Chapter 54: Moving Day

When Zhu Yunsuan received the imperial edict, he was undoubtedly surprised.

He had previously requested to move out of the palace on multiple occasions, but Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang had rejected them all. Now, however, an edict had suddenly been issued granting him permission to leave, making him wonder if the recent poisoning incident had caused the old Emperor to change his mind.

"Move out?"

Zhu Yunwen was momentarily stunned, then shook his head. "Why would I want to move out?"

He was living quite comfortably in the Eastern Palace.

Everything was arranged by Lady Lü, and there was no need for him to leave. Once outside the imperial palace, he had no idea what he could do; he lacked any purpose or direction. To put it simply, he felt lost and did not believe he could live well outside.

"Your Highness, come here!"

Qi Tai hurriedly pulled Zhu Yunwen aside and whispered, "Earlier, Hanlin Academician Liu Sanwu came to see me. He said this is Your Highness's opportunity and offers us a greater advantage. First, it will be more convenient for us to communicate with Your Highness. Second, Your Highness has received an education since childhood and is exceptionally self-disciplined, whereas the Third Imperial Grandson is so flighty and lacks self-discipline—once he gets outside, he'll be utterly ruined."

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's eyes lit up.

He realized his previous perspective had been too narrow; he had never thought the situation could be interpreted this way. He hurriedly said, "I will move!"

Moving out could increase the probability of a successful succession.

"Furthermore," Qi Tai added, "this is also His Majesty's test for Your Highness."

Since it was a test, moving out was mandatory.

Zhu Yunwen's confidence returned—this time, he would surely defeat Zhu Yunsuan!

Seeing Qi Tai pull Zhu Yunwen aside to whisper together about who knows what, Zhu Yunsuan couldn't be bothered to pay them any mind and simply accepted the imperial decree.

"Eunuch, does Imperial Grandfather have any other instructions?" Zhu Yunsuan asked.

"None!"

Replied Jixiang, the eunuch responsible for delivering the decree, who then reminded him, "However, both Imperial Grandstons do not need to attend classes tomorrow. Just wake up and move your belongings out; the residences have already been selected for you."

"Very well!"

Once Zhu Yunsuan confirmed that he was genuinely allowed to leave and that the old Emperor wasn't joking, he finally felt he could escape the Eastern Palace.

He could leave that place filled with unknown dangers.

When classes ended for the day, Zhu Yunsuan returned to his quarters and told Liu Liu to pack up quickly.

In truth, he didn't have all that much to move.

He gathered his clothes, and aside from that, there was practically nothing else. Given his status, whatever he lacked in the future could easily be obtained. However, he heard a great deal of bustling activity coming from next door, as if Zhu Yunwen had an immense amount of luggage to transport.

After listening to Zhu Yunwen's report, Lady Lü instructed him, "Teacher Qi is right. Zhu Yunsuan’s temperament is undisciplined. Once he leaves the imperial palace and has no one to keep him in check, he will undoubtedly fall far behind you. You must seize this opportunity."

"Do not worry, Mother Consort." Zhu Yunwen replied, "I know what to do."

Lady Lü further exhorted him, "Remember to communicate more with Teacher Qi and the others, focus on your scholarship, and if the opportunity arises, interact more with reputable scholars."

His political foundation lay among the civil officials and scholars.

Establishing good relations with scholars was of paramount importance.

Zhu Yunwen nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.

On this very day, the entire Eastern Palace buzzed with activity.

They were busy packing their belongings, preparing for the move the next day.

***

"How does the Great Master view this?" Zhu Di asked.

"It must be that the words Your Highness spoke to His Majesty have been taken to heart," Yao Guangxiao replied. "Yet, even though they were taken to heart, it still has nothing to do with you."

Originally, Zhu Di had intended to probe Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude, but before he could gauge any response, he had been chased away.

Zhu Di said, "Since they are moving out, doesn't that play right into my hands? The Great Master previously said we could approach Zhu Yunwen, but the opportunity was lacking. Now that they are moving out, it's the perfect time for you to go find him."

"However, Your Highness will be returning to your fief soon."

"The Great Master can remain behind to establish contact with Zhu Yunwen on my behalf. You two can have a discussion and let me know the outcome afterward."

"Since Your Highness entrusts me with this, it would be difficult for me to refuse," Yao Guangxiao laughed, then added, "Previously, while he was inside the palace, we worried about how to meet him in secret. Now, the timing is just right... he will be outside the palace."

Supporting Zhu Yunwen would be much easier to manage than dealing with Zhu Yunsuan.

This had been their plan from the very beginning.

"I leave this matter in the Great Master's capable hands!" Zhu Di said.

***

The next morning, at dawn.

Zhu Yunsuan woke up to find that next door, Zhu Yunwen had already begun moving his things out.

The eunuch assigned to lead Zhu Yunsuan to his new residence was waiting outside, but virtually everyone in the Eastern Palace had gone to help Zhu Yunwen move his things. Over at Zhu Yunsuan’s quarters, there was practically no one to assist him, making the disparity starkly obvious.

"Your Highness, this servant will help you."

Liu Liu was now utterly loyal to Zhu Yunsuan, having been completely won over. Whatever Zhu Yunsuan asked him to do, he was willing to risk his life for it.

With that, he picked up a bundle of belongings and began walking outside.

Just as he was about to leave, someone came in to announce that Chang Sheng had requested an audience.

"Help has arrived to move the luggage."

Upon hearing Chang Sheng's name, Zhu Yunsuan knew he wouldn't need to lift a finger himself. He walked straight out to welcome him and asked, "Uncle, why are you here?"

Chang Sheng replied, "I knew you were all moving out, so I came to see if there was anything I could help with..."

However, stepping inside and discovering that Zhu Yunsuan had only Liu Liu by his side, Chang Sheng frowned and asked, "Why is there no one helping you pack?"

"Wait here for a moment, I'll go find some people."

Realizing almost immediately that Lady Lü was playing petty games again, Chang Sheng turned on his heel and strode outside.

After a short while, he returned with eight soldiers.

"Move everything!"

Without standing on ceremony with Chang Sheng, the soldiers hoisted the belongings and marched directly toward the outer gates of the imperial city.

Chang Sheng added, "Your Highness, you cannot be without personal guards by your side. Once I return to the Chang family estate later, I will select twenty private soldiers and send them to your residence. They have seen battle and slain many enemies; they will be more than enough to protect your safety."

Hearing this, Zhu Yunsuan's eyes lit up. "Now that's something I can use!"

The foundation of the Chang family was by no means ordinary.

Finding twenty veterans retired from the battlefield was as easy as turning over a hand—a trivial task for them.

"Uncle, are there any elite martial artists who can serve as my personal bodyguards?"

Zhu Yunsuan felt that twenty guards might not be quite enough.

They would only secure the safety of the residence. If he brought a large crowd every time he stepped outside, it would draw too much attention. Having a skilled martial artist of considerable prowess follow closely by his side would be the ideal arrangement.

"I'll look into it when I return," Chang Sheng said.

True to the Chang family, "looking into it" meant the matter was already settled.

Zhu Yunsuan began to look forward to what his wonderful life outside the palace would be like.

Along the way out, he happened to see Zhu Yunwen and his entourage near the palace gates, moving their belongings.

The ones helping Zhu Yunwen were all a group of eunuchs.

How could that compare to the imposing sight of Chang Sheng bringing armed soldiers to help?

"Make way in front!"

Zhu Yunsuan called out loudly, leading his soldiers forward to push those eunuchs aside, and swaggered right out of Chengtian Gate.

Seeing this, Zhu Yunwen clenched his fists in frustration.

Yet, glancing at the feeble eunuchs beside him—who were utterly useless compared to those capable soldiers—he was consumed by jealousy, but could only harbor resentment, not daring to provoke those martial men.