Chapter 57: I'm Getting Old Too!

Huang Zicheng turned and walked away, leaving behind a crowd of officials with peculiar expressions on their faces.

Soon, the crowd dispersed in twos and threes.

Some held copies of the *Great Ming Daily*, examining them closely and pondering over the words again and again.
Others engaged in quiet consultations, discussing in hushed tones.
Still others stood in solitary thought, weighing the situation from every angle.
Everyone wore a solemn expression.

Usually, this place was merely a spot to exchange casual greetings, but today, every single person carried a heavy burden on their mind.

Meanwhile, the military generals and nobles wore expressions far more severe than those of the civil officials.

Though occasional whispers could be heard, most of them stood on tiptoe, craning their necks to look into the distance.

Zhu Yuntong's carriage slowly approached from afar.

Instantly, the military nobles swarmed forward like a flock of bees.

While these rough-hewn men lacked the intricate scheming and twisting minds of the civil bureaucrats, those capable of earning military merits and establishing states were far from ordinary figures.

When they first heard the news yesterday about Zhu Yuntang arresting Lan Yu, many had been startled and utterly baffled. How could family members arrest one another?

Yet, by now, everyone had begun to understand.

This was merely a protective measure disguised under the banner of an arrest.

Their only dread was that those civil officials would not let the matter rest easily.

"Paying respects to Your Highness, the Prince of Wu!" The military nobles bowed in unison.

Zhu Yuntang nodded gently and said, "There is no need for such formalities, gentlemen."

"Today, this Prince shall bring the Duke of Liangguo to the Golden Throne Room to request punishment from Royal Grandfather."

"Since you have all gathered here, you may witness this together and take it as a warning."

Unlike the civil officials who were required to attend court, most of the military nobles stationed in the capital currently lived in leisure without active military commands. Once a campaign concluded and the military tally was returned upon returning to the capital, they were permitted to rest at home until another war arose requiring them to lead troops into battle.

Therefore, attendance at court was not strictly mandatory for them. Many often feigned illness to avoid coming. Today, however, they had assembled in such complete numbers solely because of the news regarding Lan Yu.

At this moment, as everyone cast their gazes toward Lan Yu—who followed closely behind the carriage, tightly bound with ropes, stripped to the waist, and with thorny branches strapped to his back—their expressions grew somewhat complex.

Some wished to step forward and offer a greeting, yet feared it might be inappropriate and disrupt the grand plan of the Prince of Wu.

Hearing Zhu Yuntang's words, the leader Chang Sheng stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, what procedure or outcome shall we expect today?"

As soon as these words were uttered, every military noble present instantly pricked up their ears. This was precisely the matter they cared about the most.

Zhu Yuntang bowed toward the imperial palace and replied, "In my actions, I act solely out of loyalty and filial piety; what grand procedure could there be?"

"As long as you lords maintain a loyal heart toward Royal Grandfather, how could he ever fail you?"

"The grace of rain and the fury of thunder are both imperial favors."

"Everything ultimately rests upon Royal Grandfather's sole and independent judgment."

Having said this, he offered no further words and retreated into his carriage.

Seeing this, the nobles had no choice but to disperse, turning once more to close associates for whispered consultations.

Before long, the palace gates creaked open slowly.

Inside the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang still sat within the pavilion in the courtyard.

Ever since the death of Zhu Biao, it seemed as though he had aged decades in a single moment. There had been many nights when sleep eluded him entirely. Though he had managed to rest slightly better of late, last night had brought yet another sleepless vigil.

Advanced age had left his body far inferior to what it once was. His mane of hair had turned gray, and wrinkles gradually claimed his brow, eyes, and temples.

"Your Majesty, it is time for the morning court!" a eunuch attending him through the night whispered respectfully.

Immediately, palace maids stepped forward to assist with his washing and grooming.

"Tell me, has everyone arrived for court today?" old Zhu asked suddenly, with an air of casual indifference.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant has heard reports that an exceptionally large number of people have come to court today. Even the officials who usually favor feigning illness have all arrived without exception," the head eunuch replied hurriedly.

Old Zhu let out a long sigh.

"Some matters truly ought to be decided sooner."

"With the foundation of the state unsettled, the hearts of the people remain uneasy!"

The head eunuch kept his eyes fixed downward, acting as though he had heard nothing, not daring to venture a response.

Once his washing was complete, old Zhu prepared to walk toward the front hall for the morning court. At that moment, someone hurried in to report.

"Your Majesty, the *Great Ming Daily* commissioned by His Highness the Prince of Wu has been officially printed and issued today."

"His Highness specially sent someone to deliver a copy, requesting Your Majesty to peruse it."

Hearing this, old Zhu's interest was immediately piqued. "Bring it here," he commanded.

The eunuch respectfully presented the newspaper.

Old Zhu took it, scanned the pages, and a faint smile involuntarily touched the corners of his mouth.

"This article is quite good—plain, easy to understand, and catchy. It is written far better than those scholars in the court with bellies full of books!"

He praised it aloud, then continued, "Splendid, truly splendid! When I was young, things were indeed just like this."

"Back then, we were poor, unable to get enough to eat, and tormented by hunger day after day."

"The clothes on our backs were tattered rags, and the winter cold was bone-chilling."

"When life became truly unbearable, I would take a begging bowl and wander everywhere, making the four seas my home, eating food from a hundred families..."

Perhaps the article in the newspaper had stirred memories of his youth, for old Zhu rambled on endlessly, growing more animated and spirited with every word.

The surrounding eunuchs stood bowed, listening. As old Zhu reached the height of his enthusiasm, he suddenly began gesturing with his hands and feet, chanting in a loud voice.

After a long while, old Zhu's mood shifted abruptly from joy to sorrow, and he let out another prolonged sigh.

"It is a pity that my dear sister is no longer here, and Biao-er is gone as well."

He murmured softly, "And I, too, have grown old!"

Only after a long pause did he pick up the newspaper again to continue reading.

"Propagating the *Great Ming Code*—this is also quite good," old Zhu remarked with a gentle nod of approval.

Immediately afterward, his gaze shifted to the third page: *My Father!*

Old Zhu's expression suddenly froze.

Before he knew it, he was reading with total, undivided attention.

He spoke no more; his breathing grew heavy at times and light at others, while his facial expressions shifted unpredictably.

Gradually, two clear trails of tears welled up and rolled down his cheeks.

"Biao-er!" old Zhu called out softly.

The hand holding the newspaper grew limp and dropped to his side.

The newspaper fluttered down with the wind.

In that single instant, this old man who held the supreme and absolute power of the Great Ming appeared to age yet another several decades.

The civil and military officials filed in, entering along both sides of the palace gates.

By now, all private discussions had ceased, yet every person still wore a solemn expression. Many continued to walk in deep, bitter contemplation.

The distance from the palace gates to the great hall was not far.

Before long, Zhu Yuntang arrived inside the hall.

He walked at the front, holding a rope in his hand, followed by the bound figures of Lan Yu and Fu Ye.

Zhu Di stood not far away, his gaze sweeping over them from time to time, though he remained silent throughout.

When all the ministers had entered and taken their places in the hall, old Zhu's presence was conspicuously delayed.

The officials began to exchange glances once more, communicating silently through their eyes, growing increasingly restless and uneasy.

Given old Zhu's legendary diligence, he had never once been late for a morning court.

After waiting for a full hour, a eunuch's shrill, duck-like voice finally rang out: "His Majesty has arrived!"

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live long live the Emperor!"

The civil and military officials hastily prostrated themselves.

Tear stains were still visible upon old Zhu's face. However, the officials assembled in the hall today did not dare raise their heads to look directly at the Emperor, and thus no one noticed.

Once old Zhu had seated himself upon the dragon throne and accepted the court's obeisance, his gaze naturally fell upon the tightly bound forms of Lan Yu and Fu Ye.