The regulations of the prince's residence were finalized in the era of Zhu Yuanzhang, and were adjusted in the era of Shizu.
But what remains unchanged is the regulation of the three halls, namely Chengyun Hall, the outermost hall of the palace, Cunxin Hall, where guests are formally received, and Yin'an Hall, the prince's sleeping quarters.
After leaving the side courtyard, Zhu Jinghong was taken to Cunxin Hall. Although this place was not as large as the Chengyun Hall outside, it was also unusually large in area.
The two brothers were walking up the steps when they saw a woman in imperial attire walking out of Cunxin Palace. It was Princess Rui Chen Zhi.
"Thirteenth brother, it's rare for you to be a guest at your sixth brother's place!"
Looking at the plump and mature Chen Zhi, Zhu Jinghong stopped and saluted and said, "I've met Sixth Sister-in-law!"
"Okay... come in quickly. Your sixth brother has spent all his money this time and brought out all his favorite tribute tea. He has ordered people to cook it and is just waiting for you to taste it!"
Chen Zhi speaks very well and has the tendency to talk endlessly, which is completely different from Yuan Chun.
Thinking of this, Zhu Jinghong couldn't help but wonder how he could compare the two sisters-in-law.
"Thirteenth brother, what are you thinking about? Let's go!" Seeing that Zhu Jinghong didn't speak, Zhu Jingyuan pushed him from behind.
"Uh...yes, Brother Six, please invite me too!"
The three of them entered the Cunxin Hall together. The furnishings in the main hall were extremely simple, which surprised Zhu Jinghong, who thought that his sixth brother did not like extravagance.
Zhu Jinghong would never have thought that the scene before him was completely poverty-stricken. Although Prince Rui's palace had a lot of income, it had more money to spend, and now it could not make ends meet.
The main hall was too formal, so Zhu Jingyuan led his brothers to the east side hall. The furnishings here were relatively lifelike and could bring the two brothers closer together.
"Thirteenth brother, sit down!"
Zhu Jinghong was not polite and sat directly on the chair, and then said to Zhu Jingyuan: "Brother Six, please!"
Seeing his posture, I didn't know that I thought this was his palace.
Zhu Jingyuan didn't take it seriously. In his heart, Zhu Jinghong was a straight person and didn't have those messy thoughts in his mind.
At this time, under Chen Zhi's greeting, a girl wearing a pink moiré robe came over carrying a tray.
Look at faces first when looking at people, this is Zhu Jinghong's consistent style.
On first impression, he thought this girl was very beautiful. If Baochai scored ninety-nine points, the person in front of him could also score ninety-nine points.
To be honest, such beauties are rare, so Zhu Jinghong couldn't help but take a few more glances.
This scene was all seen by Zhu Jingyuan, which made him feel that everything was under control.
I saw Zhu Jingyuan wink at Chen Zhi, who immediately said: "Girl Lan, this is the Thirteenth Master who is very skilled in martial arts and is the best in the world!"
"Aren't you always curious? Now you can see a real person!"
Obviously, the "Lan girl" in Chen Zhi's mouth was the girl who came over with the tray.
This girl is Chen Zhi's cousin. She came to the capital this time to study as an attendant, but she was outcompeted by Baochai, and now she is still staying in Prince Rui's Mansion.
The prince used a girl from the Xue family to win over Zhu Jinghong, which made Prince Rui and his wife also have thoughts, so they pushed Chen Lan out today.
Chen Lan was essentially repulsive to today's arrangement, simply because she did not gain the respect of her cousin and was treated like goods and given away to others.
Of course, even if Chen Lan resisted in her heart, she had to obey the arrangement because Chen Zhi controlled the lifeblood of her and her family.
"I've met Master Thirteen!"
After Chen Lan approached, she bowed and saluted Zhu Jinghong, feeling particularly sad in her heart.
Zhu Jinghong was thoughtful and realized that the woman in front of him was not happy, so he just nodded.
"Master Thirteen, please have tea!"
When Chen Lan was at home, she was the sweetheart of her parents, and when she arrived at Prince Rui's mansion, she was also an honored guest. Who would have thought that she would be such a lowly and humble person, like a slave.
"Thank you!"
Zhu Jinghong took the tea cup without looking at Chen Lan, which made the girl sigh in relief.
Although she is a boudoir girl, she is also a very smart person and knows what her cousin is thinking.
At this time, Zhu Jingyuan also took the tea cup and said to the brother beside him: "She is the daughter of your sixth sister-in-law and third uncle. Speaking of which, you should call her sister!"
"It turns out to be Sister Lan!" Zhu Jinghong responded, pretending not to understand anything.
He also didn't expect that he was just looking at the armor and weapons, why would Lao Liu suddenly want to give him a woman again.
Just listen to Zhu Jingyuan continue to say: "When she came to Beijing this time, she originally wanted to choose Sheng'er as an attendant, but in the end she fell short, and now she is staying in the palace temporarily!"
"When I heard that you were coming today, this girl couldn't wait any longer. She insisted on coming to see the heroes of Ming Dynasty!"
After hearing these words, although it was not what she thought, Chen Lan still showed respect for Zhu Jinghong, which was indeed difficult for her.
At this time, Chen Zhi suddenly said: "I think it's better to let them talk. It just so happens that I have something to do with you, and some gifts for the Supreme Emperor have arrived. You have to see it with your own eyes!"
"Oh... that's right too!"
After answering his wife, Zhu Jingyuan stood up and said, "Thirteenth brother, I'll come as soon as I go!"
Zhu Jingyuan and his wife left, and even called away the eunuchs and maids in the hall. Only Zhu Jinghong and Chen Lan were left in the room.
It is said that men and women with strict etiquette have great defenses, but now these are indeed regarded as nothing. It can be seen that the royal family only uses this to control the people.
The two of them were not very familiar with each other and had nothing in common, so the hall fell silent.
Chen Lan also wanted to leave, but she was afraid of her stern cousin, so she could only stay where she was.
"Girl, where are you from?"
In the end, Zhu Jinghong finally opened the topic. He would not be embarrassed to talk to him in front of him.
As the chat here gradually started, Prince Rui and his wife on the other side were also chatting.
"This time we administered strong medicine, and my thirteenth brother also remembered our kindness. I wonder what the prince would think if he found out!"
Hearing Chen Zhi's words, Zhu Jingyuan sneered: "What do you think? It's best to piss him off!"
Chen Zhi sighed: "It's a good thing that Old Thirteen has a simple mind, otherwise he wouldn't have cared about the prince's face and was easily tricked by you!"
Zhu Jinghong was about to speak when he saw a eunuch rushing towards him and whispering beside him.
Zhu Jingyuan was originally in a good mood, but his expression suddenly changed when he heard these words.
"What's wrong?"
Hearing Chen Zhi's inquiry, Zhu Jingyuan suppressed his anger and said: "The thirteenth brother was assassinated just now while traveling. Do you know about this?"
The assassination of Zhu Jinghong was a big deal, but both his brothers chose to minimize the big deal, and the relevant yamen didn't make it public, but Chen Zhi still knew about it.
"How about the assassination?"
"The two assassins captured have connections with Sun He's men. They have now been sent to Nan Qianhu Station and are under the command of Li Wenzhao from Jinling!"
Speaking of this, Zhu Jingyuan said with a gloomy expression: "Just now, the two friends who were arrested approached Sun He's men and asked to come to our palace to help rescue them!"
"If you are in Jinyiwei and have anything to do with our family, I'm afraid..." Chen Zhi's face also became serious.
Zhu Jingyuan stood up: "The important thing is that Sun He's men also found these people to frame the Jia family last time!"
Chen Zhi tightened her clothes and said with a heavy expression: "This... is a frame-up and an assassination... If we continue to investigate, the relationship between your two brothers will be..."
Zhu Jingyuan didn't speak. He was already thinking about countermeasures quickly. He finally managed to establish a good relationship with his brother today. If this matter were to be revealed, they would have to become enemies.
At this time, Chen Zhi said: "Why did these idiots assassinate the Thirteenth Brother? Could they have been instructed by someone behind the scenes?"
Zhu Jingyuan turned around immediately. He couldn't figure out the reason, because this was completely an inadvertent incident.
"Could it...be the prince?" Chen Zhi gave a guess.
"Him? This... no..."
Zhu Jingyuan shook his head and continued: "It shouldn't be him. How could he..."
Although it seems unlikely, who can say clearly about the royal family? Back then, the emperor was still a brother-in-law with Prince Li!
Turning around, Zhu Jingyuan's eyes were blazing: "No matter what happens, we must not let this matter come out and involve us!"
The truth is indeed true. Whether it was the prince's instigation or not is not important. The key now is not to expose the matter.
He and the prince must maintain a state of fighting without breaking up, and they must be able to get along in terms of face.
If they break up before the Holy Birthday Festival and make everyone in the world laugh, neither of them will have a good life.
At this time, Chen Zhi said: "What should we do? We need to make an idea as soon as possible!"
(End of chapter)
