Chapter 80: Zhu Jianshen’s Little Nursemaid!

As the ministers gradually withdrew from the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the emperors, crown princes, and princely lords of the Ming dynasty all entered the grand hall together.

Yu Qian glanced around, seeing only emperors and princes, except for this celestial being whom he did not recognize. He leaned in close to Zhu Youjian and whispered, "May I ask, Immortal, why has the founding emperor left me alone in the hall? What is his purpose?"

To tell the truth, he felt rather uneasy. After all, everyone present was a royal relative who had long since passed away. If he said the wrong thing and was spirited away, what then?

What business could there be? Surely it wasn't just to have him perform a comic dialogue.

Zhu Youjian pondered a moment and replied, "For the next few days, stay at the founding emperor’s side. In a few days, I’ll take you with me."

What! He’s really going to take me?

Yu Qian’s steps faltered, and he hesitated. "Is there any way I might not have to go?"

"Haha! The fearless Vice Minister Yu, who proclaims himself unafraid of death, is actually frightened?" Zhu Youjian laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder. "Don’t worry, in a few days I’ll take you to witness the campaigns against Japan during the reigns of Hongwu, Jianwen, and Yongle!"

"This time, we’ll have those lords and guardians of Japan sign treaties of equality with Ming. I’m only letting you, the Minister of War, familiarize yourself with the process in advance. After all, the Jingtai era will inevitably have to do the same in the future."

Phew! What a commotion.

Yu Qian breathed a sigh of relief and said earnestly, "With the immortal’s assistance, the campaign against Japan will surely be swift and decisive. I will observe everything closely, and when it comes time to sign the treaties during the Jingtai era, I will ensure they are not overly harsh."

"Excellent, excellent," Zhu Youjian replied with a beaming smile.

Upon the dragon throne, old Zhu sat leisurely, smiling as he said, "Qiyu, boy, where is your crown prince now? Let me see if this youngster has any of the talent of our heroic progeny, considering the eldest grandson twice chose him as heir to the throne."

Twice? So the Orthodoxy era has already suffered its blow!

Zhu Qiyu’s curious mind only cared about whether his elder brother had been beaten. Hearing that his brother from the Orthodoxy era had also suffered a heavy blow, he was finally content.

Upon receiving old Zhu’s command, Zhu Qiyu quickly nodded. "I’ll bring the crown prince at once."

The attending eunuch immediately accepted the order and hurried away.

…

In the capital—

At the Prince of Yi’s residence.

Ten-year-old Zhu Jianshen quietly observed the servants around him—those who had previously cared only for his daily needs and never spoke a word, as silent as mutes. Lately, they had become much more respectful.

Why was that?

Children are sensitive by nature, especially Zhu Jianshen, who had grown up in this environment and was already mature beyond his years. With so many servants, and even the imperial guards outside eager to curry favor, he had naturally probed and found out the truth.

His uncle was dying.

And though he was not the crown prince, he was the most legitimate, rightful heir living in the imperial city.

In other words, barring unforeseen events, once his uncle passed, he would soon ascend the throne.

Zhu Jianshen looked with admiration at the gentle, serene young woman beside him and said tenderly, "Aunt Wan, soon you’ll no longer have to suffer with me in this prison."

Wan Zhen’er radiated maternal warmth. She smiled gently and replied, "As long as I am at your side, it doesn’t matter where I am."

If I become emperor, Aunt Wan will be empress!

Deep down, Zhu Jianshen understood perfectly well that some things could not be said aloud, not because of Wan Zhen’er herself, but because walls have ears. Over the years, he had learned to keep his mouth shut—if certain words leaked out, his uncle, on a whim, might remember him at the worst possible moment.

"Today will soon be over," Zhu Jianshen whispered, stepping out into the courtyard, gazing up at the sky, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

Only by leaving this residence could he reward the person who had endured hardship with him as she deserved.

Wan Zhen’er stood quietly behind him, watching him tenderly. She had been a governess, not a wet nurse, sent to the inner palace at four years old to serve as an attendant to Grand Empress Dowager Sun. She had seen few men in her life—this boy was the one she had spent the most time with, and her feelings for him were beyond words.

Suddenly, a servant approached Zhu Jianshen, beaming with joy, and whispered, "Congratulations, Your Highness! Good fortune, Your Highness!"

Uncle has passed away?

I am to be emperor at last?

Zhu Jianshen’s heart leapt, and he listened intently for more.

The servant grinned. "The retired emperor has been restored to the throne this morning!"

Their people had raced back with the news as soon as the former emperor returned to the dragon throne, eager to ingratiate themselves with the future crown prince.

Though the restoration left them somewhat disappointed, emperor or crown prince, both were worthy of currying favor with—restoration alone was enough to make him a valuable ally.

What?

Zhu Jianshen was dumbfounded, question marks popping up in his mind.

What is my father doing now?

Why is he snatching the throne from me?

This utterly incomprehensible act, coming from his notorious father, somehow made a strange sort of sense!

"It’s truly the former emperor restored?" Zhu Jianshen, young though he was, understood far more than his age suggested and asked again to be sure.

"Absolutely true!" the servant replied confidently.

Zhu Jianshen was at a loss. He realized that the bright road ahead had suddenly been blocked by his father’s bizarre maneuvering.

Crown prince?

He had barely seen his father, let alone grown close to him—would he still make him the heir?

This father of his, capable of such outrageous deeds, might well choose another successor.

A rough but warm hand reached out. Zhu Jianshen instinctively grasped it, turning back with tears streaming down his face.

"Aunt Wan…"

"As long as I am by your side, it doesn’t matter where I am," Wan Zhen’er said playfully, winking and squeezing his small hand.

"Yes!"

Zhu Jianshen took a deep breath and nodded vigorously.

Even if he had to cling to his father’s leg and beg, he would do everything in his power to keep his place!

"There is an imperial command!"

A shrill voice called from outside, throwing the entire residence into a flurry.

Xing’an entered, smiling broadly and bowing deeply. "By direct order of His Majesty, Prince of Yi is to proceed at once to the palace for an audience!"

"Your Highness, will you come with me?"

He had witnessed everything—this crown prince personally designated by the founding emperor was a veritable treasure. Even the emperor wanted to get close to him, let alone a servant like himself.

"Yes," Zhu Jianshen replied, the tear tracks on his face wiped away by Wan Zhen’er. He turned to her and said, "Aunt Wan, please wait here for a while. I am going to see my father."

Xing’an’s smile instantly turned wry, and he hurriedly whispered, "Ah, my little ancestor, that’s not the way to put it."

"The former emperor has already been escorted back to the Southern Palace. This is a direct command from His Majesty!"

His Majesty? The uncle?

Zhu Jianshen turned pale, bitterness welling up inside. My own father, always more a hindrance than a help!

Surely his uncle, enraged by his father’s restoration, now meant to take his life.

This father of his—truly, what suffering he had caused him!

Still, Zhu Jianshen forced a smile and said with difficulty, "Aunt Wan, wait here for a moment. I’ll be back soon."

But Wan Zhen’er, just as she was about to let go of his hand, suddenly gripped it tightly!

She shook her head with great seriousness, saying nothing, but Zhu Jianshen understood perfectly.

Wherever Your Highness is, your servant will be there.

…