20demayo Chapter 524
Chapter 524
Could it be...
Tang Shiliang noticed that Zhu Qianyi seemed to understand and smiled faintly, subtly conveying the Emperor's intentions: "Lord Zhu, the Zhu Family has been through decades of turmoil, all because of the word 'treason.' If Lord Zhu does not clean house now, the tragedy from over a decade ago may repeat itself. Some people, as they grow old, lose their clarity of mind. If you don't distance yourself from them in time, you'll suffer greatly sooner or later."
The Emperor, out of respect for the late Empress, had already gone out of his way to advise Zhu Qianyi. This was as far as his benevolence could extend.
Zhu Qianyi was a talent cultivated by the Jiang Chief Minister under the Emperor's orders for the Crown Prince. It was only because of the Emperor's regard for past ties and his appreciation of talent that he had Tang Shiliang drop these hints. Otherwise, based on what Zhu Chongjing had said, the Zhu Family could have easily been sent back to the narrow alleys they had once struggled to escape.
Hopefully, Zhu Qianyi understood the implications and would return home to thoroughly clean house!
All the hardships and humiliations he endured to lift his family out of those narrow alleys, all the bootlicking and groveling he had done—only he knew the full extent of it.
Though his current achievements were partly due to the Jiang Family's support, becoming the Minister of Works by the age of thirty was something he had earned through countless scars and sacrifices.
If the Zhu Family were to go through such upheaval again, he simply couldn't bear it. He wouldn't survive it.
The elders of the collateral branches had never cared. The reason they hadn't been bullied or starved in those narrow alleys was because he had risked his life working for the Emperor.
"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Tang. I know what to do now," Zhu Qianyi said, waving his hand to have the groaning Zhu Chongjing carried away. "Please convey to Her Majesty the Empress that the Zhu Family and I, Zhu Qianyi, are utterly loyal to the Crown Prince. There is no disloyalty in our hearts."
His only fear was that Jiang Xinyue might misunderstand, thinking that Zhu Chongjing's words reflected his own intentions.
Tang Shiliang smiled without saying a word, his attitude clear: as long as Zhu Qianyi took action upon returning, Her Majesty would believe his words.
The moon had quietly slipped behind the clouds, and the dark night sky was dotted with scattered stars. The officials who had attended the palace banquet had all left one after another.
Early the next morning, news of the Jing Family's relocation was overshadowed by the announcement of the Zhu Family's division.
"Enough!"
A noblewoman in a dark green dress stepped out from behind Zhu Qianyi, narrowing her eyes at the troublemakers and sneering coldly: "The highest-ranking elder of the Zhu Family? A mere branch family member dares to claim that title? Have you forgotten your place after a few years of comfort? After my husband passed, this family has been under my son Zhu Qianyi's leadership. When did it ever fall to you branch family members to dictate terms?"
Since the late Empress and her husband had passed away, Lady Zhu had largely withdrawn from family affairs.
But last night, her son had confided in her, showing her the scars he had accumulated over the years while serving the Emperor. He had wept uncontrollably.
This was all her husband's doing!
Her poor son had sacrificed so much for the Zhu Family, yet that old man from the branch family always bullied him under the guise of seniority.
So she proposed dividing the family.
Those who wished to follow Elder Zhu in supporting the Fifth Prince's claim to the throne could leave the Zhu Family today. Whatever treasonous acts they committed in the future would have nothing to do with the main branch.
Whether they returned to the narrow alleys or faced execution, it was no longer their concern.
Lady Zhu, after all, was the former matriarch of the family, and her authority still carried weight. Many of those who had earlier challenged Zhu Qianyi now fell silent.
Only Elder Zhu scoffed disdainfully: "You're just a woman. What right do you have to speak here? As long as I, the elder, refuse to leave, you can't expel me from the Zhu Family. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?"
A robust voice rang out, and everyone turned to see the aged Marshal Yan, Commander of the Imperial Army, approaching with over twenty towering, fierce-looking soldiers.
Marshal Yan exchanged a glance with Zhu Qianyi before changing his tone: "I heard there was trouble at the Zhu Family gates. Nephew Zhu, who dares to cause a disturbance here? I'll have them arrested and interrogated immediately."
Marshal Yan not only commanded the military, but his third daughter-in-law was also the Empress's younger sister. Did Elder Zhu dare to admit that he supported the Fifth Prince's claim to the throne?