SWDnovel Chapter 110 Finding Princess Hanshan to Pass on a Secret Code
Chapter 110 Finding Princess Hanshan to Pass on a Secret Code
Upon learning that Zhu Di was about to return to the capital, Zhu Gaoxi, unlike Zhu Gaoxu who was constantly trembling with fear and anxiety, was filled with joy and anticipation.
With his adoptive father's arrival, his campaign for succession will surely be greatly strengthened.
Zhu Yunwen was no match for Prince Yan, Zhu Di, as history has already proven.
In order to prepare for possible questioning from his adoptive father, Zhu Gaoxi began to quickly review his actions.
My performance during this period has been quite commendable, so I don't have to worry about being punished by my adoptive father. The only thing I'm having trouble explaining to him is Guan Tong's experience.
Sending one's beloved and trusted lieutenant into danger is a sin that can be serious or minor, light or heavy, entirely up to the father's whim.
For some reason, even though he was still the old emperor's top choice for heir apparent, whenever he thought of his adoptive father, he would unconsciously put himself in the shoes of his son.
Just as Zhu Gaoxi was feeling uneasy, the Flying Eagle Guard sent back a message that Guan Tong had safely arrived at the Henan Military Command.
Immediately, Zhu Gaoxi returned to the Prince's Mansion with Zhu Youdun. Zhu Gaoxi summoned Wu Liang to his room, told him about Guan Tong's situation, and hinted that the Prince of Zhou had already spoken with the Commander-in-Chief and would do everything in his power to ensure Guan Tong's safety.
Wu Liang was so moved that he kept wiping away tears. Zhu Gaoxi comforted him for a while before letting him leave.
Zhu Gaoxu now goes to the palace to study every day, and the safety of the Prince's Mansion is the responsibility of Mu Ang and Wu Liang.
Ji Gang is currently only a centurion, and his position is still in the process of rising. It is impossible for him to be involved in the deployment of guards.
Zhu Gaoxi was merely a scapegoat; he wouldn't trust him to wield real power.
The Prince's Palace's secret guards are now under Wu Liang's full command. Mu Ang may have noticed this, but he turns a blind eye and a deaf ear, having no intention of interfering or asking questions.
He would not thank Zhu Gaoxi for this kindness, but would repay it in the future. Zhu Gaoxi kept this kindness in his heart.
Zhu Gaoxi and You Dun were in a secret room, and they carefully reviewed the personnel arrangements for the Eastern Palace and discovered a major loophole.
Xia Niangzi is an excellent doctor, and healing the sick and saving lives is her forte, but she has never had any experience as a spy.
If any discoveries are made during the investigation, how to transmit the information discreetly and promptly becomes an urgent problem.
Zhu Youdun lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Let Xuezhu take the initiative to approach Lady Xia."
"I have to tell Xuezhu to go find Li Jinglong again," Zhu Gaoxi shook his head with a wry smile, he didn't trust this opportunist.
"Otherwise, let Yishiha send someone to the East Palace with the Flying Eagle Guard's waist token," Zhu Youdun said, looking at Zhu Gaoxi.
The palace servants under Yishiha were all selected by the old emperor, and Zhu Gaoxi could not be sure of their loyalty.
To prevent eunuchs from interfering in politics, the old emperor learned from historical experience and strictly managed the palace eunuchs, forbidding them from reading and writing, and explicitly stipulating that "eunuchs shall not interfere in external affairs, and all departments shall not exchange documents with the Directorate of Palace Eunuchs." He also specially cast an iron plaque and placed it at the palace gate, with the words "Eunuchs shall not interfere in political affairs, and those who violate this rule shall be beheaded!"
Under the old emperor's strict control, it was hard to guarantee that some eunuchs would not harbor resentment and seek revenge. Zhu Gaoxi could not risk entrusting them with confidential matters.
Seeing that Zhu Gaoxi rejected these suggestions one after another, Zhu Youdun suddenly had a brilliant idea: "There is a suitable person, as long as they are willing to pay."
"Who?" Zhu Gaoxi asked urgently.
"Our Fourteenth Aunt, Princess Hanshan," Zhu Youdun said slowly, taking a sip of tea.
"Is she short of money?" Zhu Gaoxi asked curiously, as he knew very little about this aunt.
"The Imperial Son-in-Law, Yin Qing, is in poor health and needs to take medicine all year round; otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed to his grandfather's place to receive the reward."
Zhu Youdun was the direct superior of the Flying Eagle Guard. He ordered Fei Lu and Fei Shan to urgently investigate the income and expenditure of Princess Zhu Mingyu's residence over the past year, and found that the income was far from enough to cover the expenses.
The Flying Eagle Guards have their own code words. Princess Hanshan only needs to memorize the pre-prepared code words and relay them to Xuezhu when the opportunity arises. She doesn't need to know the true meaning of the secret guards' words.
Xuezhu belonged to the Flying Eagle Guard, so she naturally understood the meaning of the code.
However, would doing this expose Xuezhu? The Crown Prince would not be lenient towards spies, and Zhu Gaoxi was quite worried and hesitant.
"Xuezhu is quite capable. Even if she is discovered, she will find a way to escape. Don't worry," Zhu Youdun reassured him.
"Then who should we talk to about Fourteenth Aunt?" Zhu Gaoxi asked again, troubled.
"Of course it's me," Zhu Youdun volunteered.
Indeed, no one is more suitable than You Dun; only he knows the Flying Eagle Guard's code words best.
Zhu Gaoxi nodded hesitantly, his face full of worry. "Brother, be careful. If all else fails, we'll think of another way."
"Anyway, we have no other way out. We're going to fight the Crown Prince to the death. This little risk is nothing," Zhu Youdun said with a forced, relaxed grin.
He wasn't sure if Princess Hanshan was reliable, but he couldn't think of a better solution for the time being, so he had to resort to this last resort.
Zhu Gaoxi held his brother's hand tightly, remaining silent for a long time. Everything was understood without words; he could never repay his brother's kindness.
Youdun sacrificed too much to help him rise to power.
Zhu Gaoxi's heart was unable to find peace for a long time.
Youdun's talent far surpasses that of the Crown Prince, making him the strongest candidate to compete for the position of heir apparent. However, for our sake, my brother voluntarily withdrew from the competition and wholeheartedly supported us from behind the scenes.
If they lose the battle for the throne, they don't know how they will face the consequences.
The only course of action now is to resolutely move forward. Zhu Gaoxi secretly resolved never to back down and to do everything in his power.
Zhu Youdun was always decisive and efficient, never dragging his feet. He went to the old emperor and described Yin Qing's illness in an exaggerated way.
The old emperor was deeply distressed upon hearing this and immediately ordered Youdun to take two imperial physicians to the princess's residence for treatment.
Princess Hanshan's birth mother, Consort Han, was originally an ordinary palace maid who was presented as tribute from Goryeo. She was promoted to consort after giving birth to a daughter by chance when the old emperor favored her.
Unfortunately, the old emperor had someone else he deeply loved and soon forgot about Consort Han.
Therefore, Consort Han had an extremely low profile, almost like the most invisible person in the harem.
Therefore, Princess Hanshan was not particularly favored from childhood to adulthood, but she had an excellent attitude and was always cheerful, with no trace of sorrow on her face.
Even though she appeared calm and collected on the outside, Zhu Mingyu knew her own limitations in front of the old emperor. Therefore, she never brought up her husband's illness, but instead devoted all her efforts to treating him, in order to maintain their marital bond.
Having received his grandfather's decree, Zhu Youdun did not delay at all and went straight to Princess Hanshan's residence.
Upon seeing the hundred taels of gold that Zhu Youdun brought, Zhu Mingyu immediately realized that this matter was of great importance.
The more critical the matter, the less room there is for her, an insignificant little person, to make choices; she can only accept it.
This is precisely what Zhu Youdun wanted to express, even at great expense.
"Tell Gao Xi that your aunt isn't after money, but believes he has good intentions," Zhu Mingyu said, walking to the Buddha statue and kneeling devoutly before rising to ask, "What message do you want me to convey?"
Zhu Youdun recited the code words and practiced them with Zhu Mingyu several times before leaving with the imperial physician.