Chapter 40: Oh, Old Zhu! Someone has finally inherited the Zhu family's genes.

Zhu Yunxuan had spent many years in the imperial palace. Although he had always kept his true nature hidden, this did not prevent him from gaining a clear understanding of the character of everyone within these walls.

Naturally, he knew that Lady Guo, who stood before him, doted on her sons above all else; otherwise, the arrogant and overbearing temperaments of Zhu Gui and Zhu Sui would never have developed. Yet, it was precisely because of this that Zhu Yunxuan had summoned them. He could have easily avoided any contact with them and simply sent them off to their respective fiefs after Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang’s funeral. However, he acted this way to conduct an experiment and, incidentally, to test the attitudes of the other princes who had already taken up their posts. The success of this experiment hinged entirely on Lady Guo. This was why, the moment Zhu Gui offended him, he had sent Ma Sanbao to fetch her.

"Lady Guo, please, take a seat first. Your grandson would not dare let anyone say that I showed you disrespect so soon after the Emperor’s passing." Zhu Yunxuan did not follow Lady Guo’s lead; instead, he gently supported her as he guided her to the side.

Ma Sanbao had already moved a silk-covered stool into place. Only after Zhu Yunxuan had helped Lady Guo sit down did the smile on his face fade slightly.

"Lady Guo, the Emperor has just passed away. I know you must still be grieving, and I truly did not wish to disturb you, but I had no other choice. If I had not, even as the new sovereign, I fear I would not have been able to protect Uncle Thirteen..."

"Bah! Who are you trying to scare, Zhu Yunxuan?" Zhu Gui immediately jumped up. As he struggled against the grip of Jiang Xun, he glared at Lady Guo and shouted, "Mother, don't listen to this brat's nonsense! I have been perfectly well-behaved, keeping vigil for Father the Emperor, and have done nothing wrong!"

He expected that his mother, who usually doted on him, would defend him and perhaps even scold the "wimp" Zhu Yunxuan. To his shock, no sooner had he finished speaking than Lady Guo gave him a look of utter disappointment. She turned to the maid beside her and ordered, "Lin'er, go. Give this wretch two slaps for me. Strike hard, and do not hold back."

"Mother... Mother, no! I really didn't—"

*Smack! Smack!*

Lady Guo clearly had a firm hand in training her servants. The maid did not hesitate; she stepped forward and delivered two forceful slaps to Zhu Gui’s face.

Zhu Gui was stunned, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched the maid return to Lady Guo’s side. Lady Guo, however, did not even glance at him. Instead, she turned to Zhu Yunxuan with a look of pained regret.

"Yunxuan, it is all my fault for having spoiled this wretch so much that he has forgotten the boundary between sovereign and subject... I apologize to you on his behalf. If you must punish someone, punish me, but please do not hold it against your Uncle Thirteen. He is just a reckless fool. Once the Emperor's funeral is over, I will certainly see to it that he is disciplined."

She was truly a woman who had grown cunning with age and had mastered the inner palace for over a decade. She retreated to advance, all while playing the card of familial affection. Had it been anyone else, they might have taken the opportunity to let Zhu Gui off the hook, handing him over to Lady Guo for discipline or perhaps just giving him a hard time later when he left for his fief. But Zhu Yunxuan was not about to do that; his goal had not yet been reached.

He took Lady Guo’s hand, his face showing signs of deep distress. "Lady Guo, it is truly not that I do not respect you. I could have easily sent Uncle Thirteen back to you for discipline without bothering you at all today. But..."

"But?"

"The reason I made such a scene was not for the sake of my own dignity, but to save Uncle Thirteen!"

"What?" Even as sharp and perceptive as Lady Guo was, she could not immediately grasp what Zhu Yunxuan meant. After frowning for a long moment, she asked, "Yunxuan, what does this mean? Is someone plotting against your uncle, or have officials been impeaching him before you?"

Lady Guo was genuinely afraid. The more she looked at the smile on Zhu Yunxuan’s face, the more he reminded her of Zhu Yuanzhang. She did not understand Zhu Yunxuan, but she understood Zhu Yuanzhang well. She knew that whenever the old Emperor wore that particular smile, it meant he was plotting against someone or harborous murderous intent. And now, Zhu Yunxuan wore the same expression—and it seemed the target was her son.

"Lady Guo, you are truly wise! No wonder the Emperor loved you above all others, save for the Empress Dowager!" Zhu Yunxuan flashed a cryptic smile, offered a compliment, and continued, "You know Uncle Thirteen’s temperament. Now that I have only just stabilized the court, many officials are looking to take advantage of my shaky footing to demand that I deal with him severely. You wouldn't believe it—those old fossils are clamoring to strip him of his title, reduce him to a commoner, and exile him to Yunnan..."

*Sigh.*

*Old Zhu, in the end, someone has inherited your family’s genes after all.* Lady Guo realized now that there were no high-ranking officials displeased with Zhu Gui; it was clearly this little rascal Zhu Yunxuan who wanted to settle a score with her son. It was her own fault for letting her son bully him whenever he had the chance back when Zhu Yunxuan was hiding his true colors. Now, he had finally found his chance for revenge.

With a mix of heartache and anger, Lady Guo glared at Zhu Gui, who was still trying to interject. She took Zhu Yunxuan’s hand and said earnestly, "Yunxuan, you are the helmsman of the Great Ming now. You cannot let those officials lead you by the nose."

"Hehe! Lady Guo is right. That is why I told them this is a private matter of the Imperial family and for them to mind their own business." Zhu Yunxuan smiled, then immediately looked troubled again. "Sigh! But Lady Guo, you know that I am currently isolated and lack the power to rule as decisively as the Emperor did. Uncle Thirteen..."

"Enough! I understand your predicament. Deal with your uncle as you see fit, just as long as you do not send him to Yunnan."

"Sigh! Lady Guo, you are too kind. I was even hoping you would help me find a wife in a few years."

"Hahaha! You little monkey, it is indeed time for someone to keep you in check. Once you ascend the throne, I will handle that for you."

"That is wonderful! Thank you, Lady Guo!"

...

The grandmother and grandson played their parts as the perfect model of filial piety and maternal love, exchanging a long string of pleasantries. Finally, Zhu Yunxuan saw Lady Guo off.

Returning to the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yunxuan paid no mind to Zhu Gui, who was still being held on the ground, nor did he acknowledge Zhu Zhi or Zhu Quan. Instead, he signaled to Ma Sanbao.

Ma Sanbao understood immediately and trotted outside. Before long, he returned with four or five young eunuchs carrying a massive folding screen.