Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 16 Action
Chang Lan had originally prepared to go to the palace to ask for an audience. Even if she couldn't see her grandson and granddaughter, she wanted to find out some information.

But when she put on the clothes of a noble lady, her daughter-in-law came running over happily, saying that someone from the palace had come to announce that the two imperial granddaughters would come over today.

Happy and nervous, Chang Lan immediately ordered the gate of Prince Kaiping's Palace to be opened. Except for the founding duke Chang Sheng who was attending court, and the third son Chang Sen who was sitting in the government office, everyone else followed him out of the palace to greet her.

First, a team of guards sealed off the street, then the inner court guards took over the defense of the palace, and then a team of palace maids and others supervised the rules of the Kaiping Palace.

In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, the system and etiquette were imperfect, but now they are becoming more and more disciplined.

The carriage of the two imperial granddaughters drove slowly over, and as soon as it stopped, Chang Lan and the people in the mansion knelt to greet them.

Zhu Yourong and Zhu Youling tried to suppress their excitement. They knew that etiquette could not be violated.

After entering the mansion, Zhu Yourong and Zhu Youling held Chang Lan's arms, one on each side, and said, "Grandma, let's go pay respect to grandpa."

This is only right. After all, she is the granddaughter of Kaiping King Chang Yuchun, so it is only right to pay homage to her.

After the sacrifice, Zhu Yourong whispered, "Grandmother, can someone you trust and be trusted in the mansion stay outside to guard?"

Chang Lan knew what was going on and immediately said, "Let your aunts guard outside. There are also two elderly people who followed us in the early years and their children are all with your uncles."

Zhu Yourong was relieved and said, "Before leaving the palace, Yun Hun said that there are some things we don't understand, so we can only obey and do things. Yun Hun has great ambitions, and we can't do anything wrong."

Since Chang Sheng and others are not in the mansion, it is natural that Zhu Yourong, Zhu Youling and Chang Lan will have to discuss the matter.

After the others left, Zhu Yourong said excitedly, "Grandma, Yunxun has been hiding his incompetence all these years!"

Zhu Youling also quickly followed up and said, "That's right! He deceived us all! Yunxun is not a playboy!"

Chang Lan was delighted, but she still hurriedly asked, "Is that true? Your uncle came back yesterday and said that Yun Hun had refuted the Minister of Personnel in the court and was speechless, and he even had the official who impeached him imprisoned."

Zhu Yourong was even happier, and told the truth, "We don't know what happened in the morning court, and we are not allowed to inquire about the court. Seeing Yunhu's actions in the past few days, I know that he is hiding his incompetence. I used to think that he was just playing around, but now I know that he is hiding his incompetence. He is scheming and courageous, and now he wants to seize the throne!"

Chang Lan immediately became serious and asked again to confirm, "Is Yunxun really going to seize the throne?"

Zhu Yourong quickly replied, "Of course! He has already broken into the palace!"

Chang Lan's heart skipped a beat. Sheng'er had said yesterday that the Minister of Personnel Zhan Hui had also impeached Yun Hu for breaking into the palace, but he had been fooled. She had never expected that this was actually true!
Zhu Yourong and Zhu Youling hurriedly told Chang Lan what had happened in the past few days. Although they only saw their grandmother a few times throughout the year, during the holidays, major court ceremonies, etc., her grandmother would enter the palace as the head of the ladies of honor.

Zhu Yourong and her friends were also close to and trusted their grandmother.

Zhu Yunhuan didn't know what was happening outside the palace, he just stayed there obediently to keep vigil.

Zhu Gaochi and others felt that the atmosphere was even weirder. Yesterday, Yun Hun was summoned to the court, and it was said that someone had impeached him. But now Yun Hun looked like nothing had happened, and he didn't look like he had been impeached.

Yunwen's face looked very unhappy, and he almost didn't see Yunhu. And Yunhu didn't seem to see Yunwen either, and just ignored him.

Zhu Gaochi and the others were even more worried and needed to be more careful. Now was a critical moment. They had always thought that Yunwen had more chances and that Yunhuan should not fight for it.

However, Yunhu was the legitimate son after all, so there was nothing wrong with him fighting for the throne. Although it was unwise, Zhu Gaochi and his friends knew a little about the character and abilities of this cousin, as they grew up and studied together.

It’s better to be careful and not express your opinion or take sides easily. Anyway, that position has nothing to do with these princes and sons of vassal kings.

When the vigil time was over, Zhu Yunwen immediately stood up. He had to seize the time and take action.

Old Zhu, who had just returned to Wuying Hall from court, began to review memorials. Now that the crown prince was gone and the prime minister had long been deposed, all state affairs now fell on Old Zhu.

A young eunuch stepped forward carefully and reported, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Second Grandson of the Emperor wishes to see you."

Old Zhu replied without even looking up, "Announce."

Zhu Yunwen entered the palace and bowed four times in a proper manner, "I, your grandson Zhu Yunwen, pay my respects to your majesty the Emperor's grandfather."

Old Zhu smiled slightly. This grandson was very well behaved and well-mannered. He looked fair, clean, elegant and honest.

Suddenly, another face appeared in Zhu's mind, and the expression on his face revealed his unwillingness and resignation. Thinking about it carefully, Yunhu, except for being well-behaved in the court, did not seem to be as obedient as Yunwen in private. Zhu stopped thinking about those things and looked at Zhu Yunwen and asked, "Yunwen, what's the matter?"

Zhu Yunwen quickly replied, "Your Majesty the Emperor tested me a few days ago, and I know I am not smart enough to answer immediately. These days, I have thought carefully about it. If I can control the kings, win them over with virtue and control them with courtesy, if they fail, I will reduce their land, if they still fail, I will replace them, and if they are even worse, I will attack them with an army."

In history, Zhu once asked Zhu Yunwen this question, and Zhu Yunwen gave the same answer.

But answering is one thing, and Lao Zhu’s approval is another.

When Zhu Yunwen became emperor, he immediately forgot these words. He reduced land, exiled, and conquered them, showing no mercy to those uncles.

Zhu then asked, "The kings are of high status, have a large army, and are often lawless. What should we do?"

Zhu Yunwen answered fluently, "The guards of the kings are only enough to defend themselves. If there is a change, who can resist if six divisions are sent out? The seven states that rebelled against the Han Dynasty were not weak, but they were still destroyed. The size and strength of the forces are different, and the principles of obedience and rebellion are also different."

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunwen and thought that this grandson of his had some people under his command and was somewhat knowledgeable.

Zhu Yunwen waited nervously for Mr. Zhu's answer. This was something he had discussed with Huang Zicheng before. Unfortunately, Huang Zicheng was in prison now. This might be Mr. Huang's last suggestion.

Old Zhu smiled and said, "Not bad, it's fair and peaceful, and there is no lack of court laws, which is good."

Zhu Yunwen was immediately delighted when he received the old Zhu's affirmation. Since he wanted to fight for the throne, he must please the emperor's grandfather. The emperor's grandfather's affirmation and recognition were the most important.

Zhu Yunwen suppressed his excitement and said, "I am short-sighted and my plans are shallow. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Old Zhu smiled and said, "How can this be a fine? Well, I still have official business to deal with. Do you have anything else to do?"

Zhu Yunwen immediately knelt down without hesitation, "Sun Chen, I will take my leave."

Watching Zhu Yunwen leave, Old Zhu sighed as he looked outside the Wuying Palace. This grandson was really cold and indifferent. He didn't even ask Mr. Huang?

What Yunhu said seemed to make some sense. Yunwen looked gentle, kind and filial on the surface, but he was not necessarily as he seemed on the surface.

Zhu Yunwen walked briskly. His grandfather was naturally very busy with all kinds of affairs. As long as he was recognized, that was enough.

I was praised for asking for advice today, and I will come again tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. I don’t have to stay with my grandfather every day, but also have to keep vigil, study, and make progress!

Zhu Yunwen thought the same thing, and he still had a lot of things to do.

After a busy day, Old Zhu asked, "How are the emperor's grandchildren?"

The young eunuch immediately replied, "His Royal Highness the Second Grandson has returned to the main hall to study. Today he is studying "Rites".

Old Zhu nodded slightly and asked, "Which one are you studying?"

Before the young eunuch could answer, Old Zhu asked, "Where is the emperor's third grandson?"

The young eunuch replied, "After keeping vigil for the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Third Grandson returned to the Rouyi Palace. He drove away the eunuchs and maids and stayed alone in the study. I don't know what His Royal Highness did for two hours."

Old Zhu was immediately furious. "You bastard, since you're here to seize the throne, you have to be filial and flatter me! You're such a loser, don't you see that his brother is trying so hard to show off in front of me! But he's better, not only does he hide away from me, he's also avoiding me!"

Zhu Yunwen wished he could learn from Old Zhu, read books, keep vigil, etc. every day, hoping that the emperor would see his every move.

As for Zhu Yunhuan, he hid in his study. Everyone knew how many of Zhu's people were in Rouyi Palace. Who were they guarding against by driving those people away?

Old Zhu paced back and forth angrily and asked again, "Where is our granddaughter?"

The kneeling eunuch trembled and replied, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Granddaughter dismissed all the maids and had a secret conversation with Princess Kaiping in her study."

Old Zhu stared at the young eunuch and asked, "What's Yunxun's idea?"

The young eunuch's voice trembled, "Yes."

Old Zhu looked around and pulled out the hanging sword!
(End of this chapter)