Volume One, Chapter 20: Zhu Yuanzhang Abdicates, Letting Zhu Biao Ascend the Throne

“Father, the Divine Doctor Xia’s words are but wild boasts; you must not take them seriously!” Zhu Biao sat up excitedly from his sickbed, only to be pressed back down by Zhu Yuanzhang.

“Biao’er, you were just revived by Divine Doctor Xia. Rest well first,” Zhu Yuanzhang said gently.

“Divine Doctor Xia, please take good care of my son, the Crown Prince. I will consider what you have said,” Zhu Yuanzhang added.

Xia Jingtian sighed inwardly. Zhu Yuanzhang had indeed grown wiser and more composed with age. Ten years had passed, and he was steadier and more experienced than before.

In contrast, Zhu Biao had become timid and cautious, no longer the bold and spirited young man he was a decade ago.

“Son, I will help you to the second-floor ward!” Zhu Xiongying said hurriedly.

Zhu Xiongying supported Zhu Biao as they ascended to the second floor, to the luxurious ward he had once occupied. Empress Ma followed behind them.

Xia Jingtian intended to accompany them but was stopped by Zhu Yuanzhang.

“Divine Doctor Xia, my Crown Prince is overly kindhearted. Do you think he is fit to be emperor?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked curiously.

“Your Majesty, conquering a realm demands decisiveness and ruthlessness; governing it requires benevolence. Besides, I do not believe the Crown Prince is truly meek. He has been Crown Prince for many years and knows how to handle state affairs. But the role of emperor is different — there are many matters that cannot be understood without sitting on the throne. With Your Majesty’s presence, no one dares to act recklessly against the Crown Prince. In a few years, he can become a competent emperor. But if you keep him as Crown Prince without enthroning him, when you pass away, do you really think he can command the loyalty of ministers and generals?”

After speaking, Xia Jingtian ascended to the second floor and entered the lavish ward.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched Xia Jingtian’s retreating figure thoughtfully.

“Your Highness, Crown Prince, please change into these patient clothes,” Xia Jingtian said, pulling the garments from a cabinet.

“All right, Divine Doctor Xia, I will change. What you just said was quite rebellious. Luckily, Father did not lose his temper; in the past, he would have had your head for such words,” Zhu Biao shook his head.

Xia Jingtian smiled, noting that Zhu Biao no longer possessed the courage and daring he had ten years ago.

Back then, when Zhu Xiongying contracted smallpox, Zhu Biao had the courage to stand in front of Zhu Yuanzhang to prevent him from entering. Now, he was meek and fearful before the emperor.

“Your Highness, you will be emperor sooner or later. Do you not wish to ascend the throne? Or do you intend to yield it to someone else?” Xia Jingtian teased with a smile.

For a moment, Zhu Biao was silenced, glancing at Zhu Xiongying and Empress Ma, unsure of what to say.

“Biao’er, you change your clothes now. Your mother will leave first. Xiongying, take good care of your father. I will prepare some food and bring it over,” Empress Ma said.

After ten years, Empress Ma still maintained the habit of cooking for her family — a habit unchanged through the years.

Descending to the first floor, Empress Ma found Zhu Yuanzhang standing by the entrance, gazing out into the courtyard.

“Zhongba, are you pondering what Divine Doctor Xia said earlier?” Empress Ma asked.

“Sister, you want us to pass the throne to the eldest and have me become the Retired Emperor!” Zhu Yuanzhang replied.

“If not for Divine Doctor Xia saving Biao’er’s life today, he might not have survived. He’s never even been emperor for a single day in this lifetime! And you have ruled for over twenty years, at such an age, still managing state affairs daily. Aren’t you tired? Over the past decade, Biao’er has become increasingly obedient and fearful of you. At this rate, when you’re gone, it’s uncertain if he can hold onto the throne,” Empress Ma sighed.

Her words echoed those of Xia Jingtian. Zhu Yuanzhang let out a deep breath.

He too had noticed that over the past ten years, under his guidance, Zhu Biao had grown obedient but lost the sharpness and vigor of his youth. Always enduring, always compliant.

Their recent quarrel over the Lan Yu affair had left Zhu Biao so suppressed that he died suddenly from anger.

Empress Ma’s words were a revelation. If Zhu Biao had died today, he would have truly never been emperor even for a day.

“Sister, let me think this over carefully,” Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Together, they left the clinic and returned to the palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang resumed his governance duties while Empress Ma went to the imperial kitchen to prepare congee for Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao had changed into his patient clothes and lay on the bed.

“Sigh, ten years ago, Xiongying was treated here; ten years later, I lie on this very bed again. Divine Doctor Xia, for you only a day has passed, but for me, ten years. So many things have happened... I truly feel exhausted, so very exhausted,” Zhu Biao murmured, slowly closing his eyes and drifting to sleep.

Zhu Xiongying tucked the blanket over Zhu Biao and followed Xia Jingtian out of the ward.

“Divine Doctor Xia, after ten years apart, I truly missed you and the month we spent treating patients at the clinic. You wouldn’t believe it, but I even had running water, a shower, and a flush toilet installed in the palace. It’s a pity we can’t have televisions to watch cartoons. That month at the clinic was the happiest time of my childhood,” Zhu Xiongying said warmly.

Xia Jingtian looked at Zhu Xiongying, who had grown into a tall, handsome young man. Ten years ago, he was just an eight-year-old boy; now he towered even over him.

“There are televisions even in the three-person wards. You can watch as much as you want!” Xia Jingtian smiled.

Soon after, Empress Ma arrived with food for Zhu Biao. Three days passed.

Zhu Biao’s health had recovered fully; he could move about freely and had returned to normal.

Because Xia Jingtian had saved Zhu Biao’s life today, he also gifted him a thousand taels of gold and several antiques from the Tang and Song dynasties.

The Time-Space Divine Doctor System appeared before Xia Jingtian.

[Congratulations, host, on successfully treating Zhu Biao. You have gained 12,000 merit points and acquired Zhu Biao’s civil and military abilities.]

Host: Xia Jingtian
Merit: 18,500 points
Wealth: 88 million yuan

Xia Jingtian was immensely pleased upon seeing the system’s rewards. Having been Crown Prince for over twenty years, Zhu Biao possessed the strongest comprehensive abilities among Crown Princes.

That day, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the clinic once more. Seeing Zhu Biao fully recovered, he was overjoyed.

“Eldest, are you all right now?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked with concern.

“Father, Divine Doctor Xia’s medical skills are extraordinary. I am well now,” Zhu Biao replied calmly.

“In these past days, I have been pondering Divine Doctor Xia’s words. He is right. It is time for me to abdicate. You shall ascend the throne, and I will become the Retired Emperor, tending the garden and raising fish with your mother, living a peaceful and leisurely life,” Zhu Yuanzhang said softly.

Zhu Biao was stunned. He never expected his stubborn father to accept Xia Jingtian’s advice and let him be emperor while he himself became Retired Emperor.