My father, during the Jiajing era, ensured that every household was clean and tidy.

In the twenty-fourth year of the Jiajing reign, General Zhu Chongzhuo, under the influence of Luo Tingxi, a sorcerer of the White Lotus Sect, led foreign enemies into the country with the intention of plotting a rebellion.

In the 29th year of the Jiajing reign, the Mongol Tumed tribe marched south and besieged the capital. At that time, the White Lotus sect instigated unruly youths to cause trouble, intending to launch a coordinated attack from within and without.

In the thirtieth year of the Jiajing reign, Xiao Qin and Lü Mingzhen, leaders of the White Lotus Rebellion in Datong Left Guard, failed in their rebellion against the Ming Dynasty and were executed by slow slicing. The remaining followers sought refuge with Anda Khan, the leader of the Tumed tribe, and were given important positions by him, causing trouble to this day.

Today it is today.

In various places, members of the White Lotus sect still disguise themselves as beggars, monks, and merchants to travel in and out of various places to gather military intelligence.

Why spy on military intelligence? Because it was to inform the Mongols to the north and lure them into the pass.

It's no wonder that Zhu Zaizhen immediately associated the White Lotus Sect with the stereotypical image of them as rebels wherever they went when he heard about them.

There's no smoke without fire.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the White Lotus Sect rebelled against the Yuan; during the Ming Dynasty, the White Lotus Sect rebelled against the Ming and wanted to surrender to the Yuan; during the Qing Dynasty, it directly opposed the Qing and sought to restore the Ming!

Rather than saying they wanted to restore anyone, it would be more accurate to say they were simply using the banner of the previous dynasty as a pretext for rebellion. Moreover, it wasn't the kind of rebellion that suddenly broke out during the decline of a dynasty. From the establishment of the dynasty to its peak and then to its decline, the White Lotus Sect rebelled throughout the entire process!

in short.

This is a group of highly patriotic rebels.

Upon hearing the rest, Zhu Zaizhen understood. The Embroidered Uniform Guards' advice that he should flee was not because they were no match for them or afraid of the White Lotus Sect, but because Zhu Zaizhen's status as Prince Jing was too precious. Even being slightly frightened by those guys would be a grave offense.

In fact.

These were already the most euphemistic and roundabout ways the Imperial Guard had used. To put it more directly, it would have been: "Your Highness, we're about to catch a thief. Would you like to make your escape?"

King Jing heeded the advice and left.

He also decided to avoid such crowded places in the future, as a wise person avoids dangerous situations.

Putting aside the last wave of White Lotus sect members, Zhu Zaizhen's visit today can be considered a small success.

Upon returning to the Prince's residence, he went straight to his study, took out a small notebook, turned to the first page with Zhang Juzheng's name, and on the second page, wrote Hai Rui's name, while also marking:

Uprightness can be used as a pen or a knife.

Pay close attention!

After taking notes, he put the notebook away and then asked someone to check Zhang Siwei's background. Zhu Zaizhen felt that the name sounded familiar, so he checked to see if he had any noteworthy achievements.

However, this time Prince Jing went to great lengths, so there was no need to investigate. The next morning, after finishing his morning lessons and practicing calligraphy, Wu Ang asked if he had found any talented people while out yesterday, and Zhu Zaizhen casually mentioned it.

"Zhang Siwei?"

Under the corridor, Wu Ang said indifferently without thinking, "What achievements could someone who just passed the imperial examination have? If we really have to mention something worth mentioning, there is only one thing: his family is rich."

Zhu Zaizhen raised an eyebrow. "How rich?"

Wu Ang: "It's similar to my home."

...Awesome!

Zhu Zaizhen's praise was genuine. He knew that his master Wu Ang came from the Wu family of Huizhou, a family with immense wealth.

To be comparable to his family, Zhang Siwei's background must be quite impressive. Sure enough, Wu Ang then pointed out that the Zhang family of Pingyang, Shanxi, were famous salt merchants, Jin merchants, and extremely wealthy families.

Zhu Zaizhen clicked his tongue in amazement.

However, that was all that remained of it – simply marvelous.

Having money is certainly good, but in the Ming Dynasty, money alone is not enough, at least not enough to warrant Zhu Zaizhen making a note of it in his notebook.

Keep this in mind for now and see how it goes.

Zhu Zaizhen escorted Wu Ang to the ceremonial gate and presented him with a pastry. Wu Ang accepted it respectfully and bowed twice, first to thank the prince and second to thank the princess who had personally made the pastry.

Both teachers observe the same etiquette, and the gift is given to the teacher who teaches that day. Sometimes it's a snack, sometimes it's a fruit or melon, all small items, emphasizing the sentiment rather than the gift itself.

The teacher left.

Zhu Zaizhen returned to the back residence.

The young princess was busy packing another batch of pastries when she saw him come in. She teased, "Your Highness, if the two chefs knew that what you gave them had been given to someone else exactly as it was, they would probably be jealous."

"If you don't tell, and I don't tell, who will know? That Zhang guy doesn't buy into any of that patriotic nonsense, so I'll just use sugar-coated bullets and slowly boil him like a frog!"

"The prince is so wicked."

"Is that so?" Zhu Zaizhen raised an eyebrow and pulled the little princess into his arms. "What's wrong with you?"

"Oh dear, Your Highness!"

The young princess exclaimed in surprise, blushing so much that she leaned against King Jing's chest. Upon seeing this, the maids on either side quickly ran away, giggling.

In just half a month, the young princess's girlish naiveté had gradually faded, replaced by a charming maturity in her married life. This made Zhu Zaizhen increasingly delighted with her, and he immediately gave her a kiss, exclaiming, "Ah!"

The beautiful woman in his arms pouted coquettishly, but Zhu Zaizhen grinned, wrapped his arms around her, and held her soft hands, saying, "My princess is tired."

The beautiful woman gently shook her head. "I'm not tired. Your Highness is destined for great things. I'm just helping out with a small matter."

As she spoke, she turned around, a hint of eagerness on her face. "Your Highness, I've inquired around, and it's said that the lady of that Hanlin scholar's wife likes to wear flowers in her hair. I'm thinking of inviting a few noblewomen and Lady Gu to enjoy the flowers together when spring arrives. What do you think?"

Looking into her bright, sparkling eyes, Zhu Zaizhen smiled knowingly, "With such a wonderful wife, what more could a husband ask for?"

The little princess rolled her eyes and pointed to her profile.

Upon seeing this.

Zhu Zaizhen laughed heartily.

The little pleasures between husband and wife are not for outsiders to know. After a while, Prince Jing changed into casual clothes, picked up some pastries, and left the mansion.

Zhang Juzheng was on leave today, so there was no need to wait until he finished his shift to go. Zhu Zaizhen was a regular at Zhang's residence, and since he was known for his thick skin, he knocked on the gate, shrugged off the guards, and went straight in.

It was still that same young servant leading the way, still with that arrogant demeanor, pouting and ignoring everyone.

Fortunately, Zhu Zaizhen was experienced and slapped the pastry box into his hand, saying generously, "Royal pastries, take them and eat."

"I……"

The little servant stared wide-eyed.

Zhu Zaizhen waved his hand: "I know, I know, you have to save face. This isn't something I gave you, it's money you earned by opening this shop for me!"

The young servant was still gritting his teeth.

Zhu Zaizhen glanced at him and teased, "What's wrong? You're unhappy because this is my first time here? I've been here so many times, and you're still unhappy? Then all this food I've given you has been for nothing!"

As they were talking.

The two had already passed through the corridor and entered the west wing. Zhu Zaizhen originally wanted to ask about his master, but he swallowed the words back down.

Because Zhang Juzheng was inside the room at that moment. Not only him, but also his wife, Madam Gu, and two maids were sitting around the square table—held to the table by several steel knives!

At this point...

The servant, who had been holding back his fear all the way, could no longer contain himself and his voice trembled as he stammered, "I...I..."

"Let me speak for you." A middle-aged man with a white cloth wrapped around his neck stepped forward, looked at Zhu Zaizhen, and smiled, "Greetings, Prince Jing. I am Qiu Fu, a commoner and the young manager of the White Lotus Sect."

This moment.

Zhu Zaizhen stood there, looking inside the house and then at the crowd that had gathered outside. He chuckled to himself; people often feel this way when they're speechless. "Seriously, are you all that bold?"