Chapter 35: Grandpa And Grandson, Grandpa And Grandson? Seeking Monthly Tickets
Dusk deepened.
The lights of the Eastern Palace flickered in the cold wind, conveying a sense of desolation and emptiness.
After Old Zhu returned from Zhu Biao’s mausoleum, he did not go back to his own residence but went to the side hall where Zhu Yunwen lived.
He had always been very fond of this grandson when Zhu Biao was alive.
Perhaps it was because he saw some of Zhu Biao’s shadow in Zhu Yunwen.
Coupled with Zhu Yunwen’s image as a filial son and virtuous grandson, which was deeply ingrained in people’s hearts, it was natural for him to pay extra attention.
Later, when Zhu Biao passed away, Zhu Yunwen’s emaciated and haggard appearance made even the usually iron-hearted Old Zhu worry for him.
Therefore, Old Zhu’s satisfaction with Zhu Yunwen exceeded everyone’s imagination.
However, Old Zhu concealed it deeply and did not reveal it easily.
At this moment, after speaking those words at Zhu Biao’s mausoleum, with the damp, cold earth and burning vows still clogging his heart, he simply wanted to see the grandson who held all his hopes.
“Your Ma-“
A young eunuch guarding the door, seeing Old Zhu approach, was so startled that he quickly tried to bow, but was stopped by a glance from Old Zhu.
Old Zhu then calmly walked towards the doorway.
He walked extremely lightly, as if afraid of disturbing something.
The hall was filled with a faint scent of medicine and ink.
In taking care of Zhu Biao, Zhu Yunwen had expended a great deal of energy, and his health was originally weak, so he had been continuously taking medicine and recuperating.
Old Zhu was aware of this.
Therefore, he did not find the scent of medicine unpleasant; on the contrary, he worried even more about Zhu Yunwen’s health.
At this moment, Zhu Yunwen had not yet gone to bed. He was dressed in plain hemp mourning clothes, kneeling before a low table.
Spread on the table was a volume of the Book of Documents, and the candlelight illuminated his pale, delicate, yet exceptionally focused profile.
His brow furrowed slightly, as if contemplating a difficult sentence.
Perhaps due to the vigilance developed while caring for Zhu Biao, even a slight sound of footsteps made him react very quickly.
He suddenly looked up, and upon seeing the person approaching, his face instantly filled with immense surprise and filial affection, his eyes almost immediately turning red.
“Imperial Grandfather!”
Zhu Yunwen’s voice was choked with emotion, and he hastily tried to get up to bow.
“Sit, sit!”
Old Zhu quickly strode forward, placed a hand on his shoulder, and then sat down on a prayer mat beside him. His withered hand gently stroked his grandson’s thin back. “It’s so late, and you’re still studying? Why aren’t you taking care of yourself?”
Although these words seemed like a rebuke, they were filled with admiration for Zhu Yunwen.
Zhu Yunwen lowered his head, his voice thick with a nasal tone, tears falling like broken strings of pearls, splattering onto the open book, quickly creating a small patch of ink. “Grandson… grandson can’t sleep.”
“Why can’t you sleep? Are you feeling unwell? Have you sent for the imperial physician?” Old Zhu asked with concern.
“No, Imperial Grandfather, your grandson is well, it’s just…”
Zhu Yunwen shook his head and choked up again. “It’s just that whenever I close my eyes, I see Father King. Your grandson wants to read more, to be as Father King wished, perhaps then my heart will feel a little better…”
“This…”
Old Zhu fell silent upon hearing this.
This heartfelt plea, accompanied by the constant flow of tears and his thin, trembling form, struck his softest and most guilt-ridden spot with pinpoint accuracy.
He remembered Zhu Biao’s concern for this child before his death, recalled the vow he had made at the mausoleum, and a warm current welled up in his eyes. His voice softened involuntarily. “Good child, your Father King, in heaven, would be comforted to see your filial piety and diligence.”
As he spoke, he picked up the volume of the Book of Documents, now damp with tears, flipped to a page at random, and pointed to a sentence. “Heaven shows no favoritism, it only assists the virtuous. Wen’er, tell Imperial Grandfather, what does this sentence mean?”
Zhu Yunwen immediately stopped his sobbing, wiped his tears with his sleeve, took a deep breath, straightened his back, and though his voice still carried a hint of crying, it was clear and logical, quoting classics.
“Reporting to Imperial Grandfather, this sentence is from the Book of Documents, ‘Cai Zhong Zhi Ming.’ It means: the vast heavens show no personal preference, they only assist those who are virtuous. It is meant to admonish rulers that the Mandate of Heaven is not eternal; only by cultivating benevolence and practicing good governance can they gain Heaven’s favor and ensure the longevity of the state.”
“In the past, King Zhou of Shang was immoral; though he received the Mandate of Heaven, he was overthrown. King Wen of Zhou cultivated virtue and, despite controlling two-thirds of the realm, still served Shang. Eventually, he received Heaven’s favor. Therefore, a ruler…”
He spoke eloquently, elaborating on this passage of classics with historical allusions, explaining it clearly and thoroughly. Finally, he did not forget to tie it back to Old Zhu: “Imperial Grandfather, from the status of a commoner, wielding a sword, you expelled the Mongols and saved the people from suffering. This is precisely how you inherited the Mandate of Heaven through immense virtue!”
“Your grandson…”
Reaching this point, he seemed to have made up his mind, his eyes becoming very resolute. “Your grandson will definitely take Imperial Grandfather as a role model, constantly remembering to cultivate virtue and conduct himself properly, so as not to fail the expectations of Imperial Grandfather and Father King!”
This exchange, not only showed a deep understanding of the classics but also cleverly linked them to current affairs, and finally, it included a discreet but resounding compliment to Old Zhu.
Old Zhu listened, nodding repeatedly, his satisfaction almost overflowing.
See! This is truly Biao’er’s son!
Benevolent, filial, intelligent, and knowledgeable!
Although he cries easily, that genuine emotion is absolutely peerless!
As long as we sculpt him properly, in time, he might well become a capable individual!
Hmph, at least he’s much better than those rude and overbearing, or deeply scheming, uncles!
Old Zhu thought to himself, but a rare, kind smile appeared on his face as he patted Zhu Yunwen’s shoulder.
“Good! Well said! Imperial Grandfather was right about you! Study hard, take care of your health, and in the future… there will be a time for you to contribute to the empire and the state!”
The words “contribute to the empire and the state” were spoken with a heavy and meaningful tone.
Zhu Yunwen was very intelligent and naturally understood the implications of these words. Two flushed, excited red hues rose on his face, his eyes welled up with tears, and he kowtowed deeply. “Your grandson will strictly heed Imperial Grandfather’s teachings! He will not disappoint!”
“Fake! All fake!”
“Get out! Get out for me—!”
Just then, a commotion could be faintly heard from outside the hall, mixed with the sounds of objects colliding and suppressed exclamations.
Old Zhu frowned.
Zhu Yunwen’s expression changed.
“Your Majesty, please do not be angry! It might be some ignorant servant…”
Consort Lü, having heard the commotion, arrived at this moment, her face full of fear and anxiety.
“Our Biao’er has only been gone a short while, and the Eastern Palace has already lost its discipline? We shall see just which ignorant servant it is!”
Saying this coldly, Old Zhu stood up from the prayer mat expressionlessly.
Consort Lü immediately prostrated herself on the ground, her voice filled with sorrow. “Your Majesty, please forgive me! It is entirely my fault for not properly educating His Highness Yunteng. It is my mistake. If you wish to punish, punish me!”
“Yunteng?”
Old Zhu was slightly taken aback, seeming somewhat incredulous. “Was that commotion just now from Zhu Yunteng?”
At this moment, Zhu Yunwen, who was kneeling beside him, also spoke. “Imperial Grandfather, please do not be angry. It is all my fault for not teaching my younger brother properly. It is my mistake. I beg Imperial Grandfather to forgive his transgression, considering Father King’s recent passing and Yunteng’s still-unhealed grief!”
“Because your Father King’s grief is not yet healed?”
Old Zhu sneered. “Very well! We shall go and see this ‘good son’ who is not yet healed from his grief! Good grandson!”
Having said that, he walked out of the side hall.
