The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 103

Chapter 103: Curing Zhu Xiongying, Starry Mist

Zhu Di explained, “Father, if you don’t believe me, wait seven more days.”

“You don’t even need seven days; Zhu Xiongying will develop the bean disease, and after seven days, he will surely die.”

“By then, you will believe everything your son has said.”

The bean disease doesn’t kill in a single day.

There will certainly be symptoms. Currently, there are no reports of Zhu Xiongying feeling unwell, which means it’s likely to happen in the next few days.

Because in his memory, Zhu Xiongying passed away when he wasn’t in the Capital City.

He didn’t know what illness Zhu Xiongying actually had.

However, Zhuang Mu said that his healing ability could cure any disease—though only diseases.

If it were an external injury, he would truly be powerless.

Whether it’s the bean disease or other illnesses, Zhu Xiongying will die—that’s for sure.

Zhu Yuanzhang, observing Zhu Di’s earnest gaze, furrowed his brow, hesitating.

Seven days didn’t seem like a long time.

Although he didn’t believe in gods and ghosts, sometimes, it’s better to believe than not to believe.

Zhu Yuanzhang sheathed his sword and said coldly.

“Fourth son, since you are so certain our grandson will die,”

“Then we’ll give you this chance.”

“Seven days later, if Xiongying suffers no unexpected misfortune, we will consider your actions treason.”

“Even if you are our son, we will not let you off. Anyone who covets the Crown Prince’s position, who covets the throne… will be killed.”

Having said that, Zhu Yuanzhang loudly commanded.

“Guards! Confine the Yan King! No one is to see him without my decree!”

Then, he turned and left the Imperial Study without looking back.

Because Zhu Gaoshi had come with him, he was also imprisoned with Zhu Di.

News travels quickly in the palace.

…

Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince’s residence.

Zhu Biao, attended by his wife Lü, was about to close his eyes to rest and recuperate.

A young eunuch rushed to the door and shouted.

“Crown Prince! Crown Prince!”

Zhu Biao sighed helplessly, gesturing for Lü to bring the shouting eunuch inside.

He remained lying down, eyes closed, calmly saying, “What is it? Why the commotion?”

The young eunuch knelt down and said, “Reporting to Your Highness, Your Majesty has placed the Yan King under arrest, along with the Yan King’s eldest son, Zhu Gaoshi.”

Hearing this, Zhu Biao sat up abruptly.

He knew the fourth son’s visit to the palace was for no good, but why was Zhu Gaoshi also arrested?

In the past two years, his father should have liked Zhu Gaoshi. The affection between generations shouldn’t be like this.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know.”

Zhu Biao looked at the young eunuch, pondering for a long time. He had just been preparing to lie down and rest.

He had to put on his boots and clothes again, preparing to find out what was happening.

No matter what.

He had to get Zhu Di released first.

However, what Zhu Biao didn’t expect was.

This time, Zhu Yuanzhang’s attitude was resolute, and no one’s pleas were effective.

For this, he even specifically sought his mother, Empress Ma, who usually intervened, but this time she remained silent.

This left Zhu Biao confused.

What had happened?

…

Four days later.

Zhu Biao was distressed. These days, he not only had to assist his father in handling state affairs but also find a way to get Zhu Di released.

But Zhu Yuanzhang’s attitude was very firm; every time the topic was raised.

He would change the subject or remain silent.

“Fourth brother, fourth brother, what did you say?”

Last time, he spoke of the Feudal Princes System disrupting the country, resulting in dozens of lashes. Could it have been even more serious this time?

Just as Zhu Biao was about to try persuading Zhu Yuanzhang again.

News came from the Eastern Palace.

The Imperial Grandson, Zhu Xiongying, suddenly fell gravely ill. This news forced Zhu Biao to temporarily put aside Zhu Di’s matter.

He hurried back to the Eastern Palace.

But when Zhu Biao arrived at the Eastern Palace, he saw the Crown Princess Lü and a group of eunuchs and maidservants standing far away.

This scene made Zhu Biao feel uneasy.

So he immediately inquired about the reason.

“What’s going on? Why did he suddenly fall ill?”

Lü could only cry, unable to speak a complete sentence.

Zhu Biao felt frustrated and prepared to go in and see for himself what was happening.

When Zhu Biao tried to enter, Lü stopped him, crying, “Xiongying has the bean disease; you can’t go in; it’s contagious.”

Bean disease! Bean disease!! Bean disease!!!

Hearing those words, Zhu Biao’s legs went weak.

He almost fainted.

But he still held on, pushing Lü aside, and heavily entered the hall.

He saw a young child lying on the bed with his eyes closed.

Several imperial physicians were diagnosing Zhu Xiongying.

“Xiongying! Xiongying!”

Zhu Biao staggered towards Zhu Xiongying.

At this time, an imperial physician saw Zhu Biao enter and quickly stopped him, saying, “Crown Prince, why did you come in?”

“The Grandson has the bean disease.”

“You’ll be infected! Get out!”

After hearing the physician’s words, Zhu Biao couldn’t hold it any longer. The fatigue of many days, coupled with this sudden news.

Caused him to collapse.

Fortunately, after only a quarter of an hour, Zhu Biao regained consciousness.

When he awoke, he was outside the hall. At this time, the imperial physicians also came out of the room.

The physicians put their clothes and belongings directly into a brazier to burn them.

They had all had the bean disease, so they weren’t afraid of it, but the palace people hadn’t.

Naturally, these items had to be destroyed; otherwise, it would cause a widespread infection.

“Imperial Physician Zhang, how is Xiongying?”

Zhu Biao quickly asked.

Imperial Physician Zhang sighed, bowed to Zhu Biao, and said, “Your servants are incompetent and unable to save the Imperial Grandson. We beg Your Highness… to prepare yourself.”

“Whether he can survive depends on the Grandson’s own fate.”

The survival rate of those with the bean disease is about one in ten, and the survival rate for children is even lower.

With good luck, Zhu Xiongying will be safe and will never fear the bean disease again.

With bad luck, they would have to prepare for his funeral.

“How could this be… he was fine just a few days ago…” Zhu Biao staggered back two steps.

His depressed mood, coupled with overwork, caused him to completely faint.

The events in the Eastern Palace.

Soon reached the Imperial Study.

…

Zhu Yuanzhang was diligently processing memorials when he suddenly received news that his beloved grandson, Zhu Xiongying, had suddenly contracted the bean disease.

His life was hanging in the balance.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up abruptly; the force was too strong, causing him to briefly black out, knocking the memorials on the table to the floor.

But he didn’t have time to worry about these things.

After recovering, Zhu Yuanzhang strode towards the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang, already strong and healthy, ran naturally at a swift pace.

Moreover, the distance between the Eastern Palace and the Imperial Study wasn’t far.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at the Eastern Palace.

And headed towards Zhu Xiongying’s sleeping quarters.

“Xiongying! Xiongying!”

When he reached the sleeping quarters.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused slightly.

He saw that the eunuchs and maidservants were keeping their distance from Zhu Xiongying’s room.

Zhu Biao also lay fainted beside; seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang’s pupils constricted sharply.

Lü, Imperial Physician Zhang, and others also saw Zhu Yuanzhang’s arrival.

They all knelt down and said, “Your Majesty.”

Zhu Yuanzhang came before Imperial Physician Zhang and asked, “What’s wrong with my Xiongying?”

Imperial Physician Zhang was sweating profusely. It seemed he was going to be held accountable today.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Grandson has contracted the bean disease and is at death’s door.”

“Your servants are powerless.”

Zhu Yuanzhang felt a sudden pang in his heart.

“How… much time is left?”

“If nothing unexpected happens, at least three days, at most twenty days. Your Majesty, please grieve accordingly.”

Hearing the words “grieve accordingly,” Zhu Yuanzhang became distraught, kicking Imperial Physician Zhang and roaring.

“Grieve? You bunch of incompetent physicians! If you can’t cure my Xiongying, I’ll have you all buried with my grandson!”

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was about to unleash his fury and execute the eunuchs and maidservants who served Zhu Xiongying.

Empress Ma’s voice rang out.

“Enough, Chongba, are you done making a fuss?”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked behind him and saw Empress Ma standing beside the released Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoshi.

When he looked at Zhu Di, Zhu Yuanzhang paused slightly.

He recalled what Zhu Di had said a few days ago.

Could what the fourth son said be true?

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could think further, Empress Ma softly said to Zhu Di, “Fourth son, we’re counting on you.”

Zhu Di nodded.

Then, under everyone’s bewildered gaze, Zhu Di resolutely walked into the hall.

Imperial Physician Zhang immediately said, “Empress Dowager, absolutely do not let anyone who hasn’t had the bean disease enter!”

Empress Ma didn’t respond, merely waiting for Zhu Di.

Zhu Xiongying did indeed have the bean disease, which meant that Zhu Di had spoken the truth.

The bean disease, even with prevention, is difficult to cure completely.

Especially for children under ten years old, it’s all up to fate.

Now, all their hope rested on Zhu Di.

Empress Ma then entered the hall, showing no fear of the terrible bean disease, and Zhu Yuanzhang quickly followed.

Imperial Physician Zhang had no choice but to follow as well, while Lü and the other eunuchs and maidservants dared not enter.

This was a deadly disease; if they contracted it, they would surely die.

Inside the hall.

Zhu Di looked at the starlight emanating from his palm.

This was the healing ability granted by Zhuang Mu. When he needed to use this ability, his left hand would emit starlight.

He murmured, “Zhuang Mu, don’t let me down.”

Although Zhuang Mu had said that in his dreams, he would possess the ability to heal all diseases.

He had tried other illnesses, such as common colds, and it had worked.

Hopefully, the bean disease could also be cured, after all, historical records don’t mention a case of 100% cure for the bean disease.

Zhu Di gently placed his hand on his grandnephew’s head.

Then, the starry mist began to spread, enveloping Zhu Xiongying.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched this scene and said, “What is this?”

Empress Ma quickly pinched Zhu Yuanzhang, “Don’t speak.”

A quarter of an hour passed.

The starry mist returned to Zhu Di’s palm, and the symptoms of the bean disease on Zhu Xiongying completely disappeared.

His complexion also improved significantly.

Sucess, success?

(End of Chapter)

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