Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 7 Nothing in this world is more painful than this! [New book, please add to your collection]

Despite feeling wronged, Old Zhu ignored everyone present.

He walked straight into the main hall, stretched out his slightly rough hand, and stood before Zhu Biao's coffin, trembling as he dared not touch it.

This was his most beloved son, the crown prince to whom he placed all his hopes.

Old Zhu had killed countless people in his life, but he never imagined that his beloved son would be just like him, a boorish man.

Therefore, from a young age, we hired the best teachers to carefully guide him.

They had been eagerly awaiting his growth, and then arranged for him to have the strongest Eastern Palace staff in history, making him a veritable executive vice emperor.

I thought that in two more years I could retire easily.

Unexpectedly, the elderly outlived their children.

At this moment, he really wanted to cry out loud, "Oh, heavens, why have you treated my son so cruelly?"
But he was the emperor, the supreme ruler of the Ming Dynasty. He could not cry out; he could only bury his endless sorrow deep in his heart.

Then a slightly choked voice rang out: "Grandfather, Father asked me to tell you that although he is no longer here, the land of the Ming Dynasty still stands. Please take good care of yourself."

"Biao'er!"

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu could no longer contain his grief and broke down in tears.

Everyone says it's good to be an emperor, but no one knows how helpless an emperor can be.

Even if you possess the world, what does it matter if you cause millions to die in a fit of rage?

We still have to face birth, aging, sickness, and death!
Without supreme power, birth, aging, sickness, and death are nothing more than commonplace occurrences; but having supreme power yet being unable to change everything is the most painful thing.

"Grandpa Emperor! Please take good care of yourself!"

Seeing that Old Zhu was also slightly unsteady on his feet, Zhu Yunwen quickly abandoned his hand that was supporting Lady Lü and stepped forward to support Old Zhu: "I have lost my father, and I cannot lose my grandfather as well. If you harm your health, it would be my unfilial piety!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's younger siblings all exchanged bewildered glances.

But some reacted almost as quickly as Zhu Yunwen: "Grandpa's back is bad! Our father has been worried about it! Quick! Quickly move a chair! Add a cushion!"

"Yes! Your Majesty, please rest!"

Lady Lü was naturally unwilling to lag behind, especially when a grandson of the emperor other than Zhu Yunwen expressed filial piety. She immediately became vigilant: "Someone! Bring His Majesty a cup of ginseng tea!"

"No need, we know you're all filial, we know."

Old Zhu waved his hand with a look of relief, then turned his gaze to Zhu Yunwen, looking at his face, which was emaciated from excessive grief, and said, "Although you are filial to your parents, you must also take care of yourself!"

"Grandfather! As a son, it is my duty to be filial to my parents, and it is also my duty to observe mourning for my father. I only regret that I cannot suffer in my father's place."

"Ugh!"

Old Zhu sighed, tears slowly falling again, and couldn't help but reach out to touch Zhu Yunwen's head: "Foolish child! Foolish child!"

Knowing that Zhu Yunwen had stayed by Zhu Biao's side day and night before his death, personally taking care of his food and medicine, and not taking off his clothes for months, he felt even more fond of this pure and filial grandson.

A thought suddenly popped into my head.

Perhaps they are right; we should start considering establishing an heir apparent.

On the other side, in Yingtian Prefecture, at the residence of the Ten Princes.

This is the mansion that Zhu Yuanzhang built for ten kings, including those from Qin, Jin, and Yan.

It was specifically for princes who had been enfeoffed to stay temporarily when they returned to the capital for court audiences, or for princes who had not yet been enfeoffed to reside temporarily.

According to the rules set by Zhu Yuanzhang, princes were not allowed to enter the capital without an imperial edict. However, Zhu Biao's death was a special case, so they were all allowed to return to the capital for his funeral.

However, since they lived in the Ten Princes' Mansion, they had to be managed by the imperial court. Therefore, even the higher-ranking princes such as Prince Qin (Zhu Shuang), Prince Jin (Zhu Gang), and Prince Yan (Zhu Di) had to obediently submit to the management.

No special treatment is allowed.

"Tomorrow is the day of my elder brother's burial! I'm afraid we'll have to go our separate ways again!" In a garden within the Tenth Prince's Mansion, Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, looked at the scenery and sighed for no reason.

Not far away, King Zhu Shuang of Qin looked at him with some amusement: "What, you're still reluctant to part with it?"

"Second brother, don't joke around. Don't you know what kind of person Father is?" Zhu Gang said with a stern face.

Zhu Shuang disagreed: "I am also very saddened by my elder brother's passing, but we are in the royal family, and family matters are also matters of state. Now, Father's delay in establishing an heir has caused widespread anxiety in the court, which is really inappropriate!"

After saying that, he turned to look at Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Don't you agree, Fourth Brother?"

"Second Brother, watch your words!"

Zhu Di's face darkened, and he said coldly, "We are princes, and our duty is to guard our territories! Even if Father Emperor has shown us mercy and allowed us to return to the capital for the funeral, it is only because of our brotherly bond! Now, with my elder brother's body barely cold, how can we presume to discuss the matter of establishing an heir?"

Zhu Shuang sneered and said disdainfully, "Our fourth brother is so righteous. No wonder our eldest brother spoke well of you to Father so many times back then!"

"It seems that the position of Crown Prince belongs to you, Prince Yan."

"enough!"

Before Zhu Shuang could finish speaking, Zhu Di interrupted him angrily. He then glanced at his brothers, took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said expressionlessly, "I'm tired. I'm going back to rest!"

After saying that, he turned and left without another word.

The remaining vassal kings were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

"No way! What does Fourth Brother mean? He actually dared to yell at me?!"

Watching Zhu Di leave, Zhu Shuang's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty, and he couldn't help but turn to the other princes to complain.

But none of the kings paid him any attention; they simply smiled awkwardly and left as well.

Only when Zhu Gang and he were left alone did Zhu Gang jokingly say, "Why did you have to test the fourth brother? Even if he had the desire, he wouldn't have the opportunity!"

"I just can't stand how good my older brother was to him back then. It feels like he had a chance!" Zhu Shuang said indignantly.

Zhu Gang said noncommittally, "Compared to him, I'm more worried about my elder brother's sons right now!"

"Why are you worried about them? According to etiquette, it should be our turn to worry about them!"

"Yes! Etiquette! What I'm most worried about right now is etiquette!"

"What do you mean? You really think they have a better chance than us?" Zhu Shuang asked nervously.

Zhu Gang gave him a half-smile, then turned around and said leisurely, "According to etiquette, my elder brother's mausoleum could not have been built in the style of an imperial mausoleum. According to etiquette, Father should not be in mourning for my elder brother. According to etiquette..."

At this point, he couldn't help but sigh, "Forget it, what's the point of saying all this? Our father doesn't care about manners at all!"

"But if we don't follow etiquette, then what do we follow?" Zhu Shuang asked, looking bewildered.

Zhu Gang paused, then looked up at the sky. After a long while, he murmured, "Perhaps it's love."

"like?"

"Yes! Love extends to everything connected to the beloved!"

"Ridiculous!" Zhu Shuang scoffed. "You're saying our father's love for us isn't as much as my eldest brother's son's?!"

Zhu Gang shook his head with a wry smile, then left without saying a word.

When you know the truth but are powerless to change it, there is nothing more painful in the world!
(End of this chapter)