Volume 1, Chapter 19: The Fury of Zhu Biao
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“Your Majesty, Empress, the…,” the imperial physician began, but Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted impatiently, “Just speak plainly!”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Qin is not seriously injured. He has multiple knife wounds and has lost a lot of blood, but none of his internal organs are damaged. With proper rest and medication, he should fully recover within two to three months.”
Zhu Yuanzhang finally exhaled, his tightly clenched heart easing. He pressed his dry lips together and softly said, “Let’s go see my second son.”
Empress Ma and Zhu Biao followed Zhu Yuanzhang into the chamber, finally able to carefully examine the unconscious Zhu Zhu.
The second prince had already been cleaned of blood by the imperial physician and was now wrapped like a mummy. There was likely no part of his body left unscathed.
Empress Ma sat gently beside Zhu Zhu’s bed, tears streaming uncontrollably as she gazed at the son she had carried for ten months.
Unable to bear the sight, Zhu Yuanzhang turned away and asked the imperial physician, “When will our son wake?”
“Your Majesty, Prince Qin has just been medicated, but he has lost a great deal of blood. At the earliest, it will take a day or two before he awakens,” the physician reported cautiously, fearing the enraged emperor might strike him down.
“Hm, understood. You may leave.”
Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes and waved away the attendants.
At this moment, Zhu Biao snapped out of his sorrow for his brother.
He turned to Empress Ma and said, “Mother, I…”
Seeing the grief on Zhu Biao’s face, Empress Ma anticipated his words and interrupted, “Biao’er, come sit here.”
After Zhu Biao sat, Empress Ma gently touched his cheek, looking into his reddened eyes, suppressing her sadness as she spoke tenderly, “Biao’er, do you know who you are?”
“I am the son of Father and Mother, their eldest son!”
“And?”
“I am the Crown Prince of the Great Ming.”
“Exactly. You are the Crown Prince, the heir to the Ming throne. Remember this bond deeply in your heart and stop acting like a little girl.
Biao’er, remember you carry the weight of the people of Ming on your shoulders! This is the last time you may be like this; never again. Don’t blame yourself. Your brother is brave—that is what he should do. He has grown up. You should be proud of him.”
“I, your son, will remember,” Zhu Biao nodded firmly.
Then he looked resolutely at Empress Ma and said, “Mother, please take care of the second prince. I want to go and vent my anger for him!”
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“Go ahead. Your brother is in good hands with Mother here,” Empress Ma said with relief, watching Zhu Biao regain his composure.
“Go, Biao’er. Remember, you are the Crown Prince of Ming, son of Zhu Yuanzhang! Do whatever you must. If the sky falls, Father is here.”
At this moment, old Zhu wanted to accompany Zhu Biao in venting his fury, but he could not—for Zhu Biao, and for his daughter.
“Yes, Father,” Zhu Biao replied casually, casting a lingering glance at Zhu Zhu on the bed before turning and leaving.
Outside the hall, Zhu Biao saw the eunuch Li Biao and immediately issued an order.
“Li Biao!”
“Yes, Your Servant!”
“Summon Duke Wei, Xu Da; Duke of Han, Li Shanchang; and Qin Yi of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—immediately to the Eastern Palace!”
“As you command!”
...
Inside the Eastern Palace:
“Your Highness, are you hurt? Are you feeling unwell? When I received the news, I was terrified, but Mother sent word that you are unharmed, letting me wait here in peace.”
At this time, Zhu Xiongying, barely over four years old, was already sound asleep. Only the Crown Princess anxiously waited for Zhu Biao, sighing in relief upon his return.
“I’m fine. Sorry to have worried you,” Zhu Biao forced a stiff smile at the Crown Princess.
“What about the second prince? That brat—is he seriously injured?”
“The second prince is not in critical condition, but he has dozens of knife wounds and remains unconscious.”
The Crown Princess was no fool and immediately sensed the gravity of the situation, her expression softening with sympathy.
“Your Highness, you must protect your younger brother well in the future. That brat looks reckless but…”
“Well, Your Highness, since you are unharmed, I will go see the second prince and keep Mother company.”
Lady Chang did not hesitate and said firmly.
“Go ahead. Take good care of the second prince for me.”
Zhu Biao, his mind full of sorrow and rage, paid little attention to the Crown Princess.
Shortly after, Xu Da and Li Shanchang arrived at the Eastern Palace. Having heard of the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince and the serious injury to the Prince of Qin, they dared not linger.
Qin Yi had hastily stopped the bleeding with some herbs and rushed to the Eastern Palace without pause.
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Before Xu Da and the others could speak, Qin Yi, seeing Zhu Biao, abandoned all formalities and hurriedly asked, “Your Highness, is my prince still alright? Do you need any medicinal herbs? I will fetch them immediately!”
“He’s fine. The second prince is stable but still unconscious and needs time. Common herbs will suffice. Today I…”
Hearing that Zhu Zhu was not seriously injured, Qin Yi relaxed and suddenly fainted, interrupting the Crown Prince.
Zhu Biao laughed bitterly at the scene but was glad for his brother. Having such a loyal retainer was a blessing.
He ordered a eunuch to summon the imperial physician to carry Qin Yi away.
“Send more Embroidered Uniform Guards... No, forget it—both key men are unconscious; no point in sending orders!” Zhu Biao cursed unusually, then looked at Xu Da and Li Shanchang and commanded:
“You both know about the assassination attempt on me and the serious injury to the Prince of Qin, right?”
Before they could reply, he continued:
“Duke Wei, Uncle Xu, are the troops under your command useless? Tell me! How could those Japanese pirates get so close to Ying Tian Prefecture without the court receiving any news?”
“I am guilty! Please, Your Highness, allow me to atone,” Xu Da bowed deeply, fearing Zhu Biao’s wrath.
“Good. Then go, and while you’re at it, wipe out all the traitors in Ming. Consider it military training.”
Zhu Biao said coolly, then turned to Li Shanchang.
“You are the Duke of Han, chief among officials, second only to the emperor. Do you know who in the court is so brazen?”
“Go and give me an answer!” Zhu Biao said, then ignored Li Shanchang.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Li Shanchang broke into a cold sweat, quickly leaving the Eastern Palace and glancing back toward Zhu Biao.
He could not help but marvel at how none of the Zhu family were easy to deal with.
Zhu Biao’s orders struck no one as improper—not even commanding the prime minister to execute officials or mobilizing the army.
Everything was taken as natural.
...
Soon, large contingents poured out from the barracks, scattering across Ming’s territory, especially along the southern coast.
Meanwhile, at the Duke of Han’s residence, officials came and went in a steady stream. Secretly, Ying Tian Prefecture was embroiled in turmoil.