Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 52 Differential Treatment
Some things simply cannot be hidden from others, especially when there is no intention to hide them deliberately.

The situation in the Eastern Palace is gloomy now. Lu and Zhu Yunwen are in a state of panic. They have realized that the position of Crown Prince may have fallen to someone else, and their plans cannot be realized at all.

Zhu Yunwen could be summoned whenever he requested an audience before. Even though the emperor would not keep him for meals, they would still meet and the emperor would occasionally comment on his studies.

But he hadn't been seen at all in the past few days. Every time he asked for a meeting, the eunuchs or guards didn't even bother to pass on the message but just blocked him.

Now, I suddenly heard that Zhu Yunhuan summoned all the nobles in Beijing to the Central Military Governor's Office. This must have been allowed by my royal grandfather.

The officials that Zhu Yunwen could contact now were basically the tutors and lecturers in the Grand Hall, who were not only of low rank, but also had almost no real power. But Zhu Yunhuan could summon even the dukes and marquises of the highest rank.

It is also said that there were Jinyiwei at that time, and they were not ordinary low-level officers, which further proves that it was the emperor's arrangement.

Mrs. Lu's face turned pale. What she had been planning for more than ten years had come to nothing. When the prince died of a serious illness, she was secretly happy because her son was the only choice.

But now she regretted it immensely. If the crown prince had not died early, the position of the crown prince would definitely not have fallen to someone else. She had carefully served him for so many years and was promoted to the position of the legitimate heir. Originally, everything was in order, but suddenly an accident happened.

That dandy guy is so scheming. He has always been by my side, but he actually pretends to be a dandy!
No, that dude was brought to her when she was still in confinement. She thought she knew his character very well. A child in his teens could have such a mind, someone must have taught him!

Lu definitely wouldn’t teach those things, it was the prince who taught them!
Zhu Yunwen was discouraged. Several years of hard work had vanished into thin air. His original ambitions were now nothing but illusions.

Lu gritted her teeth and asked, "Yun Wen, have you contacted those court officials?"

Zhu Yunwen said disheartenedly, "It seems that only Zhan Hui has responded, while others are still waiting and watching."

Mrs. Lu was puzzled and angry. "Wait and see? They are indebted to your grandfather, how can they wait and see?"

"Mother, those people are too smart." Zhu Yunwen said, "Grandfather is hesitant, and the nobles are powerful. Previously, Yunhu made a big fuss in the court, and many people saw how powerful he was and dared not offend him. Who dares to say anything about the crown prince's affairs?"

It is good to be a successor, but if the bet fails, the career will be frustrated at best, and even death or even the whole family will be implicated. The rewards are great, but the risks are even greater, especially since everyone knows that the crown prince can only be decided by the emperor now.

Lu was still unwilling to give up and asked, "Zhan Hui, he is the Minister of Personnel and the Left Censor-in-Chief. He is the head of the civil service! If he is willing to come forward, this matter will definitely be accomplished!"

Zhu Yunwen looked at Lu and asked, "Mother, why do you think Zhan Hui wants to help me?"

Lu replied as a matter of course, "You have been well-read since childhood, and your reputation as a virtuous and kind person is known to the world. Everyone says that you have the style of a prince. If your grandfather came from a famous family and had countless students and former officials, why didn't those people help you?!"

"People outside are now saying that Yunxun used to pretend to be a dandy. The rumors in the palace have changed." Zhu Yunwen said coldly, "Those people are used to bullying the weak. Let's not talk about other things. Just look at the concubines of the emperor's grandfather. Are they willing to see you now?"

Mrs. Lu's face turned pale immediately. It seemed that there was no change in the East Palace. The eunuchs and maids were more careful in their service.

But in the past, if they met some of the emperor's concubines, they would give her, the crown princess, some face, and even try to please her. But now, not only did the concubines not show up, it was even difficult for Lu to leave the East Palace.

Lu's expression kept changing, and after a long time she asked, "Are you willing?"

Zhu Yunwen raised his head, a rare determination on his face, "How can we accept this? If I can't seize the position of Crown Prince this time, he will definitely put me in a dilemma after he takes the throne! We have been deceived by him for more than ten years, how can we accept this?"

After hearing what Zhu Yunwen said, Lu's face became even uglier. She used to be complacent and thought that she had spoiled Zhu Yunwen.

But now, the boy who grew up under her nose has been lying to her all along! He is only thirteen now, how scheming must he be to make people think he is a real playboy!
Thinking of this, Lu also hated Zhu Biao. She hated him for favoring Zhu Yunhuan and hated him for dying too early!
While the East Palace is busy, the atmosphere in Rouyi Palace is very good. Zhu Yourong and Zhu Youling are very happy. The younger brother is about to take the position!
So many things happened during this period of time that they were unable to react and still don’t understand many things.

But that doesn’t matter, it’s enough for me to become the Crown Prince.

Zhu Yunhuan did not slack off. His status rose rapidly and the situation seemed to be settled. However, he still had to do what he was supposed to do, and he had to keep vigil when it was time. As soon as he arrived at the mourning hall, Zhu Chong said, "Nephew, you were so impressive yesterday!"

Zhu Gang also said, "We all heard that all the nobles in Beijing have been summoned to you. Our nephew is still amazing!"

"Second uncle, third uncle, please stop making fun of me." Zhu Yunhuan said politely, "I am just a fox relying on the power of the tiger. If it weren't for the order of my grandfather, I would not dare to meet the nobles, and they would not go. Besides, even the Duke of Liang, the Duke of Ying, and the Duke of Song were under the control of my second uncle and third uncle in the past."

Zhu Chong was thinking a lot and immediately said, "That's different. We were just good-sounding generals at that time, but we still had to listen to the deputy generals. It's okay for us to fight a small tribe on the grassland, and we can also fight the enemy bandits that harass the border. If it's a big battle, we still need the generals in the court!"

Zhu Gang also said, "That's right. The last time I went to the grassland, I came back without seeing a single Tartar. It was because my father didn't blame me that I escaped a disaster."

Zhu Yunhuan smiled. He didn’t take his second and third uncle’s humble words seriously.

Today is different from the past. In the past, Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang would be a little arrogant in front of Zhu Yunhuan because of their seniority. But seeing that Zhu Yunhuan was about to become the crown prince and the heir to the throne of the Ming Dynasty, being arrogant at this time would only bring trouble to themselves.

Especially this nephew, although he is just a young boy, he is meticulous and can hide his thoughts, so we have to be more careful in dealing with him.

Fortunately, this nephew is close to his family and has a good relationship with Ji Hui and Shang Bing.

Zhu Yunhuan spoke up and said, "Let's keep vigil first and then talk to the uncles in private."

Zhu Chong and others also understood this truth. After all, they were in front of the mourning hall, so a few words of greeting would be enough. It would not be good to say too much, which would not be good for them or Zhu Yunhuan.

Zhu Yunwen clenched his fists and lowered his head. When he greeted his uncles before, those arrogant uncles ignored him. Even the fifth uncle who talked to him from time to time in the past two days has become increasingly cold in his attitude.

But when they saw that dandy boy, those imperial uncles were so affectionate with him!
He is not the crown prince yet!
As soon as he finished guarding the spirit, Zhang Fusheng said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered you to go to the Central Military Governor's Mansion."

Zhu Yunxun was stunned for a moment, "Go now? On a mission?"

Even if they wanted to deal with Zhou Dexing, they should wait until he was escorted back. Now that he was at the Five Military Commandery, Zhu Yunhuan really didn't know what to do.

Zhang Fusheng said, "I don't know. His Majesty just asked the other royal grandsons to continue to study in the main hall, and Your Highness will go to the Central Military Governor's Office."

Zhu Yunwen, who was standing next to him, became even more sad and angry when he heard this.

In the past, I only heard that when the princes were studying, my father was called out alone, and the other princes studied together. Now, why should that dude be allowed to go to the Five Military Commandery? Isn't his involvement with the nobles deep enough?
Zhu Chong and others didn't say anything and prepared to go back to rest.

Zhang Fusheng also walked over and said, "Your Highness the Prince of Qin, Your Highness the Prince of Jin, Your Highness the Prince of Yan, His Majesty has ordered the three of you to accompany him and listen to Duke Cao's discussion on military affairs."

Zhu Chong and others were dumbfounded. When they were young, they had the experience of accompanying the prince to study. At that time, they were crushed by their good big brother. Their existence was to set off the excellence of their good big brother.

Now that I'm middle-aged, why do I still have to accompany the crown prince to study?

My nephew has a powerful noble background, but I have never heard of him knowing military affairs. Now I am going to accompany him to study. It is obvious that my father is worried about Li Jinglong and other nobles, so he wants these princes who are good at leading troops to lead the troops!

Zhu Su lowered his head and had no sense of presence. He had only a vague understanding of military affairs. And his mission was to continue to observe Zhu Yunwen.

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(End of this chapter)