From ancient times, founders down to their descendants often see turmoil

"Before returning, Your Highness can say one sentence to His Majesty, which might directly reveal His Majesty's attitude."

Yao Guangxiao spoke again.

Zhu Di said, "Please enlighten me, Master!"

Yao Guangxiao said, "Young rulers grow up deep within the palace, spending their youth in wealth and ease, never tasting the deceit of the world or the dangers of governing a state; hence, their governance often brings chaos."

Hearing this, Zhu Di thought for a moment and said, "Are you having me tell imperial father that imperial grandsons raised in the palace are useless, and that the only ones truly capable of carrying the Great Ming are we vassal kings who have been through hundreds of battles?"

"More or less!"

Yao Guangxiao said, "You also want to see whether His Majesty still harbors any intention of establishing vassal kings, right?"

Zhu Di hesitated, pondering before saying, "But if I say this, wouldn't it directly tell imperial father that I also want to seize the legitimate succession?"

Yao Guangxiao said nonchalantly, "If you don't say it, does His Majesty not know you want to seize the legitimate succession?"

Zhu Di: "..."

Even without saying it, as long as he harbored this thought, Zhu Yuanzhang was entirely capable of knowing, and he would still seek the succession.

One should never doubt Old Zhu's capabilities, nor the capabilities of the Embroidered Guard.

"Your Highness simply needs to drop this sentence and question His Majesty."

Yao Guangxiao said calmly, "If His Majesty hears it and no longer makes you return to your fiefs, it means there is still a chance. If you must return, then vassal kings have absolute zero possibility, and Your Highness can safely prepare to rebel."

This monk full of bad intentions was wholeheartedly trying to trick Zhu Di into rebelling, a fact Zhu Di understood clearly.

Zhu Di asked, "Does this sentence have a source?"

"The Zhenguan Zhengyao, Ruler and Minister as a Warning."

"Is there a preceding line?"

"Emperor Taizong of Tang asked: 'From ancient times, founders down to their descendants often see turmoil. Why is that?'"

"Before I return, I will mention this to imperial father."

Zhu Di thought, settling this matter in his mind.

It was also truly because he wanted to see what Old Zhu's attitude was. Although he had long known it was impossible to give them vassal kings a chance, he wanted Old Zhu to personally confirm that there truly was no chance left at all so he could set his mind at ease.

After returning, Lan Yu closed his doors to visitors.

Even when Feng Sheng and Cao Zhen came, he refused to see them. He was reflecting on his past actions over the years, feeling only deep remorse.

If not for that slap from Zhu Yuntong, Lan Yu figured he probably still wouldn't have woken up.

As for how those sworn sons fared, Lan Yu no longer inquired; if they died, they died. Merely for Zhang Zhou and the others showing disrespect to Zhu Yuntong, even if Zhu Yuntong didn't kill them, he wouldn't have let them off easy.

Being arrogant outside was one thing, but internally there could be no blurring of superior and inferior.

However, Lan Yu did not refuse visitors entirely.

When Chang Sheng came, he still saw him.

"Uncle."

Chang Sheng said, "Just yesterday, those sworn sons of yours were all killed by Yuntong."

Lan Yu said expressionlessly, "They deserved to die; since they were killed, so be it."

"But..."

Chang Sheng said anxiously, "It's all over the streets that Yuntong is cruel and unrighteous. This damages his reputation, and I'm afraid it will affect his bid for the legitimate succession. Should we do something for him?"

His own nephew was going to seize the legitimate succession, so as an uncle he had to give his full support.

Even if it meant exhausting all of the Chang Family's resources, he would support him to the end.

"Better listen to Feng Sheng."

Lan Yu thought for a moment, shaking his head. "Right now, it is best we do nothing. You go back and tell the members of the Chang Family to conduct themselves properly and not stir up other troubles that would embarrass Yuntong. This time, just to protect me, Yuntong exerted his utmost ability and suffered reputational damage. As long as he doesn't come looking for us, we must not make a move."

Chang Sheng asked, "Will this really work?"

"It will!"

Lan Yu said solemnly, "We only need to stand behind Yuntong and wait for his arrangements. Whatever he tells us to do, we do. Absolute obedience."

He had also seen through a great many things.

When it wasn't the time for him to act, he must absolutely not interfere.

"Remember, go back and keep the household in line."

Lan Yu said solemnly, "Whether Yuntong can successfully seize the legitimate succession depends heavily on us."

"I understand."

Chang Sheng nodded.

Regarding outsiders wantonly smearing Zhu Yuntong, they would temporarily ignore it-they couldn't manage that much anyway-and conducting themselves properly was enough.

Chang Sheng soon left the Lan Estate. Glancing once more at the plaque of the Duke of Liang's Residence Mansion, which had long since been taken down, and realizing his peerage was truly gone, he contemplated the current political winds at court and felt that as Zhu Yuntong's maternal relatives, their influence on Zhu Yuntong was truly significant.

"If the Crown Prince were still here, all would be well."

Chang Sheng sighed, alas, there were no ifs.

What the outside situation was like, Zhu Yuntong did not know.

He kept the token himself, but had no intention of leaving the palace. For the near future, he would remain inside the palace, waiting until things quieted down somewhat before venturing out to look around.

To see what else one could do in ancient times besides fighting for the succession.

Reborn by transmigration into the Great Ming, there were actually many things Zhu Yuntong wanted to do, such as great ocean voyages, or riding horses across Tokyo to admire cherry blossoms, and so on.

However, while thinking about these things was stirring and passionate, actually doing them was not easy, nor could Zhu Yuntong guarantee he could pull them off.

One still had to have dreams; what if they came true?

The next morning.

Zhu Yuntong couldn't be bothered to go pay his respects now, regardless of how Zhu Yunwen tried to out-compete everyone else. In any case, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer cared about morning greetings nowadays.

He slept soundly until he woke naturally.

The days of being an imperial grandson were simply that comfortable.

Yet if he successfully seized the legitimate succession, such a leisurely life would sooner or later come to an end, while not seizing it left him worrying whether he could survive.

The very first thing upon getting up, Zhu Yuntong still wanted to exercise his body.

He wouldn't run today, thinking instead of the broadcast calisthenics from his school days to see if they could strengthen his body.

Medical conditions in ancient times were poor; even a cold could potentially kill a person. A robust physique was very necessary in ancient times, not to mention he still had to conquer those military generals.

Therefore, his body simply had to be in good shape.

Those rough military men respected the strong above all else.

He didn't necessarily have to be extremely formidable or invincible, but basic skills like riding and archery on horseback, and killing enemies on foot, still had to be there.

Alas, after practicing the broadcast calisthenics for a while, Zhu Yuntong was left panting and drenched in sweat.

"Liu Liu, how can this body of mine be so frail?"

Zhu Yuntong asked.

"This servant doesn't know either!"

Liu Liu shook his head, indicating he understood nothing.

He was merely a servant and did not know many things.

As for Lü Shi's affairs, aside from Dongqing, none of the other servants knew anything, because the fewer people who knew, the safer it was. Should anything go wrong, they could just find a way to do away with Dongqing, as dead people never talked nonsense.

Seeing that Liu Liu genuinely knew nothing at all, Zhu Yuntong did not press him.

Changing into a fresh set of robes, he walked out of the Eastern Palace. By this time, classes at the Great Ben Hall had long since begun. Today, he decided to play truant and go do something major.

"Which way is the Imperial Medical Bureau?"

Zhu Yuntong asked.

"This servant will lead the way."

Liu Liu walked ahead.

However, no sooner had they left than someone hurried back to report to Dongqing, who then reported it up to Lü Shi, quickly letting them know that Zhu Yuntong was heading to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

The Imperial Medical Bureau was still somewhat far from the Eastern Palace, and it took quite a walk before they finally arrived.

"I wonder if Great Ming's medical standards are actually any good."

Thinking this, Zhu Yuntong stepped inside.

With no other options, he could only come here and take a look.