Chapter Nineteen: A Precious Treasure Benefiting the Nation and Its People

The atmosphere in the imperial study instantly grew tense.

Old Zhu’s gaze turned icy cold in an instant.

Zhu Yunwen wore a mocking smile, inwardly pleased.

But Zhu Yunxu was completely oblivious. As soon as he entered the hall, he heavily set down the box on his back.

The box hit the floor with a dull thud.

Zhu Yunxu shook his shoulders to loosen up his muscles and said, “Finally brought it here. This thing is incredibly heavy. If I had known, I would have asked a young eunuch to carry it for me.”

“What is this?” Old Zhu suppressed his anger as he asked.

“Grandfather Emperor, this is a treasure. During these past few days at the manor, your grandson has worked day and night with a group of craftsmen, researching and making it. It was only after great effort that it was completed—a great treasure indeed.”

Zhu Yunxu quickly explained, clearly excited.

“Yunxu, how can you be like this?” Old Zhu scolded bitterly, disappointed beyond words. “You have let me down so deeply!”

“You compose poems with grandeur, act with method and order, and even if you are a bit arrogant, somewhat oblivious to the bounds of propriety and rules, I could tolerate that.”

“You once demanded the position of Crown Prince from me. Although I did not grant it, I heeded your advice and delayed appointing Yunwen as Crown Prince.”

“Watching you write fine poetry and lyrics, seeing you command respect among ministers and generals, I was genuinely proud of you.”

“I even thought that having you as my grandson was a blessing from our ancestors and protection from your late father’s spirit.”

“But how can you be so irresponsible?”

“I allowed you to establish your own manor to test if you could discipline yourself.”

“That is the bare minimum requirement for someone destined for great deeds.”

“Throughout history, many emperors were talented and brilliant, yet many did not become renowned rulers.”

“On the contrary, many became infamous tyrants, even rulers whose reign led to the downfall of their realms!”

“Why is that?”

“Because they indulged in pleasure, and though gifted, their mind was not on governing.”

“Pleasure destroys ambition; they squander their days in debauchery!”

“The sages said: a gentleman cannot neglect self-cultivation.”

“You are talented and capable, but you… you… you indulge yourself too much.”

Old Zhu’s fury poured out in a relentless barrage of reproach.

Because of his advanced age, he was eventually left breathless, gasping for air for a long while.

Zhu Yunwen quickly stepped forward, supporting Old Zhu and said, “Grandfather Emperor, please do not be angry. Third Brother has been restrained for so long in the Eastern Palace. Now that he is at the manor, it’s natural he might relax a bit. He will correct himself going forward.”

“Third Brother, hurry and bow to Grandfather Emperor to apologize!”

In front of Old Zhu, he always put on his best behavior.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yunxu looked somewhat confused and asked, “Grandfather Emperor, I have done nothing wrong. Why are you so furious?”

“Nothing wrong?” Old Zhu exploded in rage, shouting, “What have you been doing these past few days at the manor? Why aren’t you studying diligently?”

“You still dream of the Crown Prince position?”

“With you like this, how could I ever appoint you Crown Prince? How could I entrust the Ming dynasty to you?”

“You think you have some talent and can be proud?”

“The one who governs the Ming dynasty cannot be like this!”

Zhu Yunxu sighed, loosening his tense spirit slightly.

To be honest, facing the furious Old Zhu, he truly felt immense pressure, almost overwhelmed.

“Grandfather Emperor, actually, these past few days I have been studying diligently at the manor!”

At these words, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunwen were both stunned.

You just said you spent day and night making treasures inside the box, and now you say you were studying? That’s quite the far-fetched lie.

Zhu Yunwen grew even more amused.

It seemed this younger brother was truly scared silly.

Zhu Yunxu defended himself confidently: “I have been researching how to study, and how to ensure everyone in the world can have access to books.”

“That should count as studying, right? It’s not like reading the Four Books and Five Classics by rote memorization is the only way.”

“You… you…” Old Zhu was furious, trembling slightly.

Pointing to the box on the floor, he said, “You say you studied at the manor, and this box is the result of your studying?”

“Yes! This is the outcome of my studying,” Zhu Yunxu nodded.

Old Zhu shouted, “Fine then… someone, come take this box away and burn it!”

Two palace guards immediately stepped forward.

Zhu Yunxu was terrified and quickly threw himself over the box, shouting, “Grandfather Emperor, you can’t do that! This is the fruit of my tireless effort day and night these past few days. It’s a treasure, a great treasure that benefits the nation and its people!”

Old Zhu sneered, “You say you worked day and night on this worthless thing, calling it a treasure that benefits the nation? I’ll burn it just to spite you.”

Zhu Yunwen also urged, “Third Brother, at a time like this, don’t be stubborn. Apologize to Grandfather Emperor.”

“Are you trying to have Grandfather Emperor strip you of your title and confine you to the manor?”

These words seemed to remind Old Zhu.

He promptly said, “Yes, yes! I will issue the decree to strip you of your title. Let’s see if you’re still stubborn then!”

Zhu Yunxu still clung tightly to the box, looking up: “Grandfather Emperor, you can strip me of my title if you wish, but the contents of this box are truly treasures that affect the fate of the Ming dynasty and the countless scholars of the realm.”

“Please, at least take a look first.”

Old Zhu, still angry, said, “I don’t want to see, and I don’t believe your nonsense.”

Zhu Yunxu smiled and said, “Grandfather Emperor, if after you see what’s inside you think it doesn’t benefit the nation or the people, if it’s not a great treasure, then you can punish me afterward.”

Hearing this, Old Zhu glared fiercely at him, then sat down on the dragon throne in silence.

Seeing this, Zhu Yunxu glanced at the two palace guards who had come to stand beside him.

Since Old Zhu no longer spoke, the guards naturally understood that he agreed to open the box first and stepped back.

Only then did Zhu Yunxu move his body off the box and happily open it.

He carefully took out the contents.

“What is this?” Zhu Yunwen had never seen anything like it and was very curious.

When he was a child, though he made some devices, they were never practical, only delicate and beautiful.

After all, toys are about being delicate and aesthetically pleasing for appreciation.

But what Zhu Yunxu brought today had nothing to do with being delicate or pretty.

Old Zhu remained silently angry but couldn’t help sneaking a glance.

“Grandfather Emperor, let me make it clear: if these things have nothing to do with study, cannot help the scholars of the realm, and are not a great treasure benefiting the nation and people, then you may strip me of my title and imprison me in the manor, never to go outside again. I will have no complaints.”

“But if it truly is a great treasure benefiting the nation and its people, then Grandfather Emperor must reward me handsomely.”

Zhu Yunxu did not rush to explain or showcase its functions, but instead smiled and began bargaining first.