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In the stillness of the night, Su Ning lay on the brocade couch, but was wide awake.

As a time traveler, he was repeatedly pondering a detail that terrified him.

"In the eleventh year of Hongwu, Lady Chang died in childbirth..." He silently calculated the timeline in his mind, "Just over a month later, Lady Lü was promoted to the rank of concubine."

This is completely against etiquette.

According to the etiquette and laws of the Ming Dynasty, if the Crown Princess died, a new consort could only be established after at least one year of mourning.

not to mention……

“Lu Ben, Lu Shi’s father, also passed away around that time.” Su Ning’s eyes flashed with a sharp light in the darkness.

He recalled the record in the History of Ming: Lü Ben was originally an official of the Yuan Dynasty. After surrendering to the Ming Dynasty, he rose to the position of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, but suddenly died of illness in the early eleventh year of Hongwu.

Shortly after Lü Ben's death, his daughter, Lady Lü, was made the Crown Prince's successor wife.

"Without brothers, the Lü family line has ended..." Su Ning murmured to herself, "Such a family background is simply tailor-made for the position of Crown Princess. If she becomes Empress in the future, there will definitely be no interference from the maternal relatives in politics. As for the Huaixi nobles that Zhu Yuanzhang feared the most, they will not be able to cause any trouble."

So now, everything is connected.

Why did Zhu Yuanzhang break with etiquette and hastily elevate the Crown Prince's concubine, Lady Lü, to the position of principal wife, even though the Crown Prince's first wife had just died and the mourning period for his daughter-in-law's father had not yet ended?

All of this was to prevent interference in politics by the emperor's relatives and the powerful nobles of Huaixi!

Behind the Chang family is the deeply entrenched Huaixi aristocratic group.

Although Chang Yuchun, the most valiant general of the Ming Dynasty, has passed away, his former subordinates still wield considerable influence in the army.

Not to mention Lan Yu, who is now at the height of his power and, as Chang Yuchun's brother-in-law, his prestige in the army is growing day by day.

If Lady Chang were still alive, Zhu Yunwen's position as the second legitimate son would be as secure as Mount Tai.

The nobles of Huaixi will surely give their full support to this imperial grandson who has the blood of the Chang family.

But all of this was something Zhu Yuanzhang absolutely could not tolerate.

"What a brilliant move to undermine our foundation..." Su Ning couldn't help but be shocked by his grandfather's political acumen.

Choosing the Lü family was a win-win situation with three advantages: First, the Lü family had no heir, completely eliminating the possibility of powerful maternal relatives becoming too influential; second, the Lü family came from the civil service system, naturally gaining the support of the civil service group, which could be used to balance the power of the military group in Huaixi; third, Zhu Yunwen, the son of the Lü family, had no connection with the military, which was exactly in line with Zhu Yuanzhang's strategy of checks and balances.

The sound of patrolling guards could be heard outside the window, and Su Ning immediately closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

Once the footsteps had faded away, he opened his eyes again, his vision clear.

He finally understood how perilous his situation was in this era.

It wasn't just a matter of being out of favor; from the very beginning, he stood in opposition to his grandfather's power structure.

"Was Chang's 'death in childbirth' really just an accident?" A terrible thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

He recalled the vague records in the historical books: when Lady Chang gave birth, all the imperial physicians in the palace were present, but they were still powerless to save her.

Shortly after her death, several imperial physicians who were responsible for her delivery also "died of illness".

Su Ning felt a chill rise up her spine.

If none of this is a coincidence, then the Eastern Palace where he is now is simply a den of dragons and tigers.

……

The following morning, as usual, Lady Lü came to visit Su Ning.

Today, she was dressed in an elegant palace gown, with only a white jade hairpin in her hair, making her look exceptionally dignified.

"Did Yunhu sleep well last night?" She gently stroked Su Ning's forehead, her eyes full of concern.

If it were the innocent and mischievous Zhu Yunwen of the past, he would probably have been truly moved by this "motherly love".

But now, Su Ning could see a subtle, almost imperceptible scheming in the depths of her eyes.

"Thank you for your concern, Mother. Yunwen slept very well," Su Ning replied obediently, while carefully observing Madam Lü's reaction.

Sure enough, when she heard the title "Mother Consort," the corner of Lady Lü's mouth twitched slightly.

Although she quickly regained her gentle smile, that momentary awkwardness did not escape Su Ning's notice.

"That's good." Lady Lü gently straightened Su Ning's collar. "Your father is going to inspect the capital garrison today, and Yunwen is going with him. Since you are still recovering from your illness, you should rest well in the palace."

Su Ning sneered inwardly.

These words, ostensibly out of concern, were actually a reminder that the Crown Prince valued his son Zhu Yunwen more.

After Lady Lü left, Su Ning walked to the bronze mirror and looked at the innocent face of the four-year-old child reflected in it.

“Now that I have come to this era and become you…” he said softly to himself in the mirror, “I will not let history repeat itself.”

He knew that in order to survive in this treacherous palace, he had to grow up as quickly as possible.

Not only must he shed his unruly image, but he must also demonstrate sufficient ability and value to show Zhu Yuanzhang that he, Su Ning, is the most suitable candidate to inherit the Ming Dynasty.

“The noble families of Huaixi are a crisis, but also my greatest asset.” His eyes hardened. “The key is how to convince my grandfather that I can control this power, rather than be devoured by it.”

A bugle call sounded in the distance; it was the signal for the Beijing garrison to conduct drills.

Su Ning looked in the direction from which the sound came, and had already made up his mind.

In this real era of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, a struggle for life, death, and power has only just begun.

……

In a side hall of Fengtian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing memorials, with Crown Prince Zhu Biao standing by his side.

When the eunuch announced that the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Yunwen, had come to see him, Zhu Yuanzhang simply gave a faint "hmm," his gaze remaining fixed on the memorial in his hands.

"Grandson pays respects to His Majesty, and to His Majesty." A young yet remarkably steady voice rang out in the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang then raised his head and looked at the young imperial grandson kneeling in the hall.

Although Su Ning's face was still a little pale, his eyes were clear and his demeanor was measured, making him look completely different from his previous unruly self.

"Get up," Zhu Yuanzhang said, putting down his vermilion brush. "I heard you've just recovered from a serious illness. Is there anything else bothering you?"

"Your Majesty, I am now out of danger." Su Ning stood up, but still maintained a respectful posture. "However... I have something to report."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised an eyebrow slightly: "What is it?"

Su Ning took a deep breath, raised his head and looked directly at Zhu Yuanzhang: "When I was seriously ill, I vaguely saw my grandmother and elder brother Zhu Xiong Ying."

"What?!" Crown Prince Zhu Biao's expression changed drastically. "Yunyi, stop talking nonsense!"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand to stop the crown prince, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Continue." "Grandmother told her grandson that she and her elder brother were doing well in another world." Su Ning's voice was clear and childlike, yet he spoke shocking words: "There are iron carriages that do not have horses, iron birds that carry people and soar through the sky, and buildings that are entirely made of glass and tower into the clouds."

Zhu Yuanzhang's pupils contracted slightly, but his expression remained unchanged: "Anything else?"

“Grandmother said that in that world there was no hunger, the country was prosperous and strong, and the red flag flew high.” Su Ning continued to describe, “My eldest brother went to a public school there. All children who were seven years old or older, regardless of their wealth or social status, had to receive nine years of compulsory education. After that, there were three years of high school, followed by four years of university after passing the national unified college entrance examination. After graduating from university, one could also take the entrance exams for postgraduate and doctoral studies…”

"Wait!" Zhu Biao couldn't help but interrupt, "What is 'compulsory education'?"

“Father, it is funded by the state so that all children can study and learn to read for free. Parents who refuse to send their children to school are breaking the law,” Su Ning explained. “After graduating from university there, scholars can not only enter the court as officials through examinations, but also become talents in various professions such as craftsmen, merchants, and doctors. That world has abolished agricultural taxes, but instead encourages industry and commerce, collecting huge industrial and commercial taxes. Everyone who receives a salary must pay personal income tax.”

Zhu Yuanzhang finally sat up straight and exchanged a shocked look with Zhu Biao.

These unheard-of concepts could never have been invented by a four-year-old child.

“Grandmother also entrusted me with a matter.” Su Ning pressed his advantage, kneeling and kowtowing. “She asked me to go to the south of Zhongshan Mountain on behalf of my father to observe mourning for Grandmother and to pray for Grandfather and my father.”

The hall fell silent instantly.

Zhu Biao's face turned pale, and he hurriedly scolded, "Yun Tong! Do you know what you're saying?"

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly rose, walked to Su Ning, and looked down at his grandson, scrutinizing him: "Who taught you these words?"

“No one taught me.” However, Su Ning raised his head, his eyes full of sincerity, “When I was sick, I went to that world in a daze and saw and heard everything with my own eyes and ears. My grandmother said that this was a revelation from heaven to the Ming Dynasty and asked me to convey it to her.”

He continued to increase the stakes: "Grandson also saw that the army in that world was equipped with muskets with a range of a thousand paces, war chariots armed to the teeth, and a single shot could destroy the world. Their warships could travel a thousand miles a day without sails. In addition, a large amount of goods produced there were transported to all parts of the world via huge ships. Their emperor... no, their leader, was elected by the people."

"Absurd!" Zhu Biao shouted sternly, "The succession to the throne is not a game!"

However, Zhu Yuanzhang fell into deep thought.

He recalled Empress Ma's words, "The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important." If there were a world where the people elect their leader, it would coincide with his wife's ideals.

"Yunyi, that world you spoke of..." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was more solemn than ever before, "...do you have any proof?"

Su Ning took out a piece of paper from his bosom: "After I woke up, I drew the buildings there from memory. Your Majesty, please take a look. Is it possible for our Great Ming Dynasty to build such a tall building?"

The skyscrapers drawn on the paper made Zhu Yuanzhang gasp in astonishment.

As the emperor who built the Nanjing city wall, he was all too aware of the astonishing level of craftsmanship that such a structure represented.

"Father, this boy's words are absurd and should not be believed!" Zhu Biao hurriedly advised.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, looked at Su Ning with a deep gaze, and asked, "Yun Tong, are you really going to Zhongshan to observe mourning for your imperial grandmother?"

“Yes,” Su Ning answered firmly. “Grandmother said that this is to accumulate blessings for Father and Grandfather, and also to pray for the Ming Dynasty and for her own good. She said that her grandson’s fate is full of twists and turns, and it is difficult for him to have a good end in the royal family! Although her grandson does not quite understand these principles, since it is Grandmother’s instruction, she is willing to build a hut in Zhongshan and devote herself to studying. Perhaps one day she can bring the wisdom of that other world back to our Ming Dynasty.”

At that moment, Zhu Yuanzhang was moved.

If what Su Ning said is true, then he will be the only bridge between the Ming Dynasty and that magical world.

Moreover, getting him out of the palace, a place rife with trouble, would indeed prevent a lot of problems.

"Granted." Zhu Yuanzhang finally made the decision. "I will order people to build a residence for you on the sunny side of Zhongshan Mountain and assign a team of guards to protect your safety."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Su Ning kowtowed heavily, a triumphant glint in his eyes.

He knew that he had finally taken the first step.

Only by leaving the palace, this cage, could he secretly accumulate power and cultivate his own faction.

That fictional "other world" will become his best camouflage.

After Su Ning's small figure disappeared, Zhu Biao asked worriedly, "Father, do you really believe Yun Tong's absurd words?"

Zhu Yuanzhang watched the small figure recede into the distance outside the palace and said meaningfully, "Whether it's true or false, we'll see in the future. But Yunhuo, that child... is indeed very different from before."

From an angle unseen by Zhu Yuanzhang, Su Ning, who had already stepped outside the palace, curled up a cold smile that was completely out of character for his age.

"The first step was a success."

……

As soon as Su Ning's figure disappeared outside the hall, the solemnity on Zhu Yuanzhang's face instantly turned icy cold.

He slowly walked to the imperial desk, tapping the surface of the desk lightly with his fingers, producing a dull sound.

“Father,” Zhu Biao finally couldn’t help but speak, “Do you really believe what Yunwen said? What other world, iron birds flying in the sky… this is clearly…”

“It’s obvious someone instigated this.” Zhu Yuanzhang replied coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes. “Biao’er, you’re still too kind.”

He turned and stared at the Crown Prince: "Do you think I believe those absurd nonsense? But you must understand that no matter what the purpose of the person hiding behind the scenes is, you must follow their thoughts to see their true colors."

Zhu Biao's expression hardened: "Father's meaning is..."

"A four-year-old child, after a serious illness, can utter such shocking words as 'compulsory education' and 'election by the people'?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. "Not to mention the details of those iron carts and skyscrapers. If there's no one guiding him behind this, I'll give him this dragon throne to sit on!"

The flickering candlelight inside the hall cast an uncertain glow on Zhu Yuanzhang's face.

"Your subject is foolish," Zhu Biao bowed and said, "but why would the person behind this fabricate such a lie? What benefit would it bring them to send Yunhu to Zhongshan to guard the mausoleum?"

"Benefits?" A cold glint flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes. "Biao'er, have you forgotten? Yun Tong is our grandson! Your second son! The grandson of Chang Yuchun, the Prince of Kaiping! The grand-nephew of Lan Yu, the Marquis of Yongchang! The nephew of Chang Mao, the Duke of Zheng."

He slammed his hand heavily on the imperial desk: "These old brothers from Huaixi, relying on their merits in founding the country, are becoming more and more restless! That old fox Li Shanchang, on the surface, has retired to his hometown, but in secret he is still forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. Lan Yu is even more arrogant and domineering, forming factions in the army! His adopted sons only obey Lan Yu's orders, and have no respect for imperial power whatsoever."

Zhu Biao gasped: "Does Father suspect... that the noble families of Huaixi are manipulating things behind the scenes?"

"Besides them, who else would go to such lengths to scheme against Yunhu?" Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was as cold as ice. "They've got their eye on Yunhu's status as the legitimate son and want to support a prince who's close to them!"

He paced back and forth in the hall, each step carrying a murderous intent: "Chang Yuchun is dead, and they want to regain control of the military through Yun Tong! Lan Yu is his maternal uncle, and Chang Mao, Chang Sheng, and Chang Sen are his uncles... This is a very deep game!"

Zhu Biao's face turned pale: "But Father, since you knew about their conspiracy, why did you still agree to let Yunhu go to Zhongshan? Isn't that playing right into their hands?"

"Hmph!" Zhu Yuanzhang stopped in his tracks, a cold smile playing on his lips. "I want to see what they'll do next. Yunhu leaving the palace is just the right time to let all these monsters and demons come out."

He walked up to Zhu Biao and said earnestly, "Biao'er, you must remember that sometimes a ruler must jump into a trap even if he knows it's a trap. Only when the enemy thinks he has succeeded will they reveal their weaknesses."

"Then Yun Tong..." Zhu Biao hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

“Yunzhen is, after all, your son and my grandson.” Zhu Yuanzhang’s tone softened slightly. “Send people to keep an eye on him secretly, both to protect his safety and to see who he is in contact with.”

He gazed at the dark night sky outside the palace, his voice growing colder: "If those people from Huaixi really dare to set their sights on my grandson... don't blame us for being ruthless. It seems the Hu Weiyong case hasn't taught them a lesson enough!"

Zhu Biao shuddered as he looked at his father's murderous back.

He knew that this turmoil surrounding the young prince was likely to unleash a new wave of bloodshed in the imperial court.

...(End of chapter)