Chapter 7: In This World, Nothing Is More Painful Than This!
Although his heart was filled with grievance, Old Zhu ignored everyone present.
He strode directly into the Main Hall, extended his slightly rough palm, and before Zhu Biao’s coffin, trembled, not daring to touch it.
This was his most beloved Son, and the Crown Prince in whom he placed all his hopes.
Old Zhu had killed countless people in his life, and he did not want his most beloved Son to be a crude person like himself.
Therefore, from a young age, he hired the best famous teachers for him and personally tutored him.
After finally waiting for him to grow up, he arranged the strongest Eastern Palace team in history for him, making him a true de facto acting emperor.
He thought he could retire easily in another two years.
Unexpectedly, the elder saw the younger pass away.
At this moment, he truly wished to cry out loudly, “Heaven, why are you so unkind to my Son?”
But he was the Emperor, the supreme ruler of the Great Ming Dynasty. He could not cry out; he could only bury his boundless grief in the depths of his heart.
Until a slightly choked voice rang out: “Imperial Grandfather, Father King asked me to tell you that although he is gone, the rivers and mountains of the Great Ming Dynasty remain. Please take good care of yourself.”
“Biao’er!”
Upon hearing this, Old Zhu could no longer suppress his inner grief and wept brokenly, tears streaming down his face.
The world says it is good to be an Emperor, but no one knows how helpless an Emperor is.
Even if one possesses the entire realm, and one’s anger can fell a million bodies, so what?
Is it not still facing birth, aging, sickness, and death!
If one did not possess supreme power, birth, aging, sickness, and death would be nothing out of the ordinary. But to possess supreme power and still be unable to change everything, that is the greatest suffering.
“Imperial Grandfather! You must take good care of yourself!”
Seeing that Old Zhu was also unsteady on his feet, Zhu Yunwen quickly let go of Consort Lü’s hand and stepped forward to support Old Zhu: “Your Grandson has lost his Father King; he cannot lose his Imperial Grandfather. If you harm your dragon body, it would be your Grandson’s unfilial act!”
Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen’s younger brothers and sisters behind him exchanged glances.
But some reacted quickly, not much slower than Zhu Yunwen: “Imperial Grandfather’s back is not good! Our father has always been worried about it! Quick! Quick, bring a chair! Add a cushion!”
“Yes! Your Majesty, please rest!”
Consort Lü naturally would not be outdone, especially as Imperial Grandsons other than Zhu Yunwen expressed their filial piety. She immediately raised her vigilance: “Guards! Bring a cup of Ginseng Tea for His Majesty!”
“No need. I know you all have filial hearts. I know.”
Old Zhu waved his hand with a look of relief, then his gaze fell back on Zhu Yunwen. Looking at his face, thinned by excessive grief, he could not help but say, “Although you are filial to your parents, you must also take care of yourself!”
“Imperial Grandfather! As a son, being filial to one’s parents is only natural, and mourning for one’s father is the same. Your Grandson only regrets that he could not suffer misfortune in his father’s stead.”
“Alas!”
Old Zhu sighed, tears slowly falling again. He couldn’t help but reach out and touch Zhu Yunwen’s head: “You foolish child! Foolish child!”
He knew that Zhu Yunwen had stayed by Zhu Biao’s side day and night before his death, personally attending to his meals and medicine, and had not undressed for months. This deed greatly increased his good impression of this pure and utterly filial Grandson.
A thought arose in his heart.
Perhaps they were right. It was time to consider establishing the Crown Prince.
On the other side, in Yingtian Prefecture, the Ten Princes’ Mansion.
This was the mansion built by Old Zhu for the ten enfeoffed princes, including Prince Qin, Prince Jin, and Prince Yan.
It was specifically for enfeoffed princes to reside temporarily when they returned to the capital for audience, or for imperial princes who had not yet been enfeoffed to reside temporarily.
Originally, according to the rules set by Old Zhu, enfeoffed princes were not allowed to enter the capital without imperial decree. However, Zhu Biao’s death was a special circumstance, so they were all permitted to return to the capital to mourn.
But while residing in the Ten Princes’ Mansion, they had to be managed uniformly by the court.
Therefore, even the high-ranking enfeoffed princes like Prince Qin Zhu Shuang, Prince Jin Zhu Gang, and Prince Yan Zhu Di had to obediently submit to management.
They were not allowed to engage in any special treatment.
“Tomorrow is the day of eldest brother’s burial! We will probably have to go our separate ways again!” In a garden within the Ten Princes’ Mansion, Prince Jin Zhu Gang looked at the garden scenery and sighed for no reason.
Not far away, Prince Qin Zhu Shuang looked at him with a hint of amusement: “What, you’re still reluctant?”
“Second Brother, please don’t joke. Do you not know Father’s personality?” Zhu Gang immediately put on a stern face.
Zhu Shuang, however, was dismissive: “Eldest brother is gone, and I am also very sad. But we are in the imperial family, and family matters are also state affairs. Currently, Father is delaying establishing the Crown Prince, causing unrest among all officials, which is really inappropriate!”
After speaking, he turned his head to look at Prince Yan Zhu Di beside him and raised an eyebrow: “What do you say, Fourth Brother?”
“Second Brother, mind your words!”
Zhu Di’s expression darkened, and he then said coldly, “We are enfeoffed princes, and our duty is to guard our respective regions! Even if Imperial Father has shown kindness by allowing us to return to the capital to mourn, it is out of our brotherhood! Now, with eldest brother’s body not yet cold, how can we speak rashly about establishing the Crown Prince?”
Zhu Shuang sneered disdainfully: “My Fourth Brother is still so righteous. No wonder Eldest Brother repeatedly spoke well of you to Father back then!”
“It seems that the position of Crown Prince has your Prince Yan…”
“Enough!”
Before Zhu Shuang could finish speaking, Zhu Di interrupted him with an angry shout. Then he scanned his brothers, took a deep breath, steadied himself, and composed his emotions. He said expressionlessly, “I am tired. I will go back to rest!”
With that, he turned and left without another word.
Leaving behind the assembled enfeoffed princes, exchanging glances.
“What! What does Fourth Brother mean by that? He dared to yell at me?!”
Watching Zhu Di leave, Zhu Shuang’s expression was unpredictable. He turned to the other princes and complained.
But none of the princes paid him any attention. They just smiled awkwardly and then also left.
Only when only Zhu Gang and he remained did Zhu Gang say with a laugh and teasing tone: “Why bother testing Fourth Brother? Even if he had the ambition, he wouldn’t have the opportunity!”
“I just can’t stand Eldest Brother being so good to him back then. It felt like he had a chance!” Zhu Shuang said resentfully.
Zhu Gang replied noncommittally: “Compared to him, I’m more worried about Eldest Brother’s sons right now!”
“Why are you worried about them? According to propriety, it should be our turn!”
“Yes! Propriety! What I’m most worried about right now is propriety!”
“What do you mean? Do you really think they have a better chance than us?” Zhu Shuang asked nervously.
Zhu Gang gave him a half-smiling glance, then turned away, saying leisurely: “If we go by propriety, Eldest Brother’s mausoleum would not have been built to imitate an imperial tomb. If we go by propriety, Father would not be mourning Eldest Brother. If we go by propriety…”
He paused here and then sighed, “Forget it. What’s the point of saying so much? Our Father doesn’t follow propriety at all!”
“But if he doesn’t follow propriety, then what does he follow?” Zhu Shuang asked blankly.
Zhu Gang stopped in his tracks, then looked up at the sky. After a long while, he murmured, “Perhaps he follows love…”
“Love?”
“Yes! The love that extends to those related to the beloved!”
“Absurd!” Zhu Shuang scoffed: “You’re saying Father’s love for us is not as great as his love for Eldest Brother’s sons?!”
Zhu Gang shook his head with a wry smile and then walked away without another word.
When you know the truth but are powerless to do anything, there is nothing more painful in this world!
