Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

After the night banquet, Zhu Han did not return home immediately, but walked slowly in a corner of the imperial garden, side by side with Zhu Biao.

"What the emperor's uncle said today was beyond my expectation." Zhu Biao said softly.

"I know you're worried that Shen Fu is difficult to tame, but it's precisely because he's arrogant that he's not easy to be used by others." Zhu Han's eyes were calm, "You need someone to speak for you when you're not comfortable, and to slap you in the face when you dare not."

Zhu Biao suddenly asked: "What if Your Majesty does not tolerate me in the end?"

Zhu Han stopped and turned to look at him. "Whether my brother will tolerate you or not depends not on the situation today, but on the changes tomorrow."

"Change?"

"You need to take one step at a time and turn an uncontrollable person into a person you can trust."

Zhu Biao's eyes deepened, "You mean... Zhu Di?"

Zhu Han smiled and said nothing.

The next day, after Zhu Di entered the palace to express his gratitude, he did not leave immediately, but took a detour to Yishan Hall.

"If Your Highness the Crown Prince really wants to build a college, why not let me present the blueprints?"

Zhu Biao was surprised, "Do you have the blueprints?"

"Father is suspicious, and we, as his subjects, should worry about him." Zhu Di said slowly, "I am just doing my filial duty."

Zhu Biao took the scroll and frowned slightly.

Zhu Di smiled and said, "I am only doing my best. Your Highness, please rest assured that I have no second thoughts."

He stepped back and performed the formal ceremony.

Zhu Biao stood in the hall, the scroll in his hand feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Outside the window, the wind blew the eaves, making a slight sound like the ringing of an evening bell.

Not far away, Zhu Han stood at the corner of the corridor, with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the two brothers coming and going. There was no joy or anger in his eyes, only an unfathomable cold light.

"The game has just begun." he whispered.

Late at night, the palace was so quiet that even the crackling of lamp wicks could be heard clearly.

Feng Jie stood by the window in the side hall, his clothes still on, his hands behind his back.

His shadow was stretched into a long and narrow shape by the moonlight, and was reflected obliquely on the patterned bricks, like another silent self.

Suddenly, a breeze from the outer courtyard blew up a dead leaf, which rolled to the ground. Feng Jie turned around and whispered, "Close the window. The wind is not right today."

Just as the attendant was about to step forward, Feng Jie said again, "Wait a minute." He slowly walked to the door and pushed it open with his own hand, but did not lock it, but left it slightly ajar.

He sat back at the table, took out a small seal, and gently pressed it on the silk paper. The seal had the two characters "慎独" (careful and alone) on it, simple and vigorous.

Soon, a figure quietly appeared outside the door. He said nothing, but gently placed a small blue cloth bag at the door.

"It's late today." Feng Jie's voice came from the room, faint and without any ups and downs, "If you still refuse to speak, I will not accept your things anymore."

The man hesitated for a moment, and finally knelt at the door and said in a very soft voice, "Captain Feng, I... I didn't want to get involved, but you saved my life that day, so I..."

"I saved you, not to listen to your nonsense." Feng Jie interrupted him, "Tell me, what did Lin Hong ask you to do?"

"Yes..." the man's voice trembled, "I was asked to secretly lure away the guard at the Shang Pharmacy so that he could lead people into the old storage vault around three o'clock in the morning."

Feng Jie frowned slightly and tapped the table with his fingers. "Old treasury...what did he take?"

"I... don't know. He ordered me not to ask, but after the job was done he gave me a string of golden melon seeds and said, 'This is not for you, but for the people behind you.'"

Feng Jie was silent for a long time, then suddenly sneered, "Lin Hong, Lin Hong... you are really good at hiding it."

He stood up, paced a few steps, and said, "Go away. From now on, don't appear within a hundred steps of the palace."

The man was stunned for a moment, then he kowtowed three times as if he had been pardoned and left in a hurry.

Feng Jie stood there, staring at the empty bag in front of the door for a long time, then suddenly turned and walked into the inner hall. He pushed open a hidden door, took out a small copper-locked cabinet, and took out a very thin book from it.

That was the secret file of the palace, which recorded all the irregularities that had occurred in the palace since its establishment.

Feng Jie turned to the last page and wrote in red ink:

"On the night of April 8th, the 25th year of Hongwu, Lin Hong secretly ordered Liu Yin, a member of the Jiaofang, and an unregistered clerk of the Shangyao Bureau to lead the way and sneak into the old storage room in the palace before three o'clock in the morning. The purpose is unclear. It is suspected that they did not act for the prince, nor on the king's orders."

After he finished writing a stroke, he slowly blew the ink dry.

Then he wrote another sentence: "It has been presented in the form that the prince intended, so be careful."

After writing this line, he looked at the page for a long time, his expression becoming more serious.

The next day, Zhu Han had just set up his seat in the flower hall when Feng Jie came to report.

"Your Highness, there was movement last night."

"Lin Hong?" Zhu Han's fingertips did not stop as he sorted out the letters on the desk.

"Yes. He sent someone to sneak into the old storage room through the Shang Pharmacy."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, as if he had expected this, "Is there anything unusual in the vault?"

Feng Jie shook his head, "Nothing unusual yet. But he obviously wasn't going for anything."

"That's Chong Ren." Zhu Han pushed the scroll aside, stood up and walked away with his hands behind his back. "Lin Hong is the prince's eunuch and never acts rashly. If he did this secretly, he must have a deeper plan."

Feng Jie whispered, "I am worried that this person might want to set up a trap around the Crown Prince and use the name of 'old things' to add another crime."

"Although the prince is kind, his defenses are not strong enough."

Zhu Han murmured, "Lin Hong was born in an academy, but he once worked in the Ministry of Rites in his early years, which few people know. When he does things, he likes to use the art of 'changing shapes and shadows'."

Feng Jie's eyes moved when he heard this, "Your Highness, do you think that the old storage incident was a cover-up?"

Zhu Han turned to look at him, his eyes slightly darkened, "Lin Hong, it was 'Liu Yin' that moved."

Feng Jie was shocked.

"When did she join the teaching academy, how did she get her reputation, who is behind her, go and find out. You know I don't like to employ suspicious people, even for elegant purposes."

Feng Jie cupped his hands, "I understand."

Zhu Han's tone suddenly slowed down, "But don't be too hasty. If Liu Yin is different, she should be allowed to show it."

"Lu?" Feng Jie was puzzled.

Zhu Han chuckled, "If she is really useful to someone, she won't hide her incompetence. You arrange a 'chance encounter' for her to get a 'life-saving' favor. A debt of favor is the easiest way to test a person's heart."

Three days later, at the path in the back garden of Yishan Palace.

Zhu Biao sent someone to get the music sheet, and Liu Yin happened to be walking along the path in the rockery. Suddenly, several eunuchs ran out from the side road, but they couldn't turn in time and ran into her.

She staggered, her body unsteady, and she was about to fall.

A hand held her waist firmly.

"Miss, are you okay?" Feng Jie appeared from the side in casual clothes. He had a gentle expression but a scrutinizing gaze.

Liu Yin was still frightened and thanked him repeatedly, then wanted to leave.

Feng Jie said, "The girl is from the music school, and she is performing for the prince, so she should be careful. If something similar happens again in the future, I'm afraid it will be difficult for others to save her."

Liu Yin calmed himself down, bowed and stepped back, with a deep look in his eyes.

That night, Feng Jie reported to Zhu Han in a dark room.

"She looked frightened, but her movements were steady, unlike any other singing girl. Although her eyes were dim, there was no trace of panic."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han tapped the table lightly.

"Go check the teaching house where she lives to see if there is any unusual movement?"

"Investigated." Feng Jie bowed, "She goes out of the workshop regularly every month and goes to a pavilion in the west city called 'Miaoyinju'. It is a private place, often visited by well-dressed people, but none of them are from powerful officials." "Miaoyinju..." Zhu Han closed his eyes for a moment, "This place is probably not a refined place."

He opened his eyes, "From today on, keep an eye on Lin Hong, not on others. The person behind Liu Yin won't stay hidden for long."

Feng Jie nodded, and was about to leave, but then he said, "Your Highness, there is one more thing. The Crown Prince has been borrowing old books from the inner court recently, most of which are about the establishment of the system in the early dynasties and the enfeoffment of the various kings."

Zhu Han's eyes narrowed, and he asked in a deep voice, "Who did he borrow from?"

"Lin Hong."

"Heh." Zhu Han chuckled, "This is interesting. If what Lin Hong sent was not an old book but a revised one, then Zhu Biao might not even know how he made the mistake."

Feng Jie looked alert, "Should we alert the prince?"

"No." Zhu Han shook his head. "To remind you means you don't believe it. The prince is not a fool. If he really falls into the trap, he needs to wake up on his own."

Feng Jie was silent.

Zhu Han stood up, looked out the window with his hands behind his back. The sky was dim.

"Feng Jie, in the palace, it's not about who can stand up to the throne, you or I." He said in a deep and slow voice, "It depends on who can stand to the end."

Feng Jie lowered his head: "I understand."

The wind blows outside the window, the bamboo shadows move slightly, and the withered flowers in the garden are not swept away, but fall quietly.

Late at night, inside Miaoyin Residence, the incense burner was still burning and smoke was rising.

Liu Yin leaned alone behind a sandalwood screen, holding a Xiangfei fan in her hand and gently waving it, her eyes fixed on the bronze mirror in the hall, in which was reflected a calm and indifferent face.

She suddenly chuckled, but there was no tenderness in her smile.

"Today's Feng Dutou... turned out to be more difficult to deal with than I thought."

Behind her, a figure quietly appeared. It was a woman in her fifties with slender eyebrows and eyes, wearing plain clothes. Her face was not eye-catching, but she stood very steadily.

"After all, you have been in the music school for several years. He is just a military officer guarding the gate of the palace. How could he see through you?" The woman said in a steady tone, each word as if she was sewing clothes, "But he just kept his eyes on you."

"He's not targeting me." Liu Yin gently put away the fan, "He's targeting Lin Hong. He's using me to test the waters because he's afraid that I'm hiding someone behind me."

The woman remained silent for a long time before she asked, "Then... is there really no one behind you?"

Liu Yin raised her eyes and saw herself reflected in the bronze mirror. A sarcastic arc slowly appeared at the corners of her lips.

"The person behind me is no longer a human being."

The woman was startled when she heard this and took a step forward. "You mean... there has been a rift between you and Lin Hong?"

Liu Yin glanced at her, smiling, "Cracks? When has he ever been 'close' to me?"

She casually brushed the old hairpin on the table. There was a thin crack at the end of the hairpin, which was barely noticeable, but it hit the point. She said calmly:
"He never used a person twice, and never allowed a person to stay near him for too long. The reason I was able to stay in the music hall was not because I was favored, but because I never asked him what he did, nor did I tell him what I saw."

The woman frowned when she heard this, "Then why are you still working for him now? This time, you knew there was something wrong with the loan of the Shang Pharmacy, so why did you agree?"

"Because I'm afraid."

Liu Yin's voice was light, yet surprisingly deep.

"What I'm afraid of is not that he can harm me, but that if someone pulls the plug on him, I will be cut off along with him."

She stood up, walked to the window, and brushed her fingertips across a jade-carved plum branch.

"You know, I never believed him? But I also know that as long as he is alive, there will be a shadow in front of me, and the world can't see me clearly."

"But now..." She paused, "Feng Jie is not his man. Behind him is Zhu Han."

The woman's eyes moved: "Are you sure?"

Liu Yin nodded slightly.

"After he 'saved me' that night, I tested him by mentioning the Jade Harp in the old vault. Guess what he said?"

The woman looked at her.

"He said that the prince now dislikes things with old sounds and prefers new sounds."

Liu Yin spoke slowly, but each word was sharp. "This sentence has only been heard by the attendants who have served the prince in the palace. He didn't just hear it, he saw it with his own eyes."

The woman's face changed slightly.

Liu Yin turned around and looked at her, her tone slow but clear:

"So from this moment on, I can no longer just be Lin Hong's pawn. I need to change to a mirror and see myself clearly."

The woman hesitated for a moment, and finally asked in a low voice:
"You want to vote for Zhu Han?"

"No." Liu Yin shook her head, "I want Zhu Han to think that he sees through me."

She slowly sat back at the desk and put the old hairpin back into her hair, her expression as calm as water.

"But I am Liu Yin after all." She said softly, "A woman who has lived in the world of love and pleasure, if she cannot light a lamp for herself, is only worthy of being used as grass to light a fire."

A few days later, in the flower hall of the palace.

Zhu Han was grinding when he heard Feng Jie report in a low voice: "Liu Yin has been leaving Miao Yin Ju very often recently, and he is always alone. His route is very specific, and it seems like he has a secret meeting."

"Does she know we are watching her?" Zhu Han said in a very calm tone without looking up.

"She wants us to see it." Feng Jie's eyes were complicated. "Her actions seemed to be secret, but in fact they were full of loopholes, as if she did it on purpose."

Zhu Han paused for a moment with the ink in his hand, "Have you ever seen her contact anyone?"

"No one." Feng answered with certainty, "She stopped at Guanzhu Pavilion, and returned after staying there for more than ten breaths. No one came in or out."

Zhu Han nodded slightly and suddenly asked, "If you were her, why would you do this?"

Feng Jie pondered: "To lure the snake out of its hole, or to seek another master?"

"It's also possible that they set a trap for me." Zhu Han smiled, "But I'm willing to take part in this one."

Feng Jie was startled: "Your Highness wants to meet her?"

"No." Zhu Han shook his head and whispered, "Let Zhu Biao go."

"Crown Prince?" Feng Jie was stunned. "Is this... too dangerous?"

"If he ends up sitting in that position, he must learn to see through the shadows in the wind." Zhu Han lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Didn't Liu Yin ask us to believe her? Then let her believe it for once, and believe that she can charm the prince."

"Just arrange it." He paused, "Guanzhu Pavilion, under the moon, three o'clock in the morning."

The moonlight is as clear as water, and under the bamboo pavilion, the water in the pond ripples like silver.

Zhu Biao came alone in his ordinary clothes. The night wind blew his sleeves, making him look unusually lonely. He walked into the pavilion and saw a figure standing at the foot of the stone steps.

Liu Yin turned her head slowly, she was wearing a blue shirt, no hairpins or rings, and her hair was half tied up.

"Is it His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?" Her voice was gentle, like the night wind blowing through the forest.

"It's me." Zhu Biao stepped into the pavilion and his eyes fell on her face. "Uncle Wang ordered me to come and see you."

Liu Yin nodded slightly, with a complicated look in her eyes, "I thought he wouldn't come."

"He didn't." Zhu Biao said frankly, "He said, if you want to see us, then see me first."

Liu Yin was silent for a long time, and suddenly asked: "Your Highness, do you believe me?"

Zhu Biao looked at her and said, "If I said I believed it, I would be lying to you; if I said I didn't believe it, why did you come here alone?"

"Then...if I tell you that Lin Hong is no longer yours, would you be willing to listen?"

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment.

Liu Yin walked slowly closer, stood not far from him, and whispered:
"Lin Hong had secretly communicated with someone from the Imperial Household Department a year ago, and the things he took from the old collection were just to replace some pages of the old books of the previous emperor... I don't know the details, I only know that he hid a fake history book and hid it under the eaves of the southern pavilion of the Jiaofang." (End of this chapter)