Chapter 43: Prince Han Falls Ill (3)

In Zhu Zhanhe's view, the grand rebellion plan that his father and Third Uncle had huddled together to plot for the better part of the day was nothing more than an absolute joke.

It was entirely possible that as soon as the discussion concluded and Third Uncle returned home, he would straightway report their treasonous conspiracy to the Emperor!

By doing so, he could diminish the weight of the Prince of Han in the heart of the Yongle Emperor, increase his own chances of driving the Prince of Han out of the capital and back to his fiefdom, eliminate a rival competitor, and simultaneously put on a stellar performance in front of the Emperor. Truly, it was a maneuver that achieved multiple goals with a single stroke!

However, Zhu Zhanhe guessed that the most probable scenario was that his Third Uncle, acting as a participant, intended to push the rebellion into motion, letting his father engage in a fierce, grueling struggle with the Crown Prince—preferably resulting in mutual destruction—so that he could smoothly ascend to power himself!

While his father and Third Uncle discussed the rebellion, time flew by.

By afternoon, Third Uncle left the Prince of Han's Mansion with a look of undisguised excitement. Zhu Zhanhe had listened to every single plan and detail of their scheme without offering a single opinion.

After Prince Zhu Gaosui departed, his father, Zhu Gaoxiang—having finally shaken off the ecstatic atmosphere—gradually grew calm once more.

"Zhanhe, do you think your father can succeed this time?" He sat quietly at his desk, staring blankly at a complete map of Yingtian Prefecture for a long while before finally speaking to his son.

"Father, you and Third Uncle discussed things so thoroughly, laying your hearts bare to each other, and yet you still have no confidence? Besides, do you truly understand Third Uncle?" Zhu Zhanhe decided it was best to remind his father that this Third Uncle of theirs might not be entirely reliable.

"You've seen through it? As expected of my good son!" Unlike during his conversation with Third Uncle, Prince Zhu Gaoxiang showed none of that earlier warmth; instead, his expression was completely detached and confident.

"Your Third Uncle is your grandfather's man! I have always known this!" Prince Zhu Gaoxiang spoke these shocking words with a faint smile.

"Could it be, Father, that you are employing the strategy of luring the enemy in deep...?" Gone was the inward contempt Zhu Zhanhe had felt for his father moments before; now, utterly bewildered, he had no idea what his father was actually thinking.

"Zhanhe, I told you this is my last chance. I may never again command such vast military power as I do now. Before my forces are stripped away from me, I have decided to fight to the death!

"As for your Third Uncle, he holds command over your grandfather's Jinyiwei personal guards! He is essentially the Grand Commander of your grandfather's Brocade Guard! He is absolute confidant material for your grandfather!

"The very reason I called upon your Third Uncle this time was to test whether he possesses the resolve to seize the imperial succession. As long as he still harbors ambitions for the throne, he will not betray me! He might even become my asset. I intend to use him to ignite the powder keg, creating chaos in the city to draw everyone's attention.

"Then, I will lead the rotated troops to strike directly, disposing of your eldest uncle and his little whelps! That way, I will be your grandfather's sole remaining choice! Without a single exception!

"For the army is my trump card, while your Third Uncle only has the Jinyiwei! Those men of his are entirely insignificant in front of my troops!" Prince Zhu Gaoxiang looked at his son with utter confidence as he laid out his true plan.

"Father, you aren't planning to storm the Imperial Palace?" Zhu Zhanhe was thoroughly stunned by his father; this version of the plan was entirely different from what he had heard earlier.

Just moments ago, his father had claimed he would lead troops to storm the imperial city and force the old Emperor Yongle to abdicate in his favor! Yet now, the plan was merely to eliminate the eldest brother's household! Furthermore, his own Third Uncle was nothing more than a pawn in his father's game!

"Father, you...!!" Zhu Zhanhe was shaken to his core. Was this really that blockhead Prince of Han? This was practically a pirated, slightly nerfed version of the Yongle Emperor himself!

"Zhanhe, you will not take part this time. Stay safely at home with your mother and wait for my good news. I have also increased the guards within the mansion, and I will leave Eryou behind to take your commands.

"When the time comes, as long as I can take control of the city's defenses and your Third Uncle creates a bit of chaos on the side, our enterprise will be accomplished. Or rather, as long as the city defenses are in our hands, your Third Uncle's actions cease to matter. The key is securing the city defenses; everything else is secondary!

"If I fail, I will surrender immediately. Your grandfather will not kill me! Your eldest uncle will not let your grandfather kill me either! This is the foundation of my courage to rebel! Do you understand?" Prince Zhu Gaoxiang patiently instructed his son step by step.

In truth, Zhu Gaoxiang left some things unsaid. He himself did not know if he would die should he fail, but he would certainly try his utmost.

If he failed, he was betting that the old Emperor would not kill him. Based on his understanding of the Yongle Emperor, the old man would spare his life. But if he lost that gamble, he would take his own life before the old man could execute him! That way, his wife and son would remain safe and sound!

"Father!..." Zhu Zhanhe looked at his father in profound shock. He had never imagined that his father possessed such strategic insight!

In reality, what Zhu Zhanhe failed to realize was how Zhu Gaoxiang, having received a rigorous orthodox imperial education, could possibly be brainless! Besides, by the age of six, he had already independently grasped the very essence of historical records: the art of striving to become the emperor!

His father was betting on surviving because he had grasped the fatal weakness of his grandfather, the Yongle Emperor, who would never willingly commit further bloodshed among his close kin. Moreover, his eldest uncle possessed a steady temperament and had always fulfilled his duties as the eldest brother; coupled with a benevolent nature, his uncle would certainly not allow his father to be killed and would definitely stop the grandfather from doing so.

"Son, even if we fail, it's no matter. Your grandfather will soon launch campaigns against the northern steppes, and he cannot do without Third Uncle and me. Your eldest uncle understands this clearly, so I won't be driven back to my fiefdom anytime soon, rest assured." As the Prince of Han spoke, his expression was a mix of haughty pride and punch-able smugness. He had truly mastered the psychological profiles of both the Crown Prince and the Emperor—brilliant! Zhu Zhanhe could not help but mentally applaud his father.

"Very well, that's enough for today. I'll teach you more another time. Go back and rest! Your father is still a sick man, after all." Prince Zhu Gaoxiang wore a proud expression. Showing off in front of one's son was a unique pleasure for any man, and he was no exception.

"Understood. Father, rest early; this child will take his leave." Zhu Zhanhe looked at his father's supremely smug face and decided against further sarcastic remarks. He resolved to return to his quarters and resume studying the 'humanity and life' plans with his two little handmaidens!

The next day dawned bright and clear.

Rising early, Zhu Zhanhe worked up a sweat on the martial arts training ground before joining his mother for breakfast. Recently, the Princess Consort had stopped tampering with her precious son's meals, so a simple bowl of congee accompanied by a few side dishes made Zhu Zhanhe exceptionally happy.

After the meal, Zhu Zhanhe accompanied his mother for a stroll in the garden to aid digestion. Sister Xiuer usually had plenty of tasks to attend to, so today she was replaced by the two young maids, Yun'er and Jian'er.

The two girls behaved with utmost obedience, following closely behind Zhu Zhanhe and the Princess Consort step for step. The garden was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers and vibrant colors, lifting everyone's spirits.

"Slap, slap, slap..." The sound of hurried, erratic footsteps broke the tranquil mood of Zhu Zhanhe and his mother. He frowned, instantly feeling displeased.

Princess Consort Wei, being closest to her son, keenly sensed his displeasure, as the oppressive atmosphere that materialized out of nowhere made her somewhat uncomfortable.

"Zhanhe..." Princess Consort Wei softly called out to her precious son, causing Zhu Zhanhe to instantly realize his mother was still by his side. He immediately smoothed out his expression, though his piercing, cold gaze still made the two little maids too frightened to raise their heads.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince Zhanji has come to visit, claiming he has brought imperial physicians to check on the Prince's illness." A young eunuch who had rushed into the garden knelt directly on the ground, not daring to raise his head, and stuttered out his message in a panic.