Chapter 2: Escaping

  "Shi Yingzhao!" Zhu Yuqian and Zeng's wife exclaimed in unison.

  Zhu Ping'an and Cao Wu Shang's faces also changed. Could it be that the news had leaked out, and they had secretly entered the forbidden palace to collude with the crime lord? That would be a real death sentence. Shi Ying Jue wouldn't let them off easily this time. Listening to the footsteps outside the courtyard, trying to escape was already impossible, could it be that they could only wait for death?

  Everyone's eyes were fixed on Zhu Yuqian, who was sitting upright on the bed. Zhu Yuqian let out a long sigh and stood up with the support of Zeng Shi, instructing Zou Jing, "Good fortune and bad luck are predetermined by heaven, go open the door!"

  Zou Jing looked at Zhu Ping'an and Cao Wushang with a hesitant gaze, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

  At this time, Zhu Ping'an was also a bit flustered, but having lived two lives, his composure was incredibly deep. The information of the officials of Fengyang's military and civil administration, as well as the entanglements of favors and grudges among the top nobles of the Chongzhen dynasty, flashed through his mind like a lantern, and in an instant, he had a general plan of response. Zhu Ping'an took a deep breath, turned to Zou Jing, "Lord Zou, open the door!"

  The gate burst open, and more than a dozen sturdy men in blue robes rushed into the courtyard, surrounding an eunuch wearing a crimson robe. The eunuch was about forty years old, with a particularly striking hawk-like nose. Behind him, two strong men pushed a bound and gagged High Wall Guard flag bearer to the ground, who was the same person who had just escorted Zhu Ping'an into the High Wall.

  Zhu Yuqian supported Zeng's arm and walked down the steps, bowing to the eunuch, "Stone Gonggong......!"

  Fengyang Huangling Town Guardian Eunuch Shi Yingjiao waved his hand, interrupting Zhu Yuqian's words. "Commoner Zhu Yuqian, Hundred Household of High Wall Garrison Zhu Ping'an, do you two know your crimes?"

  Zhu Yu Jian glanced at Zeng Shi, and a hint of despair flashed in both of their eyes. The two hesitated for a moment, then made a gesture as if they were about to kneel down.

  Zhu Ping'an stepped forward a few steps, blocking Zhu Yuqian and his wife, although he was extremely unwilling in his heart, but still rushed to kneel down before them, "High wall guard hundred households Zhu Ping'an sees Stone Gonggong, I don't know what crime Stone Gonggong is talking about?"

  Shi Yingzhao coldly laughed and said, "Without permission, privately entering the high walls and meeting with the head of the sect is a capital offense!"

  Zhu Ping'an, who was standing behind Cao Wu Shang, heard this and wanted to immediately rise up, but was pulled back by Zhu Ping'an. The several constables around them saw the situation and quickly drew their swords from their scabbards, guarding Shi Ying Jue in front of him.

  Shi Yingjiao waved his hand lightly, and the man bowed and retreated. Shi Yingjiao smiled immediately, "What's going on, do you still want to kill me on the spot and silence me?"

  Zhu Ping'an slowly stood up, pulling out the short knife and iron claw from his body and throwing them to the ground. "Sir, you must be joking. I am just a humble hundred households, how dare I offend your mighty power? Since I was seen by you today, please give me an opportunity to say a few words."

  Shi Yingzhao smiled and nodded, "In times of crisis, the Tang Wangfu is indeed a well-trained household slave! Alright, let's hear what you have to say!"

  Zhu Ping'an took two more steps forward, and immediately two men came up, one on the left and one on the right, to guard Shi Yingzhou.

  "Your Excellency, I am from the household of Tang Wang..." Zhu Ping'an said loudly. Shi Yingjiao immediately cut off Zhu Ping'an's words, "It is Tang Shu people, now the King of Tang is Zhu Youjian!"

  Zhu Ping'an nodded, "Yes, yes, it's Tang Shu. Tang Shu has been imprisoned in the high wall since last year, and it's already been a year. This year, I don't know what crime he committed against the master, but his meals are often missing, even his daily necessities are sometimes unavailable. Recently, I heard that the master has imposed the punishment of wearing shackles on Tang Shu. As a humble servant of the Tang Wang Fu, I am worried about my master's household and snuck into the high wall at night, taking full responsibility for my actions. However, please forgive my ignorance, Master, I don't know where Tang Shu has wronged you, please speak clearly so that we servants can also comfort Tang Shu and dispel this misunderstanding!"

  "This has nothing to do with our family. The Great Ancestor Emperor established the high wall in Zhongdu to punish the guilty, with the intention of making them reflect on their ancestors' foundation and the difficulties of pioneering, so that they may know to reform. Tang Shouren, a commoner from Zhu, led troops into the capital without imperial edict, which is a serious offense under the three laws of the Imperial Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Department of Rites, as well as the deliberation of the Grand Council and the Imperial Clan Court. Our family bears the responsibility of guarding the imperial mausoleum and supervising the guilty, so we dare not be lax. Where did you hear that our daily supplies were cut off? As for the punishment of wearing a cangue, it has existed since the Great Ancestor Emperor's time to punish the guilty, making them grind their hearts, reflect on their pain, and only then can they be reformed and perhaps pardoned in the future. You are just a small hundred-household, how can you understand such profound intentions?"

  "Ah, I see!" Zhu Ping'an's expression changed to one of sudden realization, and he bowed repeatedly to Shi Yingjue. But his tone suddenly turned sharp and pressing.

  "It was during the 15th year of Jiajing's reign that the imperial court issued a decree abolishing all forms of punishment within the Forbidden City, specifically stating that the daily necessities of food, clothing, and medicine for those imprisoned should not be neglected, lest any mishap occur to the imperial descendants within the palace walls. This too was an act of benevolence on Jiajing's part!"

  Behind him, Zhu Yuqian and Zeng's fourth son held hands and looked at each other, both discovering the strange expression in each other's eyes. How did the originally dull and foolish eldest son suddenly become clever and calm?

  Shi Yingjiao was taken aback, he didn't expect Zhu Ping'an, a mere hundred households, to understand so much. After a few words, he couldn't think of how to respond for a moment. His face sank, and he was about to erupt on the spot.

  But Zhu Ping'an would never give him that chance. Having been through the ups and downs of officialdom, Zhu Ping'an was well aware of the importance of striking while the iron is hot and using momentum to suppress others. He immediately put on a smile again, and his tone also became more gentle.

  "The Duke's painstaking efforts are indeed understood. However, once these matters spread out, the Duke's face will not look good. I heard that although Grand Commander Lu Xiangsheng has led his army to leave Fengyang, the imperial court has dispatched Governor Lu Zhenfei to patrol Zhongdu. Governor Lu is known for his straightforwardness, Your Excellency should consider, if these matters reach his ears..."

  Zhu Ping'an stole a glance at Shi Yingjue's reaction and saw that his face was becoming more and more unprepared, so he took the opportunity to add another piece of firewood.

  "It is also said that Lu Jiude, the eunuch guardian of Fengyang Town, and Gonggong were both from the palace. Although Fengyang was a secondary capital, it was the place where the ancestors of the Ming dynasty founded their empire. However, a big fire set by bandits has reduced Fengyang to its current state. In the past, Emperor Taizu filled Fengyang with wealthy households from all over the country, but now there are hardly any left."

  Shi Yingkui's eyes stared tightly at Zhu Pingan, his fists clenched involuntarily, and even the sound of "ka-ba-ka-ba" could be heard from his finger bones. "What do you want to say, don't beat around the bush!"

  "Exactly, exactly!" Zhu Ping'an's smile grew even brighter. "Now, let's open the window and speak frankly. Both you and Lord Lu Jiude are people of use in the palace. Since you've come to Fengyang, it means you want to accomplish something and return to the palace with honor. This way, you can easily obtain a position as a supervisor in the Imperial Censorate. I'm thinking on behalf of Your Excellency, for the affairs in Fengyang and the imperial mausoleum, stability is the top priority. If anything goes wrong, I'm just a humble existence, but if it delays your career advancement, that would be terrible!"

  "You're not afraid that our family will be eradicated right now!" A surge of deep red blood color rushed to Shi Yingjue's face, bright and dripping.

  The man beside him flashed his knife, and was about to chop towards Zhu Ping'an. Zhu Ping'an raised her head, and instead straightened her body even more. Suddenly, there were two "clang" sounds, and the two men on either side had blood marks on their wrists, and the blades in their hands had already fallen to the ground. The two of them stared blankly, and it was as if they hadn't even seen who had made the move.

  Cao Wushang casually patted the dust off his hands and retreated behind Zhu Ping'an. Shi Yingjue's subordinates looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear, and no one dared to make another move.

  "It's better for the Duke to know, I've always been one to consider people's intentions and make the worst-case scenario preparations. So before coming here, I had already arranged for someone to be on hand. If something were to happen between me and Tang Shangshan, there would definitely be someone who would make a big deal out of it, and it might even reach the Emperor's ears!" Zhu Ping'an said with a smile.

  Shi Yingjiao's face turned from red to white in an instant, and even his breathing became urgent. He barely suppressed a mouthful of anger, took another deep breath, and his slightly ferocious expression gradually calmed down. Then he burst out laughing, but his voice was sharp like a night owl.

  "Haha, indeed heroes emerge in youth! I didn't expect the Tang Wang Fu to be a place where dragons and tigers are hidden. Two young men with such abilities, one with exceptional strategic thinking and the other with extraordinary martial arts skills. It seems that our family can no longer underestimate them!"

  Zhu Ping'an still had a smile on his face, bowing to Shi Yingjue, "Sir, you're too serious. My brother and I don't read much, we're just servants in the Wang mansion. We only have one heart to protect our master and one belly full of loyalty, nothing else. Please, sir, don't take offense! This..."

  As she spoke, Zhu Ping'an began to search her body and clothes, seemingly looking for something. After finding nothing, she directly started searching Cao Wujian's body.

  "Where did you put it? Hurry up and take it out!" Zhu Ping'an was getting a bit agitated.

  Shi Yingjie and his men retreated several steps in a flurry, as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

  Ts'ao was extremely reluctant, "Alas...!"

  Zhu Ping'an glared at him.

  "Master, that's...!" Cao Wu Shang hastily changed his words:

  "Come on, hurry up and get it out!"

  Cao Wu Shang slowly pulled something out of the cloth socks on his feet and reluctantly stuffed it into Zhu Ping An's hand.

  Zhu Ping'an smiled and handed the thing to Shi Ying-jue, "This is a little token from my younger brother, please accept it! It's to thank you for taking care of Tang Shu-ren!"

  Shi Yingjue let out a hum from his nose, and although these two people were hard to fathom, they had at least understood the ways of human relationships. But then a pungent smell wafted over on the wind, almost making Shi Yingjue dry heave.

  Shi Yingzhao made a gesture to a eunuch in green attire beside him, who pinched his nose and took over the object from Zhu Pingan's hand, carefully opening it, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

  Shi Yingzhao also stole a glance, and his facial expression relaxed.

  "What does Grandpa mean...?" Zhu Ping'an asked in a low voice.

  Shi Yingzhao watched as the eunuch in blue clothes stuffed the silver note into his sleeve, straightened up and said, "Tonight we're just here to inspect the high walls, nothing much has happened. It's late at night, tomorrow there's still work to be done, go get some rest early!"

  Zhu Ping'an smiled and bowed, "Farewell, Lord Shi!"