Chapter 12: Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Fourth Uncle—Discrepancies Between Words and Heart

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Zhu Yunxu believed that the real threat was not Zhu Yunwen, but rather his Fourth Uncle, Zhu Di. It was necessary to leverage his Second and Third Uncles to keep the Fourth Uncle in check; they must not be allowed to die. Various thoughts rapidly flashed through Zhu Yunxu’s mind as he contemplated his next moves. The struggle for the throne was a game of intrigue and mutual manipulation. While familial affection could be acknowledged in an imperial family, one must not be overly reliant on it.

Both his Second and Third Uncles expressed their support for him. The Fourth Uncle had his own agenda but also claimed to support him. The key was that the Second and Third Uncles realized their own prospects were bleak; if they forced matters, Old Zhu would eventually deal with them. Choosing Zhu Yunxu was a hundred times better than supporting Zhu Yunwen, and they trusted that Zhu Yunxu would not harm them. Given that Zhu Zhu and Zhu Rang had voiced their support—and as the heaviestweights among the princes—once they spoke, the others dared not oppose them.

Only Zhu Di frowned, his thoughts inscrutable.

Today’s meeting had been quite pleasant. They came mainly because of the morning’s events and had indeed put their concerns aside. Before long, they announced their departure. Zhu Di walked ahead, and Zhu Yunxu saw his chance to pull on the sleeves of Zhu Zhu and Zhu Rang.

“Second Uncle, Third Uncle,” he said, “I think Fourth Uncle’s words may not be sincere.”

Zhu Yunxu did not elaborate on what Zhu Di might do, but the insinuation was clear.

“How dare he!” Zhu Rang immediately exploded in anger.

“Third Uncle, don’t make a scene!” Zhu Yunxu quickly cautioned.

In this way, he skillfully aroused their wariness of Zhu Di. As long as they were assured they would live, these two uncles would remain allies.

Zhu Zhu, recalling Zhu Di’s reaction earlier, smiled and said, “Don’t worry, with you, Second Uncle, around, Old Fourth won’t be able to stir up trouble.”

He too had noticed Zhu Di’s abnormality.

Zhu Yunxu realized that Old Zhu’s sons were far from mediocre. Zhu Zhu was brutal, seemingly incompetent, but actually quite shrewd. Zhu Rang was probably the same; previously, with Zhu Biao around, they didn’t need to show such cunning.

“The palace women are not simple, and neither are the royal men,” Zhu Yunxu felt the pressure mounting. These palace intrigues and schemes were exhausting.

The advantage he brought as a time-traveler was that he possessed centuries more insight and some foreknowledge of history. Without these, Zhu Yunxu worried he might not outmatch them.

“Good thing Zhu Yunwen is useless!” he thought.

Zhu Di, walking ahead, sensed some movement behind him. Just as he was about to turn and ask what they were talking about, a figure approached.

“Fourth Uncle!”

Zhu Yunwen was timid, especially after having his face torn earlier that morning; he dared not face the uncles directly.

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But he could not defy Lady Lü’s orders and forced himself to come. His voice was weak, lacking confidence.

“Yunwen has come,” Zhu Di nodded slightly, harboring little goodwill toward this nephew.

After a brief greeting, he turned and left, unwilling to engage further with Zhu Yunwen.

“I…” Zhu Yunwen was frustrated but helpless. His only hope lay with the Second and Third Uncles; if they would listen to his explanations, that would suffice.

Looking up, he saw Zhu Zhu and Zhu Rang walking beside Zhu Yunxu, chatting and laughing.

“Second Uncle, Third Uncle!” Zhu Yunwen hurried forward.

Unexpectedly, they merely glanced at him, greeted Zhu Yunxu, and without a word, followed Zhu Di.

Zhu Yunwen stood there dumbfounded, repeatedly asking in his heart: Why? Why were they so close to Zhu Yunxu but so cold to him? Lady Lü was the Crown Princess, and he was the legitimate son—how could they treat him this way? He felt deeply aggrieved.

“You’re here,” Zhu Yunxu said after seeing the three uncles off, glancing at Zhu Yunwen. “Why don’t you come in and sit for a while?”

“You all… are too much!” Zhu Yunwen lost his composure and shouted before running off.

He went to find Lady Lü to pour out his grievances—they had bullied him terribly.

Zhu Yunxu smiled inwardly. Such fragile mental fortitude, and yet he dared contend for the throne? Only Lady Lü supported Zhu Yunwen, along with some civil officials, and previously Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice. Otherwise, Zhu Yunwen wouldn’t have had a chance.

“Third Brother,” Zhu Linghua said, “we offended him. Will he continue to make things difficult for us?”

Zhu Yunxu gently rubbed her head, offering a reassuring smile. “Linghua, don’t be afraid. Third Brother will protect you all.”

Tomorrow, he would have to remind Lady Lü to toughen up, or she would continue to think herself easy prey.

As for Liu Liu and others assigned to watch him, Zhu Yunxu paid them no mind; he would find a way to shake them off tomorrow.

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For now, let them keep watch as they pleased.

By evening, Liu Liu came in to say that dinner was ready.

When the eunuchs brought it in, they saw it was even less plentiful than lunch. There was no clear soup, and two plates of vegetable dishes without any oil, reduced by one-third in quantity compared to noon. Each person had a bowl of rice, but the bowls were still not filled.

The targeted hostility was escalating.

“Brother!” Zhu Lingyue said, “They mistreated Zhu Yunwen at lunch, and now they’re retaliating.”

The four sisters were all resentful.

Because Old Zhu trusted Zhu Biao before, the Eastern Palace had no Jinyiwei (Imperial Secret Police). Whatever Lady Lü did here, Old Zhu remained unaware.

Lady Lü outwardly appeared a virtuous wife and good mother, but behind the scenes, she constantly plotted.

Most importantly, Old Zhu had no knowledge of these schemes.

“I’m not hungry; I ate at noon,” Zhu Lingyi said. “You all go ahead.”

Though they hadn’t eaten enough at lunch, the elder sisters felt pity for their younger siblings.

“You, come with me,” Zhu Yunxu said, glancing at Liu Liu as he headed outside. “Wait for me here. I’ll bring you some good food.”

Liu Liu hurried to follow, but before leaving, he gave a signal to a nearby palace maid.

Zhu Yunxu did not go to the imperial kitchen. After stepping outside, he went to Zhu Yunwen’s side.

Just as he entered, he saw Zhu Yunting playing with some toys in the courtyard, thoroughly enjoying himself. Seeing Zhu Yunxu approach, he immediately became alert and stood in front of him.

“What do you want?” the seven-year-old Zhu Yunting, still a mischievous child, said.

Having been influenced by what he’d witnessed, he knew Zhu Yunxu was their enemy.

“Second Brother said you, Zhu Yunxu, cannot come in,” Zhu Yunting snorted.

Since he was an enemy, he would not let Zhu Yunxu get close.

Now that the two sides had torn apart their facade and decided to fight for the throne, Zhu Yunwen no longer cared about brotherly harmony. Although he maintained appearances, he saw no need to sustain brotherly goodwill in secret, especially since there was no Jinyiwei in the Eastern Palace.