plumnovel Chapter 76 Investigation of the Lü Family
Chapter 76 Investigation of the Lü Family
Zhu Jixi was very particular about his life, and he was very ritualistic in the details of his daily life. He spent a whole day in the Prince of Jin's mansion in the capital before he was satisfied with the arrangement of all the living facilities.
After settling things in the rear, Zhu Jixi began to implement his plan to seize the throne.
The first step was to learn how to handle government affairs from the old emperor in the Qianqing Palace. If Zhu Yunwen could learn it, why couldn't he?
Of course, one shouldn't be so direct, but rather express the meaning in a subtle and tactful way.
After Zhu Jixi bowed and paid his respects, the old emperor, seeing that Zhu Jixi still lingered and refused to leave, bluntly asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Grandpa, it really breaks my heart to see you so busy. I want to do something to help you," Zhu Jixi said cautiously and awkwardly.
The old emperor neither agreed nor disagreed after hearing this, and continued to review the memorials.
The art style is extremely awkward.
Seeing that things were not going well, Zhu Gaoxi pretended to have a stomachache and dragged Zhu Youdun to the toilet with him.
After the two had gone some distance, Zhu Yunwen, for the first time ever, pleaded for Zhu Jixi, "Grandpa, since Jixi is so sincere in helping, why not let him and Gao Xi examine the memorials that you have processed?"
It's like the sun has risen in the west.
A weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken has ulterior motives.
Zhu Jixi snorted inwardly, reminding himself not to fall for Zhu Yunwen's tricks.
But then he thought, who cares what they're up to? He just wants to stay here legitimately, so he eagerly declared, "Grandpa, I'll definitely do my best."
Those who achieve great things are not careful about the little things.
Too many worries are useless; the key is to get things done.
The old emperor put down his pen, picked up his hot tea, and slowly took a sip. "I have no objection. Just listen to what the Crown Prince says."
In other words, if Zhu Jixi insisted on staying, he would have to obey the orders of the Crown Prince.
Zhu Jixi always thought highly of himself, and he had never been so humiliated.
However, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.
Although his self-esteem was severely damaged, Zhu Jixi had no choice but to swallow his pride and bear the humiliation in order to gain a chance to compete.
Zhu Yunwen casually pointed to the memorials and said to Zhu Jixi, "There they are."
Zhu Jixi approached and saw that the two small piles of memorials were placed separately, with roughly the same number of items.
Where should we begin?
Zhu Jixi was completely clueless; no one told him what the classification was based on.
He didn't know where to begin, worried that he would mess up the memorial and be scolded by the old emperor, but he couldn't just sit there doing nothing.
When the old emperor gets angry, even without using the word "dirty," you can still feel like you're being stabbed with a knife.
He dared not idly stand idly by in front of the old emperor.
After much deliberation, Zhu Jixi picked up a memorial and opened it.
The old emperor looked up and gave him a cold glance, without saying a word.
Seeing Zhu Jixi's disorderly arrangement of the memorial, Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but sneer inwardly. The more disorderly the better; there would be a good show to watch when Zhu Gaoxi returned.
Will those two start fighting?
If that's the case, Zhu Yunwen will be able to get a good night's sleep tonight.
Zhu Yunwen kept Zhu Jixi on the job to introduce a competitor to Zhu Gaoxi.
Neither of them wanted to be outdone, and both were eager to impress their grandfather. This is when the Crown Prince's kindness and gentleness came into play.
Zhu Yunwen's plan was meticulously crafted, but he overlooked the most crucial element: he misjudged Zhu Gaoxi's reaction.
When Zhu Gaoxi returned, he saw Zhu Jixi reviewing the memorials. He did not show any displeasure, but sat down to the side as usual, smiled at Zhu Jixi, and continued to read the memorials.
Zhu Yunwen's plan failed, and he began to reflect on whether keeping Zhu Jixi alive was a bad move. After much thought, he was filled with regret.
Zhu Gaoxi's attempt to steal a chicken backfired. The reason he hid earlier was because he was worried that pleading for Zhu Jixi would provoke fierce opposition from the Crown Prince, which would have the opposite effect.
As expected, Zhu Yunwen fell for the trap.
The more he did, the more mistakes he made, and Zhu Yunwen's confidence gradually crumbled.
It is far more dignified to wait for him to destroy his own foundation than to take action yourself.
Even if they encounter truly unavoidable situations, there is always Zhu Jixi, a ready-made villain.
Zhu Jixi's hostility towards Zhu Yunwen had been building up for a long time, like a volcano on the verge of eruption; it only needed a little guidance to be unleashed.
Zhu Gaoxi pondered silently with utmost composure.
Surrounded by children and grandchildren, enjoying the bliss of family life, is probably every elderly person's dream, and the old emperor was no exception.
Although he disliked Zhu Jixi's restless ambition to seize the throne, seeing his four grandsons bustling about in an orderly manner filled him with a sense of peace and happiness.
Therefore, when Zhu Gaoxi suggested that Zhu Jixi stay overnight in the vegetable garden, he agreed without hesitation.
After spending two consecutive nights in the vegetable garden, Zhu Jixi's wariness and suspicion of Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Youdun had largely disappeared. He let down his guard and spoke freely with them.
Zhu Gaoxi continued his obsequious style from the previous day, racking his brains to please Zhu Jixi.
Zhu Jixi was the old emperor's second grandson, only one year younger than Zhu Xiong Ying, the eldest son of Crown Prince Zhu Biao.
If Zhu Xiong Ying had not died young, the position of crown prince would never have been Zhu Yunwen's.
The necessary and sufficient condition for Zhu Yunwen to be qualified to be the crown prince was that both his wife, Chang Lin, and Zhu Xiong Ying died before Zhu Biao.
If Chang Lin were alive, Lady Lü would not have been able to become the legitimate heir, and Zhu Yunwen would not have been able to become Zhu Biao's legitimate son. Even if Zhu Biao had unfortunately passed away, Zhu Yunwen should have been the one to ascend to the position of crown prince.
Zhu Yunwen was the undisputed legitimate son, and only one year younger than Zhu Yunwen.
Strangely enough, a coincidence occurred.
In the eleventh year of the Hongwu reign, Chang Lin died shortly after giving birth to Zhu Yunwen.
In the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign, Zhu Xiong Ying passed away.
Historically, the reasons for Zhu Xiong Ying's early death are shrouded in mystery and subject to various theories.
One theory suggests that those who are most suspicious are Zhu Yunwen's birth mother, Lady Lü.
The truth can only be known through investigation. Zhu Gaoxi casually mentioned these doubts to Zhu Jixi one by one.
Finally, filled with doubt, she asked, "Brother, don't you think it's quite a coincidence?"
Zhu Jixi's current approach to the succession struggle is somewhat flawed and is unlikely to make progress, so Zhu Gaoxi has no choice but to find a way to help him.
Even if some flaws are discovered, they are not crucial evidence, but they will shake the foundation of Zhu Yunwen's position as crown prince.
The fact that his birth mother was morally flawed would raise doubts about Zhu Yunwen's character.
If Lady Lü is innocent, then Zhu Gaoxi has been wrongly accused of being a villain.
Once Zhu Jixi takes action, let's wait and see how Zhu Yunwen responds.
Zhu Yunwen was one year old when Chang Lin died.
Zhu Yunwen was five years old when Zhu Xiong Ying died.
The truth was certainly not known to Zhu Yunwen; it was all in Lady Lü's mind.
However, he would not tolerate anyone disrespecting his birth mother.
Military campaigns and governance require genuine talent and ability. Zhu Jixi was ambitious and valued real skills above all else. He had never paid attention to palace intrigues before, but after hearing Zhu Gaoxi mention it, he suddenly understood.
He didn't have any special impression of Lady Lü; he just thought she was an ordinary woman.
Now, upon closer reflection, I realize there are many suspicious points.
Since there were doubts, they decided to investigate thoroughly. Zhu Jixi was eager to try and couldn't wait to discuss the investigation plan with Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Youdun.