Chapter 252: Continue to Bounce

The twelfth year of Hongwu, the eighth day of the tenth month.

The morning court had just been dismissed, and on the plaza outside Fengtian Hall, the Civil and Military Officials were strolling out in small groups.

Hu Weiyong walked at a moderate pace, surrounded by a few trusted aides.

A gentle smile graced his face, and he occasionally nodded and greeted people, exuding the demeanor of a refined chancellor.

"Minister Hu, the words you just said on the throne would surely ease Prince Wu's mind," an official whispered as he leaned in.

Hu Weiyong waved his hand and said, "I am merely speaking of the matter itself; Prince Wu has spent these years campaigning north and south, expanding Great Ming's borders, with illustrious achievements.

The court's rewards truly ought to be more generous."

"Minister Hu is right; Prince Wu seized such a vast territory in the South Sea, yet upon his return he received only some Jin and Gold and Silver rewards, with no change to his title—truly unfair."

"One must not speak carelessly; the Emperor has his own considerations. I am merely offering a reminder, fulfilling my duty as a minister," Hu Weiyong said, giving him a gentle smile.

The few continued their conversation and had already reached outside Wu Men.

Hu Weiyong boarded the carriage, and the moment the curtain was lowered, his smile vanished completely.

"What news from Wu Wang Fu?" Hu Weiyong asked.

The aide inside the carriage whispered, "Minister, Prince Wu has been staying in the residence these days, occasionally visiting the Eastern Palace, with no abnormalities."

"That simpleton… when I went to find him last time, he scared me away. Is he truly simple‑minded or just pretending?" Hu Weiyong squinted, hesitating.

The aide hesitated, "Minister, everyone in court and the provinces knows Prince Wu to be blunt and straightforward, but saying he has no scheming at all is unlikely; after so many years of war, he must have some inner calculations."

"Schemes… if he had any, he should have recognized his position long ago. The Crown Prince is the heir, and he is a prince with glorious battle merits; the greater his achievements, the more he is feared."

"The Emperor is still fine, but a hundred years from now, could the Crown Prince tolerate him?" Hu Weiyong retorted with a cold laugh.

The aide dared not reply.

Hu Weiyong leaned against the carriage wall, closed his eyes, and pondered.

He was certainly not defending Zhu Yong.

What he wanted was to pull that revered death god onto his side.

Prince Wu commands thirty thousand elite troops of the Longxiang Army, with illustrious battle merits that awe the world.

If he could secure Prince Wu's support, who among the court's opponents would dare speak up?

Even without support, as long as he can sow discord between Prince Wu and the Crown Prince, that would be beneficial.

Sibling rivalry—only an outsider like him can profit from it.

"Keep monitoring him, and also have people on the throne repeatedly highlight Prince Wu's achievements, repeatedly point out how the court has shortchanged him; the more it's said, the more listeners will develop a grudge."

After a long while, he opened his eyes and gave an instruction.

"Yes."

……

Wu Wang Fu.

In the rear‑court pavilion, Zhu Yong was lying in a rocking chair, basking in the sun.

The autumn sunlight was warm and mellow, making one feel drowsy.

A few plates of pastries and a pot of tea rested on the small table beside him.

Zhu Huanhuan sat on a stone stool, holding a copy of the *Book of Songs*, her brow furrowed as she stared.

"Dad, this book is so boring!" she pouted.

Zhu Yong opened one eye, glanced at his daughter, and said, "Even if it's boring, you have to read it; your mother made you read it, I can't intervene."

"Mother's not here… Dad, shall we go horseback riding?" Zhu Huanhuan blinked and asked.

"Not going."

"Then practice swordplay?"

"Not going."

"Then… Dad, tell Huan Huan a story, tell a story of Dad's battles." Zhu Huanhuan's eyes lit up.

Zhu Yong smiled, sat up, and said, "You little rascal, you're full of ideas. Fine, I'll tell you one."

Zhu Huanhuan immediately dragged a small stool to sit before him, her face full of anticipation.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "I'll tell the simplest one: that year your dad fought alongside General Chang at Helin, and the city gate was too thick to break.

Your dad lifted a hammer and, striking three times alone, forced the gate open."

"And then? And then?"

"Then he rushed in, fighting one after another; by the end, the Tatars inside the city were on their knees begging for mercy."

"Dad, you're amazing! Even more formidable than the great generals in the stories!"

"Indeed." Zhu Yong chuckled.

Father and daughter were talking when Guanyin Nu emerged from the main hall, carrying a bowl of soup.

"You're pestering your dad with stories again. Drink this bowl of soup; your younger brother has already finished his." She placed the soup on the small table as she spoke.

Zhu Huanhuan stuck out her tongue, then obediently lifted the bowl to drink the soup.

Guanyin Nu sat beside Zhu Yong and whispered, "Did you hear about this morning's court affairs?"

"What matter?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Hu Weiyong is again speaking up for you at court, claiming your merits are great and the court's rewards are too meager, that you should receive further honors." Guanyin Nu looked at him, her eyes tinged with worry.

Zhu Yong heard this, the corner of his mouth curving into a meaning‑laden smile.

"That old fellow is still quite persistent."

Guanyin Nu frowned, "You'll just let him bounce around like that?"

"Bounce away! Dad and my elder brother aren't in a hurry; why should I be?" Zhu Yong lifted his tea cup, took a sip, and said.

Guanyin Nu looked at him and suddenly laughed.

All these years since the marriage, she had already seen that this husband of mine appears simple on the surface, but his mind is clear.

He said there's no hurry, and that really means there's no hurry.

"But he always stirs things up, your relationship with big brother…" Guanyin Nu was still a bit worried.

Zhu Yong waved his hand and said, "If big brother could be provoked by such talk, then he wouldn't be my big brother."

He paused, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes, then continued, "My wife, you don't know, big brother's regard for me is truly good."

Since I was recognized again, he personally taught me to read, protected me, thought of me whenever there was something good, and every time I returned from battle, big brother was the first to meet me at the city gate, grabbed my hand and asked if I was injured.

I said no, but he wouldn't believe it, insisting that the imperial doctor take my pulse.

"Hu Wei Yong type of person doesn't understand what brothers are."

Guanyin Nu nodded and said nothing more.

At that moment, Hu Bo hurried in from outside.

"Prince, someone from the Eastern Palace says the Crown Prince requests you to go over."

Zhu Yong stood up, patted his clothes and said, "Alright, perfect chance to go see big brother."

……

Eastern Palace.

When Zhu Yong entered, Zhu Biao was sitting in the study reviewing Memorandums.

Seeing his younger brother arrive, he set down his brush and pointed to the chair opposite, "Sit."

Zhu Yong sat down, picked up the teapot on the table and poured himself a cup.

"Big brother asked me to come, what's the matter?"

Zhu Biao looked at him and smiled, "Did you hear that Hu Wei Yong is again raising a grievance for you at court?"

"Hmm, my wife told me, that old kid hasn't given up yet." Zhu Yong took a sip of tea and replied.

Zhu Biao shook his head, his smile tinged with sarcasm, "He's not defending you; he's afraid our brotherly bond is too strong for him to get a foothold."

Zhu Yong chuckled, "Let him bounce; the higher he jumps, the worse he falls."

Zhu Biao nodded, picked up another Memorandum and handed it to Zhu Yong, saying, "Take a look at this."

Zhu Yong took it, glanced over; it was a Memorandum from the Imperial Censor impeaching Hu Wei Yong's faction members.

"Which number is this?" Zhu Yong asked curiously.

"This is the fifth this month; Imperial Father has the Censorate keep tabs on him. Whenever his men slip up, they investigate to the death. In just over a month, they've already removed seven or eight of his close aides."

Zhu Biao leaned back in his chair, fingers lightly tapping the tabletop as he said.

Zhu Yong put down the Memorandum, "He still hasn't learned restraint?"

"He knows, and precisely because he knows, he's rushing to pull external support; the senior ministers in court—Xu Da, Tang He, Li Wenzhong—none of them will deal with him.

Not to mention Chang Yuchun; when he sees him he turns a sour face, he can only set his sights on you." Zhu Biao laughed.

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "Am I really that easy to be swayed?"

"You look like a simpleton," Zhu Biao said bluntly.

Zhu Yong: "……"

Zhu Biao burst out laughing, then said, "Just teasing you, but seriously, he's coming to you, which shows he's panicking; the more he panics, the more mistakes he makes. We just sit back and watch the show."

Zhu Yong nodded, then suddenly remembered, "By the way, big brother, what about Xiong Ying?"

"He's in the backyard talking with his mother. This kid has recently become obsessed with your son, keeps babbling about going to see Qiong Jiong, saying he also wants an unrivaled younger brother…" Zhu Biao sighed.

Zhu Yong heard that and instantly felt delighted.

"Let him go then, my son also babbles about brother Xiong Ying."

Zhu Biao laughed, shook his head, stood up and said, "Let's go see them."

The two of them walked toward the backyard.