Chapter 68: The Great Search of Jing Shi

  Yang Ling led the group of Jin Yiwei, chasing after Zhu Houzhao, Liu Jin and others. Zhu Houzhao was following closely behind Gao Fengluo Xiang, far away from Yan Kuan. When he turned his head, he saw more than a dozen Jin Yiwei and couldn't help but praise: "This Yang Shiren has some skills, unexpectedly using only the identity of a servant to mobilize a team of Jin Yiwei, but I don't know if he has revealed my identity".

  Qian Ning caught up and saw his appearance, and couldn't help but be shocked, his eyes almost bulging out. Zhu Houzhao didn't recognize him, but he recognized Zhu Houzhao - this was the current crown prince! How did he come out of the palace? Qian Ning was secretly shocked in his heart, but dared not show it on his face. He looked around with his eyes and recognized that the scholars beside the crown prince were all eunuchs in disguise. His mind became even more certain.

  It's been said that the Emperor often takes the Crown Prince out of the palace to have fun, but I didn't expect the Crown Prince himself would sneak out. Looking at the people around him, it seems like he doesn't dare reveal his identity. Ha ha, whoever is with him has stumbled upon a great opportunity, one that can't be asked for!

  He didn't break the identity of Zhu Houzhao, but instead respectfully said to him: "Is the young master a friend of Brother Yang? Don't worry, I'll take care of this matter. These few greedy merchants, I will teach them a lesson on your behalf."

  He licked his lips, thinking regretfully: "Originally wanted to help Yang Tongzhi teach those merchants a lesson and extort some money from them, but now that the prince is present, it's not good to make a move."

  Zhu Houzhao looked at him with appreciation and said, "Good, the people I brought are all timid and afraid of trouble... Hmm... If they're not timid, nothing will be accomplished. This matter is entrusted to you, catch up with them and give them a good lesson."

  Qian Ning smiled slyly and said: "This is easy, get them into the alley, young master, you can do whatever you want."

  But they chased for a while, and Qian Ning gradually frowned, his expression becoming somewhat uneasy. He looked around, seeing that the blue-brick high walls nearby were increasing in number, with flying eaves and pavilions inside, and couldn't help but mutter to himself: "Did we really provoke a prince? This area... this area is all the residences of princes and nobles!"

  In front of a narrow and long alley, Gao Feng stood under the archway at the entrance of the alley, beckoning to them. As they ran closer, Gao Feng said: "Young Master, this alley is narrow and long, Luo Xiang has gone in, are we still chasing?"

  "Chase! Why not chase?" Zhu Houzhao glared: "Am I afraid of them?" Qian Ning originally had some trepidation in his heart, but upon hearing Zhu Houzhao's words, he was suddenly reminded - who was the person in front of him? The current crown prince, the future emperor! What did offending a king or noble matter? As long as he pleased him, wealth and glory would be within reach.

  It is often said that wealth and honor are sought in danger, but if one cannot even bear this little risk, how can they rise to greatness? Moreover, as a member of the Brocade Guard, Northern Town Patrol and Pacification Commission, even if one is just a public servant, who would not give them some face?

  Thinking of this, Qian Ning's courage was boosted, and he even wished to really encounter a powerful minister, let himself suffer a bit, and leave a deeper impression on Zhu Houzhao. The group hastily walked through the alleys, this area was a high-end residential district for meritorious officials, but it was already at the boundary with the ordinary people's residential district.

  Lu Shi turned around and saw them approaching, pointing to a large mansion in front of him, stuttering: "Young master, that person...that person entered this gate."

  Everyone looked towards the gate, it was a grand mansion with a large vermilion copper ring door, high stone steps on both sides crouched a pair of brocade lions, as tall as two people.

  Everyone took a look, except for Zhu Houzhao and Yang Ling, they were all shocked. Qian Ning couldn't help but exclaim: "Shouning Marquis Manor?"

  Yang Ling also saw the four golden characters 'Shou Ning Hou Fu' on the lintel, but he didn't take it to heart. That Yan Kuan was coarse in words and deeds, and didn't look like a noble at all, at most just a steward of the Hou Mansion. Among these people, there were princes, Imperial Guards, and future treacherous officials, so why should he be afraid of him?

  But he took a look around and felt that something was not quite right. Liu Jin, Zhang Yong and others beside him all showed fear in their eyes, and Gu Dazhong's smile had become somewhat bitter. This Lord Hou seemed to have great power? In his impression... it seemed that he hadn't heard of any Lord Hou being so powerful in the Ming Dynasty.

  Yang Lingzheng felt strange, Liu Jin had already said to Zhu Houzhao: "Young master, this is the residence of the imperial uncle, let's not look at the monk's face but the Buddha's face, shall we... just forget it?" He intentionally emphasized the three words "imperial uncle" when he mentioned them.

  Yang Ling suddenly realized that the current emperor only had one empress, and the vast harem didn't even have a single concubine. It was imaginable how much he doted on the empress. This marquis's manor was actually the residence of the empress's own brother, no wonder they were so arrogant.

  Zhu Houzhao, the crown prince, was by nature easy-going. Although his status was extremely noble, he didn't take it to heart when a lowly commoner punched him. The reason he insisted on pursuing this matter was mainly to win the favor of that Tang Yixian girl.

  But then he saw the Shou Ning Marquis's estate and realized that Yan Kuan was probably a servant in the marquis's household, yet he still refused to give up. It was his uncle's house, and his uncle's servants were also his own servants; being beaten by one of his own family's servants was something he couldn't tolerate, no matter how easy-going he was.

  He was the biological son of Empress Zhang, but he had little affection for her. There were rumors in and out of the palace that he was actually born to a palace maid who had been favored by the Hongzhi Emperor, but was taken away by the childless Empress Zhang. He had heard whispers of this before, although he didn't quite believe it. However, it was true that Empress Zhang had never been very affectionate towards him. As a result, he also kept his distance from his two uncles, Zhang Hejing, Marquis of Shouning, and Zhang Yanling, Marquis of Jianchang.

  Zhu Houzhao sneered twice, thinking to himself: "Since they are people from the Shouning Marquis's residence, even if I were to rush in and capture them, Zhang Heling wouldn't dare make a fuss about it. If I lose face, isn't it also the Empress losing face?" He gritted his teeth, just about to order Liu Jin and the others to charge into the gate, when the vermilion-painted large gate creaked open once again.

  The crowd quickly retreated into the alley, only to see the man with a stern face leading a group of people out, walking along the high wall made of green bricks towards the left. Zhu Houzhao secretly rejoiced and whispered: "Follow him, wait until he turns around the corner, then beat him up fiercely, snatch the document and leave!"

  Liu Jin saw that the Crown Prince had made up his mind to deal with Yan Kuan, so he said: "Since it's like this, it's just that these friends invited by Yang Gong are too eye-catching. Why don't we wait here and change clothes with them? Let that little brat get beaten without knowing who did it, to avoid unnecessary trouble."

  Zhu Houzhao impatiently said: "Then hurry up, don't let him get away".

  Qian Ning was weighing the strengths of the Crown Prince and the Imperial Uncle, considering the gains and losses if he backed the wrong side. After hearing this perfect plan, he couldn't help but feel great joy. He hastily ordered Liu Jin and others to remove their long gowns, chose a few reliable subordinates, put on the green robes over their flying fish garments, and quietly made their way up.

  Zhu Houzhao was not willing to be lonely, and he pulled Yang Ling along with him. A few people quietly turned over the wall corner, only to see that this place was also a corner of Shou Ning Hou Fu, but the courtyard walls had all been demolished, as if they were expanding. On the left was a street, and on the other side of the street were ordinary civilians' residences. The new Shou Ning Hou Fu had demolished its courtyard walls, expanded its mansion, cut down trees by the road, and enclosed this road into the courtyard. The flying eaves and corners of several newly built buildings extended into the courtyards of the humble civilian homes on the other side of the short wall.

  More than a hundred workers were busy at work, and several men in the Hou Mansion's household attire stood by the low wall, shouting loudly to dozens of men, women, old and young on the road: "My master Hou is a reasonable man, look, has this house foundation occupied your yard? No, right? This street can't be walked through, just take a detour. What? Our master Hou's building has extended into your yard? If you have the ability to sue us, we haven't occupied even an inch of your land. The boundary in the sky is not written in the law, it belongs to your family too! Are you slandering Master Hou? I'll lend you two guts!"

  Yan Kuan led the way, rushing up with a loud noise: "What's going on? You bunch of troublemakers, coming to stir up trouble again. Lord Shou Ning is kind and generous, but you're still being presumptuous! Dammit, I'm telling you, I'll be heading to Badaling soon to take care of a big deal, repairing the Great Wall! Do you know that? If you keep delaying me with your nonsense, you'll have to pay a hefty sum of silver!"

  An old man leaning on a crutch stammered: "Yan Dage, the jujube tree in my house was cut down by your men, and the eaves are pressing against our east window sill, it's pitch black inside, sir..."

  A thug under Yan Kuan's command used a whip to lash the old man's shoulder, saying: "How many princes' and marquises' mansions in the capital were built by my master? No one has ever said that we bully the common people. You old codger, which eye of yours saw us cut down your jujube tree? Why don't you say it was your own wicked deed that brought the thunderbolt?"

  A group of servants from the nearby marquis's residence heard the loud laughter, and the old man's face turned bright red with rage as he trembled. Zhu Houzhao leaned in close to Qian Ning and said, "Hit him! Hit him and then run away. Ah, there must be a document in his arms that we need to snatch."

  After finishing, he ran away, just in line with Qian Ning's intention. He gave a signal to his subordinates and shouted: "Up!" Several Jin Yiwei heard the order and rushed up fiercely. These people were all skilled in empty-handed capture techniques, and when they hit people, they would specifically target joints, weaknesses, and vital parts. They had always been ruthless and unscrupulous.

  Qian Ning knew that these people had a close relationship with the Shou Ning Hou Fu, and he was somewhat apprehensive in his heart. He still had some reservations when taking action. Those several jiaolong and lishi were just carrying out orders, regardless of whether you were Zhang San, Li Si or Wang Er Mazi. They took ruthless action, like a sharp awn cutting through the wheat, instantly knocking down seven or eight people. The men were beaten so badly that they rolled around on the ground, clutching their shoulders, elbows and knees in agony, wailing incessantly.

  Qian Ning pinned down Yan Kuan, slapping him several times on the face, first making him dizzy and disoriented. Then he tore open his collar and rummaged through his clothes. Zhu Houzhao rushed over excitedly and kicked Yan Kuan's buttocks twice, laughing loudly. Qian Ning searched Yan Kuan's chest for a while, then looked up at Zhu Houzhao and said: "Your...Highness, there's nothing in his chest!"

  "Nothing?" Zhu Houzhao was taken aback, and suddenly flew into a rage. He kicked Yan Kuan's thigh root with one foot and scolded: "Did you just hide the thing back in the Marquis' mansion again?"

  Yan Kuan covered his lower body and shouted loudly, sobbing as he yelled: "You... you beast, what kind of person are you? Knowing I'm from the Hou Manor, how dare you... how dare you hurt me?"

  Zhu Houzhao heard him scolding himself as a little beast, and was about to kick again. Yang Ling pulled him back and nodded towards the side: "Young master, leave first, find another chance to ask for the document, they've gone to call people."

  Zhu Houzhao's face turned red as he said, "No way, what I've said is like spilled water, how can I let the young lady laugh at me? You must get the document back for me."

  Yang Ling could only helplessly guarantee: "This matter is on me, that document, within three days I will definitely get it in hand, and absolutely won't let the young master lose face".

  Zhu Houzhao listened and kicked Yan Kuan's body again, before being pulled away by Qian Ning and Yang Ling to escape hastily. People say that nobles encounter many storms when they go out, but today's experiences were too numerous. Yang Ling pulled Zhu Houzhao to run quickly, thinking about the chaotic and busy morning, without even seeing a shadow of Zheng He's sea chart, it was truly a big headache.

  The Marquis's courtyard really lived up to the saying "Once you enter the Marquis's gate, it's as deep as the sea". By the time the messenger had gathered the house servants, guards, instructors and masters under the leadership of the steward of the Hou Mansion and chased them out through the layers of gates, Yang Ling and others had long since run away without a trace.

  When Shou Ning Hou heard the news, he was furious. Yan Kuan was just a servant in his mansion, but his younger sister was Shou Ning Hou's concubine. In other words, Yan Kuan was the younger brother of the emperor's younger brother-in-law. One should consider the master when beating the dog, let alone beating his younger brother-in-law. Moreover, this younger brother-in-law had established his own business in construction and earned a lot of silver for him.

  Yesterday, he had just managed to get a lucrative contract for his younger brother-in-law to build the Great Wall at Badaling. If he were seriously injured, it would result in a huge loss of income. In his rage, Zhang He Ling sent someone to grab his token and ran to the Five Cities Military Command. The Five Cities Military Command was also shocked when they heard the news - someone had actually gone to the Shou Ning Marquis's residence to cause trouble! How could this be allowed? The Emperor was still inspecting the Imperial Academy, if these scoundrels dared to disturb the imperial carriage again, wouldn't they lose their heads?

  The touring censor, like facing a great enemy, personally took to the streets. In front of him, two whip-wielding attendants cracked their whips loudly on the street surface, making a shrill sound. Petty thieves and swindlers scurried away with their heads down, vendors selling goods on the street were as silent as cicadas in winter, and the entire city of Beijing was thrown into chaos like chickens and dogs flying about.

  Everyone was in a hurry, and the horses were galloping everywhere. Even the guards from the Imperial City and the patrol officers were all mobilized. Zhu Houzhao and others were led by Qian Ning to a familiar wine house, where they saw that even the Brocade Guards and the Imperial City Garrison had sent people to patrol the streets. Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but frown and sneer: "Great, just because a servant from the Marquis's mansion was beaten up, now it's almost like martial law has been declared! Li Taifu told me that in history, when imperial relatives abuse their power and suppress the emperor, haha, I think this Shouning Marquis is indeed more powerful than the Emperor himself!"

  PS: I received a Christmas card from the south of Colorful Clouds, with a riddle inside: What water has no fish? What mountain has no stone? What tree has no branches? What son has no father? What daughter has no husband? What city has no market?

  I searched online and found 7 or 8 different answers, but I know which one is the correct answer now, haha, happy, happy is happy, but still very sleepy, I'm going to sleep~~~, considering how sleepy I am, please remember to vote everyone ^_^