Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Fourth Uncle's Hollow Words

Zhu Yuntong believed that the real threat was not Zhu Yunwen, but his Fourth Uncle, Zhu Di.

He needed to use Second Uncle and Third Uncle to keep Fourth Uncle in check. Those two absolutely could not be allowed to die.

Various thoughts flashed through Zhu Yuntong's mind, and he worked out what to do next. The struggle for succession meant scheming against one another and using one another. Family affection had its place in the imperial household, but he could not put blind faith in it.

Second Uncle and Third Uncle had both said they supported him.

Fourth Uncle had ambitions of his own, but he had also pledged his support.

The main reason was that Second Uncle and Third Uncle knew they no longer had a chance. If they tried to force the issue, Old Zhu would deal with them sooner or later. Choosing Zhu Yuntong was therefore a hundred times better than choosing Zhu Yunwen. They trusted that Zhu Yuntong would not do anything harmful to them.

Since Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang had pledged their support, the other princes would not dare withhold theirs. Those two carried the most weight among the imperial sons.

Only Zhu Di was frowning, his thoughts unreadable.

Their meeting that day had been thoroughly pleasant. They had come to see Zhu Yuntong mainly because of what had happened that morning, and the conversation had indeed gone well. With their misgivings put to rest, they soon said they should leave.

Zhu Di walked ahead. Seeing his opportunity, Zhu Yuntong tugged at Zhu Shuang's and Zhu Gang's sleeves.

"Second Uncle, Third Uncle."

"I think Fourth Uncle's words don't match his heart. He might not truly mean what he says."

Zhu Yuntong did not say what Zhu Di might do, but the implication was clear enough.

"He wouldn't dare!"

Zhu Gang flew into a rage.

"Third Uncle, keep your voice down!"

Zhu Yuntong hurriedly cautioned him.

That had successfully stirred their wariness toward Zhu Di. As long as he could keep them from dying, these two uncles would remain on his side.

Recalling Zhu Di's reaction earlier, Zhu Shuang smiled. "Don't worry. With your Second Uncle here, Fourth Uncle won't be able to whip up any waves."

He, too, had noticed something off about Zhu Di.

Zhu Yuntong knew that Old Zhu's sons were no fools.

Zhu Shuang was brutal and seemed incompetent, but in truth he was shrewd. Zhu Gang was probably the same. With Zhu Biao around in the past, they simply had not needed to show how sharp they were.

"The women in the palace are no simple characters, and the men of the imperial family are no lamps that burn little oil, either."

Zhu Yuntong felt the pressure mounting. These palace struggles and endless schemes were exhausting.

His inherent advantage as a transmigrator was probably that he had several hundred years more knowledge than they did, along with some foreknowledge of history. Without those things, Zhu Yuntong would have worried that he could not beat them.

Good thing Zhu Yunwen is useless! Zhu Yuntong thought.

Walking ahead, Zhu Di noticed what sounded like some activity behind him.

Just as he was about to turn around and ask what they were discussing, a figure approached.

"Fourth Uncle!"

Zhu Yunwen was rather timid. Especially after their open falling-out that morning, he was even more afraid to face his uncles.

But he did not dare disobey Lü Shi's instructions.

He could only steel himself and come.

His call of "Fourth Uncle" was faint, betraying a severe lack of confidence.

"Yunwen, you're here."

Zhu Di nodded slightly. He had little fondness for this nephew.

After that brief greeting, he turned and left, unwilling to exchange any more words with Zhu Yunwen.

"I..."

Zhu Yunwen seethed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do.

I can only pin my hopes on Second Uncle and Third Uncle. As long as they're willing to hear my explanation, that'll be enough.

But when Zhu Yunwen looked up, he saw Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang coming out beside Zhu Yuntong, chatting and laughing.

"Second Uncle, Third Uncle!"

Zhu Yunwen hurried forward.

To his surprise, they merely glanced at him, said their farewells to Zhu Yuntong, and followed Zhu Di away, unwilling to say even one more word.

Zhu Yunwen: "..."

He stood rooted to the spot, asking himself over and over: Why?

Why are they so close to Zhu Yuntong, yet so cold toward me?

Lü Shi was the Crown Princess. He was the legitimate son. How could they treat him this way? He bitterly refused to accept it.

"You're here."

After seeing his three uncles off, Zhu Yuntong glanced at Zhu Yunwen. "Why don't you come in and sit for a while?"

"You... you've gone too far!"

Zhu Yunwen's composure shattered on the spot. He shouted and ran off.

He was going back to Lü Shi to tearfully complain about the humiliation he had suffered here. They were bullying him mercilessly.

Zhu Yuntong laughed. With that little mental fortitude, you dare fight me for the succession?

Zhu Yunwen only had Lü Shi propping him up, the civil officials supporting him, and the fact that Zhu Yuanzhang had previously had no other choice. Otherwise, his turn would never have come.

"Third Brother."

Zhu Linghua asked, "Now that we've offended him, will he keep making trouble for us?"

Zhu Yuntong rubbed her little head and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't be afraid, Linghua. Your Third Brother will protect you all."

Tomorrow, he would have to turn up the pressure on Lü Shi.

Otherwise, she would think he was easy to bully.

As for Liu Liu and the others who constantly watched him, he paid them no mind at all. Tomorrow, he would find a way to shake them off.

For now, if they wanted to watch him, they could watch all they liked.

It was not until dusk that Liu Liu came in and announced that dinner was ready.

When the eunuchs brought it in, they saw that there was even less food than at lunch.

The clear soup was gone. There were two plates of equally oil-starved vegetables, with portions a third smaller than at noon.

Each person had a bowl of rice, but the bowls were still not full.

The other side's harassment was growing more and more outrageous.

"Brother!"

Zhu Lingyue said, "We weren't nice to Zhu Yunwen at noon, so they're taking revenge again."

All four sisters deeply resented it.

Because Old Zhu had trusted Zhu Biao in the past, there were no Embroidered Guard in the Eastern Palace. Whatever Lü Shi did here, Old Zhu knew nothing about it.

On the surface, Lü Shi was a virtuous wife and loving mother, but behind the scenes, she never stopped her petty maneuvers.

Most importantly, Old Zhu remained unaware of those maneuvers.

"I ate at noon. I'm not hungry yet."

Zhu Lingyi said, "You all go ahead and eat!"

She had not even eaten her fill at noon. There was no way she was not hungry.

She was simply an older sister who ached for her younger siblings.

"You, come with me."

Zhu Yuntong glanced at Liu Liu and headed outside, adding, "Wait here for a bit. I'll bring you something good to eat."

Liu Liu hurried after him, but before leaving, he signaled a nearby palace maid with his eyes.

Zhu Yuntong did not go to the imperial kitchens. After leaving, he headed to Zhu Yunwen's quarters.

As soon as he entered, he saw Zhu Yunjian in the courtyard, thoroughly enjoying himself with a few little toys. Seeing Zhu Yuntong suddenly arrive, he immediately grew wary, blocked his path, and demanded, "What are you doing?"

Zhu Yunjian was only seven, still a little brat, but through everything he had seen and heard, he already knew Zhu Yuntong was their enemy.

"Second Brother said you're not allowed in here, Zhu Yuntong."

Zhu Yunjian gave a little snort.

Since Zhu Yuntong was an enemy, he would not let him come any closer.

The two sides had already torn away all pretense of civility and decided to fight for the succession anyway. Zhu Yunwen had long since stopped caring about brotherly affection and respect. He still had to keep up appearances in public, but in private, there was no need to maintain harmony between brothers. After all, there were no Embroidered Guard in the Eastern Palace.