Chapter 11: Seeking the Uncles’ Support for Their Nephew
As soon as the three uncles arrived, Dongqing immediately received the news and hurried to report it to Lady Lü.
Upon learning that the three uncles had come to the Eastern Palace but did not first visit her, their sister-in-law, instead going to see Zhu Yunxu, Lady Lü's expression darkened instantly—this was a clear sign of being disregarded by them.
“Your Majesty,”
Zhu Yunwen spoke with concern, “Earlier in the main hall, Zhu Yunxu turned all the imperial uncles into my enemies.”
Even without today's incident, in his heart, those uncles were indeed adversaries. He agreed with Huang Zicheng and the others that the princes were threats and that the uncles would inevitably be dealt with in the future.
“Go see them shortly,”
Lady Lü quickly devised a response and added, “If possible, you must clarify the situation. Tell them that Zhu Yunxu deliberately slandered you and try your best to win them back.”
None of the military generals supported them.
The support of the imperial uncles was especially crucial.
But now, it was obvious the uncles would side with Zhu Yunxu.
Zhu Yuanzhang valued kinship deeply; the backing of the uncles carried great weight, more than the generals or civil officials.
Even if they could not gain their support outright, Lady Lü thought she must sabotage Zhu Yunxu’s plans so that they would not support him either. The first step was to regain their favor.
“Ah?”
Zhu Yunwen shook his head repeatedly.
If those uncles saw him now, they would tear him apart.
He still shuddered recalling the terrifying looks they had cast at him yesterday. He was too timid to face them now.
“What ‘ah’?”
Lady Lü said firmly, “They won’t eat you, and if you want to contend for the throne, just listen to me.”
“Yes!”
Zhu Yunwen had no choice but to obey, though his heart was filled with dread even before he went.
—
Just as Zhu Lingxiu shyly finished speaking, Zhu Zhu and his two brothers entered.
“Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle,”
Zhu Yunxu was quite surprised by their arrival.
Out of courtesy, he formally bowed to them.
The upcoming struggle for succession required their support. He wanted to show the elder Zhu that their uncle-nephew relations were harmonious and that no bloodshed would occur.
—
“I thought the father emperor would beat you after bringing you back.”
Zhu Zhu saw Zhu Yunxu unharmed and said first, “I didn’t expect the father emperor to spare you—he must favor you.”
After the morning’s events, Zhu Zhu felt much closer to Zhu Yunxu.
Before, like many others, he had purposely ignored him since Zhu Yunxu was too ordinary and because Lady Lü had deliberately kept him out of sight.
Today’s proactive display astonished them all.
“Second Uncle, you flatter me. The emperor simply disdains punishing me.”
Zhu Yunxu smiled humbly, then looked toward Zhu Di, finally able to study the future Yongle Emperor up close—a ruler who could subdue the barbarian tribes.
What a pity that with Zhu Yunxu around, the Yongle Emperor might never rise.
Zhu Di caught the look Zhu Yunxu gave him and laughed, “Father Emperor still spoils Yunxu, making us envious.”
He didn’t realize his tone sounded a bit sour.
Normally, he also thought Zhu Yunxu would be punished, but since he wasn’t, it showed Zhu Yuanzhang was pleased with him.
Zhu Zhu’s temper was violent and cruel to the people, earning him a poor reputation.
Zhu Chang was arrogant and similarly brutal, with a reputation no better than Zhu Zhu’s.
Zhu Di believed that with his eldest brother gone, the throne would never be theirs to inherit. As the fourth prince, brave and wise with military achievements and virtue—Zhu Yuanzhang had said he resembled himself the most—he came back with hope.
He didn’t even regard Zhu Yunwen as a threat.
But Zhu Yunxu also sought the throne. Judging by his performance this morning, he could easily displace Zhu Yunwen and threaten Zhu Di. Now favored by Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di regarded this nephew as his greatest rival.
Zhu Yunxu sensed the unusual tone in Zhu Di’s voice but said nothing, inviting them to sit. “Third Uncles, please be seated. Liu Liu, serve tea.”
After seating them, Zhu Yunxu continued, “If you hadn’t come, I was planning to visit you. Now that I have lost my parents and lack the emperor’s favor, I feel lonely and helpless. I come to ask for your help.”
He bowed again respectfully.
“Yunxu, what do you want to say?”
Zhu Chang asked.
Without hesitation, Zhu Yunxu spoke straightforwardly, “As you know, I wish to contend for the throne and hope to gain your support.”
“Are you so sure we’d help you?”
Zhu Zhu laughed, “Aren’t you afraid we’ll compete against you?”
“Not at all!”
Zhu Yunxu said confidently, “How does the emperor treat you? And how does my mother treat you?
Mentioning Zhu Biao and Crown Princess Chang, they couldn’t help but recall the past.
“The eldest brother and sister-in-law were very kind.”
Zhu Di said, “They always looked out for us younger brothers. I remember when I was sent to the frontier, the eldest sister-in-law feared I’d suffer in Beiping and gave me many gifts.”
Zhu Zhu and Zhu Chang nodded slightly. They truly were good to them. Thinking of their eldest brother’s recent death, their hearts ached.
Zhu Yunxu assured them, “Then what do I have to fear? I am the legitimate son of the mother consort. You respect the emperor and mother consort. You are my true uncles. I am not afraid at all. Besides, the emperor has already severed your ambitions. The Mongolian woman in Second Uncle’s household is the emperor’s way of cutting off your desires. If even Second Uncle no longer thinks of it, how could Third and Fourth Uncles dare?”
Hearing this, Zhu Zhu’s expression grew uneasy.
He hadn’t expected this young nephew to have thought of that.
For this reason, he had treated that Mongolian woman badly. Because of her, he was only a prince of the frontier.
But the emperor’s meaning was clear. Zhu Zhu knew he shouldn’t fight for this position. The eldest brother and sister-in-law were so good, and this nephew was quite impressive. As long as it wasn’t Zhu Yunwen, he had no objections—for now.
If he forced the issue, he feared the emperor would deal with him first!
He would lose even his frontier title.
“I certainly wouldn’t dare.”
Zhu Chang shook his head slightly and firmly said, “Yunxu is the legitimate son of the eldest sister-in-law. I will definitely support you.”
Zhu Di echoed, “With eldest and second brothers here, I have no such thoughts. Yunxu, rest assured, Fourth Uncle will always support you.”
Heh...
Hearing Zhu Di’s words, Zhu Yunxu sneered inwardly. Were he not a time traveler, he might have believed it.
With that sorcerer Yao Guangxiao around, Zhu Di could never truly abandon his ambitions.
“To be honest, I came back this time with great expectations, thinking that with eldest brother gone, the emperor would surely choose me.”
Zhu Zhu admitted candidly, “Eldest brother and sister-in-law treated me so well, I shouldn’t compete with you. I know the emperor’s heart lies elsewhere. Even if we fought to the death, we wouldn’t win. Yunxu, rest assured, Second Uncle supports you.”
“Thank you, three uncles!”
Zhu Yunxu bowed again, finally securing their backing.
The goodwill he earned this morning had not been wasted.
It was clear that Second and Third Uncles were sincere, while Fourth Uncle’s words were disingenuous—but that was normal; otherwise, he wouldn’t have become the Yongle Emperor.