Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 336 Yu Qian Keeping the Vigil

"It seems that Grand Secretary Yang does indeed have something to say to me."

"Since that's the case, then please proceed." Looking at Yang Shiqi, who was still pestering him, Zhu Zhanhe knew that since Yang Shiqi and his group dared to come to Yunnan, they must have come up with some solutions they considered appropriate, or at least solutions that the court had discussed and deemed suitable. So, Zhu Zhanhe decided to see what Yang Shiqi and his group had to say to him. He then slowly rose, ignoring Yang Shiqi, and walked straight out of the mourning hall.

Watching the Crown Prince of Han slowly rise from the prayer mat and prepare to walk out of the mourning hall, Yang Shiqi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed the Crown Prince was still willing to talk. What Yang Shiqi feared most was that the Crown Prince had no intention of talking at all! That was the situation that Yang Shiqi and the court dreaded most! Immediately, Yang Shiqi quickly followed Zhu Zhanhe's footsteps, as if afraid that the Crown Prince might suddenly change his mind.

"Zhan'an~, keep an eye on your younger brothers and make sure they don't cause any trouble. They should stay and keep vigil for the Prince." After getting up, Zhu Zhanhe specifically instructed his third brother, Zhu Zhan'an, who was kneeling behind him, to prevent his emotionally charged brothers from doing anything out of line.

"Yes, don't worry, elder brother." Zhu Zhan'an, as expected of the most worry-free and insightful younger brother in the Prince's mansion, immediately responded respectfully after hearing his elder brother's words. At the same time, the younger brothers lined up behind Zhu Zhan'an, upon hearing their elder brother's words, those who had some ulterior motives couldn't help but shrink back, silently lower their heads, swallow their resentment, and obediently keep watch over the spirit tablet.

After hearing his third brother's firm reply, Zhu Zhanhe started walking towards the door. But he hadn't taken more than a few steps when he stopped again.

This time, Zhu Zhanhe discovered another strange thing. It turned out that behind his brothers who were keeping vigil, Zhu Zhanhe saw Yu Qian, also wearing mourning clothes and a headdress, kneeling quietly on a prayer mat!
Even Yang Shiqi, who was following behind Zhu Zhanhe, was momentarily stunned when he saw Yu Qian kneeling in mourning clothes, keeping vigil. However, Yang Shiqi quickly realized that it was only right for Yu Qian to be there. After all, he was guarding his father-in-law's coffin, which was perfectly reasonable!

Yu Qian was also kneeling and keeping vigil?! Zhu Zhanhe's gaze froze for a moment.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but twitch his lips inwardly. He knew that Yu Qian was clearly there as the son-in-law to keep vigil for his father-in-law! Of course, Yu Qian was also keeping vigil for the Prince of Han on behalf of his illegitimate daughter. Although Zhu Zhanhe understood the reason for Yu Qian's vigil, he couldn't show it. In fact, he even expressed gratitude for Yu Qian's vigil.

"Minister Yu, please rise quickly. As an official appointed by the court, it is truly beneath you to stand guard behind the coffins of so many princes and nobles."

"This time, Grand Secretary Yang and I have something to discuss. Why don't you come with us to the study to discuss matters, Vice Minister Yu?" Zhu Zhanhe pretended not to know that Yu Qian was his brother-in-law, and very respectfully helped Yu Qian up, sincerely inviting him to go to the study to discuss matters together.

"Your Highness, I..." Seeing that the Crown Prince of Han had helped him up from the ground with an attitude that left no room for refusal, Yu Qian was at a loss for words.

After all, in Yu Qian's view, since his wife, as a descendant of the Prince of Han, couldn't come to Yunnan to keep vigil for the Prince, it was his duty as her husband to do so. Furthermore, the Crown Prince of Han, without being informed, was clearly unaware of his brother-in-law's identity. However, at this moment, Yu Qian couldn't very well reveal in front of everyone that his wife was the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Han.

After all, his wife was the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Han. And in the Prince of Han's mansion, apart from the Prince of Han himself, even the family members of the Prince of Han did not know that such an illegitimate daughter existed. Even if he told the Crown Prince of Han now, the Crown Prince of Han might not accept it.

On the other hand, Yu Qian was well aware that as an official of the imperial court, his unauthorized marriage to a prince was a grave crime of deceiving the emperor! Therefore, although Yu Qian had a thousand words to say in his heart, he was still speechless at this moment. For a moment, Yu Qian, helped up by Zhu Zhanhe, stood there stunned, not responding to the Crown Prince's words. In the large mourning hall, everyone's attention was clearly focused on the Crown Prince. Yu Qian's silence instantly created an eerie silence in the mourning hall, clearly because of his silence, which created an awkward atmosphere. Even the many officials and relatives in the mourning hall focused their gaze on him, as if waiting for Yu Qian's choice.

"Minister Yu, since the Crown Prince of Han has invited us to discuss matters together, we, as his subjects, should naturally obey his orders." Yang Shiqi noticed Yu Qian's awkward situation and the somewhat strange atmosphere in the mourning hall. Therefore, the kind-hearted Yang Shiqi quickly stepped forward and extended another invitation to Yu Qian to join the discussion, easing Yu Qian's embarrassment and the awkward atmosphere in the mourning hall.

At the same time, through this simple little episode, Yang Shiqi also discovered the absolute control the Crown Prince of Han had over the Han Prince's Mansion! It wasn't just the Crown Prince's absolute authority over his many younger brothers within the mansion, but also his absolute leadership over the officials of the Han Prince's Mansion! In an instant, Yang Shiqi's regard for Zhu Zhanhe reached an even higher peak—a new peak that overturned his previous understanding!

"In that case, I shall respectfully accept your invitation," Yu Qian said awkwardly, agreeing to Yang Shiqi's invitation. After all, Yu Qian couldn't bring himself to call the Crown Prince of Han "brother-in-law," and he also keenly sensed the eerie atmosphere in the mourning hall. Realizing this, Yu Qian had no choice but to obediently follow Yang Shiqi, silently keeping pace with Zhu Zhanhe as they walked towards the study. Fan Zhong, who had been standing guard outside the mourning hall like a gatekeeper, also obediently followed after seeing Yang Shiqi and Yu Qian emerge with the Crown Prince of Han.

"Please, everyone, have a seat." In the study, Zhu Zhanhe sat upright in the main seat, calmly gesturing for Yang Shiqi and the others to sit down and talk. At the same time, Zhu Zhanhe picked up the freshly brewed hot tea from the small table and took a small sip. Instantly, he felt a lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth. After exhaling a long breath, Zhu Zhanhe felt the inexplicable unease in his heart dissipate considerably, and even his mood eased a lot.

"His Royal Highness~,

"The Prince of Han has passed away unexpectedly. This humble general has failed Emperor Taizong's entrustment and begs Your Highness to punish me!" As soon as Zhu Zhanhe finished speaking, Fan Zhong, who was standing in the corner of Yang Shiqi and the other two, knelt down on one knee and begged Zhu Zhanhe for forgiveness.

"General Fan, please get up."

Your loyalty to Grandfather is beyond question. But now is not the time to talk about that. Let Grand Secretary Yang explain the purpose of your visit first.

"It can't be that sending the body of the Prince of Han, who spearheaded the rebellion, back to his fiefdom would require a Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty, a Commander of the Imperial Guard, and a Vice Minister of War." Zhu Zhanhe didn't refute or question Fan Zhong's sudden apology, nor did he display the expected rage or rebuke. Instead, he remained calm, using a self-deprecating tone, and urged Yang Shiqi and the others to get down to business first.

"He doesn't show his emotions!" Seeing that the Han prince appeared completely unperturbed, Yang Shiqi grew even more nervous. After all, a ruler who could hide his true feelings on his face was the most terrifying being! Because you never know when a true dragon might devour you!

"Your Highness, this time, I led the team to escort the body of the Prince of Han back to Yunnan. There are indeed a few things I need to discuss with Your Highness." Yang Shiqi looked at the calm Prince of Han and decided to stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point to avoid any unforeseen complications.

(End of this chapter)