Chapter 44: From ancient times, the founders of dynasties often found their descendants mired in chaos.

"Before returning, Your Highness might say one sentence to His Majesty, which perhaps could directly reveal His Majesty's true stance."

Yao Guangxiao continued.

Zhu Di said, "Please enlighten me, Master!"

Yao Guangxiao stated, "The young lord grew up deep within the palace walls, accustomed to wealth and ease since childhood, and has never truly known the deceit of human affairs or the governance of a nation's rise and fall. That is precisely why his administration is prone to chaos."

Hearing this, Zhu Di pondered for a moment and said, "Are you asking me to tell my Imperial Father that the imperial grandsons raised within the palace are useless, and that the only ones truly capable of sustaining the Great Ming are we vassal kings who have weathered countless battles?"

"More or less!"

Yao Guangxiao replied, "You also wish to see whether His Majesty still harbors any intention of retaining the vassal kingdoms, do you not?"

Hesitating, Zhu Di thought it over and said, "But if I put it this way, wouldn't I be directly telling Imperial Father that I, too, harbor ambitions for the throne?"

Yao Guangxiao said with unconcerned nonchalance, "Even if you do not say it, does His Majesty not know that you harbor ambitions for the throne?"

Zhu Di: "..."

Even without voicing it, as long as the thought existed within him, Zhu Yuanzhuo—no, Zhu Yuanzhang—was entirely capable of perceiving it, and he would still harbor ambitions for the throne.

One should never underestimate the capabilities of the Old Emperor, nor the reach of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Your Highness merely needs to utter these words and pose the question to His Majesty."

Yao Guangxiao said calmly, "If His Majesty hears this and no longer orders you back to your fief, it indicates there is still a possibility. If he insists on your return, then the vassal kings have utterly no chance, and Your Highness may safely prepare to rebel."

This monk brimming with malicious schemes was single-mindedly attempting to goad Zhu Di into rebellion; of this, Zhu Di was well aware.

Zhu Di asked, "Is there an origin for these words?"

"From *Essentials of Governance of the Zhengguan Era*, 'Monarch and Ministers as Mutual Warnings.'"

"And what is the preceding line?"

"Emperor Taizong of Tang asked: 'Since ancient times, founding sovereigns frequently see their descendants bring about chaos, why is that?'"

"Before I return, I shall speak with Imperial Father about this."

Zhu Di resolved to settle this matter.

In truth, it was largely because he wished to ascertain the Old Emperor's stance. Although he had long understood that they, as vassal kings, would never be granted an opportunity, hearing a definitive confirmation directly from the Old Emperor that all hope was gone would at least allow him to set his mind at ease.

---

Following his return, Lan Yu bolted his doors and refused all visitors.

Even when Feng Sheng and Cao Zhen arrived, he declined to see them. He was deeply reflecting upon his actions over the years, filled entirely with remorse.

Lan Yu mused that had it not been for that slap delivered by Zhu Yunxiu—Zhu Yunneng—he might still remain unenlightened to this day.

As for the fate of his adopted sons, Lan Yu no longer concerned himself with them; if they died, they died. Regarding the sheer insolence Zhang Zhou and the others had shown toward Zhu Yunneng, even if Zhu Yunneng had not executed them, Lan Yu would never have let them off easily.

It was acceptable to be arrogant toward outsiders, but within the household, the proper distinctions between superiors and inferiors could never be blurred.

However, Lan Yu did not refuse all visitors entirely.

Chang Sheng had come, and him he would receive.

---

"Uncle,"

Chang Sheng said, "Just yesterday, all of your adopted sons were executed by Yunneng."

With a placid expression, Lan Yu replied, "They deserved death. Since they deserved it, killing them was entirely proper."

"However..."

Chang Sheng said anxiously, "It is being rumored everywhere that Yunneng is cruel and merciless. This bodes ill for his reputation and might jeopardize his bid for the throne. Should we do something on his behalf?"

Since his nephew sought to contend for the throne, he, as the maternal uncle, must offer his full support.

Even if it meant exhausting the entire resources of the Chang family, he would support him to the very end.

"We must follow Feng Sheng's counsel."

After pondering for a moment, Lan Yu shook his head and said, "For now, it is best that we do nothing at all. Return and instruct the members of the Chang family to conduct themselves with utmost propriety, to avoid stirring up any further trouble that might embarrass Yunneng. This time, in order to protect me, Yunneng exhausted every possible effort, and his reputation has suffered as a result. As long as he does not seek us out, we must not make a single move."

Chang Sheng asked, "Will this truly suffice?"

"It will!"

Lan Yu said solemnly, "We need only stand behind Yunneng and await his arrangements. Whatever he commands us to do, we shall do. We will obey unconditionally."

He had thought deeply through many matters as well.

Until the moment arrived for him to act, he must under no circumstances interfere.

"Remember, return and keep our household strictly in line."

Lan Yu stated earnestly, "Whether Yunneng succeeds in seizing the throne depends heavily upon us as well."

"I understand."

Chang Sheng nodded.

Regarding the outsiders who were wantonly smearing Zhu Yunneng, they would temporarily ignore them; indeed, they could not manage so much all at once. Conducting themselves properly and prudently was enough.

Chang Sheng soon departed the Lan residence. Looking up at the plaque of the Duke of Liang's manor, which had long since been taken down—his noble title truly lost—and reflecting upon the tempestuous currents within the imperial court, he realized deeply that as Zhu Yunneng's maternal relatives, their influence over him was profound indeed.

"If the Crown Prince were still alive, all would be well."

Chang Sheng sighed, yet alas, there were no " ifs" in life.

---

What transpired in the outside world was unknown to Zhu Yunneng.

He retained the imperial token for himself, but had no intention of leaving the palace just yet. For the immediate future, he would remain within the sanctuary of the palace until the winds settled somewhat, after which he would venture out to look around.

He wanted to see what, apart from contending for the throne, one might accomplish in this ancient era.

Having been reborn into the Great Ming dynasty through transmigration, there were actually many things Zhu Yunneng wished to accomplish, such as embarking on great maritime voyages or galloping across Tokyo while admiring the cherry blossoms.

Of course, while such ambitions sounded immensely stirring, executing them in reality was no simple task, nor could Zhu Yunneng guarantee his own success.

Still, one had to harbor grand ambitions; what if they actually came to pass?

The following morning.

Zhu Yunneng could no longer be bothered to pay formal morning greetings; let Zhu Yunwen exhaust himself with his frantic striving. In any case, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer cared about such morning pleasantries.

He slept until he woke naturally.

The life of an imperial grandson was remarkably comfortable indeed.

Yet once the succession was won, such leisurely days would inevitably come to an end. Conversely, choosing not to contend for the throne left him anxious for his very survival.

Upon waking, Zhu Yunneng's first impulse was to exercise his physique.

Forgoing a run today, he recalled the calisthenics from his school days and decided to test whether they might strengthen his body.

Medical conditions in ancient times were abysmal; even a common cold could prove fatal. A robust physique was essential in this era, particularly since he intended to subdue those battle-hardened generals.

Therefore, his physical condition simply had to be superb.

Those martial brutes respected strength above all else.

He did not necessarily need to be supremely powerful or invincible, but fundamental skills—such as riding and archery on horseback, and slaying enemies on foot—were absolute prerequisites.

Yet, after practicing the calisthenics for only a brief while, Zhu Yunneng was already gasping for breath and drenched in sweat.

"Liu Liu, how is it that my constitution is so feeble?"

Zhu Yunneng inquired.

"This servant is uncertain!"

Liu Liu shook his head, indicating that he understood nothing of the matter.

As a mere servant, his knowledge was limited.

Aside from Dongqing, none of the other servants knew anything of Lady Lü's affairs, for the fewer people who knew, the safer it was. Should an accident occur, they would simply find a way to silence Dongqing; the dead told no tales.

Seeing that Liu Liu genuinely knew nothing, Zhu Yunneng did not press him further.

Changing into a fresh set of robes, he stepped out of the Eastern Palace. By this time, the Grand Secretariat had long since commenced its lectures, but he decided to play truant today in order to undertake a matter of great importance.

"Which way is the Imperial Hospital?"

Zhu Yunneng asked.

"This servant shall lead the way."

Liu Liu walked ahead.

However, no sooner had they departed than someone hurried back to report to Dongqing, who in turn reported to Lady Lü, swiftly alerting them that Zhu Yunneng was heading to the Imperial Hospital.

The Imperial Hospital was somewhat distant from the Eastern Palace, and it took quite a walk before they finally arrived.

"I can only wonder whether the medical standards of the Great Ming are actually of any use."

Musing to himself, Zhu Yunneng stepped inside.

With no other alternatives available, coming here was his only course of action.