0p0 Chapter 442 The war is about to begin
Chapter 442 The war is about to begin
Chapter 442 War is Imminent
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "There's no one better than Ruru in this world. A man without Ruru is like a blade of grass! Ruru is so good! Come and touch her!"
Wang Wenzhou reached his hand inside Liu Rushi's clothes.
Liu Rushi shook her head with a wry smile; her nemesis was being irreverent again.
"Oh, right!" Wang Wenzhou said seriously, "I just remembered, Brother Zhu asked me to go to the palace to discuss something. Ru Ru, you and your sister-in-law should go home first."
Liu Rushi said softly, "Ying and I are fine too, we'll see you to the palace gate."
Wang Wenzhou nodded helplessly. It was originally just an excuse, but since Liu Rushi was worried, he had no choice but to go to the palace first.
Liu Rushi and Wang Ying escorted Wang Wenzhou to the palace gate and watched him enter the palace before they felt relieved.
Wang Ying had no chance of entering the palace, given her past relationship with Zhu Youjian. When old lovers meet, there are only two possibilities: either a friendly fling or a bitter feud. Furthermore, Wang Wenzhou was terrified that Zhu Youjian would cheat on him, so he would never allow the children to enter the palace.
Watching Wang Wenzhou's departing figure, Wang Ying said softly, "Sister Liu Rushi, although I have been back in the capital for a few days, I have been busy with many things and have not had time. Today I would like to go back to the mansion to see Father."
Liu Rushi nodded and said, "I'm fine too, I'll go with you."
Because the two babies were going out, they only traveled in one sedan chair. Either Liu Rushi was sent back to her residence first, or she accompanied Wang Ying home. Liu Rushi had been feeling troubled these past few days because of Wang Wenzhou's affairs, so accompanying Wang Ying home would help her clear her head.
If Wang Wenzhou knew that the two babies were going to Tian Wan's residence, he would rather die than go to the palace. Because Liu Rushi's two best friends were staying at Tian Wan's residence.
In the Ming Dynasty, ordinary officials couldn't just enter the palace casually. Even if they did, they couldn't just see the emperor; they had to go through a series of procedures. Only someone like Wang Wenzhou, who had been specially instructed by the emperor to enter the palace for an audience, could do so as casually as visiting a friend.
After entering the palace, Wang Wenzhou inquired about Zhu Youjian's whereabouts and then strolled into the Imperial Study.
Zhu Youjian looked up and saw Wang Wenzhou. He was startled. Wang Wenzhou's face was pale and he looked haggard, as if he had become a different person.
Zhu Youjian said with heartache, "Boxin, I know you are sad, but you must not let this upset you and ruin your health."
Wang Wenzhou shook his head with a wry smile. "Hey Zhu, are you serious? Why have you been acting like you're seeing your lover whenever you see me these past few days? I've declared again, I don't pick up the soap."
"Brother Zhu, my heart is breaking!" Wang Wenzhou said, heartbroken. "My lovely baby is dead just like that."
"I understand! I understand!" Zhu Youjian nodded and ordered, "Wang Chengen, summon Miss Liu over. I'll keep Boxin company and have a drink."
"Your Majesty!" Wang Chengen hurriedly advised, "Drinking to drown your sorrows only makes them worse. You and Lord Wang should stop drinking."
Wang Chengen didn't want to advise him, but Empress Zhou had issued an imperial edict forbidding Zhu Youjian from drinking with Wang Wenzhou in the future. These two drunkards were capable of anything when they were drunk; last time, they almost swapped clothes.
Zhu Youjian said with a smile, "It's alright! I know you're worried that I'll drink too much. Don't worry, Wang Chengen, I'll only drink a little this time."
Zhu Youjian knew that he had almost made a fool of himself last time. Although Empress Zhou did not say it outright, she still made some sarcastic remarks.
Wang Chengen had no choice but to order the palace maids to serve wine and dishes.
A moment later, Liu Hanxue entered the study and obediently sat down next to Wang Wenzhou. The day Gao Guilan committed suicide, Liu Hanxue originally went back to the mansion with Wang Wenzhou, but things got serious and Wang Wenzhou didn't have time to deal with her, so Wang Chengen brought her back to the palace.
Wang Wenzhou put his arm around Liu Hanxue, took a sip of wine, and said, "Brother Zhu, I really can't hold back anymore. I want to find those bastards and demand an explanation."
Zhu Youjian put down his wine cup and advised, "Boxin, it's not that I don't want to help you, but after all, there's no evidence to prove who did it."
Wang Wenzhou, with a mournful face, said aggrievedly, "Brother Zhu, what evidence do we need? Who instructed those local officials' families in Shaanxi? If it weren't for their repeated obstruction, Gao Yingxiang wouldn't have been executed by slow slicing. My little Lanlan wouldn't have been so distraught as to jump off a building and commit suicide."
Zhu Youjian frowned. That was the gist of the matter, but in reality, there was no illegal activity involved. Even if they wanted to bring the mastermind to justice, they couldn't.
Wang Wenzhou cursed and said, "Brother Zhu, the reason I've made so many enemies is all because of you!"
"Boxin, I still stand by what I said: if the emperor does not betray me, I will not betray him! But I am, after all, the emperor, and I cannot act arbitrarily. I also wish to settle scores and seek revenge, but I cannot!" Zhu Youjian explained with a bitter smile.
“I understand! That’s why I’ve come today to tell you that I’m going to take revenge!” Wang Wenzhou said seriously, “Brother Zhu, don’t worry, I’m not stupid. I won’t let them find any fault with me. To put it mildly, I’m acting out of personal vendetta! To put it more seriously, I’m doing this for the country! The Donglin Party has really gone too far! I’ve done my part, even if I haven’t done anything to deserve it.”
Wang Wenzhou grew increasingly angry as he spoke, saying indignantly, "Leaving aside my past merits, just consider my status. I come from a noble family; Duke Zhongyi is my son! With my status, they can assassinate me at will! Yes, we can't find any evidence! But Brother Zhu, have you considered what might happen if one day they feel that you, as emperor, are somewhat incompetent..."
"Lord Wang, you've had too much to drink. Let me make you a cup of tea!" Before Wang Wenzhou could finish speaking, Wang Chengen's face changed in fright, and he quickly interrupted Wang Wenzhou.
“Eunuch Wang!” Wang Wenzhou turned around and glanced at Wang Chengen, then said with a smile, “Am I wrong? They’ve tried to assassinate me more than once or twice! Why did they want to kill me? It’s because I was working for Brother Zhu and was wholeheartedly loyal to him.”
"Lord Wang, you're overthinking it! They are all loyal subjects of the country, no one would assassinate you!" Wang Chengen didn't want to speak up for the Donglin Party, but if Zhu Youjian agreed to Wang Wenzhou's revenge, things would get very serious, and could potentially bring disaster to the country and its people!
Wang Wenzhou took a sip of wine and said with a wry smile, "Eunuch Wang, you have been in charge of the Eastern Depot for so long, have you found any clues about my assassination attempt?"
Wang Chengen shook his head with a wry smile.
Wang Wenzhou continued, "In the Ming Dynasty, besides the Donglin Party, who else has such power? The Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Six Ministries, and so many others—we can't find a single clue about them. If we let them continue to be so arrogant, the country will be on the verge of collapse!"
Wang Wenzhou solemnly said, "Brother Zhu, why did the so-called Donglin Party form a faction? It's because they share common interests. Driven by these common interests, they gradually formed a vested interest group. As long as someone touches their interests, even if it's you, Brother Zhu, they will all attack you! Isn't the matter of peace talks an example of this?"
"Boxin, you've always called me Brother Zhu, and I've always treated you like a brother! Today, we'll just drink and not discuss official matters. But as a friend, I still want to earnestly advise you. I understand your desire to avenge your wives and concubines. However, as an official of the court, there are some things you must do cleanly, without leaving any regrets!" Zhu Youjian said solemnly.
Wang Chengen's expression changed. "Your Majesty, is Wang Wenzhou really your biological father? You agree to whatever he says!"
In fact, Zhu Youjian agreed to this because he wanted to suppress the Donglin Party. The Donglin Party held absolute power in the court, and although Zhu Youjian supported Wen Tiren to oppose them, the cunning Wen Tiren always wanted to protect himself and didn't want a direct confrontation with the Donglin Party. Now that Wang Wenzhou had stepped forward to stir up trouble, Zhu Youjian was happy to see it happen.