Lan Yu took the booklet from Zhu Ying's hand and read it carefully.
He saw a large number of names above, and he was very familiar with these names, and each one of them had a close relationship with him.
In just a moment, Lan Yu felt chills all over her body, her back was covered with sweat, and there were beads of sweat on her forehead.
The moment he read it, he immediately understood that this was the intelligence of Jin Yiwei's investigation. As for why he was investigated, he knew the reason without even thinking.
Gradually, Lan Yu's breathing became heavier.
He had thought that His Majesty would take action against him, but in his opinion, the most likely possibility was to relinquish his military power.
Only after seeing this information did he realize that the matter was far more serious than he imagined...
"Your Highness, I" At this moment, Lan Yu looked at Zhu Ying in front of her, as if she had grasped a life-saving straw.
Zhu Ying has been carefully observing Lan Yu's expression and is very satisfied with Lan Yu's reaction.
Showing the brochure to Lan Yu, in a sense, is actually equivalent to poaching the old man's corner, making Lan Yu follow him determinedly, without any way out.
Only in this way can Zhu Ying completely suppress Lan Yu.
"Uncle, don't worry. The moment grandpa hands me the booklet, there's no need for me to worry too much. After all, I'm back."
Zhu Ying said with a smile.
The calm and calm smile made Lan Yu feel relieved. At this moment, Lan Yu felt a little lucky.
Such a long list, even for Jin Yiwei, cannot be found in a short time, which shows that the investigation has taken a long time.
It is not difficult to guess that His Majesty must have issued an order to investigate within a few days after the death of Prince Zhu Biao.
The relationship between him and Zhu Yunwen was neither hot nor cold, and he was a general and the commander-in-chief of the Chinese Army, which became Zhu Yunwen's roadblock.
To be honest, although Lan Yu felt a little scared at this moment, she was also very disappointed at the same time.
It was a disappointment to His Majesty, because in his heart, he never thought that one day he would be questioned by His Majesty, but even so, Lan Yu still thought in his heart.
Your Majesty probably cannot execute him, and it is more likely that he will be demoted to a commoner by depriving him of his title. Most of the people involved with him will probably be dismissed from their posts and investigated.
Fortunately, Zhu Ying appeared, and the generals of his line had a new loyal target, so they would not be too scattered.
Thinking of this, Lan Yu suddenly stood up, took two steps back, knelt down on one knee facing Zhu Ying, lowered his head and said in a deep voice: "I, Lan Yu, will swear allegiance to His Highness to the death."
"Uncle, what are you doing? Get up quickly. You are my natal family. I have always trusted you so much. Why should you be so solemn?"
Zhu Ying also stood up, quickly went to help Lan Yu, and said in a very surprised tone.
Lan Yu took advantage of the situation and stood up. Of course, she did not dare to let Zhu Yingzhen help her, and then said seriously: "Your Highness is my lord first, and then your relative. According to etiquette, this is the way."
When Zhu Ying heard Lan Yu's explanation, she felt satisfied and said: "If there are no outsiders around, it is more intimate to call her her mother's family, so there is no need to care too much about it."
When Lan Yu heard Zhu Ying's rather intimate tone, she immediately felt relaxed.
Then he took the brochure in his hand and handed it to Zhu Ying.
Zhu Ying pushed it back and said, "Since I'm back, why do I still keep this thing? My uncle can take it and burn it."
Hearing this, Lan Yi was quite moved and said seriously: "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Okay, let's not talk about it. The time is about the same now. I just want to go and inspect the five thousand personal guards that my uncle selected for me." Zhu Ying changed the subject and said.
Lan Yu immediately said: "Your Highness, please rest assured, all of these five thousand people are elites who can ride horses and shoot arrows. When selecting, a certain person will give priority to them with fire blunderbuss. Among the five thousand people, there will be at least three thousand."
He is very familiar with firecrackers."
Hearing this, Zhu Ying became even more interested.
He originally wanted to form a firecrackers force of a thousand men, preferably ones that could ride horses and shoot.
If the Fire Cavalry could form such a team, it would be really powerful.
However, the basic quality requirements for the soldiers are also very high. They must master very superb riding skills. They can control the horses under their command with only two legs, and can control them with both hands free.
Apart from anything else, if there are two to three hundred personal guards at this level, at least Zhu Ying's personal safety will not be a problem if he goes to war in the future.
Zhu Ying was actually afraid of death. There was a huge difference between the Ming Dynasty and later generations. Nowadays, when there are no special medicines, even a cold has a certain chance of killing someone, let alone a battlefield with swords and eyesless fighting.
Twenty-four generals in Huaixi during the Ming Dynasty were killed suddenly in the army, and many of them died on the battlefield.
There are only a handful left now.
Zhu Ying didn't want anything to happen to her. Safety first was the rule.
This is why many people don’t even know the name of the owner of the Qunying Chamber of Commerce.
After the power under his command improved, Zhu Ying used the nickname "Boss" and secluded himself behind the scenes. Except for the core members, peripheral members had no access to Zhu Ying at all.
His personal force is indeed very strong, but if he is really surrounded by a dozen elite soldiers risking his life after being alone, it will only end with hatred.
No matter where he goes, at least twenty or thirty people are guaranteed to be around Zhu Ying to stabilize his life and create opportunities for escape. He is also very cautious.
Daming Palace, Harem.
Mrs. Lu is embroidering with many concubines.
Surrounded by dozens of eunuchs, female palaces, and maids serving him.
Many times, the concubines spent time together in the harem, which allowed them to communicate with each other and relieve loneliness.
Among the dozen or so concubines, there was Concubine Ning.
"The Qiao Qiao Festival is coming soon. It's only more than half a month away. Sisters, you must prepare in advance."
"Regarding this year's Qiqiao Festival, I have already asked His Majesty for instructions. The Qiqiao City will be held grandly, and many small tributary countries will come to participate."
"Don't lose the majesty of our Ming Dynasty. It will also open the eyes of those barbarians."
Concubine Ning said.
For the Ming Dynasty, the Qiqiao Festival is no less important than the Zhengdan Festival, and the Qiqiao Market is unprecedentedly lively every year.
People start buying begging items since the first day of July. The market is bustling with traffic and people. As the Chinese Valentine's Day approaches, the market has become a sea of people, making it difficult for cars and horses to move.
What's more, in Nanjing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, the excitement is simply beyond imagination.
Moreover, the Qiqiao Festival, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, is also an important festival related to women.
For women who were about to get married in the Ming Dynasty, this day was even more important, because according to traditional customs, it was the only day every year when they could dress up and go out, make appointments with their best friends, or have a private meeting with their lover.
It was on this day that a large number of women could be seen traveling on the streets of all counties in the Ming Dynasty, and the whole streets became fragrant.
This is also a great stimulation for men. Even the poorest scholar will wear the most decent clothes and may be favored by a rich lady.
The married lady also pays more attention to this day, begging for clever items is one aspect.
On the Chinese Valentine's Day, there is another traditional program: needle threading and begging for skills.
It is equivalent to the most grand competition. Even the concubines in the harem will go out to participate in the competition on this day.
Moreover, this event is also organized by the government. The winner of the competition will also receive a certificate issued by the government. For women, it is a great honor.
When all the women in the Ming Dynasty start to move, naturally all the men in the Ming Dynasty will also start to move.
There are many activities such as the Literary Poetry Society and the Qinhuai Oiran.
On this day, including Zhu Yuanzhang, he would wear military uniforms and inspect the capital on the Dragon Boat Festival, so that many people could see the beauty of heaven.
"The one with the best craftsmanship in our palace is Sister Ning Fei. When the time comes, I will be nothing more than a green leaf to accompany my sister."
"Yes, but it will also be eye-opening for us sisters to see my sister's unique skills of threading needles and begging for tricks."
"How can there be any sister in this world who is as handy as me? I have never seen her before."
As Concubine Ning finished speaking, many concubines began to praise her.
Concubine Ning smiled brightly. She also had great confidence in herself when it came to threading needles and begging for skills. However, she waved her hands with a smile and said:
"I am almost over 50 years old. Maybe I would have competed when I was young. That's it now. I'll leave the opportunity to you."
"Don't underestimate the people outside the palace. The identity of the concubine will not be revealed at that time. She will only rely on her craftsmanship. There are so many talented people in the world, who dares to be the best."
Hearing this, several concubines who were quite confident in themselves couldn't help but feel a hint of joy in their eyes.
Concubine Ning is in charge of the harem. Although she is not a queen, there is actually not much difference in power. If she participates in the selection, those female officials who dare to do anything to make Concubine Ning lose the election will definitely be the first.
"What are you talking about? From my perspective, my sister is in her early thirties at most. No one can tell her age."
"My sister takes good care of her skin. I don't know what method she uses. She looks like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl."
"Sister, she is naturally beautiful and has an ageless look. All the sisters cannot envy her."
After Concubine Ning finished speaking, many concubines began to praise her, more or less saying a few words.
In a certain respect, Concubine Ning was equivalent to the direct superior of all the concubines. The food and clothing expenses of all the concubines were arranged and coordinated by Concubine Ning, the master of the harem.
Although Concubine Ning is old, she is still favored by His Majesty. As a disobedient and naughty concubine, Concubine Ning has the right to be directly thrown into the cold palace.
Some concubines who have just entered the palace have never even seen His Majesty. If they want to sleep with him, they must first go through Concubine Ning.
Including the name on the sign handed to His Majesty by the eunuchs, it was also arranged by Concubine Ning.
"Okay, your little mouths have been covered with honey all day long. If I hadn't seen myself in the bronze mirror every morning, I would have been fooled by you good sisters."
"That's it for today. The sun is getting a bit bright, so let's go back to the house and rest."
Concubine Ning said with a smile. She looked at the fact that it was almost noon and the sun was high in the sky. The weather in June and July was also a bit hot now, so she asked the concubines to go back.
Maintenance is the biggest issue in the harem. No one wants to get tanned, and Concubine Ning naturally understands that.
Seeing that Concubine Ning had no intention of leaving first, the concubines stood up and bowed before retreating one by one.
Soon, Concubine Ning and Mrs. Lu were the only ones left in the back garden.
Feeling Concubine Ning's gaze on her, Mrs. Lu hurriedly walked over and said, "Your Majesty, I have something that I would like to ask your Majesty for advice."
Concubine Ning looked at Lu with a somewhat complicated look, but also some pity.
Lu's situation has a lot in common with Concubine Ning's.
First of all, neither of them was the official wife, and then after the death of Queen Ma and Chang, they came to power.
Although Concubine Ning has the power of queen, she does not have the title of queen.
Although Mrs. Lu succeeded her as the crown prince and concubine, she now has no husband and can only remain a widow in her thirties.
It sounds like they are kind of in the same boat.
"If you have something on your mind, just talk to me." Concubine Ning said softly.
Hearing Concubine Ning's voice, Mrs. Lu, who seemed a little nervous, seemed to calm down, but she still looked a little hesitant about the needle. After a moment of hesitation, she said:
"I heard that His Majesty slept in Kunning Palace two days ago. There are rumors that he slept with a young man. I have many doubts in my mind about this matter, so I would like to ask the Queen for advice."
Hearing Lu's words, Concubine Ning's face flashed with relief.
Concubine Ning was not surprised that Mrs. Lu knew this. After all, this matter had been spread in the harem for a long time, and Mrs. Lu was able to ask her directly without hiding it, which made Concubine Ning have a good impression of her.
But in this aspect, Concubine Ning also felt a little pity for the Lu family. Originally, her son Yun Wen had already been regarded as a great-grandson, but she didn't expect that the Chang family's eldest son suddenly returned.
Without any intention of keeping it secret, Concubine Ning said directly: "Yes, you must have heard the general information. That young man is your majesty's eldest grandson, King Yu Xiongying."
"Although this matter sounds a bit bizarre, it is not impossible based on the Xiaoling incident mentioned earlier."
"You must also know that the child Xiongying has been brought up by His Majesty himself since he was a child. With His Majesty's insight, there is no reason to admit his mistake, and there is sufficient evidence in all aspects."
"The former Japanese Palace also asked His Majesty, and Your Majesty told me that when I see the hero, I will not have any doubts anymore."
Speaking of this, Concubine Ning observed Lu's expression, which seemed a little shocked and surprised, and then changed to a little sad.
As a mother, Concubine Ning couldn't figure it out, so she frankly consoled him: "Yunwen is a good child, but since it is a hero who has come back, you should give him some guidance and comfort. You must also understand His Majesty's love for Xiongying."
Hearing this, Ms. Lu seemed to have a look of surprise on her face, and then she immediately reacted and said: "How can I think so much, I am a concubine? The order of the firstborn is in order. These are all etiquette and rules and must not be exceeded."
"Yunwen has a gentle temper and doesn't have much inclination to argue. But if he gets this news, he will definitely be happy for his elder brother. These are all biological brothers."
After finishing speaking, Mrs. Lu added with some sadness: "I also watched the child Xiongying leave at that time. It would be great to be able to come back now, but..."
"I'm just a little worried. I don't know how he is recovering from his mental illness. I have also sought medical treatment for him outside. Unfortunately, there has been no good solution."
Hearing what Lu said, Concubine Ning frowned and suddenly remembered that Zhu Xiongying passed away that year precisely because of an incurable disease such as heart disease.