Chapter 67: Lending a Hand
Although Empress Zhang had good intentions, this was also a plan based on the fact that Zhu Zhanji might have to stay in Yingtian for a long time. Zhu Yuhuan knew the future situation and naturally understood that Zhu Zhanji's trip south was full of dangers.
Zhu Yuhuan was not very clear about the specific historical situation. He only knew that Zhu Gaoxu intended to kill Zhu Zhanji but failed. The current situation was that Wu Miaosu was very likely the spy sent by the King of Han. If she was placed next to Zhu Zhanji and Wu Miaosu leaked the news, wouldn't that be Zhu Zhanji's death?
Although Zhu Yuhuan sympathized with Wu Miaosu, under the current circumstances, she really could not live without Zhu Zhanji as her father, so he had to sacrifice Wu Miaosu temporarily.
What's more, Zhu Yuhuan still has some trust in his grandmother, that is, she is the best at making the best use of things. Huai En makes Zhu Yuhuan, a little girl, admire and feel grateful. If he makes use of Wu Miaosu, he may be able to get rid of the King of Han without bloodshed.
The next morning, Zhu Yuhuan was about to go and subtly hint something to his grandmother, but before he even left the house, he heard a call from outside the house: "Princess, Lady Wu is here."
Zhu Yuhuan didn't expect that Wu Miaosu would come first. She was slightly stunned, and then realized that Wu Miaosu was most likely here to express her position. Then she said, "Let her go to the study and wait for me."
"yes."
Zhu Yuhuan tidied himself up briefly before walking into the study. He saw Wu Miaosu standing there motionless, her hands clasped at her sides, obviously very nervous.
After hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, Wu Miaosu hurriedly turned around and saw Zhu Yuhuan standing by the door, holding the door frame with one hand. She was wearing a bamboo green jacket and a jasmine yellow skirt, with a small bun on her head. She looked neat, lively and cute.
"I have seen the princess."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled at her and said, "We've met yesterday, so you don't have to be polite today." She took a quick look at Wu Miaosu's expression and saw that there were still bruises under her eyes. She was probably unable to sleep last night, so she thought of coming to Zhu Yuhuan, the only person who knew about it so far, to complain.
Hearing her say this, Wu Miaosu felt even more ashamed and lowered her head in silence.
Zhu Yuhuan naturally sat in the main seat and had refreshments served. Seeing Wu Miaosu still standing there, he said, "Please sit down. I don't know how long we'll be talking next. It's so tiring to stand all the time."
Wu Miaosu responded awkwardly, then sat down without saying a word.
Zhu Yuhuan hadn't had breakfast, so he simply ate a few snacks to fill his stomach. Seeing that Wu Miaosu was still embarrassed and guilty, he said, "You came so early, I guess you haven't had breakfast either. Don't be so reserved, let's have some snacks together to fill our stomachs."
Only then did Wu Miaosu realize that she had arrived too early. Even Zhu Yuhuan, who always got up early to study, had not had time to have breakfast.
She felt even more embarrassed now and said, "I am sorry for the offense and for delaying the princess's breakfast."
Zhu Yuhuan felt that the efficiency of communication had dropped several points in succession. She waved at Huai En, signaling him to take the others out. Until the door was closed by Huai En from the outside, Zhu Yuhuan could not help but say, "Are you here to see me because of grandma's decree?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Miaosu knelt on the ground and said, "Miaosu admits her guilt."
Zhu Yuhuan studied her quietly for a long moment before finally speaking, "I remember hearing that you were from Dantu. However, since the capital was moved to Shuntian, they rarely recruited maids from the south. I asked someone to inquire with the female official who handled your admission, and it turns out you came from Le'an Prefecture. If you hadn't often mentioned your Dantu origins in the palace, you would have been recognized long ago."
When Wu Miaosu heard her mention the word "Le'an", she trembled and whispered, "Yes..."
——Le'an Prefecture was the vassal state of Han King Zhu Gaoxu.
Zhu Yuhuan really didn't know whether His Royal Highness the Prince of Han was smart or stupid. Since he knew that he wanted to send a spy into the palace, he should have known to let the spy avoid suspicion with himself, but he just sent someone in from his own fiefdom so blatantly... Isn't this a kind of performance art?
If Wu Miaosu didn't have some quick wit, it would have been impossible for her to stay in the palace.
Zhu Yuhuan sighed and asked, "Why did you enter the palace?"
Wu Miaosu answered honestly, "Miaosu's ancestral home is indeed Dantu. My mother worked in the Han Palace. Because my father died early and my younger brother was weak, Miaosu followed my mother to work in the Han Palace when she grew up so that she could treat her younger brother. Later, my mother's health gradually weakened and she could no longer work in the palace. Only Miaosu could earn money to support the family. The Princess of Han was willing to cultivate her, so Miaosu was able to read and write, and also learned some basic martial arts. It was not until the Princess felt that Miaosu was useful that she sent her to the palace to gather information. Before leaving, the Princess specifically promised Miaosu that as long as Miaosu worked hard, she would support and take care of her mother and younger brother..."
When she said this, her body trembled slightly, and she said, "Now my mother and brother are still confined to the palace. Miaosu really dares not disobey the orders of the King of Han and the Princess, so she secretly sent a message in the palace..."
Zhu Yuhuan heard her say this and knew that Wu Miaosu was trying to prove that she had no choice. She raised her hand and rubbed her forehead, then asked, "Who was the one who passed the message to you that day?"
Wu Miaosu took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and said, "It's Huang Yan, the eunuch in the Direct Palace Supervisor. He's one of Prince Zhao's men. Emperor Taizong, in recognition of Huang Yan's meritorious service during his diplomatic mission to Korea, spared him from imprisonment and merely demoted him. Huang Yan then remained in the Direct Palace Supervisor, helping Prince Zhao relay news from inside and outside the palace."
Zhu Yuhuan sneered and said, "It seems I was right. It really is Huang Yan. The King of Han and the King of Zhao are truly a pair of Crouching Dragon and Phoenix. They have small brains but great courage."
They even dared to use Huang Yan, who had already been the focus of attention. Those who knew them would call them stupid, while those who didn't thought they were some kind of wise but foolish people, and that people who had been investigated once would not be suspected again. In the end, even Zhu Yuhuan and Huai En vaguely guessed that Huang Yan was the person who contacted Wu Miaosu.
Wu Miaosu bit her lip tightly, and after a long while she kowtowed and said, "Miaosu begs the princess to save her mother and brother. Miaosu is willing to do whatever the princess wants."
Zhu Yuhuan held his chin with one hand and said, "Miaosu, I'm not threatening you. Your identity has been exposed. Even if I don't agree to it, you must stand by my grandmother and my father, or you will die. And as soon as you die, the King of Han will immediately abandon your mother and brother and let them fend for themselves."
Unless Wu Miaosu could summon heavenly thunder to kill Zhu Yuhuan and Huai En immediately, the news would eventually reach Empress Zhang. Wu Miaosu's failure to find a way to deal with Huai En had already doomed what happened today.
Wu Miaosu understood this very well. She looked up at Zhu Yuhuan, tears in her eyes, without saying a word. Finally, she collapsed to the ground, hunched over and sobbing.
"But I have no choice...it's all out of my control..."
Zhu Yuhuan certainly understood her helplessness. Seeing her leaning over in pain, he asked, "I remember your brother is already sixteen years old this year?"
Wu Miaosu's sobbing gradually subsided. She raised her head in a daze, a vague possibility forming in her mind, and she answered in a trembling voice, "Yes..."
Zhu Yuhuan sighed softly in his heart and said, "Sixteen years old is the best time to make achievements."
Wu Miaosu immediately understood, and she asked in disbelief, "Princess...Princess, what do you mean...?"
Zhu Yuhuan held his forehead with one hand and said, "This is the only solution I can think of. Find a reason to conscript your brother into the army. This way, we can have a reason to let him leave the Han Palace."
As long as they could ask for help from Liu Yongcheng, the general who was away, and use their connections in the army, it should not be a difficult task. After all, Zhu Di had made many northern expeditions before, and many soldiers had fled because they could not bear it, so it was not uncommon to temporarily recruit civilians into the army.
Wu Miaosu also understood this and asked eagerly, "Then mother..."
"As for your mother, I still need to think of a way..."
In fact, Zhu Yuhuan had another way, which was to wait until Zhu Zhanji ascended the throne, and follow the example of Concubine Guo and her mother, Lady Yingguo, and let Zhu Zhanji issue an order to bring Wu Miaosu's mother into the palace for support. However, this method had a prerequisite, that is, Zhu Zhanji could dote on Wu Miaosu as much as Zhu Gaochi doted on Concubine Guo. However, Zhu Yuhuan saw that Wu Miaosu was somewhat reluctant to Zhu Zhanji, so she really couldn't bring herself to do it.
To Wu Miaosu, Zhu Yuhuan's idea was far superior to the prospect of the entire family of three being killed. Without a moment's hesitation, Wu Miaosu agreed, saying, "As long as my family can be saved, Miaosu will go through fire and water without hesitation." She gritted her teeth and spoke resolutely, "Miaosu knows the Crown Princess isn't a jealous person, but if the Crown Princess needs it, all of Miaosu's children will only recognize her as their mother. Even if the Crown Princess wants to take Miaosu's life, Miaosu will gladly accept it."
Zhu Yuhuan was shocked when she heard this. Her expression was somewhat complicated. After an unknown amount of time, she finally asked, "Is it worth it?"
Wu Miaosu must have understood the weight of what she had just said. She was undoubtedly "selling" herself to Hu Shanxiang. Even though she had no feelings for Zhu Zhanji, she was willing to sacrifice herself in exchange for her family's chance of survival.
This time, Wu Miaosu met Zhu Yuhuan's gaze firmly and said firmly, "It's worth it. Worth more than anything else."
Zhu Yuhuan stood up upon seeing this and said softly, "You want to be Li Chenfei? The Crown Prince is not Emperor Zhenzong of Song. You'd better think it over carefully."
Zhu Zhanji would never propose and implement the plan of "borrowing a surrogate mother" for Hu Shanxiang. As for Hu Shanxiang, she was even less like Liu E.
Wu Miaosu was slightly stunned and responded softly.
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at her, then slowed down his voice and asked softly, "I'm a little surprised. Why did you come to me directly?"
In terms of unparalleled wisdom and strategy, it is obviously more appropriate to seek surrender from Empress Zhang than Zhu Yuhuan. After all, Empress Zhang has more experience and can probably think of more solutions. Zhu Yuhuan is just a child after all, with limited means and abilities, so he is not the best choice.
Wu Miaosu didn't expect Zhu Yuhuan to ask this first, but she still answered: "Because the princess is soft-hearted."
This answer stunned Zhu Yuhuan. After pondering for a long time, she finally said with a mixture of laughter and tears, "Are you targeting my weaknesses? You're so honest, you don't try to hide anything at all."
If it were Empress Zhang, even if she didn't personally deal with Wu Miaosu, she would most likely hand her back to the King of Han. No matter which possibility, Wu Miaosu would have no chance of survival. But Zhu Yuhuan was different. As a modern man, Zhu Yuhuan cared most about life and death, and he really couldn't do something like denying a life because of a single word.
Wu Miaosu made up her mind and said, "Although the princess has a father, the situation of her family members is not much different from Miaosu's. It is precisely because Miaosu understands this that she seeks the princess' help."
Zhu Zhanji did not even treat Hu Shanxiang with respect, and with Sun Mengqiu around, it was only a matter of time before Hu Shanxiang was disliked. Once something happened, it would be a disaster for the three of them, mother and daughter.
Zhu Yuhuan, like Wu Miaosu, was indeed caught in a dilemma that was temporarily unsolvable.
Thinking of her expression when she firmly said the word "worth it", Zhu Yuhuan seemed to understand something.
If Hu Shanxiang and Zhu Youtong were in danger, she would do everything she could to rescue them, no matter what the cost.
In a sense, they are two people of the same kind.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuhuan said with a half-smile: "Since you know I'm soft-hearted, you can't lie to me."
Wu Miaosu met her playful gaze and said firmly, "Over time, Miaosu will naturally prove her sincerity to the princess."
Zhu Yuhuan suppressed his smile and said, "Okay, I'll wait for your sincerity."
After Wu Miaosu left, Zhu Yuhuan leaned back in his chair and lost in thought.
Huai En pushed the door open cautiously and was startled to see Zhu Yuhuan like this. He hurried forward to check on her, but heard her mutter, "This world is a huge werewolf killing..."
Wynn asked doubtfully, "Werewolf...kill?"
Zhu Yuhuan came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Tell me, can we believe what she said?"
If Wu Miaosu was lying, wouldn't Zhu Yuhuan be in big trouble? If Wu Miaosu was truly loyal to the Prince of Han, she would lose her life, but Zhu Yuhuan would lose his entire family.
Huai En sent the others to work in the yard, while he stood guard at the door, and naturally heard the conversation between Zhu Yuhuan and Wu Miaosu.
Huai En thought for a moment and said, "Whether what she said is true or false, we can find out by asking General Liu to verify it."
Zhu Yuhuan scratched his head and asked, "Can we find Master Liu...?"
Although she had taken the opportunity to get closer to Liu Yongcheng, the two of them met too rarely. In addition, Liu Yongcheng had secretly helped the prince's family, which was considered to be the relationship between master and disciple. Therefore, Zhu Yuhuan was not completely sure.
Huai En nodded firmly and said, "Don't worry, Princess. Although General Liu is not in the palace, he knows how hard you work and is very pleased for you."
Zhu Yuhuan was slightly stunned, lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then said, "Then I will write a letter to Master Liu myself, and you can find a way to help me deliver it."
Regardless of whether what Wu Miaosu said is true or false, we can find out by going to Le'an Prefecture.
"yes."
Zhu Yuhuan walked to the table and wrote a letter to Huai En, but he still felt uneasy. He said, "Ask someone to ask for leave from the lecturers for me. I'm going to pay my respects to my grandmother."
Huai En quickly responded, "I understand."
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