Chapter 39 Have You Killed Many People

"After returning, His Highness did not have much of an appetite. He only drank some plain congee and went to rest."

Jixiang briefly reported Zhu Yuntong's condition to Zhu Yuanzhang.

There were certainly people loyal to Jixiang planted inside the Eastern Palace.

It was quite easy to find out about Zhu Yuntong, so Jixiang added, "However, there are still no other issues regarding the Crown Princess's side."

Nothing could be uncovered against Lady Lü at present.

So many years had passed; even if there truly had been wrongdoing back then, any lingering clues would have long since been wiped completely clean by Lady Lü, leaving behind nothing at all. Trying to investigate it clearly now was extremely difficult.

"Keep investigating!"

Zhu Yuanzhang had no intention of letting the matter go, believing that whatever had been done would inevitably leave traces behind.

"Yes!"

Jixiang nodded.

"That rebellious grandson of mine—did he finally know what fear is?"

Thinking of how Zhu Yuntong hadn't even had the appetite to eat after returning, Zhu Yuanzhang finally smiled.

Taking a life for the very first time usually resulted in such a reaction.

"It's just that I've always been daring. Back in those chaotic times of war, what kind of gruesome sights haven't I witnessed?"

"I remember the first time I took a life, I merely frowned, and then raised my blade to charge forward and fight the Tatars to the death."

Recalling the past, Zhu Yuanzhang was filled with boundless emotion.

Of course, he knew that fighting wars back then was completely different from the present.

It was either you killed the enemy, or the enemy killed you. If one were even afraid of killing, there would never have been a Zhu Yuanzhang of today.

"The Third Imperial Grandson still needs polishing."

Jixiang lowered his head and said, "However, when the Third Imperial Grandson was killing, and when he witnessed those people being executed, he remained completely calm and composed, watching everything unfold without the slightest trace of fear. He possesses the same boldness and resolve as Your Majesty."

"Really?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, then remarked, "He certainly knows how to put up a front. Obviously terrified, yet in order to establish his authority, he deliberately pretended as if nothing happened. Haha... The boy is indeed like me, though still far inferior to what I was back then."

Jixiang flattered him, saying, "Since ancient times, there has never been a second person who could compare to Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved a hand and said, "Alright, stop flattering me."

Yet deep down, he thought much the same. Since ancient times, indeed very few emperors could measure up to him.

With this thought, he smiled happily.

***

Eastern Palace.

"He actually killed that many people?"

Lady Lü had also received the news of the day, and she felt a wave of shock.

Dongqing nodded and said, "The information our scouts brought back is precisely that. The ground outside the Pichang Temple was practically stained red with blood."

Lady Lü's expression turned very ugly. She gritted her teeth and said, "His Majesty is deliberately helping him establish his authority by having him carry out executions. His Majesty treats him better and better—not only sparing Lan Yu, but even assisting him to this extent. It's infuriating..."

"Yunwen, if His Majesty asks you to establish your authority, you must kill as well."

"Do you understand?"

Lady Lü looked toward Zhu Yunwen, who was still reciting texts.

"But the teacher says we must practice benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. I am a gentleman; how could I ever do such a thing?"

Zhu Yunwen shook his head.

"Do you want to be emperor?"

Lady Lü retorted with a question.

Of course Zhu Yunwen wanted to, but butchery and slaughter were things he loathed from the bottom of his heart, and he deeply looked down upon those who only knew how to kill.

"You must think carefully. Zhu Yuntong is so ruthless; if he succeeds, do you think he will ever let you go?" Lady Lü said coldly.

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen trembled slightly.

"He... he might even kill me with his own hands."

Zhu Yunwen stammered, "I cannot let him succeed!"

Yet the thought of actually having to kill someone filled him with genuine terror. Involuntarily, his mind conjured up the fierce and terrifying expression Zhu Yuntong had worn while killing earlier that day, and he jumped with fright.

That very night, Zhu Yunwen had a nightmare. Throughout the dream, it was always the scene of Zhu Yuntong wielding a blade and slaughtering people.

The edge of the sword was stained thick with blood, and crimson drops dripped from its tip.

"Ah—"

In the end, Zhu Yunwen was jolted awake in terror. He bolted upright, realizing it was just a false alarm.

"Your Highness, what is wrong?"

A eunuch outside asked as he hurried in.

"It's nothing."

"What time is it?"

Zhu Yunwen asked.

"It is almost time to get up and pay respects to His Majesty," the eunuch outside replied.

Zhu Yunwen felt no trace of sleepiness left. He wiped the cold sweat sliding down his cheek, calmed himself on the bed for a moment, and then called for servants to come in and help him dress.

He possessed self-awareness and knew he was quite timid.

Yet he had never imagined his cowardice could run so deep as to be frightened awake from a deep sleep. He could only blame the terrifying spectacle of Zhu Yuntong slaughtering hundreds of people earlier that day for leaving such a horrific impression.

Once dressed, he walked toward the Qianqing Palace.

Discovering that Zhu Yuntong had not yet risen and that no lights were lit over there, Zhu Yunwen felt a flicker of secret delight. He assumed Zhu Yuntong had forgotten to pay his morning respects and had missed the chance to display filial piety—wasn't this his golden opportunity?

He quickly quickened his pace toward the Qianqing Palace.

"Imperial Grandfather, your grandson offers you greetings."

After gaining permission to enter, Zhu Yunwen spoke the moment he stepped inside.

"Hmm..."

Zhu Yuanzhang had originally felt that such morning greetings were quite pleasant and demonstrated filial piety, but after hearing the words of that rebellious grandson of his on previous occasions, he now found Zhu Yunwen's behavior exceedingly contrived and lost much of his interest. He said, "Alright, you may return!"

"Your grandson takes his leave."

Zhu Yunwen failed to notice Zhu Yuanzhang's dissatisfaction. Seeing that Zhu Yuntong truly was not coming, he withdrew with hidden joy.

Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help muttering to himself, "That rebellious grandson said he wouldn't come, and sure enough, he really didn't come! Throughout the entire imperial palace, he is the most lawless one of all!"

Though the words sounded like anger, they were nothing of the sort; they sounded far more like fond affection for that rebellious grandson.

Having finished his grumbling, he prepared to attend court.

When Zhu Yunwen arrived at the Dabentang, he saw that Fang Xiaoru had already arrived ahead of time.

"Your Highness!"

Fang Xiaoru said, "I believe you have already heard about what the Third Imperial Grandson did yesterday. We have discussed it and believe this matter can still be utilized."

Zhu Yunwen asked, "How can it be utilized?"

Fang Xiaoru replied, "Your Highness will understand shortly."

***

Zhu Yuntong truly had no desire to put on airs and hypocritically pay morning respects; such artificial filial piety was utterly unnecessary.

Having gone to sleep exceptionally early, he woke up feeling thoroughly refreshed and fully recovered in body and mind.

He intended to resume his physical training, but after walking outside for a brief moment, he was already panting heavily, feeling that his physique still truly lagged far behind.

*There must be something wrong with this body of mine!*

Zhu Yuntong thought to himself.

Recently, he had stopped using those scented incenses, yet his physical condition remained less than ideal.

He wondered if it was related to those incenses as well.

The moment he recalled that they had been sent by Lady Lü, he was certain there was a connection. Lady Lü was certainly no benevolent soul.

After pondering this for a moment and resting until he felt recovered, he figured it was time to head over to the Dabentang to have a look.

"Zhu Yuntong, you're quite something!"

The moment he stepped into the Dabentang, he saw Prince Min, Zhu Pian, beckon to him and exclaim excitedly, "Is it true that you killed a whole bunch of people yesterday?"

Zhu Yuntong: "..."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard were truly excessive; they had already spread the news of his executions far and wide, to the point that even a little hellion like Zhu Pian knew about it.

Zhu Pian was even a year younger than Zhu Yuntong.

In Zhu Yuntong's eyes, this Eighteenth Uncle was younger than him and still just a mischievous kid, yet his Eighteenth Uncle seemed deeply fascinated by the fact that he had killed people—and so many of them at that.