Uncles, Please Support Your Nephew

The moment the three uncles arrived, Dongqing received word and hurried to report it to Lü Shi.

When Lü Shi learned that the three uncles had come to the Eastern Palace but gone to Zhu Yuntong instead of first visiting her, their sister-in-law, her expression immediately darkened. They had outright ignored her.

"Mother."

Zhu Yunwen said anxiously, "In the hall just now, Zhu Yuntong turned all my imperial uncles into my enemies."

Even without what had happened today, he already regarded those imperial uncles as enemies. He believed Huang Zicheng and the others were right: the vassal princes were a threat, and someday he would have to take the blade to his imperial uncles.

"Go over in a little while and see them too."

Lü Shi quickly considered how to respond, then added, "If possible, you must explain this clearly. Say that Zhu Yuntong deliberately slandered you, and do your best to win them back."

None of the military commanders supported them.

Their imperial uncles' support was especially important.

But now, those imperial uncles clearly intended to stand with Zhu Yuntong.

Zhu Yuanzhang valued the bonds of flesh and blood. The imperial uncles' support carried great weight, even greater than that of the military commanders or civil officials.

Even if they could not secure that support, Lü Shi decided they had to sabotage Zhu Yuntong's plans and keep the uncles from supporting him either. First, though, they had to regain their goodwill.

"Huh?"

Zhu Yunwen shook his head repeatedly.

If those imperial uncles saw him again, wouldn't they tear him to pieces?

Even now, recalling how terrifying their gazes had been yesterday sent a chill through Zhu Yunwen. He simply lacked the courage to face those three uncles right now.

"What do you mean, 'huh'? Go!"

Lü Shi said, "They won't eat you. If you still want to contend for the succession, listen to me."

"Yes!"

Zhu Yunwen had no choice but to obey, but fear filled his heart before he even set out.

Just as Zhu Lingxiu finished speaking timidly, Zhu Shuang and his two brothers walked in.

"Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle."

Zhu Yuntong was rather surprised by their arrival.

He still had to observe the proper courtesies, so he formally bowed to them.

He would need their support in the coming struggle for the succession. He had to prove to Old Zhu that uncle and nephew could live in harmony, without bloodshed.

"I thought Father would give you a beating after taking you back."

Seeing Zhu Yuntong unharmed, Zhu Shuang spoke first. "I didn't expect Father not to punish you. He's showing you special favor."

After what had happened that morning, Zhu Shuang felt much closer to Zhu Yuntong.

Previously, like many others, he had deliberately overlooked Zhu Yuntong. The boy had been too unremarkable, and Lü Shi had also intentionally kept him hidden, preventing him from appearing before everyone.

His initiative today had astonished them all.

"You're joking, Second Uncle. Imperial Grandfather simply couldn't be bothered to punish me."

Zhu Yuntong smiled modestly as he spoke, then turned his gaze to Zhu Di. At last, he could take a close, careful look at this future Yongle Emperor-an emperor capable of performing the victory rites atop Mount Langjuxu.

Unfortunately, now that he, Zhu Yuntong, was here, there would be no Yongle Emperor.

Noticing Zhu Yuntong's gaze, Zhu Di smiled. "Father certainly dotes on you, Yuntong. We're quite envious."

He did not even notice that his tone sounded a little sour.

Under normal circumstances, he too would have expected Zhu Yuntong to receive a punishment. The fact that he had not meant Zhu Yuanzhang was very pleased with him.

Zhu Shuang was brutal by nature, oppressed the common people, and had a poor reputation.

Zhu Gang was arrogant and unruly, equally cruel, and his reputation was little better than Zhu Shuang's.

Zhu Di believed that, with their eldest brother gone, neither of those two could possibly inherit the throne. He, the fourth son, possessed both courage and strategy, had illustrious military achievements, and was known for his wisdom. Old Zhu had once said that his fourth son resembled him most. This time, Zhu Di had returned with hopes of his own.

Zhu Di did not consider Zhu Yunwen worth worrying about.

But Zhu Yuntong also wanted to contend for the succession. Judging by his performance that morning, he was more than capable of pushing Zhu Yunwen aside and threatening Zhu Di. Now that Zhu Yuanzhang favored him as well, Zhu Di felt that this nephew was his greatest rival.

Zhu Yuntong caught the odd note in Zhu Di's voice but did not expose it. "Uncles, please sit. Liu Liu, serve tea."

After inviting them to sit, Zhu Yuntong continued, "Actually, even if you hadn't come, I intended to visit all three of you. Now that I've lost my father and mother, and Imperial Grandfather pays me little attention, I'm alone with no one to rely on. I wanted to ask for your help."

He clasped his hands and bowed again.

"Yuntong, what do you mean?"

Zhu Gang asked.

Without hesitation, Zhu Yuntong came straight to the point. "I believe you already understand. I want to contend for the succession, and I hope to have your support."

"Are you so certain we're willing to help you?"

Zhu Shuang asked with a smile, "Aren't you afraid we might compete with you?"

"No!"

Zhu Yuntong was brimming with confidence. "How did my father treat you? And how did my mother treat you?"

At the mention of Zhu Biao and Crown Princess Chang Shi, they could not help recalling the past.

"Our eldest brother and sister-in-law were both very good to us."

Zhu Di said, "They always looked out for us younger brothers. I remember when I was leaving to take up my fief, our sister-in-law worried I would suffer in Beiping and gave me so many things."

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang nodded slightly. Those two truly had been good to them. Remembering that their eldest brother had died of illness only recently, they could not help feeling sorrow.

Reassured, Zhu Yuntong said, "Then what do I have to fear? I'm my mother's legitimate son. You respect my father and mother, and you're my own uncles. I'm not afraid at all. Besides, Imperial Grandfather cut off your hopes long ago. The Mongolian Woman in Second Uncle's household was precisely his arrangement to put an end to those hopes. If even Second Uncle no longer thinks that way, would Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle dare?"

At those words, Zhu Shuang's expression grew somewhat awkward.

He had not expected this young nephew to have figured out even that.

For that very reason, he had treated the Mongolian Woman badly in many ways. It was because of her that he could only remain a vassal prince.

But his father's intentions were clear. Zhu Shuang knew he really should not compete for that position. His eldest brother and sister-in-law had been so good to him, and this nephew was quite impressive too. As long as it was not Zhu Yunwen, he had no objections for now.

If he insisted on competing, he feared his father would deal with him first!

In the end, he might lose even his position as a vassal prince.

"I certainly wouldn't dare."

Zhu Gang shook his head slightly and said firmly, "Yuntong is our sister-in-law's legitimate son. I will definitely support you."

Zhu Di chimed in, "With my eldest and second brothers ahead of me, I absolutely never entertained such thoughts. Rest assured, Yuntong. Your Fourth Uncle will always support you."

Heh...

Hearing Zhu Di's words, Zhu Yuntong sneered inwardly. If he had not transmigrated here, he might have believed them.

With that sinister monk Yao Guangxiao around, there was no way Zhu Di harbored no ambitions.

"To tell you the truth, I returned with hopes this time. I thought that, with our eldest brother gone, Father would surely choose me."

Zhu Shuang admitted it, then continued, "Our eldest brother and sister-in-law treated me so well. I shouldn't compete with you. I also understand Father's intentions-he certainly isn't considering any of us. Even if we fought until our heads split open, we still wouldn't win it. Rest assured, Yuntong. Your Second Uncle supports you."

"Thank you, Uncles!"

Zhu Yuntong bowed once more. At last, he had secured their support.

The goodwill he had earned with them that morning had proved useful. His efforts had not been wasted.

He could tell that the second and third brothers were sincere. As for the fourth, his words did not match his heart, but that was only natural. Otherwise, he would never have become the Yongle Emperor.