Chapter 40 Antidote 8 “I am willing.”
Zhu Song took out the note he found yesterday and handed it to Zhu Lingye, "Take a look."
Zhu Lingye took it and looked at it, his brows furrowed more and more as he read.
Zhu Song asked, "What do you think?"
Zhu Lingye asked back, "Did you write this?"
"no."
Zhu Lingye breathed a sigh of relief and commented, "No talent."
Zhu Song was speechless. "I'm not asking if your writing is good, but what do you think after reading the content?"
"Bullshit." Zhu Lingye commented again, then asked, "Where did this come from?"
"The contents of the box."
"Huh?" Zhu Lingye understood what he meant. He lowered his head in disbelief and carefully read the content again. Then he looked up at Zhu Song and said, "Brother, let him mess with you. What good will this do?"
Zhu Song had no idea for the time being, so he didn't waste any time and ordered Zhu Lingye, "Go and sort out the money from the confiscation. Once Ling Wang has finished calculating the wages, prepare to distribute them."
Zhu Lingye responded and left.
Zhu Song was about to go to the prison to interrogate Duan Zhenghong when he ran into Wen Fengxuan at the door. Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, suggesting he hadn't slept well, he frowned slightly and asked, "Your Highness, why don't you get some more sleep?"
Wen Fengxuan said, "It's time to get up now. Are you going out, sir?"
"Prepare to interrogate Duan Zhenghong."
Wen Fengxuan said: "Then I won't bother you anymore."
"Your Highness, what are you saying? You're embarrassing me." Zhu Song was in no hurry to leave. "Ling Ye just came to tell us about Yi Kangning's situation. We're all clueless and were just about to talk to Your Highness."
After Zhu Song finished speaking, he moved aside to make way. Wen Fengxuan nodded at him and walked into the house. Zhu Song closed the door.
The two sat down, looking at each other. Zhu Song repeated Zhu Lingye's words to Wen Fengxuan. Wen Fengxuan frowned slightly and remained silent for a moment. Zhu Song was not in a hurry and said to him, "Your Highness, I know this matter cannot be rushed. Let's take a long-term approach. Your Highness, go eat first. I'll go to the prison."
Wen Fengxuan responded, "Okay."
The two went out together, walked side by side for a while, and then parted ways.
When we arrived at the prison, we heard wailing everywhere, especially from the servants in the Governor's Mansion who were being tortured, their cries shaking the sky.
Zhu Song interrogated Duan Zhenghong. Because of his identity, he was never tortured. However, even without torture, he still looked miserable. He was wearing prison clothes, with gray hair hanging by his ears, and looked a bit like an octogenarian.
Zhu Song sat down opposite him, his eyes stern, "Master Duan, your beautiful concubines are being tortured next door. As long as you confess, they won't have to suffer."
Duan Zhenghong raised his tired eyes and looked at him, saying in a deep voice, "I admit it."
"explain."
Duan Zhenghong said, "Although Yi Kangning's official rank is lower than mine, he came from the capital and is a civil servant, so he has a lot of twists and turns. He said he had connections in the capital, and I was bewitched and followed his lead. But I only like beautiful women and have no interest in money. All the money he amassed is with Yi Kangning, and I really don't know where he put it."
Zhu Song snorted coldly, "Master Duan, don't try to clear yourself so cleanly. I just want to ask you, where did the 150,000 yuan in disaster relief funds you handed over come from?"
Duan Zhenghong replied frankly: "Although I don't love money, it's not that I didn't take any."
Zhu Song asked, "Do you mean this money came from your house?"
Duan Zhenghong responded, "Yes."
Zhu Song said, "Duan Zhenghong, you really won't cry until you see the coffin. I'm giving you one last chance. The 150,000 yuan was taken from Song Shunran's room. Do you really think I'm blind? Tell me, who are your backers in the capital who allow you to be so presumptuous?"
Duan Zhenghong's eyes flickered for a moment, but he then calmly said, "Master Zhu has a keen eye. The wealth Yi Kangning collected this time was not transported back home in time due to a sudden flood. After Master Song arrived, we told him that there was a rare and precious night-glass statue of Bodhi Patriarch in the room to prevent the matter from being exposed."
Zhu Song said, "Song Shunran is not a child, how could he believe such a lame lie?"
Duan Zhenghong continued, "We told him that the statue of Bodhi Patriarch couldn't be opened until its eyes were opened, or else there would be a major epidemic. He fell ill as soon as he arrived, and he believed it without a doubt, even more concerned than we were."
Zhu Song looked at Duan Zhenghong deeply, then stood up and walked out. Duan Zhenghong stopped him, "Master Zhu."
Zhu Song stopped but did not look back. Duan Zhenghong continued, "I've already said it, you can let the people in my house go."
Zhu Song replied coldly, "Wait until you tell the truth, then come and negotiate terms with me."
"Blessings, sir."
Duan Zhenghong raised his voice, but Zhu Song ignored him and walked out of the prison.
Zhu Song led the yamen runners to the room next to Song Shunran. Standing at the door was Song Shunran's confidant who stepped forward to stop Zhu Song. "Master Zhu, this is Master Song's private property. No one is allowed to enter without Master Song's permission."
Zhu Song looked at him coldly, raised his hand without saying a word, and the yamen runners behind him rushed forward.
The confidant said loudly: "What do you mean, Master Zhu?"
Zhu Song said, "I am here to recover the stolen goods. Anyone who stands in my way will be executed without mercy."
The noise woke Song Shunran. He opened the door and saw the tense situation. He frowned and asked, "Master Zhu, are you here to seek revenge?"
The wound on his face hadn't healed yet, leaving red marks. Zhu Song looked at him coldly, "I was just about to question Lord Song, but since he's here, there's no need for me to make another trip. Duan Zhenghong just confessed that this was stolen money, but Lord Song said it was his personal property. Could it be that Lord Song is Duan Zhenghong's accomplice?"
Song Shunran immediately jumped up and said, "Zhu Song, you are slandering me."
Zhu Song said coldly, "What does Lord Song mean?"
Song Shunran's face froze, and then he loudly defended himself: "I only said that there were some of my personal belongings in here, but I didn't say that all of them were my personal belongings. I just got here, so how would I know that they put these things in there?"
Zhu Song didn't say much to him and told the yamen runner, "Come in."
The confidant looked at Song Shunran's ugly face and stepped aside.
Zhu Song led his men into the house. The windows were sealed tightly shut, not letting in any light. The yamen runners stepped forward and opened the windows, instantly brightening up the room. The house was simply furnished, with only a few locked large boxes in the inner room. Zhu Song raised his chin and said, "Open it."
The bailiff stepped forward and cut off the lock with a knife. With a clang, he opened the lid to reveal the white silver inside.
There were five boxes in total. Except for the outermost one which was not stacked neatly and was missing some silver, the rest were all neatly stacked. However, the rare and precious Night Glaze Bodhi Patriarch statue mentioned by Duan Zhenghong was not seen.
"Carry him out." Zhu Song ordered.
The box was so heavy that it took eight people to lift it. Zhu Song stood inside the house and watched them. Suddenly, he looked up at Song Shunran who was standing at the door. Song Shunran was startled and quickly explained, "I really don't know. I've never opened it before."
Zhu Song asked, "Where are Mr. Song's personal belongings?"
Song Shunran pointed to a gorgeous navy blue robe hanging on the screen. It was embellished with gemstones and sparkled even without sunlight. "Over there."
Zhu Song glanced at it and was blinded by the blazing fire. He said coldly, "Master Song is quite capable. He uses so many people to guard a piece of clothing."
Song Shunran raised his head and explained proudly, "Master Zhu, please don't underestimate this dress. It was made for me by my aunt herself. It is my most precious treasure."
The aunt that Song Shunran mentioned was Prince Su’s mother, Concubine Song.
Zhu Song sneered, "Since it's so precious, you should keep it well at home."
Song Shunran defended himself, "This is a gift from my aunt, so I naturally have to carry it with me at all times and watch it every day to feel at ease."
Zhu Song said, "But this room is where stolen goods are hidden. I'm afraid that Mr. Song's clothes cannot be taken back for the time being."
Song Shunran frowned. "How dare you button my clothes? Zhu Song, you're so bold! This was done for me by the Imperial Concubine."
Zhu Song said, "It's not that I don't believe what Lord Song said, but Jizhou is in such a mess, and much of the stolen money is missing. Since I came here on the emperor's orders, I naturally dare not be careless. I hope Lord Song will understand."
Since the emperor had already been mentioned, Song Shunran could only grit his teeth secretly and said, "Okay, Zhu Song, take it if you dare."
Zhu Song softened his tone and said, "Thank you very much for your understanding, Lord Song." After that, he took off the clothes on the screen and walked away in big strides. When he passed by Song Shunran, he didn't even look at him.
Song Shunran stomped his feet in anger. He was determined to teach Zhu Song a lesson one day.
Zhu Song took the clothes to find a painter, asked him to paint a picture according to the picture, and then sent it to the Dali Temple in the capital at full speed.
After a busy day, Zhu Lingwang came to report before going to bed. The unpaid wages had been calculated. There were more than 3,000 people, totaling 350,000.
The total amount of stolen money seized today was 285 taels. Zhu Song said, "Allocate 350,000 taels from the stolen money and start paying the outstanding wages tomorrow."
When Zhu Lingwang heard that the stolen money was going to be used for payment, he immediately became angry. "The stolen money should be reported to the emperor. How can you dispose of it at will?"
Zhu Song looked up at him and said, "To put it bluntly, the stolen money is the people's money. What's wrong with using it to pay workers?"
Zhu Lingwang said, "The law clearly stipulates that the stolen money must be deposited into the national treasury and no one may use it for any reason. I will not watch you make a mistake."
Zhu Song leaned back in his chair. He was a little tired after a busy day, but his eyes were still bright. "Zhu Lingwang, you can write whatever you want, but you can't persuade me about this, and I don't want to waste energy arguing with you about this."
Zhu Lingwang frowned at his exhausted appearance. "I know I can't persuade you, but you have to understand that misappropriating stolen money is a serious crime. You've offended both Song Shunran and Chen Guojiu. They will definitely not let this opportunity go. You might just be dismissed from office the moment you return to Beijing."
Zhu Song was not afraid, but simply said: "It is time and fate."
Zhu Lingwang continued, "The dam corruption case is already a hot potato. The emperor asked you to come here not because he thinks highly of you, but because you are useful. Otherwise, why would he put you in solitary confinement for fifteen days based on an impeachment memorial from Uncle Chen?"
Zhu Song raised an eyebrow, "Are you done?"
Zhu Lingwang said: "There are many more, but you don't want to hear them."
Zhu Song chuckled. "You've been quiet and aloof since you were little. It's hard to imagine a day when you'll have a lot to say. But you're right, I really don't want to hear it. This matter is settled. Go back and rest."
Zhu Lingwang looked at him deeply, and before leaving, he said, "You can report this to the Emperor first..."
"No need." Zhu Song interrupted him. Their eyes met, and Zhu Lingye looked away in an instant. "You are still as stubborn as when you were a child."
Zhu Song didn't say anything, and Zhu Lingwang didn't continue talking either. He turned and left.
Zhu Lingwang walked out of the room, but did not rush back to his room. He paced in the corridor for a while and knocked on Wen Fengxuan's door.
Soon Wen Fengxuan came to open the door and was slightly surprised when he saw Zhu Lingwang at the door.
Zhu Lingwang said politely, "I'm sorry to bother Your Highness by visiting you so late at night."
"It's okay, I haven't gone to bed yet." Wen Fengxuan stepped aside to let him into the house.
The two men sat down opposite each other, and Zhu Lingwang didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Your Highness, do you know that Zhu Song wants to use the stolen money to pay the workers who were owed money for the dam construction?"
Wen Fengxuan replied, "I've heard a little bit about it."
Zhu Lingwang said, "The law stipulates that all stolen money must be deposited into the national treasury. Zhu Song used the stolen money without authorization. If he is impeached, he will surely face disaster."
Wen Fengxuan's eyes moved slightly, and he looked at Zhu Lingwang and asked directly, "Master Zhu, what do you want me to do?"
Zhu Lingwang stood up and bowed to Wen Fengxuan. "Your Highness, as the crown prince, has great righteousness in his heart and will not bear to see the people suffer. If Your Highness is willing to be the first to do so, you will surely be able to make a big thing small."
Wen Fengxuan agreed without much thought, "Just do as Master Zhu said."
Zhu Lingwang said, "There is no time to lose. Your Highness has set off overnight."
"Okay." Wen Fengxuan stood up immediately.
Zhu Lingwang bowed again, "Your Highness is righteous."
Wen Fengxuan took Xie Ningyuan to the warehouse to withdraw 350,000 taels of silver, and left the city in the middle of the night with 30 yamen runners.
Zhu Song didn't know about this until noon the next day. He was immediately furious and wanted to chase the man back. Zhu Lingwang stopped him, "It's too late. We left the city at midnight last night. By the time you get there, the money will have been distributed."
Zhu Song was so angry that he slammed the table at him, "Zhu Lingwang!"
Zhu Lingwang stood in front of him with a calm look in his eyes, as if he didn't care about his anger.
Zhu Song said sternly, "Who gave you the courage to go to the prince? He's in such poor health that he doesn't even dare to walk fast. He starts coughing after talking a few more words. How dare you let him stay up all night to travel?"
Zhu Lingwang was speechless for a moment, and managed to utter "Sorry."
Zhu Song yelled at him, "Get lost." He was about to leave when Zhu Lingwang stopped him, "It's really useless for you to go now."
Zhu Song glared at him, shook off his hand fiercely, and rode his horse quickly out of the city.
About three miles out of the city, they met Wen Fengxuan at a corner, returning on his way. He was sitting on his horse, his face terribly pale. Zhu Song felt pity for him the moment he saw him, and the two of them almost collided, both horses raising their hooves in fright.
Zhu Song hurriedly pulled the reins. Wen Fengxuan probably really didn't know how to ride a horse. He was frightened and the reins slipped out of his hands. He was about to fall off the horse. Zhu Song was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He patted the horse's back and jumped into the air. He stepped on the horse's back with his toes and jumped onto Wen Fengxuan's horse and hugged him around the waist.
The two landed steadily on the ground, their eyes meeting. Xie Ningyuan hurriedly dismounted and waited beside Wen Fengxuan, "Your Highness, how are you?"
Zhu Song then quickly let go of Wen Fengxuan's waist, and rubbed it with his fingers hanging around his waist, as if savoring the moment.
"No problem." Wen Fengxuan responded, and then thanked Zhu Song, "Thank you, sir."
Zhu Song replied, "Your Highness is too polite. This time, I was not well prepared. I have already scolded Ling Wang. Your Highness, please do not take it to heart."
"I am willing."
Wen Fengxuan's tone was gentle, with a hint of cheerfulness in it. If his face wasn't so pale, Zhu Song would have definitely talked to him. But now Zhu Song was only worried about his health and had no words to preach.
"Let's go back first."
"Um."
"Your Highness, please mount your horse."
Zhu Song held the horse reins and looked at Wen Fengxuan. Wen Fengxuan extended his hand to him, but Zhu Song refused, "I will hold the horse for Your Highness."
Wen Fengxuan also didn't appreciate his kindness, "No need, I can ride it."
Zhu Song insisted, "Your Highness looks unwell, so I'll lead the horse for you."
Wen Fengxuan said nothing more and climbed onto the horse. Perhaps because the movement was too intense, Wen Fengxuan began to cough violently again. Zhu Song looked up at him, his eyes clearly filled with worry. He then looked at Xie Ningyuan and said, "Go back and ask the doctor to wait in the room."
Xie Ningyuan glanced at Wen Fengxuan, but he was still bent over coughing and didn't look at him, so he responded and left.
Zhu Song asked the accompanying yamen runners, "Who among you has water?"
The yamen runners all shook their heads. They came out in a hurry, so who had time to prepare water? Besides, they were there to distribute silver, so they wouldn't be without even a sip of water to drink.
Zhu Song's brows furrowed tighter and tighter, and he said to the yamen runners, "Hurry back and drive a carriage."
The yamen runners responded in unison and left one after another. In the blink of an eye, only Zhu Song and Wen Fengxuan were left there.
Wen Fengxuan's face turned red from coughing, and his eyes were filled with tears. The bright sunlight shone through the gaps between the leaves on his body, making him look like an immortal in the forest. Even his coughs became heavenly sounds. Zhu Song swallowed unconsciously, "Your Highness."
Wen Fengxuan's coughing finally stopped, but he seemed to be in great pain. He hunched over, his hands pressed tightly against his chest. His gaze naturally fell on Zhu Song, his eyelashes fluttering like a butterfly about to take flight. He spoke softly, "It's a long way back. Why don't you come ride with me, sir?"
Zhu Song rejected him again, "Your Highness, this is unreasonable."
"Your Excellency is absolutely right." The butterfly stopped flapping its wings and Wen Fengxuan withdrew his gaze.
Zhu Song walked forward holding the reins. The regular sound of horse hooves could be heard on the official road, one after another, as crisp as lotus pods just picked in summer.
There was no conversation along the way. After walking about a mile, the yamen runners came hurriedly in a horse-drawn carriage.
Zhu Song stopped, walked to Wen Fengxuan, and extended his hand to him, "Your Highness, please change to a carriage."
Wen Fengxuan lowered his eyes and glanced at him, ignoring his hand stretched in the air, and got off the carriage neatly without waiting for Zhu Song, and got on the carriage directly.
Only after the carriage door closed and Wen Fengxuan's presence was out of sight did Zhu Song finally climb onto the horse. The saddle still held warmth, and for a moment, it felt as if he were actually riding with Wen Fengxuan. This thought made Zhu Song feel uneasy. He stomped his feet hard in the stirrups a few times, shifted his body, and finally shook off the threatening thought.
The carriage moved quickly and arrived at the Governor's Office in a quarter of an hour. Zhu Song dismounted and walked quickly to the front of the carriage to wait. When Wen Fengxuan opened the door, he offered his hand, but Wen Fengxuan refused, "Your Excellency is busy, so don't bother with me." Then he got off the carriage.
Zhu Song looked at Wen Fengxuan's back and couldn't help but wonder if he was angry. Even a clay man would have a temper. It was normal for him to be angry after Ling Wang had tricked him like this. He should let Ling Wang go and apologize in person later.
After figuring out the key, Zhu Song stopped following. He had just sat down in the lobby when Xue Caining arrived, carrying a plate of lotus cakes.
It was only when I saw her congratulations that I remembered there was such a person. I have been busy lately and forgot about her, but it is not too late now.
Xue Caining walked into the room carrying some cakes. "Sir, this is the lotus cake I just made. Please try it and see if it suits your taste."
Zhusong said: "Let it go."
Xue Caining placed the cakes in front of Zhu Song, who called out to the yamen runner at the door, "Go get Doctor Xu a silver needle."
The yamen runner took the order and left, but Xue Caining's face suddenly changed when he heard his words, "What do you mean, sir?"
Zhu Song replied, "Don't be nervous, it's not for you."
Xue Caining heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and said, "I thought something had happened to you, sir."
Zhu Song smiled and replied, "You're right, something did happen."
Xue Caining looked surprised, "What happened to you, sir? Are you hurt?" As she said that, she tried to pull Zhu Song's clothes. Zhu Song stretched out his hand to block her, and their hands touched, making them seem intimate.
The bailiff came hurriedly and said, "Sir, the silver needle is here."
Zhu Song brushed away Xue Caining's hand, looked up and saw Wen Fengxuan standing at the door. He stood up suddenly and asked, "Your Highness, why are you here?"
Wen Fengxuan glanced at Xue Caining and said lightly, "I was just passing by, sir, don't worry about it." Then he walked away.
Zhu Song asked the yamen runner, "Where are you going, Your Highness?"
The yamen runner replied, "His Highness said he went to the public kitchen."
Zhu Song felt something was wrong, "Why would His Highness tell you this?"
The yamen runner replied, "Doctor Xu is in His Highness's room. I happened to hear it when I was leaving with the silver needle."
Zhu Song asked casually, "Your Highness, haven't you had lunch yet?"
The yamen runner hadn't gone with them to distribute the money, so he didn't know, but he guessed, "It sounds like there shouldn't be any."
Zhu Song could tell he didn't know, so he stopped asking. He took the silver needle and inserted it neatly into the lotus cake on the table. The needle quickly turned black, and the speed was so fast that it scared the yamen runners, "This..."
Xue Caining's expression, which had just recovered, suddenly changed. He quickly knelt down and said repeatedly, "Sir, it's not me. I didn't do it."
Zhu Song followed her words and said, "I know it wasn't you. Tell me, who told you to do this?"
Xue Caining's face turned pale. "I really don't know, sir, someone framed me."
Zhu Song said coldly, "Last time you poisoned me, I let you go, but you still refuse to change. Poisoning the imperial envoy is punishable by death by slicing. As for the people behind you, I don't care anymore."
The bailiff stepped forward, grabbed Xue Caining, and dragged her away.
Xue Caining panicked immediately after hearing the phrase "Lingchi" and struggled to beg for mercy. "Sir, please let me go. I was forced to do this."
Zhu Song waved his hand and the bailiff let her go.
Zhu Song sat on the chair, glancing down at her condescendingly, looking somewhat nonchalant and with a kind of indifferent cruelty.
Xue Caining looked up at Zhu Song's expression, shaking with fear. "Sir, I really want to stay with you. Duan Zhenghong said that if I drugged you and helped him this time, he would let me go."
"Don't tell lies. I'm not interested in hearing them. If you don't have enough weight, I won't show mercy."
Xue Caining gritted her teeth, as if she had made up her mind, "If I bring something of sufficient value, will the master keep me by his side?"
Zhu Song looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "If you weren't from an unknown background, I would have wanted to keep you here."
This gave Xue Caining hope. She said, "I have some correspondence between Duan Zhenghong and some important figures in Beijing."
Zhu Song said: "Bring it immediately."
"yes."
Zhu Song was worried, so he followed Xue Caining to get it.
As soon as he went out, he saw Wen Fengxuan standing in the corridor not far away, his eyes fell on Xue Caining. Zhu Song nodded at him and followed Xue Caining.
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