Chapter 29: A Filial Son!
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“So that is how it is!”
Now that the mystery had been solved, everyone wore an expression of sudden realization.
Someone said, “As long as the Prince of Wu is made Crown Prince and ascends the throne, the realm will enjoy eight hundred years of peace. Surely His Majesty will appoint the Prince of Wu, then?”
“Not necessarily!”
Another person immediately replied, “His Majesty may not believe the words of some divine monk. Besides, this song may never reach His Majesty’s ears.”
“That’s right. His Majesty lives deep within the palace. How could he know about it?” someone agreed.
“But if that divine monk truly possesses such vast supernatural powers, he could simply go to the imperial palace and tell His Majesty himself!” someone pointed out.
“How can we common mortals presume to speak of the actions of immortals and Buddhas?”
Someone said, “The divine monk already spoke of it in the streets of Jinling. Whether people believe him or not is up to them. If the realm falls into chaos, it is the common people who will suffer—what concern is that of his? The fact that he gave us such a hint already shows that he has done everything he could.”
“Exactly. The secrets of Heaven must not be revealed. Everything is governed by fate.”
Someone said, “I only wonder what fate awaits the people of our Great Ming. Will His Majesty pass the throne to the Prince of Wu?”
Another said, “I still find it hard to believe. How could passing the throne to the Prince of Wu bring eight hundred years of peace, while passing it to another imperial prince or grandson would plunge the realm into chaos? That sounds far too mysterious.”
“Whether it’s true or false, who cares?” someone said. “With matters like this, it is better to believe that they exist than to believe that they do not.”
“The Prince of Wu is also His Majesty’s grandson, the biological son of the late Crown Prince. I hear he is the legitimate heir, too. What would be wrong with passing the throne to him?”
“Exactly, exactly! His ascending the throne would be perfectly justified. What if everything the divine monk said is true?”
…
The crowd chattered animatedly, each person offering an opinion.
Zhu Yuntong stood behind them, listening in silence.
“Do you think the ministers and high officials at court will pass the divine monk’s words on to His Majesty?” someone asked.
“I don’t think so,” another replied. “Those officials only care about protecting themselves. Why would they concern themselves with matters affecting the realm?”
“Choosing a Crown Prince is a matter of national importance. Only His Majesty can make that decision.”
“Which minister would dare speak carelessly about it?”
“The divine monk’s words concern the position of Crown Prince. Those officials would probably rather cover their eyes and plug their ears, pretending they saw and heard nothing.”
“How could they possibly pass the message on to His Majesty?”
As soon as those words were spoken, most of the surrounding people immediately voiced their agreement.
One man, indignant and resentful, said, “These people draw salaries from the imperial court. They wear the finest silks and satins, eat the richest meats, and yet not one of them is willing to give his life in service to the court, the nation, and His Majesty, or plead on behalf of the common people. They are utterly detestable!”
“What good can ever come from officials?” The moment officials were mentioned, the common people suddenly found themselves united by a common topic.
Regardless of right or wrong, the important thing was to curse them!
It had always been that way, from ancient times to the present.
No matter the time, the circumstances, or the truth of the matter, if you opened your mouth to curse government officials, the common people would surely shower you with applause!
“If the officials don’t dare speak, then we will.”
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Someone in the crowd proposed, “Let us join together and submit a petition signed by the people to His Majesty. We can tell him about this matter and ask him to make the Prince of Wu Crown Prince. What do you say?”
The crowd immediately fell silent.
They looked at one another, each face reflecting uncertainty. Not a single person spoke again.
“What? Are you all too frightened to do it?” the man asked loudly.
“This is no trivial matter,” someone finally said in a low voice.
“Since ancient times, most of those who became involved in selecting a Crown Prince met an untimely end.”
“One mistake, and your entire household could be confiscated, and your head could be cut off.”
“Even those powerful men of rank and influence might not be able to bear the consequences.”
“We’re only ordinary people. How could we dare?”
That struck a chord with many in the crowd, and they immediately nodded in agreement.
“That’s right! That’s right! I would never dare do such a thing!”
“I still have a whole family to support. This cannot be done, absolutely cannot!”
“His Majesty is not an easy man to reason with. If things go wrong, our entire family could lose our heads!”
…
“What are you afraid of?” the man argued. “The Prince of Wu is His Majesty’s legitimate grandson, not some outsider.”
“We are merely asking that he be made Crown Prince in accordance with Heaven’s will.”
“His Majesty is a reasonable man. He will not make trouble for us.”
He spoke with fiery passion, yet no one responded.
The man could not help feeling disappointed. “Every one of you is a coward who clings to life, but I am not afraid.”
“One day, I will gather a group of like-minded people and submit a memorial to the imperial court.”
With that, he turned and strode away.
The onlookers dispersed one after another as well.
Zhu Yuntong had listened from beginning to end. He watched the crowd scatter, then glanced at the gates of the Founding Duke’s residence. The expression on his face shifted between gloom and brightness.
What was the story behind this so-called divine monk?
There was surely more to these rumors than met the eye.
Were they targeting him?
They had been spreading these rumors outside the Founding Duke’s residence. But did Chang Sheng know about it?
It seemed that from now on, he would have to pay closer attention to the news circulating among the people. He could not remain shut away in the inner palace forever.
Otherwise, others might already have begun making their moves against him while he remained cut off from the world, knowing nothing.
With that thought in mind, Zhu Yuntong turned and entered the Founding Duke’s residence.
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The moment he entered, he heard the melodious and pleasant sound of stringed instruments and wind instruments.
The music was so beautiful that it was impossible not to become absorbed in it.
Chang Sheng lay face down upon an extraordinarily broad soft bed.
Because the injuries to his buttocks from the beating had not yet healed, he could only maintain that position.
Even so, he did not seem uncomfortable in the least.
Surrounding him were seven or eight young and beautiful women, all attending to him.
One massaged his legs, another pounded his back, another rubbed his shoulders, while yet another used her delicate hands to feed him morsels of food…
Nearby sat a row of women holding various musical instruments, playing with all their might.
In front of them, more than a dozen women sang and danced, twisting their waists to the lively rhythm…
Chang Sheng enjoyed the attentions of the beautiful women, savored delicious food, listened to pleasing music, and admired the exquisite dance of the girls all at once.
He was living in utter bliss!
The sight opened Zhu Yuntong’s eyes.
He had long heard that the powerful and wealthy nobles of Great Ming knew how to enjoy life, but only today had he truly witnessed it.
And it made sense.
Chang Sheng was the son of Chang Yuchun and had inherited the title of Founding Duke. Throughout the entire Great Ming Empire, he was among the highest-ranking and most powerful nobles.
The instant they saw Zhu Yuntong, all the women stopped what they were doing and knelt in unison to pay their respects.
Chang Sheng struggled, trying to climb off the bed, and said, “Greetings, Your Highness the Prince of Wu!”
Zhu Yuntong stepped forward and supported him. “Uncle, your injuries have not yet healed. You need not rise to salute me.”
“Thank you, Your Highness the Prince of Wu!”
When he had finished speaking, Chang Sheng smiled and added, “So, what do you think? Are the maids in my residence up to standard?”
Zhu Yuntong looked left and right. “Not bad, not bad. Uncle certainly knows how to enjoy himself.”
A hint of pride appeared on Chang Sheng’s face. “Naturally.”
“Wine before us, song in the air—what is life, after all?”
“My father followed your imperial grandfather in conquering the realm. He charged into battle with his life in his hands, endured hardship after hardship, and suffered more than anyone can imagine. Wasn’t it all so that we descendants could live good lives from then on?”
“So, your uncle here ought to enjoy himself properly during this lifetime.”
“To spend every day amid wine, women, song, and dance, indulging in pleasure to my heart’s content—that is the only way I can honor all the hardships our father endured and avoid betraying the efforts of his entire life.”
“Otherwise, I would be an unfilial descendant and would have failed my departed father!”
“I fear that even in the underworld, my father would die unable to rest in peace!”
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