Zhu Shuang: My nephew saved me!

The sun was setting in the west.

Outside the Marquis's mansion, drums and gongs sounded in unison, and explosions rang out.

"His Highness the King of Shu has arrived!"

Zhu Chun, dressed in a leather cape, slowly stepped down from the carriage.

As for those behind them, the accompanying entourage, including officials from the Imperial Guard, the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Music Bureau, the Prince's Palace, and the Imperial Household Department, was quite large.

Both sides of the main road were packed with onlookers...

Below the steps.

Zhu Xiong Ying and his maternal uncle Lan Yu stood together in front.

Upon catching a glimpse of his eleventh uncle, he looked back and was surprised to see the figure of Prince Xiang, Zhu Bai!

Clearly, they are here on behalf of the royal family to show their support!

During the Jianwen reign, when Zhu Yunwen was reducing the power of the princes, his twelfth uncle was falsely accused and committed suicide by self-immolation to preserve his dignity!

After this incident, his fourth uncle, Zhu Di, finally became determined to raise an army!

But the distance between the two sides was getting closer.

As the head of the family, Lan Yu stepped forward first, bowed, and said, "Your subject Lan Yu respectfully welcomes His Highness the Prince of Shu! His Highness the Prince of Xiang!"

Zhu Chun, with his dignified appearance and tall stature, looked at his father-in-law, then glanced at his smiling nephew beside him, and returned the greeting in a gentle voice: "Father-in-law, no need for formalities. I am grateful for your kind invitation today!"

Then, Zhu Xiong Ying quickly stepped forward, faced Zhu Chun and Zhu Bai, and bowed.

He spoke respectfully and in a clear voice, "Nephew greets Eleventh Uncle and Twelfth Uncle, and congratulates Eleventh Uncle on his wedding!"

"U.A., get up!"

Zhu Chun and Zhu Bai, without any airs of elders, quickly reached out to help him up, one on each side.

The auspicious time has arrived; we must not delay.

The uncle and nephews didn't exchange many pleasantries.

Under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, his eleventh uncle entered the main hall carrying a goose, placed it on the silk table, and first performed the goose offering ceremony.

Following that, there were rituals such as the Temple Offering Ceremony and the Precepts Ceremony...

Zhu Xiong Ying stood aside, quietly observing the ceremony.

The lady-in-waiting led the Lan family's aunt out of the gate and into the sedan chair.

The entire wedding procession and music resumed as they headed towards the Shu Prince's Mansion, marking the end of the ceremony!

As the woman's family member, Zhu Xiong Ying did not accompany them.

To the left and right, there's Uncle Eleven, and his father, Biao'er, is in charge of the overall situation!

As most of the guests left, he had a chance to have a private chat with his maternal uncle, Lan Yu.

Fifteen minutes later.

The Yongchang Marquis's Residence.

Upon seeing the eldest grandson of the emperor, who stood to one side, he seemed hesitant to speak.

Lan Yuhu's eyes flickered.

Could it be that my nephew has come to offer congratulations today for some other reason?

He stroked his long beard and hurriedly invited him into the study.

They both took their seats and dismissed the servants.

The next moment, before Uncle Lan could speak, Zhu Xiong Ying looked earnestly and said sincerely, "To be honest, Uncle, my mother passed away early!"

"Since I was little, I've known that in this world, apart from my grandfather, grandmother, and father, you and my uncles from the Chang family are the ones who truly love and protect me."

"And my roots are half planted in the royal family, and half stand with the Lan family and the Chang family..."

This statement came out.

Lan Yu thought of his brother-in-law Chang Yuchun and his niece, and even though he was a grown man, his throat became a little hoarse.

Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "Uncle should understand that our relationship is such that the Crown Prince and the Lan family are bound together by fate, sharing both prosperity and adversity!"

"In Xiong Ying's view, you possess exceptional talent and outstanding martial prowess, with a limitless future ahead of you, and you are a pillar of the Crown Prince's Palace and the Imperial Family!"

"As for today, it is my aunt's wedding day, a joyous occasion. There are some things Xiong Ying shouldn't have said, but he has spoken them anyway, and he hopes his uncle won't take offense!"

Upon seeing the eldest grandson of the emperor, he changed the subject.

Lan Yu's heart stirred slightly, and she sat up straight.

"Your Highness, please speak freely!"

Zhu Xiong Ying said solemnly, "Xiong Ying knows that over the years, my great-uncle has fought on the battlefield, with many brave men by his side who have risked their lives for him!"

"But with so many people, it's inevitable that some will be unreliable. If they are all loyal, that's fine, but what if there are a few with wicked intentions who use your name to act arrogantly and break the law? If that gets back to the palace and the Emperor investigates, you will be the first to be punished!"

As previously thought, his maternal uncle Lan Yu had many adopted sons, which was one of the reasons why Zhu Yuanzhang arrested and executed him in the later years of the Hongwu reign.

These few words, though not explicitly stated, contain a metaphorical meaning.

With Lan Yu's wisdom, how could he not understand?

He composed himself, pondering the deeper meaning behind his nephew's words.

But Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "Furthermore, I know you are straightforward and honest. But the imperial court is not like the battlefield; it's easy to dodge open attacks, but hard to guard against hidden arrows!"

"And you are a general favored by the Emperor, a close relative of the Crown Prince. There are countless officials in the court who are envious of you!"

"What you say or do unintentionally may be without ulterior motives, but in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, it can spread countless rumors and deliver slanderous accusations to the palace..."

After a little guidance, Zhu Xiong Ying glanced in the direction of the East Palace and quickly brought up Biao'er's father.

"My father often taught me that the moon wanes after it is full, and water overflows when it is full. The higher one's position, the more cautious one must be in order to walk steadily and go far."

"And what Xiong Ying wishes for is that his great-uncle will have a bright future, and that the Lan family will live in peace and stability..."

The following sentence shifts the focus back to familial bonds.

As a grandnephew, he expressed his concern.

More than ten years have passed since then. He was the brother-in-law of the God of War Chang Yuchun, the brother-in-law of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, and the maternal uncle of the eldest grandson of the emperor...

Looking at the civil and military officials, which one of them wasn't flattering and praising them?

No one dared to speak frankly about the dangers involved.

Only the young grandnephews and nieces dared to speak frankly about the various things happening here.

Despite being startled, Lan Yu showed no remorse and quickly rose to his feet, saying, "Your Highness's words are etched in my heart! I will certainly live up to Your Highness's expectations, the Crown Prince's expectations, the Emperor's expectations, and the expectations of the Great Ming Dynasty!"

In fact, it is unknown how much of what Lan's maternal uncle said he could remember.

But these honest words, though unpleasant to hear, can usually temper one's temper to some extent!

……

In the latter half of the twelfth lunar month, time flies by, and the end of the year is fast approaching.

It is far away in Guanzhong.

Xi'an City, Qin Prince's Mansion.

Since the beginning of the month, under the emperor's decree, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been mobilized in full force to arrest and imprison most of the officials in the Prince's Palace!

After being subjected to severe interrogation and having his crimes confirmed, he was immediately beheaded and his head displayed to the public!

This situation greatly frightened King Zhu Shuang of Qin!

For more than ten days, he was restless and unable to eat or sleep, fearing that another imperial decree would come from the capital to punish him.

At the same time, he felt somewhat relieved, thanks to his nephew's letter, which gave him time to prepare.

Otherwise, the consequences are unpredictable!

By the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, on the eve of the Lunar New Year.

After more than twenty days of waiting, the imperial decree finally arrived from the capital.

Upon hearing the imperial edict, Zhu Shuang's eyes turned bloodshot. He sprang up from his chair, filled with fear and anxiety, and shouted, "Quickly! Open the main gate and set up the incense table! Receive the edict!"

After an incense stick has burned.

The eunuch, holding the imperial edict, loudly proclaimed: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: In the past, King Wu established his dynasty and enfeoffed members of the imperial clan to protect the royal family and solidify the foundation for future generations. I rose from Huaiyou and pacified the empire in fifteen years. Following the ancient system, I enfeoff my sons as kings, assigning them to govern key areas. This is not for personal reasons, but for the eternal stability of the Ming Dynasty and the peace of the people..."