Chapter 19: Peace for the World!

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The warm winter sun shone high in the sky.

Yet the ground was gradually freezing, bone-chillingly cold.

Soon enough, after a lengthy wait, all the civil and military officials, along with the Zhu family, had gathered in full. The chief eunuch, Ma Yun, stepped forward, cleared his throat, and loudly proclaimed the imperial edict:

"The Emperor commands: Kneel!"

(This was indeed a real person, not a fabrication.)

"Your servants obey!"

The chorus rang out from the officials as well as the three sons and one grandson of the Zhu family.

At the very front knelt the Crown Prince. Just behind him, the Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, suddenly slid his knees forward by more than two feet, moving to kneel at the head of the crowd.

At this, Zhu the Fatty's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know what trick his father was up to, but he was certain the Emperor was watching from the shadows. For his younger brother to so blatantly overstep—was he seeking death?

Unable to contain his anxiety, he laboriously dragged his bulky body forward until he was level with the Prince of Han.

"Hmph!"

Zhu Gaoxu snorted disdainfully. He had always looked down on his elder brother, convinced that every family has its disappointing child and that Zhu Gaochi was exactly that—fat, timid, and lacking any imperial bearing.

He always believed he was the true and worthy heir to the throne. How could seniority alone trump ability? Why choose the weak over the strong?

The doors to the outer hall remained tightly shut.

"Scoundrel!"

Seated on the dragon throne, Zhu Di observed everything through the window, his expression growing darker by the moment.

The second son was utterly lacking in decorum!

In the past, such behavior might have been overlooked, but for him to act like this knowing their father was somewhere nearby? How could he not be nervous? Disharmony between brothers showed a failure in upbringing—and that fault would lie with the father!

Back in the Hongwu era, if any of these younger brothers had dared challenge Zhu Biao like this, the old Zhu would have beaten them to cripples!

"Go."

Zhu Di's face was set as he waved his hand.

"By your command!"

The attending eunuch respectfully fetched two kneeling mats and exited through a side door.

Approaching the gathered officials, the eunuch spoke softly:

"Your Highnesses, the ground is cold. Please use these mats."

"No need, go, take them away at once," Zhu Gaochi quickly waved his plump hand, urging him in a whisper.

Zhu the Fatty knew his father too well. The moment he saw the side door open, he sensed trouble. Why only two mats? Not to mention the officials, even the Crown Prince’s son and Prince Zhao were still kneeling.

Sensing danger, he wanted no part in this omen.

"Here, give it to me!"

Zhu Gaoxu called out in a low voice. The cold was seeping into his knees, and he could no longer endure the pain. He urged the eunuch impatiently.

The eunuch was caught between conflicting orders.

"Go, I told you to go!" Zhu Gaochi said anxiously.

"Come! Come on, I told you to bring it here!" Zhu Gaoxu barked, his large eyes glaring fiercely beneath his thick beard, his tone intimidating.

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After a moment’s hesitation, the eunuch brought the mats forward. After all, he’d received plenty of gold beans from the Prince of Han, and even if he did, the Crown Prince was too kind-hearted to hold a grudge.

But if he refused, he’d offend the Prince of Han. Then, not only would the gold beans vanish, but his very life might be forfeit.

"Oh, second brother, you... just do as you will," Zhu the Fatty muttered helplessly.

"What about me?" Zhu Gaoxu retorted in surprise. "The floor is freezing! Can’t I use a kneeling mat?"

"No sense of decorum at all," Zhu Gaochi whispered to himself.

Creak!

The palace doors opened.

Zhu Di, draped in a bright red dragon robe, sat on the dragon throne, eyes closed in calm repose.

"Your son greets Father Emperor! May Your Majesty enjoy everlasting health!"

"Your servants greet Your Majesty! May Your Majesty enjoy everlasting health!"

"I am well."

Zhu Di opened his eyes, rose, and stepped out of the hall, stopping before the Crown Prince and the Prince of Han, helping them up one by one.

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

Both men bowed.

"All officials may rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Di’s face was expressionless as he scrutinized the Prince of Han before suddenly speaking:

"Before all the officials of the realm, tell me—when have I ever said to you, 'The Crown Prince is often ill; you must encourage him?'"

"Father, I…"

Zhu Gaoxu’s heart thudded. Seeing Zhu Di’s grim face and accusatory tone, how could he dare answer? He was at a loss.

"Speak!" Zhu Di pressed, his voice cold.

"The Emperor never said that," Zhu Gaoxu mumbled. That sort of gossip, whispered in private, was harmless, but to say it here before the court—he dared not.

"The Emperor didn’t hear you!"

Zhu Di’s fury erupted.

Gritting his teeth, Zhu Gaoxu shouted, "The Emperor never said it! I was talking nonsense!"

"Slap your own mouth!"

Zhu Di commanded.

Smack!

Zhu Gaoxu, trembling, struck himself repeatedly across the face.

Zhu Di seized Zhu the Fatty’s belt and tried to haul him forward.

He didn’t budge.

Zhu Di shot him a glare.

"Father, father, you…" Zhu Gaochi, shivering, dared not resist and could only let himself be pulled along.

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At last, Zhu Di shoved him onto the dragon throne.

"Sit down!"

"I dare not…"

Zhu Di glared fiercely. "Sit!"

"Father…"

Frightened out of his wits, Zhu Gaochi collapsed onto the throne, motionless.

Below, Zhu Gaoxu numbly slapped his own face, his heart sinking into despair.

"The position of Crown Prince is settled. The realm is at peace!"

Standing beside the throne, Zhu Di placed his hand on Zhu the Fatty’s shoulder and gazed around the hall, his voice solemn.

The officials exchanged uneasy glances. Among the Prince of Han’s faction, cold sweat streamed down their faces, fear gnawing at their hearts.

"If anyone, like the Prince of Han, dares to spout reckless rumors and unsettle the foundations of the realm, they will be dragged out and their entire clan executed at once!"

Zhu Di’s words brooked no argument; his presence dominated the hall.

A wave of fear swept through the assembled officials. None dared meet his gaze. All knelt and cried out, "Long life and prosperity to the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Gaoxu’s face twisted with inner struggle. Under Zhu Di’s fierce gaze, he finally relented and knelt, gritting out, "Long life and prosperity to the Crown Prince!"

"Yes, yes, peace, peace—rise, all of you," Zhu the Fatty said miserably, raising his hand in discomfort from the prolonged kneeling.

"Did you not hear? His Highness bids you rise!"

Zhu Di snapped.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Crown Prince!"

"Enough, you may withdraw," Zhu Di waved, dismissing the officials.

"Your servants take their leave!"

The officials withdrew from the hall in succession. The members of the Prince of Han’s faction looked ashen, their faces clouded with dread. Claiming illness, they hurried away, leaving the palace as quickly as possible, eager to escape the taunts of the Crown Prince’s supporters.

"Your Majesty, regarding the third northern campaign, this old minister has a memorial to present!" called Xia Yuanji, Minister of Revenue, standing tall despite his years, his aged eyes resolute.

"I will attend to affairs of state later. Wait in the side hall," Zhu Di replied curtly. Just the sight of Xia Yuanji made his head ache—ever since he decreed another campaign for the coming spring, the old man had submitted more than a dozen memorials in half a day, to Zhu Di’s great annoyance.

"This old minister obeys. I will wait within the palace precincts," Xia Yuanji added as he withdrew.

"Minister Xia, you’d best go and wait quickly," Zhu Zhanji, discerning the mood, hurried to lead the old man away.

With that sour look on his face, under normal circumstances you’d be facing confiscation of your family estate. Today, fortune favours you—count yourself lucky to escape unscathed, Zhu Zhanji thought privately.

…