Chapter 58: Zhu Yunweng!!!

Hearing these words, Zhu Biao's brow furrowed, and a flash of anger surfaced.

"Go and summon Zhu Yunxing," Zhu Biao said coldly.

Nearby, Lady Lyu immediately gave a meaningful look to the maidservant beside her. The maidservant bowed and immediately withdrew from the Eastern Palace hall.

In a side hall of the Eastern Palace, a dozen maids and eunuchs were on duty. They appeared to be serving the legitimate son, Zhu Yunxing, but in reality, they were there to monitor him.

With a loud *thud*, Zhu Yunxing looked toward the door with a terrified expression, only to see the trusted maidservant of Lady Lyu.

"Young Master Yunxing," the maidservant said arrogantly upon arriving, "the Crown Prince has summoned you."

"What... what does Father want me for?" Zhu Yunxing asked with a trembling voice.

Currently a child of less than ten years, though he was the legitimate son within the Eastern Palace, his treatment was actually worse than that of an ordinary noble son. The Eastern Palace was now entirely under Lady Lyu's control; she held power over everything from his food and clothing to his daily movements.

"Why ask so many useless questions?" the maidservant said coldly. "If you don't go immediately, beware of the Crown Prince's punishment."

She felt no need to show respect to Zhu Yunxing, treating him as if he were a mere, dispensable servant.

Faced with this, fear filled Zhu Yunxing's eyes. He cast a pleading look toward a maidservant standing nearby. She was his only maidservant.

No—she was the maidservant his mother had left him. In this vast Eastern Palace, ever since his mother and his elder brother had left, Zhu Yunxing had become a marginalized person—with no father to dote on him, no mother to love him, and no one to look after him. The only person who could comfort and care for him was this maidservant, Yun Yu.

"Young Master, go," Yun Yu said respectfully. "The Crown Prince is your father; surely there is something he wishes to discuss."

"Sister Yun Yu, can you come with me?" Zhu Yunxing asked, looking at her with hope and fear.

Hearing this, Lady Lyu's maidservant frowned and immediately said, "The Crown Prince has summoned only Young Master Yunxing. Those who are irrelevant should stay put."

Zhu Yunxing looked at Yun Yu with even greater fear.

"Young Master, it will be fine," Yun Yu said softly, giving him a reassuring look. "Go quickly and return soon. I will wait for you in the palace."

Seeing this, Zhu Yunxing understood he had to go alone. He could only brace himself and walk out of the hall.

After Zhu Yunxing left the hall, Lady Lyu's trusted maidservant walked up to Yun Yu and said coldly, "Yun Yu! The Crown Princess has been gone for many years. You should understand who is in charge of the Eastern Palace now. You must know what to say and what not to say. Even though you were the former Crown Princess's maid, that was in the past. Don't go looking for death."

After delivering her threat, the maidservant gave a cold glare and turned to leave.

A look of bitterness and helplessness appeared on Yun Yu's face.

***

Inside the Eastern Palace hall!

"Your Highness, Young Master Zhu Yunxing has arrived," a maidservant reported respectfully.

Zhu Biao raised his gaze and looked at Zhu Yunxing as he walked slowly into the hall. Seeing him walking with his head bowed, timid and shrinking, lacking any of the poise of a royal son, a flash of dislike immediately crossed Zhu Biao's eyes.

"Your son... your son pays respects to Father," Zhu Yunxing knelt on the floor and bowed respectfully to Zhu Biao.

Though they were father and son, there was fear in Zhu Yunxing's voice, as well as a sense of estrangement.

"Rise," Zhu Biao said in a cold tone.

"Thank you, Father," Zhu Yunxing replied in a low voice, keeping his head down.

"I heard that you have not been attending your studies at the Grand Hall? And that you have been frequently absent?" Zhu Biao asked coldly.

Hearing this, Zhu Yunxing caught a glimpse of Lady Lyu out of the corner of his eye, but she was facing away from Zhu Biao and gave him a freezing glare. Under that gaze, Zhu Yunxing trembled, not daring to look again.

"Your son... your son..." Zhu Yunxing's voice shook, unable to find words.

"The Grand Hall was specially established by your Imperial Grandfather for the sons of the Imperial Clan, so that our clan's children may possess knowledge, literacy, and the talent to govern the state," Zhu Biao said coldly, his expression growing more displeased. "You are still young, yet you show no ambition. I am very disappointed."

To him, there was always a sense of distance—even an invisible resentment—toward Zhu Yunxing. This was because his most beloved wife, his elder sister-in-law, had died during childbirth while giving birth to him. He truly could not bring himself to love Zhu Yunxing.

"Your son... your son will not dare again," Zhu Yunxing said in terror.

"Supervise him strictly from now on. If he dares to skip the Grand Hall again, use family discipline," Zhu Biao said, turning to Lady Lyu.

"I obey your command," Lady Lyu replied readily.

Then, Lady Lyu added, "Husband, Yunwen attends the Grand Hall every day and has received much praise from the tutors."

Zhu Biao looked toward Zhu Yunwen, and his gaze softened slightly.

"Yunwen is doing well. Study hard," Zhu Biao said. "The territory of our Great Ming is vast and the affairs of state are many; only those with ability among the imperial descendants can keep the world at peace."

Zhu Yunwen immediately bowed and said very politely, "Your son will never disappoint Father. I will strive to study diligently so that I may assist Father in the future."

Hearing this, Zhu Biao's gaze toward Zhu Yunwen became even softer.

"You may withdraw," Zhu Biao said, waving a hand at Zhu Yunxing.

"Your son takes his leave," Zhu Yunxing replied with a trembling voice and respectfully withdrew.

After he had left, Zhu Biao asked with a smile, "I heard you returned to the Lyu residence a few days ago?"

"To my husband," Lady Lyu replied softly, "my elder brother recently took a new concubine. Since it had been a while since I had seen my father, I returned to the estate to pay my respects and fulfill my filial duties."

Hearing the words "filial duties," Zhu Biao's gaze softened further. Filial piety was something his entire clan and all the people of the world were required to uphold.

"You are currently managing the affairs of the Eastern Palace; you may handle such matters as you see fit," Zhu Biao said deeply. "However, I heard that the concubine my brother took is a daughter of the Shen family. Merchants are extremely cunning; you must not allow the influence of merchant wealth to lead to corruption or the ruin of the family."

"Please rest assured, husband," Lady Lyu replied immediately. "My return to the estate was partly because I heard the new concubine is from a merchant background. Besides visiting my father, I also went to warn my brother not to fall into corruption."

"Mhm," Zhu Biao nodded and said no more.

***

In Zhu Yunxing's palace

"Young Master, are you alright?"

Seeing Zhu Yunxing return with a miserable, sorrowful expression, Yun Yu immediately rushed forward to ask with concern.

"Sister Yun..." Zhu Yunxing asked aggrievedly, tears streaming down his face. "Will... will I be bullied like this forever? I haven't done anything wrong, yet they only know how to bully me. Father doesn't like me either."