"Your Majesty, Prince Zhou is still alive. Who is to say he will not change his mind again? And issuing such a decree at this time might seem like a curse upon him. In my view, it would be better to set this matter aside for now and discuss it after Prince Zhou has lived out his years.
What if the Imperial Decree appointing the Heir arrives at Prince Zhou's Mansion, and Prince Zhou's illness suddenly improves in his joy? Would that not make the decree into a laughingstock?"
The Emperor thought it made sense, so he issued only the Imperial Decree appointing the Heir of Prince Zhou.
Zhao Yuansong wanted to speak but hesitated, his expression ugly. The Ministry of Rites officials looked equally displeased. They had wanted both decrees issued together.
But seeing the Emperor's impatient expression, neither Zhao Yuansong nor the Ministry of Rites officials dared mention it again. This matter was complicated and involved ancestral law.
From the Founding Emperor until now, through four Emperors, Ministry of Rites officials had all discreetly suggested abolishing the system of Martyrdom Sacrifice. Yet the reigning Emperors either pretended not to understand or were attacked en masse by the Imperial Clan Court, often ending up stripped of office and demoted.
As time passed, no one dared bring up the matter openly anymore.
It was rare for a prince to repeatedly mention exempting people from Martyrdom Sacrifice. Though he had only spoken of exempting his own household, it was still a fine beginning.
In the end, Zhao Yuansong took only one Imperial Decree and hurried back to Kaifeng.
Knowing Prince Zhou could not hold on much longer and fearing that delays might breed change, Zhao Yuansong threw all the money he had left at the problem, asking the accompanying Ministry of Rites officials and Directorate of Ceremonial eunuchs to pick up the pace.
The group raced back to Kaifeng, spurring their horses without pause. But someone even faster than them was Prince of Xiangfu, who lived near Kaifeng.
The moment he received news that Prince Zhou was gravely ill and unconscious, he immediately brought a doctor and rushed over, barging straight into the main courtyard.
Ever since Prince Zhou had decided to feign unconsciousness for the time being, only Zhu Zijin and a trusted Attendant had remained in the main courtyard to serve him. Apart from Princess Zhou and the three others, Tao Ji and Xuan Miao, few knew that Prince Zhou was unconscious.
Yet somehow, Prince of Xiangfu had still learned of it.
Princess Zhou gritted her teeth inwardly. So long as she did not die, once this matter was over, she would replace every servant in the mansion.
She hurried toward the main courtyard with her confidants.
Zhu Zijin stood in front of Zhu Youjue, his face flushed red.
Zhu Youjue was furious. He demanded, "When I left, Elder Brother was clearly doing fine. How had he fallen unconscious and failed to wake up after just over a month?
"You neither summoned renowned physicians nor reported this to the Imperial Court. What exactly are you trying to do?"
Standing before the door, Zhu Zijin said, "This was Father's decision..."
"Do not call him so intimately. He is not your father," Zhu Youjue sneered. "Your biological father is Zhu Youxian! People often say, like father, like son. Given the sort of man your father was, who knows whether this is some scheme between father and son, all for the sake of this damned title..."
Pan Yun held a cat as she stood beneath the corridor with Tao Ji and Xuan Miao, watching the show. Hearing this, Tao Ji could not help clicking his tongue. "What an interesting thing to say. Like father, like son—then by that logic, the late Prince Zhou was the father of the commoner Zhu Youxian, while Prince of Xiangfu is the son of the late Prince Zhou. Does that not mean Prince of Xiangfu and the commoner Zhu Youxian possess roughly the same moral character?"
Holding the cat, Pan Yun nodded repeatedly.
Zhu Youjue narrowed his eyes, his gaze dark as he looked toward the three beneath the corridor.
"Presumptuous!" the Attendant behind Zhu Youjue shouted. "What things are you, daring to interrupt while the Prince is speaking? Are you all dead? Drag them away!"
Pan Yun straightened up, while Xuan Miao's gaze turned cold as she stepped forward.
Zhu Zijin broke out in a cold sweat. "Stop! Fourth Uncle, they are honored guests of our Prince's Mansion."
The people of Prince Zhou's Mansion did not move, but every person Prince of Xiangfu had brought charged at the three.
Zhu Youjue had long found them displeasing. Had they not brought Zhu Tongqie back, his elder brother would never have thought to request the appointment of an Heir. Zhu Zijin would at most have been a servant bearing the name of adopted son. In the future, Zhu Youjue could have given him a few fields and sent him away.
Zhu Youjue said nothing, and the people from the Prince of Xiangfu's Mansion took it as approval. Like wolves and tigers, they lunged forward to seize them. The three sidestepped at once, then swiftly raised their feet as their attackers pounced, kicking them squarely in the chest and sending all three flying.
Pan Yun secretly added some force, and the person who had charged at her flew the farthest, smashing to the ground beside Prince of Xiangfu's feet with a bang.
The people Tao Ji and Xuan Miao had kicked landed in the courtyard, far away from Prince of Xiangfu.
At a glance, Pan Yun clearly seemed the strongest of them all—especially since she was so much shorter than Xuan Miao and Tao Ji, reaching only their necks.
The other two lowered their heads to look at her together.
Pan Yun flicked at the corner of her robes with one finger, then held the cat and loftily met the gaze of Prince of Xiangfu, who was looking at her. She paid the other two no attention at all.
Xuan Miao calmly looked away.
Tao Ji was deeply unconvinced. Pointing indignantly at the stunned crowd, he said, "Come again!"
Prince of Xiangfu's people all took a step back in unison.
Tao Ji: ...
Prince of Xiangfu took this as a provocation. Clenching his fists, he stared frostily at Zhu Zijin. "Zhu Zijin, are you trying to rebel? Prince Zhou's Mansion is not yours yet, and you already dare to assault your uncle within it. You truly are just like that father of yours..."
"Hey, hey, hey. We were the ones who acted, not Zhu Zijin," Tao Ji called out, unable to stand seeing him bully an honest man. "If you have the ability, come at us. Stop pinning someone else's hat on him and framing him."
Seeing Zhu Zijin remain silent, Zhu Youjue nodded repeatedly. "Fine. Very fine. It seems this Prince Zhou's Mansion has been occupied by outsiders. I will personally see Elder Brother and ask whether he knows about all this. Any stray cat or dog can now climb over my head and bully me here."
He strode forward and shoved Zhu Zijin aside. "Get lost!"
Zhu Zijin staggered. Seeing Zhu Youjue about to rush inside, he hurried forward and blocked him again. "Fourth Uncle, the doctor said Father cannot be startled while unconscious. If you have anything to say, tell your nephew. You may beat me, curse me, even kill me..."
Pan Yun clicked her tongue inwardly and sighed while holding the black cat. What a schemer~~
But it worked, especially on men.
Zhu Zihou could no longer stand by. He rushed forward and pulled at his father. "Father, if there is anything to discuss, let us sit down and speak properly. Why make things difficult for Eldest Cousin?"
Zhu Youjue flung him away in fury and kicked him. "You worthless thing! How did I give birth to such a rebellious son?"
Seeing his elder brother beaten, Zhu Zifang was unhappy as well. He stepped up to support the kicked-down Zhu Zihou, then went forward and wrapped his arms around Zhu Youjue, dragging him backward. "father, eldest uncle cannot be startled right now. If you wish to see eldest uncle, then see him properly. Wait until eldest aunt comes and see him together. Can you please stop being so agitated..."
The moment Zhu Zijin saw this, he tightened his grip around Zhu Youjue and forcibly dragged him down the steps from before the door.
Looking at the four tangled together, Pan Yun said regretfully, "It would have been even better if they had started fighting."
The words had barely left her mouth when Princess Zhou finally hurried over. Seeing the father, sons, and nephew tangled into a heap, she shouted furiously, "Stop—"
At the sight of their Eldest Aunt, Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang instinctively let go.
Zhu Zijin also immediately released him and stood properly. Zhu Youjue, who had been dragged and held, suddenly lost all support and staggered before falling flat on his back.
Zhu Zihou and the others had not expected it. They hurriedly reached out to help and pull him up, and it took quite a while before the four of them stood steady again.
Pan Yun could not help letting out a snort of laughter as she watched with great interest.
Hearing Pan Yun laugh, Princess Zhou grew even angrier. She did not turn to look at Pan Yun, instead glaring at the four men. "What are you making such a fuss about?"
Zhu Youjue was equally furious. Shaking off the hands pulling at him, he glared at Princess Zhou. "Sister-in-law, Elder Brother is gravely ill, yet you allow him to control the Prince's Mansion and refuse to treat Elder Brother?"
Princess Zhou said coldly, "Whose slander has fourth brother listened to? Our Prince's Mansion currently has not only a resident physician, but also a Daoist physician. We have also notified all the renowned doctors in Kaifeng Prefecture, and none of them will travel far away anytime soon. So long as our Prince's Mansion summons them, they can come immediately.
"Ever since Zijin returned to the mansion, he has personally served and cared for the Prince without the slightest negligence. Since the Prince chose to rest temporarily and await news from the Capital City, Zijin has attended him at his bedside day and night. Even a biological son could not manage this much."
Zhu Youjue darkened his face. "I think Sister-in-law has been deceived by his outward appearance. I do not trust him. I want to see Elder Brother."
Princess Zhou said expressionlessly, "The Prince cannot be disturbed right now. I appreciate fourth brother's kindness."
Seeing her refuse time and again, Zhu Youjue became even more convinced that Zhu Youdun was already dead, and that they were merely concealing the death while waiting for an Imperial Court decree.
But the Imperial Court might not agree to appoint Zhu Zijin as Heir. If he exposed the matter now, Zhu Zijin would have neither proper name nor proper standing, and he would be the first in line to inherit.
Zhu Youjue became even more determined to see Zhu Youdun.
Princess Zhou could not help snapping, "Prince of Xiangfu, this is Prince Zhou's Mansion. This is my home. Our family affairs need not trouble the Prince. Men, invite our honored guests to sit in the main hall!"
Zhu Youjue narrowed his eyes and gave a signal to the people he had brought, remaining where he stood. "Could Sister-in-law be afraid of Martyrdom Sacrifice, which is why you are concealing Elder Brother's condition? Sister-in-law, this is a crime punishable by execution!"
"You are outrageous!" Princess Zhou's face reddened in fury at such speculation.
Zhu Zijin could not help saying, "Fourth Uncle, mind your words. My father is still perfectly well! Mother and Father have always shared a deep affection. Even if Mother wished to follow him, Father has never agreed. He has repeatedly submitted memorials to the Imperial Court requesting the abolition of Martyrdom Sacrifice within the mansion."
"You shameless brat, I cannot be bothered to waste words on you. Move aside, or do not blame me for being discourteous."
Princess Zhou said, "How does Fourth Uncle intend to be discourteous? Prince of Xiangfu is shouting about fighting and killing in my Prince Zhou's Mansion. Before even becoming Prince Zhou, does he already intend to become the master of my Prince Zhou's Mansion?"
Zhu Youjue's face flushed crimson. "I am doing this for Elder Brother..."
"Your dagger has already been revealed now that the map is at its end. Stop using your elder brother as an excuse. What you want, we both know perfectly well. You are always bringing up Zhu Youxian. In my eyes, you are no different from him. Both of you stare at what belongs to other families, wanting to rake it into your own pockets, and the moment things do not go your way, you start shouting about fighting and killing.
"The only difference is that he did not know how to conceal himself, so he was a fool and a true petty man. But Fourth Uncle, you know how to hide it. You are a clever man—a hypocrite!"
Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang went pale, both dropping to their knees and kowtowing. "Eldest Aunt, Father was worried for Eldest Uncle and misspoke. You may beat or scold him as you please, but you must not think of him this way."
So many curses were lodged in Princess Zhou's chest, and tears streamed down her face. She hugged the two children's heads and burst into tears. "Why would I want to curse your father like this? Why would I bear to make you suffer so? But he has forced me to the edge, bullying us, a widowed mother and orphaned son without power or influence..."
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