The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 129

The Empress Dowager summoned him? This surprised Zhou Chu greatly.

However, Zhou Chu quickly figured out the reason: Zhang wanted to see him most likely because of the palace maid.

No matter what, this matter was nominally handled by Zhang Yong, and this old eunuch was clearly not on the same page as the emperor or himself.

However, Zhou Chu had anticipated this. It was impossible to completely keep matters in the palace from the Empress Dowager, especially since the Embroidered Uniform Guard was frequently entering and leaving to investigate, which would definitely attract attention.

Zhou Chu hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. He had originally planned to gradually eliminate some of them, like boiling a frog in lukewarm water, but he hadn't expected to alarm this person.

Since that's the case, we have no choice but to initiate the filing process and get to the bottom of things quickly.

With these thoughts in mind, Zhou Chu followed the eunuch who had come to deliver the Empress Dowager's edict to the palace.

Empress Dowager Zhang was no pushover even when she was still Empress. She was extremely indulgent towards her family. Her father, Zhang Luan, was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Changguo, her younger brother, Zhang Heling, was granted the title of Earl of Shouning, and later the title of Marquis of Shouning. Zhang Yanling was granted the title of Earl of Jianchang, and later the title of Marquis of Jianchang.

The twin brothers were only ten years old when they were granted the title of Earl, which can hardly be considered a trivial matter.

The timing of the two brothers being granted the title of marquis was also strange, as it occurred two years before Zhu Youcheng's death.

Zhou Chu did not believe that the death of Emperor Xianzong Zhu Youcheng had nothing to do with her.

This Marquis of Shouning, shortly after Zhu Houcong ascended the throne, inherited the posthumous title of Duke of Changguo, which was conferred upon his father Zhang Luan after his death, at the suggestion of officials led by Yang Tinghe.

This Empress Dowager was simply an epic example of a mother who prioritized her brother's well-being above all else.

In order to ensure the advancement of his two younger brothers, he first conspired with civil officials to kill Zhu Youcheng, and now, in order to ensure that Zhang Heling could smoothly inherit the title of Duke, he did not hesitate to kill his own son, Zhu Houzhao.

Of course, whether Zhu Houzhao was Zhang's biological son has always been a matter of historical debate.

However, no matter what, this Empress Dowager was no pushover.

Zhou Chu followed the eunuch all the way to Ning Shou Palace. The Cining Palace, which would become famous in later generations, did not exist at this time. The construction of this palace did not begin until the fifteenth year of Jiajing's reign.

Coincidentally, this Empress Dowager, Zhou Chu's teacher Tang Bohu, and Wen Zhengming were all born in the same year.

Now, Zhang is over fifty years old, but Zhou Chu knows that without his intervention, she could probably live for another twenty years.

"Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

Zhou Chu bowed and said.

"Ah."

Zhang didn't give Zhou Chu a friendly look, and said casually.

"I wonder what brings the Empress Dowager here to summon me?"

Zhou Chu didn't have time to play games with her. Now, Zhou Chu held a very high position and great power, so there was no need for him to be subservient to her.

"I've heard that your men have attacked the palace maids?"

Seeing that Zhou Chu was showing her no respect, Zhang felt a surge of anger and spoke with great impatience.

"Why does Your Majesty say such a thing? I am unaware of this matter. I suppose Your Majesty has listened to the slander of petty people."

Zhou Chu looked around and changed the subject.

"Zhou Hengqi, don't think I don't know what you're up to. Are you trying to plant your own people in the palace? What are you planning? Do you intend to rebel?"

Zhang was never one to back down; she immediately slapped a accusation of treason on him.

This was her usual tactic; they used the same method to deal with Jiang Bin, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"This crime is too great for me to bear. However, I believe that the late Emperor and the Hongzhi Emperor both died mysteriously. I have received some information, but I don't know if it is accurate. It is said that the palace maids and eunuchs in the palace are not clean and colluded with outsiders to kill the late Emperor. Therefore, I naturally have to investigate. This is the duty of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."