Chapter 27: Speaking of Coal! Zhu Biao Must Be Given a Bride!

“What?”

Old Zhu was suddenly stunned, nearly dropping the teacup in his hand. His face was filled with disbelief as he stared intently at the chubby little boy before him, as if doubting his own ears.

“You just said you want to select a consort for Biao’er?” His voice involuntarily rose, carrying a note of incredulity that echoed through the vast hall.

“Yes!” Zhu Gaochi’s plump face was full of urgency. He responded loudly while energetically waving his pudgy little hands, as if this would lend weight to his words. “How can we not select a consort?

“Grandfather, look,” Zhu Gaochi leaned forward, his expression turning serious and earnest. “That Lady Lü is ambitious and single-mindedly inciting Yunwen to covet the throne. She pressures Brother Ying openly and constantly schemes behind the scenes. If this continues, how can it be allowed?” His excitement grew as he spoke, his cheeks flushing bright red.

Old Zhu fell silent for a moment, pacing slowly with his hands behind his back in the grand hall.

He understood these matters well himself, but out of respect for Crown Prince Biao’s dignity, he had refrained from intervening directly, leaving the prince to handle things on his own.

Yet now, hearing the plump little boy speak like this, the situation seemed far graver than he had imagined.

“That’s not all,” Zhu Gaochi paused, then continued, his tone filled with concern. “The Eastern Palace currently has only Lady Lü as a woman responsible for educating the dragon heirs. Grandfather, if you keep indulging her, it won’t just be Brother Ying and Yunwen who get hurt—those younger brothers behind them will also be influenced!”

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu could no longer remain seated. He abruptly stopped pacing, clenching his fists tightly. After all, they were all his grandsons, not to mention Zhu Xiongying, his eldest grandson in whom he had placed great hopes.

“So, you mean, select a consort for Biao’er?” Old Zhu turned to Zhu Gaochi, eyes fixed, seeking confirmation.

“Exactly, select a consort!” Zhu Gaochi grinned mischievously, his eyes narrowed into slits. “According to ritual law, the crown prince can only have one primary wife and one secondary wife. Besides these, he can have ten attendants and an unlimited number of concubines.”

“Lady Lü is currently the primary wife, so the secondary wife position is vacant. Not to mention the ten attendants and unlimited concubines. Let’s just gather as many women as possible for the eldest uncle at once, at least filling the secondary wife and attendants’ positions!”

Zhu Gaochi grew increasingly excited as he spoke, a flush spreading across his face.

“In this way, Lady Lü won’t dare to covet the throne. To keep her position as crown princess, she’ll have to compete for favor with these consorts, battling them openly and covertly. Meanwhile, the brothers won’t be influenced by Lady Lü and can focus on their studies and virtue cultivation… It’s a clever plan that kills several birds with one stone!”

Old Zhu nodded reluctantly; the idea did sound reasonable, yet something about it felt off.

Puzzled, Old Zhu looked at Zhu Gaochi with suspicion.

“You little brat, are you scheming something again?”

The chubby boy immediately blushed furiously, his chest heaving with anger. “Grandfather, how could you slander me without cause?” He stomped his foot, looking aggrieved. “I’m only thinking of Brother Ying and the others. Besides, what business is this of mine, a prince of a vassal state?”

“If you don’t like me, just say so. I’ll return to Beiping and stop bothering you…” With that, Zhu Gaochi turned sharply and hurried toward the door, kicking up a gust of wind.

Unexpectedly, just as he reached the entrance, he collided head-on with an enraged Crown Prince Biao.

Zhu Gaochi’s heart skipped a beat. Damn it! Zhu Xiongying, you’ve really set me up!

Seeing Crown Prince Biao stride in with fierce anger, Zhu Gaochi shrank his neck like a frightened little mouse and scampered back to Old Zhu’s side, standing obediently and not daring to breathe loudly.

Old Zhu was puzzled by the boy’s sudden return—but the next moment, he understood.

Crown Prince Biao stormed into the hall, his face flushed with rage, bellowing: “Zhu Gaochi, you little brat, have you set your schemes against your eldest uncle now?”

His eyes bulged, seeming ready to shoot flames. “If I don’t thrash you today, I’m not a Zhu!”

With that, Crown Prince Biao charged fiercely at the chubby boy.

Zhu Gaochi screamed in panic, clutching Old Zhu’s dragon robe with a voice quivering like he might cry, “Ahhh… Murder! Grandfather, save me!” While yelling, he tried to defend himself, “I have shed blood for the Ming and earned merit! Crown Prince Biao is hypocritical and cruel to the loyal!”

Even Old Zhu couldn’t help but laugh at this, slapping Zhu Gaochi on the head with a chiding smile. “You little scoundrel, why are you yelling nonsense?”

Despite the teasing, no one would joke about the virtuous reputation of the Crown Prince.

Old Zhu then glared at Crown Prince Biao, scolding, “What do you want? Has this child said anything wrong?”

Straightening his posture, his imposing presence filled the hall. “The entire Eastern Palace has only Lady Lü as a woman—is that appropriate? We’ve long wanted you to choose a consort!”

Crown Prince Biao paused, a bitter smile crossing his face as he shook his head helplessly. “Father, you know well I’m swamped with state affairs every day. Where would I find the time or energy…”

“Hmph!” Zhu Gaochi couldn’t help but interrupt with a disdainful smile. “As if you’re the emperor—Grandfather is still alive!”

“You little brat…” Crown Prince Biao’s anger surged anew, clenching his fists tightly, ready to leap on this insolent youngster.

Old Zhu waved his hand impatiently, frowning deeply, “I think Gaochi has a point. I’m still alive; it’s not your turn to exhaust yourself with endless affairs!” His gaze locked on Crown Prince Biao, stern. “Expanding the imperial lineage is your duty. If you can’t even do that, what good are you as crown prince?”

Faced with Old Zhu’s rebuke, Crown Prince Biao could only speak with a hint of grievance, “Father, I already have four or five children…” His eyes showed confusion and frustration. “Isn’t that enough to continue the line?”

“Not nearly enough,” Zhu Gaochi said cheerfully, stepping forward with an overly bright smile. “Grandfather, at your age, you’re still fathering children, aren’t you? Truly vigorous and ever stronger each year…”

One had to admit, Old Zhu was indeed strong in this regard, having fathered twenty-six sons and sixteen daughters.

Before the words even left his mouth, he received a slap on the back of his head.

“You little scoundrel, no respect, even teasing your grandfather!”

Old Zhu feigned anger, though a slight smile crept up his lips, clearly pleased.

The little brat might be brazen, but his words were flattering.

“Old but vigorous, that’s well known!”

“Biao’er, did you hear? I’m setting an example; there’s no excuse for you to shirk it.”

Crown Prince Biao’s face flushed a deep purple-red. He wanted to argue but found no suitable words, so he glared fiercely at the chubby boy by Old Zhu’s side, eyes saying, “Just you wait.”

Zhu Gaochi returned the glare unabashedly and even added fuel to the fire.

“Grandfather, you see, the secondary consort isn’t like the others. I’ve already screened suitable women from the families of military merit for eldest uncle…”

Crown Prince Biao: “???”

Damn it!

Are you serious?

I truly thank you, you little brat!

Old Zhu, too, was somewhat taken aback, staring suspiciously at Zhu Gaochi.

“The most suitable one is the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongchang!”

Zhu Gaochi met their gazes calmly and said this without hesitation.

“Bastard!” Crown Prince Biao erupted in anger. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

Though by rank, Lan Yu was the maternal uncle of Crown Prince Biao’s primary wife, Lady Chang; thus, marrying Lan Yu’s daughter as a secondary consort was entirely legitimate.

However, Lan Yu was notoriously arrogant and domineering. Previously, Zhu Biao had harshly reprimanded him and harbored strong resentment. Marrying his daughter would only fuel Lan Yu’s arrogance further.

Even Old Zhu frowned deeply, displeased with Zhu Gaochi’s suggestion.

“Gaochi, you must know that Lan Yu has been arrogant and lawless, taking advantage of his relation to Biao’er!”

“If he really became Biao’er’s father-in-law, who knows how much more tyrannical he’d become!”

In truth, Old Zhu worried about the influence of the maternal relatives—Ming must never fall into the hands of external clans like the Han dynasty, allowing them to usurp power.

Zhu Gaochi’s smile never faltered. “Lan Yu can no longer act arrogantly; the Embroidered Uniform Guard has scared him out of his wits. Grandfather will see for himself in a few days.”

“As for why it must be Lan Yu’s daughter, only she can wholeheartedly protect Brother Ying and contend with Lady Lü!”

“Other women lack the heart and ability for this.”

Old Zhu’s pupils contracted sharply, a flicker of shock crossing his eyes as he regarded Zhu Gaochi deeply.

Lan Yu was indeed Lady Chang’s uncle, and Zhu Xiongying was his nephew. Now that Lady Chang was gone, letting Lan Yu’s daughter enter the Eastern Palace would ensure she would protect Zhu Xiongying with all her heart.

This chubby little boy—truly a master strategist!