Volume 3: Dragon and Snake Movement Chapter 278: The attacker is Zhu Ying?
The day before, Duke Zhao Zhu Jing returned to the capital and entered the palace to meet the emperor. That morning, when Zhu Jing attended court, many high-ranking officials expressed their goodwill with smiles - even though many of the censors who had previously slandered Zhu Jing had done so at their instigation, they still had to do this superficial work.
After the uneventful court meeting ended and the emperor ordered the cabinet and the six ministries to decide on Zhu Jing's reward, the news that the Minister of War Lu Wan had visited the Duke of Zhao's residence the night before spread like wildfire because of Zhang Shou's deliberate leak in the Imperial College. For a time, countless people secretly cursed Lu Wan for being cunning, fickle, and without any bottom line.
Back then, it was Lu Wan who spread rumors about the marriage between his youngest son and Zhu Ying, while letting the censors attack the father and brother of the youngest son. Before the truth was revealed, the youngest son, Lu Sanlang, had become the favorite disciple of Zhang Shou, the future son-in-law of the Duke of Zhao. Lu Wan even shamelessly asked Zhang Shou to help decipher several secret letters from the Ministry of War. Now it was even more exaggerated. As soon as Zhu Jing came back, this guy went to visit him.
If you say this is not a treaty made with empty words and large sums of money... who would believe it!
So, when Zhu Jing finished the court meeting, went to the palace to pay respects to his aunt, the Queen Mother, and even had lunch in the palace, and then returned home, he received many visits that had not been arranged in advance. Such visits continued until the evening, as if everyone had tacitly calculated the time for the visits, and each visit was followed by another.
Zhu Jing's reaction to these uninvited guests was neither enthusiastic nor cold. After exchanging opinions with each of them on some unimportant issues in the court, the meeting ended in a seemingly friendly manner.
Even the two trusted attendants serving in the study could not help but feel that their master was so tolerant and generous that they could talk and laugh away all grudges even when someone came to visit and said some confusing things to him.
Little did they know that when Zhu Jing arrived in front of Madam Tai of Qing'an Hall, he was full of murderous intent: "What do they think of me, Zhu Jing? When they wanted to throw dirty water, they threw buckets of dirty water at me. Now that they realize that things are not going well and I am still standing firm, they immediately come to my door to show their goodwill? Do you think this is a slap in the face followed by a sweet date, like a child playing house?"
The lady smiled indifferently, gently turning the Buddhist beads in her hand, and her tone still seemed calm. However, the words she said were not calm at all.
"People's hearts have always been like this. Lu Wan was quite sincere last night, saying that Lord Jiang had some complaints about our Zhu family, who are relatives by marriage, going to war and taking charge of the army, and that he preferred Duke Chu the only one in charge, so he instructed him to pick a few people to attack you. As for the matter between Lu Sanlang and Yingying, he was not completely fake. He thought that if it could work out, it would be the best, but if it didn't, it wouldn't matter."
She paused, then laughed and said, "This is similar to what I know. He didn't lie. But he wanted to be my Zhu family's in-law, but he really took it for granted! Not to mention the Lu Sanlang back then, even the current Lu Sanlang is not what Yingying likes, let alone what our family likes. He is the most proud student of Prime Minister Jiang Ge Lao, but he was cheated this time."
"The Jiang guy should quit." Zhu Jing said these six words word by word, and then the frost on his face gradually thawed, but he said helplessly, "I clearly didn't say anything to Zhang Shou. Even if Lu Sanlang secretly told him about Lu Wan's movements , how dare he hint to those guys who are much higher in official positions than him to come to his house to try to resolve the grudge?"
"I think he spread the word just right. It might be embarrassing for Lu Wan, but with so many people coming, he, the first one to come, won't be so noticeable. What's more, with so many people taking the lead, I want to see how many people can hold out to the end. If they are truly upright and incorruptible and hold out to the end, then they still have some integrity!"
When the lady said this, she saw Zhu Jing smile knowingly, and she knew that he understood what she meant. For those who come to visit, although it is not necessary to laugh off the grudges, at least the blow can be delayed a little. However, for those who want to show their integrity and refuse to visit or admit their mistakes, there is no need to be polite. Unless there are really few honest officials, are you afraid that you can't find evidence of their crimes?
When she said this, she suddenly uttered a sigh, then turned her head to ask Mother Jiang, "What's the situation with the news about the class division in Banshan Hall that Ah Shou spread in the Imperial College today?"
Zhu Jing was busy going to the palace and meeting guests today. He only knew that many people came because of the rumors leaked by Zhang Shou. When he heard that Zhang Shou had spread other rumors in the Imperial College, he was immediately surprised: "What about the division of classes in Banshan Hall? What trouble has he caused again? He is still young, why doesn't he keep a low profile and be more cautious?"
"When you were young, did you know how to keep a low profile? When you won a battle, you wanted to be more flamboyant than anyone else, and when you tried to grab the credit, you were more ruthless than anyone else! Think about who was the one who clamored to be the vanguard when he heard that the northern barbarians were going to take advantage of the situation during the reign of Emperor Ruizong? You should show your talents at a young age. Hiding your talents is what we older people should do."
When the lady said this, she began to talk about what happened in the Imperial College today. Zhu Jing could only laugh dryly. When he heard the reason why Zhang Shou wanted to divide Banshan Hall, he had to nod secretly, thinking that many people in Banshan Hall were not suitable for reading sage books, but they were not necessarily unqualified. Zhang Shou's behavior was not inappropriate.
"What? Why don't you call someone over now?"
While the mother and son were talking about what happened in the Imperial College, Zhu Jing suddenly heard Mother Li's voice coming from outside. Feeling that the situation was a little unusual, he immediately shouted, "What happened? Why are you making so much noise?"
Soon, Madam Li opened the door curtain and entered the room. She knelt down and saluted to Madam Tai and Zhu Jing, then said softly, "I just received news that the eldest lady..."
She took a deep breath with some trepidation, and then said in a more serious tone: "The eldest lady beat up the Imperial College Doctor Yang Yiming."
This is not a joke.
Even though Zhu Jing had always known that Zhu Ying had been spoiled by their family and had become somewhat arrogant, she had beaten people in the past - for example, some blind lunatics, some dandy boys whose heads were filled with lard. Of course, he had also heard that she had beaten those censors who criticized her... But he had never thought that Zhu Ying would actually beat the Doctor of the Imperial College!
The next moment, he realized that the man Zhu Ying beat was not for him, but for Zhang Shou. He spoke without thinking: "Where is Yingying now? How many people did she bring with her? What's the situation over there? Where is Zhang Shou? What is he doing at this time? Why doesn't he stop Yingying?"
Mother Li, who had just learned the news, had no answer to such questions. She could only apologize and hurried out. After a while, she returned to the house, pretending not to see Zhu Jing pacing back and forth in agitation. She lowered her head and reported: "It is said that the eldest lady ran into the doctor of the Imperial College, Yang Yiming, in front of the Imperial College University Archway. They had a disagreement and whipped him. Doctor Zhang is not here."
Then, she added: "Zhu Hong and others are all following the eldest lady, but many students from the Imperial College have come out."
Zhu Jing took a deep breath. He realized that if this matter was not handled properly, it would lead to a huge incident in a blink of an eye. The lady who had heard about the dispute in the doctoral hall of the Imperial College in the morning was furious: "Even though Yingying loses her temper easily, she is not stupid. Yang Yiming must have said something to tease her on purpose!"
"I have to go and see!" Zhu Jing knew that people who graduated from the Imperial College were not necessarily talented. After all, a student was no longer as valuable as it was when the country was founded, and a doctor of the Imperial College was nothing. However, Zhu Jing was still extremely worried about Zhu Ying's current situation. He was even more worried that Zhang Shou would step back at the critical moment and let Zhu Ying bear the pressure alone.
Zhu Jing had just rushed to the door in three or two steps when he heard Zhu Tingfang's voice through the curtain outside the door: "Grandmother, Dad, I'll go to the Imperial College. If you two show up, it will only give someone an opportunity to take advantage of it. If I show up, there will be no such worries. No matter what happens, I will bring Yingying and Zhang Shou back safely."
After this voice, there was the sound of footsteps leaving. Zhu Jing opened his mouth to call out to her, but he swallowed the words back. When he turned around, he found that his mother, who had just seemed shocked and angry, had calmed down.
"mother……"
"I was too concerned to be confused. I forgot that Yingying has been with A'shou for a long time now. Even if she can't learn to plan before taking action, she can still control her anger. Besides, she came back from you and Jiu Niang last night and told me a lot of things." The lady raised the corners of her mouth slightly and laughed as if nothing had happened.
"A Shou chose to bring up this matter at this time, of course he has his reasons. We, as the elders, are watching from behind and supporting him at the critical moment. Don't worry, today's matter is not a big deal, but it's also a good opportunity for you, who just met him for the first time yesterday, to have a good look at this future son-in-law."
Hearing the Madam's confident words, Zhu Jing, who was originally restless , gradually calmed down. But then he thought of a question and asked loudly, "Please ask Madam to come to Qing'an Hall to talk."
However, Zhu Jing was destined to be disappointed. Mother Jiang, who had heard the news, brought him a piece of news that shocked him to the extreme. Jiu Niang had gone out in the afternoon and had not returned yet. She did not tell him where she was going before she left. She did not even bring a maid, let alone a guard. The servants of Yongning Residence even told Mother Jiang that when the lady went out, she also brought a sword.
Facing this news, Zhu Jing was overwhelmed. Her daughter had just beaten up Yang Yiming, a doctor of the Imperial College, and his wife had gone out with a sword in the afternoon. Was she looking for a fight... no, a fight?
Jiu Niang, who Zhu Jing was worried would draw her sword against others if she disagreed with them, was now standing in the crowded crowd in front of the university archway of the Imperial College wearing a bamboo hat, her eyes fixed on Zhu Ying in front of her who was wearing striking clothes.
Even though people from all directions kept rushing in like a tide, she was like a fish swimming in water, moving her feet and shoulders from time to time, and she seemed to be at ease. However, this ease was based on the fact that someone next to her was often hurt by the long sword. Of course, there were people who turned their heads to judge, but they were always scared back by the cold eyes behind the hat and veil.
At this moment, Yang Yiming was holding his left shoulder with his right hand, and he shouted in a shrill voice: "My ancestors of the Ming Dynasty, open your eyes and look at the corrupt court and the world without justice! The people in the Duke of Zhao's Mansion are arrogant and domineering because of their past merits and they are acting recklessly! And Zhang Shou... he wants to destroy our Imperial College!"
Zhu Ying was riding on a horse, looking down at Yang Yiming who was shouting loudly, as if she didn't see the large number of students swarming behind him, as if she didn't see the angry expressions on some of the students' faces, as if the people in front of her were just a bunch of clowns.
Yang Yiming knew that Zhu Ying had an arrogant personality and would probably disdain to argue with him, so he took this opportunity to continue to make a fuss: "The six halls of the Imperial College are the system of Emperor Taizu, but Zhang Shou advocates that the Banshan Hall, which Emperor Taizu left to the junior students, should be swapped with the Ruxing Hall, the head of the six halls of the Imperial College. What is his intention? He is clearly trying to gain fame and favor. Am I wrong?"
As he spoke, he raised his seemingly inactive left hand with difficulty, pointed at Zhu Ying and said angrily: "But this young lady from the Duke of Zhao's mansion dared to whip a doctor of the Imperial College in the street just because she couldn't stand my criticism of her fiancé!"
"Where is justice, where is fairness, where is the law of the land?"
Zhu Ying calmly watched Yang Yiming screaming in pain to the sky. When his voice finally became a little hoarse, she smiled.
"No wonder I heard before that among all the doctors in the Imperial College, you, Dr. Yang, are the most acting genius. You act so much all day long that you not only regard your daily life as a stage, but you also keep adding more scenes to yourself and regard yourself as the protagonist." Well, she heard the term acting genius from Zhang Shou.
Yang Yiming was so angry that he was shaking all over. Zhu Ying actually dared... actually dared to compare him, a scholar who had studied hard for thirty years and finally got his degree, to that lowly actor?
However, before he could retaliate, Zhu Ying suddenly laughed again: "You just said that I whipped you, where is justice, where is fairness, where is the law of the country? Haha, then in front of so many people, do you dare to show everyone the scars? This whip of mine was given to me by the emperor. It is made of calfskin mixed with gold threads. I guess the scars from beating people must be very unique?"
Seeing Yang Yiming's face suddenly turn the color of liver, she said calmly: "Are you unwilling, or are you afraid? I, Zhu Ying, do not have a good reputation. I am arrogant, domineering, arrogant, and rude... So you just deliberately scolded Ah Shou in front of me, intending to provoke my anger and want me to whip you twice, right?"
"You have ulterior motives, are narrow-minded and selfish. I think you are not reading the books of saints, but the books of villains!"
Behind the group of students in front of the Imperial College archway, Lu Sanlang, who had just arrived with Zhang Shou, couldn't help but look at Zhu Er, while Zhu Er said with lingering fear: "She was always fierce before, when did she curse people so badly? Could it be that they are like those who are close to vermilion, and those who are close to ink..."
Before he could utter a single word, Zhang Shou coughed and stopped him.
