back, he saw a ray of white light leaking out of the dark sky, indicating that this long night was about to end.
Zhu Song began to investigate the case of witchcraft, carefully interrogating all the eunuchs and palace maids in the Red Plum Garden, and asked the guards to carefully inspect all the red plum trees in the courtyard.
After five days of nothing, Zhu Song became anxious and went to and from work on time every day. On the sixth day, a guard came hurriedly and said, "Sir, we found another one."
Zhu Song asked, "A what?"
The guard replied, "Voodoo doll."
"take me."
Zhu Song arrived at the scene and, just like the previous one, he also hollowed out a tree trunk and placed the voodoo doll inside, but the person this voodoo doll cursed was Emperor Liang.
Zhu Song held the doll with an unhappy expression on his face. The guard beside him said, "This is too bold."
Zhu Song frowned, "His Majesty is in poor health. If he knew about this, he would surely be furious, which would not benefit his condition."
The guard said, "Perhaps if we find this, your Majesty's health will be healed?"
"I hope so." Zhu Song asked again, "Apart from this, are there any other clues?"
Zhu Song gathered all the guards and asked, "Have you found any clues?"
The guards all shook their heads. "There are no clues. The servants of Hongmei Garden have been checked several times and found nothing."
Zhu Song sighed and let people go.
Zhu Song discussed this matter with Gu Huaiyu, "This matter was done very cleanly, without any clues."
Gu Huaiyu shook his finger, "I don't think so."
Zhu Song was curious, "Oh?"
Gu Huaiyu said, "This year is the first time that Concubine Shu has taken the lead in hosting the Snow Appreciation Banquet. A large number of palace maids and eunuchs were mobilized to handle the event. If we find everyone who was in the Red Plum Garden at that time, we will definitely be able to uncover clues if we conduct a thorough investigation."
Zhu Song frowned. The reason why Concubine Shu and Prince Xian did not take any action now must be that Emperor Liang had said something to them. They were confident of victory, so they could remain calm.
"I will see the Emperor tomorrow."
Gu Huaiyu said, "It's time to go. It's been delayed for so long."
Zhu Song said, "I wonder what he would do when he sees this thing?"
Gu Huaiyu asked him, "If I really asked you to catch the mastermind behind this, what would you do?"
Zhu Song raised his eyes to look at him, "Don't you know?"
Gu Huaiyu shook his head and sighed, "Power is so blinding, I never thought that one day I would actually do something like this with you."
Zhu Song didn't say anything, thinking to himself that he never thought he would do such a thing of framing others in his life.
The next morning, Zhu Song went to see Emperor Liang. While waiting at the door, Xu Lizhu and Su Li walked out of the palace side by side. When they saw Zhu Song, they nodded, "Master Zhu."
Zhu Song nodded politely, and Qin Shidong followed, "Master Zhu, the emperor wants you to come in."
When Zhu Song walked into the hall, the emperor looked much better and was able to stand up. When Zhu Song came in, he was standing by the window admiring the snow.
Seeing Zhu Songyan smiling, "This year's snow is heavier than in previous years."
Zhu Song replied, "Yes, this is the first time I've seen such heavy snow in my entire life."
Emperor Liang turned around and sat down, "Please sit down."
Zhu Song was in no hurry to sit down. He reported, "Your Majesty, I have come here today to report something."
"explain."
"Last night, the guards discovered another voodoo doll while investigating in the Red Plum Garden." Zhu Song stopped talking here, raised his eyes carefully to see the reaction of Emperor Liang, and met Emperor Liang's gaze.
"Just say what you want to say."
Zhu Song then continued, "The birth date written on the back of the voodoo doll appears to be your Majesty's."
His tone of voice became slower and softer as Emperor Liang's expression changed, until it was almost inaudible, but he could still hear it clearly in the quiet of the palace.
Emperor Liang's face was already dark and unbearable to look at. "Where is the thing?"
"In order to avoid damaging your majesty's dragon body, I have removed the iron nails and red strings on the witchcraft doll. I only brought this with me." After Zhu Song finished speaking, he took out the talisman paper he brought and presented it to Emperor Liang.
It was a talisman drawn in red ink with strange runes on it, and the birth date was written in black ink in the middle of the runes.
Emperor Liang slammed the table and cursed, "How unreasonable." Then he tore the talisman paper into pieces, and was so angry that he had difficulty breathing.
Zhu Song lowered his brows and said nothing. Emperor Liang asked, "Have you found any clues?"
Zhu Song replied: "There are no clues yet, but..."
Emperor Liang asked, "But what?"
Zhu Song replied, "I have secretly investigated the people in the Eastern Palace, and none of them can reach the harem."
Although the words were spoken in a tactful manner, the meaning was very clear. Zhu Song's heart was in his throat after he said this. He really couldn't guess the Emperor Liang's reaction. Would he let Wen Fengxuan go?
The only sound in the quiet hall was the heavy breathing of the Emperor Liang. After a long while, he finally said, "If you can't reach him, then find a way to make him reach him."
Zhu Song's heart sank. Even so, Emperor Liang still wouldn't let Wen Fengxuan go. Looking at Emperor Liang's heartless face, Zhu Song couldn't help but think of what Li Qiutong had said: "Deep affection for one's children" was truly ironic.
Zhu Song bowed and said, "I understand. However, the New Year is approaching, and deposing the Crown Prince due to the witchcraft incident is bound to cause panic among the people. Can you consider postponing the matter until after the New Year? There will be enough time, and I can make thorough arrangements."
Emperor Liang was thinking about it. He turned his head to look out the window. The snow was getting heavier. The silvery-white light was like the bright moonlight, just like when he first met the queen.
"Let's do as you say."
Zhu Song replied solemnly, "Yes."
Coming out of the Yangxin Palace, the cold wind was as sharp as a knife.
Qin Shidong said, "It's snowing so heavily. Master Zhu, please wait a moment. I'll get you an umbrella."
Zhu Song refused, "Don't bother, the umbrella blocks the snow and the beautiful view."
Zhu Song walked in the heavy snow. The snow fell on his body, covering his eyelashes and making it difficult for him to see the road. In fact, Zhu Song didn't want to see any beautiful scenery at all. He just didn't want to stay here for even a moment longer.
Zhu Song went home and lay down for a long time. In the afternoon, the servant came to announce, "Master, Eunuch Qin is here."
Zhu Song casually asked, "What are you doing here?"
The servant replied, "It seems he is here to announce an imperial decree. I saw the eunuch next to him holding a box, the same one that contained the imperial decree before."
Zhu Songxin knew that it was not a good thing, but he still had to rush over.
The snow was heavy. Qin Shidong was sitting in the hall drinking tea, his face showing joy. When he saw Zhu Song coming over, he stood up and said, "Congratulations, Master Zhu."
Zhu Song smiled and replied, "It seems that you have good news for me, eunuch."
"Great news," Qin Shidong said with a smile, taking out the imperial edict from the wooden box and saying aloud, "Congratulations on receiving it."
Zhu Song knelt down.
Qin Shidong recited, "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: 'It is said that the greatest virtue of Heaven and Earth is life, and that husband and wife are the foundation of human relations. There is a son of the Zhu family, named Zhu Song, who is both talented and virtuous, with a dignified appearance; and a daughter of the Jiang family, named Jiang Qingyan, who is gentle, virtuous, chaste, and quiet. These two are a perfect match, a match made in heaven.'
I hereby grant you a marriage, allowing you to live in harmony and happiness. The wedding will take place on the seventh day of the third month of the twenty-fifth year of the Baoqing reign (1644-1911). This is my decree!
Zhu Song took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, I accept your command."
Qin Shidong handed the imperial edict to Zhu Song, smiling until his eyes narrowed, "I wish you great happiness, my Lord."
Zhu Song gave him a bag of change and said casually, "Thank you."
Qin Shidong left with a smile on his face.
Zhu Song held the imperial edict so tightly that his hands were sore. It would be the seventh day of March next year, which was less than four months away.
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