Chapter 22: Could the Lu Family Really Be That Kind?

The meaning of this sentence was clear: Zhu Yunwen wanted to know if it was written by Zhu Yunlu. In this subtle way, he voiced his suspicion without appearing jealous as a brother.

Upon hearing the question, Zhu Yuanzhang also wanted to know if it was indeed Zhu Yunlu’s work and hoped to prove whether this rebellious grandson truly possessed such talent.

“It was not written by your grandson,” Zhu Yunlu said candidly, seeing Old Zhu’s earnest desire to know.

But if it wasn’t his, then they had never heard the phrase before, nor was it from any classical text. After much thought, they could not identify its origin. It came from the Zhu family teachings of the Qing Dynasty, yet here they were in the Ming Dynasty, so naturally they hadn’t heard of it. Zhu Yunlu did not explain this but simply admitted it was not his own.

Zhu Yuanzhang, once illiterate but having voraciously studied many books after ascending the throne, had pondered over countless texts but could not recall this phrase. He laughed and said, “Yunlu, you’re being modest.”

Since there was no known source, it must be original. Yet if the original author denied it, that was simply humility. This child knew the importance of modesty.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled with satisfaction. For Zhu Yunlu to come up with such a saying meant he cared deeply for the people, remembered past hardships, and cherished sweetness—just like himself.

“Yunlu, just like me, ha ha…” Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled.

Zhu Yunwen felt a bitter taste in his heart. The sourness nearly turned the Wuying Hall into a vat of vinegar. Grandfather had never praised him so kindly before.

Zhu Yunlu replied, “Your grandson is unlike you or anyone else; he lives with his own unique style.”

“That’s a fine remark!” Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry; he merely thought that compared to Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunlu was far superior.

Zhu Yunwen was now reduced to a mere backdrop. What was already an unpleasant lunch became even harder to swallow. When the meal ended, he excused himself first under the pretense of studying.

Zhu Yunlu took this opportunity to leave Wuying Hall and return to the main hall to continue his lessons.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Zhu Yunwen sought out Fang Xiaoru to ask about Zhu Yunlu’s earlier phrase. Even Fang Xiaoru could not provide its origin.

Frustrated, Zhu Yunwen realized that reading was no longer his sole advantage; what could he do? He had to study harder, memorize the Four Books through the night, and outpace Zhu Yunlu—he must surpass him.

At last, the afternoon classes ended.

Back in the Eastern Palace, Zhu Yunlu felt an emptiness around him. His elder sisters had been taken away by Consort Guo Hui, leaving him alone. The servants, like Liu Liu, no longer seemed human to him.

Since leaving Wuying Hall, Zhu Yunlu had been thinking about Lan Yu’s matter. It was clear Lan Yu was Old Zhu’s test for him—but how was he to pass it?

The struggle for the throne was truly difficult. Zhu Yunlu felt his mind was insufficient, unable to come up with a concrete plan yet.

Just then, he noticed a faint, refreshing fragrance nearby that uplifted the spirit.

“What is this scent?” he asked.

“This is incense, Your Highness!” Liu Liu responded.

“Incense?” Zhu Yunlu was puzzled, but saw a censer on a nearby table with white smoke rising from it, the source of the pleasant aroma.

The incense was fresh and invigorating; he found himself liking it.

“Where did this incense come from?” Zhu Yunlu asked curiously.

“It was sent by the Crown Princess,” Liu Liu said respectfully. “Her Highness the Crown Princess used to favor this incense, and so do you, Your Highness. The previous supply was used up, so the Crown Princess recently sent some, and it is quite valuable.”

“Oh?” Zhu Yunlu thought. Could Lady Lü be so kind?

It wasn’t that he was narrow-minded; it was simply that Lady Lü was certainly not a benevolent person. The previous Crown Princess liked this incense, and now he did as well. But Lady Lü wouldn’t even feed him properly; why would she send incense? This incense was clearly high-grade; if she had it, she wouldn’t let him use it.

Since it was sent, the incense must have some hidden purpose.

Some of the most deadly means come from unnoticed things nearby.

Zhu Yunlu stared at the incense burner, tempted to throw it out, but considering Liu Liu was Lady Lü’s servant, he dared not act too conspicuously. He decided to ignore it for now. Even if it was poisoned, it would not take effect quickly.

It was likely a toxin that required long-term accumulation; otherwise, if he died suddenly, Lady Lü would certainly perish alongside him.

“I must save Lan Yu, win him over.”

“And prove my own ability!”

Zhu Yunlu’s mind raced, searching for a way forward.

Eventually, a rough plan took shape in his thoughts. He resolved to discuss it with Old Zhu tomorrow.

“Your Highness!” Liu Liu entered again. “Xu Xingzu from the Imperial Kitchen requests an audience.”

“Let him in!” Zhu Yunlu said, thinking it must relate to this morning’s events.

After a moment, Xu Xingzu hurried in, bowing deeply. “Your Highness, I am Xu Xingzu. I beg your pardon for my earlier offenses caused by necessity. Please punish me as you see fit.”

“That’s enough!” Zhu Yunlu saw that Xu Xingzu was still retained in the Imperial Kitchen and realized Old Zhu was not too harsh.

Sometimes, showing some favor encourages sincerity. A good chef needed such trust.

“Old Xu, I will not hold past matters against you,” Zhu Yunlu said.

“Thank you, Your Highness, thank you!” Xu Xingzu was clearly here to apologize. It was obvious this morning that Zhu Yuanzhang favored Zhu Yunlu. If he did not build a good relationship, he would surely be ousted.

“Your Highness,” Xu Xingzu continued, “to atone, I have spent my own money to prepare a grand feast for you. I know nothing else but cooking fine meals. Please enjoy.”

He clapped his hands, and attendants carried in dishes rich in color, aroma, and flavor.

His apology was sincere.

“I can’t eat this much,” Zhu Yunlu waved his hand, then said, “Send some to Consort Hui to taste as well.”

He mainly wanted to feed his sisters.

“Your Highness is so kind and filial!” Xu Xingzu praised appropriately, boosting his own presence.

Then Zhu Yunlu dismissed him, not wanting him to linger and cause trouble.

Xu Xingzu quickly took the food to Consort Guo Hui.

Looking at the table full of delicacies, Zhu Yunlu knew he couldn’t finish it all. He looked at Liu Liu, took a plate, set aside a portion, and began to eat slowly.

When finished, he pushed the plate toward Liu Liu.

“This is for you,” Zhu Yunlu said, extinguished the incense, and turned to his room to rest.

Liu Liu hesitated, eyes suddenly reddening.

As palace servants, they had no dignity, generally eating only what their masters left behind. If there were no leftovers, they went hungry.

Now, His Highness left a clean, untouched portion just for her, giving the long-dignity-lost Liu Liu a fleeting sense of restored honor.

“Thank you, Your Highness!” Liu Liu knelt quickly and bowed deeply.

Hearing the bows, Zhu Yunlu smiled coldly to himself: “Recruiting you won’t be difficult.”

He couldn’t send Liu Liu away, nor could he move out for now. He would have to make him his own person, then deal with the incense. Otherwise, the Eastern Palace would be very dangerous.

The Eastern Palace was like a dragon’s den, a tiger’s lair.