The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

The second floor of the teahouse.

The place had already been booked out, and Zhu Houzhao was sitting with his legs crossed, looking at a picture book in his hand.

They were completely engrossed in watching it.

"Sir, news has come from the gate of the British government office that Young Master Zhang Lun has returned from the military camp, and he seems to be in a great hurry. He also said that he brought a doctor with him." Jiang Bin hurried over to inform Zhu Houzhao after hearing his subordinate's report at the stairwell.

Zhu Houzhao immediately exclaimed excitedly, "So soon? I thought it would be past noon. This old man's health has indeed deteriorated. Let's go!"

Jiang Bin asked, "Are we going to the main entrance?"

"What's the excitement over there? Just look at the back door," Zhu Houzhao said. "I'd like to see how that woman gets out."

"Sir, should we intercept them on the way and take them back... to question them properly?" Jiang Bin knew how to get things done.

Of course, in his view, Prince Ning's side was not foolish either.

It seems that they were afraid that the princes would not announce their illnesses, so instead of handing over the medicine directly, they spread rumors in the city and then told the emperor that the one with the problem was this family... Isn't this just leaving the Duke of Ying with no way to deny it in the end?

Whether a prophecy is accurate or not depends on fate; it can't be made up just because you, Old Zhang, say it's not true.

If you stubbornly refuse to seek medical help, you're headed for death.

"You decide what to do." Zhu Houzhao had already darted out of the teahouse without even taking a follower, and went back to find the flag officer.

……

……

The corner of the backyard.

The captain was idly sunbathing to pass the time when he saw the junior officer from before running back.

"Hey. You haven't left yet?" The captain was also very happy.

This guy is practically a little god of wealth.

Zhu Houzhao laughed and said, "I just went to the main gate to inquire, and they said the young master has returned, bringing a doctor with him. Has something happened here?"

"Yeah?"

Upon hearing this, the flag officer immediately perked up, walked to the corner, and peered out.

"Be careful, don't get caught," Zhu Houzhao warned.

"Don't worry, the Embroidered Uniform Guards are on patrol duty anyway. We'll just take a break here; who'll gossip?" the flag officer said excitedly. "There's a secret, have you heard of it?"

Zhu Houzhao said unhappily, "You're not going to make me buy something again, are you? I just ate fried cakes."

"I see... Well then, consider this secret a free gift. Anyway, it's already spread throughout the city." The flag officer said with a smile, "It's also because we get along well."

"Really? You're a really nice person. Well then, when I get promoted, I'll definitely give you a head start. Tell me quickly," Zhu Houzhao said excitedly.

The flag officer said, "Stop dreaming. Promotion? Do you really think you have connections like the Duke of Yingguo? Right now, everyone in the capital is saying that there's a scholar in the south named Tang Yin who can write poetry and paint. He suddenly developed hysteria and somehow lost his mind. Guess what will happen after he recovers?"

"You're talking about a book? Tell me, tell me!"

"What's the rush? After he woke up, he said that a meritorious official in the capital would die of chest pain on the 29th of this month... which is today! He even sent someone to deliver medicine to the capital." The flag officer said as if telling a story.

Zhu Houzhao blinked and asked, "What is chest pain?"

Just then, the back gate of the Duke's mansion opened, and the woman and maid who had gone in earlier were seen hurriedly coming out under the guidance of the old woman, and directly into the carriage, which then headed this way.

The flag officer pointed and said, "Look, that's called chest pain."

"What does that mean?" Zhu Houzhao was genuinely confused this time.

Why does this person always speak in riddles?

The flag officer asked with a smile, "You don't seem to frequent brothels very often. Have you ever heard of 'horse-riding hemorrhage'?"

Zhu Houzhao thought to himself, "I often go to brothels, but I'm always alone when I go. I've never really heard of one before."

So he honestly shook his head.

"Young man, go out and gain more experience," the flag officer laughed. "The so-called 'horse stroke' is basically dying on a woman's belly!"

"Haha, so it's this sudden stroke? Then it's probably... haha..."

The two of them just stood there laughing at each other.

The carriage had already passed by them.

Zhu Houzhao craned his neck to take a look and said, "I didn't get a good look at that person either. Was she good-looking?"

"You don't understand, do you? A prostitute is all about being charming. The women of wealthy families have a certain air about them. The more unapproachable they are, the more aloof they are. Even if they aren't beautiful, they still attract powerful and influential men like moths to a flame." The flag officer explained with the air of someone who had been there before.

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Even without beautiful women, it's acceptable?"

"Judging by your age, you should be married by now, right? Never experienced anything? Tsk tsk, that's a pity!" the officer said. "You still need to find a way to gain power and money, so you can see different things!"

"Brother, you sound very experienced. How about this, I'll ask you for some advice later. Did you like that woman from earlier?" Zhu Houzhao asked with a smile.

The flag officer frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhu Houzhao squinted and smiled, "Instead of listening to your explanation, let's get to the point. I won't tell you directly now, you'll understand later."

……

……

Inside the British Duke's residence, chaos reigned.

Zhang Mao suddenly fell ill. Although he did not die immediately, he was already barely breathing.

In those days, it was almost impossible to treat chest pain, but the doctor was still called in immediately and even went in right away to give Zhang Mao the medicine.

After Zhang Mao's eldest grandson, Zhang Lun, returned, he grabbed Zhang She, a staff member who was waiting for news outside the backyard, and asked, "Uncle Zhang, how is my grandfather now?"

"Young Master, don't worry too much, it's probably... just a small matter." Zhang She didn't know what to say.

Zhang Mao fell ill, and his family didn't know what was wrong with him. After all, he was old, and any sudden illness could happen.

Zhang Lun said, "There's a rumor going around that a meritorious official in the capital will suffer from chest pain today. Could it be my grandfather?"

"Don't talk nonsense. What chest pain... that rumor... it's said that..."

Zhang She appeared quite helpless.

Zhang Mao was most averse to people saying he was old, and even more so to people saying he might die, so this matter was never spread within the Duke's mansion.

Because of the rumor that the minister would suffer from chest pain and die suddenly, Zhang Mao disliked hearing it even more.

Zhang Lun said anxiously, "How can I not be worried when my illness is so serious? Mr. Wang is out..."

The doctor came out of Zhang Mao's bedroom with a look of fear and disgust on his face. He probably already guessed why Zhang Mao had fallen ill, and he also knew how dangerous the illness was.

"Mr. Wang, how is it?" Zhang Lun took the initiative to greet him through the moon gate and into the inner courtyard.

The doctor shook his head and said, "The condition is extremely critical; it's possible... he/she will..."

"How is it?" Zhang She asked anxiously.

"We need to prepare for the worst," the doctor said bluntly.

He had seen too many patients like this, and could be considered a representative of the empirical school of thought. In the general population, there was no chance of saving someone like Zhang Mao who fell ill like this.

Zhang Lun asked, "Is it chest pain?"

"Well..." the doctor said, feeling embarrassed.

Whether you call it chest pain or sudden stroke, Old Zhang's illness was somewhat dishonorable.

Zhang Lun said sternly, "What are you waiting for? Quickly send someone to the palace to get the medicine! Wasn't there already medicine waiting there?"

"Young Master, shouldn't you listen to the Duke's opinion on this matter? This... might cause us to lose face." Zhang She immediately tried to stop him.

If this gets out, won't Old Zhang's reputation be ruined?

Zhang Lun said, "It's already come to this. If we really need to prepare for the funeral, are we going to keep it a secret? If others find out later that our ancestor has passed away, wouldn't that be the same as admitting to the world that what they said came true? Quickly send someone over!"

"Young Master, Mr. Zhang, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has arrived." Just then, a doorman came in and announced loudly.

"What do you mean?" Zhang She wanted to go over and negotiate.

The doorman said, "It's Commander Qian of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He said he came on the Emperor's orders, bringing medicine to treat your illness. He's already inside. Should we...?"

Zhang Lun, as if on a hot tin roof, said, "Everyone's here, what are we waiting for? Quickly, invite Commander Qian in!"