Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 8 The System of Succession by Firstborn Son [New Book, Please Add to Favorites]

Old Zhu's love for Zhu Biao was beyond question.

Even if he loves the house because of its owner, there's nothing to say.

Zhu Gang could understand, because he was the third son, and according to the rule of seniority, his chances were slim.

Zhu Shuang didn't understand because he was the second son, and after Zhu Biao's death, he felt he had the best chance.

But the truth is, he was overthinking it.

Putting aside how much trouble Zhu Biao caused when he was around, it's no wonder Zhu Yunwen looked down on him because of his character.

They don't even have a shred of self-awareness.

As for Zhu Di, after leaving the garden of the Ten Princes' Mansion, he returned alone to his own Prince Yan's Mansion.

It's more like a large courtyard house than the Prince of Yan's mansion.

There was no luxurious furniture inside, and not even a decent maid or servant.

However, Zhu Di didn't care about any of this, because he had everything he needed in his Prince Yan's mansion in Beiping.

"Father! You're back so soon?"

Seeing Zhu Di enter the Prince of Yan's residence with a serious expression, the chubby Zhu Gaochi immediately greeted him with a respectful smile.

Zhu Gaoxu, who followed behind him, stood straight without saying a word, looking very similar to Zhu Di.

"Ah."

Zhu Di nodded, then glanced at his two sons, paused slightly, and frowned, asking, "Where is Gao Sui?"

"My third brother..."

Zhu Gaochi glanced at Zhu Gaoxu with slight hesitation, then cautiously said, "He went to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters."

"Nonsense!"

Zhu Di's face darkened: "Why are you going to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office at this time?!"

"They said they were bored and wanted to take a job."

"This traitor!"

Zhu Di gave a low shout, then looked at Zhu Gaoxu with a stern face: "Go and call that rebellious son back! Gao Chi! You come in with me!"

"Yes!"

The two brothers exchanged a glance and immediately bowed to accept the order.

Soon, Zhu Gaoxu left the Prince of Yan's residence, while Zhu Gaochi followed Zhu Di into the study inside the residence.

"Gao Chi! You're the eldest! And you're more sensible than your brothers. If there's anything your father has to say, he can only say it to you, do you understand?"

Zhu Di sat in the chair, looking at Zhu Gaochi with a serious expression.

Zhu Gaochi frowned slightly, then asked cautiously, "Father, has something happened in the palace?"

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't know. Now, listen to your father. After the Crown Prince's burial tomorrow, your grandfather will definitely banish your father and all of you uncles from the capital!"

"Father is fine, but I'm worried that your uncles might do something underhanded and end up dragging us down with them!"

At this point, Zhu Di frowned, as if he had made up his mind, and then continued, "So, my idea is to keep you in the capital for the time being, firstly to put your grandfather at ease, and secondly to show goodwill to the new crown prince. Do you understand?"

"Huh?" Zhu Gaochi looked surprised and asked, "Grandfather already has a new crown prince in mind?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake and quickly bowed his head to beg for forgiveness: "Father, please forgive me!"

"Humph!"

Zhu Di snorted coldly: "If there's a next time, go and get twenty lashes yourself!"

"Yes"

Zhu Gaochi broke out in a cold sweat instantly and quickly responded in a low voice.

Zhu Di looked at him with a complicated expression, sighing helplessly to himself, "This son is good in every way, except he's not like me! Those who are like me, however, are not very bright!"
As for that one who's neither like me nor has any brains, well, let's not even mention him!
"Boom boom boom!"

Just as Zhu Di was having a headache over his three sons, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a report: "Your Highness! Ma Sanbao requests an audience!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di immediately composed himself and ordered towards the door, "Let him in!"

Soon, a young man who looked like a eunuch walked in quickly from outside the door: "Greetings, Your Highness!"

"Hmm, what is it?" "Your Highness, this is what happened in court today!"

Without saying a word, Ma Sanbao handed over a folded document.

Zhu Di took the memorial, slowly unfolded it, and began to read it word by word. After finishing the entire memorial, he asked with a strange expression, "Who is this Imperial Censor Zhang?"

"Your Highness, I have sent men to investigate. This man is a lone official; he has no factions, not even parents or relatives. It is said that during the plague, his entire family and village perished. He was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the twentieth year of the Hongwu reign."

"No wonder he dared to remonstrate to the death; he probably already had the will to die in mind."

Zhu Di nodded in realization, then sighed and closed the memorial: "Is everything prepared for the return to Beiping?"

"We're ready and can leave anytime!"

"Alright! Let me see my elder brother off on his final journey!"

On the other side, in the emperor's study.

Old Zhu looked at the memorial handed to him by Jiang Huan, his brows furrowed, his expression unreadable.

Only when a gentle breeze blew in from the window, causing his gray hair to flutter, did he sigh and mutter, "So he's just like us, a man with a hard life."

"So, what does the Emperor mean?"

"Hmph! So what if he's a victim? Does that give him the right to act recklessly and be audacious? Investigate! Whatever his motives, he must stay alive until the truth is revealed!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan was greatly moved and immediately withdrew.

A short while later, Old Zhu looked at the young eunuch Yunming beside him and calmly said, "Yunming, go and call Liu Sanwu here!"

"Yes!"

Yunming responded and quickly left.

About half an hour later, Liu Sanwu, a Hanlin scholar, respectfully entered the Imperial Study.

"Your subject, Liu Sanwu, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

"Alright! I get annoyed just hearing 'Long live the Emperor'! Come here!"

Before Liu Sanwu could finish bowing, Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him impatiently.

Upon seeing this, Liu Sanwu was immediately alarmed and quickly stepped forward to listen to the reprimand.

But Old Zhu spoke first: "What do you think of today's events?"

"Uh, what is it that Your Majesty is referring to?"

"What, you're trying to play tricks on me too? Hmm?"

"Your subject dares not—!"

Liu Sanwu knelt down with a thud, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I am just a little confused. Too many things have happened today. Please forgive me!"

"Is your mind a mess?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed: "My mind is a mess too, it's all that brat Zhang Biao's fault!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Sanwu's eyes darted around, and he immediately probed, "Is Your Majesty referring to the matter of the Crown Prince?"

Old Zhu narrowed his eyes, then asked in a deep voice, "Who do you think we should appoint?"

Liu Sanwu said, "When the son dies, the grandson inherits; this is in accordance with proper rites!"

"What kind of traditional etiquette?"

"Primitive succession by the eldest grandson!"

"You mean, we should make our grandson the heir?" Old Zhu asked, frowning.

Liu Sanwu said solemnly, "His Highness the Second Grandson of the Emperor is benevolent and filial, and the hearts of the people are with him. He can bring peace to the world!"

Old Zhu pondered for a moment, still unable to make up his mind: "Alright, you can go now, let me think about it some more!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"Get down!!"

Old Zhu waved his hand impatiently.

Liu Sanwu came and went in a hurry.

(End of this chapter)