Da Ming Xia 2830

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Talking about the West in the Palace
? Looking at the gloating boy and the middle-aged eunuch who followed, Ding Shou smiled wryly at his two old friends
, "I didn't recognize Your Majesty back then, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"No offense, no offense, ignorance is no crime." The young emperor circled around Ding Shou, and seeing that Ding Shou's gauze hat was being tossed
around by the monkey, with one of the hat wings even pulled off, he laughed heartily, showing
no intention of making the monkey come down.
Ding Shou wanted to get the monkey down, but fearing it would offend the Emperor, he could only say with a troubled expression, "Your Majesty
, please have mercy and let Sun Wukong put away his supernatural powers."
The young Zhengde reached out, and the monkey nimbly jumped onto his forearm, then climbed up his shoulder
. He handed the monkey to the eunuch standing behind him, looked Ding Shou up and down, and said, "You are Ding Shou, the envoy from Taibei
? What's going on? You've returned from Jiangnan. What was it like there
?" Faced with a barrage of questions, Ding Shou was momentarily stunned, unsure how to answer. He looked to Liu Jin for help
. The old eunuch chuckled, "When did Your Majesty meet this young man? This servant had no idea."
Zhengde casually pointed to the expressionless middle-aged eunuch behind him, "Several months ago, I met him while listening to storytelling with Zhang Yong at a teahouse
..." "To..." Before he could finish speaking, he became alert, looked around, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw no one else nearby
. He then instructed, "Don't let the Empress Dowager and the court officials know."
Liu Jin smiled knowingly, "This servant understands, Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Zhengde, who had been interrupted, suddenly realized what was happening and pulled Ding Shou towards Fengtian Hall. "Come here
and tell me properly, what's it like outside the capital
?" Zhang Yong quickly followed, "Your Majesty, you haven't eaten all morning, at least have something to eat."
The young emperor waved his hand impatiently, "I don't have time for that. Hey, Lao Liu, go prepare some snacks and bring them over,
we can talk while we eat."
There was a special dessert room in the imperial city, located just outside Xihua Gate. Liu Jin knew the young emperor's taste in snacks
. He personally went to oversee the arrangements, sending all the sweet treats, tiger-eye candies, and sesame seed cakes made by the confectionery workshop to the Fengtian
Palace. He also had someone buy street food and rush it to the palace while it was still hot. The palace servants,
seeing Eunuch Liu's flowing sleeves and brisk steps, wondered what important matter he had to attend to, unaware that the old eunuch had
a sausage hidden in his left sleeve and two baked buns tucked into his right robe.
Upon arriving outside the palace, he saw Zhang Yong standing with his head bowed and eyes downcast at the door. Seeing Liu Jin, Zhang Yong, who was usually taciturn,
grinned bitterly, "Where did Eunuch Liu find such a person
? I've been in the palace for so many years, and today I've finally seen something amazing."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin's first reaction was that this kid had caused trouble again. This troublesome fellow lifted his robe and ran into
the depths of the palace. When he saw the scene before him, he was stunned.
The young emperor and Ding Shou sat side by side on the imperial steps, surrounded by plates of pastries that had just been brought over
. Ding Shou held a half-eaten pine nut in his left hand, talking animatedly, spitting as he spoke
. Zhengde nodded intently. Liu Jin finally understood why Zhang Yong was standing outside the hall. If the court officials saw the two of them sitting side by side
, the young man would be accused of disrespecting the emperor.
Ding Shougang took a bite of the pancake and seemed to realize something was wrong. He looked up and saw Liu Jin's uncertain expression as he looked at him
. Then, looking at his current state, he realized what was happening and jumped up abruptly.
He jumped up too quickly and choked, stretching his neck frantically. Zhengde hurriedly handed him his teacup
. Ding Shougang gulped down half a bowl of tea before he could catch his breath. He looked down at Liu Jin without saying a word, puzzled
. Ever since he transmigrated, he had always known the proper hierarchy. How come, without Liu Jin's imposing presence,
he was so easily charmed by this bratty kid who didn't act like an emperor, completely forgetting that he was in the imperial palace of the Ming Dynasty, as if he were
bragging to a middle school kid in the future?
Liu Jin glared at the boy, then took out some snacks and handed them to Zhengde with a smile, "Your Majesty, eat them while they're hot,
don't bother with this impolite brat."
Zhengde was indeed pleased to see the street food, and took it in one gulp. While eating, he said, "Old Liu, you've come at the right time
! Ding Shou was talking about some strange things. He said there's a large island in the southeast of our Great Ming Dynasty, with a kind of giant rat, about eight feet long
. The mother rat feeds her cubs in a pouch on her belly. He also said there's a kind of giant bird in this world, nearly ten feet tall, as swift as
a galloping horse, but it can't fly, and its eggs weigh three or four pounds. I wonder if it's true or not..."
Glancing at the dejected Ding Shou, Liu Jin laughed, "It might be true
. The Three Treasures Eunuch brought back some large bird eggs among the local products from his voyages to the West.
" The young emperor immediately became interested. "There used to be something like this in the palace, but I've never seen it before." The Ming emperors
were quite casual in private, often using informal terms like "you" and "me" in conversation.
Liu Jin smiled wryly: "Let alone bird eggs, even the documents and records that Eunuch Zheng painstakingly compiled for his seven voyages to the Western Ocean
are gone."
"How could they be gone? That represents decades of hard work," Ding Shou suddenly interjected,
genuinely admiring the eunuch Zheng, who had once brought glory to foreign lands, thanks to Zhu Yunwen's influence.
Seeing Zhengde nod in agreement, Liu Jin continued, "During the Chenghua era, Wang Zhi of the Western Depot
suggested to Emperor Xianzong that we follow the example of Emperor Taizong and reopen the Western Ocean. Emperor Xianzong ordered the Ministry of War to retrieve old records of the Western Ocean expeditions
. Liu Daxia, then serving as the Director of the Imperial Carriage Department of the Ministry of War, disobeyed the order, saying, 'The voyages of Zhengde and Taizong to the Western Ocean have wasted hundreds of thousands of taels of silver and grain, and tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have died.
Even if they return with rare treasures, what benefit will it bring to the country? This is merely a temporary malpractice. Although the old records exist, they should be destroyed to eradicate the root of the problem.
' From then on, no more old records related to the Western Ocean expeditions were found.
" Zhengde remained silent. "What Minister Liu said makes sense. The national treasury is empty.
It is inappropriate to waste money and grain on useless things like bird eggs. However, however... it would be a pity to burn them." His words were filled with regret.
"Your Majesty, I cannot agree with Minister Liu's words." Ding Shou's blood boiled. Coming from the future, he was deeply resentful of the situation in modern China—its backwardness compared to the West,
and its vulnerability to being bullied. He was particularly indignant about the closed-door policy that had led to this outcome.

The Ming Dynasty's policy towards foreign countries was particularly resentful. Although the Ming Dynasty wasn't as arrogant as the Qing Dynasty, which closed
itself off from the world, and still had a tolerant and inclusive attitude towards foreign cultures, it had still missed the golden age of geographical discovery. Zheng He led the world's largest fleet
into the deep sea nearly a century earlier than the West. It was initially thought that the Ming emperors were stuck in their ways and missed opportunities, but it turns out
there was this other figure in between.
"Oh, tell me about it then." Zhengde didn't get angry, but looked at Ding Shou with interest. This kid was quite
interesting. He could sense that this man was different from others. In all these years, apart from the deceased Hongzhi Emperor, no one had ever
sat next to him at will. The young emperor even had a feeling that his submissive expression seemed like an act
.
"Your Majesty, what do you think of the current state of the treasury compared to the Yongle era
?" "It is certainly not as good." Zhengde was also frustrated. He had been on the throne for several months, and the Minister of Revenue, Han Wen
, was constantly complaining of poverty, requesting the Emperor to use the imperial treasury to supplement the national expenditures, but even the Emperor's household had no surplus grain.
"During the Yongle reign, the dynasty had only been established for a short time, and the Jingnan Rebellion had already occurred
. Yet, Emperor Taizong still managed seven voyages to the Western Ocean, five expeditions to the Gobi Desert, the annexation of Jiaozhi in the south, the construction of Wudang Mountain, the extensive renovation of Bao'en Temple, and the construction of the Forbidden City—all requiring mountains of gold and seas of silver, yet there was no shortage
of daily necessities. Now, the Ming Dynasty has enjoyed long-term peace, and the people are thriving, yet there is no wealth to be used. Why
? Simply because the seas offer boundless business opportunities and inexhaustible wealth. Eunuch Zheng not only enhanced the prestige of our Ming Dynasty but also brought abundant funds to the treasury and the nation
's resources..."
Emperor Zhengde sat on the imperial steps, pondering Ding Shou's words. He had thought he had found a companion to relieve his boredom, but
he hadn't expected such insightful words. From a young age, he had loved martial arts and admired the heroic figures of Emperors Taizu and Taizong, galloping across battlefields
. The vast desert, sailing the seven seas—this is the true ambition of a man.
He had thought the empty treasury and everything was but a fleeting dream, but today, a new door has been opened in his heart.
"I wish to emulate Emperor Taizong and achieve great feats," the young emperor stood up, his eyes filled with
fervent anticipation. "Would you be willing to lend me a hand?
" Liu Jin and Ding Shou exchanged a glance, then bowed in unison, saying, "We are willing to join Your Majesty in creating an unparalleled foundation."
Just as the three, emperor and his ministers, were filled with boundless enthusiasm, Zhang Yong's voice rang out from outside the hall, "Your Majesty, the three Grand Secretaries request an audience outside the hall
."
The young emperor, poised for grand ambitions, immediately wilted, hastily wiping his mouth, saying, "What to do, what
to do? Quickly put these things away, lest they see them." Ding Shou wondered why the emperor was acting like a nervous schoolboy
about to be caught watching pornography, when it was just some snacks. Liu Jin advised, "There's no time to pack them up. Your Majesty should meet the Grand Secretaries outside the hall." Zhengde nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, see you outside." He went out first, followed by the other two. After the three elders performed the proper courtesies, Grand Secretary Liu Jian immediately produced a memorial, saying, "Since His Majesty ascended the throne , his conduct has been somewhat inappropriate. We, his old ministers, are here today to offer our remonstrance." It seemed they were there to point out the emperor's mistakes. Ding Shou noticed that although the young emperor looked helpless, he showed no surprise. It seemed this wasn't the first time. Liu Jin was about to take the memorial and present it to the Emperor, but the old man stepped aside, cleared his throat, and began to read it aloud in front of the Emperor . The old man's classical Chinese proficiency was undeniable; his memorial was written in elegant, flowing prose, a masterpiece of poetry . Ding Shou, with his limited knowledge, only caught the gist of it. It listed five major offenses of the Zhengde Emperor: First, the Emperor did not bring his entourage out of the palace, which was indeed inappropriate. A son of a noble family should not be allowed to leave his home unattended, as the consequences were too great. Second, he ate snacks indiscriminately ; no wonder he had been hiding like a thief earlier—he had probably been caught before. Third, he enjoyed hunting ; from an animal rights perspective, Ding Shou agreed, even if he didn't catch any animals, trampling on flowers and plants was still a problem . Fourth, he went boating on Beihai Lake; well, that counted too—a wise man avoids dangerous situations, and naturally, he shouldn't be boating on the lake either . The fifth point: These old men are just wandering around the palace. Are they just bored and causing trouble ? The Emperor can't even leave the palace, let alone wander around at home. So the young Emperor is supposed to live his life between the Qing Palace and Fengtian Gate ? This emperor is worse than a white-collar worker in later generations … The young Emperor patiently listened to the memorials, smiling, and said, “I have remembered your words, my dear ministers . I also have something to discuss with you. I want to reopen the voyages to the West…” Before he could finish, the old ministers exploded, “Your Majesty, you absolutely mustn't! The voyages of Zheng He to the West were a malpractice of the past ; how can we repeat that?” “Your Majesty’s enthronement edict was issued, and the whole country rejoiced, hoping for peace. Several months have passed, and there has been no news of streamlining or idleness …” " The edicts, which emphasize saving money and avoiding waste, are merely empty words, leading to imbalances in the yin and yang, and unpredictable weather. Now, Your Majesty intends to continue these corrupt practices; how can you appease the people?" "When the late Emperor passed away, he held this old minister's hand and said, 'Your Majesty is wise, but still young, and fond of comfort and pleasure . He wanted us to assist Your Majesty in becoming a wise ruler. Now, Your Majesty intends to implement chaotic policies; how can I face the late Emperor? This old minister begs to retire.'" Zhengde knew that if he displeased these officials, they would ultimately threaten him with resignation . He immediately offered gentle words of comfort, admitting his mistakes. The three officials used this opportunity to persuade Zhengde to agree to resume the daily lectures on the classics, and only then did they leave satisfied. Having failed to accomplish what he wanted and now having to attend lectures every day, Zhengde's anger was palpable . Ignoring his appearance, he plopped down on the threshold of the main hall, panting heavily. "Your Majesty is acting too hastily. This matter should be handled gradually," Ding Shou advised. "Why? It's clearly something beneficial to the country, so why do they portray it as a tyrannical act like that of Jie and Zhou ? " "Actually, the civil officials in the court might see the benefits, but they simply don't want those benefits to fall into the hands of the palace ," Liu Jin said slowly. The palace eunuchs, unburdened by family ties and lacking descendants to inherit, were ideal candidates for military leadership, yet the civil officials couldn't accept that a physically disabled person could achieve greater feats than themselves. Seemingly fearing the two wouldn't believe him, Liu Jin gave another example: "In the past, when Annam was in turmoil, Wang Zhi once tried to take the opportunity to recover it. "

"Looking for old maps and documents from the Ministry of War regarding the pacification of Annam, Liu Daxia persuaded Yu Zijun, the then Minister of War,
to stop it on the grounds that the southwest should not be plunged into chaos."
Zhengde stood up, his face cold, and said, "As the Minister of War, instead of thinking about opening up the borders and defending the country, you hinder military operations at every turn
. You are truly unworthy of being called a son." He turned and entered the main hall.
Zhang Yong, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "Eunuch Liu, please be careful with your words
. The officials in the court have good intentions, and they should at least show some consideration for the Emperor."
Liu Jin rolled his eyes, "I've never studied in the Imperial Study, and I have no teacher-student relationship with these officials
. What consideration is there to speak of?"
Zhang Yong's expression changed, and he followed Liu Jin into the Fengtian Hall without saying another word. Only Liu Jin and Ding Shou remained on the platform in front of
the hall
. Ding Shou leaned closer, "Grand Eunuch, who was the Emperor referring to just now ? Was it Yu Zijun from the Chenghua era, or the current Minister of War, Liu Daxia ?" Liu Jin ignored him, simply looking up at the sky, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said, "That's enough for today ." Chapter Twenty-Nine : Golden Branches and Jade Leaves The Embroidered Uniform Guard had been in turmoil lately. Since Baili Ben was ordered to reorganize the Embroidered Uniform Guard, countless once-powerful officials had been either sidelined or dismissed, and key positions had been filled by Shi Wenyi's cronies . The ruthlessness of the purge was such that even the originally neutral nobles and officials despised his character. Inside Ding Shou's signing room, a man surnamed Qian, whom he had tricked with a peanut, knelt on the ground, complaining of his grievances. "My lord, you must do me justice! Baili Ben used a trivial pretext to demote me three ranks. How can a mere seventh-rank officer serve you?" Ding Shou didn't answer, but instead flipped through the documents the young man had brought. After a while, he slowly said, "He doesn't know you're one of my men, does he?" "He knew, but he still dared to do it. Even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner," the young man said with a fawning smile. "I followed your orders , constantly cursing him in public for his disloyalty and injustice, but now no one dares to challenge me." "The people he replaced were all Weng Taibei's cronies." "That's right, but when filling the vacancies, he placed several of his own cronies there. It's only thanks to Weng Taibei… cough …" "...Weng Taibei used to trust him so much, and now he'd practically wipe out all his relatives and friends just for that official uniform ." "It's human nature to install one's own people," Ding Shou nodded in satisfaction, smiling, "Well done. After this period, I'll get you a chiliarch position." The young man was overjoyed and kowtowed, "Thank you for your cultivation, sir . This humble servant, Qian Ning, is willing to die for you." He tapped the documents that had just been delivered, "These people haven't been mistaken, have they ?" "Don't worry, sir, this humble servant has personally verified them." "What's the reason ?" "Worried about the safety of the former master's family." A sinister laugh escaped his lips. Watching the autumn wind swirl the fallen leaves across the courtyard outside the window, Ding Shou walked into the courtyard and shouted, " Guards! " "Here." The Imperial Guards poured out of the cell. "Let's go beg for alms. " *************** Since Weng Taibei and Deng Ren were imprisoned, the Caishen Mansion has been shrouded in gloom. Initially, due to Weng Taibei's still-powerful influence , business hadn't suffered much loss. However, since Shi Wenyi took control of the Imperial Guards and Qu Xingwu was killed, the Deng Mansion's fortunes plummeted. The Imperial Guards originally stationed in the mansion had all withdrawn. Without Deng Ren in charge, businesses in various branches were in dire straits. Only then did Weng Xizhu realize that her supposed wisdom and control were worthless without her father's protection and her husband's management. During this time, she had tried every means to see her father, but to no avail. One day, while sitting at home in worry, pondering her next move, a servant came to report, "Madam, there's a Jinyiwei Commander, Ding Shou, outside who claims to have something to discuss with you." Outside the Deng residence, Ding Shou led a group of Jinyiwei guards to the gate, but was stopped by the Deng family's guards. Ding Shou wasn't annoyed, and continued chatting and joking with his men. Weng Xizhu, her face frosty, walked to the gate. "I wonder what brings you here, Lord Ding ?" "I wouldn't presume to offer advice, but I have some matters to discuss with Miss Weng." Ding Shou slapped his forehead. "I forgot to pay my respects to Miss Weng. Oh dear, that's inappropriate. It's against etiquette for an official to bow to a commoner while in official robes. Does Miss Weng have any other favors to help with this urgent matter?" The accompanying Jinyiwei guards laughed. Weng Xizhu's face turned deathly pale with anger. "If Lord Ding's purpose in doing this is merely to humiliate me, then I will not entertain you." "Wait," Ding Shou replied, "I am but a lowly official, and while I may not be of much help to you, Miss, your father is currently imprisoned . I have plenty of time to look after him." Weng Xizhu turned around, gritting her teeth, and said, "What do you intend to do? " "Let's speak in private," Ding Shou said, his smile fading. Weng Xizhu was about to swallow her anger and invite Ding Shou inside when suddenly she heard the neighing of horses . A troop of cavalry escorted a luxuriously decorated carriage as it approached. The carriage before him was familiar to Ding Shou; he had seen it once before when he first entered the capital. Sure enough , the curtain was lifted, and a young man in fine clothes , barely twenty years old, stepped down. It was none other than Zhu Youxu, the Prince Rong, the younger brother of Emperor Hongzhi. Zhu Youxu smiled warmly, ignoring the others, and said to the people inside the carriage, "Royal Sister, we've arrived. Please alight." A slender wrist extended, and five bright red fingers, stained with balsam juice, lightly rested on Zhu Youxu's hand . A noblewoman in palace attire, adorned with jewels, slowly stepped down. Her eyes casually swept over the crowd, her imperial air naturally radiating outwards . Everyone knelt down, "Greetings, Prince Rong; greetings, Grand Princess Renhe. " Ding Shou was completely taken aback when two people stepped out of the carriage. It wasn't until everyone was paying their respects that he realized who the woman was.

It turned out to be Princess Renhe, the eldest daughter of Emperor Xianzong, the most beloved younger sister of Emperor Hongzhi, and the aunt of the current Emperor Zhengde
. She immediately knelt down to pay her respects.
A flowing, dark-patterned brocade palace dress moved before Ding Shou, and a clear voice rang out: "This gentleman looks unfamiliar. May I ask who this esteemed guest
is?" Though not cold, her voice possessed a natural air of unapproachable nobility . Before Ding Shou could reply, Weng Xizhu interjected: "This is none other than Lord Ding Shou, the Fourth Head of the Eastern Depot and the newly appointed Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Her words were sarcastic, tinged with schadenfreude. Princess Renhe gave a soft "Oh," and said, "So you're just a royal servant. How dare you be so ignorant of imperial etiquette ! How did Liu Jin raise his servants!" I held back, "This humble official was momentarily oblivious and failed to greet Your Majesty in time. Please forgive me, Your Highness." "If you want to take your punishment, go find Liu Jin. I don't want to overstep my bounds. Today, I'll teach you a lesson. Since you forgot to kneel to greet me, then kneel until I come out." Zhu Youshu sneered and said, "Your Majesty, do n't get angry with these uncouth people. Madam Deng, I heard that you have a phoenix guqin in your residence, which belonged to Zhao Feiyan of the Han Palace. Today, I have specially invited Your Majesty to appreciate it . Please don't think we are disturbing you." "Your Highness is too kind. The Deng residence is always ready to welcome you two. If you have time today, please play a few more tunes ." "A few songs." Weng Xizhu was in high spirits, no longer the dejected woman she once was. As the group entered the mansion, only the Imperial Guards knelt in the dust in the chilly autumn wind. They were no longer arrogant; now they were even inferior to the guards of the Deng family. The Deng family's gates opened to the street, and passersby pointed and whispered . The Imperial Guards felt their faces burning with shame. They stole glances at the instigator of today's events, only to see their superior with his head bowed , his shoulders trembling with anger. They quickly lowered their heads as well. These men were all seasoned veterans of officialdom ; for subordinates to see their superiors humiliated was a major taboo in officialdom. They were all determined to keep today's events buried deep inside and never mention them again. If these people could see Master Ding's face now while lying on the ground, they would probably be utterly astonished . His face, which should have been contorted with anger and embarrassment , now held an undisguised smile; if it weren't for his trembling shoulders, he would have burst out laughing on the spot. **************** ... Weng Xizhu served Zhu Youshu a cup of fragrant tea, saying, " We are deeply grateful to the two princes for their help this time." "Madam Deng, you flatter me. I am a close friend of Deng Ren, and I would never stand idly by while his family is bullied ." Weng Xizhu asked, puzzled, "Your Highness's arrival is so timely. Did you already know that an unpleasant guest had come to the Deng residence today ?" Prince Rong nodded in agreement, "A Jinyiwei guard named Qian Ning, who was originally stationed at your residence, came to report this." Zhu Youshu couldn't help but praise, "Lord Weng is truly skilled at managing his subordinates. Even today, someone has committed a crime, yet you still manage to keep your residence safe ." "It's him!" Weng Xizhu sighed, "Your Highness, please don't joke. You can only know a person's face, not their heart ." " When the Deng family was in dire straits, it was a lowly centurion who lent a helping hand, while Baili Ben, whom my father regarded as his right-hand man, betrayed us . Now, Xizhu can't even see my father. I wonder if Your Highness could make an exception for her in the imperial prison?" Zhu Youshu looked troubled. "It's not that I'm making excuses, but I'm just a leisurely member of the imperial clan in the capital, without any official position or power . If it were the Embroidered Uniform Guard handling official business, I'm afraid they wouldn't be able to handle it. At this time, we still need to rely on the palace." Weng Xizhu put her hand to her forehead. "How easy is that? Xizhu's imperial gold token has been taken back. If the General of the Great Han guarding the palace gates doesn't inform me, I don't know when I'll be able to enter the palace." "That's why I didn't come alone this time," Zhu Youshu said with a smile. Renhe pressed the strings, and the music stopped abruptly. Turning to Zhu Youshu, she said, "Thirteenth Brother, don't drag me into this. You know that the Empress Dowager and her sister-in-law don't get along." " Not with the Empress Dowager? But the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager are quite harmonious," Zhu Youshu laughed. "With the Empress Dowager's help, it's not impossible for Lord Weng and his son-in-law to escape imprisonment." Renhe's face lit up with pride. Her fingertips lightly caressed the strings, and she said nothing more. Zhu Youshu gave Weng Xizhu a wink and pointed to the zither. Weng Xizhu understood. Though secretly pained, she smiled and said, "It's said that a precious zither should be given to a kindred spirit. Today, hearing the Grand Princess play the zither, I am deeply honored. I will use this zither to repay your kindness." "I feel unworthy to accept it, but it would be impolite to refuse. Then I will go to the palace and try it out," Renhe said with a smile. " No ... Prince Consort... I really... can't take it anymore... Please spare me..." Moans accompanied the flickering lamplight . The rosewood table creaked in protest, and the two intertwined figures were reflected on the white wall by the crimson light. Yi Hong's two long, slender legs dangled limply over the table. Ding Shou, his eyes bloodshot, held her waist firmly to the table, forcefully biting at one of her exposed breasts, thrusting his engorged member in and out with all his might. Sweat dripped from his forehead, falling between her full breasts , gradually forming a small stream between her already sweaty peaks. On the other side of the bed, a mess unfolded. Yiqing lay sprawled on the edge, her body covered in bruises, her hair disheveled, her arms crossed above her head, her legs spread at an odd angle, a wet patch between them, a clump of pubic hair soaked through and clinging to her sweaty mons pubis. Saliva unconsciously dripped from the corners of her mouth, and only her breasts, marked with teeth marks, rose and fell slightly, indicating that she was still alive. Yihong's voice was hoarse from shouting. Today, as soon as the young master returned to his room, he made the two sisters change into theatrical costumes and perform a song called "Beating the Golden Branch." The two sisters were dressed as Princess Shengping, while the young master himself played both Guo Ziyi and his son Guo Ai.

The two had barely sung a few lines when the young master tore off her clothes, declaring he wanted to perform a scene of the Prince of Fenyang taking advantage of the princess
. Unlike his usual fierce yet tender manner, he immediately wanted to ravage them. Yiqing was brutally violated
, her hips splayed out, and she urinated on the bed, soaking half of the young master's body. The young master wasn't angry; he simply moved the battlefield
to the table. Yihong couldn't even remember how many times she had climaxed; her lower body was numb and without feeling, only
the slapping sounds of skin hitting skin told her the nightmare wasn't over.
The massive object withdrew again but didn't continue. Yihong squinted, not yet noticing anything amiss, when
the sound of tearing fabric ripped her costume to shreds. A strong force flipped her over, turning her face down. She only
let out a soft groan; now even her fingertips were too weak. Whether she lay down or up was entirely up to him.
Ding Shou looked at Yi Hong's smooth, jade-like back. The glistening sweat on her body had dried into beads and trickled down her smooth spine towards her buttocks
. Before reaching that indentation, he wiped it away. Grabbing Yi Hong's feet,
he thrust his erect penis into her muddy slit, entering her again. Like pushing a rooster cart, his hands and penis formed three fulcrums
, lifting her delicate body. The sounds of their impact rang out again, interspersed with occasional, faint moans from Yi Hong
.
Yi Hong had lost count of how many times she had fainted and woken up. She was finally jolted awake by a surge of heat in her chest
. The young master, equally drenched in sweat, lay on top of her, panting, gently biting her earlobe. She vaguely heard
Ding Shou whisper, "What does it feel like to manipulate a princess?"
Having grown up in an opera troupe, Yi Hong knew that the play was paramount. Even in her dazed state, she remained immersed in the
role. "Prince Consort... now... isn't he... doing... this?"
As if hearing Ding Shou chuckle, Yi Hong clearly felt the already ejaculated penis rapidly swell
. With a muffled groan, the tender flesh deep within her was pierced again. "Is it... not... over yet
?"
Ding Shou straightened his body, pushing his massive member even deeper. He gathered his long, loose hair behind his head with both hands,
and said with a wicked smile, "Everything is just beginning.
" Chapter Thirty
: Long Years in Prison
The Northern Garrison Command, the Imperial Prison.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard, with its formidable and ruthless power, acts solely on imperial orders; the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate have no jurisdiction over
their cases. Arrested individuals can be directly tortured and interrogated here. The prison is "impervious to fire and water, filled with the stench of plague." Eighteen kinds
of torture instruments and forty-eight sets of severe punishments are used, resulting in horrific deaths, yet they are not bound by the law.
The blue brick prison walls are five zhang high, covered with dense iron caltrops, making them impassable even for the most skilled martial artists. The only
entrance is a heavy, dark iron gate at the base of the wall. A guide rail at the bottom requires both those inside and outside to turn a winch
to open the massive iron gate. Similarly, there are seven layers of iron gates, each extending deeper into the ground, requiring
both those inside and outside to turn the winch to open for entry and exit.
Since the establishment of the Northern Garrison Command, apart from imperial edicts that could release living people, all those released from the prison were carried out
. Over the years, the prison was often filled with the wailing of wronged souls, and ghostly figures lingered within its walls
. Even at midday when the sun was strong, a chilling wind still blew through this small world, sending shivers down one
's spine. There were seven checkpoints, each with a cell behind it. Weng Taibei and his son-in-law were
imprisoned behind the first checkpoint. This cell had a small skylight that let in sunlight. When Weng Taibei was first brought in after being flogged,
Qu Xingwu could still arrange for someone to bring him wound medicine. However, as the Embroidered Uniform Guard was purged, the care Weng Taibei and his son-in-law received
became less and less, and they were even isolated from the world.
Weng Taibei, possessing profound martial arts skills, endured the beating at court that day and promptly applied medicine. Although his external injuries had not fully healed
, and he could not lie down, he could move slightly. He was currently lying on a pile of straw, enjoying a rare moment of sunshine.
"Father, it's all my fault for causing you suffering." In the cell opposite Weng Taibei was
Deng Ren, the wealthy young man. Thanks to the food in the imperial prison, his once round face had become thin, revealing
some of his original handsome features.
Seeing the once imposing commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard now sprawled out in the sun like an old man in the countryside,
Deng Ren felt a pang of pity. He had originally been willing to have his family's property confiscated and be executed, but now he felt a pang of regret for his impulsive actions that day
.
"A real man shouldn't be so fussy all day long. I've already told you that saving your life is my own decision, what does it have to do
with you?" Weng Taibei turned around and laughed, scolding. Although he looked haggard, he was optimistic and open-minded.
"Giving away the imperial gift was solely my doing, and I should bear the blame alone. Now, however, it has implicated
you, leading to your flogging and imprisonment."
"You cannot bear that," Weng Taibei laughed. "Liu Jin and his men clearly want your life, and might even use
a pretext to confiscate your property for national funds. My taking the blame at least ensures your and Xizhu's survival."
Deng Ren lowered his head in shame. "In the end, it was my lust that clouded my judgment, leading to this grave mistake."
Weng Taibei laughed loudly. "You dare to say that? If you weren't my son-in-law, would Liu Jin have gone to such lengths to scheme against
you? Ultimately, it is I who have implicated you." His voice lowered. "Xizhu lost her mother at
a young age, and her father raised her as her mother, spoiling her and making her domineering and unreasonable. If she had married into another family, I doubt she would have
..." "Being divorced in anger is a sign of constant quarrels and unrest in the home. I chose you as my son-in-law because I valued your humility and your impetuous nature
. Alas, you've suffered so much these past years."
Unexpectedly, Weng Taibei spoke so frankly. He recalled how he was once just a money exchange owner, yet he had
gained the favor of the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who married his beloved daughter to him. Over the years, his family fortune had multiplied several times. While he was skilled in business
, he had also benefited from his wife's family's influence. He felt deeply wronged by his constant self-pity and the discord within his household.
His heart was filled with guilt.
As the sun began to set, Weng Taibei shifted his position in the sunlight and said softly, "Actually, I should thank you
. After decades of ups and downs in officialdom, it's rare to have these few days of leisure, no longer having to be subservient and manipulated
. I can finally shed that official robe and be myself without a care in the world."
Deng Ren was about to speak again when the iron gate outside slammed shut, followed by hurried footsteps. "Father..."
"Husband, how are you...?"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Weng Taibei, who had previously been indifferent to gains and losses, became emotional. "Yes, yes, all is well
. Xizhu, what brings you here
?" Weng Xizhu opened the food box in her hand, took out the wine and dishes, and handed them to the two of them. Seeing Deng Ren's sunken cheeks,
she couldn't help but burst into tears. "You... have suffered."
"It's alright, it's alright. You always told me to lose weight, and now I've finally slimmed down. I'll take off my clothes later so you
can check." Although she was joking, tears couldn't help but flow down her face.
Wiping away her tears, Weng Xizhu laughed through her sobs, "You're so silly! Father's right here
." Weng Taibei remained calm, sipping his wine and eating his food, "Don't listen to what's improper. I didn't hear anything."
Weng Xizhu stamped her foot and scolded, "Father—"
"Haha—" Weng Taibei rarely saw his daughter acting like a child, and couldn't help but laugh heartily
. After laughing, he suddenly remembered something, "Xizhu, how did you get into the imperial prison
?" "I asked the Grand Princess Renhe for help, and went to the palace to persuade the Empress Dowager. Now that we have received the imperial decree, I'm afraid
... you'll be released from prison soon."
Deng Ren was overjoyed upon hearing this, but Weng Taibei's expression became serious.
"Father, what's wrong?" Weng Xizhu noticed her father's unusual expression.
Weng Taibei closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then opened them and said, "Xizhu, you did a bad job on this . "
**********
... Feeling rebuffed, Ding Shou continued, "I had already instructed Shi Wenyi that the palace guards would never allow anyone related to the Weng family to enter the palace. Who would have thought that Weng Xizhu would get in through the connections of Princess Renhe? The palace guards couldn't very well stop her . As a result, today Weng Xizhu received an imperial decree to visit someone in the imperial prison. I heard that the Empress Dowager even sent a message to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, saying that they probably can't keep Weng Taibei under control. If they let the tiger return to the mountain, they'll probably lose the Jinyiwei they just acquired." Liu Jin moistened his index finger with the teacup beside him, picked up a page from a book, and turned it over without even glancing at him. Seeing the old eunuch so carelessly ruining the Song Dynasty edition book, Ding Shou swallowed hard and tugged at Liu Jin's sleeve, saying, "Eunuch , please help me." With a "snap," Liu Jin closed the book, dipped his finger in water, and quickly wrote a character on the nearby table . Ding Shou leaned closer to look; it read, "稳" (wěn, meaning "steady" ). "When you see Weng Xizhu, thank her. She taught you this character," the old eunuch said, flipping through the book . "Eunuch, what does this mean?" Ding Shou was completely baffled. "His Majesty is sentimental and lenient towards old ministers. Weng Taibei is keeping quiet; he'll probably be locked up for a while, and once His Majesty's anger subsides, he'll be released. That's why we were so eager to send you to infiltrate the Embroidered Uniform Guard." "And now? " "Now Weng Xizhu is desperately seeking favors and using the Empress Dowager's decree to pressure the Emperor, which will only incite his resentment . Haste makes waste." "But the Empress Dowager's decree—" What troubled Ding Shou most was the decree from that old woman in the harem. "The relationships among the nobles in the palace are incredibly complex. If you don't know how to leverage their influence, you can forget about this job . Go and look at the Embroidered Uniform Guard's files and find a solution." With that, Liu Jin waved his hand dismissively, shooing Ding Shou away like a fly. ********** ... Seeing the elderly Minister of Justice, over seventy years old, lose his temper, the young official was so frightened that he knelt down, "Your humble servant obeys ! Your humble servant will release the prisoner immediately!" With a creaking sound, the prison gates of the Ministry of Justice opened, and a disheveled old man emerged. Perhaps due to prolonged lack of sunlight, he awkwardly shielded his eyes from the sun with his arm , only slowly lowering it once he could open his eyes. Wandering the streets of the capital, surrounded by the cries of vendors, his stomach rumbling, the penniless old man endured his hunger, slowly making his way home. "Oh, isn't this Imperial Relative Zheng? This humble servant greets you!" A cheerful voice rang in his ears…

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