The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 97

Chapter 97: Confronting Empress Ma, the Jingnan Campaign, Zhu Di’s Rebellion

Seeing Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Di sighed.

“Forget it.”

Perhaps he had truly been affected mentally, even becoming a bit senile. How could he even utter such words? No matter how he explained it, it would seem weak and unconvincing. History books wouldn’t record that he was the rightful heir.

He should focus on saving Zhu Xiongying, his mother, and his elder brother. At least he could sleep soundly in his old age.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji and calmly asked, “What is it?”

Zhu Zhanji respectfully approached Zhu Di and softly said, “Grandpa, I heard from Zhao De that the old Taoist priest appeared at the tavern. I immediately brought people here. Grandpa, where is the Taoist priest?”

Zhu Zhanji then noticed his father was also there, standing with Zhu Di. This was quite unusual. Strange, wasn’t his father stripped of his regency powers?

Zhu Di said, “A Taoist priest? Didn’t you meet him when you arrived?”

The Taoist priest had just left; he should have met Zhu Zhanji.

Zhu Zhanji scratched his head. “Grandpa, I didn’t see any Taoist priest on the way.”

Did he disappear again? Zhu Zhanji felt helpless. He now understood why Zhu Gaosu had no news for three days—he seemed to be in a similar boat. Except for the Liang Guogong and the rebels he met last time, there were no other clues.

“Put in more effort, you’ll find him eventually,” Zhu Di said. “Could he escape right under your nose?”

Zhu Di slowly stood up and said, “I’ll go back and see how the second son is handling the memorials.” “Eldest brother, stay here for these days. It’s not good for you to keep going back and forth. If you need anything, tell your wife.” The inner court was managed by the Crown Princess; if they needed anything, they should naturally tell her. Zhu Gaoshi was overweight; the constant back-and-forth was too much for him. Since he wasn’t acting as Regent, staying here wouldn’t be a problem. He needed to see how Zhu Gaoxu was handling his regency; he couldn’t let him create chaos in the court.

…

Three days later.

Zhu Di arrived at the tavern as promised. Zhu Gaoshi was lying on a spring chair reading. Yao Guangxiao would arrive slightly later, but after Yao Guangxiao arrived, Zhuang Mu went downstairs. The timing was perfect.

Seeing Zhu Di, Zhu Gaoshi quickly sat up, and Zhuang Mu directly prepared two cups of wine and pushed them towards Zhu Di. It was the same as always.

Zhu Di took the two cups of wine, lay down beside Zhu Gaoshi, and handed one to him. After drinking, he held Zhu Gaoshi’s thick hand. He didn’t say anything.

Zhu Gaoshi, having had dream experience, wasn’t as flustered this time.

…

Dream world.

Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoshi returned to the Xu Guogong’s mansion. But they didn’t see Xu Miaoyun; it seemed she had gone to the palace. This made them both feel strange. After all, they had just been to the palace and seen the Empress; why would she go back again? Zhu Di didn’t think much of it. He was thinking about Zhu Xiongying’s death from bean-plague and his mother’s death from excessive grief and overwork. Therefore, he only needed to cure Zhu Xiongying’s bean-plague, and the history of the dream world could be changed. And Zhuang Mu seemed to have given him special abilities: the ability to cure diseases. Next, he just needed to wait for Zhu Xiongying to get sick, then cure him. Then Zhu Gaoshi could try to gauge Zhu Yuanzhang’s opinion to prepare for the final showdown.

Meanwhile, in the inner court…

Empress Ma looked at Xu Miaoyun standing before her again and said softly, “Miaoyun, sit down.”

At first, Xu Miaoyun wasn’t wary and sat down. She asked, “What is it, Your Majesty?”

Empress Ma looked at the materials in her hands and slowly said, “If I remember correctly, you’ve been by my side since you were a child, haven’t you?”

Xu Miaoyun nodded slightly. Xu Da was constantly at war, and his family stayed in the rear, which was managed by Empress Ma; naturally, Xu Miaoyun had stayed with her since childhood.

“I believe I’ve treated you well, haven’t I?”

Although she didn’t know what Empress Ma wanted, Xu Miaoyun answered truthfully, “Your Majesty has treated me like your own daughter.” Even like her own mother.

Then, Empress Ma casually said, “Then I want to know why you brought Gaoshi to see me. Has something happened to the Xu family?”

Empress Ma put down the materials and looked at Xu Miaoyun. “I didn’t intend to pry into your family’s affairs, but in recent days, not only the fourth son…” “But also Xu Tiande and you have all changed a lot. I heard from Hongwu that lately, Xu Da has been absent-minded during court sessions.” “When you came to see me, you were also absent-minded.” “And usually, you never bring Gaoshi to the palace.” “Why bring Gaoshi this time? Furthermore, he showed intelligence beyond that of a child his age.”

Anything related to the Xu Guogong’s mansion was unusual. Something strange was definitely going on. The first abnormality was her son, the fourth son, King Yan Zhu Di.

Xu Miaoyun’s expression was clearly flustered. Perhaps she should side with Zhu Di, but Empress Ma treated her like a daughter. She couldn’t bear to deceive Empress Ma. This made it difficult for Xu Miaoyun to decide whether to tell Empress Ma what she knew.

Empress Ma naturally knew Xu Miaoyun’s hesitation. She said softly, “If you have any concerns, you can tell me.” “If something has happened to your Xu family, I can help you.” “If something has happened to the fourth son, I can help.”

“No matter what, I can help, but you cannot hide anything from me.”

Empress Ma had guessed roughly that the abnormality most likely didn’t come from within the Xu family. It was most likely from her fourth son, Zhu Di, whose personality had changed drastically. She was a reasonable person. She would help as much as she could, as long as she wasn’t deceived. That was her bottom line.

“I…”

Xu Miaoyun’s heart was also complex. Empress Ma had taught her, “follow your husband.” Logically, she shouldn’t speak, but Empress Ma treated her like her own daughter. Not speaking would be ungrateful. Xu Miaoyun’s constant fidgeting showed her nervousness and inner struggle.

Seeing this, Empress Ma didn’t press further, but said, “I know you always listen to me. You side with the fourth son, and I am pleased.” “After all, this is what I taught you.” “But some things can be hidden, and some things cannot. You must consider this yourself.” “I can give you time to get your husband’s and father’s opinions. You can give me an answer tomorrow night.” “But, Miaoyun,” “I’m only giving you this one chance. If you don’t tell me clearly this time, then next time, even if you beg for my help, I won’t help.” “You should know my character.”

After speaking, Empress Ma didn’t say anything more, but quietly looked at the materials. The choice was up to Xu Miaoyun. She never forced anyone.

After much thought, Xu Miaoyun stood up and bowed. “Mother, it’s not that I want to deceive you, but this matter concerns the life and death of my Xu family.” “I cannot easily tell you, I apologize.”

Then, Xu Miaoyun kowtowed to Empress Ma several times. This surprised Empress Ma. The life and death of the Xu family? What kind of thing could threaten Xu Da’s position and the Xu family’s survival? Who was Xu Da? The Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, the top general, the first of the six founding dukes. Xu Miaoyun was also Zhu Di’s wife.

Xu Miaoyun continued, “I will go back and ask my husband and father for their opinions, and I will give you an answer tomorrow night.”

After saying this, Xu Miaoyun got up and left for the Xu family’s residence.

Empress Ma’s heart was also a little flustered. The life and death of the Xu family…what could it be? Could it be that Xu Tiande was rebelling? That’s impossible! She knew Xu Da very well; he valued his relationships and his loyalty. Even if Xu Tiande really had rebellious intentions, he couldn’t ignore that the most powerful general in the Ming Dynasty was Zhu Yuanzhang. Because Zhu Yuanzhang was the Emperor, Xu Da was the first of the six founding dukes and the top general. If he were to rank emperors, Xu Da would have to take a backseat.

If it wasn’t Xu Da…then it could only be the fourth son, Zhu Di.

“Forget it, tomorrow I will know the answer.”

…

Soon, Xu Miaoyun returned to the Xu Guogong’s mansion. Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoshi saw her return and asked, “Miaoyun, what did Mother want in the inner court?” Xu Miaoyun had entered the palace several times, though rarely, but Zhu Di didn’t find anything unusual.

Xu Miaoyun’s expression was tense. She said, “Your Majesty… she guessed.”

As soon as these words came out, Zhu Di was stunned. His expression changed from ease to seriousness. He asked in a low voice, “You… did you tell Mother everything?”

Zhu Gaoshi’s two-year-old chubby face showed the worry of a man in his fifties.

Xu Miaoyun shook her head. “I haven’t told her yet, but Your Majesty already guessed it. These days, Father and I have been absent-minded because we knew about your husband’s Jingnan campaign.” “And my bringing Gaoshi to the palace had a clear purpose.” “This caused the Empress to become suspicious.” “Your Majesty said that if anything has happened, I should tell her now.” “She would help if she could.” “If I deceived her, even if I beg for her help in the future, she won’t help.” “I promised Your Majesty that I will give her an answer tomorrow night.” “I don’t know whether I should tell her or not, so I came to ask for your opinion.”

Zhu Di sighed helplessly. It seemed that plans didn’t always work out. Tell or not tell? If they didn’t tell, they would lose their mother as an important protector. So, they had to confess to Empress Ma first, otherwise…if Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and Empress Ma didn’t stop him, no one would dare to stop him. Not even Zhu Biao.

Zhu Di comforted Xu Miaoyun, “Forget it, tomorrow I will go to the palace and tell Mother everything.”

(End of chapter)

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