Chapter 69: Fit or Not

Lv Ben turned and gestured, and a girl in green entered the hall gracefully from outside.

The girl was about fourteen or fifteen, with fair skin, beautiful looks, and expressive eyes.

She wore a light‑green dance dress whose hem was threaded with gold, sparkling in the light.

"I, the servant girl Lu Chan, respectfully wish Your Majesty boundless longevity," the girl said, her voice clear and her bow graceful.

When the music sounded, Lu Chan began to dance.

Her movements were truly graceful, her body supple, the steps fluid, every frown and smile exuding charm.

Many officials in the hall watched intently, and even Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang craned their necks.

Zhu Biao was also watching, but his gaze remained calm and unmoved.

Zhu Yong chewed on a tiger leg while looking up.

At that glance, the motion of his hand suddenly halted.

This was the young lady of the Lu family, the future Jianwen Emperor Zhu Yunwen's mother, now already thinking of her elder brother.

But recalling later generations' speculation about the Lu lady, this woman was no meek person; his current sister‑in‑law Madam Chang and his future nephew Zhu Xiongying were likely to meet their end at her hands.

Therefore, Zhu Yong felt he could not allow this woman into the Eastern Palace.

Otherwise he would have to return to the previous timeline.

"Poisonous woman…" thinking this, Zhu Yong whispered softly, his voice faint, yet Zhu Biao sitting beside him heard it.

"Second brother, what did you say?" Zhu Biao turned, his face curious.

Zhu Yong snapped back, shook his head and said, "Nothing, just that I… don't like this woman."

Zhu Biao was startled.

His second brother, though simple‑hearted, rarely said outright that he disliked someone.

Moreover, Zhu Yong's instincts were usually accurate; when he said someone was good, that person was indeed fine.

When he said someone was bad, that person was likely problematic.

Zhu Biao looked again at Lu Chan dancing in the hall, his gaze now more scrutinizing.

When the dance ended, Lu Chan bowed lightly and said, "I, the servant girl, have shown my clumsiness."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Well danced, reward."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lu Chan rose, her eyes drifting toward Zhu Biao.

She stepped back slowly, and when passing the Crown Prince's seat she deliberately slowed her steps, swayed, as if about to fall.

Zhu Biao instinctively reached out to steady her.

Lu Chan seized Zhu Biao's arm in the moment, steadied herself, then hurriedly let go, blushing, "I, the servant girl, have erred; please, Crown Prince, forgive me."

"No problem," Zhu Biao said lightly, withdrawing his hand.

After Lu Chan stepped away, Zhu Biao lifted his wine cup but did not drink, merely turning it gently.

Zhu Yong leaned in, whispering, "Elder brother, that woman did it on purpose."

"Hmm, I see it. Second brother doesn't like her," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"Dislike, just looking at her… feels uncomfortable," Zhu Yong asserted.

Zhu Biao seemed thoughtful.

The banquet continued, but Zhu Biao was clearly distracted.

After another half‑hour, Zhu Yuanzhang grew a little weary, rose and said, "Esteemed ministers, continue; we'll retire for a while."

Empress Ma also rose and said to Zhu Biao, "Biao, look after your second brother and don't let him drink too much."

"Your servant obeys," Zhu Biao replied, standing to see them off.

After Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma left their seats, the hall's atmosphere relaxed further.

The officials toasted each other, chatting merrily.

Zhu Yong, having finished his meal, let out a belch and said to Zhu Biao, "Elder brother, I'll step out for some fresh air."

"Go ahead! Don't go far," Zhu Biao replied.

Zhu Yong rose, left Jinshen Hall, and walked along the corridor toward the Imperial Garden.

Just as he reached the Moon Gate, he heard a woman's sobbing from within.

Zhu Yong frowned, entered, and saw beside a rockery Lu Chan crouching there, quietly weeping, with Lv Ben standing nearby.

"Chan, don't cry. Though today didn't work out, the future is long," Lv Ben whispered soothingly.

"Father, the Crown Prince barely acknowledged me… when I danced he barely glanced at me…" Lu Chan sobbed.

"Why rush… Although Crown Princess Chang Wan was childhood sweethearts with the Crown Prince, she is still the daughter of a military family, coarse and unrefined. You come from a scholarly household, literate and sensible; as long as you have a chance to get close to the Crown Prince, you'll surely win his heart."

Lv Ben continued, "When the Crown Princess loses favor, you will become the master of the Eastern Palace; then bearing a royal grandson, our Lu family…"

Zhu Yong didn't catch the rest, as he deliberately stepped on a dead branch.

"Crack!"

Lv Ben and Lu Chan jumped in fright, turned, and saw Zhu Yong; their faces turned pale instantly.

"Wu… Prince Wu…" Lv Ben hurriedly saluted.

Lu Chan quickly wiped her tears and performed a respectful bow.

Zhu Yong looked at them and said naively, "Lord Lu, what are you doing here?"

"Nothing… just that the lady feels unwell, I brought her out for fresh air," Lv Ben forced a smile.

"Oh! Have you finished your walk? Once done, hurry back; palace rules forbid outside officials from lingering in the inner palace," Zhu Yong nodded and said.

"Yes, yes, I'll return at once," Lv Ben said, pulling Lu Chan along and hurried away.

Zhu Yong watched their backs and stroked his chin.

Back in Jinshen Hall, Zhu Yong found Zhu Biao and pulled him aside.

"Big brother, I just heard Lu Ben talking with his daughter in the Imperial Garden. That woman wants to enter the Eastern Palace, wants to become Crown Princess, and even wants to bear an imperial grandson."

Zhu Yong lowered his voice and said.

Zhu Biao's eyes turned cold as he said, "Really…"

"Hmm, I heard it with my own ears. Lu Ben said, when the Crown Princess loses favor, his daughter will be the master of the Eastern Palace." Zhu Yong nodded and said.

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "Second brother, thank you for telling elder brother."

"Elder brother, be careful; that woman is not a good person." Zhu Yong said seriously.

"Elder brother knows, don't worry, elder brother has it under control." Zhu Biao patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said.

When the banquet dispersed, it was already the end of the Shen Hour.

Zhu Yong and Zhu Biao left the palace together, walked to outside Fengtian Gate, and saw the Lu Family's carriage had not yet left.

Lu Chan stood beside the carriage, saw Zhu Biao emerge, her eyes brightened, and she wanted to step forward.

Zhu Biao didn't even glance at her, and went straight onto the Eastern Palace carriage.

"Back to the Eastern Palace…" Zhu Biao said to the driver.

The carriage set off, Zhu Yong rode his horse alongside.

Inside the carriage, Zhu Biao leaned on the cushion, closed his eyes to rest, and beside him was Chang Wan massaging him.

Zhu Yong recalled his second brother's words, Lu Chan's behavior at the banquet, and the actions of the Jiangnan noble families…

"Want to enter the Eastern Palace… it also depends on whether you are worthy." A cold smile curled at the corner of Zhu Biao's mouth.

Outside the carriage, Zhu Yong rode his horse, humming an unknown little tune.

The setting sun stretched Zhu Yong's shadow long.

The countless lights of Yingtian Prefecture lit up one after another.

The Wan Shou Festival of the Hongwu Third Year passed just like that.

But some matters had only just begun.