My Years in the Jianghu with the Prince: A Time of Unethical Conduct

Chapter 178 Recollection Part 2.1 - The Cage

At the same time, Emperor Xuande narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke again.

"Indeed, you do look quite similar to your father."

He closed his eyes slightly, tapped the table lightly with one hand, and looked indifferently at the two kneeling below him.

Before the two brothers could respond, he seemed lost in memories and said, "Back then, your father was once my study companion."

"Unfortunately, not many years later, war broke out on the border. Your grandfather was seriously wounded while fighting against foreign enemies and had to withdraw from the front line."

"Chu Wanshan should have inherited your grandfather's mantle, but he gave the title to his younger brother and went to the army to start from the bottom."

"At that time, everyone laughed at his stupidity and thought that his actions were tantamount to courting death."

Emperor Xuande paused his tapping on the table, his expression shifting between light and dark. Suddenly, he smiled and said, "Even I think so."

"But unexpectedly, he made many great contributions along the way. Now, he is a general with a distinguished military record and a far-reaching reputation."

"I heard that he was very popular on the border and the people loved him dearly."

"He is truly one of my most trusted and capable ministers!"

Emperor Xuande's tone was indifferent, seemingly praising, but his words revealed a deep sense of apprehension and murderous intent.

His gaze swept back and forth between the two Chu brothers, as if he were considering which one to strike first.

Just then, Chu Heng bowed deeply to Emperor Xuande and said respectfully, "Your Majesty is too kind."

"Father has achieved what he has today thanks to His Majesty's support. This is all thanks to His Majesty's grace to our Chu family. We are truly unworthy of such praise."

"Without Your Majesty, there would be no Chu family today. We have received Your Majesty's favor and have risked our lives for Your Majesty; these are merely the duties of a subject."

Chu Heng's words were earnest, his expression respectful, and every word he uttered was flattery of Emperor Xuande.

The person at the head of the table seemed to be enjoying it, and his expression softened slightly.

He glanced at the two brothers, then cut to the chase, no longer beating around the bush. “I am remembering our past friendship and considering your youthful promise, so I have summoned you to the palace to serve as my son’s study companions.”

Upon hearing this, the two Chu brothers exchanged a quick glance before bowing and kowtowing again in gratitude.

Emperor Xuande nodded in satisfaction, "Since he is to be a study companion, he shall live in the palace."

"They live in..."

He paused briefly, as if deep in thought, a dark glint in his eyes, "I remember in the Cold Palace..."

Just then, Consort Chen suddenly smiled, interrupting Emperor Xuande, and said softly to him, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten?"

"Although no one lives in the Cold Palace, the palaces of the concubines are all nearby. Although they are all young men, letting outsiders live there might offend the sisters."

Consort Chen truly lived up to her reputation as the most favored concubine; even after interrupting Emperor Xuande, she did not show the slightest anger.

After hearing this, he thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

He reached out and patted Consort Chen's hand, smiling, "If my beloved consort hadn't reminded me, I would have indeed forgotten. You are so thoughtful."

Consort Chen smiled gently and leaned obediently on Emperor Xuande's shoulder.

"Why don't we let them stay in Wenying Hall? It's close to the princes' residences and convenient for them to study together."

Emperor Xuande nodded and said, "Then it shall be as my beloved concubine wishes."

He then waved his hand, and a palace servant came forward and took the two Chu brothers away.

As the palace doors opened, a cold wind mixed with snowflakes rushed towards us once again.

They stood before the gate of Chonghua Hall, looking up to see high palace walls and long steps.

This enormous palace, with its winding, towering buildings, is like a giant cage, tightly enveloping everything and making one feel suffocated.

Chu Heng turned his head slightly and saw Chu Ling's eyes, which held a mixture of restraint and resentment.

He sighed softly, took his brother's hand, and said gently, "Let's go."

The two followed the palace attendant who led the way, passing through many vermilion gates and over the palace walls, before finally arriving at the Wenying Hall, the westernmost part of the palace.

Although it is located at the westernmost point, it is neither too far nor too close to the other palaces.

If something happens, it will not go unnoticed.

However, Wenying Hall has probably been unoccupied for a long time, so no one has cleaned or maintained it.

The palace gates were tightly closed, and the palace walls were mottled, exuding a sense of desolation and loneliness from the inside out.

The palace attendant who led the way simply opened the palace door for them, without making any attempt to have someone clean it up. He left behind only a lantern and then left on his own.

Neither of them got angry despite being treated this way.

Because they also knew what kind of situation and danger they would face once they entered the palace.

Chu Heng stepped forward and gently pushed open the palace door.

Passing by a courtyard overgrown with weeds, the two brothers walked one after the other into the main hall.

Although the palace is located in a remote area, its structure is no different from other palaces, with a main hall, side halls, and a spacious courtyard.

However, because no one has lived there for many years, the hall is covered with dust and cobwebs.

As soon as the palace doors opened, a musty smell that had been sealed for many years immediately rushed out.

The hall was dimly lit, and the thick dust seemed to float in the faint light of the lanterns.

A cold wind howled in from outside the door, blowing up all the dust.

Chu Heng and Chu Ling both covered their noses and took a step back, as if afraid that the dust would get on them.

They exchanged a glance, and then attacked simultaneously!

After a long pause, Chu Heng looked at his clenched fist with regret and said painfully, "I should have known better than to play this! Sigh!"

But at that moment, Chu Ling had already quickly found a broom for him from the corner.

"please."

He wore a gloating expression and retreated repeatedly, disdainfully moving away from the place.

Chu Heng: "..."

Why are other people's younger brothers like that, but my own younger brother is like this?

Despite his helplessness, Chu Heng could only hold the broom and carefully begin sweeping the dust from inside the hall.

Chu Ling, on the other hand, strolled leisurely to the side hall, intending to find something useful.

Just as the two were extremely busy...

With a creak, the outer courtyard's main hall door was pushed open again.

Amidst the commotion, a group of teenagers, roughly their age, entered.

There were quite a few boys in the group, and they were all dressed in the finest materials, extremely particular about their appearance from head to toe. They must be sons of noble families in the capital.

Chu Heng had dealt with them before and knew that they were a group of spoiled brats who relied on their family's power to act arrogantly and domineeringly. They were always arrogant and looked down on everyone.

However, although they entered in groups, they all subtly showed a tendency to crowd around someone as they walked.