Chapter 8: Your Imperial Grandfather Has Changed His Heart

“Grandson gave Lan Yu a slap to shake the arrogant Lan Yu awake, making it easier to bring them under control in the future.”

“A single slap is far from enough to tame Lan Yu.”

“In the future, I will prove to Your Majesty that only I can command the Huai River military generals, not that they are using me. Your Majesty can rest assured in appointing me as Crown Prince.”

Zhu Yunxu remained confident as he laid out his plan.

This was his moment to shine, to overturn his previously mediocre and incompetent image before the old Zhu.

Being able to foresee history, he had already mapped out his next moves once he decided to disrupt the investiture.

As mentioned earlier, the support from anyone else was essentially an illusion.

To become Crown Prince, he needed Zhu Yuanzhang’s support—gaining the emperor’s trust and showing a hopeful future was the true key to seizing the throne.

No amount of backing from civil or military officials would suffice.

“How will you prove it?” Zhu Yuanzhang’s curiosity deepened regarding Zhu Yunxu’s plan.

This rebellious grandson had indeed hidden his true nature well before; his current demeanor was completely different from before.

Why had he hidden himself previously?

Zhu Yuanzhang suspected the root of the problem lay with the Lü family; the child was clearly afraid of the Lü clan.

Perhaps there was some hidden secret behind all this, something the emperor did not yet know.

His expression darkened, though he remained uncertain—it was a matter that demanded further investigation.

“I don’t want to reveal it to Your Majesty just yet,” Zhu Yunxu said cautiously, unwilling to fully confess lest the old emperor gain leverage over him.

“Still treating me like a stranger?” Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, somewhat displeased, though there was something else weighing on his mind.

Even if all the Huai River generals were killed, it wouldn't matter much—they were expendable, and the emperor would only sigh in passing.

What truly concerned him were his sons.

Recalling Zhu Yunxu’s earlier words that Zhu Yunwen couldn’t control the princes and might resort to violence against them—it was not impossible, given that his sons were formidable, holding military power and skilled in warfare.

“Are you not afraid of your imperial uncles?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked deliberately.

Zhu Yunxu replied, “Why should I be afraid? Zhu Yunwen is weak and incapable; he cannot control the uncles. I am different. If Your Majesty appoints me as heir, standing on the side of righteousness, and with Lan Yu and others at my command, why should I fear?”

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang approved.

In this regard, Zhu Yunxu had the upper hand and was better suited than his brothers.

“Your Majesty has long said that the heir must be chosen from my father’s line.”

“You married my second uncle to a Mongolian woman precisely to cut off his ambitions.”

“Second uncle has no chance now. Even if third uncle still harbors ambitions, he certainly won’t act rashly—otherwise, before I make a move, second uncle might have taken care of him.”

Zhu Yunxu understood that the combined threat from second and third uncles was less than that of the fourth.

Zhu Di undoubtedly harbored ambitions, but with Zhu Rui and Zhu Keng still alive, Zhu Di couldn’t stir trouble.

The fourth prince was skilled in warfare, as were the second and third.

Of course, Zhu Yunxu could not reveal all these historical spoilers so plainly.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, “I never imagined you had considered all this. I have underestimated your abilities.”

Seizing the opportunity, Zhu Yunxu said, “If Your Majesty believes I am more capable, why not appoint me directly to prevent others from harboring too many ambitions?”

“You have quite the imagination,” Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. He would not so quickly confirm an heir.

Still, Zhu Yunxu’s performance today pleased him greatly, making him increasingly doubtful about installing Zhu Yunwen.

“I have said all I should,” Zhu Yunxu declared.

He stepped down from the soft couch, quickly putting distance between them, and smiled, “Your Majesty won’t hit me again, right?”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, “Rebellious grandson, stand up—I’ll beat you now.”

“I’ll be going,” Zhu Yunxu replied, not intending to stand there and take a beating, though he knew the old emperor wouldn’t strike him again.

“My two elder sisters are still worried about me; I should go see them.”

With that, Zhu Yunxu swiftly left the Qianqing Palace.

The close eunuch, Jixiang, hurriedly opened the palace doors to let him escape.

“This rebellious grandson... ha ha!” Zhu Yuanzhang hadn’t felt so amused in years.

In recent times, only this reckless grandson could make him laugh like this.

Thinking of the former Zhu Yunwen, cautious and reserved before him, nowhere near as wild as Zhu Yunxu.

Zhu Yunwen was rigid, somewhat dull.

Zhu Yunxu was lively, free-spirited, bold, and outspoken.

Once again, Zhu Yuanzhang judged them and favored Zhu Yunxu’s vivacity.

A bookish emperor would be easily manipulated by the civil officials in court.

——

Zhu Yunwen returned to the Eastern Palace, rested briefly, and then pretended to read books.

Many years ago, after Zhu Xiongying’s death, Lady Lü urged him to focus on one thing—imitating Zhu Biao.

From then on, besides reading, Zhu Yunwen’s sole task was to mimic Zhu Biao as closely as possible.

Because of this, many people said Zhu Yunwen resembled Zhu Biao.

But it was only an appearance; he could not capture Zhu Biao’s core essence, for Zhu Biao was no weakling.

Years of habit forced him to maintain a persona of benevolence, filial piety, and refinement.

Reading was a superficial performance, a means to uphold his image and gain civil officials’ support swiftly.

By contrast, Zhu Yunxing, who was playing nearby, didn’t understand why his second brother was always reading.

But today, Zhu Yunwen was troubled and fearful.

He felt a mixture of anxiety and insecurity.

He couldn’t focus on the books; his weak personality made him fearful.

When footsteps echoed outside, Zhu Yunwen put down his book and looked out, asking, “Mother, what’s…”

He hoped to hear that the emperor had punished Zhu Yunxu severely.

Only punishment would prove that Zhu Yuanzhang disliked Zhu Yunxu, increasing his own chances of succession.

But before he could finish, Lady Lü returned with a grim expression—he knew something was terribly wrong at once.

“Don’t mention him!” Lady Lü said through clenched teeth. “Your Majesty... has changed his heart.”

“Ah?” Zhu Yunwen panicked.

They had done so much to become emperor; if Zhu Yunxu was the future emperor, could he even survive?

Thinking of the severity, his legs grew weak.

“What are you panicking for?” Lady Lü glared at Zhu Yunwen, frustrated by his weakness. “Just because Your Majesty favors him now doesn’t mean he no longer favors you. In this Eastern Palace, I’m in charge. I have ways to deal with him! Starting tomorrow, you must perform better, understand?”

“Child understands,” Zhu Yunwen nodded repeatedly—he had no choice but to comply.

“Someone!” Lady Lü decided she must act further. “Bring Dongqing in to see me.”

Chang Shi and Zhu Xiongying had died silently, leaving no trace; Zhu Yunxu could be handled the same way.

But he wouldn’t die immediately.

It needed to be a drawn-out process; dying too suddenly would raise questions.

By then, even if Zhu Yuanzhang had passed the throne to Zhu Yunxu, Lady Lü could ensure that Zhu Yunxu would not hold his position firmly and that the throne would ultimately return to Zhu Yunwen’s hands.

Court intrigue was this sordid.

The imperial palace was forever a moral wasteland.