Royal Palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

After listening to Hu Fei's words, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Hu Fei who became serious, squinting his eyes and looking thoughtful.

Hu Fei looked at Zhu Yuanzhang who suddenly became silent, and a smile rose in his heart.

He knew that the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang was dissatisfied was not entirely because of his frequent private meetings with Princess Anqing, but because he was worried that his status in the court would be higher after becoming the consort, which would only make him more fearful.

A disobedient prime minister is enough to worry Zhu Yuanzhang. If he adds a disobedient consort, he will be even more uneasy. What's more, the prime minister and the consort are still father and son. If Hu Weiyong really has the intention to rebel, it will be a big problem in the future.

In the final analysis, Zhu Yuanzhang still does not completely believe that Hu Weiyong will not rebel.

Anyone can become paranoid after sitting in that seat for too long.

Not everyone can get the world, but once they get it, they must be afraid of losing it.

"I already know something about you and Princess Anqing, but I already have a candidate for my consort in my mind, and it's not you. There should be someone who comes first, first served."

"So, I'm afraid this matter will disappoint you. Don't meet Princess Anqing in private again in the future. This is an order."

After Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a long time, he looked at Hu Fei and said seriously.

"It seems that His Majesty doesn't like me, a playboy, after all."

After listening to Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Hu Fei curled his lips and said with a chuckle.

"It has nothing to do with this. The candidate has been decided a long time ago. I cannot break my promise or go back on my word. If I follow you, it will be unfair to others."

"But don't worry, I will personally choose a marriage for you, and you will be satisfied."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head, looked at Hu Fei seriously and said.

Although he didn't want Hu Fei to become his consort, he also didn't want Hu Fei to hold a grudge and become alienated from him. After all, Hu Fei's talents were indeed something he admired very much.

"No need to bother Your Majesty. Since Your Majesty values ​​fairness, let me let Wei Chen make his own choice. This will save him from having to choose someone that Wei Chen doesn't like. Isn't that unfair to Wei Chen?"

Hu Fei shook his head and said bluntly.

After listening to Hu Fei's words, before Zhu Yuanzhang could say anything, Pang Yuhai who was standing aside was already frightened. From the beginning to now, every word Hu Fei said might arouse His Majesty's anger. It could almost be said that he was on the edge of life and death.

Test back and forth.

"Okay, since that's the case, I won't force you anymore, you can make your own decision."

"That's it for Princess Anqing. If you don't have anything else to do, please step aside."

However, Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry because Hu Fei refused his marriage offer, and waved his hand and said.

Hu Fei bowed his hands, turned around and walked towards the door without saying goodbye.

Looking at Hu Fei, who was obviously angry and leaving, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly, but he did not have an attack.

But before taking a few steps, Hu Fei suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang again.

"What else do you want?!"

Seeing Hu Fei's actions, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment and asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, I just forgot that I came to the palace today to report something to Your Majesty."

Hu Fei cupped his hands and said slowly.

"What's the matter?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and asked impatiently.

Hu Fei was famous for being messy. He was originally curious that Hu Fei didn't bother him about Princess Anqing, but he didn't expect it to come so soon.

"Wei Chen recently found out that some ministers of the DPRK and China were suspected of corruption, and thought it would be better to tell His Majesty."

Hu Fei cupped his hands and said slowly.

After hearing what Hu Fei said, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned again. He did not expect that Hu Fei was not entangled with him about the matter with Princess Anqing, but about official corruption.

"what happened?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Hu Fei seriously and asked in a deep voice.

"According to the regulations of our dynasty, every year all the chief secretaries, prefectures, and counties must submit money, food, fiscal revenue and expenditure, and tax accounts to the Ministry of Household Affairs, which will then be uniformly verified by the Ministry of Household Affairs. After confirmation, the official seal of the Ministry of Household Affairs will be stamped."

"But Wei Chen accidentally discovered that some officials were holding blank books that had been stamped in advance. Most of them were officials from Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangxi, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan and other places. I wonder if this was His Majesty's tacit approval, or was it someone's intention to falsify it?

"

Hu Fei stood there, cupping his hands, and spoke slowly.

"What did you say?!"

After hearing what Hu Fei said, Zhu Yuanzhang was startled, stood up suddenly, and asked loudly.

"It seems that His Majesty is unaware of this."

Hu Fei looked at the angry Zhu Yuanzhang and said calmly.

"How did you know?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Hu Fei and asked in a deep voice.

"I just said that I accidentally found out that the Chinese New Year is approaching and officials from all over the country come to Beijing to eat and drink at Hongbin Tower, so I accidentally discovered this shortcoming."

Hu Fei replied calmly.

After listening to Hu Fei's words, Zhu Yuanzhang's face gradually darkened, and his eyebrows were full of anger.

"Your Majesty, I have finished saying what I want to say. I will take my leave first."

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's expression, Hu Fei cupped his hands slightly and said slowly. After speaking, he turned around and walked out without waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's response.

Looking at Hu Fei's leaving figure, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became more solemn.

"Pang Yuhai!"

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang shouted with a solemn face.

"The slave is here."

Pang Yuhai hurriedly raised his hands and responded.

"Did you hear what I just said? Immediately carry out a strict inspection!"

Zhu Yuanzhang had a sullen face and shouted sharply.

"Slave obeys the order!"

Pang Yuhai shrank his neck, hurriedly agreed, stood up and walked out quickly.

Zhu Yuanzhang had a sullen face and walked around the hall with his hands behind his back. His face became more serious. Now his thoughts had completely shifted from Hu Fei to the shortcomings of Kongyin.

...

East Palace.

In the backyard pavilion.

Zhu Biaozheng and Li Shanchang were playing backgammon. They both looked at the chessboard attentively. Since they learned backgammon, they seemed to have become more and more obsessed with the way of chess.

At this moment, Xiao Qi came quickly and walked into the pavilion.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, Hu Fei sent a message to His Majesty."

Xiao Qi bowed and said respectfully.

"Hu Fei? He has entered the palace? Where is he?"

Zhu Biao came back to his senses, was stunned for a moment, and asked slowly.

"He has left. It seems that he just came from the Yangxin Palace. He left a message and asked his subordinates to relay it to His Highness, and then left."

Xiao Qi said seriously.

"What words?"

Zhu Biao looked at Xiao Qi and asked curiously.

Li Shanchang's attention was also attracted and he slowly looked at Xiao Qi.

"Hu Fei said that in the near future, His Majesty may impose severe punishment on officials from the DPRK and China, or even implicate them. When the time comes, please His Highness the Crown Prince to stop them. Killing people will not solve the problem."

Xiao Qi raised his hands and said seriously.

"Gone?"

Zhu Biao was confused and asked suspiciously.

"No, these are Hu Fei's original words, word for word."

Xiao Qi shook his head and said affirmatively.

After Zhu Biao heard this, he turned to look at Li Shanchang with a confused look on his face, but found that Li Shanchang also had a confused look on his face.

"This kid, why didn't you come in and talk about something? Then you left with such incomprehensible words..."

Zhu Biao frowned and murmured to himself.
To be continued...