Chapter 35: Meeting between the Emperor and His Ministers
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with doubt, but he said nonchalantly: "Oh? What could happen to him?"

Under Zhu Yuanzhang's cold gaze, the eunuch had no choice but to tell the truth: "Yesterday... Marquis Ji'an recognized a fellow villager at Xianliang Temple."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was uncertain. He had heard some of these things, and he never liked the situation of people forming cliques among their fellow villagers.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Lu Zhongheng is lonely, and he keeps looking for relatives everywhere. Which family is he looking for this time?"

The eunuch said cautiously, "It's...it's Captain Deng, Captain Deng of the Yiluansi."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang threw the memorial he had in his hand onto the imperial desk. His face became even colder, and he stared at the eunuch with eyes as sharp as knives.

"Did they find Deng Qianqiu? Deng Qianqiu came to Nanjing four days ago and was just appointed as a centurion! This imperial edict was issued through the Secretariat, and Lu Zhongheng is a meritorious official. How come... he also has spies in the Secretariat?"

The eunuch said with fear on his face: "This servant...this servant deserves to die."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was terribly gloomy: "So, Deng Qianqiu has now climbed up the big tree of Lu Zhongheng?"

The eunuch was terrified at this time, and said: "It seems to have been climbed, but it also seems not to have been climbed."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "..."

The eunuch took a look at Zhu Yuanzhang's face, then lowered his head and said, "Marquis Ji'an was polite to him, saying that they were all from the same hometown and they could call each other brothers, but what about Deng Qianqiu... He really called him a brother..."

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes, with a gleam of light flickering in his eyes, but at this moment, he seemed calm and indifferent to such things.

The eunuch continued: "Then...then Deng Qianqiu called Marquis Ji'an his good brother."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face suddenly froze and he felt numb.

"What did you say, brother?"

"Hahahaha..." Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly laughed, and it seemed that the gloom of the day was swept away.

He couldn't help but ask with interest: "And then?"

"Then, the expression of Marquis Ji'an suddenly changed. Fortunately, the Marquis was magnanimous and did not make a fuss with Captain Deng. However, Captain Deng was relentless and kept pulling Marquis Ji'an, saying things like... my father is your father, and our father is this and that..."

Zhu Yuanzhang subconsciously recalled the image of his old friend. Thinking of the wrinkled, burly Lu Zhongheng, who was the same age as him, he couldn't help but wonder, "What happened to Lu Zhongheng later?"

"There were quite a few guards around at the time, and Marquis Jian found an excuse to leave."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was full of joy, but he also seemed to want to be dignified and solemn, but his eyes betrayed him after all. An indescribable smile appeared in his eyes. He couldn't help but say, "This Deng Qianqiu is really unruly."

"Yes." The eunuch said, "This matter has spread inside and outside the palace. The Yiluansi has now arranged for him to take night shifts."

"Night duty?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.

The eunuch said, "It is said that he did not get along with the other imperial guards of the Yiluansi."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly, and this time, the joy in his eyes was completely gone, replaced by a cold and solemn look.

“Oh.” He only responded, and suddenly thought of something, so he asked, “Is this Lawrence Lu’s revenge?”

"I dare not say anything." It was rare for the eunuch to see Zhu Yuanzhang in such a talkative mood. If it were normal, His Majesty would definitely not talk so much with a eunuch like him. Therefore, he wanted to please him, so he said on his own initiative: "It is possible that the Marquis of Ji'an did not have such thoughts, but the people of the Yiluansi heard that he had offended the Marquis of Ji'an, and they would inevitably exclude him among their peers."

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became colder and colder: "Did Deng Qianqiu have any reaction?"

Perhaps because this matter was too interesting, it caused many people in and outside the bored palace to discuss it privately.

The eunuch said, "I heard that he has no complaints. He stands guard at the Xianliang Temple every day, and I haven't heard of him causing any trouble." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, as if this matter no longer attracted his attention.

He began to lower his head and picked up the memorial again.

After looking for a while, his eyes reflecting the palace lanterns suddenly became sharp. He had no intention of continuing to read the memorial. He suddenly threw the memorial on the table and said, "The Yiluansi is my eyes and ears, and they follow me around and guard the imperial city! Lu Zhongheng, a founding marquis and the governor of Jiangxi, is trying to make friends with a mere centurion of the Yiluansi. What does he want to do?"

This sudden questioning made the eunuch frightened, and he immediately fell to the ground and said, "My servant is too talkative, my servant is too talkative."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up into the void. He was no longer like the old monk sitting still, but was full of dignity. He said coldly, "Let's go. I'm going to Xianliang Temple."

The Xianliang Temple is also part of the palace complex. Although it is outside the Forbidden City, it is actually only separated by a wall from the Chunhe Palace where the prince lives.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to go out for a night tour, and the eunuch hurriedly said, "I will go and ask the Xianliang Temple to make preparations to welcome you."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "No need."

His word is law, so how dare the eunuchs say anything more?

So, under the moonlight, Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in casual clothes, set off in a grand manner. His personal guards were supposed to follow him, but Zhu Yuanzhang just waved his hand and told them to follow from a distance.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have many worries, the queen's illness, the education of the princes, and of course... there were also more and more signs appearing in the court.

He was silent but walked briskly, passing Chunhe Palace and going straight to Xianliang Temple. When he arrived at Xianliang Temple, looking at the mansions hung with colorful lanterns and the roofs that rose and fell like a coiled dragon under the moonlight, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly felt dazed.

He walked leisurely, and under the moonlight, he seemed a little lonely. At this moment, too many things were mixed together in his mind, making him feel a little breathless.

But he still looked proud and confident, and the temperament that emanated from his bones was so great that even the bright moon in the sky was dimmed.

"Brother...I didn't expect to meet you here."

At this moment, a figure jumped out of the darkness.

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned, a murderous look flashed across his face, and he subconsciously became alert.

But when he looked carefully towards the source of the sound, he saw a familiar figure.

It was... the young man I saw in Fengyang Prison a few days ago.

At this time, Deng Qianqiu, wearing armor and carrying a knife, came forward with a clanking sound, showing a look of surprise: "Oh, brother... I thought I would never see you again in this life."

Deng Qianqiu was on duty, guarding the night in the Xianliang Temple. He came to Nanjing and was appointed as a centurion. At first, he thought he had made a name for himself and would be able to follow the Prince of Jin and enjoy a good life.

Who would have thought that in the Yiluansi, Deng Qianqiu would be given a direct position. At first, he was just guarding the gate, but now, it seems that people don't think he is good enough at guarding the gate, so he is directly assigned to be a security guard, and the kind that patrols at night.

There is still a gap after getting to this point, but Deng Qianqiu has gradually adapted to it. It's pretty good this way. He patrols at night, pretends to be active in the first half of the night, and then finds a place to lie down and take a nap in the second half of the night. He feels great. No wonder everyone wants to be a security guard. Not only is he a security guard, but he is also a regular one.

When he saw Zhu Yuanzhang, Deng Qianqiu was already overjoyed. He was still very grateful to the old man in front of him, because he knew how serious the case involving the eldest princess was. If the case was not properly diagnosed, the whole family might really have to be beheaded together.

But in the end, not only was he released, but he was also promoted to a higher level. No matter how stupid Deng Qianqiu was, he knew that his ability to escape the crime should be related to the confession given by the man in front of him during the interrogation.

It can be imagined that the person who was interrogating and handling the case, when reporting the circumstances of the case, not only did not exaggerate, but may have even said a few good words for him.

And now, the benefactor who is handling this case is right in front of him.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the happy Deng Qianqiu, feeling a little uncomfortable for a moment, and frowned slightly and said, "Hmm?"

(End of this chapter)