Chapter 5: I Can Control Him

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Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang retract the imperial edict, Zhu Yunxi knew that the investiture had come to an end and that the plan was proceeding smoothly. Zhu Yunwen would not become the Crown Prince; next came their struggle for the throne. As long as they won the contest, Zhu Yunxi could escape the fate of being raised like livestock in the future.

This scene was not what the civil officials wished to see, but they had no choice—no one dared to question Zhu Yuanzhang’s decision. The matter of investiture had to be set aside for the time being.

“Grandfather Emperor, please wait.” Before leaving, Zhu Yunxi looked back at the two guards with bleeding arms and approached them. “You fulfilled your duties diligently and bravely. Just now, it was my fault. Grandfather Emperor, your grandson wishes to have them leave the palace now and see the doctor for treatment as soon as possible. Is that acceptable?”

They had barged in earlier, brandishing swords and wounding others—an act of great insubordination that tarnished his reputation. Since he had decided to contend for the throne, he wanted to apologize for his impulsiveness and salvage whatever honor he could.

“Send them to the Imperial Medical Office.” Zhu Yuanzhang understood the meaning behind his rebellious grandson’s words and was willing to cooperate. After such a daring act, now taking responsibility and trying to cleanse his reputation showed maturity. Though this could not change the civil officials’ attitude toward him, it could strengthen the military generals’ recognition.

Zhu Yunxi’s backing was the generals, not the civil officials.

“Come back with me.” Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression turned serious again.

Zhu Yunxi had no choice but to follow, thinking that the old Emperor would not let him off easily. Returning with him meant facing the unknown, but he was certain that his performance today had won the Emperor’s approval. He believed the worst punishment would be a beating, and nothing more severe.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Third Prince!” The two injured guards knelt down, tears of gratitude streaming.

Once Zhu Yuanzhang took Zhu Yunxi away, silence quickly returned to the hall.

“Uncle, what should we do?” Chang Sheng asked.

“We’ll discuss it after returning.” Lan Yu pondered. Among the military generals, Lan Yu was the most formidable. The generals of Huai West, led by Lan Yu, were willing to follow his lead and were the first to leave the palace.

At the same time, they grew hopeful. No matter what, Zhu Yunxi must be placed in that position—not only for their interests but also to survive.

As the generals departed, the civil officials followed suit. Zhu Zhuan and several other princes wore solemn expressions as they returned to strategize.

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“Two teachers, what shall we do?” Zhu Yunwen felt as if the sky was collapsing and became flustered.

Just now, Zhu Yunxi had exposed many matters, severely undermining his advantage and filling him with unease that Zhu Yuanzhang might no longer choose him.

“Your Highness, do not panic,” Huang Zicheng said. “We will assist you. The Emperor’s temporary withholding of investiture is to appease the vassal kings and generals; it does not mean he has abandoned you.”

Qi Tai agreed, “Master Huang is right. We will first return to devise a strategy to deal with Third Prince. Once we have a plan, we will consult you immediately. We civil officials all stand by you.”

“Thank you both, teachers!” Zhu Yunwen hurriedly replied, though it was hard not to panic—he was naturally timid. Today’s investiture was supposed to be a mere formality, but Zhu Yunxi had forcefully disrupted it. The gap was too great for Zhu Yunwen to recover from.

Afterwards, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai departed as well.

Zhu Yunwen grew increasingly anxious and unable to calm himself, hastily returning to the Eastern Palace.

“Mother, I might not become Crown Prince,” he confided to Lady Lü upon arrival, as if finding a pillar of support, unable to hold back his tears. “Zhu Yunxi wants to compete with me. Grandfather Emperor no longer trusts me. Mother, what shall we do?”

“Hold back your tears! Don’t cry!” Lady Lü already knew what had happened today. Secrets were hard to keep in the palace. Some palace maids and eunuchs she had bribed had already relayed what transpired in the main hall.

Hearing that Zhu Yunxi had disrupted the investiture and that Zhu Yuanzhang hadn’t even read out the edict made Lady Lü furious. She now regretted not having found a way long ago to prevent Zhu Yunxi from living to see this day.

At the time, in order to cultivate the image of a virtuous wife and loving mother to gain Zhu Yuanzhang’s favor, Lady Lü had chosen to raise Zhu Yunxi herself. Before today, Zhu Yunxi was unremarkable, but no one expected him to suddenly shine so brightly.

Lady Lü believed that Zhu Yunxi had been pretending under her watch for many years to lower her guard, waiting for the right moment to snatch the position. She was angrier than anyone, wishing she could tear Zhu Yunxi apart and lamenting her past decisions.

“Now I am the Crown Princess, and you are the legitimate son. The entire court’s civil officials support you. That position is destined to be yours—no one can take it away.”

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Seeing Zhu Yunwen pale and helpless, Lady Lü scolded him harshly, “Panicking and crying—how can you become emperor like that? Go back to your chamber, calm down, and reflect.”

“Yes, Mother!” Zhu Yunwen was about to leave but then remembered something else. “Mother, it seems Zhu Yunxi knows many of our secrets.”

Lady Lü’s eyes darkened. She warned, “What secrets? Remember, we are innocent and upright—we have done nothing wrong.” She was confident that Zhu Yunxi only suspected but had no proof.

Without evidence, there was nothing to fear.

“I am the Crown Princess. As long as he returns to the Eastern Palace, I can control and handle him. What could he possibly use to compete for the throne against you?”

Her tone softened. “Go rest now. I will go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to see.”

As Zhu Yunxi’s stepmother, Lady Lü believed it necessary to make an appearance before the old Emperor after such events, continuing her virtuous wife and loving mother image while probing for information.

—

Zhu Yunxi followed Zhu Yuanzhang all the way to the Emperor’s bedchamber, the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

“Just now you were so eager to have me name you heir and kill me with your spirit, weren’t you?” Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Yunxi keeping a certain distance, as if fearful, and said, “Are you afraid of me now?”

Zhu Yunxi admitted calmly, “Because your grandson knows, Grandfather Emperor will not kill him, but he might get a beating. Your grandson fears pain and does not want to be hit.”

“Are you so sure I won’t kill you?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Today’s performance made him see Zhu Yunxi in a new light—as if he were a different person. Previously unremarkable and overshadowed by Lady Lü’s interference, Zhu Yuanzhang often overlooked Zhu Yunxi’s existence. Perhaps out of guilt, since he was his own grandson, he showed favoritism. No wonder this rebellious grandson could accomplish what he did today.

“Grandfather Emperor and I share blood thicker than water, bound by kinship,” Zhu Yunxi said. “During the chaos at the end of the Yuan dynasty, when the people suffered greatly and you witnessed your loved ones pass one by one, you cherished family ties deeply and would never stain your hands with your grandson’s blood.”

These words caused Zhu Yuanzhang to fall silent for a long while. Since Empress Ma’s death, no one had spoken of those old times. Recalling the past stirred deep emotions and almost dissipated his anger toward this rebellious grandson.

Seeing the change in the old Emperor’s expression, Zhu Yunxi knew these words were effective and that he would likely avoid punishment. Mentioning blood ties at an appropriate moment was highly advantageous.

“You’ve touched my heart with those words,” Zhu Yuanzhang sighed but was not yet ready to let go of today’s matters. “Tell me, who taught you? It wasn’t Lan Yu, was it Feng Sheng? Among those old fellows, Feng Sheng is the most learned. He must be the one who taught you, right?”