Chapter 10: He Was Attempting the Impossible

“W-we simply cannot stand by and watch Yunrong and Yunwen turn against each other as brothers, can we?” Although Zhu Yuanzhang understood the current situation, his voice still betrayed his deep reluctance.

Old Zhu, who had always valued family above all, despised nothing more than seeing his descendants tear each other apart.

Tang He sighed deeply inwardly, thinking, ‘What family bonds can there be in a royal house?’ Yet he still advised, “Ascending the throne won’t lead to that! Your humble servant believes that His Highness Yunrong would never commit such acts.”

“Wait!”

At the very moment Tang He’s voice fell, Zhu Yunrong inside the Qianqing Palace also spoke up, ordering them to stop.

Xie Cheng turned back, puzzled, looking at Zhu Yunrong. “Highness Yunrong, he has taken everything that was rightfully yours. Killing him will relieve your anger!”

Lan Yu and the others frowned at Zhu Yunrong.

Perhaps in their minds, enemies were meant to be completely eliminated—only then could one truly savor the justice of revenge.

Zhu Yunrong could not help but shake his head internally, regarding these butchers’ political insight with disdain, though his expression remained calm and composed. “Uncle, and all the uncles and elders here, it is not that Yunrong is soft-hearted. It’s just that killing them now would be easy.”

“But have you thought about how I should respond if the civil officials ask after I have slain a brother and mother?”

“Would anyone still support me, a grandson who has killed his own brother and mother?”

Though Lady Lü was not Zhu Yunrong’s birth mother, in the eyes of Confucian scholars, a stepmother was still a mother. The principles of human relationships and morality were things those pedantic scholars constantly preached.

“What’s there to fear? At worst, we’ll just cut down those officials too,” Zhu Shou said arrogantly, lifting his head with fierce determination.

Surprisingly, many nobles from Huai West nodded in agreement with him.

Zhu Yunrong felt even more disappointed in the Huai West nobles. Just as he was about to present his prepared argument, someone stepped forward.

“Kill, kill, kill? Zhu Shou, all you know is fighting and killing. If you kill all the civil officials, who will govern the country for His Highness Yunrong? You, Zhu Shou, or us brutes who only know how to fight?”

“Zhang Wen, you...”

Zhu Shou opened his mouth to retort, but Lan Yu shot him a sharp glare that silenced him.

“Yunrong, what do you intend to do?”

Lan Yu once again threw the question to Zhu Yunrong.

Zhu Yunrong’s gaze swept briefly over Lady Lü and her son, his eyes showing nothing but indifference.

“Send them back to the Eastern Palace first. I believe Grandfather Emperor, if he still watches from heaven, would not want me to strike down my own brother. As for the grievances against Mother and Elder Brother, Uncle and all the uncles can be assured that Yunrong will seek justice for them.”

---

“This... sigh, very well!” Although Lan Yu was somewhat disappointed, he sighed and nodded.

As for Chang Sheng, he said nothing, instead picking up Lady Lü and Zhu Yunwen from the ground and turned to leave. “I will personally escort them back to the Eastern Palace. I am familiar with that place, so leave them in my care.”

Indeed, as the younger brother of the former Crown Princess, Chang Sheng was well acquainted with the Eastern Palace, having visited often in the past.

Behind the wall, Zhu Yuanzhang finally relaxed his tense body somewhat as he watched this scene, his gaze resting on Zhu Yunrong’s upright, pine-like figure with a complex expression.

“Alas! Yunrong has truly suffered these years... I...”

His words choked off into a sob.

It was clear that Old Zhu truly regretted, or perhaps Zhu Yunrong himself felt guilt.

But moments later, he frowned again. “Alas! Such a kind-hearted grandson, yet how can he control fierce warriors like Lan Xiao’er and the others?”

Those who knew Zhu Yuanzhang well—Feng Sheng and Tang He—felt a pang in their hearts at his words.

They could tell that Zhu Yuanzhang had harbored murderous intentions toward Lan Yu and the others, perhaps out of guilt and a desire to clear obstacles for Zhu Yunrong.

But such matters were delicate, and they dared not speak out. They could only be secretly cautious and plan to leave Yingtian as soon as possible after tomorrow.

While the three of them harbored their own thoughts in the secret chamber, changes once again stirred within the Qianqing Palace.

Lan Yu cast a glance toward the dragon throne, then a meaningful expression—part sorrow, part relief—curved his lips.

Perhaps a touch of greed as well, a yearning for even greater power.

Turning back, Lan Yu’s gaze fell on Zhu Yunrong, and after a long pause, he spoke softly, “Yunrong, you called us into the palace late at night; surely it was not merely to watch this drama unfold, was it?”

As the conversation finally reached the heart of the matter, the other Huai West nobles turned their eyes toward Zhu Yunrong.

Perhaps earlier they were truly angry, but after all, they bore no familial ties with Zhu Yunrong. Their entry into the palace was merely to gain merit and advance their own standing.

When Zhu Yuanzhang was still alive and holding them in check, these fierce warriors had been somewhat restrained.

But now that Zhu Yuanzhang had passed away, if they supported Zhu Yunrong’s ascent, they would surely receive greater honor and privileges. Then...

Zhu Yunrong’s gaze swept over each face before him, reading every expression in detail.

What he saw was greed—endless greed.

It was as if before him did not stand the founding nobles of the Ming dynasty, but a pack of starving wolves, their eyes gleaming green with hunger.

Shaking his head, a murderous intent rose within him.

Over the years, these Huai West nobles had abused their merits to commit countless acts that incited popular resentment, something Zhu Yunrong knew only too well.

They had indulged their household slaves, distant relatives, and even adopted sons in wholesale seizure of peasant lands. Often, these disputes had even led to deaths.

Zhu Yuanzhang himself had reprimanded them more than once...

Yet in the end, after a brief period of restraint, they always returned to their old ways.

Now they desired even more power from him. If they succeeded, would not the people of the realm once again suffer the chaos reminiscent of the late Yuan dynasty?

Zhu Yunrong did not wish to see such a scene, but had no better choice. To seize the throne in the wake of Zhu Yuanzhang’s passing, he had no option but to rely on these men.

Thus, though deeply reluctant, Zhu Yunrong offered Lan Yu and the others a gentle smile.

“Uncle, esteemed uncles! I have summoned you to the palace late at night not merely to watch a play. Now that Grandfather Emperor has suddenly passed, the imperial court will inevitably plunge into a struggle for power.”

“I do not wish to see the Ming fall into chaos so soon after its founding, so I ask for your support.”

“If I succeed in ascending to the throne and stabilizing the realm, I will surely reward you handsomely...”

Having spoken, Zhu Yunrong bowed deeply to Lan Yu and the others.

Before they could reply, Zhu Yuanzhang, hidden behind the wall, witnessed this scene and once again erupted in fury.

“Traitorous grandson... traitorous grandson! What is he doing? Is he bargaining with the tiger’s hide?”

“Is he dragging the Great Ming into an abyss from which there is no return?”

...