Your Imperial Grandfather Has Had a Change of Heart

"I slapped Lan Yu because I wanted to knock some sense into that arrogant, overbearing man, so I could bring them under my command in the future."

"But one slap alone is nowhere near enough to bring Lan Yu to heel."

"In time, I will also prove to you, Imperial Grandfather, that only I can command the Huai-Western Generals, rather than let them use me. You can appoint me Imperial Grandson without any worries."

Still brimming with confidence, Zhu Yuntong laid out his plans.

This was his chance to prove himself and change Old Zhu's impression of him as mediocre and incompetent.

With his foreknowledge of history, he had already worked out his next steps when he decided to disrupt the investiture.

As he had just said, whose support he gained was ultimately nothing but smoke.

To become Imperial Grandson, he had to win Zhu Yuanzhang's support, set his mind at ease, and let him see hope for the future. That was the key to winning the succession struggle.

No matter how many civil officials or military commanders supported him, it would be useless.

"How will you prove it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang grew even more curious about Zhu Yuntong's plans.

This little scoundrel of a grandson had certainly hidden himself well before. His behavior now was completely different.

Why had he concealed his abilities before?

Zhu Yuanzhang realized that the problem still lay with Lü Shi. This child was terrified of her.

Perhaps there really was something behind all this that he knew nothing about.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression gradually darkened, but he could not be certain. Some things still needed investigating.

"I don't want to tell you just yet, Imperial Grandfather."

Zhu Yuntong had to keep something in reserve. If he revealed everything, Old Zhu would be able to hold him in the palm of his hand.

"Now you're keeping secrets from me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was rather displeased, but there was something else he cared about more.

Even if all those Huai-Western Generals were killed, it would hardly matter. Dead was dead; Old Zhu would merely sigh over them.

What mattered most were his sons.

He recalled what Zhu Yuntong had just said: Zhu Yunwen would be unable to keep the princely vassals in check and might move against them. That was not impossible. His sons were indeed forceful men who commanded troops and knew how to wage war.

"Aren't you afraid of those imperial uncles of yours?"

Zhu Yuanzhang deliberately posed the question.

Zhu Yuntong said, "Why should I be afraid? Zhu Yunwen is weak and incapable, so he can't keep our imperial uncles in check. I'm different. If you appoint me heir, Imperial Grandfather, I'll have legitimacy on my side, along with Lan Yu and the others at my command. Why should I be afraid?"

Zhu Yuanzhang wholeheartedly agreed with those words.

Viewed from this angle, Zhu Yuntong had a greater advantage and would be better for his sons.

"Imperial Grandfather, you said long ago that the heir could only be chosen from my father's line."

"You made Second Uncle marry a Mongolian woman to cut off his ambitions."

"With even Second Uncle denied a chance, Third Uncle certainly wouldn't dare do anything, even if he had ambitions of his own. Otherwise, before I even acted, Second Uncle might deal with Third Uncle himself."

Zhu Yuntong knew that even the second and third sons combined posed less of a threat than the fourth.

Zhu Di certainly harbored such ambitions, but while Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang were still around, he could not stir up any waves.

The fourth son was skilled at warfare, but the second and third were equally skilled.

Of course, Zhu Yuntong could not spell out these spoilers from history too clearly.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed. "To think you even considered that. I overlooked your abilities before."

Zhu Yuntong seized the opportunity. "Since you think I'm more capable, Imperial Grandfather, why not appoint me outright and spare everyone else from entertaining too many ambitions?"

"In your dreams."

Zhu Yuanzhang certainly would not settle on an heir so quickly.

Still, Zhu Yuntong's performance today had pleased him greatly, and his original intention to appoint Zhu Yunwen was wavering more and more.

"I've said everything I ought to say."

Zhu Yuntong hopped off the cushioned couch and immediately put some distance between them, asking with a grin, "You aren't going to hit me again, are you, Imperial Grandfather?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily. "You little scoundrel! Stay right there. I'm going to give you a beating."

"I'm leaving."

Naturally, Zhu Yuntong would not stand there and take a beating, though he also knew Old Zhu would not hit him again.

"My two elder sisters are still worried about me. I need to go back and see them."

With that, Zhu Yuntong hurried out of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Seeing him, the personal attendant eunuch Jixiang hastily opened the palace doors and let him run out.

"That little scoundrel... ha ha!"

It had been a long time since Zhu Yuanzhang had felt as happy as he did now.

In recent years, only this insolent grandson, who knew neither the height of heaven nor the depth of earth, had managed to amuse him so.

He thought of how cautious Zhu Yunwen had always been in his presence. How could he compare to Zhu Yuntong's utter disregard for restraint?

Zhu Yunwen was rigid and looked rather dull.

Zhu Yuntong was lively, followed his heart, and had the courage to speak and act.

Zhu Yuanzhang assessed them once again in his mind, finding Zhu Yuntong's liveliness more appealing.

Wouldn't a bookworm emperor be easy prey for those civil officials at court?

Zhu Yunwen returned to the Eastern Palace, rested briefly, then took out a book and made a show of reading.

Many years ago, after Zhu Xiongying's death, Lü Shi had told him to work hard at one thing-imitating Zhu Biao.

From that moment on, apart from studying, Zhu Yunwen did nothing but imitate him, trying to make himself exactly like Zhu Biao. That had become his sole task.

Precisely because of this, many people now said that Zhu Yunwen resembled Zhu Biao.

But the resemblance was only superficial. He could not imitate Zhu Biao's inner substance; Zhu Biao had certainly not been weak.

Years of habit kept him constantly displaying benevolence, filial piety, and refinement. Reading was an indispensable exercise in keeping up appearances, a way to maintain his persona, and his quickest route to winning the civil officials' support.

Playing nearby, Zhu Yunjian could not quite understand why his second elder brother had to keep reading all the time.

But after returning today, Zhu Yunwen's mind was in turmoil, and he was frightened.

He was also plagued by the fear of gaining something only to lose it again.

He could not absorb a word on the page. He was weak by nature and terrified of trouble.

Only when footsteps sounded outside did Zhu Yunwen put down his book and go out to look. "Mother, how did..."

He wanted to hear that his imperial grandfather had given Zhu Yuntong a thorough beating.

Only punishment would show that Zhu Yuanzhang disliked Zhu Yuntong, giving him a better chance of ascending the throne. But before he could finish his question, he saw Lü Shi returning with a grim face and knew at once that something had gone terribly wrong.

"Don't mention him!"

Lü Shi gritted her teeth. "Your imperial grandfather... has had a change of heart."

"What?"

Panic gripped Zhu Yunwen.

They had done so much to make him emperor. If Zhu Yuntong became emperor instead, would he even survive?

At the thought of such dire consequences, Zhu Yunwen's legs went weak.

"What are you panicking for?"

Lü Shi glared at Zhu Yunwen, exasperated at iron that refused to become steel. "Your imperial grandfather liking him now doesn't mean he no longer likes you. Here in the Eastern Palace, I have the final say, and I have plenty of ways to deal with him! Starting tomorrow, you must perform even better. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mother. I understand."

Zhu Yunwen nodded repeatedly. He had no choice but to do as she said.

"Attend me!"

Lü Shi believed that, now things had reached this point, she had to do something more. "Tell Dongqing to come see me."

Chang Shi and Zhu Xiongying had died without a sound, leaving nothing that could be traced back to her. Zhu Yuntong could do the same.

But he would not die immediately.

It had to be a gradual process, ending in a death without any apparent cause.

When the time came, even if Zhu Yuanzhang had already passed the throne to Zhu Yuntong, Lü Shi could ensure that he would not sit securely upon it. In the end, it would still return to Zhu Yunwen's hands.

Palace struggles were just that filthy.

The imperial palace was forever a moral cesspit.