Chapter 408: I Pardon Your Crime
Yun Chu had received the news before Chu Rui arrived.
Among the Imperial Guards in the palace were some remnants of Fan Ming's former troops, strategically placed in various positions. They were now all under her command.
"Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager." Chu Rui bowed with his head lowered. "May the Empress Dowager enjoy good health."
Yun Chu's voice was light and calm: "The Regent need not stand on ceremony."
Chu Rui lifted his head and glanced at the palace attendants in the room: "This prince has matters to discuss with the Empress Dowager. All of you may withdraw."
Those serving in the room were Ting Shuang and Qiutong. Qiutong held a guard position while Ting Shuang served as a senior maid—both were considered prominent figures within the palace.
They only withdrew after seeing Yun Chu nod, closing the door behind them.
Qiutong did not leave but stood guard outside the main entrance, ready to rush in at the slightest sound.
Yun Chu took a sip of tea, her expression composed: "What matter does the Regent wish to discuss?"
"Does the Empress Dowager know what the Emperor has been occupied with recently?" Chu Rui directly took a seat on a chair and poured himself a cup of tea. "Does the Empress Dowager believe that inviting Ouyang Ye will turn the young emperor into a benevolent ruler? Unfortunately, the young emperor's birth mother is unknown—likely some lowborn woman from outside. With such base bloodline, naturally, he cannot shoulder the responsibilities befitting an emperor..."
"Audacious!" Yun Chu slammed her cup down heavily, her face frosty. "Does the Regent know what crime it is to openly discuss the Emperor in such a manner?"
A smile appeared on Chu Rui's face: "Have I spoken anything untrue?"
Yun Chu's expression darkened.
When she first married Chu Yi, there had been discussions about Yu Ge'er's origins. Later, as she and Yu Ge'er grew increasingly close to Changsheng in public, who wouldn't say they were mother and son?
Even after Jue Ge'er was born, Yu Ge'er's position as heir remained unshaken.
Gradually, no one brought up Yu Ge'er's origins anymore.
She never expected that now that Yu Ge'er had become Emperor, she would still hear such remarks from others.
"The Empress Dowager need not be angered. Actually, I believe there is a better candidate for emperor." Chu Rui curved his lips as he spoke. "Chu Hongjue is your and Chu Yi's own child, carrying the blood of the Yun family. The true figure the Yun family should support should be Prince Yan, Chu Hongjue."
Yun Chu lowered her gaze.
So this was an attempt to sow discord.
Her voice carried sarcasm: "This mourning one thought the Regent would say the better candidate for emperor is yourself."
"That is indeed my intention." Chu Rui leaned forward. "If the Empress Dowager and the Yun family support me as emperor, I will take you as my Empress and appoint Chu Hongjue as Crown Prince. What do you think?"
Yun Chu laughed in anger: "What outrageous nonsense!"
"You are only twenty-four—the prime of a woman's youth. You shouldn't remain alone in the rear palace." Chu Rui's eyes fixed on her. "I can arrange a new identity for you—the legitimate eldest daughter of a noble family. You can marry me under this new identity, become my Empress, and enjoy this vast kingdom with me."
Yun Chu picked up the teacup from the table and splashed its contents at him.
Chu Rui showed no trace of anger on his face. He wiped the tea stains and continued: "I know this is difficult for you to accept immediately. It's alright—there is still time. Consider it slowly."
Yun Chu spoke coldly: "The Regent has shown great disrespect to this mourning one. Guards, reward the Regent with ten slaps!"
Qiutong rushed in immediately.
She first checked that Yun Chu was unharmed, then immediately approached Chu Rui, raising her hand to deliver a slap.Chu Rui shifted his body slightly, effortlessly evading the slap.
Qiutong seized the momentum, pressing one hand on Chu Rui's shoulder.
"Audacious lowly servant!"
Chu Rui unfolded the paper fan in his hand, blocking Qiutong's attack.
The next moment, his trusted young eunuch burst through the door, engaging Qiutong in a fight that moved from indoors to outdoors.
Qiutong was slightly outmatched. Even with the help of other guards in the courtyard, they still struggled to subdue the young eunuch.
Yun Chu's eyes darkened.
Last time, she had suspected Chu Rui possessed martial skills. Having Qiutong test him confirmed it.
This young eunuch was undoubtedly a master among masters.
"My apologies for the rudeness," Chu Rui said with displeasure. "Later, I shall send gifts to the Empress Dowager as an apology."
He turned and walked outside, calling out, "Duo Bao, let's go."The young eunuch named Duo Bao immediately ceased fighting, standing obediently behind Chu Rui with lowered eyes and a submissive demeanor—utterly unable to see any trace of martial prowess."
"Empress Dowager, that young eunuch's skills far surpass mine," Qiutong reported as she entered. "The Regent would likely be about even with me in a fight."
Yun Chu instructed, "Spread word of what just happened in Kunning Palace."
She needed to win over more neutral factions. Once she had accumulated sufficient influence, she must expel Chu Rui from the court.
Otherwise, Yu Ge'er would be in grave danger.
Meanwhile, Chu Hongyu swaggered into the residence of the Minister of Works.
In previous days, he had come secretly to study how to improve the boats in the back garden... Today, he made no effort to hide, intentionally seeking to encounter the Minister so he could consult him.
As the head of the Ministry of Works, Minister Chen was typically very busy, dealing with numerous miscellaneous affairs.
But recently, the Emperor came to his house every afternoon to enjoy boating, which was quite perilous. Thus, Minister Chen dared not go anywhere, remaining on standby at all times.
He sat in a pavilion by the back garden, handling official duties while keeping an eye on the water.
Suddenly, he saw the young Emperor approaching the pavilion.
He hurriedly picked up a memorial to cover his face.
When the young Emperor moved to the right, he covered the right side of his face.
When the young Emperor moved to the left, he covered the left side.
The memorial was tugged from his hands.
He found himself staring into the young Emperor's large, round eyes.
"Ahem! Ahem!"
The Minister of Works nearly choked on his own saliva.
"Oh, it's Minister Chen," Chu Hongyu blinked. "What a coincidence."
Minister Chen: "..."
This was his own home—what coincidence was there?
He quickly stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty, when did you arrive? I was unaware and failed to welcome you properly. I beg for your forgiveness!"
"We pardon you," Chu Hongyu said, sitting down in the pavilion. "We happen to have a question for you, Minister Chen. Take a look at this blueprint—can you understand it?"
The Minister of Works immediately examined it carefully, his expression growing increasingly solemn.
The blueprint depicted two armies engaged in battle on the sea. The main focus was two large ships, with smaller vessels in the background.
Above one large ship was something resembling a "boarding ramp" placed on the enemy ship. The back of this device was covered in dense nails that could secure the opponent's vessel, creating a passage between the two ships... With this contraption, they could instantly control those adept at sneak attacks from the Eastern Tomb Kingdom and turn naval warfare into land combat. It was absolutely brilliant!"This... this..." he said incredulously, "If this were applied to warships, it would be extraordinary! Did Your Majesty draw this?"
A smile appeared on Chu Hongyu's face: "Naturally."
The Minister of Works suddenly understood.
Over the past half month, His Majesty hadn't been playing with water for amusement at all - he had clearly been researching improvements to warships!
He immediately praised: "Your Majesty is truly exceptionally brilliant and remarkably insightful!"
"Hmph!" Chen San curled his lips, "I wonder who's been saying every day at home that His Majesty is willful and unruly, that the Great Jin Empire would be ruined in His Majesty's hands, and even said... mmmph!"
"Unfilial son!" The Minister of Works immediately covered his son's mouth, smiling obsequiously at Chu Hongyu, "This wretched child is talking nonsense, pure nonsense..."
"I'm not talking nonsense... mmmph!"
Chen San's mouth was completely sealed shut.
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