Chapter 82

Now, Xu Hao's greatest wish is to find Zhang De's younger sister. Zhang De's younger brother, Zhang Yu, has already been found at the Jiaosi Workshop. At that time, the six-year-old Zhang Yu was about to be sent to the Jingshi House to be castrated.

The situation was very complicated. To leave no room for future trouble, Xu Hao first stabilized the Jiaosi Workshop. At that time, Xu Hao, looking fierce, brandished his sword a few times. His reputation for ferocity was already well-known in the Jiaosi Workshop.

Xu Hao and Zhu Gaozhi discussed the matter and together went to the Zhan Shi Mansion to request an audience with the Crown Prince, Zhu Yunwen.

When the class was over, Zhu Yunwen met with them. This Crown Prince indeed had a character similar to his father's, being benevolent and kind. Xu Hao did not hide anything and explained that his good friend Zhang De had been engaged to a girl, and he did not want the Zhang family to be wiped out due to their involvement in a rebellion, considering their past friendship.

By this time, it had been half a year since the Lan Yu case erupted, and more than ten thousand people had been implicated. Zhu Yuanzhang also knew that continuing the killings would harm the harmony of heaven. To appease the nobles and retired military officials across the country, he issued an edict that all members of the Hu and Lan parties would be pardoned and not questioned.

Zhu Yunwen was very reasonable and immediately ordered someone to go to the Jiaosi Workshop to bring Zhang Yu over, and he personally granted him to the Xu family as a servant.

This was a minor matter for the royal family, and it would have been over. However, Xu Hao was not satisfied. To permanently resolve the issue of the Zhang siblings, he secretly urged Zhu Gaoxu to praise Zhu Yunwen's benevolence to Zhu Yuanzhang and to tell him about the Zhang siblings.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately summoned the famous scholars who were teaching Zhu Yunwen. With the facts as evidence, everyone was generous with their praise, and Zhu Yuanzhang was very pleased.

Thus, even the emperor began to care about the whereabouts of Zhang Yueyun and was greatly angered by the darkness in the Jiaosi Workshop. Zhu Yuanzhang, being a great ruler, allowed his grandsons to handle the matter themselves, hiding behind the scenes to see how it would end.

Xu Hao, as he wished, obtained the imperial sword and had no more worries. This was a profound lesson from his recent imprisonment, teaching him that one should not act rashly and should plan before taking action.

For several days, Xu Hao personally led people to investigate. Soon, he found out the name of the human trafficker from a toothbroker and traced him to the West Street Flower House. Zhang Yu immediately recognized his sister, who was leaning on the railing on the second floor.

Xu Hao had Zhang Yu taken home and, together with Zhu Gaoxu, reported to Zhu Yunwen at the Crown Prince's residence. Subsequently, Zhu Yunwen informed Zhu Yuanzhang in the palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang instructed them not to act rashly and to observe the situation. The emperor wanted to see how many seemingly upright ministers would visit the brothel to see the former noblewoman.

Xu Hao was helpless against Zhu Yuanzhang's twisted interests. After all, the Jinyiwei was specifically set up for such purposes. Zhu Yuanzhang knew everything, from what poems the ministers recited at home to what they said in private, even during intimate moments with their spouses.

If only there were hidden cameras, Xu Hao thought to himself, he could at least get a commandant position out of this.

Thus, the Jinyiwei continued to monitor the Flower House, while the Yan王府 publicly offered a reward, asking the city guards and palace guards to continue searching. Unexpectedly, the situation took a sudden turn when Zhao Hesong, who was sightseeing in the capital, discovered the poem. The two greedy guards who found it were later severely beaten and exiled to the border to serve in the military.

The companion woman ran to see Feng Tao, and the Jinyiwei recorded everything. Not catching any big fish, the leader was very disappointed and suggested investigating Feng Tao. Xu Hao and Zhu Gaozhi went to the Crown Prince's residence, and Zhu Yunwen, after some thought, agreed.

The Jinyiwei quickly moved, arresting several servants and women. After a bit of intimidation, a servant boy close to Feng Tao confessed to the atrocities Feng Tao had committed, including the torture and murder of maids and prostitutes.

The Jinyiwei, now in possession of this valuable information, immediately reported to Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang, with a cold smile, angrily rebuked the Duke of Song, Feng Sheng, for his corrupt influence, stating that such heinous crimes in a noble household could not be tolerated.

Xu Hao never expected that he would inadvertently serve as a tool for Zhu Yuanzhang. The emperor issued an edict ordering Feng Sheng to return to the capital to reflect on his actions. The following year, Feng Sheng was executed, and his sons were not allowed to inherit his title due to Feng Tao's crimes.

As the saying goes, "Catch the thief with the goods, catch the adulterer in the act." The Jinyiwei secretly laid in wait around the outer residence, waiting for Feng Tao to fall into their trap.

In the darkness, Zhu Gaoxu, who had been praised by his grandfather, was in high spirits, rubbing his hands and eyes wide open.

Xu Hao, squatting beside him, said irritably, "I'm telling you, Yueyun is my sister. Don't listen to those corrupt Jinyiwei. You must be the first to rush in, even if her clothes are already off."

Zhu Gaoxu, unconcerned about others' lives, laughed and said, "She's just a slave prostitute. What are you so worried about? At worst, I'll kick Feng Sheng's balls and make him a eunuch."

"No way," Xu Hao said angrily, lowering his voice. "My sister has managed to survive this long by maintaining her chastity. If you don't go, I will. That's what brothers are for."

"Fine, fine, I'll go," Zhu Gaozhi said, finding his elder brother's attitude boring. "You're great in every way, but you're too old-fashioned. Women are just like pretty clothes. Tear them and patch them; they're still the same."

Xu Hao agreed, feeling a sense of kinship. Women without a boyfriend and those with a boyfriend were like two different species, and the same went for men.

Zhu Gaoxu asked curiously, "Aren't you always so clean and proper? Have you also been to a brothel behind your family's back?"

Xu Hao smiled smugly. "Brothels are nothing. I've seen things even more intense. Cough, I mean, books have beauties in them. Even without personal experience, I understand everything."

"Wow!" Zhu Gaoxu nodded in admiration. "I'll have to learn from you in the future. I have a lot of questions."

Xu Hao quickly said, "Don't come to me. If your parents find out, they'll blame me for corrupting you."

Zhu Gaoxu dismissed it. "Learning is a continuous process. If you don't understand something, ask. The old women in the mansion claim to be experts in the art of love, but their teachings are confusing. You, brother, are knowledgeable and easy to understand. Who else should I ask?"

Xu Hao almost bit his tongue in shock. "Your mansion teaches this? Impressive."

Zhu Gaozhi laughed sheepishly. "They teach the maids in my room. I was just curious and listened in."

"I see," Xu Hao understood. In the common folk, mothers often personally taught their daughters about the wedding night.

In wealthy families, certain precautions were taught to the chosen maids, such as hygiene, to prevent the son from accidentally hurting himself.

Since it wasn't the real art of love, the old women spoke in vague terms, which was why Zhu Gaoxu didn't understand. They might even deliberately scare the young people to prevent them from indulging too much.

Generally, daughters were strictly disciplined, with teachings on the Three Obediences and Four Virtues and the importance of chastity. However, due to menstruation, early physical development, and the nature of girls, they often figured things out on their own.

Boys, on the other hand, were closely guarded until the age of fourteen, like preventing a thief. After fourteen, when they were old enough to marry, mothers would often turn a blind eye, depending on the character and status of the woman who secretly visited their son's bed. After all, any mother wanted many grandchildren.

In any case, Xu Hao was no longer mystified by the topic of love, unlike Zhu Gaoxu and others who were intensely curious during puberty, fantasizing about beautiful women.

As they spoke, the sedan chair carrying Zhang Yueyun entered the courtyard. Xu Hao became tense, staring intently outside.

After a short while, Feng Tao arrived on horseback with several servants. Xu Hao instinctively pressed Zhu Gaoxu's shoulders hard.

Grinning, Zhu Gaoxu joked, "Brother, you have real courage, daring to step on a prince to climb a wall. Aren't you afraid the Jinyiwei will report you for disrespect?"

Xu Hao didn't have time to argue, standing up and ready to act. He kept one hand on the crouching Zhu Gaoxu and the other on the wall, saying, "Nonsense, what's a prince? If you anger me, I'll beat you too."

The Jinyiwei, hearing this, thought, "This guy's courage is beyond imagination. After all, he's the prince's cousin and has an important mission. The prince himself doesn't take it seriously, so it's understandable and not really overstepping."

At that moment, a woman's scream came from the courtyard, followed by Feng Tao's voice.

"Everyone, get in there! Are you all dead? First, gag her with a cloth, then strip her and tie her to the spring bench as usual."

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't hold back any longer. His shoulders trembled, and he used his waist strength to say, "Let's go!"

Xu Hao quickly stepped on his shoulder, using the force from below to grab the moss-covered, cracked wall and climb up.

As Xu Hao pulled Zhu Gaoxu up, the guards kicked open the courtyard gate. The two of them looked at each other and leaped over the wall.

Inside, Zhang Yueyun was pale and disheveled, leaning against the wall. Zhu Gaoxu, without a word, kicked Feng Tao in the groin and then pummeled him.

Xu Hao couldn't resist joining in, and the guards subdued and tied up everyone in the courtyard. Xu Hao gave Zhu Gaoxu a nod, took Zhang Yueyun's hand, and walked out. Zhu Gaoxu, understanding, grinned and drew a short knife to cut Feng Tao's pants.

With one slash, congratulations! Feng Tao could now practice the invincible Kuihua Manual.

In the courtyard, Xu Hao supported the frightened Zhang Yueyun and pointed at the trembling companion woman, saying coldly, "She can't be spared either. Beat her to near death, but leave her a breath."

At that moment, a eunuch rushed in, ignoring the ongoing violence, and announced, "The Emperor's edict: Zhang Yueyun and her brother are summoned to the palace. This is the imperial command!"