Volume One, Chapter 16: Overwhelming Tension

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Zhu Di cast a cold, sharp glance at him, his tone carrying a hint of warning: “Third Brother, our brotherly bond remains, but some matters I do not wish to involve myself in, nor will I.”
“However, if anyone truly desires to bring trouble upon themselves, I advise you to think carefully before acting.”
Having spoken, he turned and strode away, leaving Zhu Xuan and Zhu Xiang exchanging uneasy looks.
Zhu Xiang snorted coldly and muttered under his breath, “Putting on quite the lofty act.”
The night was deep and silent within the Imperial Medical Court, only the faint scent of herbs lingering in the air.
Zhu Xiong Ying reclined against the bed, an open scroll resting by his side, but his gaze was fixed on the cold moon beyond the window, his expression so calm that no anger or joy could be discerned.
Since the autumn hunt incident, he had increasingly sensed the surging undercurrents surrounding him, each person’s intentions complex and unpredictable.
Suddenly, the faint sound of footsteps came from outside the door.
Zhu Xiong Ying returned to his senses, his eyes flickering slightly before settling back into calm.
Soon, the door curtain was gently lifted, and Lady Lü entered slowly, accompanied by Zhu Yunwen.
“Xiong Ying, I have brought Yunwen to see you.”
Lady Lü’s voice was gentle, her face wearing the usual serene smile.
She wore a pale crimson ruqun, her steps dignified and graceful, her eyes filled with just the right measure of concern.
Beside her, Zhu Yunwen wore a moon-white jacket, obediently trailing behind his mother.
His youthful face bore a trace of fear, as if he truly worried about Zhu Xiong Ying’s injury.
“Elder Brother Xiong Ying, I heard you were hurt. Yunwen is very afraid, and Mother is very worried. Are you feeling better now?”
Zhu Yunwen lifted his head, his voice tinged with childish awkwardness, yet his gaze was respectful.
Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the pair before him, a slight smile curling his lips. “Thank you, Yunwen and Lady Lü, for your concern. My injuries are nothing serious. It is truly humbling that you made the effort to come all this way.”
His tone was gentle, his face bearing a faint smile.
His gaze swept over Lady Lü and Zhu Yunwen, still warm and gracious.
He raised himself slightly, his voice carrying a hint of courteous affection: “Yunwen is still young, yet he knows how to care for his elder brother—truly thoughtful.”
“Lady Lü and Yunwen came in person to see me; though my wounds are insignificant, I still feel somewhat apologetic.”
Lady Lü covered her lips with a smile and spoke softly, “Xiong Ying, you flatter us. You are the eldest legitimate grandson of the Zhu family, bearing the future of the royal house. Your safety is of paramount importance to the realm.”
“Yunwen and I are merely fulfilling our due courtesies.”

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Her words were gentle yet firm; though respectful, they subtly underscored the significance of the heir to the crown prince’s position, her tone neither heavy nor light, tinged with a hint of probing.
Zhu Xiong Ying appeared to listen attentively, but inwardly he sneered.
He looked at Lady Lü with indifferent eyes. “Lady Lü, you overpraise me. Yunwen is truly the most sensible child in the Eastern Palace.”
“By comparison, I, as the elder brother, feel somewhat ashamed.”
Lady Lü’s eyes shimmered slightly, her smile growing warmer. “Xiong Ying, you are too modest. Yunwen is only young and simple-minded; how could he compare to you?”
“That is true, Lady Lü. Yunwen is indeed still very young.”
Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Zhu Yunwen.
The boy stood beside Lady Lü, head lowered, cheeks tinged with a faint blush, looking somewhat at a loss.
A flicker of coldness passed through Zhu Xiong Ying’s heart, yet his face remained gentle and refined.
He observed the boy’s demeanor carefully while probing through his words: “Yunwen, you were also at the game park that day. When your elder brother was absent, you bore much of the burden for Father, didn’t you?”
“At that time, the guards and servants were all frantically busy. Were you afraid?”
Zhu Yunwen was momentarily stunned, then looked up at Zhu Xiong Ying, hesitation flashing briefly in his eyes before giving way to humility.
He spoke softly, “Elder Brother, Yunwen hardly did anything to bear the burden. I just hid behind the guards and didn’t dare make a sound.”
“The real hero was you, Elder Brother, who broke through the wolf pack with bloodshed.”
“Yunwen truly admires you. If it had been me, I would have been too scared to even move.”
His tone was cautious, filled with admiration.
Yet Zhu Xiong Ying could see that behind this “admiration” lay a subtle test.
“Oh? Yunwen has heard about it?” Zhu Xiong Ying asked quietly, his smile warm and harmless.
“That day was indeed perilous. I was lucky to survive.”
“If anything had happened, surely Father and Grandmother would have been heartbroken.”
“Yes.” Zhu Yunwen nodded obediently, his tone imbued with a child’s innocence.
“You are the crown prince, the most important figure in the Zhu family.”

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“Mother told me that your safety is of utmost importance. Only when you are unharmed does Yunwen feel at ease.”
Zhu Xiong Ying chuckled lightly and patted Zhu Yunwen’s shoulder, his tone slightly indulgent: “Rest assured, Yunwen, nothing will happen to me.”
“We brothers are united and will work together for the Ming Dynasty in the days ahead.”
Upon hearing this, Lady Lü’s eyes flickered subtly, her smile poised just right, neither confirming nor denying.
Zhu Yunwen quickly nodded, displaying an innocent and harmless expression. “Yunwen will certainly heed Elder Brother’s guidance and live up to your expectations.”
The night deepened, but the Imperial Medical Court remained brightly lit.
Zhu Xiong Ying sat by the window, the half-open lattice allowing a cool night breeze to brush past his brow.
By candlelight, his complexion appeared rosier than a few days prior.
Though still slightly pale, his health had markedly improved.
Since his injury at the autumn hunt, Zhu Yuanzhang had issued a strict command that the best imperial physicians attend to him daily without any negligence.
“Your Highness, this is today’s decoction. I specially instructed that it be brewed milder than usual,” Xiao Cui said cautiously, carrying the medicine bowl with earnest care.
Zhu Xiong Ying lifted his head from the scroll, smiling faintly as he took the bowl. “Thank you, Xiao Cui.”
His voice remained gentle, yet the composure he displayed belied his youth.
He sipped the bitter medicine without a grimace, swallowing it slowly.
Xiao Cui tended to him quietly, growing ever more respectful as she witnessed his fortitude.
“Your Highness’s wounds are improving. If His Majesty knew, he would surely be very pleased.”
Zhu Xiong Ying smiled faintly at her words, gazing out at the cold moon. “Grandfather truly worries for me greatly. Lately, it seems the entire Imperial Medical Court has been moved here.”
He set down the medicine bowl, his tone tinged with a hint of reflection, “But I think Grandfather is a bit too anxious.”
“His Majesty and the Empress are only concerned for Your Highness’s wellbeing,” Xiao Cui whispered.
Zhu Xiong Ying lowered his eyes, saying no more.