Chapter 55: Stop Right There, You’re My Father!

Within the secret realm.

“Little Father, think about it. In later generations, people call you Emperor Taizong, your name resounding through the ages—how glorious is that? Are you really willing to be a mere prince, and that too in some godforsaken land across the sea?”

“Besides, when Zhu Yunwen ascends the throne, you’re forced to eat pig slop for years. Can you tolerate that? I know I can’t!”

Jianwen Zhu Gaoxu threw an arm around young Zhu Di’s shoulders, continuing his persuasive efforts.

Since the Yongle Emperor’s word isn’t worth much, fine—then I’ll go to Prince Yan Zhu Di. That should do.

Young Zhu Di’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, then he shook his head fiercely, speaking sternly: “Enough! Have you thought about this? If you plot against your own father like this, there might be no place for either of you in the Hongwu era.”

For that matter, I doubt there’ll be a place for me, either!

Ah, a single life’s fate is the fate of ten thousand lives.

Who cares if the Hongwu era has a father or not.

The ever-meddling Yongle Zhu Gaoxu snorted in disdain, pinching the back of young Zhu Di’s neck with a grin, secretly delighted, then leaned in:

“Hey, I’ve got experience in this—don’t rush. Just hold out a while longer and see how things go. The Crown Prince isn’t in good health, and Grandfather has seen your illustrious deeds in later generations. You still have a good chance.”

“Exactly! If you ask me, just refuse to go to your fief. Wait it out for ten years or so, and when Zhu Biao, the great lord, kicks the bucket—tsk, tsk, won’t that be wonderful for you?”

“Yes, yes, you absolutely mustn’t leave for your fief. Otherwise, if Zhu Yunwen is made Crown Grandson, and Grandfather passes, the Grandson ascends right at the memorial—by then you’ll be stuck across the sea and everything will be lost!”

Young Zhu Di clamped his hands over his ears, as if hearing forbidden words, and cried out in panic, “I’m out! Let me out now!”

Vying for the throne? Uprising? This is terrifying!

...

Within the Cloud Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang bit into a leg of lamb, smiling as he said, “Grandson, put the sound on, let’s hear what fascinating tactics those three are plotting.”

The two born of Fourth Son are nothing but trouble. Young Zhu Di is still well-behaved now—not only would he never rebel, he wouldn’t even dare let out a peep if beaten. Best not let him be led astray.

And anyway, whispering in front of the Emperor is a grave offense; at worst, it’s conspiracy. To spare the two grandsons from punishment, I’m making this suggestion.

Old Zhu was very pleased with this reasoning, feeling it showed his deep concern.

“Well… Great Ancestor, let’s agree first that you won’t be angry,” Zhu Youjian said, his expression odd. He knew exactly what had gone on—those two were certainly up to no good.

“Don’t worry, they’re just three children—what’s there to get angry about?” Zhu Yuanzhang replied cheerfully.

Zhu Youjian shot a discreet glance at old Zhu Di and Fourth Zhu, his eyes full of meaning: you two are on your own now.

Fourth Zhu immediately grew tense, forcing a smile and trying to dissuade, “Father, I really don’t think this is necessary. If they want to chat, let them chat.”

“Yes, Father, there’s surely nothing good to hear,” old Zhu Di agreed, a chill running down his spine as he put down the lamb skewer in his hand.

“Are you teaching me how to do things?” Zhu Yuanzhang’s genial words made the two elders’ hearts lurch.

The two Zhu Dis shook their heads like rattles, quickly replying:

“We wouldn’t dare.”

“Grandson, play it,” Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, satisfied, his eyes twinkling.

“Very well.”

Zhu Youjian thought it over—either do nothing or go all the way—then decided to play it from the beginning.

And so—

The sly voices of the two Zhu Gaoxus echoed through the Cloud Palace.

“I’ve heard the Crown Prince is often ill. You should take heart!”

The words were so clear that everyone present was stunned. The Crown Prince is often ill? Which Crown Prince? Surely not Zhu Biao!

“It’s over!” Fourth Zhu’s head buzzed, the weight in his heart finally dropping—only to leave him dizzy and dazed.

As for the Yongle side—no wonder they say the old grow shrewd.

Old Zhu Di collapsed onto the dragon throne, head bowed, hands shaking as he fished out two pills of An Gong Niu Huang Wan, stuffing them into his mouth just in case he got beaten to death next.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s face darkened instantly. These fools dared poke his reverse scale so brazenly!

Zhu Biao, perched halfway on the Hongwu throne, frowned in displeasure at the words. He was in fine health!

He quickly calculated that, by the end of today, at least one or two of these three Fourth Sons and two big nephews would be no more.

The Yongle and Hongxi “Fatty Fathers and Sons” shrank back, huddling together for warmth with Emperor Xuande and the terrified Prince Zhao.

Zhu Gaosui inwardly marveled: Second Brother, you’re brave indeed!

The six of them clung together, trembling in fear.

Yongle Zhu Zhanji clung to his father’s arm, voice quaking: “Father, I feel like you might just ascend the throne today.”

Nonsense! Don’t say such things!

“Quiet, child, don’t talk nonsense,” Yongle Fatty patted him, mumbling prayers to Buddha for his father’s survival.

The mist cleared.

Young Zhu Di looked dazed and absent, his soul seemingly departed.

“With this strategy, we shall secure the realm!” The two Zhu Gaoxus struck a pose, intoning solemnly, then happily returned to their fathers.

Huh?

The two Zhu Gaoxus immediately sensed something was wrong—why did the old man look ready to kill them? They glanced nervously at Zhu Youjian’s side.

“Ahem.” Zhu Youjian coughed, turning away awkwardly.

Silence.

The air was thick with tension.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s face was impassive as he asked, “Tell me, what tactics did your future son discuss with you?”

“Nothing, just a few little schemes. The three of us together couldn’t hold a candle to you, Father,” young Zhu Di replied with a forced laugh.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyelid twitched, his tone preternaturally calm: “Is ‘the Crown Prince is often ill’ part of your tactics too?”

Thud!

“Father! I…I…” Young Zhu Di was so frightened he fell to his knees on the spot.

On the Jianwen throne—

Fourth Zhu broke out in a cold sweat, glaring daggers at his second son and gritting his teeth: “Zhu Gaoxu, you’re truly ruthless!”

I…I only wanted a little fun, to return the empty promises you fed me. How was I to know these private chats weren’t soundproof?

Zhu Gaoxu now realized the trouble he was in. Swallowing hard, he declared with great loyalty, “Don’t be afraid, Father. If there’s a beating, I’ll take it for you!”

Things were even livelier on the Yongle side.

“Father, I think I’ve really messed up this time.”

Yongle Zhu Gaoxu wanted to weep. Ever since young Zhu Di from Hongwu appeared, he’d been watching him like a hawk, knowing exactly what Jianwen Zhu Gaoxu was up to.

He just wanted some fun, to join the commotion, but ended up causing a disaster!

Old Zhu Di’s scalp tingled with dread. He muttered, “Enough—you’re the death of me!”

...

Zhu Yuanzhang pointed at the three Zhu Dis with his spirit tablet, saying calmly, “Grandson, I need a private word with them.”

“Understood!” Zhu Youjian apologized inwardly, then waved his hand.

Old Zhu Di, Fourth Zhu, young Zhu Di, and the two Zhu Gaoxus disappeared with Old Zhu.

The palace resounded with earth-shattering screams of agony!

“That must hurt,” Zhu Youjian muttered, tongue clicking in sympathy, while the six huddled together trembled all the harder.

...