The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 178 The Eunuch Dares to Snatch the Prince

Faced with a group of enthusiastic younger brothers, Tu Chengyu really had no choice.

They pulled me along, and I kept answering all sorts of questions.

Of course, the most frequent question was about the gifts given to them.

Fortunately, Xiao Xuanzi had already arranged for the gifts to be delivered to their respective palaces, otherwise there would have been a lot to talk about.

After they finished talking, Xiao Qi, who was holding an invitation, walked up to Tu Chengyu without anyone noticing.

Seeing Xiao Qi's serious expression, Tu Chengyu asked curiously, "Xiao Qi, what's wrong?"

Xiao Qi said very seriously, "Fifth Brother, it's my birthday the day after tomorrow. I'd like to invite you over to play."

After hearing this, Tu Chengyu suddenly realized what was going on.

At the same time, there's a sense of helplessness, which is the downside of having many siblings—it's impossible to remember everyone's birthday.

Back when he was at Prince An's residence, the Crown Prince or Xiao Xing'er would remind him of these things.

However, because she had just returned to Beijing, Xiao Xing'er was busy tidying up the house and didn't tell Tu Chengyu in time.

As for the Crown Prince, Tu Chengyu has yet to meet him.

Therefore, Tu Chengyu didn't remember Xiaoqi's birthday.

However, at this moment, he could not show that he did not know.

I could only try to say something like, "Hey, you're making such a big deal out of this. I thought something serious had happened, but it's just your birthday."

Don't worry, I've already prepared your birthday present, and it will definitely arrive on time the day after tomorrow.

Xiao Qi said, "Fifth Brother, I wasn't planning on using invitations, but Mother said I'm not young anymore and it's more formal to invite people."

Since that's the case, Tu Chengyu didn't say anything more and solemnly accepted Xiao Qi's invitation.

While Tu Chengyu and Xiao Qi were talking, the others dispersed to play, with only Xiao Liu standing not far away.

So after Xiao Qi left, Tu Chengyu called Xiao Liu over.

Why didn't you go out and play with them?

Xiao Liu said in surprise, "Fifth Brother, I've been waiting for you. Didn't you come to find me?"

Tu Chengyu felt that Xiao Liu had misunderstood, and said, "I was just wandering around the Imperial Study."

Xiao Liu then realized he had misunderstood and said with a smile, "Fifth Brother, you're so busy today, yet you came to the study. I thought you had something to discuss with me."

Tu Chengyu shook his head: "I didn't originally have time to come here, but it seems that something big happened in the court today. My father is still dealing with state affairs, so I had some free time to come."

"Little Six, do you know what major events have happened in the court recently? Why are the government affairs still not finished today?"

Xiao Liu shook his head and said, "I haven't heard anything about anything happening either."

It seems to have happened suddenly, and judging from the current situation, it's quite serious.

However, these were things the Emperor had to worry about; Tu Chengyu only asked one question and then stopped caring.

Seeing that Tu Chengyu had said a couple of words and then seemed to be lost in thought, Xiao Liu asked:
"Fifth Brother, is there anything else? If not, I'll head back to the study. The teacher will be checking my homework soon."

Tu Chengyu originally wanted Xiao Liu to leave, but he suddenly thought of Xiao Shiyi, whom he had met on the way here.

He then asked, "Sixth Brother, do you know what's wrong with Eleventh Brother lately?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Liu exclaimed in surprise, "Fifth Brother, he also asked you for help?"

From this, it's clear that Xiao Shiyi wasn't the only one requesting an audience with him, so Tu Chengyu asked:

"Yes, he also asked you for help?"

Xiao Liu nodded and said, "Xiao Qi, Xiao Ba, and I have all heard about his request to see me. Even the Little Imperial Uncle has been bothered by him."

Xiao Shiyi is such a quiet person, she doesn't talk much to others, so why would she suddenly ask so many people for help?

This illogical situation suddenly made Tu Chengyu a little worried.

So he asked again, "What did Little Eleven say to you when she asked for help?"

Xiao Liu said helplessly, "He said someone wants to take him away and make him someone else's son. He wants us to help him so he won't leave his mother's side."

This was somewhat different from what Tu Chengyu had heard. What Xiao Shiyi had told Tu Chengyu was only that he didn't want to leave Consort Hui's side. He didn't mention anything about someone trying to take him as their son.

Tu Chengyu also understands that a four or five-year-old child cannot always express his meaning clearly.

However, judging from his persistent cries for help, someone must have said something similar.

Tu Chengyu asked with concern, "Did you tell Father or Empress about Eleven's plea for help?"

Xiao Liu said, "Fifth Brother, how can I tell Father about this? Xiao Shiyi said he was going to be kidnapped. How could this happen in the palace?"

That's not wrong; who would dare to compete with the emperor for his son?

Just as Tu Chengyu was wondering if he was being paranoid, he saw a rather familiar-looking eunuch running breathlessly into the courtyard of the Imperial Study.

Tu Chengyu didn't recognize the eunuch at first, but after a moment's thought, he remembered that this was one of the eunuchs who had been following Xiao Shiyi earlier.

As soon as the little eunuch entered, his eyes lit up when he saw Tu Chengyu standing by the veranda talking.

Then, he walked up to Tu Chengyu in a few steps, panting, and said:
"Fifth Prince, please help the Eleventh Prince."

The Tu brothers were just talking about Little Eleven, and before they could finish their conversation, the eunuch next to Little Eleven came to ask for help.

He quickly asked, "What happened to Little Eleven?"

The young eunuch quickly said, "Someone tried to take His Highness Eleventh Prince away. We refused, so they blocked the road and tried to snatch him. His Highness Eleventh Prince sent me to ask Your Highness for help."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu and Xiao Liuzi exchanged bewildered glances, both finding it unbelievable.

Someone really did try to snatch someone from the palace, and it was the emperor's son.

Faced with such an unbelievable situation, Tu Chengyu dared not be careless and could only continue to ask:

"Do you know which palace's people came to snatch them?"

The young eunuch said, "This servant does not know which palace they are from, but I know that one of them works in the East Palace."

The Eastern Palace? People from the Emperor Emeritus's residence.

However, what Tu Chengyu didn't understand was that if the Emperor Emeritus wanted to see his grandson, he could simply make a request and someone would send him over; there was no need to resort to such methods.

Xiao Liu asked incredulously, "Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?"

The young eunuch quickly said, "This servant is absolutely not mistaken. They are still here. Your Highness will know once you go over and take a look."

Hearing him say that, Tu Chengyu and the other person looked at each other again.

He asked, "Even if what you're saying is true, why didn't you ask the Empress for help, but instead came to me?"

The young eunuch said, "There are too many of them, and they are blocking the road to the Empress's Palace, so we can't go. Moreover, His Highness the Eleventh Prince also sent me to find His Highness the Fifth Prince, so I came here."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu unconsciously frowned.

In the palace, every matter, big or small, inevitably involves the Empress. Princes like Tu Chengyu have virtually no right to interfere, and Tu Chengyu himself doesn't want to meddle rashly.

But now that the little eunuch who was Little Eleven's attendant has come to him for help, if he ignores him, he won't be able to explain himself if something really goes wrong.

Therefore, Tu Chengyu decided to go and check it out first, to prevent things from escalating further.

At the same time, he could also send someone to notify the Empress, so that she could come and make the final decision.

Thinking of this, Tu Chengyu wanted to turn around and find Xiao Shier.

But when he turned around, he found that all his brothers who had run off to play elsewhere had gathered around him.

And judging from their expressions, they already knew what had happened.

Xiao Qi, always quick to speak, bluntly said, "Fifth Brother, what are we waiting for? Hurry up and save Little Eleven!"

Tu Chengyu rolled his eyes at him helplessly and said, "What's the rush? This is the palace. Who would dare to actually snatch Little Eleven away?"

Although everyone understood that no one dared to act recklessly in the palace.

But what if, what if there are people who aren't afraid of death?

In addition, the group here consists of a bunch of kids who are prone to overthinking, and now that they've encountered something like this, they've come up with all sorts of possibilities.

However, they still trusted Tu Chengyu quite a bit. Seeing that Tu Chengyu did not act rashly, they waited quietly, even though they were anxious.

Seeing this, Tu Chengyu quickly asked Xiao Twelve, "Where is the eunuch beside you?"

Little Twelve didn't know why Tu Chengyu was asking her, but she quickly replied, "It's right outside the courtyard."

Tu Chengyu said, "Call them in."

Upon hearing this, Little Twelve turned and ran out, returning shortly with several eunuchs.

Seeing this, Tu Chengyu briefly recounted what had just happened to the leading eunuch, and finally gave him instructions:
"You should quickly take a detour back to the central palace, find the Empress, and report this matter to her."

The eunuch knew the seriousness of the matter and dared not delay. He left the others to take care of Little Twelfth and then ran alone towards the inner palace.

Just as Xiao Shier's personal eunuch stepped out of the gate, Tu Chengyu also got up, preparing to have the eunuch sent by Xiao Shiyi take him to the place where the incident occurred.

However, before he could take more than a few steps, he heard a lot of footsteps behind him.

Tu Chengyu turned around and saw that Xiao Liu and the others were all following behind him.

Tu Chengyu asked in surprise, "What are you trying to do?"

Xiao Qi said matter-of-factly, "Fifth Brother, of course we're going to save Little Eleven."

Tu Chengyu said, "Nonsense! We haven't even figured things out yet, and so many of us are already rushing over there. Isn't that just causing trouble for Father and Empress?"

Besides, you all have to study later; how can you abandon your teacher and run away without a word?

Xiao Liu, who had been silent until now, spoke up at this moment, saying:

"Fifth Brother, please let us go with you. You are Eleventh Brother's older brother, and so are we. How can we back down when faced with something like this?"

Besides, there's strength in numbers. It's better for us all to go than for you to go alone and cause problems.

Xiao Liu's last words served as a reminder to Tu Chengyu.

If he goes alone, and a conflict breaks out, things could get complicated.

Thinking of this, Tu Chengyu said to them, "Since you want to go, then go with us. But once you get there, you must behave well and not do anything reckless."

Upon hearing that Tu Chengyu had allowed them to go over, the group quickly nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Tu Chengyu left behind Xiao Liu's personal eunuch and specifically told the teacher in the Imperial Study.

Then, leading a bunch of kids and their eunuchs, they marched in a grand procession toward the place where the incident had occurred.

Along the way, Tu Chengyu looked at the excited expressions on the faces of these little kids, and it didn't seem like they were going to rescue Xiao Shiyi, but rather like they were just joining in the fun.

The incident occurred at a side gate connecting the inner palace to the outer court.

This place is the only way for the Empress to go to the Imperial Study. Every prince who still lives in the Empress's palace has to go to the Imperial Study through this gate every day.

Those like Tu Chengyu, who lived alone, resided in the West Palace and took a different route to the Imperial Study.

When Tu Chengyu and his group arrived at their destination, led by the eunuch sent by Xiao Shiyi, they saw a group of eunuchs blocking the entrance and pulling and tugging at each other.

Here, I must commend these eunuchs. Although they were pulling and tugging quite violently, they didn't make much noise.

When Tu Chengyu walked up to them, he could see them clearly.

A group of seven or eight eunuchs surrounded three other eunuchs. One of the surrounded eunuchs was holding Little Eleven and trying his best to avoid being pulled by the others.

Little Eleven is naturally timid, and seeing this situation terrified her, turning her face pale and making her look like she was about to cry at any moment.

Seeing this, Tu Chengyu was so angry he was practically fuming. He shouted:
"What are you all doing? Stop it right now!"

Upon hearing the shout, both groups stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Tu Chengyu.

Once they realized that it was a group of princes, they no longer dared to act recklessly.

However, the group that tried to take the people still kept Xiao Shiyi and his companions firmly in the middle, clearly not intending to give up.

When Xiao Shiyi saw Tu Chengyu and the others arrive, she pouted and let out a pitiful cry:
"Five brothers!"

Tears immediately streamed down her face.

This scene filled the group of brothers with righteous indignation, and they all pointed at the eunuchs blocking their way and started cursing.

Tu Chengyu was also very displeased. He said to the eunuch holding Little Eleven:
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and bring Little Eleven over."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch immediately tried to push his way through the crowd.

But the group surrounding them still doesn't want to stop; they're all packed together and refuse to give way.

Tu Chengyu was surprised that even though he had come all the way here, they were still so arrogant.

He angrily cursed, "You bunch of bastards, are you trying to rebel? If you don't get out of the way, I'll break your legs!"

With Tu Chengyu's side by his side, even if these eunuchs blocking the road had someone backing them up, they would still be wary.

Therefore, the eunuchs turned their attention to a leader standing nearby, waiting for him to give the order.

The leading eunuch also seemed hesitant at this moment, his gaze constantly drifting towards the direction of the East Palace.

Judging from his appearance, he was clearly waiting for someone.

His hesitation caused even the eunuchs under his command to hesitate.

Being ignored by these eunuchs time and time again, Tu Chengyu was about to explode with anger.

He realized that if he didn't do something today, he wouldn't be able to survive in the palace in the future.

However, before Tu Chengyu could figure out how to deal with it, he saw a figure dart out from beside him.

He shouted and charged toward the eunuchs blocking the road.

(End of this chapter)