Chapter 095 Warm Fragrant Soft Jade in the Arms

Upon arriving at the Hu residence, Cheng Jing went straight to the point, directly asking about Zhu Qiyu's ascension to the throne. If Hu Zhong and his disciples believed the succession carried no risks, Zhu Qiyu could safely ascend the throne.

Unfortunately, this matter held grave importance, and Hu Zhong was extremely cautious, not daring to speak rashly.

Disappointed, Cheng Jing shifted to a secondary inquiry, asking about the key battles of the court. If Hu Zhong and others could divine the heavenly secrets, deeming the situation favorable to the court, then the Prince of Ying would face no risks. If the court's position had already been lost, there would be no point in thinking about becoming emperor; instead, one should first consider how to die.

His master and father remained silent, the atmosphere in the hall growing somewhat tense.

Xue Rui bit his lip, suddenly standing up and declaring sternly, "Your Highness, although the southeastern situation appears precarious, it is merely a minor ailment. With proper handling by the court, clearing it up will be a matter of time. The war with the Oirats, however, is the decisive battle determining the destiny of our Great Ming."

At present, with no long-ruling sovereign and court edicts failing to unify the upper and lower ranks, victory seems difficult. Yet, as long as the sovereign and his ministers return to their proper places, the generals and soldiers are willing to risk their lives, and the people remain devoted to Great Ming, the Oirats' antics as petty ruffians are fundamentally not worth worrying about!

Hearing his words, Cheng Jing's face showed rare excitement. Turning to Hu Zhong and the others, he asked, "Truly so?"

Hu Zhong and his disciples stood frozen like wooden statues, eyes wide with shock beyond words.

Xue Rui's assessment of the situation was standard, leaving no flaws to pick, but his phrases "no long-ruling sovereign" and "the sovereign and ministers returning to their proper places" were clearly meant to urge Zhu Qiyu to become emperor. For Hu Zhong and his disciples, who intended to stay out of it, this was a completely different stance.

Facing Cheng Jing's probing gaze, Hu Zhong was torn, pondering for a long while before slowly nodding. "As Xue Rui has said!"

Now that Xue Rui had chosen a side and with factual basis, Hu Zhong found it hard to find a reasonable reason to oppose. After much thought, he could only stand with Xue Rui.

Having received affirmation, Cheng Jing was overjoyed, repeatedly saying, "Since you all believe the court can turn danger into safety, then the prince has nothing to worry about. Rest assured, as the prince advances further, we will not be stingy with you."

Given the situation, what more could Hu Zhong say? He could only bow and say, "To share the prince's worries is our duty; we dare not claim credit."

"Enough, no need for formalities. The prince is still waiting in the residence. I will go report now and take my leave."

Cheng Jing cupped his hands in farewell. Just as he reached the door, he turned back to look at Xue Rui and praised, "Young man, you dare to speak frankly. In the future, you will surely achieve great things. Study diligently with your master and father; in the future, you will have a bright future."

"Your Highness is too kind."

Xue Rui hurriedly cupped his hands.

Seeing Cheng Jing off to the door, after he had boarded the carriage, the three returned to the main hall.

Helping Hu Zhong to sit, Xue Yuanhao immediately scowled at his son and chided, "You are so clever, naturally you should understand the principle of preserving one's bright future. Who you choose to be emperor is a matter you can meddle in? Now look, you have acted on your own, dragging your master into it as well. If some mishap occurs in the future, won't you drag your old man into it too?"

"Father's lesson is well taken. This son knows his mistake."

Xue Rui spoke thus, but in his heart he did not think so.

As a modern person familiar with this historical period, Xue Rui naturally knew the court battle would undoubtedly be won, Zhu Qiyu would firmly become emperor with no doubts. How could he let slip such a chance to claim the merit of supporting him?

The only risk was the future when Zhu Qizhen returned to the throne, which might lead to reprisals against those who had supported Zhu Qiyu.

Regarding this, Xue Rui was not afraid. From tonight's events, it seemed Zhu Qiyu placed great importance on celestial phenomena and divination, and was relatively trusting of Hu Zhong and their father and son.

Over these past eight years, he had plenty of time to influence Zhu Qiyu. As long as he had anticipated the operations of the Zhen Zong incident in advance and prepared Zhu Qiyu for it, the Zhen Zong restoration would be impossible.

Therefore, he had boldly supported Zhu Qiyu to become emperor at this once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

"You... ah!"

Hearing him admit his mistake so candidly, Xue Yuanhao's anger dissipated, and he could only tap his son's forehead, grumbling as he sat back in the chair.

Hu Zhong, however, showed no displeasure. With suspicion, he asked, "Rui'er, how did you know in advance that the southeast would have major changes?"

As the old saying goes, the old fox is cleverest. Hu Zhong saw the core of the problem at a glance.

Interpreting celestial phenomena requires personal judgment. To say Xue Rui had accurately predicted the southeastern rebels would rise again from "the Jupiter invading the Ziwei constellation" was hard to believe.

So how had Xue Rui known?

This traced back to his school days, when he studied the daily solar eclipse records in the Ming Shilu and found some omissions. He then checked the contemporaneous eclipse records in Xiangshan and other county gazetteers as references.

During the review, he happened to see records in the local county gazetteer about Huang Xiaoyang's remnants rising in arms during the Tumu Crisis.

Because he remembered this event, Xue Rui wanted to use celestial portents to predict it, leaving some impression on Zhu Qiyu, who was about to become emperor.

Unfortunately, due to obstructions by Xu Jun and others, it had not come to pass, leaving him quite disappointed.

Who knew that today, the southeastern situation was again inexplicably linked to Zhu Qiyu's ascension? He had no choice but to make the best of it, giving Zhu Qiyu a calming pill so he could rest easy in becoming emperor.

However, he could not reveal the secret; instead, he recited the prepared lie to Hu Zhong, "Master, if I say this is what I dreamed, would you believe it?"

"Dreamed... dream?"

Hu Zhong and Xue Yuanhao were both stunned.

Xue Rui had heard of the Tumu Crisis and Wang Zhen's death, and thought it was merely coincidence, so neither took it seriously.

But this time, Xue Rui was accurately predicting a major change in the southeast through a dream, which was somewhat unusual.

Hu Zhong, who had spent a lifetime in the occult, even wondered if his disciple had obtained some fortune and gained the ability of precognition.

"Rui'er, this matter is no joke. Did you truly dream of the southeast changing before?"

The ability to predict the future through dreams astonished Xue Yuanhao.

After the shock, he thought more about how, if his son truly had this ability, the celestial divination post would be at his fingertips.

Facing the doubts of his master and father, Xue Rui continued the lie, "The Tumu Crisis and the southeast change were indeed both dreams I had, and they were quite clear. But only these two dreams came true; the others were trivial matters."

"When did you gain this ability?" Hu Zhong asked.

"Approximately after I was beaten and injured, and woke up that period."

"No wonder."

Hu Zhong said thoughtfully.

Xue Yuanhao hurriedly asked, "Master, what do you think happened?"

"The Buddhist and Daoist say there is a sudden enlightenment with a blow to the head. Rui'er being struck on the head and gaining the ability to foresee the future is plausible. Perhaps this is his fortune."

Hu Zhong sighed.

"But is this good or bad?"

Xue Yuanhao listened and became somewhat anxious. Such phenomena difficult to explain with conventional understanding left one uncertain about future consequences.

Hu Zhong pondered for a moment and advised, "It is not good to say, but we should observe more in the future. However, Rui'er having this ability, besides you and me, must never let others know, or it will likely bring disaster."

Being able to predict the future through dreams is an absolute ancient wonder, possibly attracting covetousness. This is no good.

Xue Yuanhao looked at his son and seriously reminded, "This matter cannot be told to anyone, not even your mother. Do you hear?"

"I know."

Xue Rui understood the seriousness and hurriedly nodded in agreement.

Hu Zhong looked at the father and son, solemnly instructing, "Since you have made your choice, you must prepare in advance. In the future, when I am no longer in court, this path will be for you to walk yourselves. Remember, such opportunism as Rui'er did today can be done once but not twice. Especially when making major decisions, do not take risks, or you will surely err in judgment."

"Yes, Master."

The father and son hurriedly nodded in agreement.

After this commotion, it was already past the fourth watch.

After the conversation, Hu Zhong felt somewhat fatigued, and Xue Yuanhao also felt a bit tired. Xue Rui sent them back to their rooms to rest.

Just as they entered the courtyard gate, a group of people came to meet them.

The two leading them were Lady Liu and Hu Rong'er, followed by five or six maids and servants.

"Rong'er, why are you up too?"

Seeing his granddaughter dressed neatly, Hu Zhong was somewhat surprised.

Earlier, when Cheng Jing had come to visit, Lady Liu and the maids serving Hu Zhong had naturally been startled awake. But the maids and servants at the Hu Rong'er embroidery tower in the southeast corner had not been disturbed.

How Rong'er knew was unclear; she stood here waiting.

Hu Rong'er stepped forward to support Hu Zhong and explained, "Earlier, when Zhen'er woke up to close the windows, seeing the lights in the courtyard, she thought something was amiss and called me. I came to check."

"It's nothing now. You all go rest."

Seeing everyone gathered around him with worried expressions, Hu Zhong waved his hand, telling them to disperse.

When the master had spoken, the maids and servants relaxed, and those without duties went back to sleep.

Seeing his parents and master back to their rooms, Xue Rui also planned to return. Just as he turned, he was blocked by Hu Rong'er.

"The sky is still early; you don't go back to sleep a bit longer?"

After the commotion, Xue Rui was really a bit sleepy, but Hu Rong'er seemed full of spirit, staring at him without blinking. It was obvious she had something to ask.

"Susu, you send Zhen'er back to the embroidery tower first, then go to your own room. I have a few words to say to your young master."

Taking the lantern from Zhen'er's hand, Hu Rong'er dismissed the two waiting maids.

"Yes, miss."

After the two maids left, Hu Rong'er holding the lantern led Xue Rui to a sheltered spot, then asked softly, "I heard the residence has come a eunuch; what has he come for?"

"Master won't let me say, so you go ask the old man yourself."

Xue Rui spread his hands. Such matters must be kept secret; if leaked, there would be great trouble.

"You won't tell?"

Hu Rong'er was not going to let Xue Rui off. Suddenly, she reached out and pinched the soft flesh at his waist, her fingers gradually tightening.

"Ow ow ow, let go. I said so, aren't I telling?"

Xue Rui had not expected this trick. In pain, he hurriedly begged for mercy.

"Then tell quickly. I still need to go back and sleep some more."

Hu Rong'er snorted, lightening her grip a bit.

"Alright, this matter is very confidential and absolutely cannot be leaked. Come closer, I'll tell you."

Hu Rong'er became even more curious, drawing nearer to Xue Rui and propping her ear close, saying, "You hurry up and say. Don't keep me in suspense."

"The matter is like this... mua!"

Just as he started, Xue Rui suddenly leaned in and pecked her tender cheek.

This sudden attack left Hu Rong'er completely unprepared. Only when Xue Rui had run far away did she realize she had been kissed.

"You scoundrel!"

This time it was a huge loss. Hu Rong'er was both ashamed and angry. Grabbing the lantern, she threw it at Xue Rui.

Crack! Crack!

The lantern rolled a few circles on the ground, then was set alight by the candle flame and soon burned into a ball of ash.

"You really are angry? I couldn't help myself earlier and just kissed you. If you kiss me back, we can call it even, how about it?"

Xue Rui was startled, hurriedly running to Hu Rong'er's side with a guilty face to apologize.

Having taken advantage of Xue Rui, Hu Rong'er could not get angry. Her heart fluttered like a little deer, even unable to help reliving the tingling sensation from earlier. This made her feel a sense of shame.

To hide this emotion, she could only put on an angry expression and gritted her teeth, "I am still an unmarried virgin. Do you think this makes me frivolous and cheap?"

"Of course not!"

Xue Rui hurriedly stated, "In my heart, you are like an immortal descending from the nine heavens, not only pure and flawless but also beautiful and moving. As an ordinary mortal like me, how could I withstand such temptation? Naturally, I wanted to get close and taste the fragrance."

Earlier, I had indeed been impulsive. I have deeply recognized my mistake. In the future, without your permission, I will absolutely not lay a hand on you. How about it?"

With that, he reached out and took her delicate jade hand.

Hu Rong'er had never heard such sweet words and nearly fallen for it on the spot. Fortunately, the last bit of reason remained, keeping her composure.

"You oily-tongued thing. I wonder who taught you!"

Hu Rong'er could not get angry, but she could not just let it go. She seized the opportunity to bring up old grievances, hating, "I heard you have not been short of visiting those flower houses and brothels. Have you not said these words to those courtesans? Otherwise, how could you speak so fluently?"

"I have explained it eight hundred times."

Xue Rui was angry, "That time I was tricked by my cousin, and I was knocked out before even entering. Forget courtesans, I don't even know what the brothel facade looks like. If you still slander my innocence out of thin air, then tomorrow I will go see what it looks like, lest I bear this name for nothing."

"Do you dare!"

Hu Rong'er raised her eyebrows sharply, reaching to pinch Xue Rui. Only when she lifted her arm did she realize her hand had been held by Xue Rui for a long time.

"Quickly let go. It's not good if someone sees."

Hurryingly looking around, seeing no one nearby, Hu Rong'er relaxed, then struggled hard.

"Rest assured, no one is here, nothing will be seen."

Unexpectedly, Xue Rui was extremely bold. He suddenly reached out and yanked, pulling Hu Rong'er into his arms.