Chapter 115: Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen: Father, why are you still alive?

(Page 1/3)

“How is it that this child is exactly like His Majesty, even teaching the children to call Wan ‘Auntie’… Your Majesty, I am getting old and cannot endure such teasing.” Consort Wan cast him a faint glance.

Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen quickly recounted the entire story.

“My son, your father cannot bear your teasing either!”

Turning back, Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen rubbed little Zhu Jianshen’s head, his tone tinged with mild reproach.

Then, apologetically, he said to Consort Wan, “This child, he doesn’t stutter. Otherwise, I might have doubted he’s not the little me from my childhood.”

Wow!

Consort Wan paid no heed to this and swept little Zhu Jianshen into her arms, showering him with kisses and fond caresses, delight radiating from her: “Your Majesty, I want this child!”

Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen smiled, “He is yours.”

He had taken the two children to the Zhaode Palace at once because of his fondness for Wan Zhen’er—openly helping her claim the child.

No matter whether Empress Dowager Zhou or Empress Wang demanded him, he would not give the child up. If they wanted to make a fuss, he was happy to entertain them. After all, he merely clocked in for court sessions each day and then left.

There was plenty of time.

Little Zhu Jianshen wore an innocent expression, simultaneously tormented and somewhat delighted by Consort Wan’s attentions.

Meanwhile, little Zhu Youtang, neglected at the side, scratched his head, tilting it with glazed eyes as he observed everything. It seemed quite different from what Eunuch Zhang had told him.

Was I not supposed to be doted upon once Father found out?

Wasn’t everyone supposed to love me?

Lies!

No one cared about me at all!

Pouting, little Zhu Youtang stood alone in a corner, drawing circles with his toes in the dust.

“My son, tell Auntie, who is your birth mother? How have you been hiding in the palace all this time?” Consort Wan pressed her cheek against his, asking softly.

Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen pricked up his ears.

In the second year of Chenghua, in the first lunar month, Consort Wan had given birth to Emperor Xianzong’s first son. If he had grown up, he would have certainly been the next emperor.

But Consort Wan was viewed by the Grand Secretariat as a thorn in their side, an unbearable enemy. How could they allow her son to grow up?

So this eldest prince, born on the day of the Renxu in the first month, died on the day of the Jiawu in the eleventh month, not even reaching one year old.

Worse still, his name was erased from the historical records. An eldest son without a name was impossible; the civil officials and the Grand Secretariat hated the Wan clan to such an extent.

The eldest prince was deemed unworthy even of a name!

Afterwards, as Consort Wan aged and with the Imperial Medical Bureau and the Grand Secretariat watching her closely, it was nearly impossible for her to conceive again.

She could only bear this regret for the rest of her life.

Yet now, she had no regrets. Even if she were to bear ten more princes, none would resemble him so perfectly!

“I am Zhu Jianshen.”

Little Zhu Jianshen’s face was innocent.

Calling the emperor’s given name so casually!?

He dared not…

(Page 2/3)

“What, what did you say? You are me?” Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen furrowed his brows deeply.

To be honest, he almost believed it!

Consort Wan and Emperor Chenghua exchanged a glance, both lost in a daze.

They were both beginning to believe.

The resemblance was uncanny—not only did the age not match, but even the moles behind the ear, on the rear, and on the small pouting mouth were identical without the slightest difference!

But how could this be?

In little Zhu Youtang’s confused eyes, clarity suddenly dawned!

That’s right, Uncle Zhang had said that the man named Zhu Jianshen with the beard was Father. Although this person had no beard, he was called Zhu Jianshen!

“Father!?” little Zhu Youtang said tentatively but with a trace of certainty.

???

Little Zhu Jianshen blinked, remained silent for some time, then said seriously, “Hey!”

“Great-grandfather, please come out soon! They don’t believe me!”

“Look, he’s anxious again.”

Zhu Yuanzhang appeared in the hall with a cheerful smile, followed by a large group of emperors and crown princes, all dressed in dragon robes—a magnificent procession.

Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen’s expression changed drastically.

Glancing over, he saw a figure he had never dreamed of, frowning, “Father, why are you still alive?”

Hey!

Zhu Qizhen’s temper flared instantly, shouting fiercely, “You little bastard, how dare you speak to me like that!”

Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen ignored him, instead bowing respectfully and lowering his head softly: “Jianshen pays respects to the ancestors and saints.”

Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands and laughed heartily, “Good, good, let’s say this child is clever. Look at him, and then look at the little fortress boy—truly one Zhu son surpasses another!”

What’s wrong with me?

I once lifted a sword against my ancestors!

How could the later generations not admire my valor?

Zhu Qizhen was clearly still dissatisfied but was much wiser now, snorting a few times and saying nothing more.

Emperor Chenghua shook his head with a bitter smile.

First, little Zhu Jianshen had been examined thoroughly; every mark on his body matched perfectly. It was almost certain he was himself. Moreover, you all appeared wearing dragon robes out of thin air, making your entrance remarkably extraordinary.

Add to that my own worthless father’s unique aura—it was unmistakably his. Even if turned to dust, that raw, rugged essence could be recognized.

What reason was there not to believe?

“Father has a keen eye for talent; he saw Jianshen’s exceptional nature at a glance!”

Old Zhu Di praised admiringly.

“Say that again?” Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him, looking quite pleased.

The chubby Yongle Zhu Zhanji and Hongxi Zhu Gaochi whispered behind them, “Why does the old man always flatter the one above?”

(Page 3/3)

“That’s Zhu’s hoof.”

Yongle Zhu Zhanji casually slung his arm over the two stout fathers’ shoulders and whispered, nearly scaring the two plump men to death.

They covered his mouth in alarm, nearly suffocating him: “You brat, don’t want to live anymore, do you?”

“It’s the son’s loose tongue.”

Old Zhu Di chuckled. A happy father was a good thing.

Old Zhu snorted twice, then raised an eyebrow: “Why have you gone silent, child? Don’t you like to talk?”

I stutter a bit.

Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen’s face flushed faintly with embarrassment.

“Here, have a tasty one.” Zhu Youjian smiled warmly and leaned forward, placing a pill into his mouth.

Gulp!

“What did you give me to eat?”

Emperor Chenghua coughed several times but could not spit it out; the pill dissolved instantly.

Zhu Youjian mused, “It’s the ‘Leg-Stretching, Eye-Opening Pill.’”

“Ah?”

Emperor Chenghua was suddenly stunned, touching his mouth, murmuring, “I don’t stutter anymore?”

Consort Wan, who was shyly lowering her head, burst with joy: “Wonderful!”

Whoosh!

All the emperors and crown princes turned their gazes toward them.

Then, calm returned.

Everyone present except the fortress clansmen possessed a ridiculously high emotional intelligence and naturally did not stare at Consort Wan.

Already feeling insecure from age and faded beauty, having these elders scrutinize her would surely shame her to death.

“I came back in such a hurry, I forgot to bring gifts. Ancestors, please wait a moment—I’ll go get something.”

Zhu Youjian thought for a moment and vanished from sight.

Before long, he reappeared.

Beside him stood a bewildered young woman.

Zhu Jianshen, at twenty-eight, stared at her in a daze.

Wan Zhen’er, at twenty-seven, felt something stir, quietly turning to look back...

...

(The third watch has arrived, the third watch has arrived. Dear foster fathers, please help write your comments, recommend books to ease the reading drought, and recharge the energy. Eh, I might be a little greedy…)