Chapter 41: Is His Highness the King of Wu Planning a Rebellion?
Fang Xiaoru’s mouth suddenly opened wide. The hand stroking his beard froze mid-air, motionless. He could hardly believe his own eyes and ears. Wasn’t Lan Yu supposed to resist? Why, upon hearing there was no imperial edict and that the King of Wu had made this decision privately, did he instead kneel down? To think it would all end just like this?
Not only him, but everyone present—including Jiang Duan and the entire contingent of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—were utterly stunned. They had all been prepared for a deadly battle, especially as the Duke of Liang’s mansion had already taken a formidable stance. Yet, they never expected Lan Yu to surrender without resistance.
The sudden turn of events left them incredulous at the scene before their eyes.
“Good grief, you lot still count as the fine men the Duke of Liang brought back from the battlefield?”
Amid the stunned crowd, a sharp, grating voice suddenly rang out. There was still a trace of childishness in the tone—no guess was needed to know it was a young man just emerging from boyhood. It was none other than Zhu Gaozu.
He and Zhu Gaochi entered the Duke of Liang’s mansion together, Zhu Gaozu pointing at Fu Ye and the other household retainers said, “Why are you standing there doing nothing? How can you watch the Duke of Liang suffer indignity and remain indifferent?”
“Are you all cowards?”
“We’ve all returned from the battlefield, hot-blooded men! At worst, it’s death—what’s there to fear?”
“Better to die standing than to live kneeling—charge! Hurry up!”
The entire place was deathly silent, making his voice all the more striking.
Zhu Yunshuo turned to look over. “Greetings, cousin!” Zhu Gaozu waved and called out. Then, putting on an innocent expression, he bounced over to him.
“Call me King of Wu!” Zhu Yunshuo gently corrected.
Zhu Gaochi’s corpulent figure waddled forward, grabbing Zhu Gaozu’s arm. “Second brother, don’t be so disrespectful.”
Pouting, Zhu Gaozu replied, “We’re cousins, after all—why so formal?”
He bowed slightly, cupping his hands together with a cheerful smile. “Greetings, Brother King of Wu.”
Zhu Gaochi followed suit, bowing with more seriousness appropriate to his elder years.
Zhu Yunshuo smiled. “There are many outsiders here; when we meet, we must observe court protocol. Privately, it’s another matter.”
He added, “What wind blew you two cousins here today?”
Zhu Gaochi said, “We heard His Highness the King of Wu was leading troops to raid the Duke of Liang’s mansion. We brothers feared you might be in trouble, so we hurried over to support you. How’s everything? Need our help?”
Zhu Yunshuo shook his head. “No need for assistance. Everything went smoothly. You’re late—it's all over.”
Zhu Gaozu’s eyes widened. “Already over? Brother King of Wu, that Fu Ye and those hateful retainers dared to disrespect you, even brandishing weapons to resist the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the court! Shouldn’t we have killed them all?”
Just moments ago, he was scolding Fu Ye and the others for not fighting back, and now he urged killing them. Truly, he seemed to crave chaos.
“Second brother, hold your tongue,” Zhu Gaochi tugged at him. “Though detestable, they are fiercely loyal to the Duke of Liang.”
“His Highness the King of Wu may strike and scold the Duke of Liang, but to kill his trusted men would truly provoke him into rebellion.”
“That’s not what the King of Wu wishes to see.”
“After all, the Duke of Liang is also the King of Wu’s relative—his maternal great-uncle.”
Zhu Gaozu stamped his foot. “What’s the Duke of Liang or kinship to us? Even the Emperor cannot tolerate him; he should be killed along with them. Why spare him?”
“Is a maternal great-uncle closer than the Emperor? Why protect him?”
“If the Emperor won’t kill him, then we should do it ourselves—even if the Emperor reprimands us later, it’s out of filial piety!”
“If we capture him and hand him over, it only puts the Emperor in a difficult position—that’s unfilial.”
“I know the King of Wu is the most filial—he would rather bear the blame himself than trouble the Emperor.”
He shifted his tone and flashed a grin, baring his white teeth. “Brother King of Wu, am I right?”
Was Zhu Di deliberately sending his two sons to cause trouble? Though underhanded, the tactic was undeniably disgusting.
Zhu Yunshuo smiled. “You make a good point.”
“But today, I came to arrest the Duke of Liang at the urging of our Fourth Uncle—your father.”
“Frankly, this matter should have been handled by your father.”
“Since you two have come, you can help him.”
“You are dutiful sons and should be glad to assist your father, right?”
“Come, take action. Tomorrow, when I enter court, I will tell the Emperor how filial you both are.”
He spoke leisurely, then promptly passed the ball back.
Hearing this, Zhu Gaochi hurriedly said, “Second brother is young and ignorant, speaking nonsense. Your Highness, please don’t take it to heart.”
“Our father is a prince stationed outside the capital. We came here only for our uncle’s funeral; we dare not meddle in court affairs.”
“Your Highness should just handle things as you see fit—we’ll stay on the sidelines and watch the show.”
Zhu Gaozu fell silent, shrinking back. Though clever, he knew better when the heat was on.
Zhu Yunshuo smiled faintly and no longer bothered with them. Instead, he turned and ordered, “Arrest the Duke of Liang and take him away.”
His gaze swept over the retainers in the mansion. “And Fu Ye—arrest him too.”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately stepped forward and bound Lan Yu and Fu Ye.
Lan Yu offered no resistance whatsoever.
Fu Ye, surprisingly, cooperated as well.
Zhu Yunshuo nodded in satisfaction. “Seal off the Duke of Liang’s mansion. Without my orders, not a single fly is to leave.”
“No one else is allowed to enter.”
“How to handle the people of the Duke of Liang’s household will be decided after my investigation.”
“Until then, keep them all under close watch.”
“But do not disrespect the Duke’s family. Until there is a formal conviction by the court, they remain innocent. Should anything untoward happen, I will hold you accountable. Understood?”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard responded in unison: “Understood!”
Zhu Yunshuo did not linger further. He had Lan Yu and Fu Ye escorted away, then turned to leave.
Zhu Gaozu grew anxious, pulling at Zhu Gaochi and whispering, “Brother, shall we just watch him take Lan Yu away like this?”
“What else can we do?” Zhu Gaochi replied. “You provoked them earlier, but neither side took the bait. We can only wait and see.”
Just then, a commotion arose outside.
The two brothers exchanged a glance and hurried out.
At the far end of the long street, a vast, dark mass of troops was advancing toward the Duke of Liang’s mansion.
The sun had already set; though it was not yet fully dark, the curfew hour was fast approaching.
Ordinarily, people would be hurrying home at this time.
Those lingering to watch the spectacle were mostly officials of rank or their families, who had special permission to be out late.
But now, with this sudden influx of so many new people, the situation felt highly abnormal.
The newcomers wore various garments and held a variety of weapons, silent as they marched in relatively orderly ranks.
Their numbers easily reached several thousand.
Leading them was a man on horseback, clad in heavy armor, wielding a long blade, his face full of fury and fierce determination.
Zhu Yunshuo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Zhu Gaochi’s mouth dropped open in shock, while Zhu Gaozu grew exhilarated.
“They’re here, they’re here! I knew it wasn’t so simple—the real drama is just beginning!”
Zhu Gaochi quickly gestured for silence, signaling him to hold his tongue.
The fire was spreading fiercely; the two brothers need not add fuel.
The crowd advanced at a steady pace.
Perhaps due to the overwhelming pressure, time seemed to slip away, and before long, they arrived at the gates.
The man on horseback raised his hand in signal.
The troops behind immediately halted.
Jiang Duan shouted angrily, “His Highness the King of Wu is conducting official business! Unrelated persons, step back immediately! Any obstruction will be considered treason!”
The man on horseback glared fiercely at him, then turned his gaze to Zhu Yunshuo, shouting, “Marquis Dingyuan, Wang Bi, leads the troops to suppress the rebellion!”
“May I ask, Your Highness the King of Wu, why have you brought troops to surround the Duke of Liang’s mansion without cause, and arrested the Duke without imperial decree? Are you intent on rebellion?”