Chapter 41: Rumors of Secret Talks Abound, Reactions from All Sides
"Enough! What kind of behavior is this!" Zhao Minghua's outburst finally crossed the emperor's bottom line. He roared, and the princess's wet nurse immediately stepped forward to support her and soothe Zhao Minghua's emotions.
"Brother, my heart aches." Zhao Minghua cried out inappropriately. Since the emperor ascended the throne, she had never called him by that title again. Her submissive behavior touched the emperor.
Zhao Minghua dared not utter the unlucky words aloud, but everyone present could understand what she meant.
These words stirred up the emperor's memories. The late emperor especially loved his youngest son, who had been neglected when he was still the crown prince. However, because the emperor feared the military power he held, he did not arbitrarily depose him, which fostered his younger brother's ambitions. On the day he returned to the capital in triumph, Minghua happily brought her three-year-old son to see him. She greedily ate the sweet water on his table and fell seriously ill that very night.
"Children are all debts," the Emperor sighed. His gaze flickered as he glanced at Zhu Yuli, who was kneeling silently on the ground. Then he said to Zhao Minghua, "I will send people to find these two children. As for their marriages, let's talk about that when they return."
The emperor wasn't unaware of Zhao Minghua's meaning; if he were to issue an imperial decree for a proper marriage, Xiao Ming might just return.
However, he couldn't do it now. Both were his flesh and blood, but he was still biased. He knew he had let Zhao Minghua and Xiaoming down. Allowing her to slap Zhu Yuli a few times was already the biggest concession he could make. So, after quickly comforting them for a few moments, he had Liu An send the three of them out.
Supported by the wet nurse, Zhao Minghua looked at Zhu Yuli with a gaze full of coldness and anger. If it weren't for the fact that they were still in the palace, Zhu Yuli would probably have been beaten again.
Duke Sheng was supporting his wife's shoulder when he heard her say something disparaging about the emperor, and his expression changed.
"His Majesty is ultimately concerned about Ming'er. Now that things have come to this point, let's go along with His Majesty's lead."
Duke Sheng interrupted Zhao Minghua, and Zhao Minghua ultimately did not speak again, but instead buried her face in Duke Sheng's body and wept bitterly.
When Zhu Yuli returned home, he had symmetrical red marks on both sides of his face. Madam Zhu was shocked when she saw him: "Husband, His Majesty has punished you!"
She was terrified, but she kept her voice down and dared not make a fuss. She quickly sent someone to get some ointment.
"No need. During this time, manage the household well and arrange Baoyue's marriage as soon as possible." Zhu Yuli only gave this instruction before brushing aside Madam Zhu's hand and leaving.
Madam Zhu became even more anxious. She was clever in her own way, but when faced with a major issue, she couldn't think things through for a while. Since she couldn't think long-term, she could only listen to Zhu Yuli's words and do as he said.
Regardless of whether his daughter agreed or not, he was determined to finalize the marriage and even sent someone to ask Mei Jiashan for help.
Zhu Yuli walked back to his study, and when he sat down, he opened the window wider. He propped himself up on his elbow and sorted out what had just happened.
The night was as dark as a waterfall, and the wind blowing in seemed to open its gaping maw, threatening to extinguish the candlelight in the study.
After much deliberation, Zhu Yuli finally grasped the overall situation and let out a faint sneer: "So be it, it's just a matter of being a little earlier."
"Someone come here." Zhu Yuli called out, and a figure walked out from the corner of the room. If Zhu Xuanning were still here, she would definitely recognize this person as the coachman who had taken her to the capital that day.
"Hurry up and give our Inspector Yu a message." After saying this, Zhu Yuli ordered someone to bring him specially made herbs, which he then applied to his face. He then ordered his personal servant to take his token and leave.
The following day, Zhu Yuli appeared at court bearing the two clearly visible handprints.
Many officials holding court tablets couldn't help but glance at his face. Even when the emperor arrived, the officials standing around Zhu Yuli would use the act of bowing to hide their gazes at his face.
"You went out to brothels? How could your wife be so brutal?" Zhu Yuli was a man of integrity who never frequented such places and didn't even have a concubine. Therefore, the official standing to his left could only make this guess. Otherwise, he couldn't understand what Zhu Yuli had done to be beaten so badly that his face was swollen.
Hearing the whispers over there, Duke Sheng thought of Zhu Yuli, whom he had seen that morning, and couldn't help but wonder if Minghua had such great strength.
"Focus on attending court." Zhu Yuli did not answer whether it was yes or no, but only looked straight ahead at the ground.
Rumors about Zhu Yuli began to circulate among officials, attracting sympathetic glances from some.
But just a few days later, the rumor turned into that the Duke's heir and the Zhu family's daughter had eloped!
The officials initially didn't believe it, but when they thought of the Duke of Sheng's act of sealing his mouth and the handprint Zhu Yuli left when he went to court that day, they instantly understood.
By the time the rumors reached Madam Zhu's ears, the news was already known throughout the city. Madam Zhu was so angry that she almost fainted. Her vision blurred, and she could barely hear what Mama Hua was saying.
"That wretched, lowly hussy!" Madam Zhu cursed weakly, then thought of her daughter and was overcome with grief. She trembled as she grabbed Hua Mama's hand and kept asking, "Has anyone from the General's Mansion come?"
Her daughter was only engaged yesterday. If someone from the General's Mansion comes to break off the engagement now, what will her daughter do?
Although Madam Hua was also anxious, she still spoke gently: "Madam, please don't be anxious. No one from the General's Mansion has come yet. They are reasonable, and the Master is known for his integrity and upright conduct. Considering the Zhu family's traditions, they would not do such a thing as kicking someone when they are down."
After being comforted like this, Madam Zhu finally felt a glimmer of hope, but the thought of Zhu Xuanning made her heart ache with anger again.
"It's all that damned wretch's fault! I knew I couldn't stand her from the start, and now she's caused all this trouble. She's shameless, dragging the entire Zhu family and her sister down with her! Why did that old woman we sent out die instead of pushing this slut into the river to feed the fish?!"
Madam Zhu lost her mind, trembling with hatred, and even revealed the secret instructions given at the time.
This frightened Madam Hua. She comforted Madam Zhu repeatedly, looking around. Only after the head maid shook her head did Madam Hua feel relieved.
Then, not long after, a maidservant timidly announced from outside the door: "Madam, the second young lady has arrived."
Madam Zhu abruptly stopped crying, hastily wiped her face with her sleeve, forced herself to sit up straight, and had her maid quickly touch up her makeup. After a moment, she allowed her daughter to enter.
Zhu Baoyue walked in calmly, her face expressionless. Her lively nature seemed much more composed than usual, and she even smiled at Madam Zhu.
Madam Zhu should have felt gratified, but the thought of why her child was forced to be so composed made her heart ache.
“Mother,” she called softly.
"My precious baby." Madam Zhu, who had been holding back her emotions, burst into tears upon seeing her daughter's appearance and pulled her into her arms.
"My poor son, don't be afraid. With your mother here, I will never let you suffer. If the people from the General's Mansion dare to break off the engagement at this time, I will go and reason with your maternal grandfather!"
Zhu Baoyue gently broke free from her mother's embrace, shook her head, and said calmly, "Mother, I've made up my mind. I'm going to the General's Mansion to break off the engagement."
"What?!" Madam Zhu was struck dumb, forgetting even to cry. Seeing this, Zhu Baoyue repeated herself.
"What nonsense are you spouting! Are you crazy?!"
Before Hua's mother could finish speaking, Zhu Baoyue interrupted her: "Reputation?"
There was a hint of self-mockery in her tone: "Mother, Hua Mama, do you think we still have any reputation to speak of amidst all this rampant gossip?"
She didn't want to blame her cousin, who was just a girl a few years older than her. Her father didn't care about her, her mother didn't like her much, and powerful people forced her to elope. What room did she have to resist?
Zhu Baoyue continued, her tone calming down: "I don't believe a single word about my sister's matter. There must be some hidden story. But no one will believe it now. Even if the General's Mansion doesn't come to annul the engagement, it's only because of their reputation. They're afraid of being accused by the world of kicking someone when they're down, not of truly trusting the Zhu family's reputation, and certainly not of genuinely caring for me."
She knelt down, obediently resting her face on Madam Zhu's lap, her gaze fixed intently on her mother: "The husband I want will marry me because he likes me as a person, respects my character, and trusts me. Not for a reputation of being 'tolerant and generous, not abandoning a woman with a tarnished reputation.' If even one person in his general's mansion harbors contempt for my elder sister or my Zhu family because of rumors, then I would rather not accept this marriage. I disdain associating with such people who cannot distinguish right from wrong and simply follow the crowd."
“This isn’t just said in anger; it’s the backbone my aunt taught me.” Zhu Baoyue’s tone was resolute. “Mother, if we were to personally go to their door today, humbling ourselves to persuade the people of the General’s Mansion to believe us, or to reprimand my missing sister, then even if I managed to keep the marriage, how would I face them in the General’s Mansion after the truth came out? I, Zhu Baoyue, would never do such a despicable thing!”
A glimmer of tears finally welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall: "My mind is made up. If Mother doesn't agree, I'll go myself. At worst, I'll cut my hair and become a nun. That's better than being gossiped about behind my back, with people saying that I, a daughter of the Zhu family, married because of someone else's pity!"
Madam Zhu was so enraged by her daughter's "integrity" rhetoric that her heart clenched. She abruptly stood up, pointed at Zhu Baoyue, and her voice became shrill with emotion: "What a nice thing to say! What integrity your aunt taught you! I think you're just still thinking about your cousin! Isn't that right?!"
Madam Zhu's question was like a sharp thorn, piercing Zhu Baoyue's heart unexpectedly, making her freeze.
Seeing her like this, Madam Zhu became even more convinced of her suspicions and scolded her with a pained expression: "You were raised by your aunt since you were a child, and you two grew up together, but do you think your aunt treated you well? She had ulterior motives for asking her son to get close to you! Only a blockhead like you would believe them!"
"You never liked this marriage in the first place, and now that that wretched child has caused this trouble, you're using this as an excuse to break off the engagement with the General's Mansion, so you can keep your chastity for your shameful desires, isn't that right?! How could I have given birth to such a reckless and stubborn child like you!"
As Madam Zhu continued her tirade, she began to cry. Seeing that Zhu Baoyue showed no intention of refuting her, she felt even more desperate.
"Mother!" Zhu Baoyue's eyes also reddened, and her tone changed, filled with disbelief, anger, and hurt. "How could you think of me like that? How could you slander my aunt and cousin like that!"
The grievances and sadness she had been trying so hard to suppress finally burst forth, but Zhu Baoyue refused to let those tears fall.
"I don't want to deny my feelings, but that's all in the past! Since the marriage to the General's Mansion was arranged, I have been dutiful and have never had any improper thoughts! You are my biological mother, why don't you believe me? Why do you use such despicable thoughts to judge us?"
"Shut up!" Madam Zhu's crying stopped as Zhu Baoyue questioned her repeatedly, and she trembled with anger.
"I am a person! Not a commodity to be sold!" Zhu Baoyue finally couldn't hold back her tears as she said this.
With a loud "smack," by the time Hua's mother recovered from her shock, it was too late to stop them.
Madam Zhu regretted her actions as soon as she made them. She looked at her daughter with heartache, and before she could retract her outstretched hand, she stretched it out again with tears in her eyes.
Zhu Baoyue, who was covering her face, gradually stopped crying. She sobbed and then fiercely brushed away Madam Zhu's hand: "You never ask for my opinion, it's always like this, I hate you so much."
"Don't chase after her! Let that idiot get away! I bet no one will let Miss out without my permission!" Madam Zhu's initial regret was immediately overshadowed by Zhu Baoyue's words, which masked her other surging emotions.
When Zhu Baoyue had completely disappeared from her sight, Madam Zhu collapsed onto Hua Mama as if all her strength had left her, and burst into tears again.
She channeled all her emotions into her hatred for Zhu Xuanning and Madam Mei. After wiping away her tears and calming down, Madam Zhu wrote a letter and handed it to Mama Hua.
"Give this to Father. Father knows how to help me." Madam Zhu's eyes revealed a hint of murderous ruthlessness, which even startled Mama Hua.
Not long after the letter was sent out, Zhu Yuli left the office early.
Madam Zhu knew the rules and would never set foot in Zhu Yuli's study on her own initiative, but this time she brought over a bowl of sweet water that she had prepared.
She was in a bad mood, which Zhu Yuli could tell, and he knew what was wrong, but he still asked her a question.
Madam Zhu then took the opportunity to tell him everything in detail.
"Husband, let's expel that wretched child from the clan." Madam Zhu's first thought was to kick Zhu Xuanning out, as if that would sever their relationship and dispel her hatred.
Zhu Yuli stared at her for a long time without saying a word, then smiled gently and said, "Okay."
Not long after Zhu Xuanning was expelled from her clan, news of her unfilial and disrespectful behavior spread, and many unfounded accusations were leveled against her.
Zhu Xiyue was unaware of these things until many classmates whispered about them and looked at him with strange and sympathetic eyes. He then pressed them for answers and found out.
He was so angry that his face turned red, and he got into a fight with those people. Not long after, the instructor summoned both sets of parents.
The moment Zhu Xiyue saw her father, she felt wronged and angry. Her eyes were red, and she asked, "Father, why didn't you deal with my sister's matter? Why did you let those people slander her?"
Zhu Yuli raised his hand, wanting to touch his son's head, but his son turned away to avoid it.
He didn't seem to care about Zhu Xiyue's avoidance, and his face didn't show any displeasure. However, he didn't speak to Zhu Xiyue either, but dealt with the fight that day first.
"A gentleman says, 'Do not speak what is improper,' and also, 'Those who wish to cultivate themselves should first rectify their hearts.' Students who speak recklessly without understanding the facts, are they in accordance with their hearts and with propriety? If one's heart is not rectified, one's words will also be improper. Where then is the foundation for self-cultivation?"
Zhu Yuli's tone was neither calm nor indifferent, but his words were too harsh. If he were to make such a judgment, it would affect these children's future careers.
The parents, who had initially felt apologetic for their children's rudeness, darkened their expressions. Among them were several officials of higher rank than Zhu Yuli.
Zhu Yuli glanced at him briefly, then smiled and made a rare gesture of a loving father, grabbing his son's scholar's robe and saying, "My son has done well. Even His Majesty has not yet made a final decision. How can we let others slander him and ruin his reputation?"
The parents, who had intended to use their official power to intimidate others, instantly lost their temper and felt a chill run down their spines.
The incident was thus resolved quickly. Once Zhu Xiyue was brought back to the manor, Zhu Yuli asked her to see Madam Zhu.
Looking at the injuries on her son's face and body, Madam Zhu shed tears and cried again.
Not long after, Zhu Xiyue was summoned by Zhu Yuli. The couple tacitly avoided mentioning Zhu Baoyue to the child, and Madam Zhu even ordered the servants to keep their mouths shut and not to tell the young master about it.
Zhu Xiyue knew that her sister was engaged, but when she didn't see her sister come out, she asked a few questions, but was turned away by Madam Zhu.
Once he arrived at the study, he wanted to ask about his sister.
Zhu Yuli only assured him that he would handle it. Only after receiving his father's assurance did Zhu Xiyue breathe a slight sigh of relief. He knew that his father would do what he said, but at the same time, he deeply resented his current youth and powerlessness.
Zhu Yuli immediately saw what the child was thinking, so he steered the conversation toward it: "Go study abroad, Father has made all the arrangements."
Zhu Xiyue's eyes suddenly lit up with fire, and he nodded solemnly.
Zhu Yuli looked at the boy who had grown up to her shoulder. The boy didn't look much like her, but rather more like Madam Zhu. Only his round eyes had some of her features, but he was more innocent and straightforward.
Zhu Yuli smiled, beckoned him over, and said in a gentler tone than usual, "Are you still blaming your father?"
Zhu Xiyue hesitated for a moment, then walked over and shook her head: "I don't blame Father. I only blame myself for not being capable enough. Father will help my elder sister. Now that I think about it, he must have had his own considerations."
This child's last words were still a tentative trap.
Zhu Yuli felt a little amused, but inwardly she was gratified.
“Of course. My son, go and study abroad, see a wider world. You shouldn’t be confined here.” Zhu Yuli stroked the child’s head as he had imagined; the hair was soft.
Zhu Xiyue seemed to understand, but nodded firmly. He wanted to grow up quickly and have the ability to protect people, so that he could be like his father, so that even if he offended his superiors, they would only dare to be angry but not speak out.
Zhu Xiyue took her page, the steward's child, and several staff members employed by the manor and went out.
Zhu Yuli flipped through his private accounts, writing and drawing, and finally wrote a long contract, which he then earnestly requested to see the emperor that very night.
The emperor was already overwhelmed by the undercurrents in the capital and couldn't spare any attention. When he heard that Zhu Yuli was requesting an audience, he assumed that Zhu Yuli had come to complain and chat. So he thought, "He's a favorite minister, so I might as well see him to show my favor."
It's definitely not because he wants to hear some gossip or relax his tired mind and body.
To everyone's surprise, Zhu Yuli brought three copies of the contract and asked him for a verbal instruction.
The emperor was so angry he almost laughed: "What? Not only do I have to deal with my own family affairs, but you also want me to handle yours?"
Zhu Yuli bowed and said, “Your Majesty summoned me to court late that night to inquire about this matter. Therefore, I have dared to present this to Your Majesty.”
The emperor felt uneasy thinking about how Zhu Yuli had been slapped in the face for several days. He hummed in response, but still ordered Liu An to bring it over.
"Only your division of the family property has allowed me to personally review it." The Emperor said, quickly reading through the document and gaining a clear understanding of Zhu Yuli's open and covert wealth. He nodded and then ordered Liu An to bring over his private seal.
This made Liu An look at Zhu Yuli with a different eye.
After the emperor affixed his personal seal, he wrote another edict and handed it to Liu An, adding, "Act swiftly according to the law, without delay."
Only then did Zhu Yuli feel relieved: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. I will repay you with my life."
The emperor quickly waved his hand, utterly disgusted: "What do you mean by death? Living longer is your way of repaying me."
After the emperor finished speaking, he received no response from Zhu Yuli for a long time.
He raised an eyebrow, and seeing that the man was still kneeling and wouldn't get up, he tapped the table and said in a deep voice, "Are you serious?"
"Although I have often told you that I wish to have you accompany me to the mausoleum, I do not mean that I want you to be buried alive with me. Why do this?" The emperor cherishes talent and has cultivated and promoted Zhu Yuli to this extent, all for the purpose of leaving him to the crown prince.
But now it seems that Zhu Qing's mindset has changed, or perhaps he has always had this thought in mind.
The emperor narrowed his eyes, looking somewhat displeased.
Zhu Yuli bowed deeply and said, “Your Majesty is wise. No reform has ever been done without bloodshed. Your subject and Yu Liuyuan are willing to serve Your Majesty like cattle and horses, breaking down the old and establishing the new. However, the Grand Tutor and the powerful clans are deeply entrenched. Without someone to withstand their backlash, the country cannot be secure; without outstanding military achievements abroad, the situation cannot be diverted.”
Yu Liuyuan is still a young man, a talented and promising young man with a bright future. He is the perfect person to serve Your Majesty and demonstrate your abilities.
I am thirty-eight years old, with an heir and no family burdens, and my official career is fulfilling; I have no regrets in this life. My only daughter has received Your Majesty's holy grace and protection, which puts my heart at ease; I only feel that I have failed my wife and have not yet repaid her kindness.
Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me this responsibility. I would gladly accept it, even at the cost of my life.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor knew that he truly could not persuade Zhu Yuli to change his mind. He sighed, feeling somewhat wistful: "Only you would think that I would treat your daughter well in the future."
"Very well, I understand." The Emperor, who had initially wavered, made up his mind after hearing Zhu Yuli's last words and granted his request.
Daily records.
On the day of Gengwu in the fourth month of summer in the twenty-third year of the Jinghe reign (1123), at night, the scholar Zhu Yuli requested an audience. He first presented a private matter, which the Emperor affixed his seal to and issued a handwritten edict ordering the relevant officials to handle quickly. Yuli then bowed deeply and earnestly stated his willingness to shoulder the arduous task of the new administration. The Emperor remained silent for a long time before finally approving his presentation. He withdrew at exactly 1:00 AM.
After the emperor withdrew, he sat alone for a long time. He turned to the chief eunuch Liu An and said, "I prayed for your life, but I harbored selfish motives. Is this a breach of my virtue?" Liu An, trembling with fear, bowed his head and dared not answer. The emperor sighed and then dismissed the meeting.
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