Chapter 58: Zhu Yuntong!

Upon hearing these words, Zhu Biao’s brow furrowed, a trace of displeasure welling up within him.

"Go and summon Zhu Yunxun here," Zhu Biao commanded coldly.

Nearby, Lady Lü immediately exchanged a glance with the maidservant beside her.

The maidservant bowed and quickly withdrew from the main hall of the Eastern Palace.

In a side chamber of the Eastern Palace, over a dozen maidservants and eunuchs were stationed outside.

To all appearances, they seemed to be serving the legitimate young master, Zhu Yunxun, but in reality, they were there to keep him under surveillance.

With a sudden thud, Zhu Yunxun looked toward the doorway with a terrified expression, his eyes immediately landing upon Lady Lü’s trusted maidservant.

"Young Master Yunxun."

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince summons you," the maidservant said upon entering, towering over Zhu Yunxun with an overbearing demeanor.

"Fa… Father is calling me for what?" Zhu Yunxun asked, his voice trembling.

Though not yet ten years old, he was a legitimate young prince of the Eastern Palace. Yet, his treatment was actually inferior to that of an ordinary attendant. The Eastern Palace was now entirely under the control of Lady Lü; his clothing, food, housing, and travel—everything was firmly within her grasp.

"Why waste your breath asking so many foolish questions?"

"If you don't go at once, watch out for the Crown Prince's punishment," the maidservant said coldly.

She held no respect whatsoever for Zhu Yunxun, treating him merely as a disposable servant.

Facing this, Zhu Yunxun’s eyes were filled with fear.

He cast a pleading look toward a maidservant nearby.

She was Zhu Yunxun’s only maidservant—no, she was the maidservant left to him by his own mother. In this vast Eastern Palace, ever since his mother had passed away, and ever since his elder brother had left, Zhu Yunxun had become an outcast, cherished by no father, loved by no mother, and cared for by no one.

The only person who could comfort him, the only person who could look after him, was this maidservant beside him, Yun Yu.

"Young Master."

"Go ahead."

"His Royal Highness is your father, after all. He must have some matter to discuss with you." Yun Yu said respectfully.

"Sister Yun Yu, can you come with me?" Zhu Yunxun was still somewhat afraid, looking at Yun Yu with hopeful eyes.

Hearing this, Lady Lü's maidservant frowned and immediately stated, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince summoned Young Master Yunxun alone. Unrelated persons should stay right where they are."

Zhu Yunxun looked at Yun Yu with even greater fear.

"Young Master, it will be fine."

"Go and return quickly. This servant will wait for you here in the palace," Yun Yu said in a gentle voice, at the same time giving Zhu Yunxun a reassuring look.

Seeing this, Zhu Yunxun realized he had no choice but to go alone. Steeling himself, he walked out of the chamber.

After Zhu Yunxun stepped out, Lady Lü's confidante walked up to Yun Yu and said coldly, "Yun Yu! The Crown Princess has been gone for so many years now. You should understand who is managing the Eastern Palace these days. From now on, you had better know what words should be spoken and what words should not. Although you were the former Crown Princess's maidservant, that is all in the past."

"Don't go looking for death."

After issuing this threat, Lady Lü's maidservant shot her a cold glare and turned away, leaving the scene.

A bitter expression, mingled with utter helplessness, appeared on Yun Yu's face.

Inside the main hall of the Eastern Palace!

"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Young Master Zhu Yunxun has arrived."

The maidservant entered the hall and reported respectfully.

Zhu Biao raised his gaze, his eyes falling upon Zhu Yunxun, who was walking slowly into the hall. Taking in the sight of the boy with his head lowered, timid, cowering, entirely devoid of the demeanor proper to an imperial prince, a flash of aversion immediately crossed Zhu Biao's eyes.

"This… This subject son pays respects to Father."

Zhu Yunxun knelt on the ground, bowing respectfully to Zhu Biao.

Though they were father and son, there was fear in Zhu Yunxun's voice, and an even greater sense of alienation.

"Rise," Zhu Biao said in an icy tone.

"Thank you, Father." Zhu Yunxun kept his head down and replied in a low voice.

"I heard that you have failed to attend your studies at the Hall of Great Learning? And that you frequently miss your lessons?" Zhu Biao asked coldly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunxun cast a sidelong glance toward Lady Lü, but Lady Lü had her back turned to Zhu Biao and shot Zhu Yunxun a freezing glare.

Under that gaze, Zhu Yunxun trembled all over, not daring to look again.

"This… This subject son…" Zhu Yunxun's voice trembled, not knowing what to say.

"The Hall of Great Learning was specially established by your Imperial Grandfather for the sons of the imperial family, precisely so that our imperial scions would acquire knowledge, master the written word, and possess the talent to govern the realm."

"You are still young, yet you harbor no ambition to improve."

"I am very disappointed," Zhu Biao said coldly, the expression on his face growing even more displeased.

As far as he was concerned, Zhu Biao had always harbored an underlying estrangement toward Zhu Yunxun—one could even call it an invisible resentment.

For it was because she gave birth to Zhu Yunxun that his most beloved wife, his elder sister-in-law Lady Chang, had suffered a difficult labor and died all those years ago.

Truly, he could find no warmth in his heart for Zhu Yunxun.

"This… This subject son will not dare do it again," Zhu Yunxun said in a panic.

"In the future, you must properly supervise him. If he dares to skip the Hall of Great Learning again, apply the family punishment," Zhu Biao said, turning his head toward Lady Lü.

"This consort obeys your command," Lady Lü replied readily.

Thereafter, Lady Lü added, "Husband, Yunwen attends the Hall of Great Learning every single day and has even won praise from many of the tutors."

Zhu Biao looked toward Zhu Yunwen, his gaze softening considerably.

"Yunwen is doing well. Study hard."

"Our Great Ming possesses vast territories and myriad affairs of state. Only when the scions of the imperial family are capable can the realm remain secure," Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yunwen immediately bowed deeply and said with utmost propriety, "This subject son will never disappoint Father. I shall diligently apply myself to my studies so that one day I may assist Father."

Hearing this, the look in Zhu Biao's eyes as he gazed upon Zhu Yunwen grew even softer.

"You may withdraw."

Zhu Biao waved a hand toward Zhu Yunxun in the hall.

"This subject son takes his leave," Zhu Yunxun replied with a trembling voice, and respectfully backed out.

After he had departed—

"I heard that you returned to the Lü family residence a few days ago?" Zhu Biao asked with a smile.

"Replying to Husband,"

"A few days ago, my eldest brother took a new concubine into his household, and it happened to be quite a while since this consort had last seen my father. Therefore, I returned home to pay him a visit and fulfill my filial duty," Lady Lü replied softly.

Hearing the words "fulfill my filial duty," Zhu Biao's gaze softened further.

Filial piety!

This was something upheld by his imperial family, and by all the common people across the entire realm.

"Since you are now managing the miscellaneous affairs of the Eastern Palace, you should handle such matters as you see fit."

"However, I heard that the concubine your eldest brother took is a daughter of the Shen family. Merchants are notoriously deceitful; you must not let the influence of commerce lead to corruption and graft, thereby ruining your family," Zhu Biao said gravely.

"Please rest assured, Husband."

"My return to the family estate this time was precisely because I heard that the concubine taken in was a Shen daughter of merchant origins. Aside from visiting my father, I also gave my eldest brother a stern warning that he must never engage in corruption or violate the law." Lady Lü immediately followed up.

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

Inside Zhu Yunxun's chamber—

"Young Master, are you all right?"

Seeing Zhu Yunxun return with a tearful, sorrowful expression, Yun Yu hurried forward and asked with concern.

"Sister Yun..."

"Will… will I be bullied like this forever?"

"I didn't even do anything wrong, yet they only know how to bully me."

"Father doesn't like me either."

Zhu Yunxun asked with a grievance-laden voice, tears streaming down uncontrollably.