Chapter 57: Splendid, You've Just Made the Crown Prince's Death Ledger!

Upon hearing these words, a cold smirk instantly appeared at the corner of Zhu Cilang's mouth.

To be honest, this faction of the Donglin Party truly did not hold the Chongzhen Emperor in their eyes, daring to openly discuss such matters right within the imperial palace.

Had he not arranged for people to monitor their every move in advance, he probably would never have known just how audacious they truly were!

"Well done. This is your reward!"

Coming back to his senses, Zhu Cilang flicked his hand casually, tossing a bean-sized piece of gold right in front of the young eunuch.

Yet the eunuch did not dare to pick it up. Instead, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed, saying:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this is merely this servant's duty. This servant dares not accept such a reward!"

Zhu Cilang smiled.

"Take it since it's a reward for you. Go back and continue to keep an eye on their every move. If there are any anomalies, report back to me immediately!"

Hearing this, the young eunuch finally picked up the gold nugget from the ground.

"This servant thanks Your Highness the Crown Prince for the bounty! This servant will certainly keep a close eye on them!"

After offering another bow to Zhu Cilang, the young eunuch departed with a beaming smile.

Once the eunuch had left, Zhu Cilang casually picked up a sheet of xuan paper filled with names from his desk, and added Zhang Siwei's name to it.

As for why he did not add Zhou Yanru's name, it was because Zhou Yanru's name had already been added long ago!

Prior to this, many names had already been recorded on this sheet of paper.

Without exception, they were all civil officials, and the majority of them belonged to the Donglin Party!

Make no mistake—this was Zhu Cilang's personal ledger of life and death!

The people recorded on it would essentially be dealt with in the future. Moreover, he wouldn't have to wait too long; once the affairs in Shanxi were settled, he would take care of them.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the following morning arrived.

When the ministers entered the imperial court, they finally caught sight of Zhu Cilang, who had been absent the day before.

The moment they saw Zhu Cilang, the ministers secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, with the emperor gravely ill at present, nothing must happen to the crown prince.

After paying their respects to Zhu Cilang as per routine, Wang Chengen shouted aloud:

"State your business if you have any; otherwise, the court is dismissed."

Just as his voice trailed off, Xue Guoguan stepped forward.

"Your Imperial Highness, this humble veteran has a matter to report!"

Zhu Cilang nodded and then said:

"Please speak, Elder Xue."

Xue Guoguan proclaimed in a clear voice:

"Yesterday on the street, this humble veteran happened to encounter the family of the late Vice Minister of War, Lu Xiangsheng."

"They have come this time to petition the imperial court for bereavement compensation and honors. This humble veteran believes that this matter has indeed been dragged out for far too long, and it is about time to give Lu Xiangsheng closure."

"After all, Lu Xiangsheng truly died in battle for our country!"

"Therefore, this humble veteran requests Your Imperial Highness to handle this matter as soon as possible!"

Hearing this, the ministers present instantly felt that something was amiss, and they cast peculiar glances toward Xue Guoguan.

Zhou Yanru furrowed his brows even deeper.

What on earth was this old fellow trying to do?

Hadn't everyone previously tacitly agreed that Lu Xiangsheng was killed after surrendering to the Jianzhou Jurchens? Why was this old fellow now suddenly claiming that Lu Xiangsheng was a hero?

Wasn't this slapping them right across the face?

With this thought in mind, Zhou Yanru hurriedly stepped out of the ranks.

"Your Imperial Highness, this humble veteran believes this is highly improper!"

"The question of whether Lu Xiangsheng truly died in battle for the country has never been verified. This humble veteran feels that this matter still requires further investigation!"

Before Zhu Cilang could utter a word in response, Xue Guoguan spoke up once again.

Pointing directly at Zhou Yanru, he rebuked:

"Elder Zhou, do you even hear yourself?"

"Lu Xiangsheng giving his life for the country is a matter known to all!"

"Previously, His Majesty originally wished to posthumously confer titles and grant compensation. It was precisely because you people kept misleading His Majesty that he remained hesitant, leaving Lu Xiangsheng to suffer under an unwashed stigma to this day."

"Now, you actually dare to obstruct His Imperial Highness from posthumously honoring Lu Xiangsheng. What on earth are you trying to accomplish?"

Damn it all...

Hearing this, Zhou Yanru felt as though he was about to vomit blood.

Xue Guoguan himself had been complicit in concealing the truth from the Chongzhen Emperor, yet this fellow had now completely torn off his pretense!

Was this something a human being could possibly do?

Just as Zhou Yanru prepared to argue back against Xue Guoguan, Zhu Cilang finally spoke.

"You two lords need not quarrel. In fact, the Jinyiwei already reported this matter to my imperial father yesterday, and my imperial father has already reached a decision!"

"Bring them in!"

No sooner had Zhu Cilang spoken these words than Lu Xiangjin led Lu Yizai into the hall.

Lady Wang, being a woman, feared committing an impropriety before the court and thus did not come, sending only Lu Xiangjin accompanied by Lu Yizai.

Arriving before the hall, the two of them immediately dropped to their knees.

"This commoner Lu Xiangjin pays respects to Your Imperial Highness!"

"This commoner Lu Yizai pays respects to Your Imperial Highness!"

Without waiting for the others to react, Zhu Cilang directly instructed Wang Chengen at his side:

"Eunuch Wang, read the imperial edict!"

Receiving the command, Wang Chengen picked up the pre-prepared imperial edict and began to read aloud.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The former Left Vice Minister of War, Lu Xiangsheng, was utterly loyal and served his country with brilliant military achievements. Though he suffered misfortune in life, benevolence shall not be withheld in death, and his deep injustice has finally been illuminated under the bright sun."

"In recognition of his stellar meritorious service, Lu Xiangsheng is hereby posthumously elevated and created as the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, additionally appointed as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. This peerage shall be heritable across generations without reduction, sharing the fortunes of the state for eternity. Respect this!"

Upon hearing the contents of the imperial edict, Lu Xiangji was already bathed in tears.

Although Lu Yizai was still young, he understood what this represented.

Consequently, the two of them offered their kowtows of gratitude once more.

"This commoner Lu Xiangji thanks His Majesty for his boundless heavenly grace!"

"This commoner Lu Yizai thanks His Majesty for his boundless heavenly grace!"

Strictly speaking, Lu Yizai could already style himself a marquis at this moment, given that the peerage of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery was heritable without reduction.

Yet, being young, it was completely natural that he did not understand these intricacies.

Naturally, no one present bothered to quibble over such minor details, for the rest of the ministers in attendance were utterly dumbfounded by this imperial edict.

Wait a minute...

What the hell was going on here?

Clearly, the emperor hadn't even wanted to grant bereavement compensation to Lu Xiangsheng earlier; why on earth was he suddenly bestowing a posthumous peerage upon him, and a hereditary marquisate at that?!

This did not align with the emperor's previous attitude in the slightest!

For a moment, quite a few people even suspected that the imperial edict in Wang Chengen's hands might be a forgery...

Observing the skeptical gazes of the crowd, Zhu Cilang secretly breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

It was fortunate that he had gone to see the Chongzhen Emperor in advance; otherwise, clearing this hurdle today would truly have been difficult.

Immediately afterward, Zhu Cilang looked toward Wang Chengen beside him and said:

"Wang Chengen, take the imperial edict and let my lords inspect it."

Wang Chengen nodded, then respectfully held the imperial edict in both hands and walked before Zhou Yanru and the others.

Though Zhou Yanru felt it somewhat improper, in order to figure out what was truly happening, he still carefully scrutinized the imperial edict before him.

Yet, with merely a single glance, he recognized that this was indeed the handwriting of the Chongzhen Emperor!

Although the latter portions appeared somewhat hasty and blurred, considering that the Chongzhen Emperor must have penned this decree while gravely ill, it was entirely forgivable!

Yet, somehow, this still seemed to make no sense at all!

Clearly, the emperor had been unwilling to grant anything previously, yet now he was bestowing the title of Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince alongside a marquisate. Were the current emperor and the former emperor truly the same person?

Could it be that his temperament had changed due to his severe illness?