Volume One, Chapter 16: It Was You Who Killed Your Own Son with Your Own Hands!
“You’re talking nonsense!” Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly lost his temper and cursed directly at Jiang Lin.
“So you mean... we didn’t pass the throne to Biao’er?”
“Do you realize that this realm is destined to be passed on to Biao’er? As long as Biao’er wishes to become emperor, I could even issue an edict to abdicate right now.”
“Tell me, what reason would I have not to pass the throne to Biao’er?”
Old Zhu passionately addressed Jiang Lin, spitting everywhere.
Beside him, young Zhu remained unusually silent, his face heavy with concern. Why did his father ultimately not pass the throne to him?
Could it be that he, like Prince Li Chengqian of Emperor Taizong of Tang, had done some similar disgraceful deed?
Otherwise, Zhu Biao just couldn’t fathom it!
His health was good—surely he wouldn’t have suddenly died of illness?
Jiang Lin’s voice was calm as he adjusted his breathing.
“Your Majesty, I know you have great hopes for His Highness. The Eastern Palace is staffed with the thirty-six founding dukes and marquises; over half of the court’s military and political officials obey his orders.”
“There is even a widely circulated saying in later generations…”
“Other crown princes who dare to wear the dragon robe in secret face death. But if His Highness wears the dragon robe secretly, you would have him parade around a few times to see if it fits. If it doesn’t, you’d have it altered.”
“Moreover, if one day His Highness rebels, you would feel pleased, proud of his ambition. And anyone who does not join him in rebellion, you’d suspect them of harboring treasonous intent!”
“Hmph!” Zhu Yuanzhang snorted lightly, glancing at Jiang Lin. “You seem to understand well; that’s good.”
“Your sincere intention to pass the throne to Zhu Biao, I do not deny. But the Crown Prince was truly overwhelmed and powerless.”
As Jiang Lin spoke, he recalled the records in the history books and said to Zhu Yuanzhang:
“In the 25th year of the Hongwu reign, Crown Prince Zhu Biao passed away prematurely due to illness, at the age of thirty-eight.”
“Thus ended the story of the most powerful crown prince in history.”
“What?!” Zhu Biao exclaimed in surprise, eyes wide with shock.
The 25th year of Hongwu, age thirty-eight?
So it was illness that prevented him from inheriting the throne...
How could this be?
What exactly happened in these past ten-plus years?
Zhu Biao considered himself in fairly good health; though not as robust as his father who had fought for years, surely he would not die young from illness!
Bloodshot-eyed, Old Zhu shook his head vehemently, denying it with all his might:
“Impossible, absolutely impossible!”
Seeing Zhu Biao’s despondent expression, he hastily comforted him:
“Biao’er, rest assured, you will be fine, nothing will happen to you!”
“This fellow is talking nonsense, it’s all false, we don’t believe it!”
But Jiang Lin’s tone was resolute.
“Your Majesty, every word I speak is recorded in the history books, with no fabrication.”
He had anticipated Old Zhu’s fury long ago; otherwise, he would not have tried to evade the question initially.
Sigh... father and son, truly exasperating!
They refuse to speak, yet when forced, they are displeased!
What kind of people are they?
“Fine, fine, fine, so it’s all recorded in the history books!”
Zhu Yuanzhang was completely thrown off balance by Jiang Lin’s words. Pointing at him fiercely, he shouted:
“Even if you are from the future, so what? Don’t think I’m afraid of you!”
“Believe it or not, I’d still dare to sentence you to death and chop off your head.”
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang verge on madness, Empress Ma and her daughter Zhu Yourong sensed grave trouble and quickly intervened.
“Zhongba, you must calm down!” Empress Ma commanded, halting the enraged Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yourong now stood protectively in front of Jiang Lin with her slight frame.
Although saddened by her elder brother’s fate, she clearly understood this matter had nothing to do with Jiang Lin.
“Master Jiang, rest assured, I will protect you. Father will not harm you in the slightest!”
With that, Zhu Yourong’s gaze grew resolute.
Seeing both the Empress and her daughter defending Jiang Lin, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned and utterly baffled.
What was happening?
Had his dear wife and daughter been stolen away?!
At this thought, Zhu Yuanzhang was so furious his body trembled.
“You... you two, are you trying to make me die of anger?”
“Didn’t you just hear the nonsense this boy said?”
“He actually cursed my Biao’er, saying he would die of illness in the 25th year of Hongwu, just fourteen years from now.”
As Old Zhu’s words fell, the stunned Zhu Biao gradually regained composure, his face grave as he approached Zhu Yuanzhang.
“Father, there’s no need to act on impulse!”
“Brother Jiang has no reason to lie. What benefit would lying bring him?”
“Heh heh heh...” Zhu Yuanzhang forced a bitter smile, his expression growing more painful. For a man past fifty, accepting this truth was unbearably cruel.
The prince he had proudly followed him!
“Yes, he truly has no reason to lie.”
“He was merely recounting the history books, and besides, we asked him ourselves…”
Seeing his father’s anguished expression, Zhu Biao’s heart also ached.
“Brother Jiang, you said I died of illness. Then you must have a way to cure me, right? After all, you cured my wife’s poison.”
Suddenly, Zhu Biao’s expression became excited, as if grasping at a last straw.
Jiang Lin sighed helplessly.
“Sigh… Your Highness, the historical records about your illness vary greatly…”
“Some say you caught a cold; others say it was due to the fatigue from inspecting Shaanxi by carriage; yet others say it was excessive mental pressure that finally overwhelmed you.”
“I suspect the third possibility is more likely.”
“Mental pressure?” Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, immediately rebutting. “Impossible!”
“Biao’er indeed took on many governmental affairs, but I only wanted to train him gradually for succession. Most affairs were still managed by me!”
“Besides, Biao’er is unlike other crown princes surrounded by brothers eyeing the throne.”
“You just said it yourself; he was the most secure crown prince in history!”
“Overall, what pressure could he possibly have?”
“Even if he had pressure, it would be the least among all crown princes!”
“That’s not so!”
Jiang Lin shook his head slowly and began:
“Your Majesty, just because he has no pressure now doesn’t mean he won’t have pressure in the future.”
His gaze shifted back to Zhu Yuanzhang, growing strangely intense.
“According to historical analysis, the reason Your Highness died from excessive pressure is inseparable from Your Majesty’s actions!”
“From some perspectives, it was you who caused your Biao’er’s death with your own hands!”
…