Chapter Three: Zhu Yunwen Trembles in Fear

Half an hour later.

The vast imperial study was packed with people.

Groups whispered quietly among themselves, none understanding why they had been suddenly and hastily summoned here.

“My lunch isn’t even finished yet, but the guards have already pulled me to the imperial study. What urgent matter could this be?”

“Who knows! I was just dreaming, lifting the veil, never even seeing the beauty’s face before being interrupted!”

“Same here! I was bathing, and was dragged out straightaway and thrown into a carriage...!”

Before Zhu Yuanzhang arrived, the ministers grumbled and speculated among themselves.

“Could it be that the sea bandits over there have risen again? Or perhaps the restless Mongol Tatars have stirred up trouble once more?”

“There’s been no such news!”

“Duke of Liang, have you received any information?”

Duke of Liang, Lan Yu, held military power and was deeply trusted by His Majesty.

Everyone instinctively turned their gaze to him.

Yet even he shook his head, “I have heard nothing!”

“His Majesty approaches...”

The sharp, lingering voice of the eunuch Yun Qi sounded, prompting everyone to straighten their robes and stand properly.

Shortly after, Zhu Yuanzhang entered, clad in his ceremonial robes, and sat solemnly on the dragon throne.

The Crown Prince Zhu Biao followed closely behind.

After a brief explanation of the situation, the entire imperial study erupted in uproar.

“What? Henan is the granary of the realm, and there might be flooding there?”

“Impossible, impossible! Floods don’t just happen overnight!”

“But if it does, it won’t just bring suffering to the people; grain prices will surely soar...!”

Learning that this information came from a child, some ministers believed it, others doubted.

Chang Mao, inheritor of his father Chang Yuchun’s title as Duke of Zheng, was also summoned for consultation.

As Zhu Xiongying’s maternal uncle, he certainly trusted his nephew. “Your Majesty, Xiongying has always been intelligent and truthful; perhaps the flooding in Henan is indeed imminent!”

His younger brother, Chang Sheng, nodded repeatedly, “Yes, Your Majesty, floods are no trivial matter. Better to believe it might happen than to dismiss it outright!”

At their words, the ministers found reason in the claim.

“Hm! Regardless of whether the Crown Prince’s words are true or not, it is better to prepare early!”

“Indeed! If wealthy households hoard grain and raise prices wildly, the common people throughout Ming will suffer!”

“Exactly...”

Finally, the ministers reached a consensus.

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, “I have dispatched riders on swift horses to hasten to Henan day and night. News will arrive shortly. From today, the Ministry of Revenue shall inventory the grain stores and prepare relief supplies!”

“The Ministry of War shall muster troops, ready provisions; once news returns, we shall immediately dispatch aid to the disaster area!”

“The Ministry of Works shall also prepare, for once flooding occurs, the people’s homes will surely need repair and reconstruction!”

“Yes...!”

The ministers in charge of each department responded in unison.

Then, based on past experiences, they offered many suggestions concerning the flood.

After more than an hour, the ministers were finally dismissed from the palace.

“Do you think the Crown Prince’s words could be true?”

“I doubt it! I’ve heard he’s always been weak and sickly; how could he be favored by the immortals?”

“Ah, stop guessing! Whether true or not, we’ll know in a few days...”

...

The entire afternoon, the ministers were overwhelmed with work.

The Eastern Palace was no less turbulent.

“Brother, I was wrong, I was wrong, I truly know my mistake now!”

“I won’t dare do it again!”

“Brother, please forgive me just this once...!”

In an ornate chamber of carved beams and painted rafters, Zhu Yunwen cowered in a corner, trembling with fright at the strange insects crawling wildly across the room.

Endless apologies poured forth.

These creatures were not only terrifying in appearance but had two hard pincers.

They clamped down on anything they encountered.

By afternoon, he had been pinched several times.

Each time, the pain pierced his heart.

“Hmph! Pretty boy, no good intentions at all...!”

Zhu Xiongying bent down, picked up one of the strange insects, and tossed it onto Zhu Yunwen’s trousers.

Startled, the insect raised its pincers and bit down hard.

“Ah...!”

A sharp, agonized scream echoed through the Eastern Palace.

[Beep! Congratulations, host, for pranking Zhu Yunwen. Reward: One month extended life!]

Receiving the system’s reward, the little one dusted his hands and sneered, “Let’s see if you dare tattle on me in front of Father now!”

“Bang...”

At that moment, the door behind them was forcefully flung open.

A richly dressed woman, adorned with pearls and jade, stormed inside.

Her eyes quickly scanned the room and landed on Zhu Yunwen, cowering speechless in the corner.

She waved to the guards behind her, “You there, hurry and rescue the Second Imperial Grandson!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The guards had never seen such insects before and were somewhat wary.

But with the Crown Princess’s order, they dared not disobey.

Carefully avoiding the creatures, they swiftly lifted the collapsed Zhu Yunwen from the floor.

Seeing her son already terrified senseless, the Crown Princess Lü stood with one hand on her hip and pointed at Zhu Xiongying, demanding, “He’s your own younger brother, how could you treat him like this?”

“Brother? Madam, you must be mistaken. My real younger brother is Yun Teng!”

Lü’s anger, already stoked by her son’s mistreatment, surged further upon hearing this.

Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

Though she was a concubine raised to official status, all the children born of the previous Crown Princesses had respectfully called her ‘Mother Consort.’

Had this boy gone mad after his serious illness?

Calling her 'Madam' in front of so many was tantamount to slapping her face.

She was, after all, now the rightful Crown Princess!

If it weren’t for her personal maid Cai Huan tugging at her sleeve, she might have slapped the boy herself.

To make him understand who truly ruled this household!

Suppressing her fury, she demanded sternly, “Why did you keep Yunwen locked in your room?”

Zhu Xiongying pointed to a basin on the table filled with bright red insects, “Of course, I was treating my royal brother to some delicacies!”

But Zhu Yunwen, seeing these creatures, shivered in fear, hiding behind Lü and clutching her clothes tightly.

Lü, heartbroken for her child, shielded him protectively, “You’re still a royal child; surely you wouldn’t eat insects? If this got out, wouldn’t people mock us?”

“These are little lobsters, unique to the Ming Dynasty. Others would give anything to try them!”

Looking at the large basin full of spicy crayfish, Zhu Xiongying’s mouth watered.

His life-extension system not only kept him alive but occasionally issued small tasks with minor rewards.

These crayfish and chili peppers were system products, stored in a temporary space, never eaten.

Today was the perfect opportunity to use them to punish Zhu Yunwen.

To teach the boy to keep his mouth shut.

As long as he stayed alive, the throne had nothing to do with this boy.

Better if he didn’t even think about it!