Chapter 30: Father, let me grant you righteousness and a title.

Watching the slightly unwilling back of his father, the Prince of Han, as he walked away, Zhu Zhanhe could not help but guess: his father was truly set on the path of rebellion!

As expected, everything unfolded just as Zhu Zhanhe had anticipated. The next morning, the Prince of Han rose early, brimming with a mix of arrogance and excitement, preparing to head out.

"Father, where are you going so early? You didn't rest well yesterday; why not take it easy?" Zhu Zhanhe asked, looking at his father, who was strutting out with his head held high.

"Oh, Zhe'er, your father is heading to the Ministry of War. I intend to submit a memorial to the Five Chief Military Commissions regarding a rotation of the city garrison. While I'm at it, I'll meet with your third uncle; he’s invited me for a drink," the Prince of Han said casually, flashing the document in his hand at his beloved son. However, the atmosphere surrounding his words was heavy and grave.

"Father, the only troops available for rotation are those in Tangshan. General Gutian is their commander, and Tangshan only has the two major camps at Zijin Mountain. That should be enough for a rotation," Zhu Zhanhe said, blocking his father’s path, looking at him with a serious expression, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

General Gutian of Tangshan was a man his father had personally trained, and he knew him well. His words were as good as explicitly telling the Prince of Han that the Tangshan troops were only sufficient for a routine rotation; they were nowhere near enough for anything else. As for rebellion, there was absolutely no hope there.

The Prince of Han, however, seemed not to hear him, continuing to speak to his son as if to himself.

"After I return from the Ministry of War, I’ll head to the Crown Prince’s residence. I’ll find your uncle so we can go and apologize to the Emperor together. After all, we angered your grandfather quite a bit yesterday. Regardless, I am a subject, and a subject’s duty is absolute—the Emperor’s reign is eternal. It’s a way to give your grandfather some peace of mind. I heard that because of what happened yesterday, your grandfather went early to Jiming Temple to seek tranquility. I plan to ask your uncle to arrange for your Imperial Brother Zhanji to go ahead as a scout, to test the waters with your grandfather before we arrive, so we don't get scolded when we get there." The Prince of Han spoke with feigned gentleness, repeatedly mentioning "your uncle" and "your Imperial Brother Zhanji." Yet, for reasons unknown, as Zhu Zhanhe listened, a chill crept up his spine, and he couldn't help but shudder.

"Father, I have some questions about my studies that I’d like to discuss with you. When you return from Third Uncle’s, please make sure to come to the study and help me with them." Zhu Zhanhe knew his father was already committed to rebellion and was going to discuss the logistics with his third uncle. Therefore, he decided to prepare a massive surprise for his father! And once that surprise was over, he would follow it up with a terrifying shock! By then, his father’s spirit would be broken, and he would have no choice but to return to their fief with him.

"Very well, no problem! I’ll answer your questions when I return!" The Prince of Han realized from his son’s expression and words that he had something to say but found it inconvenient to speak plainly, hence the excuse of studies.

With that, the Prince of Han held his head high and strode out without looking back, leaving behind Zhu Zhanhe, who watched his father's retreating figure with a helpless sigh.

"Forget it, I might as well go see my mother," Zhu Zhanhe thought. Seeing that his father had already departed, he stopped overthinking and hurried to the inner hall to comfort his mother, who was saddened by the Prince of Han.

By noon, the Prince of Han finally returned, his face full of joy.

"Wife! Wife!" he shouted as soon as he entered, calling out for his mother, Lady Wei.

"Was your trip out successful, Your Highness?" The Princess of Han, Lady Wei, asked in confusion as she came to greet her husband, seeing his joyful expression.

"Wife, I went to the Crown Prince's residence early this morning. Yesterday’s events really frightened the Crown Prince. When I saw him, he was deathly pale, completely drained of color. I suspect his health may be failing, so I promised to give him some gastrodia. Send a portion of the thousand-year-old gastrodia from Yunnan that we received this year to the Crown Princess; we cannot go back on our word." The Prince of Han looked immensely proud of himself.

"Very well," the Princess of Han agreed earnestly.

He then began to grumble to his son, his mood shifting. "Your uncle and I went to Jiming Temple today. We knelt out in the sun, and the heat was unbearable. Your uncle wouldn't even let me use an umbrella. I nearly suffered a heatstroke, and he even argued with me, saying I lacked decorum. He’s really starting to act more like a Crown Prince every day," the Prince of Han said with a sneer, waving his hands in disdain.

"Wife, send for the head physician of the Medical Bureau. I’ve suffered quite a lot these past two days—frightened, exposed to the sun, and chilled by the night wind. I suspect I’m going to fall ill. Have him come take a look at me." The Prince of Han waved his hand, ordering his wife to summon the imperial physician, accurately predicting his own illness.

This maneuver left Zhu Zhanhe bewildered. He looked at his robust father, wondering how one could predict their own illness in advance.

"Son, didn't you say you had questions about your studies? Let’s go, to the study," the Prince of Han said happily, leading the way. Before leaving, he snatched a small embroidered pouch from his wife’s waist. The Princess of Han paused, stunned, but simply sighed without saying a word.

Inside the study.

"Father, what are you thinking? Why must you go this far?" Zhu Zhanhe asked, unable to comprehend why the throne was so alluring that his father had become so obsessed.

"Zhe'er, ever since I followed your grandfather in the capture of Shuntian Prefecture, I have known that only one of us—your uncle or I—could walk out alive. One of us is destined to be Emperor. Throughout the Jingnan Campaign, I contributed the most. Why can't I be the Crown Prince? I am no less capable than the eldest. Why is he the Crown Prince and not me? Is it just because he is the eldest? Yesterday, your grandfather even told me to hand over all my military power and banished me to my fief! I just don't understand why!"

"To avoid giving up my duties at the Ministry of War and my military command in Yingtian Prefecture, I am going to 'fall ill.' People will surely come to visit me in the coming days—your Imperial Brother Zhanji, your third uncle, perhaps even your uncle. If your third uncle comes alone, bring him to me; I have major business to discuss with him. I won't hide it from you: I am going to have your third uncle bring troops back from Tangshan for a 'rotation'!" The Prince of Han spoke with a savage look, his eyes full of murderous intent.

Watching his father, who seemed to have transformed into a completely different person, Zhu Zhanhe sighed inwardly. Not knowing how to persuade him otherwise, he decided to change his strategy to get his father to return to their fief.

"Father, since you are determined to do this, as your son, I can only support you. However, I suspect you will not succeed. Still, I will give you a surprise, which I will reveal to you after this incident concludes. If you succeed, my surprise will be the icing on the cake. If you fail, my surprise will grant you a sense of moral justice and a rightful legacy." Zhu Zhanhe looked at his father, who was beyond the point of turning back, and spoke with solemnity.

"A surprise? What surprise could grant me moral justice and a legacy?" The Prince of Han looked at his son in utter confusion. The gravity on his son's face commanded his respect, but his words only deepened the mystery.