For Zhu Yunwen, Yingtian Prefecture is where he was born and grew up. It was also his home. He once hoped to realize his great ambition here and become the master of the imperial palace and the lord of the country.

Everything seemed to be going according to his expectations, but six years ago, something unexpected happened, which made him leave Yingtian Prefecture sadly. He no longer had any dreams, and he didn't dare to think about anything.

Even every time he responded to Tianfu, he was extremely careful, fearing that he would get into trouble because of his words or actions.

Even though sometimes he would think carefully about everything that happened in the past in private, he would think that if he had another chance, he would definitely not fail miserably again.

But he only thought about these things in private, and he didn't even dare to reveal them to anyone. Otherwise, it would be a disaster, a fate he didn't even dare to think about.

Zhu Yunwen thought that living in Yingtian Prefecture was far less comfortable than living in Hangzhou. Unfortunately, he had no say and could only return to Yingtian Prefecture with his wife and children.

He even had some thoughts in his mind, that his good brother must have some bad intentions again. The so-called virtuous king was not what Zhu Yunwen wanted at all, but he still had no choice.

Many things were arranged by that good younger brother to help with Yangming. One hat after another was put on his head, and he had no choice even if he didn't want to do something.

This is the reality. It is not easy to be a wise king of the Ming Dynasty. Having been abused and despised countless times by the royal family, one can only endure it silently.

When Zhu Yunwen entered Yingtian Prefecture, Zhu Yunhuan was not idle either. He changed into his crown and went to the West Palace. "Grandfather, Yunwen will arrive in the capital today. Do you want to meet him?"

Without even opening his eyes, Old Zhu lazily said, "No. I'm not happy to see that kid. We won't see him. It's good for both you and him, and it will avoid any more trouble."

Zhu Yunhuan could fully understand some of Zhu Yuanzhang's current thoughts. Not to mention his grandchildren, even his many sons would be avoided by Zhu Yuanzhang if possible.

It's not that Zhu Yuanzhang doesn't care about his descendants, but because he cares too much about them, so naturally he doesn't want any trouble to happen and doesn't want any unstable factors to exist.

Zhu Yunhuan said, "If you don't want to see Yunwen, then don't see Yunwen. My nephew has come back this time. Let him kowtow in Fengxian Hall. Then grandfather can see him too?"

Old Zhu was suddenly moved. Although he was too lazy to see his grandson, he still wanted to see his great-grandson.

What's more, Zhu Wengui's identity is quite special. He is Zhu Biao's eldest grandson, which naturally has a very special meaning to Zhu Biao.

But the next moment, Lao Zhu made a decision, "Don't meet him! Meeting him will make people think too much! We only need to take Wen Yao with us, and it doesn't matter whether we meet the others or not."

"Just meet up. It's not a big deal anyway." Zhu Yunhuan said frankly, "I'm not a stingy person. I don't even care about Yunwen, let alone my nephew. What can I think about?"

Old Zhu waved his hand and said, "Let's not see him. Even if we do, it's the same thing. We've never taken care of that child before, so there's nothing to worry about. Wen Yao should wake up soon, so it's enough for us to take care of him."

Zhu Yunhuan could fully understand some of Zhu's choices and actions, and did not find them surprising at all. So when he saw that he could not persuade him, there was no need to continue persuading him.

If he doesn't want to see her, then he won't see her. This is obviously not necessarily a bad thing. It may mean that Zhu Yuanzhang is indifferent to his family, or that Zhu Yunhuan is petty and so on.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang did not want to see his great-grandchildren. Even if some princes and grandchildren wanted to see him, they had to ask for an audience in a formal manner, and even if they asked for an audience, they might not necessarily be able to see him.

Since he couldn't persuade Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yunhuan didn't delay any longer and immediately rushed to Fengxian Hall. Fortunately, the West Palace was not far from Fengxian Hall, so there was no need to delay anything.

He came to the side hall of Fengxian Hall leisurely. Now all he needed to do was wait patiently for a while, and he didn't need to think about anything else.

As for what Zhu Yunwen was doing, there was no need to guess. Just like other vassal kings returning to Beijing, he went to the Fengxian Temple to pay homage first. This was the standard procedure, and it was what he should and must do.

When he saw Zhu Yunwen, who was wearing a crown and holding a jade sceptre, Zhu Yunwen saluted without any burden, "Your Highness, Zhu Yunwen, the Prince of Wulin, pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Yunxun's expression was solemn. He said, "Royal brother, please stand up. No need to be polite!"

Zhu Yunxun then smiled and said, "Okay, now that the monarch-subject ceremony is over, let's go to the side hall to perform family ceremony. Bring Wengui with you, this is the first time I'm meeting this nephew."

Zhu Yunwen naturally did not dare to raise any objections, and walked towards the side hall taking the very curious and somewhat timid Zhu Wengui by the hand.

When they arrived at the side hall, Zhu Wengui knelt down at Zhu Yunwen's signal. The etiquette was not standard, as Zhu Wengui was only a year old and could not speak clearly.

Zhu Yunhuan laughed and said, "Great! My nephew is so well-behaved and polite now, he must be rewarded! Come on, give my nephew a set of four treasures of the study, a longevity lock, and a set of exquisite toys."

Zhu Wengui naturally didn't know what was going on, but Zhu Yunwen quickly expressed his gratitude on his behalf. It didn't matter how valuable these gifts were; the most important thing was who gave them the gifts.

Even suspicious people would carefully ponder the meaning of these things sent by the Crown Prince. Was he hoping that Zhu Wengui would study with peace of mind in the future, or that he could remain rich and prosperous as long as he had fun?
If we really interpret it, many people can interpret it into different meanings. Even if there are some over-interpretations, there is no need to be surprised.

However, Zhu Yunhuan really didn't have too many thoughts on this. Even Zhu Yunwen would not be a threat, let alone Zhu Wengui.

These were the simplest rewards, just an uncle's love for his nephew. There was nothing else.

Looking at the ignorant Zhu Wengui, Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "Let the emperor's sister-in-law send Wengui to meet his grandmother first. He has not seen her since he was born. I guess your mother is also worried about it."

This is not surprising at all. Zhu Wengui has never seen Lu since he was born.

As for the Lu family, who had almost no goals, they could not let go of their two sons who had not yet been enfeoffed, and their eldest grandson whom they had never met. They had no other hopes, and they had long since given up.

Ma hurriedly took Zhu Wengui away. In fact, not to mention Zhu Wengui, even Ma had never met Lu. After all, she, the Princess of Wulin, went directly to Hangzhou, not to get married in Yingtian Prefecture. After Zhu Wengui left, Zhu Yunhuan and Zhu Yunwen looked at each other, and the incident that year basically tore their faces apart. Even if they still maintain superficial harmony now, the estrangement has always been there.

Zhu Yunhuan said, "I summoned you back to the capital this time not to show off. I think you know that your grandfather is ready to pass on the throne."

Zhu Yunwen's mood became even more complicated, and he hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I have received reports from the court when I was in Hangzhou, and some government offices in Hangzhou have also posted notices and issued imperial edicts."

These things are nothing surprising. Not to mention big cities like Hangzhou, even in some small counties there are probably many officials announcing these major events.

After all, the succession to the throne is an extremely important matter, so it naturally needs to be announced to the people. This is also a routine operation.

Furthermore, the ascension of a new emperor meant a change of era name. In an era when communication was relatively inconvenient, officials from government offices at all levels must have been needed to inform the people that they could no longer use Hongwu as the era name next year.

Zhu Yunwen said so, but his heart was more complicated. If he had won that year, I wonder if the emperor's grandfather would have abdicated. This should be impossible, right?

Zhu Yunhuan didn't care how Zhu Yunwen understood these things. "You don't have to think too much. I have discussed with my grandfather that I will make you the King of Wu next year. What do you think?"

Zhu Yunwen immediately looked terrified and said, "Please persuade my grandfather to withdraw his order. I am not educated enough and have poor moral character, so I dare not take the title of King of Wu!"

Zhu Yunhuan did not find Zhu Yunwen's reaction surprising at all. It could even be said that it was already within his expectations.

In the final analysis, the title of King of Wu may not be so special in other dynasties, but in the Ming Dynasty it is the most special title, because it was Zhu Yuanzhang's title before the founding of the country.

Regardless of whether Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed the title himself or whether Zhu Su had been named King of Wu before, as long as Zhu Yuanzhang used the title of King of Wu, it was enough to make the King of Wu of the Ming Dynasty extremely special.

Looking at Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunwen said with a smile, "My fifth uncle was previously named the King of Wu. What's wrong with that? He can't be the King of Hang or the King of Yu. That would be inappropriate and I can't explain it."

Zhu Yunwen quickly defended himself, saying, "Your Highness, the King of Wu is too noble, I dare not accept the title. The King of Hangzhou is the most suitable, after all, I am enfeoffed in Hangzhou."

If he really were to be given a weird King of Wulin, Zhu Yunwen would not dare to say much even though he would have a lot of dissatisfaction in his heart.

Ever since he failed in his bid for the throne, Zhu Yunwen knew that he should be cautious in his life. Because those things that happened back then might very well be his death warrant, and he must not leave any handle behind.

It is no exaggeration to say that Zhu Yunwen is now the most special prince in the Ming Dynasty. It is not because of his age or ability, but simply because he fought with Zhu Yunhuan in the past and lost!
Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "You don't have to think too much. It's my grandfather's idea to make you the King of Wu. I also think it's the most appropriate. The story between us is known to the world, so the King of Wu should be yours."

Zhu Yunwen really didn't know how to respond. What happened back then was indeed known to everyone in the world, but this was also the reason why he should be most cautious.

Zhu Yunhuan said bluntly, "Grandfather has always been worried that we would fight against each other, but I don't think that would happen. But Grandfather also said that the King of Wu was compensating you, and I think that makes sense."

For a moment, Zhu Yunwen really felt like crying, and he really wanted to cry hard.

It wasn't that she had finally gotten what she wanted after suffering a lot, nor was it that she was dissatisfied with the compensation. It was simply that she was afraid that she would be held accountable after her grandfather passed away.

It is true that Zhu Yunwen devoted himself to nature in recent years, but he also read a lot of history books, especially focusing on the fate of some princes and nobles after they failed in the competition for the throne, and studying how to save his own life.

There is no need to think too much about other things, because even if he thinks too much, it will not make any difference. Being low-key is what a "loser" like him should be like.

Zhu Yunhuan didn't particularly care about Zhu Yunwen's thoughts. "We can't discuss this matter. This is what our grandfather decided. We just need to follow it."

Hearing what Zhu Yunhuan said, Zhu Yunwen naturally became more anxious. He really didn't want the title of King of Wu. For other royal families, this might be an extremely noble and prominent title.

But these are only for other members of the royal family. The title of King of Wu can even be said to be one of the trump cards to save their lives.

However, Zhu Yunwen felt that this was simply a death warrant. The prominent title of King of Wu was obviously not suitable for a vassal king like him with a sensitive identity, and it was not suitable for him to be remembered by the whole world.

Zhu Yunhuan was too lazy to explain anything about this, mainly because he knew that even if he explained it, it might not have any particularly good effect. It would just be a waste of words.

With Zhu Yunwen's mind and cognition, the King of Wu was a death warrant, or he felt that he would be liquidated sooner or later, etc. This was his inherent idea.

Some things will only be revealed with time. These seem to be the most appropriate, because it is useless to say more.

"The reign will be changed after my birthday." Zhu Yunhuan did not hide anything and said, "It's good that you know this. It has not been announced in the court yet."

Zhu Yunwen really wanted to know nothing. If he knew nothing, not only would he feel more balanced mentally, but most importantly, by not knowing some things, he wouldn't have to take more risks, and that was what he cared about.

But in the final analysis, Zhu Yunwen had no choice at all. Now that he knew these things, and Zhu Yunhuan said them himself, it made him even more uneasy.

Seeing Zhu Yunwen's embarrassed and uneasy look, Zhu Yunhuan could only shake his head slightly. It could be said that his second brother was becoming more and more timid and his mind was becoming more and more sensitive.

If you think about it carefully, this may not be a bad thing. The most correct approach at this time is to keep a low profile and protect yourself. This may help you save your life and wealth.

It is still necessary to let Zhu Yunwen know some things, especially since he has no influence on the affairs of the court now. There is nothing to worry about if he knows more.

"The reason I asked you to come back this time is naturally to offer sacrifices. You cannot return to Beijing for at least three years after I ascend the throne." Zhu Yunhuan continued with a smile, "Another reason is to prepare for going to sea. Hangzhou is not just a coastal city!" (End of this chapter)