Chapter 46: The Third Imperial Grandson Has Met with Danger

"What, are you still trying to contend for it?"

Hearing Zhu Jun suddenly bring up Lady Lü, Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and cast a cold, icy gaze in his direction.

Even as a son, Zhu Jun felt a chill run down his spine under that glare.

Zhu Shuang felt much the same way.

They could finally confirm that their Imperial Father attached immense importance to the Crown Prince's lineage; the heir to the throne would undoubtedly come from that line no matter what. If they dared to disrupt the succession of the legitimate direct line, their Imperial Father would show them no mercy, even if they were his own flesh and blood.

"Imperial Father, your son did not mean that."

Avoiding the old Emperor's gaze, Zhu Jun explained, "I remember during the winter two years ago, when I returned to spend the New Year with Imperial Father and went to pay a visit to the eldest brother, I saw that child Yunxuan, along with my two nieces Lingyue and Lingying, whom Eldest Brother didn't care about at all."

At this point, he paused slightly before continuing, "At that time, Eldest Brother was busy handling state affairs for Imperial Father and could not catch a break. With no time to spare for the East Palace, everything there was decided by Lady Lü, and Eldest Brother simply couldn't look after Yunxuan and the others."

"Your son witnessed them, in the dead of a freezing winter with heavy snow, wearing thin and threadbare clothes. Yunxian, however, was different; he was dressed in bright, warm garments. It was too much for your son to bear, so I gave my fur coat to Yunxuan and had my own sons, Jixi and Jiye, take off their clothes to give to the girls."

"Even when Eldest Brother was still alive, Lady Lü treated Yunxuan and the others with such harshness."

"How can Yunxuan and the other children ever live a decent life in the future?"

"From start to finish, your son has only ever recognized one eldest sister-in-law. Lady Lü is simply not worthy."

By the end of his words, Zhu Jun felt a stirring of emotion in his heart, thinking that Zhu Yunxuan was truly pitiful to have lost his mother at such a young age and to have been deprived of anyone who would treat them well.

Zhu Shuang had never paid much attention to those nephews, but hearing Zhu Jun recount this, he too felt a pang of sentiment. Children who had lost their mothers must have had a terribly difficult time living in this palace. Naturally, their thoughts drifted back to Empress Ma.

"Your son also recognizes only one eldest sister-in-law; Lady Lü is not worthy!" Zhu Shuang echoed.

"Enough!"

Zhu Yuanzhang clenched his fists, thinking to himself that it was he, their Imperial Grandfather, who had failed his grandchildren.

Such things had been happening right under his very nose.

However, now was not the time to settle these scores. Between Zhu Yunxuan and Zhu Yunwen, he currently favored the former, though how he would ultimately choose remained uncertain.

He needed to observe their capabilities and see who could truly grant him peace of mind.

Even if he ultimately chose someone other than Zhu Yunxuan, he would still enfeoff Zhu Yunxuan in a prosperous territory so that he could live out his days as a carefree prince.

"What you two have said, Us knows."

Zhu Yuanzhang stated, "Prepare to return. Xi'an and Datong still have many matters waiting for you to handle."

"Your son takes his leave."

They said in unison.

Zhu Jun did not know whether Imperial Father had truly taken his words to heart, but helping was all he could do; he only hoped that Zhu Yunxuan could seize the opportunity.

Once they had left, Zhu Yuanzhang let out a long sigh.

Only then did he realize his past shortcomings and that he had not been a good grandfather. Yet Lady Lü was also far too adept at putting up a facade—appearing as a virtuous wife and loving mother on the surface, while everything was merely an act.

"There is no poison more deadly than a woman's heart!" Zhu Yuanzhang thought to himself.

"Your Majesty!"

At that moment, Jixiang stepped inside and reported, "His Highness the Prince of Yan has arrived."

"Let him in!"

Zhu Yuanzhang knew that before leaving, all of them would come to have a proper word with him.

A moment later, Zhu Di entered. After finishing a deep bow and paying his respects, he said, "Imperial Father, your son is also preparing to return. While we are away, you must take good care of your health."

"Fourth Lad."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and asked, "Have you ever harbored resentment toward Us? I remember you once said that among all the princes, you are the most like Us."

This remark offered Fourth Zhu a glimmer of hope.

Yet, turning around, he crushed that hope right back down.

"Your son would not dare!"

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang bring up this question, Zhu Di felt a sudden tightening in his chest, as if everything about him was about to be seen through. Gathering his courage, however, he replied, "Not long ago, your son was reading a book and came across the chapter on governance in the Zhenguan period regarding the mutual admonition between sovereign and subjects. Emperor Taigong of Tang asked a certain question—would Imperial Father care to hear it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Since when have you taken a liking to reading books? Let's hear it!"

Zhu Di said, "Emperor Taigong of Tang asked: 'Ever since ancient times, founders of dynasties often see their descendants fall into chaos; why is this?'"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhu Yuanzhang abruptly raised his head, fixing his gaze directly on Zhu Di. This caused Zhu Di to feel a sudden wave of guilt, making him lower his head in an instant, unable to meet his eyes.

The Zhu family was bound by the suppression of bloodlines, and Zhu Yuanzhang's bloodline stood at its absolute peak, powerful enough to keep the Yongle Emperor firmly pinned down.

"And then?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked with curiosity, "How did they answer?"

Specially pulling out this book to read last night, Zhu Di answered, "Fang Xuanling replied: 'This is because young rulers grow up deep within the palace, spending little time in the midst of wealth and nobility, and have never truly known the deceit of human affairs or the perils of governing and securing the state. Thus, their governance is frequently chaotic.'"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this response, Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes once again.

Did this remark mean that his grandsons, raised inside the imperial palace and knowing nothing of the outside world, were far inferior to these feudal princes?

The implication was indeed there.

Looking once more at Fourth Zhu's expression, his face appeared calm, though guilt surely lingered within him.

He was clearly probing him.

After pondering for a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang countered with a question: "What are your own thoughts on this?"

"Your son..."

Before Zhu Di could finish his sentence, Jixiang hurried in from outside.

"Your Majesty, something has happened to the Third Imperial Grandson."

"What happened?"

Zhu Yuanzhang demanded.

"Poisoning!"

Jixiang said with extreme caution and breathless anxiety, "According to the eunuchs from the Imperial Hospital who just returned to report, His Highness the Third Imperial Grandson went to the Imperial Hospital for a physical examination today, and the Head Physician along with two senior physicians have confirmed that the Third Imperial Grandson has been poisoned."

"What?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang abruptly stood up, his entire body trembling violently. Taking two swift strides forward, his gaze locked fiercely onto Jixiang as he interrogated, "Are you telling the truth?"

"It is the truth!"

Jixiang nodded repeatedly and said, "The Third Imperial Grandson is still at the Imperial Hospital."

"To the Imperial Hospital!"

Zhu Yuanzhang strode out in hurried steps.

Simultaneously, a terrifying aura of killing intent swept across the entire Wuying Hall. Even as Zhu Di felt this murderous intent, he could not help but freeze to the bone, while all the other palace maids and eunuchs dropped to their knees in a single second.

"Someone is about to die in the palace again!"

Zhu Di thought with a trace of fear.

One had to know that an imperial grandson being poisoned within the palace walls was a horrifying matter. The old Emperor had just lost a son, and many years ago, he had lost his eldest grandson as well.

If the legitimate second grandson were to die too, who knew how many people in the imperial palace would be forced to be buried along with him.

At this thought, Zhu Di felt an inexplicable panic, though before he could gauge Zhu Yuanzhang's reaction, he was interrupted by the news of the Third Imperial Grandson's poisoning.

"Imperial Father!"

Zhu Di decided to follow along and take a look.

Radiating a biting, chilling murderous intent, Zhu Yuanzhang strode out of Wuying Hall and headed straight for the Imperial Hospital.

Jixiang hurriedly led his attendants to keep pace with Zhu Yuanzhang.

However, they had not walked far before they saw Xu Shu, the Head Physician of the Imperial Hospital, rushing toward them with an expression of profound anxiety.

The moment Xu Shu drew near Wuying Hall, he could feel a wave of murderous intent washing over him, accompanied by a towering, boundless fury capable of burning him to ashes.