The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Inside Juyong Pass.

That day, Tang Yin still chose to stay in his room reading. It wasn't that he wanted to stay indoors, but because Zhu Yi wasn't there, he really didn't have the confidence to deal with Jiang Bin and Zhang Yong, these shrewd people.

However, Zhang Yong took the initiative to come to him.

"Mr. Tang, I won't hide it from you. I have received a secret edict from His Majesty and must return to the capital tomorrow to discuss an important matter."

Zhang Yong finished speaking with a smile, his eyes seemingly waiting for Tang Yin to ask what exactly happened.

But Tang Yin was able to refrain from asking.

Tang Yin said, "Then I wish Eunuch Zhang a safe journey."

Zhang Yongcheng said with trepidation, "It would be fine if these words came from someone else, but coming from you, I'm afraid... you have something else in mind, which will make our family uneasy on the way."

Tang Yin frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "What's there to be uneasy about?"

But then he seemed to realize something.

Fortune tellers shouldn't casually "bless" others, especially a "divine fortune teller" like him. Some of the things he says carry a different weight.

Tang Yin thought to himself, "I was just offering a kind blessing, why are you acting like you've lost your parents? Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Mr. Tang, don't you want to know what we're discussing in Beijing?" Zhang Yong couldn't wait any longer and had to take the initiative to start the conversation.

Tang Yin said, "Since it is a secret edict, how could I break the rules?"

The implication is that I'm not curious at all, and if you insist on telling me, I don't want to hear it.

Zhang Yong was also embarrassed and sighed, "Mr. Tang is indeed different from others. With your brilliant mind, you should have already guessed one or two things, but you just didn't want to say it. Well then, I'll say it. His Majesty wants to summon the civil and military officials of the court to discuss the matter of adopting Zhu, the son of the Prince of Ning, into the Zhengzong lineage."

Tang Yin frowned, thinking to himself, "So fast?"

That kid really does have the potential to ascend to the throne?

Perhaps it's because he's usually so easygoing that I thought he was just a boy next door, and I never imagined that he was someone who had the potential to reach the pinnacle of power.

Tang Yin asked, "Why is Eunuch Zhang telling me this?"

Zhang Yong said frankly, "It is a secret edict from His Majesty, seeking Mr. Tang's opinion. Please do not rush to refuse. His Majesty is actually very interested to know whether you have any related prophecies regarding this matter in your ability to foresee the future. Such important matters are not determined by human power; sometimes they also depend on the will of Heaven."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yin was startled.

He suddenly seemed to understand why Zhu Yi and the Prince of Ning's Mansion wanted to promote him, rather than having Zhu Yi play the role of this charlatan who could predict the future.

The problem is that... many things actually involve the Ning Prince's Mansion and Zhu Yi himself. If Zhu Yi himself were to speak on these matters, it would be completely unconvincing.

Furthermore, neither the court nor the public would tolerate a young man who claims to be able to see through the secrets of heaven becoming a potential contender for the throne.

Imagine if someone who claims to be able to see the future became the crown prince or even the emperor, how terrified would the ministers be? If the emperor could predict everything I do, wouldn't I be unable to eat or sleep in peace?

But if it were Tang Yin himself who played this charlatan, it would be different.

After all, Tang Yin was not part of this power structure; he seemed to be just an outsider.

"Sir, are you trying to recall?" Zhang Yong asked nervously when Tang Yin didn't answer for a long time.

Tang Yin nodded and said, "Yes, I was thinking back to see what things were related to this. Speaking of which, there might actually be one thing that is vaguely related to this."

"Ah? Then... then tell me quickly!" Zhang Yong seemed very excited.

He was afraid that if Tang Yin said there was no such thing, he would have a hard time explaining to the emperor when he returned.

Tang Yin thought to himself, "Where am I supposed to make up this kind of story on short notice? That kid didn't teach me either!"

I have to lend him a hand now!

"I seem to recall seeing the imperial carriage approaching the enemy lines, with one person protecting it from the side. Come to think of it, his demeanor and appearance do bear a striking resemblance to Zhu Gongyi, the son of Prince Ning," Tang Yin remarked casually.

Zhang Yong exclaimed with delight, "Serving Your Majesty is most fitting! A loving father and a filial son, truly a perfect match!"

Tang Yin thought to himself, "Is this what you call filial piety and parental love?"

No matter how you look at it, that kid is anything but filial; he's practically a little schemer.

Zhang Yong said, "However, I must remind you, sir, that it is best not to mention this young master's name casually. As you know, we cannot be certain of his future status, and what his name actually is is another matter."

"I've learned something." Tang Yin then realized he had spoken out of turn.

Zhu Yi's name cannot be mentioned.

Besides the possibility that Zhu Yi might become a prince in the future, the emperor might also change Zhu Yi's name after he is adopted.

Zhang Yong was part of the imperial palace system, and he was extremely sensitive about these kinds of things.

Zhang Yong smiled and asked, "Anything else?"

Tang Yin said, "What you think about during the day, you dream about at night. With Eunuch Zhang's suggestion, I might actually dream about it. I'll write to you about it when the time comes."

"Alright, then I won't bother you any longer." Zhang Yong said, seemingly satisfied. "I'll go back and pack up now, and set off for the capital early tomorrow morning to report back to my post!"

……

……

After meeting Zhang Yong, Tang Yin became increasingly uneasy.

I feel like something's not right, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

He had no choice but to send someone to invite Gongsun Jin over, hoping to find out from Gongsun Jin whether his actions were appropriate.

"Hehe, sir, you're so frank with me. Aren't you afraid I'll turn around and tell His Highness Prince Ning, causing this matter to leak out?" Gongsun Jin asked with a smile.

Tang Yin said, "Isn't that how it is? Would such a thing be hidden for long? Mr. Gongsun, please speak frankly."

He was thinking, "You old fox, when it comes to scheming and plotting, I'm far inferior to you."

Gongsun Jin said solemnly, "Sir, it is understandable that the young master is accompanying the emperor. However, His Majesty's purpose in adopting a son was to have this son stay in the capital. Since he himself is away on campaign, how could father and son possibly go on campaign together? If that is the case, doesn't that prove that the young master is not the emperor's son, but merely a minister protecting him?"

"what?"

Tang Yin was greatly surprised.

He then realized the problem.

He hurriedly asked, "How can we fix it?"

Gongsun Jin shook his head and said, "Actually, there's no need to make excuses. The fact that you said he's close to His Majesty actually shows that he has outstanding abilities and will be favored by His Majesty in the future. As for whether he's an adopted prince, it doesn't matter, does it?"

Tang Yin suddenly realized something.

He thought to himself, "Your stance, Gongsun Jin, is truly firm."

From Prince Ning's perspective, of course you wouldn't want your powerful young master to submit to the emperor, otherwise Prince Ning would lose a strong ally in his rebellion.

So you actually hope I say that Zhu Yi is a subject rather than a prince, so that the emperor will gradually cultivate Zhu Yi into a capable minister.

Tang Yin felt a pang of sorrow, thinking to himself that the power struggle was truly damn complicated.

With my limited intelligence, I'm afraid I can't outsmart these people.

Gongsun Jin then said, "Since Mr. Tang has brought this up, I must take my leave now. I will find an opportunity to leave the pass tonight and head to the capital."

"You want to help him complete the adoption?" Tang Yin asked with a suspicious look.

He was also wondering, were you going to help or were you making things worse?

Gongsun Jin replied with a smile, "I'm only assisting Young Master Yu. As for his choice, it's up to him to decide. Sir, please try not to go out these next few days to avoid being harmed by treacherous people."

Tang Yin thought to himself, "You are a villain. No one else wants to harm me but you."

"I know," Tang Yin replied casually. "I won't go anywhere until things are resolved."