Chapter 48: The Generals of Huaixi Grow Impatient

"This subordinate is also unaware of that. Perhaps the Duke of Liangguo should go into the imperial palace and ask the Third Imperial Highness himself. I am certain he will provide a proper answer to you, his esteemed uncle," Zhang Wen replied with a faint smile, deftly deflecting the question back to Lan Yu.

The other nobles instantly burst into a noisy clamor, all urging Lan Yu to hurry into the palace and find out what Zhu Yunleng was really planning.

That way, they could prepare in advance and avoid being caught completely off guard when the time came.

Whether unable to withstand the collective pressure or driven by his own desire to uncover Zhu Yunleng's intentions, Lan Yu hesitated for a moment before rising and setting off toward the imperial palace.

Qianqing Palace.

Just as Lan Yu was preparing to enter the palace, Ma Sanbao trotted in with a face full of joy.

"Your Highness, everything is fully prepared over at 'Paradise on Earth'. Miss Shen asks when Your Highness plans to head over."

"Oh? It's ready already?" Zhu Yunleng put down his brush, raised his head, and stretched his neck.

Ma Sanbao beamed with smiles once more as he replied, "Indeed, Your Highness! Miss Shen says everything is waiting for you, and she mentioned she has a wonderful surprise in store!"

"In that case, let's go! Fetch me some casual clothes. It has been quite a while since I last left the palace; it is indeed time to go out and take a look." Zhu Yunleng stepped out from behind the dragon-carved desk, and a guard immediately stepped forward holding a set of commoner's attire.

Having changed into plain clothes, Zhu Yunleng had just reached the palace gates when he happened to encounter Lan Yu, who was galloping toward the palace in a hurried blur.

"Your Highness, it is the Duke of Liangguo," Ma Sanbao whispered from outside the carriage.

By this time, Lan Yu had already spotted Jiang Huan standing in plain clothes beside the carriage and Ma Sanbao sitting on the driver's seat. He was thoroughly familiar with both men, so it was not difficult to guess that Zhu Yunleng was inside the carriage.

He immediately leaped down from his horse, strode quickly to the side of the carriage, and bowed in deep reverence, preparing to pay his respects.

Before Lan Yu could complete his bow, the carriage curtain was pulled aside by Zhu Yunleng, who looked at him with a cheerful smile and asked, "Uncle, why are you in such a rush to enter the palace? Is there some urgent matter?"

Since Lan Yu was an elder, it was naturally difficult for him to blurt out in front of outsiders and demand what benefits they would receive in exchange for surrendering their military power. He could only offer an awkward shake of his head and reply, "N-nothing urgent at all. I simply wanted to come into the palace to check on you."

"Hahaha! Many thanks for your concern, Uncle." Zhu Yunleng laughed heartily, then gestured with an inviting wave of his hand. "Since Uncle has no pressing matters, I was just told by Sanbao that a rather fine restaurant is opening in the capital today, and they are said to be auctioning off some rare and priceless treasures. Would you care to accompany me to take a look?"

"This... this... Ah, very well then!" After hesitating for a long moment, Lan Yu finally nodded in agreement.

Over the past few days, he had indeed heard rumors that a luxurious pleasure house named Paradise on Earth was set to open in the capital, and reports from his servants indicated that they would be auctioning off a number of precious glassware items.

He had originally intended to drop by today, and if possible, he wouldn't mind purchasing a piece or two to present to Zhu Yunleng as a congratulatory gift for his upcoming ascension to the throne.

He had simply forgotten about it in the flurry of chaos stirred up by the nobles earlier.

Just as Lan Yu climbed into Zhu Yunleng's carriage, over at the Estate of the Duke of Xinguo, Fu Youde sat across from Zhu Yuanzhang with a cheerful smile, urging with restless impatience, "Your Majesty, we should hurry and leave! If we arrive too late, all the private rooms will be taken, and if someone recognizes you there, it could spell trouble."

"Mm, what you say is true. Let us be off then." Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, a trace of a disdainful smile curling the corners of his lips. "I must see for myself what background this 'Paradise on Earth' has to dare make such preposterous claims—boasting that the rare treasures they are putting up for auction are so magnificent that even the imperial palace possesses nothing to rival them."

"Hahaha! Your Majesty, that is merely merchants blowing hot air. Why take such idle talk to heart? If Your Majesty finds the place unsatisfactory upon inspection, I shall simply dispatch men to tear it down tomorrow." Fu Youde flattered him while continuously exchanging glances with Chen Erniu, signaling him to hurry and prepare the carriage.

Having spent the last few days residing at Tang He's estate and occasionally strolling through the streets, Zhu Yuanzhang was already quite accustomed to keeping a low profile.

Naturally, besides Zhu Yuanzhang, several court officials, and even prominent merchants and wealthy gentry of Yingtian Prefecture, were all heading toward Paradise on Earth at that very moment.

Furthermore, the various nobles who were supposed to be waiting for Lan Yu at his estate also remembered the grand opening of Paradise on Earth. At the instigation of Zhu Wen and Zhang Yi, they linked arms and departed from the Duke of Liangguo's mansion en masse.

For a time, the streets of Yingtian Prefecture were packed with endless streams of carriages and horses, all converging in the direction of Paradise on Earth.

The reason a mere pleasure house opening could generate such a massive sensation was largely due to the relentless publicity campaigns orchestrated by Paradise on Earth.

Over the past ten days or so, whether in taverns, teahouses, or even street corners and alleys, people could constantly be heard discussing Paradise on Earth and spreading word of the grand auction.

The rumors claimed that the items to be auctioned off this time were unimaginably extraordinary—that not a single comparable treasure could be found even within the deep recesses of the imperial palace, yet Paradise on Earth was putting forth dozens of such items at once.

Driven by this level of hype, the reputation of Paradise on Earth naturally spread throughout the entire Yingtian Prefecture in a remarkably short span of time, drawing curious onlookers even from neighboring cities.

"Hmph! This Paradise on Earth is truly extravagant; the sheer scale of this interior decoration is something ordinary establishments could never hope to match."

Outside the entrance of Paradise on Earth, the carriage came to a halt, and Lan Yu was the first to part the curtains and step out.

Yet upon laying eyes on the true splendor of Paradise on Earth, even a man of his stature—who had once shared chambers with a Northern Yuan princess—could not help but click his tongue in astonishment.

Previously, he had only known that a towering building had been erected here under the name Paradise on Earth.

Whenever he passed by in the past, however, it had always remained half-hidden and shrouded in mystery, preventing him from ever seeing its true interior. Seeing it in person today genuinely left Lan Yu stunned.

While Lan Yu was still lost in wonder, a graceful woman approached with unhurried steps. Stopping beside the carriage, she first offered a respectful bow to Lan Yu, addressed him as the "Duke of Liangguo," and then turned her beaming smile toward the carriage. "Your Highness, do you intend to stay inside forever? Or must this humble servant climb into the carriage to fetch you?"

"You mischievous girl, still as playful as ever. Have the private rooms been arranged?" Zhu Yunleng's voice drifted out from within.

With a soft giggle, the woman replied, "All is prepared. The entire fourth floor is closed to the outside public today. Shall I arrange a few charming young maidens to accompany Your Highness as well?"

Zhu Yunleng lifted the curtain and stepped out, a hat pulled low to shield his handsome features.

"Away with you, stop teasing your Imperial Highness!"

He glanced back at Lan Yu with a light chuckle and added, "However, you should indeed arrange for some company. Make sure our esteemed uncle here thoroughly enjoys your hospitality. In the future, should anyone ever dare to cause trouble for you, just go straight to the Duke of Liangguo's estate to call in reinforcements."

"Hehe! Then I must certainly assign our finest top-tier hostesses, lest the Duke of Liangguo makes things difficult for this humble servant later on!"