Chapter 99: Galloping Through the Capital to Admire the Cherry Blossoms!

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Jianwen Era.
March, second year of the Yongle reign.
During the season when cherry blossoms bloom profusely, it seemed as if the entire world was submerged in a sea of pink.
Yet the faint trickles of blood on the ground revealed that this capital city of Wa had been slaughtered into a ghost town.
“Now the Ming banner flies across the land, horses trample the capital to enjoy the cherry blossoms...”
Zhu Gaoxu of Jianwen had not yet fully reveled in his triumph.
Whoosh!
A shoe sole flew swiftly toward him.
“Who! Threw that... so precise, clearly the mark of an expert archer hitting the bullseye from a hundred paces!”
Zhu Gaoxu’s expression shifted rapidly from furious to admiration, an unprecedented change.
He quickly dismounted and held up the shoe with great consideration: “Father, put these on. It’s only March here in Wa, and the ground is still quite cold.”
“I hear you accomplished something significant.”
Zhu Laosi’s face was stern as he coldly demanded, “Where’s that wheel? Bring it out so I can see it!”
This...
Zhu Gaoxu hesitated, then said, “Father, you might not believe it,”
He pulled a tiny wheel pendant from his chest and said solemnly, “See, that wheel gave birth to a smaller one but it was stillborn!”
Not friends!
Even Zhu Gaoxu of Yongle was stunned, quickly grabbing Zhu Youjian and anxiously asking, “Youjian, if he’s dead, does it affect me here?”
Zhu Youjian glanced at the grim-faced Zhu Di and hesitated before uncertainly replying, “It should be fine, not a big problem.”
Trailing behind, Zhu Gaosui looked up in admiration, sighing, “That fearless spirit of Old Two, I’ll never learn it in this lifetime.”
Then, lowering his head, he said, “Nephew, later you should let Third Uncle try out that dragon throne of yours for a thrill.”
“Gladly, gladly.”
“I also have a jar—Second Uncle felt much lighter after a steam bath in it. Third Uncle should come try it when he has time,” Emperor Xuande Zhu Zhanji said, putting an arm around him with a sigh.
Zhu Gaosui raised an eyebrow and quietly moved his elbow away; Old Two told him everything.
Alright, alright!
Zhu Laosi laughed in anger, slowly exhaling and speaking kindly: “Eldest grandson, let us two be alone for a while. The old ancestor wants to chat with Old Two at home.”
Zhu Youjian obediently gathered the two into a small private realm and sighed.
Who ever beats a child ends up nearly killing him every time.
That said, Zhu Youjian still thoughtfully shackled Zhu Gaoxu’s hands and feet with pots. At this rebellious age, if he got too angry from being beaten, he might really fight back!
If that happened and Zhu Laosi lost his temper, it would be hard to put out the fire.
Old Four’s family still fell far short compared to our Biao’er’s.
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head, turned around, and slowly said, “The capital is empty now, you three are no longer needed.”
“Your Majesty...”
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu of the Hongwu era was nearly driven mad with fear!

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Though Ashikaga Yoshitane and Ashikaga Yoshinori of the Yongle era could not understand human speech, seeing their father’s expression made them tremble with fear.
The little devils needed to be frightened; only then would they learn their lesson.
They must know that if Wa dares to scheme, Ming will flatten the wheel.
“Enough.”
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction: “The blossoms are fine; take me for a tour.”
“Yes, yes!” Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, as if granted amnesty, wiped cold sweat and nodded repeatedly.
Who could withstand such terror!
Old Ancestor Zhu Biao’s fate was bitter indeed!
Zhu Youjian exchanged a glance with Old Zhu Di and both averted their eyes in tacit understanding.
“Eldest grandson, bring our Biao... Xiongying here.” Zhu Yuanzhang, mindful of Zhu Biao’s busy affairs, did not want to interrupt his work and thus changed his tone.
“All right.” Zhu Youjian nodded.
Emperor Xuande Zhu Zhanji hesitated a moment and quietly said, “Youjian, bring my two children too. Staying all day in the inner palace isn’t good; they need to see more of the world.”
“The Xuande era’s Shizu will accompany me.”
Zhu Youjian nodded; young Zhu Qizhen still held potential, though ruined by the civil officials’ care.
After briefing the Grand Ancestor, the two disappeared on the spot.
...
Hongwu Era.
After a busy day, Zhu Biao was reluctantly forced off duty before the officials, and as he stepped out of the palace gate, his face was full of joy.
Life had been quite comfortable lately!
Zhu Biao clasped his hands behind his back and looked toward Wa Island, shaking his head with a sigh:
I heard that Wa’s cherry blossoms have bloomed.
Too bad Father selfishly left his wife and children behind to go see them alone.
Muttering complaints about that unfeeling father, he happily went to Kunning Palace to bond with his eldest son, Zhu Xiongying.
Upon entering the palace:
“Come, say goodbye to Grandma!”
“Goodbye, Grandma!”
Zhu Youjian was seen holding Zhu Xiongying’s hand and disappearing.
The smile on Zhu Biao’s lips vanished.
Damn it, I want to go play too!
I’m on holiday!
...
Xuande Era.
Young Zhu Qizhen was playing in the palace.
Just coming out of the Wen Yuan Pavilion, Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi trailed behind him slowly.

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“You say the emperor suddenly had a brief recovery but has been missing lately. Could it be that...” Yang Rong whispered, barely audible but careful not to reveal his worry.
“Be cautious with your words!”
“The emperor did receive us earlier and decreed that the crown prince would not be decided for now. Indeed he seemed restored,” Yang Shiqi said with a calm expression. “Hopefully this time, after he pulls through, he won’t be obsessed with the voyages to the Western Seas. The people of Jiangnan suffer greatly...”
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands rested on their shoulders.
Emperor Xuande Zhu Zhanji appeared with a strange smile and softly asked, “What are you two ministers discussing?”
This nearly made the two elders see their own great-grandmother.
“...Your Majesty.”
Yang Rong’s knees buckled, and he collapsed in terror, tears welling up as if about to cry.
“I pay homage to Your Majesty!”
Yang Shiqi, with stronger composure, trembled but managed a bow.
“Father! You’re here!”
Young Zhu Qizhen cried out happily, running over and jumping into Zhu Zhanji’s arms with a silly grin.
“Good boy!”
Emperor Xuande patted his son’s head, lifted him up, looked him over carefully, and nodded with satisfaction.
Fortunately, he was not as troublesome as he would be in the future.
Turning back, Zhu Zhanji fixed the two Yangs with a chilling smile and quietly ordered, “Raise your heads and look at me!”
“As you command!”
The two terrified old men lifted their heads to meet Zhu Zhanji’s gaze.
His eyes grew even more eerie.
Then, suddenly, he vanished.
Hmm.
Hmm?
“Burp!”
The aged Yang Rong rolled his eyes upward, collapsed in a faint, foaming at the mouth and convulsing violently.
He was on the verge of death.
“Minister Yang...!”
Though Yang Shiqi was mentally shattered, he bravely stayed and shakily pinched Yang Rong’s philtrum, trembling as he shouted, “Imperial physician, hurry! Send for the imperial physician!”
Emperor Xuande stared at them expressionlessly for a moment, then picked up the timid and introverted young Zhu Qiyu and the optimistic little Zhu Qizhen, disappearing on the spot.
...