Huangming

Chapter 149 The carved carriage is delayed on the road, and the sable-eared eunuch holds the axe.

Outside Zhuolu Post Station, dusk was gradually falling.

Prince Fu Zhu Changxun's entourage slowly came to a stop beside the post road. Dozens of guards from the Prince's Palace stood at attention with their hands on their swords, and the brocade banners fluttered in the autumn wind.

Zhu Changxun leaned out of the carriage, his obese body wrapped in a heavy sable coat, his face ashen and iron-like.

He squinted at the post station not far away. The lights were already on, and he could vaguely see the Imperial Guards and eunuchs led by Wang Tiqian lined up outside the post station gate to wait.

Wang Tiqian, dressed in a python robe, stood on the stone steps of the post station, with more than twenty Imperial Guards in flying fish robes behind him, their embroidered spring knives at their waists, their eyes cold and stern.

Seeing that Prince Fu's carriage had stopped, he bowed slightly and said in a voice that was neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Highness must be tired from your journey. The inn has prepared hot soup and meals. Please rest for the night and continue your journey tomorrow."

Zhu Changxun snorted coldly, without answering, but simply waved his hand, signaling Zhou Shiwen, the chief secretary of the Prince's Palace, to go and negotiate.

Zhou Shiwen quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Eunuch Wang, His Highness is unwell. May we camp outside the post station to avoid disturbing its peace?"

Wang Tiqian's lips curled slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips, as he said, "Chief Secretary Zhou is joking. The post station is set up for nobles to rest, how could we allow Your Highness to sleep in the open? Besides..."

His gaze swept over the guards behind Prince Fu, and he said meaningfully, "His Majesty is concerned about the Prince's safety and has specially ordered me to escort him all the way. If the Prince insists on not entering, I'm afraid that would be inappropriate."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Changxun's face grew even more grim, his thick hands gripping the carriage curtain tightly until his knuckles turned white.

Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and gritted his teeth, saying, "In that case, I will follow Eunuch Wang's arrangement."

Wang Tiqian bowed and stepped aside to make way: "Your Highness, please."

In the darkness of night, the two groups of people entered the post station one after the other. The torchlight flickered on the vermilion walls, reflecting the heavy back of Prince Fu and the ever-present gaze of Wang Tiqian.

“Your Excellency, Prince Fu is dragging his feet. His Majesty has urged him several times. Should we convey His Majesty’s decree to Prince Fu?” The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard looked displeased at Prince Fu’s lack of tact.

"If even Prince Fu isn't in a hurry, why are we eunuchs?"

Wang Tiqian watched the Prince of Fu's departing figure as he entered the post station, a cold smile on his face.

After leaving Luoyang, Prince Fu kept slowing down his journey.

As for the reason, Wang Tiqian knew it perfectly well.

It wasn't that Prince Fu had any ulterior motives, but rather that his body couldn't take the continuous travel.

After all, he weighs over 300 pounds.

In particular, he had sores all over his body, which caused him unbearable pain day and night.

In addition, in early spring, the melting snow and ice made the roads muddy and the ride bumpy, which was even more dangerous for Prince Fu.

If someone were willing to tell the emperor these things, then the emperor would naturally understand the Prince of Fu's 'delay'.

However.
Who will tell the emperor the truth?
Is it Wang Tiqian?

Don't be ridiculous, why would he help Prince Fu?

When he was in Luoyang, facing the imperial edict of punishment and the threat of weapons, Prince Fu was still somewhat afraid and at least outwardly respectful to him.

Now that he's on his way to the capital, protected by the Prince's guards, this 300-pound Prince Fu, now that his life and fortune are safe, has actually started putting on airs again.

Having endured the humiliation inflicted by this bird-like king along the way, would Wang Tiqian still help this ungrateful person?
I bother!

This Prince Fu was still alive when Emperor Shenzong was still alive!

Once he enters the capital, he'll be in big trouble!

"Select a fast horse and deliver the news of Prince Fu's arrival at Zhuolu Post Station to the capital."

Wang Tiqian wanted to see how many days it would take Prince Fu to travel this 120-mile distance!
His Majesty is getting impatient; he'll surely use your fat body to light a sky lantern!
now.

Inside Zhuolu Post Station, candlelight flickered.

Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, lay paralyzed on his bed in the post station. His obese body writhed in agony from the herpes, and his brocade undergarment was soaked with pus and blood, sticking stickily to his skin, emitting a foul stench.

The attending eunuch knelt to one side, trembling as he held a box of jade ointment. He dipped his fingertips in the cool ointment and was about to apply it when Prince Fu slapped his hand away.

"Get out! This medicine hurts more than being cut with a knife!"

Zhu Changxun was panting heavily, the pustules on his neck oozing a yellowish-brown fluid from the agitation, his face contorted in pain. Chief Secretary Zhou Shiwen frowned and stepped forward, gesturing for the servants to retreat. He personally took the ointment and whispered, "Your Highness, enduring the pain now will cure your illness. The capital is only a hundred miles away; if we delay any longer, something unforeseen may happen."

"Ha, does that castrated dog even deserve to make me bow my head?" Prince Fu sneered, but gasped as the abscess on his face aggravated his condition.

"I am the son of Emperor Shenzong. What can a mere servant do to me?"

A flicker of anxiety crossed Zhou Shiwen's eyes as he leaned closer and whispered, "Your Majesty is wise! His Majesty is now reorganizing the inner court, confiscating the property of Shanxi merchants, and even ordering the Duke of Yingguo to go south to train troops. It is clear that His Majesty is determined to weaken the power of the princes and amass wealth! Wang Tiqian's trip must be aimed at Your Highness's estates and treasury! If he takes a hard line, all he needs to do is add a line to his memorial that says 'Prince Fu defied the imperial decree,' and he will be giving his opponents a handle against him!"

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

The guards of the Prince's residence knelt down in a panic and reported: "Your Highness, Eunuch Wang has sent word that a hot meal has been prepared in the hall. If Your Highness does not go, he will come to 'visit' you in person!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Changxun flew into a rage, grabbed the medicine box, and smashed it against the door frame. Amidst the flying shards of porcelain, he roared, "He dares to threaten me?!"

Zhou Shiwen grabbed his arm and said in a very low voice, "Your Highness! A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan! That eunuch is just waiting for you to lose your composure so he can confirm the crime of 'disrespecting the emperor's orders'! It would be better to play along for now, and after we enter the capital and meet with the Imperial Concubine, we can learn about His Majesty's preferences and the situation in the court, and then devise a plan!"

Prince Fu's chest heaved violently, and he finally collapsed and closed his eyes.

The attendant took the opportunity to apply medicine. He gritted his teeth and endured the pain, squeezing out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Tell Wang Tiqian that I will go down shortly."

A prince of the highest order was being ordered around by a mere eunuch!
hateful!

Seeing the Prince of Fu's state of mind, Zhou Shiwen said with a worried expression, "Your Majesty still needs to manage your relationship with Wang Tiqian well. If he says a few bad things to His Majesty, Your Majesty's impression of him will be greatly damaged."

Zhu Changxun snorted coldly and said, "I have already given him five million taels of silver. He doesn't even thank me, yet he expects me to fawn over him?"

He was threatened by Wang Tiqian at the time, which caused him to bleed profusely. Even now, whenever he thinks about it, his heart aches.

Lonely money!
My five million taels!

Now he's expected to curry favor with Wang Tiqian?
impossible!
Zhu Changxun pointed to the door and hissed, "I, Zhu Changxun, would rather starve to death, die outside, or jump off the post station than curry favor with that eunuch Wang Tiqian!"

Seeing this, Zhou Shiwen could only sigh deeply and said, "Your Majesty, please think it over. The matter of the royal guards surrounding the envoy's post station has not yet been settled. If Your Majesty's treason is confirmed, I'm afraid your life will be in danger!"

Is his life in danger?

Zhu Changxun's fat face fell, and he sighed deeply, saying, "When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Oh well!"

Isn't it just about currying favor with eunuchs?

I'll just have to please him!
After the medicine was applied, Zhu Changxun dressed appropriately and left his room at the post station. When he went downstairs, he saw Wang Tiqian's old face. He tried his best to suppress his anger and forced a smile on his fat face, saying, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Eunuch Wang, with your troubles during your journey."

As he spoke, Prince Fu took off the jade pendant from his waist and placed it in Wang Tiqian's hand.

"I've been through so much on my journey, and I'm sorry to have offended you, sir. Please accept this jade pendant."

Wang Tiqian smiled and said, "Your Majesty, there's no need to be so polite. It's just my duty."

As he spoke, he pushed the jade pendant back into Prince Fu's hand.

Zhu Changxun's face stiffened, and he snorted. He looked at the few greasy vegetarian dishes on the table and said unhappily, "Is this food fit for human consumption? Chief Secretary, go and bring me a table of fine wine and dishes!"

Upon hearing Zhu Changxun's words, Wang Tiqian's smile gradually vanished, and he coldly said to the post station official, "Go and fetch a table of good wine and dishes!"

Upon hearing this, the postman immediately accepted the order and left.

Seeing Zhu Changxun's behavior and Wang Tiqian's gloomy face, Zhou Shiwen could only sigh inwardly.

Your Majesty!
You really need to rein in your temper.

You manage to turn a good thing into a bad one!
“Eunuch Wang, the King meant well.” Zhou Shiwen tried to ease the tension between the two.

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Tiqian interrupted him.

"No, I cannot accept a reward without merit. The king's gift is too hot to handle. How could a eunuch like me be worthy of it?"

Prince Fu snorted coldly, turned his head away from Wang Tiqian, and acted like a sulking child.

Seeing this, Zhou Shiwen sighed inwardly:
It's over, it's over!

(End of this chapter)