Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 542: Taking Advantage of Ouyang Lun (Subscribe please!!)
"But Chongba, the wall between your Taiyue Palace and the Zongrenfu is as high as a city wall. How can you observe it?" When Empress Ma mentioned the word "observe", she raised her voice.

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled mysteriously.

"Hey, sister, you don't understand this!"

"The courtyard wall is indeed high, but we have been prepared. When it was being built, we asked the Ministry of Works to build a tunnel for us, so we can easily reach the clan residence through the tunnel!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said mysteriously.

"Chongba, are you really okay?"

Queen Ma was somewhat shocked.

"What's wrong with this? Xu Da and Tang He once stole Ouyang Lun's roasted sweet potatoes. With this secret passage, Ouyang Lun's kitchen is our kitchen, and Ouyang Lun's wine cellar is our wine cellar. We all know what fun Ouyang Lun has!"

"This way, our future life won't be monotonous!"

Zhu Yuanzhang became more and more excited. After seeing the contemptuous look of Empress Ma, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly explained: "Sister, don't worry, we will at most eat Ouyang Lun's food and drink his wine, but we won't do anything else."

Empress Ma said helplessly, "Chongba, aren't you afraid of being discovered?"

"If this gets out, your reputation will be ruined!"

"Sister, you are being too serious. Why did we build the Taile Palace next to the Zongren Mansion and raise the walls so high? It is to guard against these things. Don't worry, the location of the tunnel is quite secret. People who don't know about it can't find it at all. Besides, we have Ji Gang send people to watch it, so there won't be any problems."

Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "Besides, we don't go there in person every time. We can just let the Jinyiwei go. What does what the Jinyiwei does have to do with us?"

"Besides, there are so many people and things in the clan residence, if there are a few less, they won't be discovered."

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had considered everything so thoroughly, Empress Ma could only nod helplessly, "Chongba, since you have considered everything, then it's up to you!"

Since his abdication, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have taken off the shackles. He became bolder and freer, and his thoughts and ideas were beyond the past. Even Empress Ma felt that she could not keep up sometimes.

"Sister, you don't have to worry about this. We are between two high-walled palaces, and this is inside the imperial palace. Who dares to talk nonsense? Let's tear his mouth apart!"

"Let's not discuss this. When you have time, come to our place more often. We have built a bedroom specifically for you, and opened a vegetable garden for you. We have also built a kitchen for you. We can also... What's the phrase that Ouyang Lun often said?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and thought.

"Get the best deal," Queen Ma suggested.

"Yes, that's right. We are taking advantage of Ouyang Lun!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded excitedly. "Why should Ouyang Lun live so comfortably? We must live comfortably too, and even more comfortably than Ouyang Lun!"

"With your help, we can definitely kill Ouyang Lun! You must come often!"

"I'll try my best." Faced with Zhu Yuanzhang's request, Empress Ma nodded helplessly.

"Zhongba, don't you care about Biao'er's current situation?" Queen Ma asked unhappily.

"Biao'er. Ah, I almost forgot about this." Zhu Yuanzhang patted his head, then smiled and said, "Biao'er is trustworthy and has handled previous matters very well. We don't need to worry about it at all."

After saying that, Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the teacup and drank it with a relaxed look on his face, "This Ouyang Lun's tea tastes so good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was quite satisfied with Zhu Biao's performance during this period. Needless to say, he was more hardworking than his father and handled government affairs more carefully and gently. Zhu Biao was also extremely respectful to his father. Zhu Biao would either come to pay his respects to Zhu Yuanzhang in person or report to Zhu Yuanzhang on the government affairs he had handled. Even if he really couldn't get away, he would send Zhu Yuanzhang the sorted government affairs briefings.

Zhu Biao would also ask Zhu Yuanzhang for his opinion on some key issues.

"Biao'er is indeed very good. I believe he is a better emperor than you. The Ming Dynasty will develop more rapidly under Biao'er. But I am worried about Biao'er's health. I heard from the eunuchs at Taiji Palace that Biao'er now eats and lives in Taiji Palace. He works harder than you and sleeps less than three hours a day, sometimes even less."

Queen Ma nodded first, then said worriedly.

"Sister, Biao'er is my son. He has been in good health since he was young. Besides, he is at his age and has the most energy. How could his body not be able to handle it? Don't underestimate our son!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand indifferently.

"Besides, we can understand our son. He wants to show us his achievements!"

"If you don't fight and work hard now, you won't have the opportunity and energy when you're old."

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang say this, Empress Ma didn't know what to say.

"Since you want to know what's going on with Biao'er, let's find out." Zhu Yuanzhang said, then turned to Wang Zhong who was waiting on the side and said, "Go, call Ji Gang."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Zhong received the order and withdrew.

After a while, Ji Gang came over behind Wang Zhong.

"General Ji Gang pays respect to His Majesty and the Queen!"

"Ji Gang, what's the situation in Taiji Hall? Is there anything special happening?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Your Majesty, many officials have come to Taiji Hall to report recently. Earlier today, Duke of Korea Li Shanchang, Duke of Liang Lan Yu, and more than ten officials including Feng Sheng and Fu Youde went to meet His Majesty the Emperor. They talked for a full hour or two, and many officials also prepared gifts for His Majesty the Emperor. The scene was quite lively!"

Ji Gang continued: "His Majesty the Emperor summoned them, but rejected all the gifts sent by Li Shanchang and his men."

After listening to Ji Gang's words, Zhu Yuanzhang's face became a little gloomy.

I started muttering to myself.

What a great Li Shanchang and what a great Lan Yu.

You all try to fawn on Biao'er like this. You didn't do this when I was in power. It seems that you are very happy to see me abdicate!

Also send gifts!
I have lived in this Taile Palace, but I have never seen these people come to give me gifts.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little angry. Jealousy is human instinct, and Zhu Yuanzhang felt very unhappy.

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang was not completely unhappy, he was also happy that his son could be flattered by Li Shanchang, Lan Yu and others, which also reflected Zhu Biao's ability. He just hoped that Zhu Biao would not be bewitched by the masks of Li Shanchang and others!

"Next, we have to see whether Biaoer can bear all this."

Zhu Yuanzhang muttered, and then asked: "So many ministers are trying to please the new emperor, are they all going?"

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's question, Ji Gang nodded first, then shook his head, "Your Majesty, most of the ministers went, but it seems that only Prince Consort Ouyang did not go." "Only Ouyang Lun did not go?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little surprised and muttered, "This kid is really patient!"

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Empress Ma said, "I think Ouyang is not just calm, but sees things clearly!"

"What do you mean, sister?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Isn't this very obvious? This is enough to show that Ouyang is an honest man. Biao'er was able to ascend the throne early because Ouyang made great efforts. But after Biao'er ascended the throne, Ouyang not only did not regard himself as a hero, but on the contrary, he became more low-key and focused on completing his own duties. This is the most rare quality of Ouyang!"

The more Empress Ma spoke, the brighter her eyes became. It was like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, the more she liked him.
"Sister, just praise Ouyang Lun as much as you can. I really suspect that this guy Ouyang Lun has drugged you!" Seeing Empress Ma praising Ouyang Lun so much, Zhu Yuanzhang was actually a little jealous. After all, Empress Ma had never praised him like this before.

"Zhongba, you are just jealous of Ouyang!" Empress Ma did not tolerate Zhu Yuanzhang at all and said it directly.

"Uh, do we still need to be jealous of Ouyang Lun? It's a joke!" Zhu Yuanzhang said unhappily.

"You said Ouyang Lun is low-key, but in my opinion, he has great ambitions! The most dangerous thing is that Biaoer is good in other aspects, but he is easily fooled by Ouyang Lun. What I am most worried about now is that if we are not watching over Ouyang Lun, Ouyang Lun will fool Biaoer one day in the future!"

"When that time comes, we'll see how you praise Ouyang Lun."

Queen Ma shook her head. "By that time, we will both be buried. Why should we consider so much? But I still believe in Ouyang. He can care about the people and protect women and children. He can't be that bad!"

"If you don't believe me, let's just wait and see!"

Forehead.
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard what Empress Ma said, he was completely helpless. He could not convince Empress Ma at all.

"Sister, let's not argue about why Ouyang Lun didn't go to see Biao'er. It's no use just speculating here. Let's let someone find out the truth first. Maybe the truth is not what you think. Don't think too highly of Ouyang Lun!"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again.

"Then you can't think so badly of a good kid like Ouyang. Not everyone is like you!"

Queen Ma said directly.

"Ahem, sister, what do you mean by that? What kind of person are we?"

"Is it possible that I am a bad person in your mind?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said unhappily.

"Isn't it?" Empress Ma asked directly, "You, Zhu Chongba, overthrew the Yuan Dynasty and established the Ming Dynasty. It is true that you have made great contributions, but you are strict with the laws, kill meritorious officials at every turn, and act arbitrarily. What is the difference between you and a bad person?"

As Empress Ma spoke these words, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became increasingly uglier.

Wang Zhong and Ji Gang were also terrified when they heard this. These were not words they could bear to hear. They looked at each other and immediately retreated out of the pavilion in unison.

But at this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Stop!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhong and Ji Gang stood straight in place, looking nervous.

"Ji Gang, go and find out for me why Ouyang Lun didn't go to see the emperor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Ji Gang immediately bowed, and the moment he lowered his head, a relaxed smile appeared on his face.

Although investigating Prince Consort Ouyang is a difficult task, it is better than standing here and suffering.

When Ji Gang raised his head, he deliberately gave Wang Zhong a look, meaning: Brother, I'm leaving first, and you just have to suffer!

Wang Zhong watched Ji Gang leave with an extremely envious look in his eyes.

"Wang Zhong!"

"Your Majesty, I'm here." Wang Zhong hurried forward.

Zhu Yuanzhang sniffed his nose and muttered, "What's that smell? It smells so good! Ouyang Lun must be making something delicious again. Wang Zhong, hurry up and go to the clan residence through the secret passage and get some food for me and the queen!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Zhong agreed readily and left swiftly with very skilled movements.

"Zhongba, aren't you afraid of being discovered?" Empress Ma had seen enough today. She didn't expect Zhu Yuanzhang to have reached this point.

"Sister, don't worry, we've asked Wang Zhong and the others to figure out Ouyang Lun's kitchen tricks." Zhu Yuanzhang said proudly, "All the chefs in this Zongrenfu were trained by Ouyang Lun himself. I have to say that Ouyang Lun is really good to his people. His people eat what he eats, so the Zongrenfu kitchen always has to make a lot of the same delicacies, and even make more to prevent not having enough to eat!"

"If our people change into the clothes of the clan officials, they can go in and take the things openly without anyone noticing!"

"Since I moved into Taile Palace, I have never eaten food from other places. I have only eaten food from the Zongrenfu. The taste is amazing. There are all kinds of dishes, such as Thai hot pot, double-flavored hot pot, barbecue, braised pork, and fried potatoes!"

"I finally know how well Ouyang Lun is living!"

"It was absolutely correct for us to name this palace Taile Palace! Haha!"

After hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Empress Ma thought that this was Zhu Yuanzhang's way of revenge on Ouyang Lun and did not think much about it.

"Zhongba, you eat and drink at their expense, and now you send people to monitor them. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Empress Ma spoke up and continued, "Do you have to be happy to see Ouyang, like other officials, rushing to the Taiji Hall to flatter Biao'er?"

"Hehe, sister, I don't mean that!" Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head quickly, "Just as you said, Ouyang Lun didn't flatter Biao'er, which shows that Ouyang Lun is not a greedy person, and it shows that Ouyang Lun is an honest person. This is indeed a possibility, but it is definitely not the only possibility!"

"Because I just thought about it seriously. It could be that Ouyang Lun is so proud of his achievements that he is unwilling to submit to Biao'er! If that's the case, it won't be a good thing for Biao'er!"

"I have to be on guard!"

(End of this chapter)