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

In just a few days, Zhu Zaizhen not only learned about the Jiajing Emperor's shroud in mystery, but also about the Yan family... or more precisely, Yan Shifan's unbridled arrogance.

That's incredibly arrogant.

Yesterday at Yan's residence, Zhu Zaizhen inquired in person about Yan Song's impeachment. All the accusations of abuse of power, forming cliques, deceiving the emperor, and harming the country were baseless and inconvenient to ask, nor was there any way to ask them. The only thing he could ask about was the "fraudulent claiming of military merits" that had been seized upon.

Yan Shifan stammered, then admitted it.

If it were possible to manipulate things behind the scenes for one's own son, it would be somewhat understandable. But the son who fraudulently claimed military merits was Yan Shifan's adopted son! Before Zhu Zaizhen even had to say anything, Yan Song had already given him a thorough dressing-down.

The key is.

When the imperial court investigated afterward, Yan Shifan pulled another stunt, making a draft and having the other person copy it, displaying boundless arrogance.

Zhu Zaizhen didn't care why the emperor turned a blind eye to this, nor did he ask Yan Song whether he knew about it.

All he knew was that...

If Yan Shifan continues to be so arrogant, Zhu Zaizhen's reputation will definitely be ruined. In the long run, forget about competing for the throne or the crown prince position. If his opponent were to accuse him of a serious crime, he might very well be finished as well!

Yan Shifan assured Zhu Zaizhen that there would be no next time, but whether that was true or not, only heaven knows.

Zhu Zaizhen didn't try to guess.

He didn't place his hopes on others. Zhu Zaizhen made all the necessary preparations in advance. Today, he would start by winning over Yang Jisheng and taking away a fig leaf.

The main hall of the Prince's Mansion.

Zhu Zaizhen sat in the main seat, with the two Wus on either side. Yang Jisheng, supported by his eldest son Yang Yingwei, solemnly bowed and said, "Your Highness, I will never forget your life-saving grace."

He accepted the gift wholeheartedly. Then, Zhu Zaizhen reached out a hand to help him up, saying, "No need for formalities, quickly help your father up."

Before arriving at the door, Yang Jisheng tidied his appearance and changed his clothes, no longer resembling the miserable state he had in prison. Only then did Zhu Zaizhen see clearly that he had a thin face, thick eyebrows, and wide ears, making him quite conspicuous.

"No need for formalities," Yang Jisheng said, standing up.

but.

His son remained kneeling, and before Zhu Zaizhen could ask, he spoke first: "This humble subject is guilty, please punish me, Your Highness! I overheard a layman at an inn talking about Your Highness's whereabouts, and in my panic, I offended Your Highness's carriage. Please punish me, Your Highness!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the men at the head of the table all changed. Wu Ang, being the most outspoken, said coldly, "What a lazy bum! What kind of idle bum has such extraordinary abilities to know the whereabouts of Prince Jing?"

Yang Yingwei was terrified: "I did think about it at the time, but I was so anxious to save my father that I didn't know which way to go! By the time I turned back to look for him, he had already disappeared without a trace. I..."

"alright."

Yang Yingwei wanted to explain, and Wu Ang wanted to press for more information, but Zhu Zaizhen waved them off.

He stood up, walked to Yang Yingwei, and helped him up. "You risked your life to stop the emperor to save your father; this is the greatest filial piety. What crime have you committed? I will not only not punish you, but I will also reward you and make your name known!"

Yang Yingwei was at a loss and could only go to see his father.

Yang Jisheng was filled with shame and was about to speak when Zhu Zaizhen waved his hand again, "If you still want to apologize, then there's no need to say anything. I won't investigate where that idler got his information. People have different opinions, as long as the final result is good."

That being said...

In reality, only those within the family know their own situation.

Zhu Zaizhen couldn't easily investigate who was behind his actions, since he was in the wrong and considered the villain.

What if they actually find out who it is? What if it's a righteous person who comes to his aid? Wouldn't Zhu Zaizhen be in another dilemma? It's better not to make things difficult for himself.

It's good to be confused sometimes.

Zhu Zaizhen, as the person involved, was fully aware of this principle, while the two Wus, as insiders, were only aware of it later.

After realizing the reason, Wu Yingfeng nodded secretly, thinking to himself: Your Highness is wise.

Wu Ang had no objections.

However, after a moment of hesitation, he said in a low voice, "If we don't investigate, then we won't investigate. It's just that the prince has been wronged."

Zhu Zaizhen didn't care at all. "I am a prince. It's nothing for me to suffer some grievances. Even if I suffer some grievances, I am still a prince. Others can't." He looked at Yang Jisheng and comforted him, "There's no need to dwell on it anymore. I've suffered the grievances, and this matter is over."

Upon hearing this...

Yang Jisheng was utterly ashamed.

He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted again by Wu Ang, who said, "The matter is settled, but Lord Yang's impeachment has ultimately damaged Grand Secretary Yan's reputation. When Your Highness personally went to the Yan residence yesterday to plead for leniency, did you hear that you were also implicated?"

What?!

Yang Jisheng was shocked and hurriedly went to see Prince Jing.

Zhu Zaizhen casually said, "It's not that exaggerated. It's just that Grand Secretary Yan and I have assured you that we will never let you cause him any more trouble. We discussed it and came up with a compromise. We plan to keep an eye on you under my nose and appoint you as the Right Chief Secretary of the Prince Jing's residence... What do you think?"

Yang Jisheng was dumbfounded.

Did King Jing make a promise to Yan Song to save himself? Doesn't that mean King Jing bowed down to his minister for his sake?

This……

What have I done to deserve this?

The overwhelming gratitude poured in, leaving Yang Jisheng completely bewildered and his head spinning.

When he finally came to his senses, everyone in the hall was looking at him, as if waiting for him to make a decision. With extremely complicated feelings, Yang Jisheng finally uttered his second sentence since entering the mansion: "If I were to say no today, how would I be any different from a beast?"

next moment.

He stretched out his hands and bowed deeply, saying, "Your humble servant is fortunate to have received such favor from Your Highness. From now on, I will serve you at your beck and call!"

Wu Ang on the right thought to himself: Good!

Wu Yingfeng, who observed the whole thing from the left: ...

Standing in the center, Zhu Zaizhen smiled broadly, "Minister Yang, you flatter me! Please rise!"

no doubt.

Wu Ang was working with Prince Jing, and Wu Yingfeng could see through it all. But even though he did see through it, he still had to sincerely admire the prince's methods.

Every word and action is a righteous and open strategy, leaving people defenseless and forced to submit and pledge allegiance. This is the way of a splendid ruler, the countenance of an emperor!

For no reason at all.

Wu Yingfeng thought of the emperor in the palace, and he suddenly felt a pang of sadness and wanted to wipe away his tears.

The Ming Dynasty has finally ushered in a new dawn.

It's not easy!

Zhu Zaizhen may never know what strange thoughts were going through the mind of his kind-hearted and sentimental teacher at that moment...

Prince Jing was still immersed in the joy of recruiting a "famous general" and first told him: Since you have agreed, I will speak to the Ministry of Personnel. With the cooperation of Grand Secretary Yan, the transfer order will arrive soon.

Besides.

Prince Jing, adopting the demeanor of a benevolent boss of the Ming Dynasty, waved his hand and granted Yang Jisheng a long leave to recuperate, soothe his mind and body, settle his family, and take care of everything. He told Yang Jisheng that he could come back to work whenever he wanted!

Provide the best possible conditions and the best possible emotional support.

At last.

Zhu Zaizhen asked two questions: "Once you enter the Prince Jing's residence, how will you get along with Xu Jie and Grand Secretary Xu?"

Yang Jisheng replied, "One is one, two is two, I have always distinguished them clearly."

Zhu Zaizhen nodded, then asked, "How do you get along with Grand Secretary Yan?"

Yang Jisheng replied, "If Grand Secretary Yan comes, I will avoid him and will not allow Your Highness to be troubled in the slightest."

it is good.

Zhu Zaizhen is fine.

From this day forward, we are one of our own.