Chapter 202: Zhu Yuanzhang: Biao

Zhu Wenxi, hearing Zhu Biao’s greeting, showed no fear at all and hurried over, plopping himself right onto Zhu Biao’s lap.

Such intimacy. Such favor.

Both Lü Shi and Zhu Yunling saw this and felt hatred surge within them.

For them,

such honor had never been theirs. Though they were Zhu Biao’s sons, among all his children, only Zhu Xiongying had ever received such favor.

Since Zhu Xiongying’s death, Zhu Biao had never again shown closeness to any of his offspring; everyone had assumed he was merely grieving too deeply, but now it was clear—he had simply lost the heart he once had for his sons.

“Your Highness.”

“Yunwen is also your son. Why can’t you treat him this way?”

“Is it truly only that dead bastard who can earn your genuine affection?”

Lü Shi’s face wore a smiling expression, but inside, resentment and dissatisfaction boiled up.

This—

she longed desperately for it to be directed toward her own son.

But this time, it seemed an impossible wish.

“Yuer.”

“Today is our imperial family banquet; don’t be too restrained.”

“It’s also a good chance to meet many of our imperial clan members,” Zhu Biao said with a smile to Shen Yuer.

“Yes.”

Shen Yuer smiled and nodded.

Though she was told not to be restrained,

in this setting, being unrestrained would be strange indeed.

Had it not been for Zhu Biao’s personal summons, she would have refused to attend such an occasion altogether.

Time passed gradually.

Soon,

more and more imperial princes and princesses arrived, bowing respectfully to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Yet each one was extremely restrained.

Even more so than Shen Yuer.

It was clear that within the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang inspired awe and fear—not even his own children could easily gain his closeness.

The family banquet came quickly and ended just as swiftly.

Yet,

Shen Yuer and her son naturally left a strong impression on the princes and princesses, for she sat beside Zhu Biao—a symbol of status higher even than Lü Shi’s—and Zhu Wenxi had actually sat atop Zhu Biao’s lap, making him all the more conspicuous.

With the imperial family banquet over,

Shen Yuer and her son returned to their residence.

Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion hall,

only Zhu Yuanzhang and his son remained.

“Biao’er.”

“This imperial family banquet is growing increasingly dull,” Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, clearly disappointed.

He had once dreamed of a banquet free of restraint, utterly relaxed—but this one was nothing like that.

Every prince and princess was tense, filled with reverence, even fear, toward Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang showed no outward sign, but inwardly, he felt a hollow emptiness.

After all, the older one grows, the more one yearns for familial warmth.

“Father, your majesty is as awe-inspiring as heaven; how could your younger brothers and sisters not revere you?”

“After all, we are the imperial family—not common folk.”

Zhu Biao smiled, seeing the truth clearly.

Within the entire Great Ming Empire, only Zhu Biao could ever speak honestly with Zhu Yuanzhang—along with the late Empress Ma and Zhu Xiongying. No one else.

“Even so,”

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, “as I grow older, my heart grows more restless.”

“Father.”

Zhu Biao immediately scowled: “You’ll live to be a hundred. Don’t call yourself old.”

At that moment,

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to snap back to himself, looking at Zhu Biao, then speaking with solemn gravity: “Have you paid any real attention to Yunwen these years?”

“The internal affairs of the Eastern Palace have always been managed by Lü Shi, and Yunwen’s daily matters are handled by her as well. But the education and tutors for imperial clan members—I’ve personally overseen those,” Zhu Biao replied at once.

“You,”

hearing Zhu Biao’s words, Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head helplessly: “I know your wife died in childbirth giving birth to Yunwen, and you’ve always harbored resentment toward him, even ignored him. That won’t do.”

“Father.”

“I just can’t get past that barrier.”

“Every time I see him, I think of Sister Chang, of her dying in my arms,” Zhu Biao said, his face twisted with bitterness.

Perhaps,

he truly could not pass that barrier.

“When I asked about Yunwen’s well-being, Lü Shi seemed to be threatening him.”

“This woman… isn’t as simple as she appears,” Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly.

Seated on the main seat, Zhu Yuanzhang had seen everything in the hall; Lü Shi’s deliberate gesture earlier was child’s play before him.

“I saw it too,”

Zhu Biao asked with some seriousness: “But she’s always treated Yunwen well—why would she deliberately target him?”

“I’ve said it before: I won’t interfere in Eastern Palace affairs.”

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard isn’t stationed there, so I know nothing of what happens inside.”

“You’d best investigate it yourself,” Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly.

Within the Great Ming, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was everywhere—but not inside the Eastern Palace. In Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes, his son was destined to inherit the empire; the Guard could monitor all others, but never Zhu Biao.

“I will investigate this matter,” Zhu Biao nodded, his expression turning serious.

“Also, the Eastern Palace has no Empress. I know you’ve still been thinking of Chang Shi and never appointed another Empress.”

“I still hold to the principle: establish the legitimate heir, the eldest.”

“If you wish to cultivate Yunwen, you must begin early. If you don’t,”

“for me, it would be better if you appointed an Empress soon and bore another legitimate son.”

“Though you’re still young, history shows countless imperial successions have failed due to heir issues—I urge you to take this seriously,” Zhu Yuanzhang said with solemn gravity.

Clearly,

in Zhu Yuanzhang’s current eyes, Lü Shi and her son Zhu Yunling held little weight.

After all, Zhu Biao was still young and strong; he considered only Zhu Biao as heir, not anyone after him.

This matter,

Zhu Yuanzhang clearly would not decide for him.

“This matter,”

Zhu Biao thought for a moment, then nodded: “I will consider it.”

“Tell me honestly—what do you truly think of Lü Shi?” Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked.

“To be frank,”

“Lü Shi is quite pleasing to me, and she has always managed the Eastern Palace with great order.”

“But Father, you once established ancestral law: wife is wife, concubine is concubine.”

“If I elevate her to Empress, I set a terrible precedent for my younger brothers who rule their own fiefs—the door to favoring concubines over wives would be opened. Though Sister Chang is gone, she remains the rightful Empress.”

“Moreover, elevating her might spark widespread debate and destabilize the court,” Zhu Biao said with careful deliberation.

Hearing this,

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled in approval: “It’s good you understand this.”

“The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate must be maintained—don’t overstep.”

“You may favor Lü Shi, but don’t let her entertain improper thoughts.”

“Though Yunwen seems more clever than Yunwen, in my view, my descendants won’t be so unworthy.”

“Find the deeper meaning yourself.”

“I won’t interfere.”

“After all, you’re still young,” Zhu Yuanzhang said with solemn gravity.

Though he spoke no words outright,

Zhu Yuanzhang’s implied meaning was clear:

He wanted Zhu Biao to personally instruct Yunwen—if Yunwen truly proved unworthy, then Zhu Biao should appoint a new Empress, bear another legitimate son, and raise him as heir. Zhu Biao was still young; he could easily have more children.

Zhu Biao nodded: “Father’s words are all remembered.”

“Enough.”

“It’s late. Go rest now,” Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

“Father.”

“Today is a family reunion banquet; don’t overexert yourself—everything is in my hands,” Zhu Biao said with deep concern to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Hearing this concern,

Zhu Yuanzhang’s aged face wore a look of profound satisfaction, the father-son bond fully evident.

“Just take care of your own health, boy—my body is fine,” Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled.

“I take my leave.”

Zhu Biao nodded with a smile and turned to leave the Eastern Palace.

Afterwards,

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upon the dragon throne, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Xiongying.”

“Yuntong.”

Zhu Yuanzhang murmured to himself, his eyes filled with an indescribable sense of longing.

He remained unsettled for a long time.

But then,

He recalled Lü Shi’s actions earlier that day in the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s brows furrowed slightly.

“And that Lü Shi.”

“Biao’s favoritism toward her has made her covet a position that doesn’t belong to her son.”

“I hope Biao handles this matter wisely.”

“The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate heirs must not change.”

“The ancestral edicts I established must not be broken,” Zhu Yuanzhang thought silently.

Clearly,

At this point in time, Zhu Yuanzhang did not place much importance on Zhu Yunwen, nor had he truly cultivated him. In his heart, Zhu Yuntong was the first he intended to groom—after all, he was the legitimate son. If Zhu Yuntong truly proved unworthy, Zhu Yuanzhang still hoped Zhu Biao would take another lawful wife and bear another legitimate son.

After all, elevating a concubine to the status of wife

was not in accordance with propriety.

Yet,

in history,

Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to consider Zhu Biao’s heir, for Zhu Biao died before him. Perhaps after multiple examinations, Zhu Yuanzhang realized Zhu Yuntong was unfit for great responsibility, so he turned his attention to Zhu Yunwen, personally cultivating him, even issuing an imperial decree to elevate Lü Shi’s status.

He violated his own ancestral edicts and rules.

Clearly,

deep in his heart, Zhu Yuanzhang never wished to pass the throne to any of his other sons—even if it meant skipping a generation, he insisted the throne go to Zhu Biao’s son.

Such father-son affection was unmistakable.

Inside the Eastern Palace!

“What did you say?”

“Could there really be someone so identical?”

“Looks exactly like Zhu Xiongying?”

In Lü Shi’s inner chamber, Lü Ben’s aged face was filled with shock—he was stunned by Lü Shi’s words.

“Father.”

“How would I dare speak falsely about something like this?”

“If I hadn’t seen that bastard buried myself, I’d truly think he’d come back.”

“The world holds such uncanny likenesses.”

“Identical appearance, equally hateful to look upon.”

“This is the son of the Marquis of Champion,” Lü Shi said with a twisted expression—her hatred for Zhu Xiongying was plain to see.

“Zhu Xiongying is dead. He was buried in Xiaoling before countless witnesses—there can be no mistake.”

“And the smallpox back then could not have been cured.”

“He is truly dead.”

“As for this resemblance, it’s merely coincidence.”

“After all,”

“the world is vast, and there are many who look exactly alike.”

“So you need not worry.”

Lü Ben said sternly, soothing his daughter.

“Though I know this is true,”

“just seeing that face makes me want to tear him apart,” Lü Shi hissed through clenched teeth.

“Don’t let your thoughts run wild.”

“In the future, we must focus on Yunwen and your own status.”

“Everything else is irrelevant.”

“The Marquis of Champion, though never returned to Yingtian, has earned renown across the land—his name is known throughout the realm.”

“If we can successfully win his allegiance, the Huaixi faction need not be feared.”

“So we must shift our focus accordingly,” Lü Ben reminded again.

“I understand perfectly,”

Lü Shi nodded, but then a shadow of worry crossed her face: “Today, I tried speaking with the Marquis of Champion’s wife, saying Yunwen has long admired the Marquis and wished to learn martial arts from him. But as soon as I spoke those words, His Majesty and the Crown Prince immediately rebuked me.”

“Did I… make a mistake?”

At that very moment,

Lü Ben’s face turned pale.

“Foolish! You’re a fool!”

Lü Ben’s face flushed crimson with panic—he was thoroughly alarmed by Lü Shi’s actions.

“Father, did I… really make a mistake?”

Seeing Lü Ben’s reaction, Lü Shi grew uneasy, her expression turning anxious.

“His Majesty despises most of all princes and imperial grandchildren forming factions.”

“He hates court ministers gathering cliques.”

“The Huaixi faction is proof enough.”

“Though Huaixi is still employed, their unity makes His Majesty wary and uneasy.”

“That’s why the Marquis of Champion was created—to suppress Huaixi and ensure our Great Ming’s military nobility isn’t dominated solely by Huaixi.”

“You directly invited the Marquis of Champion to teach Yunwen martial arts before His Majesty and the Crown Prince—that’s an unmistakable signal of your intent to court him, to compete for something.”

“Daughter,”

“you’ve made a grave mistake.”

“Who is His Majesty?”

“He is the emperor who rose from nothing, from humble origins, to found the Great Ming—a sovereign unmatched in history.”

“What thought, what scheme could possibly escape his notice?”

“You’ve made a disastrous blunder.”

Lü Ben’s face flushed red with urgency, his eyes filled with unspoken terror.

Having served in court for so many years, he knew that emperor too well.

Cold and merciless.

Absolute control over imperial power.

Aside from Crown Prince Zhu Biao, all others were outsiders.

…

(End of Chapter)