[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming":3,"chapter-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-19":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Unorthodox Sword of Ming",{"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},2337224,4570,"Chapter 19","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-19",19,"\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin helped Zhu Youdun sit up, took the medicine from his wife Gu Shi, and carefully fed it to him; after five spoonfuls, Zhu Youdun slightly turned his head, so Zhu Zijin stopped, gave him two more spoonfuls of honey water, then gently wiped his mouth, and was about to help him lie down when a distant shout rang out: “Little Master has returned—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin snapped his head up; Gu Shi dropped the bowl and turned to run outside, but after two steps she realized and hurriedly turned back toward the sickbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Youdun sat up a little straighter, gripping Zhu Zijin’s hand tightly, his voice trembling: “Quick, quick…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zihou, standing nearby, moved fastest—he spun around and dashed out the door. “Uncle, I’ll go meet him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zifang followed right behind him. “I’m coming too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two brothers sprinted to the entrance of the Zhou Prince’s mansion and immediately spotted the child standing beside Pan Yun—his eyes widened in delight. “Qie’er! It’s really Qie’er back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zihou moved to hug him, but the child flinched in terror, hiding behind Pan Yun and clutching her leg tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Zhu Zihou turn his gaze to the others present. He ignored Pan Yun and bowed to Tao Ji and Xuanmiao. “Thank you two Daoists for returning my nephew. The Prince’s mansion will surely repay you handsomely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then invited the three inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zifang also wanted to go hug the child, but the boy didn’t know them; their affection was too intense, and he was frightened, so he clung tightly to Pan Yun, avoiding their outstretched hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two brothers finally turned to Pan Yun and asked curiously, “Who is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao said: “She is a Daoist acolyte from our Sanqing Temple. It was she who found the Prince’s little master among the beggars and brought him back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zihou’s heart ached at this; his eyes reddened as he looked at the child with pity. “Qie’er has suffered so much. Let’s go inside—the Prince and your uncle and aunt are waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun raised an eyebrow, reached out, and took the child’s hand, following the two inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang kept glancing back; seeing how closely the child clung to her, they realized Pan Yun had treated him kindly, which was why he trusted her so deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two brothers sighed in relief—this meant the child hadn’t suffered too much out there; at least someone had cared for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they reached the second gate, Zhu Zijin and Gu Shi arrived as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child saw them, his eyes welled up, he let go of Pan Yun, and ran straight toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin rushed forward, scooped him up, checked him over from head to toe, and, seeing all limbs intact, pulled him into his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child burst into loud sobs, clinging tightly to his father’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Shi wept uncontrollably, leaning against Zhu Zijin as she embraced the child; mother and son both cried like children, making everyone around them feel heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin, eyes red, comforted the mother and child, then turned his pleading gaze to his two cousins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zihou, always sensitive and emotional, was crying even harder than Zhu Zijin; Zhu Zifang stepped forward to soothe them. “Sister-in-law, please stop crying. Qie’er is young—crying too long will harm his health. The Prince is still inside waiting to see his grandson.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her younger brother speaking up, Gu Shi could no longer weep openly. Besides, the child had been found. She calmed herself, stopped crying, but her sobs still shook her body from the intensity of her earlier grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wiped her own tears, then dried the child’s face, urging: “Quick, take Qie’er to see his father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin agreed. Ignoring Xuanmiao, Tao Ji, and the others, he carried the child straight to the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun and the two Daoists followed in a rush, drawn along to witness the spectacle—no, to witness the family’s reunion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Princess Gong was already waiting. Seeing Zhu Zijin enter with the child, her eyes reddened, and she waved urgently. “Bring him over so I can see him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin hurried forward with the child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Princess touched the child’s thin face, her heart aching. “He’s lost so much weight—is he healthy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin replied: “Very healthy. He cried loudly just now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Princess smiled happily. “Healthy is good. Healthy is good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the bed, Zhu Youdun whispered weakly: “Bring him to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin quickly carried the child closer for Zhu Youdun to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Youdun met the child’s wet, wide eyes, froze for a moment, then smiled, reaching out to gently stroke his eyelids. “Good child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t seen such pure eyes in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Youdun tried to sit up; Princess Gong hurried to support him, sitting behind him so he could lean back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emotions surged within Zhu Youdun; he said “good” three times in succession, then addressed everyone: “This child is blessed. No wonder he is my grandson.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Youdun’s breathing grew labored from speaking too much. After a pause, he said: “Send for the Chancellor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Prince had a Chancellor; his request now made the people present suspect the truth—most were delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants bowed and withdrew; some went to fetch the Chancellor, others slipped away quietly, running off at full speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that grandfather and grandson had met, Zhu Zifang, fearing excessive emotion might worsen the Prince’s condition, deliberately shifted the topic. “Uncle, these are the Daoists who brought Qie’er back—two or three of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added Pan Yun on the spot, since the child had clung to her so tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the Zhou Prince notice Tao Ji and Xuanmiao. Seeing their Daoist robes, his eyes brightened. “Are you two from beyond the mundane world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: … Why does everyone always overlook me by default?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Prince loved Daoists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Daoists loved the Zhou Prince too—especially Pan Yun. Upon receiving confirmation, the Prince immediately ordered two trays of silver brought out: one for Tao Ji and Xuanmiao, thanking them for returning the child;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>one separate tray for Pan Yun, thanking her for saving Zhu Tongqie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, at last, Pan Yun learned his name: Zhu Tongqie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had assumed everyone overlooked her, the little short one; even the Zhou Prince never mentioned her. Yet he remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji and Xuanmiao accepted their silver without hesitation, taking it cleanly and swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tao Ji didn’t take it without giving back. After studying the Prince’s complexion, he said: “My Lord, if you don’t mind, may I take your pulse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Prince: “What path do you cultivate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji: “I cultivate the Golden Core path. I have some knowledge of medicine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Prince immediately extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji stepped forward, took his pulse, and within moments knew the man had little time left—medicine could not save him. But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the child in Zhu Zijin’s arms, then felt his pulse, and smiled faintly. “My Lord, your heart is broad, and joy has come to you—this greatly benefits your condition. I’ll leave you a prescription. If you trust me, take it. If not, tear it up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Prince chuckled. “I trust you. Of course I trust you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji went to write the prescription.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanmiao stared fixedly at the Zhou Prince, also seeing his imminent death—and not only him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stood idly to the side, surrounded by half a room of dying people. Is this Zhou mansion the Yanwang ’s den?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since entering the black cat’s body and resuming cultivation through it, Jingling had begun seeing strange things again. Now it was buzzing excitedly inside Pan Yun’s mind: [The Zhou Prince won’t live two more days—I can see death’s aura on his face. His joy earlier masked it slightly, or he’d be dead tonight. I wonder if Tao Ji’s medicine will help.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There’s too much death aura in this room. Let’s leave—I feel unwell.] Seeing Pan Yun ignore it, Pan Xiaohei muttered: [I’ll check how these people in the Zhou mansion died.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Only the Zhou Prince is sick here. The others don’t look like they’ll die of illness.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun glanced around and said: [Judging by their facial features—they’ll die violently.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Xiaohei: [How pitiful.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it began rummaging through Jingling’s memories inside Pan Yun’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s past life was over a thousand one hundred years ago, after several world wars destroyed countless texts and data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet many Ming Dynasty records still survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though not the same timeline—only a parallel one—the broad environment remained unchanged, and most developments still left traces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could search for past history and compare it with this era to make advantageous judgments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the black cat was just being nosy, eager for gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some rummaging, records about the Ming Dynasty’s Zhou Prince flashed onto Jingling’s jade tablet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingling scanned them and gasped: “Wow! Four uncles and nephews in this room—three Zhou Princes, one former Zhou Crown Prince, one potential heir. Hmph, Zhu Zijin is so unlucky—he got stuck with such a father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Pan Xiaohei say this, Pan Yun immediately focused her mind. These were data input by experts from her past life—historical records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingling’s search began with the first Zhou Prince’s biography: Zhu Su, the father of the man now lying on the bed, Zhu Youdun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun found it fascinating, but her focus remained on the child’s father, Zhu Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zijin was both lucky and unlucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former Zhou Prince, Zhu Su, was the fifth legitimate son of Zhu Yuanzhang. He had a miserable son named Zhu Youxun—hard to remember? Call him the former Prince of Ruzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to be Prince of Ruzhou—he wanted to be Zhou Prince. But his elder brother, Zhu Youdun, held a firm position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he began denouncing his father for treason, hoping to bypass him and inherit the Zhou title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Zhu Yunwen was dismantling the princedoms; thus, Zhu Su and his eldest son Zhu Youdun were stripped of their titles and reduced to commoners, living in hardship until Zhu Di ascended the throne and restored them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhu Su came to despise this second son, even petitioning the Emperor to exile him to Yunnan—he didn’t want to see him in Zhou territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Zhu Youdun was deeply favored by Zhu Yuanzhang. When his father was demoted and sent away, Zhu Youdun managed the entire Prince’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At age ten, he independently handled all affairs of the mansion with perfect order. He was named Crown Prince four years earlier than Zhu Gaochi, the Prince of Yan’s heir—truly the first among all princely heirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His only flaw: he couldn’t father children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhu Youxun, though useless in other ways, could sire children—he produced the Zhou Prince’s first grandchild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Su couldn’t accept that his first grandchild came from such a son, so he seized the child and adopted him as Zhu Youdun’s heir. He petitioned the Emperor, explicitly stating that Zhu Youxun was morally corrupt and unfit to raise the child, lest he ruin even the best child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child was named Zhu Zijin. As an infant, he became Zhu Youdun’s adopted heir. Only when he grew older did he learn his father and mother weren’t his biological parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten lucky numbers for this chapter are those ending in 2. Screenshot as proof—deadline for screenshots is before the next chapter is released. Lucky readers may join the group “Jian Zou Pian Feng’s Ming” to claim Mo Yan’s tenfold love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten lucky numbers for this chapter are those ending in 2; screenshot as proof, with cutoff time before the next chapter is released. Lucky readers may join the group \"Jian Zou Pian Feng De Ming\" to claim ten percent of Mo Yan's love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1977,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b94c5adadc0a317622d6605ac29778239f9fb79959809d76c95fea237ca75ec1","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-20","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-18",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]