Chapter 45: Prince Han Falls Ill (5)

Although Zhu Zhanji stood far away, Prince Zhao’s unsightly expression clearly showed that he had no intention of letting him off lightly anytime soon.

Walking up to Prince Han’s bed, Prince Zhao lifted the thick curtain, sat right down on the edge of the bed without a trace of disgust, entirely unbothered by the deafening coughs and flying droplets of saliva. He began to inquire after his brother’s health, fussing over his meals and medicine with a display of deep brotherly affection.

Having spent a moment cooling his heels outside the door, Zhu Zhanji watched as his third uncle, the stubborn as copper peas Prince Zhao, opened the bed curtain to coddle his second uncle. Deciding to get a closer look, Zhu Zhanji thickened his skin and stepped right up to the window.

The moment Prince Zhao spotted Zhu Zhanji approaching, his verbal assault commenced immediately. Giving Zhu Zhanji no quarter, he launched straight into a barrage of complaints.

"What is the meaning of this? Did the Crown Prince send you here just to see if his brother is dead or alive?!"

"If brothers don't get along well, we can just see less of each other in the future. Why push a man to such extremes? My second brother is almost being hounded to death!"

"Sneaking off to make complaints to the Grand Emperor, insisting on driving him out, is that it? Are you people not going to rest easy until he's dead?!"

"The battles are over, so you don't need us anymore, right?"

"Coming to our doorstep to hound us like this, are you trying to drive a man straight to his grave?!"

...

To be honest, Zhu Zhanji had never realized before that his third uncle possessed such a sharp and venomous tongue.

Adding to it, his own father, Prince Han, chimed in from time to time with sarcastic remarks and added fuel to the fire.

"Third brother, don't talk nonsense. If you say things like that, how am I supposed to face people in the future? Isn't this driving me to my death?" Prince Han’s tongue was no less formidable, coordinating in flawless tacit understanding with Prince Zhao!

Together, they made the future Grand Imperial Grandson roll his eyes in exasperation. Yet, he dared not disobey, nor dared he lose his temper, and could only stand stoically with a bent back, enduring it all in silence.

Watching the scene unfold before him, Zhu Zhanji felt a profound sense of pleasure. The air in the room suddenly didn't feel so stiflingly hot anymore; it was remarkably warm and comforting instead!

In the end, it was Prince Zhao who put an end to the headache-inducing conversation. Under the pretext of taking Prince Han to the hot springs for medical treatment, he draped a heavy marten-fur coat over Prince Han, who was then supported by two junior eunuchs as they stumbled away.

"He'er, I am taking your father to seek treatment. Stay at home properly, take care of the household, and don't run around." Before stepping out the door, the stubborn third uncle turned back to give instructions to Zhu Zhanji.

Without waiting to see if Zhu Zhanji acknowledged the command, and without even sparing a glance at Zhu Zhanji, the stubborn third uncle strode away with an air of carefree indifference.

That left the brothers Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanji staring blankly at each other.

"Big Brother, you've seen how things stand. Go back and report whatever you deem fit." Looking at the departing figures of his father and third uncle, Zhu Zhanji shook his head helplessly and stepped up to Zhu Zhanji to speak in a soft voice.

"Rest assured, I know what to say. It's just that Grandfather's task remains unfulfilled..." Zhu Zhanji scratched his head with a tangled expression.

"Don't worry, Big Brother. As Third Uncle just said, once my father's illness improves, he will go to the Ministry of War to hand over his duties, and by then I will persuade him once more to take up his fief." Seeing his cousin's dilemma, Zhu Zhanji decided to stall for time; once his father finished handling his rebellion-related matters, he would deal with it himself.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhanji’s face lit up with surprise. With his cousin's assurance, at least he would have an explanation to give his grandfather upon returning, saving him from a tongue-lashing!

Besides, Zhu Zhanji was well aware that this cousin of his was a staunch advocate of taking up fiefdoms, constantly dreaming of heading to his own fief—the only obstacle at home being his stubborn second uncle!

"Very well then, I shall head back first to report the situation here to Grandfather." Having acquired enough information, Zhu Zhanji prepared to leave, especially since the main characters had already fled and no further details could be gathered.

Zhu Zhanji accompanied him to the door.

"Big Brother, remember what I told you. Pass the word to the Crown Prince." Right before stepping out, Zhu Zhanji reminded him not to forget to relay what had been said upon entering earlier.

"I won't forget. Since I couldn't go pay my respects to Aunt today, bow in my stead. I'm off!" Zhu Zhanji hurried away in a flurry, as if someone were chasing him out.

Upon returning to the Crown Prince's residence, Zhu Zhanji sought out his father—the plump Crown Prince. After recounting everything discovered at Prince Han's mansion, the chubby Crown Prince acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, showing not a shred of worry. He continued to awkwardly brandish his sword in a clumsy fashion, looking quite as graceful as a fat pig attempting Swan Lake. Remaining utterly unconcerned about the current state of affairs, he casually remarked that if the sky fell, the tall ones would hold it up.

Finally, Zhu Zhanji looked speechlessly at his plump father and repeated the message entrusted to him by his cousin.

The Crown Prince, who had still been playing with his sword, finally lowered it upon hearing the message.

"He's even less sensible than a child; truly a worry-inducing fellow." Setting his sword aside, the chubby Crown Prince walked over to a nearby stone table, sat down, and spoke softly.

"Father, what are you talking about?" Zhu Zhanji wore a blank expression, utterly clueless about what his father meant. Wasn't his cousin's message simple enough? Surely it wasn't that complicated.

"He'er is a good child, much more obedient than you! He reads books, practices martial arts, is handsome, sensible, and well-versed in history. It's just that your second uncle in this household is a heartless troublemaker—he's even worse than a child!" The Crown Prince irritably complained about his troublesome second brother while taking the opportunity to lecture his own son.

"Father, you can't do this. Complain about Second Uncle all you want, but why drag me into it?" Zhu Zhanji was speechless; why did the blame always circle back to him?

"Forget it. If the back of your neck starts feeling a chill, figure it out yourself. I can't be bothered; I have to lose weight and practice my sword." Waving his hand dismissively, the Crown Prince picked up his sword once more, hoisted his round body up with a sway, and resumed rolling his plump frame as he danced with the blade.

Meanwhile, inside Prince Han's mansion, an atmosphere of intense apprehension hung in the air, leaving everyone on edge. By strict order of the Grand Steward, everyone was required to go to sleep early tonight without leaving their quarters under any circumstances—violators would be executed!

Thus, Prince Han's mansion was exceptionally quiet tonight.

In the main hall of the mansion, Princess Consort Wei and Zhu Zhanji sat in quiet dignity. Standing below them in full armor was Liu Erniu, who waited respectfully for the command of the Hereditary Prince.

"Liu Erniu," Zhu Zhanji’s voice was laden with authority, causing everyone present to tighten up instinctively.

"This subordinate is here!" Liu Erniu cupped his fists and dropped to one knee, completely disregarding protocol regarding armored officials kneeling.

"Tonight, everyone in the mansion is entrusted to you. Make proper arrangements. Surely I don't need to wear armor myself, do I?" Seeing the tense atmosphere in the room, Zhu Zhanji attempted to lighten the mood, but his casual remark about wearing armor sent Liu Erniu into a panic.

"Rest assured, Your Highness! As long as this subordinate breathes, I will protect the Princess Consort and Your Highness with my life!" Liu Erniu declared loudly as if high on adrenaline, solemn as a vow to the gods. There was no greater loyalty than a subject willing to die for a humiliated master!