Chapter 70: Taking a Side Concubine

Hongwu Third Year, the twenty‑fifth day of the tenth month.

At the third quarter of the Yin hour, before dawn, outside Fengtian Hall the civil and military officials awaiting the morning court had already gathered.

In the tenth month, the early morning chill in Yingtian Prefecture grew stronger; the officials, dressed in court robes, whispered in small groups.

The white vapor exhaled drifted in the lanterns' dim yellow light.

Zhu Yong stood at the front of the military commanders' line, wearing the Wu King python robe, with a Black Great Cloak draped over it.

He had slept in the palace last night, and this morning came from the Eastern Palace together with Zhu Biao.

"Second brother, if anyone brings up that matter at today's court, don't act rashly; watch elder brother's lead," Zhu Biao whispered.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "I understand, elder brother, rest assured."

He had actually already guessed.

Since the night of the Wan Shou Festival, when he heard the Lu family's father and daughter converse, he knew this matter would sooner or later reach the court.

He just hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

At the exact hour of Mao, the bells and drums sounded, and the palace gates swung open.

The civil and military officials entered in order according to rank, forming two rows inside Fengtian Hall.

"His Majesty has arrived..." a eunuch's thin voice rang out.

Zhu Yuanzhang stepped out of the rear hall and ascended the imperial throne.

Today he wore a bright yellow dragon robe, a Winged Kindness crown, and his expression was solemn.

"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!" the ministers knelt and paid homage.

"Rise," Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand.

When the officials rose, the morning court officially began.

First, each ministry reported routine matters: the Ministry of Revenue reported the autumn tax collection, the Ministry of War reported border defenses, and the Ministry of Works reported progress on the imperial mausoleum repairs.

After roughly half an hour, the routine reports concluded.

At this moment, Minister of Rites Tao Kai stepped forward and said, "His Majesty, I have a formal report."

"Proceed," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Tao Kai clasped his hands and said, "His Majesty, the Crown Prince has already taken a grand marriage last year; Crown Princess Chang Shi is gentle, virtuous, and worthy, which is a blessing for the nation. Yet the Eastern Palace still has only one Crown Princess, and the issue of heirs concerns the foundation of the state.

I believe a side concubine should be selected for the Crown Prince, to extend the imperial lineage and stabilize the state foundation."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Zhu Biao stood at the front of the civil officials' line, his expression calm, revealing no emotion.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at his son and said lightly, "The Crown Prince is young; the matter of heirs need not be rushed."

At this moment another official stepped forward, Left Censor-in-Chief Wang Guangyang of the Censorate.

"His Majesty, Minister Tao's words are entirely correct; the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation, how can the Eastern Palace have only one consort? I have heard that the daughter of Zhejiang Provincial Administrator Lv Ben, Lu Chan, fifteen years old, well‑versed in literature and reason, possessing both virtue and talent, could serve as a side concubine for the Crown Prince."

When the words fell, the atmosphere in the hall became subtle.

In the military commanders' line, Chang Yuchun frowned, and Lan Yu let out a cold snort.

Zhu Yong stood beside Xu Da, his simple face showing little expression, but he clenched his fist.

A few more civil officials stepped forward to echo.

"I concur, the Lu family daughter comes from a scholarly lineage, complementing the Crown Princess in both civil and martial aspects."

"A well‑filled Eastern Palace is a blessing to the state."

"The Lu family daughter is gentle and virtuous, surely able to assist the Crown Prince."

Almost all who spoke were officials from Jiangnan.

Zhu Yuanzhang lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne with his finger, his gaze sweeping the crowd below before landing on Zhu Biao as he asked, "Crown Prince, what is your view?"

Zhu Biao stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Imperial Father, my marriage to the Crown Princess has been less than a year; husband and wife are harmonious, and the matter of heirs can follow nature, no need to hasten taking a concubine."

"Crown Prince, your words are mistaken!" Lv Ben finally stepped forward.

He walked into the hall, clasped his hands and said, "His Majesty, the Crown Prince is the heir, matters of the Eastern Palace are not family affairs but state affairs; selecting a side concubine serves, first, to extend the lineage, and second, to balance the Eastern Palace.

Crown Princess Chang Shi comes from a military family, her temperament is fierce; if a gentle side concubine were to accompany her, it would further display the royal tolerance and magnanimity."

The words were phrased politely, but the meaning was clear: Chang Wan, a general's daughter, is not gentle enough and requires a civil official's daughter to balance.

Chang Yuchun's complexion darkened as he was about to step forward, but Xu Da halted him with a glance.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and asked, "Crown Prince, what do you think of Minister Lu's words?"

Zhu Biao lifted his head, his face still bearing a gentle smile, but his eyes had turned cold.

"Minister Lu, you say the Crown Princess is fierce; on what basis do you claim that?" he turned to Lv Ben and said.

Lv Ben was startled, hurriedly replied, "I... I only infer from common reasoning: the Chang family has been military for generations, General Chang is hearty, so his daughter presumably also..."

"Presumably, Minister Lu, you have not seen the Crown Princess many times yet dare to rashly judge her temperament? This is the court; words must have basis."

Zhu Biao interrupted him, saying.

Lv Ben's face turned pale.

Zhu Biao continued, "As for your claim that selecting a side concubine is to balance the harem, I am curious: the Eastern Palace now has only the Crown Princess, where does the notion of balance come from?"

"Do you, Minister Lu, think the Crown Princess is singularly dominant and needs someone to counterbalance?"

Those words were heavy.

Lv Ben hurriedly knelt, saying, "I have no such intention! I am only considering the imperial heirs..."

"Considering my heirs, Minister Lu, you are so concerned about my harem; should I thank you?" Zhu Biao laughed, his smile tinged with sarcasm.

The hall fell into silence.

Everyone could tell the Crown Prince had truly become angry.

Usually gentle and refined, the heir apparent now stood there; though he did not raise his voice, his aura made many officials lower their heads.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, and said nothing.

Zhu Biao looked around the hall at the officials who had just added their opinions, and slowly said, "As for taking a concubine, I have my own view, but you gentlemen..."

He paused briefly and said, "Being so concerned about my bedroom curtains, is it not a bit idle? Jiangnan's tax revenue fell short by two percent last year, Henan's Yellow River dikes were damaged at three points during this summer's flood, and Shaanxi's drought remains unresolved."

These matters, why have you not been so proactive in submitting them?

A few officials from Jiangnan broke out in sweat on their foreheads.

"Servant… we acknowledge our guilt…" someone whispered.

Zhu Biao ignored them, turned and bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang, saying, "Imperial Father, I, your son, think the court should prioritize state affairs.

As for taking a concubine, I have no intention now; should the need arise in the future, I will inform Imperial Father and Imperial Mother."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Approved; this matter need not be discussed further."

"His Majesty, the Crown Prince is young and perhaps does not know…" Lv Ben persisted.

"Lv Ben." Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly spoke, his voice even, yet it made Lv Ben shiver all over.

"How old is your daughter?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Re‑… Your Majesty, my younger daughter is fifteen this year…"

"Fifteen, it's time to arrange a marriage. I recall that Duke of Song Feng Sheng has a nephew who is eighteen, still unmarried. I could act as matchmaker and betroth your daughter to him, what do you think?" Zhu Yuanzhang said lightly.

Lv Ben's complexion turned deathly pale in an instant.

Feng Sheng's nephew?

He is a notorious dandy, spending his days in brothels, good for nothing in literature or martial arts…

"Servant… I thank Your Majesty's great grace…" Lv Ben kowtowed, his voice trembling.

He knew this was the Emperor warning him.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Enough, step down."

Lv Ben staggered back into the ranks.

The morning court continued, but no one dared raise the concubine matter again.