Something Has Happened to the Third Imperial Grandson

"What, you still want to contend for it?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard Zhu Gang suddenly mention Lü Shi, he narrowed his eyes and cast an icy look at him.

Even as his son, Zhu Gang felt a chill run down his spine beneath that gaze.

Zhu Shuang felt much the same.

At last, they could be certain that their father placed great importance on their eldest brother's line. No matter what, the heir would come from that line. If they dared undermine the succession of the legitimate branch, their father would show them no mercy, even though they were his own sons.

"Father, that is not what I meant."

Zhu Gang avoided Old Zhu's gaze and explained, "I remember coming back to spend the New Year with you two winters ago. When I went to visit Eldest Brother, I saw that he paid no attention at all to Yuntong or my two nieces, Lingyue and Lingyi."

He paused briefly, then continued, "Eldest Brother was busy handling state affairs for you then. Neither of you could stop, and you had no time to look after the Eastern Palace. Lü Shi had the final say in everything there, and Eldest Brother had no time to spare for Yuntong and the other children."

"I saw them wearing thin clothing in the depths of winter, with snow falling all around. Yunwen was different-he was dressed splendidly and warmly. I could not bear to watch, so I gave Yuntong my fur coat and had my sons, Jixi and Jiye, take off their clothes to give to the others."

"Even while Eldest Brother was alive, Lü Shi treated Yuntong and the others harshly."

"Will those children still be able to live decent lives from now on?"

"From beginning to end, I have only ever acknowledged one eldest sister-in-law. Lü Shi is not worthy."

By the time Zhu Gang finished, he felt a pang of emotion. Zhu Yuntong was rather pitiful, having lost his mother so young and, with her, the person who had treated them well.

Zhu Shuang had never paid much attention to those nephews. Now, hearing Zhu Shuang say this, he too felt a little wistful. Children without a mother probably had a miserable life in this palace. Both men could not help thinking of Empress Ma.

"I, too, have only one eldest sister-in-law. Lü Shi is not worthy!" Zhu Shuang echoed.

"Enough!"

Zhu Yuanzhang clenched his fist, thinking that he, their imperial grandfather, had failed his grandchildren after all.

Something like this had happened right under his nose.

Still, this was not the time to settle those accounts. Between Zhu Yuntong and Zhu Yunwen, he now preferred the former, but he had yet to decide whom to choose.

He needed to see their abilities, and which of them could set his mind at ease.

If he ultimately did not choose Zhu Yuntong, he would still grant him a fief in a prosperous region, allowing him to live a carefree life as an imperial prince.

"I have heard what you said."

Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "Prepare to return. There is still plenty waiting for you to handle in Xian and Datong."

"We take our leave."

They spoke in unison.

Zhu Gang did not know whether Zhu Yuanzhang would take his words to heart, but this was all the help he could offer. He hoped Zhu Yuntong would seize the opportunity.

Once they had left, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed.

Only now did he realize his past failings. He had not been a good grandfather. But Lü Shi was far too skilled at pretending. On the surface, she was a virtuous wife and loving mother, yet it had all been an act.

Nothing is more venomous than a woman's heart! Zhu Yuanzhang thought.

"Your Majesty!"

Jixiang entered just then and said, "His Highness the Prince of Yan has arrived."

"Send him in!"

Zhu Yuanzhang knew that, before leaving, they would all come to have a proper talk with him.

A little later, Zhu Di entered. After bowing in greeting, he said, "Father, I am also preparing to return. While we are away, you must take care of yourself."

"Fourth."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and asked, "Have you ever resented me? I remember saying before that, of all my sons, you were the most like me."

Those words had given Fourth Brother Zhu a glimmer of hope.

Yet Zhu Yuanzhang had turned around and extinguished that hope.

"I would not dare!"

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang ask this, Zhu Di's heart tightened. He felt as though everything about him was about to be laid bare. Still, he mustered his courage and said, "A little while ago, I was reading Essential Politics of Zhenguan. In the section 'Ruler and Minister as a Warning,' Emperor Taizong of Tang asked a question. Would you like to hear it, Father?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Since when did you develop a liking for reading? Let me hear it!"

Zhu Di said, "Emperor Taizong of Tang asked, 'Since ancient times, why have the descendants of founding rulers so often fallen into disorder?'"

At those words, Zhu Yuanzhang abruptly raised his head and stared straight at Zhu Di. In an instant, Zhu Di guiltily lowered his head, not daring to meet his eyes.

In Old Zhu's family, bloodline carried its own crushing authority. Zhu Yuanzhang stood at its very pinnacle, powerful enough to keep even the Yongle Emperor firmly under his thumb.

"And then?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked curiously, "How did they answer?"

Zhu Di had specifically dug out the book and read it the night before. He said, "Fang Xuanling answered, 'This is because young rulers grow up deep within the palace, dwelling in wealth and privilege from childhood. They have never known the sincerity and deceit of human affairs, nor what brings a state peace or peril. Thus, their governance often descends into disorder.'"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this answer, Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes again.

Did those words mean that his grandsons, raised within the imperial palace, understood nothing and were far inferior to these vassal princes?

They certainly carried that implication.

He looked again at Fourth Brother Zhu's expression. His face was perfectly composed, but he was surely feeling guilty.

He was clearly testing him.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment, then asked in return, "What do you think?"

"I..."

Before Zhu Di could finish, Jixiang hurried in from outside.

"Your Majesty, something has happened to the Third Imperial Grandson."

"What happened?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Poisoning!"

Both cautious and anxious, Jixiang said, "According to the eunuch who returned from the Imperial Medical Bureau to report, His Highness the Third Imperial Grandson went there today for an examination. The director and both deputy directors have confirmed that he has been poisoned."

"What?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sprang to his feet, his entire body jolting. He strode forward two steps, fixed Jixiang with a piercing stare, and demanded, "Is that true?"

"It is!"

Jixiang nodded repeatedly. "The Third Imperial Grandson is still at the Imperial Medical Bureau."

"To the Imperial Medical Bureau!"

Zhu Yuanzhang hurried outside.

At the same time, a terrifying killing intent enveloped the entire Hall of Martial Valor. Even Zhu Di felt an involuntary chill throughout his body when it reached him. Every other palace maid and eunuch instantly dropped to their knees.

There will be killing in the palace again!

Zhu Di thought with some fear.

An imperial grandson being poisoned inside the palace was a terrifying matter. Old Zhu had just lost a son, and years earlier, he had also lost his eldest grandson.

If his second legitimate grandson died as well, there was no telling how many people in the palace would be sent to the grave with him.

At that thought, Zhu Di felt an inexplicable panic. Yet before he could discern Zhu Yuanzhang's stance, the news of the Third Imperial Grandson's poisoning had interrupted them.

"Father!"

Zhu Di decided to follow and take a look.

Carrying a fierce killing intent, Zhu Yuanzhang left the Hall of Martial Valor and headed straight for the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Jixiang hurriedly led the others after Zhu Yuanzhang.

But they had not gone far when they saw Xu Shu, director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, hurrying anxiously toward them.

The moment Xu Shu approached the Hall of Martial Valor, he felt a wave of killing intent sweep over him, accompanied by towering fury that seemed capable of burning him alive.