Chapter 58

Hearing this,

Zhu Biao frowned, a flicker of anger rising on his face.

“Go bring Zhu Yunling here,” Zhu Biao said coldly.

Nearby,

Lady Lü immediately gave a subtle glance to her attendant.

The maid bowed and swiftly exited the Eastern Palace hall.

Meanwhile, in a side hall of the Eastern Palace,

Dozens of maids and eunuchs stood guard outside.

They appeared to serve the legitimate young master, Zhu Yunling, but in truth, they were there to watch him.

With a bang,

Inside the hall, Zhu Yunling looked fearfully toward the door—there stood Lady Lü’s trusted maid.

“Young Master Yunling.”

“The Crown Prince has summoned you,” the maid said, speaking with haughty arrogance to Zhu Yunling.

“F-Father wants me for what?” Zhu Yunling stammered.

He was barely ten years old, a legitimate young master in the Eastern Palace, yet his treatment was worse than that of an ordinary prince; the entire Eastern Palace was now under Lady Lü’s control—his food, clothing, lodging, everything was dictated by her.

“Why ask so many useless questions?”

“If you don’t go, the Crown Prince will punish you,” the maid said coldly.

To Zhu Yunling, she felt no need for respect—she treated him like a disposable servant.

Faced with this,

Zhu Yunling’s eyes filled with fear.

He cast a pleading glance toward a nearby maid.

She was Zhu Yunling’s only maid.

No.

She was the maid left to him by his mother, in this vast Eastern Palace.

Since his mother passed away, since his elder brother left, Zhu Yunling had become an outcast—neither loved by his father nor cared for by his mother, with no one to protect him.

The only one who could comfort him, the only one who could care for him, was the maid beside him, Yunyu.

“Young Master.”

“Go.”

“The Crown Prince is your father—he must have something to say.”

Yunyu spoke respectfully.

“Sister Yunyu, can you come with me?” Zhu Yunling still feared, looking at Yunyu with hope.

Hearing this,

Lady Lü’s maid frowned and immediately said: “The Crown Prince summoned only Young Master Yunling. Others must remain where they are.”

Zhu Yunling looked even more terrified at Yunyu.

“Young Master, it’s fine.”

“Go quickly and return—your maid will wait for you here in the palace,” Yunyu said softly, then gave him a reassuring glance.

Seeing this,

Zhu Yunling understood—he had to go alone. He could only steel himself and walk toward the hall’s exit.

After Zhu Yunling left the hall,

Lady Lü’s trusted maid stepped before Yunyu and said coldly: “Yunyu! The Crown Princess has been gone for many years. You must know who now runs the Eastern Palace. You must know what to say and what not to say. Though you were the former Crown Princess’s maid, that is all in the past.”

“Don’t seek death.”

After issuing this threat,

Lady Lü’s maid gave a cold glare and turned away.

Yunyu’s face showed a bitter expression, tinged with helplessness.

Inside the Eastern Palace hall!

“Your Highness.”

“Young Master Zhu Yunling has arrived.”

The maid entered the hall and bowed respectfully to report.

Zhu Biao raised his gaze and fixed it on Zhu Yunling as he walked slowly into the hall—head bowed, timid, shrinking, utterly lacking the bearing of a royal prince. Zhu Biao’s eyes immediately darkened with distaste.

“Your servant… your servant bows to Father.”

Zhu Yunling knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully to Zhu Biao.

Though they were father and son,

Zhu Yunling’s voice carried fear—and a deep estrangement.

“Rise.”

Zhu Biao spoke coldly.

“Thank you, Father,” Zhu Yunling replied softly, head still bowed.

“I hear you have not attended the Grand Academy, and often skip classes?” Zhu Biao asked sharply.

Hearing this,

Zhu Yunling glanced toward Lady Lü—but she had turned her back to Zhu Biao and gave Zhu Yunling a cold, icy stare.

Under that gaze,

Zhu Yunling trembled and dared not look again.

“Your servant… your servant…” Zhu Yunling’s voice shook, unable to speak.

“The Grand Academy was established by your grandfather specifically for the imperial princes, to ensure our royal heirs gain knowledge, literacy, and the talent to govern.”

“You are still young, yet you show no ambition.”

“I am deeply disappointed,” Zhu Biao said coldly, his expression growing even more displeased.

For him,

Zhu Yunling had always been a source of estrangement—perhaps even an invisible hatred.

Because years ago, his beloved wife, his elder sister Chang, died in childbirth giving birth to Zhu Yunling.

He simply could not bring himself to love Zhu Yunling.

“Your servant… your servant won’t dare again,” Zhu Yunling pleaded fearfully.

“You will closely monitor him. If he dares to miss the Grand Academy again, the family law will be enforced,” Zhu Biao said, turning to Lady Lü.

“Your servant accepts the order,” Lady Lü replied with satisfaction.

"Your servant accepts the order," Lady Lu replied with a smile.

Lady Lü added: “My lord, Yunwen attends the Grand Academy every day and has received praise from many tutors.”

Zhu Biao turned to Zhu Yunwen, his gaze softening slightly.

“Yunwen is good. Keep studying.”

“Our Great Ming’s territories are vast, its affairs numerous—only royal heirs with ability can ensure the realm’s stability,” Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yunwen immediately bowed deeply and replied with perfect decorum: “Your servant will never disappoint Father. I will strive diligently to study, so that one day I may assist Father.”

Zhu Yunwen immediately bowed deeply and said with great respect, "Your son will not disappoint Your Majesty; he will strive diligently in his studies and one day assist Your Majesty."

Zhu Biao’s gaze toward Zhu Yunwen grew even softer.

“You may go.”

Zhu Biao waved his hand toward Zhu Yunling in the hall.

“Your servant takes leave,” Zhu Yunling replied tremulously, bowing deeply as he withdrew.

After he left,

“I hear you recently returned to the Lü household?” Zhu Biao asked with a smile.

“My lord,”

“My elder brother recently took a concubine into his household. I had not seen Father in a long time, so I returned to pay my filial duties,” Lady Lü replied gently.

Hearing the words “filial duty,” Zhu Biao’s gaze softened further.

"My elder brother recently took a concubine into our household, and since I had not seen Father in a long time, I returned home to pay my filial duties," Lady Lu replied softly.

It was a virtue the imperial family—and all the people of the realm—must uphold.

“Since you now manage the Eastern Palace’s affairs, handle such matters as you see fit.”

“But I hear your brother’s new concubine is from the Shen family—a merchant clan, notoriously deceitful. Do not let merchant influence lead you to corruption or bring ruin upon your family,” Zhu Biao said sternly.

“Please rest assured, my lord.”

“When I returned home, I heard the concubine was a Shen woman, of merchant stock. Besides visiting Father, I also warned my brother not to engage in corruption,” Lady Lü quickly added.

“Hmm,” Zhu Biao nodded, saying no more.

"I also heard this concubine is from the Shen family, of merchant stock; besides visiting Father, I also gave my elder brother a stern warning not to engage in corruption or abuse of power," Lady Lu immediately added.

“Young Master, are you alright?”

Seeing Zhu Yunling return with a tear-streaked, miserable face,

Young Master, are you all right?

Watching Zhu Yunling return with a mournful, deeply sorrowful expression.

Yun Yu immediately rushed over, concernedly asking.

“Big Sister Yun.”

“Is it… is it going to be like this forever? Am I always going to be bullied?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong—they only ever bully me.”

“Even Father doesn’t like me.”

Zhu Yunling asked, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

…

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(End of Chapter)