[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut":3,"chapter-starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-chapter-200":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting from the Battlefield: Gathering Attributes to Build the All-Heavens Ming Dynasty",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2342007,4577,"Chapter 200: Zhu Yunling, Cried!!","starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-chapter-200",200,"\u003Cp>For Lady Lu,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This life,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest nightmare was two people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the former Crown Princess, the lawful wife of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Chang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her present,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything in the former Crown Palace was under her control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the other,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the former imperial eldest grandson, Zhu Xiongying, who had once been showered with boundless favor and whose status no one could challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the child before her now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looked exactly like Zhu Xiongying in his youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps “exactly” was too strong—only seven or eight percent resemblance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if carved from the same mold, utterly identical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one glance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu felt as if Zhu Xiongying had appeared before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a ghost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He could not possibly still be alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu stared fixedly at Zhu Wenxi, frozen stiff, even startled into stumbling and collapsing onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yuanzhang on the dragon throne and Zhu Biao both froze, puzzled, staring at Lady Lu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunling reacted first, rushing forward to quickly support Lady Lu, while asking in confusion and alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Zhu Yunling’s voice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu snapped back to awareness, yet her gaze remained locked on Zhu Wenxi; sensing the strange stares from Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, she hastily lowered her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That bastard Zhu Xiongying is dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I watched him buried in Xiaoling myself—he cannot still be alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must have mistaken him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she bowed her head, she silently told herself in her heart: she had mistaken him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu’s peripheral vision still stole another glance at Zhu Wenxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That look,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sent another jolt through her heart, pounding wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the feeling of a guilty conscience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunling, seeing his mother’s state, was deeply worried, whispering softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He too noticed his mother’s gaze and lifted his eyes with a sidelong glance; when he saw the child in his father’s arms, Zhu Yunling trembled violently, stunned, eyes wide with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big… brother…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunling whispered the word “brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunling, who had been hunched low, acting utterly timid and lacking any imperial princely bearing, froze—first glancing at Zhu Yunling in surprise, utterly confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He too noticed the gaze of Zhu Yunling and his mother fixed on the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With trepidation and fear—fear of facing his imperial grandfather and father—Zhu Yunling stole a glance and saw the child in Zhu Biao’s arms; he too froze completely. He would never forget that face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was this very figure who had always protected him—even though he had been born and caused his mother’s death, his elder brother had always protected him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunling could not help but cry out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This nearly identical appearance caused Zhu Yunling, like Zhu Yunling’s mother and son, to completely forget reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left Zhu Yunling utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even upon seeing it, an ocean of grievance surged within him, tears streaming uncontrollably from his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five who had just entered the hall—aside from Lady Lu’s two young sons—all stood frozen, especially Zhu Yunling, whose reaction was most pronounced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to understand something, glancing once more at Zhu Wenxi in Zhu Biao’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yuanzhang sighed softly, showing no anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Wenxi resembled his eldest grandson too closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely why Zhu Biao had taken him as an adopted grandson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Lady Lu and Zhu Yunling possibly forget?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are they all staring at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the fixed gazes of the three, Zhu Wenxi tilted his head in confusion, asking Zhu Biao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That childish voice shattered the eerie silence within the Wenyuange Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yuer watched silently, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhu Biao had first taken his son as an adopted grandson, Shen Yuer had already suspected something, and had secretly sent Lin Fu to investigate—turns out, she had indeed uncovered some truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than a decade ago,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The imperial palace had harbored a forbidden secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former imperial eldest grandson, Zhu Xiongying, had died of smallpox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with the late Empress Ma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because her son bore such a striking resemblance to the former Zhu Xiongying, he had received special favor from Crown Prince Zhu Biao—and been adopted as a grandson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the root cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After learning of this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yuer could not help but marvel inwardly, yet dared not speak of it—after all, this was an immense blessing for her husband and her son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be so closely tied to the current Crown Prince was clearly a great fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, the Zhu family would reach its zenith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Shen Yuer was not surprised by Lady Lu’s shock—they must have been stunned by her son’s appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop standing there stunned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is my adopted grandson, Zhu Wenxi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is also the son of our Great Ming’s youngest and most valiant Marquis of Champion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the stunned trio of Lady Lu, Zhu Biao spoke calmly, without anger, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao’s words pulled Lady Lu and the others back to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhu Wenxi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Son of the Marquis of Champion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu stared at him, her heart filled with shock and astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The uncanny resemblance made it hard for her to return to sense, as if caught between lifetimes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder… no wonder the Crown Prince adopted this Marquis of Champion’s son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s why they look so alike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All these years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Crown Prince still hasn’t forgotten that lowborn brat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Shi’s heart was filled with complex emotions, and a deep, unspoken resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she only thought it in her heart—she dared not show it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhu Wenxi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could there be two people so identical in this world?” Zhu Yunling’s expression was equally complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his mother bore deep shadows from the past Zhu Xiongying, so too did he.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhu Xiongying was alive, who could stand against him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhu Xiongying was alive, he could only cower beneath his radiance, like an ant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one paid him any attention—all eyes were on him. He was the favored child of heaven, unrivaled, unmatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This filled Zhu Yunling with envy and hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Zhu Gaochi, it brought a profound, unspoken disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing Zhu Wenxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had so hoped the man before him was his elder brother returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas… it wasn’t!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If only you had come back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you had returned, I wouldn’t have to suffer under Lü Shi’s cruelty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We could have gone back to how things were.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Gaochi thought bitterly in his heart, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>living for years under Lü Shi’s control, enduring bullying without daring to resist—perhaps his nature was simply timid, or perhaps since birth he had borne unbearable suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his mother died in childbirth because of him—he was ill-omened, and his father despised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, his elder brother had protected him, but after his elder brother’s departure, everything changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gaochi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you crying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re grown now, still weeping like a child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yuanzhang raised his gaze and fixed it directly on Zhu Gaochi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of those entering the hall, only Zhu Gaochi showed such emotion. Though he understood it was because Zhu Wenxi reminded him of his elder brother, as a royal descendant, such behavior displeased him greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandson… Grandson was thinking of his elder brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Zhu Yuanzhang’s words, Zhu Gaochi immediately wiped his tears and bowed in fearful submission, daring not to argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>head bowed, meek and subservient, he appeared utterly pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a royal descendant, he showed not a trace of royal bearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both disliked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter need not be mentioned again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My grandsons must always uphold the dignity befitting royal blood,” Zhu Yuanzhang said sternly, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t Zhu Gaochi’s tears that displeased Zhu Yuanzhang—it was his entire demeanor: meek, timid, cowering from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the Crown Prince’s legitimate son be like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Zhu Gaochi replied at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Shi snapped back to herself and immediately bowed respectfully: “Your Majesty! Gaochi is still young—he cannot help being moved by emotion, and his nature is simply gentle by disposition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it sounded like she was defending Zhu Gaochi, yet carried a hidden insult: a royal descendant, the Crown Prince’s legitimate son, labeled as “gentle”? That was inappropriate. And faced with Lü Shi’s words, Zhu Gaochi dared not utter a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yuanzhang’s displeasure deepened; Zhu Biao’s face also showed disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Biao may have disliked him since birth, and over the years, Zhu Gaochi’s conduct only deepened that dislike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Wenxi resembles Xiongying so much—I was startled when I first saw him, I thought… I thought…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Shi cut herself off, daring not to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Zhu Xiongying’s death had always been a taboo for Zhu Yuanzhang and his son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“this is fate’s hidden design.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That someone so like Xiongying should exist in this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And that Biao should meet him, to find solace,” Zhu Yuanzhang said gently, his gaze soft as he looked at Zhu Biao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao nodded deeply in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he set Zhu Wenxi down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xi’er.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pay your respects to this grandmother, and these uncles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao spoke to Zhu Wenxi with gentle, loving warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The affection he showed made Lü Shi tremble inside—like the ghost of Zhu Xiongying reborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she suppressed every tremor, refusing to show it. Instead, facing Zhu Wenxi’s face—so repulsive to her—she forced herself to endure it, to smile warmly and kindly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though in her heart she longed to tear the boy apart, even knowing he was not the old Zhu Xiongying, just seeing his face filled her with hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Zhu Biao’s words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Wenxi showed no hesitation or fear—he immediately bowed respectfully to Lü Shi: “Greetings, Grandmother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Zhu Yunling and Zhu Gaochi and bowed again: “Greetings, uncles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At barely two years old, he behaved with such poise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly unprecedented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even his mannerisms mirror that lowborn brat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I hadn’t seen that brat die, I’d swear it was him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Zhu Wenxi’s confident, composed demeanor, Lü Shi felt the boy growing ever more identical to the old Zhu Xiongying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His manner. His face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfectly identical!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Shi suppressed her fury and malice, and spoke with perfect poise and kindness: “Xi’er, no wonder my lord loves you so—such wisdom and grace at such a young age is truly rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xi’er is indeed exceptional.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He will surely become a pillar of the Great Ming,” Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, thoroughly pleased with Zhu Wenxi’s conduct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty speaks truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xi’er will surely become a pillar of the Great Ming,” Zhu Biao agreed warmly, deeply satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao seemed to remember something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Shen Yuer, who had remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the Lady of the Champion Marquis, also granted the third-rank noble title by Your Majesty—Shen Yuer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you always wish to meet her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today is perfect,” Zhu Biao said, pointing to Shen Yuer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This also served to introduce her to Lü Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Shi did not hesitate a moment—she smiled warmly at Shen Yuer, showing great warmth: “Lady Zhu! I’ve heard many tales of the Champion Marquis’s battlefield exploits, and longed to meet you. Now that I have, Lady Zhu, your beauty is truly peerless, captivating the realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly, a perfect match—talented man, exquisite woman, destined for each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Lü Shi’s praise, Shen Yuer smiled immediately, bowed slightly, and replied: “Your humble servant has long heard of Lady Lü’s skill in managing the Eastern Palace—she is the Crown Prince’s wise consort. To meet you today is my great honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Shi’s earlier discontent vanished; now she beamed with even greater delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yuer’s praise directly highlighted her in front of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A virtuous helpmate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Managing the Eastern Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These are all the duties of the principal wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Shen Yuer’s praise, Lu Shi naturally felt a little giddy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam Zhu is truly virtuous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder she is the wife of the Marquis of Champion,” Lu Shi smiled in praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2080,"2026-06-20T23:30:09.614Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4e69ee095013e5ddbe02df739bb2bc546d9f6431f20ac67c73d1b3f9d2016b8d","starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-chapter-201","starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-chapter-199",204,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-cover.jpg"]