Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 432 Bad News

"What's going on?!" The sudden commotion outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony displeased Zhu Zhanhe. Immediately, Zhu Zhanhe frowned slightly, put down the memorial in his hand, and reprimanded the outsider with dissatisfaction.

After all, the current project to Sinicize the surnames of people in various regions is not progressing smoothly, which is causing Zhu Zhanhe some distress.

Furthermore, his sons were gradually beginning to show their talents, and the officials below were already showing signs of taking sides! All of this made Zhu Zhanhe somewhat irritable!
Before Zhu Zhanhe could ask what was causing the noise outside,

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty~!" Immediately afterward, Xiao Xizi rushed in from outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony with a sob on his face. After entering the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he knelt down in the center of the hall and called out to Emperor Zhu Zhanhe, who was sitting on the high seat.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony became solemn!

Everyone knew that for Xiao Xizi, the Grand Steward of Longdu, to be in such a state of panic, something serious must have happened!
"Speak!" Zhu Zhanhe frowned deeply, lowered his voice, and spoke to Xiao Xizi with a serious expression. At this moment, Zhu Zhanhe already had a bad feeling!
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince of Ryukyu has come to report the death of a prince."

"We've already passed Donghua Gate!" Xiao Xizi shouted, burying his head deep in the ground. He knew that after saying this, he would face the Emperor's boundless rage!
"Insolence!" Upon hearing Xiao Xizi's words, Zhu Zhanhe's heart churned! He instantly flew into a rage! He knew that his second brother was in trouble! For a moment, the Taihe Hall was filled with the majestic aura of an emperor!
However, Zhu Zhanhe's first thought upon receiving the news from Xiao Xizi was that something like unrest had occurred somewhere. But Zhu Zhanhe never imagined it would be the death of a loved one!
What's more, the person who passed away was his own second younger brother, Zhu Zhanqi!
Zhu Zhanhe knew even more clearly in his heart that his second brother was only two years younger than him, and was only thirty-eight years old at the time. Thirty-eight years old is the prime of life! Moreover, his second brother had always been in good health, so how could he have suddenly passed away!
There must be something fishy about this!
Immediately, in his rage, Zhu Zhanhe involuntarily released his powerful imperial aura!
"Roar~!" A faint, yet seemingly real, dragon's roar filled the Taihe Hall, making everyone feel immense pressure and almost collapse to the ground!

"Father, please calm your anger!" Zhu Qiyu, who had been standing beside Zhu Zhanhe, was startled upon hearing Xiao Xizi's words, and then felt his father's overwhelming imperial aura of rage. Immediately, Zhu Qiyu knelt down, hoping his father would temporarily quell his nameless anger.

After all, this is not the time to be angry; the key is to find out the cause of my second uncle's death first!

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" In an instant, everyone inside and outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony knelt down, pleading with Emperor Longwu, Zhu Zhanhe, to quell his rage.

"Your Majesty, we should quickly invite the Crown Prince of Ryukyu to an audience to understand the cause of the Ryukyu King's death. That would be the proper course of action." Kneeling on the ground, Xia Yuanji felt the pressure mounting. Already elderly, he couldn't withstand such immense pressure. Immediately, Xia Yuanji, bearing the immense pressure, spoke up.

"Phew~" After hearing Xia Yuanji's words, Zhu Zhanhe let out a long breath, temporarily suppressing the anger in his heart.

After a short while, the pressure on the Hall of Supreme Harmony decreased sharply until it returned to normal.

However, everyone could sense the oppressive atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony! Everyone knew that the Dragon Emperor, sitting high on his throne, was still suppressing a raging fire of anger within him!

If this anger were to erupt, it would surely lead to another bloody and brutal massacre!
"Grand Steward, quickly summon Brother Li in for a talk." Seeing that his imposing father had released the heavy pressure surrounding him, Zhu Qiyu hurriedly had Xiao Xizi call in Zhu Qili, the eldest son of his second uncle.

Clearly, Zhu Qiyu was a smart man, and he had been well-educated by Empress Xia. Zhu Qiyu was well aware of his father's attitude towards his siblings. Therefore, Zhu Qiyu always maintained the image of a good older brother, showing no favoritism even towards his uncles' and aunts' younger siblings.

This aspect of Zhu Qiyu's actions greatly pleased Xia Yuanji, who was kneeling.

Xia Yuanji was a shrewd and experienced man. He knew perfectly well that among all the princes, only his grandson was involved in politics. This was because the emperor was grooming, training, and observing his grandson! Now that the territory of the Dragon Kingdom had basically taken shape and would not change much, what was needed was a qualified successor who would prioritize defense and secondarily focus on offense!
And coincidentally, his grandson was just such a person! Moreover, his grandson was the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and was favored by the Emperor and the Iron-Faced General! This was the best beginning and the best outcome!

Immediately, Xia Yuanji gave Zhu Qiyu a subtle wink, and Zhu Qiyu's heart skipped a beat, but he immediately understood. "Father, let's go and welcome Brother Li in together." Zhu Qiyu then respectfully bowed to his father, Zhu Zhanhe, and said softly.

"Go." Zhu Zhanhe, standing on the high platform, clearly saw Xia Yuanji's wink at Zhu Qiyu. However, Zhu Zhanhe did not stop or object. On one hand, in Zhu Zhanhe's view, as long as his son was well-educated, it didn't matter who it was! On the other hand, his son's display of kindness towards his brother was a result that Zhu Zhanhe and everyone else wanted to see!

"Yes!" After hearing his father's approval, Zhu Qiyu quickly jogged to catch up with Xiao Xizi, who had already stepped out of the palace gate.

"Xi Daban, why haven't I seen you visit Hu Zi and the others these past few days?" After leaving the Taihe Hall, Zhu Qiyu took the initiative to speak to Xiao Xi Zi.

"Your Highness, please don't be so harsh on this old servant!"
"These past few days, His Majesty has been in a bad mood because of matters concerning the Cabinet. I've been serving him the whole time and haven't dared to leave his side." Xiao Xizi replied to Zhu Qiyu with a smile.

Furthermore, although Xiao Xizi said something inappropriate when Zhu Qiyu called him "Xi Daban" (a term of endearment for a close friend), he had a big smile on his face. This indicates that the two have a very close relationship!

"With my second uncle's accident, my Dragon Kingdom is likely to be thrown into chaos once again." Shaking his head slightly, Zhu Qiyu saw the figure in mourning clothes approaching in the distance and said softly.

"Your Highness, His Majesty personally granted territories to all the princes and extended them overseas."

"Now that His Highness has come to report the death, Your Highness, you should also consider the other princes." Looking at Zhu Qili, dressed in mourning clothes, approaching, Xiao Xizi whispered a meaningful reminder to Zhu Qiyu beside him.

"Hmm?!"
"Thank you for reminding me, Elder Xie! I am extremely grateful!" Upon hearing Xiao Xizi's words, Zhu Qiyu was startled and immediately understood what Xiao Xizi meant. He then respectfully cupped his hands to Xiao Xizi and said...

"Your Highness is too kind. It is my duty to share the Emperor's burdens."

"His Highness has arrived. Your Highness, please quickly lead His Highness into the main hall to meet the Emperor." Xiao Xizi remained as calm and collected as ever. However, looking at Zhu Qili who had already entered, Xiao Xizi spoke again to Zhu Qiyu beside him.

"Your Highness!" As soon as Xiao Xizi finished speaking, a young man dressed in mourning clothes, with a youthful face, about thirteen or fourteen years old, walked up to him. Immediately, Xiao Xizi respectfully bowed to Zhu Qili.

"Happy companionship~!

"Big brother~!" Upon approaching, Zhu Qili respectfully greeted Zhu Qiyu and Xiao Xizi with a cupped-hand salute.

"Brother Li, what's wrong with Second Uncle? Come with me into the palace quickly, Father is waiting." Upon seeing Zhu Qili approaching, Zhu Qiyu hurriedly stepped forward, took his hand, and said anxiously.

(End of this chapter)