Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 38 True and False Dandy
King Zhu Su of Zhou returned to the capital, which also meant that some princes who were granted fiefs outside the capital would return to the capital one after another.

Zhu Su was closer to Kaifeng, and immediately rushed back to the capital with a small number of guards after receiving the imperial edict. As for his other brothers, some were still on the way, and some might not have received the imperial edict yet.

For example, the decree of King Zhu Chun of Shu might not have been delivered to Chengdu yet.

Looking at his elder brother's coffin, Zhu Su cried very sadly. He could be considered as Zhu Biao's younger brother, and no matter how he behaved over the years, or even did some ridiculous things, it was his elder brother who protected him and guarded him, so naturally they had a deep affection for each other.

My eldest brother has passed away in the prime of his life. How can I not be sad to lose a fellow brother?
After crying and feeling sad, Zhu Su also felt that this trip back to Beijing was not a simple one, and it might not just be about seeing his elder brother off for the last time.

The two nephews were fighting for the throne, and he had to ask about this matter. Naturally, he could not place many people in the palace, nor could he find out more information. But fortunately, his eldest son was studying in the main hall, and he was familiar with Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yunhuan.

Zhu Youdun is still confused and can't understand why his two brothers, who seemed to be in harmony with each other, suddenly turned against each other and are now like strangers.

And according to his observation, Brother Yunxun has changed a lot. Compared with the previous one who only knew how to play and have fun, he is completely different!

All this made Zhu Su even more confused. He really couldn't figure out what was going on.

After Zhu Yuanzhang left the court, he had Zhu Su summoned to the Wuying Palace.

Zhu Su was a little surprised by this, but not too surprised. Over the years, whenever he returned to Beijing, his father would summon him and talk to him.

After chatting for a while, Lao Zhu suddenly asked, "I also saw your two nephews yesterday. What do you think of them?"

Zhu Su replied cautiously, "Father, I don't have much contact with my nephews, so how can I know them?"

Old Zhu stared at Zhu Su and said seriously, "I want to ask because I know you have no dealings with them. Tell me, what do you think of meeting them?"

Seeing Zhu Su's concerns, Old Zhu said, "Now this is just between us, father and son. Some of the words you said were heard by us, but others don't know. I know what you are afraid of. No matter which of your two nephews sits on the throne, they won't know what happened today."

Zhu Su was silent for a long time before he said, "My nephew Yunwen seems to be kind and has a good reputation. But I always feel that there is something strange about him, something I can't explain."

Old Zhu suddenly said, "Are you trying to say that he is a monkey in human form? He imitates your elder brother in everything, and he has learned a bit. But deep down, he doesn't have your elder brother's generosity, steadiness, or insight."

Zhu Su immediately said, "Father, now that you've said that, I understand! There's something wrong with my nephew Yunwen. I always feel like he's trying too hard to be dignified and majestic in front of us."

Old Zhu nodded and said, "He is only fourteen, and now there is this matter. He still lacks tolerance and experience."

Seeing Zhu Su nod his head in agreement, Old Zhu asked again, "Where is Yun Hun?"

Zhu Su thought about it for a long time and said carefully, "Yun Hu? At first glance, I always feel that what he said over the years is true. He looks not as well-mannered and polite as Yun Wen, and seems to be a playboy."

Old Zhu teased, "You can tell at a glance whether he is a playboy or not. That's right, you are the most playboy among our sons. Among our grandchildren, everyone said that Yunhu was the real playboy."

Zhu Su lowered his head and smiled, then said, "It's just that when I saw Yun Hun yesterday, I always felt that the child might be a fake playboy. When my father was in court, I specially asked You Dun about it. You Dun also said that Yun Hun has become different from before in recent days. It seems that he has not grown up after experiencing great things, but has become a different person!"

"You are a real playboy, and he is a fake one!" Old Zhu said sarcastically, "That kid is so capable that he deceived everyone in the world. If your eldest brother hadn't passed away, the father and son would have deceived everyone in the world!"

Zhu Su was listening attentively, but suddenly asked in confusion, "What does this have to do with my brother?"

Old Zhu said seriously, "Yun Hun is hiding his incompetence. Why do you think he is hiding his incompetence?"

Zhu Su hesitated and dared not answer, while Old Zhu snorted coldly, "The month Yun Hun was born, your eldest sister-in-law died. Your eldest brother and your sister-in-law were childhood sweethearts. Your eldest brother has been blaming Yun Hun for many years. You know that, right?"

Zhu Su didn't dare to respond. He really had no way of responding to this question.

Old Zhu continued, "Yun Hun lost his mother when he was born, and could only be raised by Lu. No one dared to do anything to Yun Hun, but that child lost his mother when he was young, how could he live comfortably without being smart? Your eldest brother is the same, and he is always angry with him."

Zhu Su said, "Father, if Yun Hu was really angry or if he was really careful, he would not be able to develop his tolerance and generosity." Old Zhu stared at Zhu Su and said, "Everyone says that our fifth son is a playboy, but I'm afraid that's unfair to you. Our fifth son has good eyesight!"

When Zhu Su was at a loss for words, Old Zhu continued, "If your eldest brother hadn't left, Yun Hu wouldn't have rushed out to fight for the throne. Old Fifth, do you think a thirteen-year-old child can see through the rift between the north and the south at a glance? Can you come up with some countermeasures?"

Zhu Su was suddenly shocked and found it unbelievable.

Seeing Zhu Su's shock, Old Zhu said proudly, "It's all because of your good elder brother's teaching. They are very similar in nature. If your elder brother hadn't taught him, how could Yun Hun have figured out all those things?"

Zhu Su did not understand and asked, "Since my brother does not like Yun Hun, why do you want to teach Yun Hun?"

Zhu Su then understood that even if his brother had complaints about Yunhuan, he was still the son of his eldest sister-in-law!

Old Zhu also sighed and said, "Yun Hu probably never wanted to be an emperor before, and wanted to be a playboy. After your eldest brother passed away, he thought about vying for the throne and taking on the family business."

Zhu Su said after a long while, "That's my nephew, he was taught by my brother."

Zhu Su also said at this time, "Yunwen seems to be indifferent to us. Although Yunhu has no dealings with us, he recognizes me as his uncle. Yesterday, when my father said that, Yunwen just watched and dared not say anything, but Yunhu defended me everywhere and helped me out. At that time, I thought that if my brother was here, I would not be embarrassed."

Old Zhu suddenly smiled and asked, "Do you think Yunxun is good too?"

Zhu Su knelt down instantly and said in fear, "I dare not do that. I hope you will forgive me!"

"I'm old, really old!" Looking at Zhu Su kneeling on the ground, Old Zhu said sadly, "When you were a child, you were the most incompetent in front of me and your mother. Among all my sons, you were the one I hugged the most. But you, on the other hand, don't dare to get close to me even when you grow up."

Zhu Su then said carefully, "Father, if I didn't dare to get close to you, I wouldn't have said those things before."

Old Zhu smiled and nodded, saying, "Yun Hun seems to be okay in this respect. It's true that Yun Hun is kind, but I'm afraid he has read too many books. Yun Hun has read a lot of books, especially history. That child, like your elder brother, always protects his family."

Zhu Su bravely asked, "If that's the case, why hasn't your father made a decision yet?"

"Yunwen Thirteen, he used to have a bad reputation, and I'm afraid his bad habits are hard to change." Old Zhu said worriedly, "I'm over sixty, and I don't know how many days I have left to live. If I can live for five years, I can help him change his bad habits. If I can't live for two or three years, Yunwen is at least fair and peaceful, and can protect the country."

Old Zhu stared at Zhu Su and said, "Yun Hu is very good. He has vision, shrewdness, and political scheming. We like him. But he is too young and his methods are too crude. We can't teach him without a few years of practice. He doesn't even accept your eldest brother. He goes against him everywhere and has his own ideas. How can we trust him?"

Zhu Su asked in confusion, "He is going against my brother?"

"He even dares to contradict us, is there anything he dare not do?" Old Zhu said angrily, "Another thing, how will those people in the Chang family do it? He is young, and the consequences of the interference of foreign relatives in politics are also known to you, right?"

Zhu Su suddenly said, "Father, your sons are not just for show."

Old Zhu smiled upon hearing this and suddenly asked, "You are not just for show. You can protect the country and your nephew. Old Five, you are also our son. Have you ever thought about this?"

Zhu Su suddenly smiled cheerfully and relievedly, "Prince, who hasn't thought about that? We all know that the throne belongs to my brother, so he can be the emperor. Now that he is gone, our nephews are not that old anymore!"

Old Zhu laughed, then said seriously, "Your brothers are coming back these days, so you are not allowed to tell anyone about this. As for you, just keep an eye on Yun Wen, talk to him, and test him. Do you understand?"

Zhu Su was stunned, "Isn't it Yunxun?"

Old Zhu glared and said, "I'm afraid that if you two, the real and fake dude, get together, nothing good will happen!"

　Thanks to book friend 20230209011103405 for the reward of 100 starting coins

　　
　
(End of this chapter)