Chapter 39: Uncle Thirteen is quite arrogant, isn't he?

"Reporting to Your Highness, there is no news from our covert agents in the various regions as of yet, but I expect word within a day or two. Given the timeline, the regional princes should have all received news of His Majesty's passing by now," Song Zhong said, bowing low.

Standing to the side, Jiang Huan added, "Your Highness, if we calculate the time, the imperial decree should reach the princes' fiefdoms by the day after tomorrow at the latest."

"Hmm," Zhu Yunxie nodded slightly, then looked toward Song Zhong and instructed sternly, "Ignore the other princes for the moment. The most important thing is to keep a close watch on the Prince of Yan’s estate in Beiping, especially that monk named Daoyan who stays by my Fourth Uncle’s side. He is an妖monk who wishes for nothing but chaos in the world. You must keep a tight watch on him and report even the slightest movement immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness! I shall notify our agents in Beiping at once," Song Zhong bowed and retreated.

A flash of astonishment crossed the depths of Jiang Huan’s eyes. As the former commander of the Jinyiwei, he naturally knew of the existence of the monk Daoyan by Zhu Di's side. However, even he did not know the specific reason why Daoyan remained with the Prince of Yan. How did Zhu Yunxie, who had lived in the Eastern Palace and been suppressed for so long, know that Daoyan was a wicked monk?

*No! I must inform His Majesty of this news as soon as possible.*

"Jiang Huan, go and summon the Prince of Dai, Zhu Gui; the Prince of Su, Zhu Ying; the Prince of Liao, Zhu Zhi; the Prince of Qing, Zhu Zhan; and the Prince of Ning, Zhu Quan to see me."

Just as Jiang Huan was lost in thought, Zhu Yunxie’s voice suddenly rang in his ears. The princes named by Zhu Yunxie were all born after the tenth year of the Hongwu era and were still minors who had not yet been sent to their fiefs. At this moment, they were in the rear hall of the Qianqing Palace, keeping watch over the spirit of Zhu Yuanzhang. Although Jiang Huan did not understand why Zhu Yunxie was calling for them at such a time, he dared not delay and, after receiving the order, hurried toward the rear hall.

Before long, the five underage princes, including the Prince of Dai and the Prince of Su, followed Jiang Huan into the front hall of the Qianqing Palace.

"Zhu Yunxie, don't you know we are all keeping vigil for our Imperial Father? Why have you summoned us uncles here?"

The speaker was the Thirteenth Prince, the Prince of Dai, Zhu Gui, who was the most hot-tempered among them. Born to Consort Guo, he was not a legitimate son, but since the passing of Empress Ma, the inner palace had been managed by the biological daughter of Guo Zixing. Though she lacked the title of Empress, she possessed the reality of one. Consequently, Zhu Gui had always been arrogant in the palace; he didn't care about the current Zhu Yunxie, and even when Zhu Yunwen was in favor, he spoke without a shred of courtesy.

A look of displeasure crossed Zhu Yunxie’s eyes, which Jiang Huan immediately noticed. Jiang Huan, who had managed to stay in power even under the temperamental Old Zhu, immediately barked at Zhu Gui and the others, "Prince of Dai, His Highness is now the future ruler; you must not be insolent."

"Heh! Insolent? Jiang Huan, what kind of mangy dog are you?"

Zhu Gui was incredibly blunt, pointing at Jiang Huan’s nose and cursing, "Even if he, Zhu Yunxie, truly ascends the throne, so what? I am still his uncle. How dare you, Jiang Huan, try to manage me disciplining my nephew?"

Arrogant—truly, far too arrogant. It was impossible to tell whether this was Zhu Gui’s natural disposition or if he was putting on a performance. Regardless, the formerly composed expression on Zhu Yunxie’s face turned gloomy. Whether Zhu Gui was acting or not, Zhu Yunxie had no intention of letting his arrogance continue.

"Jiang Huan, take him down."

"Sanbao, go yourself to the palace of Grandmother Guo and invite her here."

With two consecutive orders issued, Jiang Huan and Ma Sanbao immediately sprang into action. Jiang Huan didn't need any weapons to handle someone like Zhu Gui; he flashed forward, caught Zhu Gui’s arm with a swift grappling move, and subdued him. He then kicked the back of Zhu Gui’s knees, forcing him to drop to his knees on the golden tiles in pain. Ma Sanbao glanced at Zhu Gui and walked out of the Qianqing Palace.

"Heh! Thirteenth Uncle, you are quite arrogant, aren't you?"

Zhu Yunxie stepped out from behind the dragon-carved desk and strolled over to Zhu Gui. Zhu Gui, face flushed with anger as he struggled, looked up and glared at him. "Zhu Yunxie, you usurper, what right do you have to criticize me? I am your own uncle! Have this dog Jiang Huan let me go at once!"

*Slap! Slap!*

The moment the words left Zhu Gui’s mouth, he felt a burning pain across his face. Zhu Yunxie slowly withdrew his hand, blew on his slightly reddened palm, and continued to look down at Zhu Gui.

"Thirteenth Uncle certainly has a way with words! And you have quite the attitude as well. I just wonder if your skin is thick enough. If you don't think it hurts, I still have Imperial Grandfather’s back-scratcher here. Would you like to try it?"

"You..."

Zhu Gui’s eyes were wide enough to pop. He had expected that by relying on his mother’s status and his seniority, he could easily manipulate the usually weak and timid Zhu Yunxie, and perhaps secure a wealthy, luxurious fief after Zhu Yunxie’s ascension. He never expected that Zhu Yunxie, who had always been subservient and avoided him at the Great Ben Hall, would be so aggressive today. Not only had he slapped him twice, but he dared to threaten him with the late Emperor’s back-scratcher.

"Yunxie..."

Prince of Ning, Zhu Quan, flickered his eyes, wanting to speak up to persuade him. He saw Zhu Yunxie turn and grin at him. "What is it, Seventeenth Uncle? Do you also want to taste the power of Imperial Grandfather’s back-scratcher?"

"No, no, no, Your Highness, don't joke," Zhu Quan was a man who knew how to read the room; he was not yet the Prince of Ning who would dare to launch a rebellion alongside Zhu Di. "I... no, I didn't mean anything else. I just wanted to remind Your Highness that Thirteenth Brother is the biological son of Consort Guo."

"Haha! Seventeenth Uncle, do not worry. Even if Grandmother Guo comes, I will still slap him just the same."

"Oh my! Zhu Quan, you unfilial son, what trouble have you caused for your mother now?"

The moment Zhu Yunxie’s voice faded, a slightly aged female voice echoed from outside the Qianqing Palace. Before long, two palace maids were seen supporting Consort Guo, who was dressed in hemp mourning clothes, as she entered.

"Grandmother Guo, please, watch your step."

Seeing this, Zhu Yunxie quickly stepped forward to support her, his tone filled with nervousness and courtesy. Consort Guo paused, her gaze lingering on Zhu Yunxie for a long time before a kind yet incomparably bitter smile appeared on her face. She reached out and patted the back of Zhu Yunxie’s hand lightly, saying, "Yunxie is truly a good child. Grandmother Guo is fine, I am fine! It is just that I am angry at your Thirteenth Uncle for not living up to expectations; I could almost beat him to death myself."

Having spent so many years by Zhu Yuanzhang’s side and having solely managed the inner palace after Empress Ma, Consort Guo did not rely on her status as Guo Zixing’s daughter alone; her political acumen was also quite profound. When she received the message from Ma Sanbao, she knew for certain that her son had offended the new monarch, Zhu Yunxie. Her current performance was merely to draw closer to Zhu Yunxie and, incidentally, stage a bit of a "bitter meat" ruse.