Chapter 8: Primogeniture And Grandson Succession System
Old Zhu’s love for Zhu Biao was undeniable.
Even if his love extended to everything related to him, it was undeniable.
Zhu Gang could understand, because he was the third son, and according to the rules of seniority, his chances were slim.
But Zhu Shuang didn’t understand, because he was the second son, and after Zhu Biao’s death, he felt he had the best chance.
However, the reality was that he thought too much.
Let’s not even mention how much trouble he caused when Zhu Biao was alive, but with his character, it’s no wonder even Zhu Yunwen looked down on him.
He didn’t even have a shred of self-awareness.
As for Zhu Di, after leaving the Prince Yan’s Mansion garden, he returned alone to his own Prince Yan’s Mansion.
It was less a Prince Yan’s Mansion and more like a large courtyard.
There wasn’t any luxurious furniture inside, and not even a decent maid or servant.
However, Zhu Di didn’t care about any of this, because his Prince Yan’s Mansion in Beiping had everything.
“Father! You’re back so soon?”
Seeing Zhu Di enter the Prince Yan’s Mansion with a serious expression, the chubby Zhu Gaochi immediately greeted him with a respectful smile.
Behind him, Zhu Gaochi stood up straight without a word, his appearance very similar to Zhu Di’s.
“Mm.”
Zhu Di nodded, then looked up at his two sons. He paused slightly, then frowned and asked, “Where is Gao Sui?”
“Third brother…”
Zhu Gaochi glanced at Zhu Gaochi hesitantly, then said cautiously, “He went to the Imperial Guard’s yamen.”
“Nonsense!”
Zhu Di’s face sank. “Why would he go to the Imperial Guard’s yamen at this time?!”
“He said he was bored and wanted to serve.”
“That rebellious son!”
Zhu Di grunted, then looked at Zhu Gaochi with a stern face. “Go call that rebellious son back! Gaochi! You come inside with me!”
“Yes!”
The two brothers exchanged a look and immediately bowed to accept the order.
Soon, Zhu Gaochi left the Prince Yan’s Mansion, while Zhu Gaochi followed Zhu Di into the study inside the mansion.
“Gaochi! You are the eldest! And you are more sensible than your younger brothers. There are some things Father can only tell you, do you understand?”
Zhu Di sat in his chair, looking at Zhu Gaochi with a serious expression.
Zhu Gaochi frowned slightly, then asked cautiously, “Father, did something happen in the palace?”
“Don’t ask about things you shouldn’t know. Now, listen to your father. After the Crown Prince is buried tomorrow, Father and your uncles will definitely be driven out of the Capital City by your Imperial Grandfather!”
“It’s easier for Father, but I’m afraid your uncles might make some moves and implicate us in the end!”
Speaking of which, Zhu Di’s brows furrowed, as if he had made a decision. He then continued, “Therefore, Father’s idea is to temporarily keep you in the Capital City. One is to reassure your Imperial Grandfather, and the second is to show goodwill to the new Crown Prince, do you understand?”
“Ah?” Zhu Gaochi’s face changed, and he couldn’t help but say, “Does Imperial Grandfather already have a candidate for the new Crown Prince?”
As soon as he spoke, he felt something was wrong and quickly lowered his head to beg for forgiveness: “Father King, forgive me!”
“Hmph!”
Zhu Di snorted coldly. “If there’s a next time, you’ll go get twenty military cudgels yourself!”
“Yes.”
Zhu Gaochi broke out in a cold sweat and quickly responded in a low voice.
Zhu Di looked at him with a complex expression, sighing helplessly. This son was good in all aspects, but he wasn’t like him! The one who was like him had no brains!
As for the one who was neither like him nor had brains, forget it, no need to mention him!
“Knock, knock, knock!”
Just as Zhu Di was having a headache over his three sons, a knock on the door suddenly sounded from outside, followed by an announcement: “My Lord! Ma Sanbao requests an audience!”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Di immediately composed himself and instructed the person outside the door, “Let him in!”
Soon, a young man who looked like an eunuch quickly walked in from outside the door: “Greetings, my Lord!”
“Mm, what is it?”
“Replying to my Lord, this is what happened in the Imperial Court today!”
Ma Sanbao handed over a memorial without a word.
Zhu Di took the memorial, slowly unfolded it, and began to read it word by word. Only after reading all the contents of the memorial did he ask with a strange expression, “Who is this Censor Zhang?”
“Replying to my Lord, your subordinate has sent people to investigate. This person is a solitary official, with no faction, not even parents or relatives. It is said that when the plague broke out, his entire family and village died. He is a Jinshi scholar from the Hongwu 20th Year.”
“No wonder he dared to die for a cause. He probably already had the will to die…”
Zhu Di nodded as if he suddenly understood, then sighed and closed the memorial. “Are the preparations to return to Beiping all done?”
“They are all ready, we can depart at any time!”
“Good! Let me send my eldest brother off one last time!”
On the other side, in the Emperor’s imperial study.
Old Zhu looked at the memorial submitted by Jiang Huan, his brows furrowed, showing no discernible emotion.
It wasn’t until a gust of wind blew in from the window, rustling his gray-white hair, that he sighed and muttered, “So he’s also a tragic person, just like us…”
“Then what is His Majesty’s intention?”
“Hmph! So what if he’s a tragic person? Does being a tragic person give him the right to act recklessly and boldly? Investigate him! No matter what his intentions are! He must be kept alive until the truth comes to light!”
Jiang Huan’s heart stirred, and he immediately withdrew.
Not long after, Old Zhu looked at the young eunuch Yun Ming beside him and said calmly, “Yun Ming, go summon Liu Sanwu!”
“Yes!”
Yun Ming responded and soon left.
After about two quarters of an hour, Liu Sanwu, a Hanlin Academy Scholar, respectfully entered the imperial study.
“This minister, Liu Sanwu, greets His Majesty. May His Majesty live ten thousand years…”
“Enough! I’m annoyed just hearing ‘ten thousand years’! Come here!”
Before Liu Sanwu could finish his bow, Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him impatiently.
Seeing this, Liu Sanwu’s heart suddenly tightened, and he quickly stepped forward to receive his reprimand.
Old Zhu spoke first: “What do you think of today’s events?”
“Uh, what matter is His Majesty referring to?”
“What, are you playing coy with me now? Hmm?”
“This minister dare not—!”
Liu Sanwu knelt down with a thud and said fearfully, “This minister’s mind is a bit confused. Too many things happened today. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”
“Mind is confused?”
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled. “My mind is also confused. It’s all that brat Zhang Biao’s fault!”
Upon hearing this, Liu Sanwu’s eyes darted, and he immediately probed, “Is Your Majesty referring to the matter of the Crown Prince?”
Old Zhu narrowed his eyes, then asked deeply, “Who do you think I should establish?”
Liu Sanwu said, “When a son dies, his grandson inherits; this is proper etiquette!”
“What etiquette?”
“The Primogeniture and Grandson Succession System!”
“You mean, establish my grandson?” Old Zhu frowned.
Liu Sanwu said earnestly, “His Highness the Second Imperial Grandson is benevolent and filial, and the world’s hearts are with him. He can bring peace to the land!”
Old Zhu pondered for a moment, but could not make up his mind. “Enough, you may go down first. Let me think about it some more!”
“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”
“Go down!!”
Old Zhu waved his hand impatiently.
Liu Sanwu came in a hurry and left in a hurry.
