The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 100 Zhu Biao: Brother-in-law, we're entrusting Xiong Ying to you!

After an incense stick has burned.

Zhu Xiong Ying left the mansion first, and then returned to the palace.

Inside the hall, Luo Guanzhong and Jia Zhongming stood still, making no move for a long time.

When the noise outside subsided.

Jia Zhongming's face turned pale. He glanced at the doorway and approached, saying, "Brother Guanzhong, what do you think of this matter?"

Luo Guanzhong pondered for a moment, then waved his hand slightly, signaling his close friend not to say anything more.

He then stepped out of the threshold to greet the Imperial Guards who had seen them off, cupping his hands in greeting and saying, "May I ask how to address you, sir? And what about the young master from earlier? I wonder—"

Jiang withdrew his sword from its hilt, paused, and returned the greeting, saying, "To be honest, gentlemen, I am Jiang!"

"As for the one mentioned earlier, he is none other than His Highness the eldest grandson of the Great Ming Emperor!"

He recalled the words of instruction given by the imperial grandson as he left in his sedan chair.

Chiang did not conceal anything and told the whole truth.

The eldest grandson of the emperor?!

These four words struck them like a thunderclap in their minds.

Over the years, Jia Zhongming has stayed in Yingtian Prefecture for a long time.

Compared to Luo Guanzhong, he was much clearer about the status and position of the eldest grandson of the emperor!

In an instant, I understood something.

That pale face regained its rosy hue.

Because of Zhang Shicheng's affair, Luo Guanzhong had always avoided the Zhu family, the imperial family, as much as possible!

At this moment, his anxiety remained unabated, and his square face showed an unpredictable expression.

Seeing this scene, and considering the desires of the imperial grandson, Jiang felt it necessary to offer an explanation.

To avoid messing things up!

He suppressed his smile and said seriously, "Gentlemen, there's no need to be afraid. His Highness's instructions are entirely without malice!"

"As early as last month, His Highness personally explained the educational mission to His Majesty! His Majesty immediately approved it!"

"Otherwise, how could you two have been brought here unharmed by the Imperial Guards?"

Jiang turned his head and glanced deliberately at Luo Guanzhong, saying pointedly, "Besides, His Majesty is a magnanimous person and doesn't care about those past events!"

"As long as we do a good job according to His Highness's instructions, we will naturally be rewarded accordingly."

"As for other matters, you two need not worry about them at all!"

Chiang's words did not ease Luo Guanzhong's worries; on the contrary, they made him even more anxious.

Even if the emperor in the palace didn't care about his past, he was still there.

One can only imagine that person's fiery temper and the strictness of the literary network!

It sends chills down one's spine.

If you agree to it, and then in the future, due to a single word or a single mistake, you end up with your head severed and your family wiped out, you will regret it deeply!

After the Imperial Guards bowed and left, they returned to the main hall.

As Luo Guanzhong paced back and forth, he sighed, "Zhongming, this matter is probably more of a curse than a blessing for us!"

'

"Just as I said that day in Qiantang, it's ultimately my fault that you're in trouble!"

Now we've stepped into a den of dragons and tigers.

The thought of implicating his close friend, who was much older than him, inevitably filled Luo Guanzhong with sorrow and disappointment.

Jia Zhongming seemed to be deep in thought, then sat down calmly, stroking his beard and saying, "Brother Guanzhong, there's no need for this! Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; the future is uncertain!"

Luo Guanzhong stopped and shook his head, saying, "Zhongming should know!"

"We've spent our lives writing vernacular stories and plays, mostly about the struggles of the world, talented scholars and beautiful women, and the myriad aspects of life. It doesn't matter how we write them!"

"But today, even if the Emperor forgives me for what happened back then, what should I do if I write a single wrong word that violates a taboo?"

Upon hearing his friend's words, Jia Zhongming remained calm and composed, even taking a sip of his herbal tea.

"Brother Guanzhong, please don't be anxious. Why don't you hear what I have to say first?"

"For the past twenty years, you have often lived in Suzhou and Hangzhou, detached from worldly affairs. You are probably less aware of the situation in the capital—the imperial court—than I am!"

"Let's start with the eldest grandson of the Emperor. Brother Guanzhong should know that he is the eldest legitimate son of the Crown Prince. Do you know who his birth mother is?"

Just as Jia Zhongming said.

After breaking away from Zhang Shicheng, Luo Guanzhong traveled to many places, deliberately avoiding the imperial court and government.

There are many inside stories about the royal family that they were never aware of!

He frowned as he listened to someone's argument, his expression becoming very focused.

"Zhongming, please speak freely!"

Fang Zhongming stared at his close friend's face and said in a deep voice, "Brother Guanzhong, you are wise! The eldest grandson's birth mother's surname is Chang—"

常？

Luo Guanzhong's pupils contracted, and he suddenly realized something. He stared straight at her, his throat dry, and asked, "Is she Chang Shiwan's daughter?"

Before his death, Chang Yuchun boasted that he could "lead a hundred thousand men and roam the world freely!"

Therefore, people of the same era privately all respectfully addressed him as "Chang Shiwan"!

Although Luo Guanzhong was in Zhang Shicheng's camp at the time, he had long been familiar with Chang Yuchun.

I have the utmost respect for you!

Even in his novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," the description of Zhang Fei as "a match for ten thousand men" is largely based on the image of Chang Yuchun.

When I was living in the countryside years ago, I was saddened and grieved when I learned of his death in battle!

If that's the case, it's no wonder that he was captivated by the grandson's imposing presence when they first met!

It is no wonder that it carries the blood of Emperor Zhu Ming and Chang Shiwan.

Fearing that someone might be overheard, Jia Zhongming quickly corrected him, "It is indeed the daughter of the Prince of Kaiping!"

"And the eldest grandson of the emperor is the maternal grandson of the Prince of Kaiping, a descendant whom the emperor and empress cherish dearly!"

"From birth, I've kept her by my side and personally raised her—"

"Furthermore, you must have heard about last year's smallpox vaccination and the imperial censor's charitable funeral; these were all done by the eldest grandson of the emperor!"

"As for today, the eldest grandson of the emperor personally approached us. Given his status, he intends to protect us—as long as we follow his instructions precisely, there shouldn't be any major problems!"

Once Luo Guanzhong realized what was happening, how could he not understand his close friend's feelings?

Throughout his life, he experienced the chaos of the late Yuan Dynasty, witnessed Zhang Shicheng's rise and fall, and saw Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, establish his dynasty.

Originally, I planned to live out my remaining days in a secluded corner of Jiangnan, but I never expected to be found by the eldest grandson of the emperor!

Luo Guanzhong's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He raised his gaze and said, "Zhongming is absolutely right! Things have come to this point; there's no escaping it now. We might as well go with the flow!"

They didn't even wait three days.

Zhu Xiong Ying received the message within the imperial city.

Luo and Jia agreed to create some custom-made vernacular novels and plays based on the laws and precedents of the imperial court!

Of course, he still had some thoughts in mind, and originally wanted to have a further discussion with Lao Luo and the others!

However, as the day to return to his hometown of Fengyang to pay respects to his ancestors approached, he had to put the matter aside.

Even the university hall became less frequent.

Many key tasks were handled by Fang Xiaoru and his second uncle, Chang Sheng.

Until April 20th.

There are only half a month left before leaving Beijing.

Wenhua Hall.

Chang Mao entered the palace at noon to report on the progress of smallpox vaccination in many parts of the north and south.

After hearing this, Zhu Biao kept his brother-in-law behind and offered him tea and a seat.

He then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said solemnly and kindly, "In about ten days, Xiong Ying will be going to Fengyang to pay respects to our ancestors!"

"I mentioned it to my father the other day, intending to have you accompany him and command the Crown Prince's guards!"

"My safety is entirely entrusted to you!"