Chapter 45: The Ruthless Prince's Mark! The Lü Family's Counterattack!
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The Crown Prince’s residence was enveloped in silence, broken only by the gentle rustling of the wind, which caused the copper bells hanging from the eaves to chime softly—a clear yet lonely sound. Zhu Yunwen sobbed uncontrollably, his shoulders shaking violently as tears streamed down his cheeks, soaking the fabric of his clothes with dark stains.
Today, he had intended to study peacefully in the main hall, but just as he immersed himself in learning, an imperial edict from the Empress suddenly arrived, expelling him from the hall and shattering the tranquility.
Suppressing his fear and unease, Zhu Yunwen wandered back to the Crown Prince’s residence in a daze, everything around him blurring as the cold decree echoed repeatedly in his mind. Upon arrival, his legs gave way, and he fainted.
When he awoke, his mother, Lady Lü, sat by his bedside, tears rolling down her cheeks onto the bed.
“Mother, they’ve expelled me from the main hall!” he cried, his voice choked with grief and indignation.
Lady Lü’s eyes reddened with pain as she embraced her son, gently patting his back as if soothing a frightened fawn.
“My son, don’t be afraid. It’s better not to go to that hall,” she whispered resolutely. “They think we are both ambitious and scheming, so let’s just lower our heads and live quietly.”
Her face darkened with bitterness; she could never have imagined that Empress Ma, so revered by the court, would be so heartless.
Zhu Yunwen was her grandson, carrying the royal bloodline, yet with a mere imperial edict, his own grandmother had cast him out of the main hall without a second thought.
Could a grandmother truly do such a thing?
Clenching his fists until the veins stood out, Zhu Yunwen’s eyes burned with refusal and hurt.
Today’s actions by Empress Ma filled him with resentment and unbearable grievance.
“I am your grandson too. Why treat me like this?”
Lady Lü tenderly wiped away his tears with her sleeve and forced a smile. “Not attending the main hall is fine, but your studies must not falter.”
She stroked his hair softly, like a gentle spring breeze. “I will speak to your father and hire learned scholars to tutor you, alright?”
Obediently, Zhu Yunwen nodded, and under his mother’s care, he slowly closed his eyes.
After calming her son, Lady Lü took a deep breath, wiped the remaining tears from her face, then approached the bronze mirror to carefully touch up her makeup. Gazing at her reflection, her eyes grew determined. Once composed, she moved gracefully to the study where the Crown Prince, Zhu Biao, was engrossed in state affairs.
The candlelight flickered as Zhu Biao worked tirelessly late into the night, his desk piled high with memorials and official documents. The dim light reflected his weary yet focused expression.
“Your Highness, it’s late. You should rest,” Lady Lü said softly as she entered, her tone tentative.
Zhu Biao glanced at her briefly, replying calmly, “You rest first. I will stay in the study tonight.”
Her smile froze instantly, as if chilled by ice, a sharp pain piercing her heart.
Seeing she did not leave, Zhu Biao’s hand holding the brush paused with impatience. He set it down and looked up at her. “Is there something else?”
Forcing a smile, Lady Lü said, “Your Highness, Yunwen was expelled from the main hall today...”
A cold glint flashed briefly in Zhu Biao’s eyes, like a shooting star across the night sky, then he nodded slightly. “I know. It’s Mother’s decision. I cannot stop it.”
After a pause, he hinted meaningfully, “In fact, it might be better for Yunwen.”
Lady Lü’s heart trembled violently, struck as if by a heavy hammer—she understood the implication behind his words.
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After a moment’s hesitation, she braced herself and said, “But Yunwen has done nothing wrong. Why must it be like this...?”
“Enough!” Zhu Biao suddenly snapped, his voice ringing sharply in the silent study. “Are you questioning Mother?”
Terrified, Lady Lü fell to her knees, trembling, “Your Highness, please calm your anger. I dare not!”
Zhu Biao looked coldly at his wife. In the flickering candlelight, memories of their past tenderness filled him with helplessness and bitterness.
If only she had been more obedient, none of this would have happened.
He blamed himself for having legitimized her in the first place; none of this would have come to pass otherwise.
“Enough. You may leave now,” he waved dismissively, refusing to meet her gaze again.
Yet Lady Lü did not leave immediately. She pleaded, “Your Highness, Yunwen’s education cannot be neglected. And Yunrong has reached the appropriate age as well...” Zhu Biao rubbed his brow wearily, then softened his tone. “I will report this to Father tomorrow and arrange for learned scholars to come teach at the Eastern Palace.”
He paused and reminded, “Now that you are Crown Princess, you must remember your duties. Mother has just recovered from illness. Tomorrow, you must pay respects at court. Understood?”
Lady Lü felt warmed and quickly nodded.
“Just pay your respects. Do not say more,” Zhu Biao added.
“Tonight, Li Jinglong and Li Qi fought fiercely over a glass mirror at the Drunken Immortal Tavern. Both Father and Mother were furious. Be wise and avoid trouble.”
Despite everything, Zhu Biao still cared for Lady Lü and did not want her to be an unwitting scapegoat.
She timidly agreed and left quietly.
Watching her retreating figure, Zhu Biao’s expression was complex—helplessness, disappointment, and a trace of unspoken affection.
Outside the study, the night was as still as water. Moonlight draped over Lady Lü’s slender frame, her eyes glinting coldly.
She had keenly grasped a crucial detail: the glass mirror.
If she remembered correctly, Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Gaochi had won the emperor’s favor through such glassworks.
Now Li Jinglong and Li Qi had fought over a glass mirror. Such a coincidence was impossible.
Even if it were unrelated, they must be involved!
Li Qi, the prince consort, was the only son of Grand Tutor Li Shanchang.
In that case, why not use them as pawns to strike others?
Zhu Gaochi!
Zhu Xiongying!
Let’s see how long your triumph lasts!
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The next morning,
Li Shanchang arrived at court with his son to offer apologies.
A prince consort frequenting the pleasure quarters was an insult to the royal family.
Upon hearing this, Li Shanchang was furious. Though he believed the emperor wouldn’t make a fuss, he still beat his son and brought him early to apologize.
Emperor Zhu squinted at Li Qi, who appeared bruised but only superficially wounded—their act of feigning injury was obvious.
“You let Li Shanchang beat this wayward son, and this is how you handle it?”
For a moment, the emperor’s gaze grew cold, his dissatisfaction with Li Shanchang deepening.
Yet, as the founding hero of the dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang spared him from harsher punishment out of old gratitude.
After a brief scolding, he dismissed the pair.
Still, today’s incident pierced the emperor’s heart like a thorn.
After leaving the hall, Li Shanchang and his son breathed a sigh of relief, heading toward the palace gates.
Just as they were about to exit, Li Qi accidentally bumped into a palace maid. Irritated, he was about to scold her, but noticed she slipped a note into his hand.
Li Qi’s expression changed, but he concealed it, hiding the note until reaching home, where he quickly showed it to Li Shanchang.
The note read plainly: "The glass incident was orchestrated by Zhu Gaochi," with no other details.
Li Shanchang stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“Zhu Gaochi?”
“The eldest son of the Prince of Yan?”
“A troublemaker. When did you get involved with him?”
Li Qi shook his head vigorously, swearing he neither knew Zhu Gaochi nor had any dealings with him.
Frowning, Li Shanchang sensed the matter was far from simple.
“Send someone immediately to investigate. Where is the glass merchant from last night?”
After a pause, he turned to Li Qi and slapped him hard.
“You worthless brat! Behave yourself from now on!”
“The emperor just established the Embroidered Uniform Guard this year. Do you think it’s just for show?”
Li Qi rubbed his cheek and mumbled, then left without another word.
Looking at his unfilial son, Li Shanchang was helpless but grateful his past merits shielded the boy.
What he did not know was that Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang had already planted a seed of distrust deep in his heart.