Zhu Yuanzhang, who commanded the wind and rain, lived a long and arduous life.

Madam Lü was terrified when she saw her son's disheveled appearance.

He seemed so upright and righteous when I saw him yesterday, how did he become like this in just one day?

She hurriedly ordered those around her, "Get out of here! Gag your mouths tightly! Anyone who dares to reveal what they saw today, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

After the eunuchs and maids left, Madam Lü walked over to Zhu Yunwen with a pained expression and pulled him to sit down: "Yunwen! What happened? What's wrong? Tell your mother, I'm here for you!"

Looking at his mother, whose eyes were filled with deep concern, Zhu Yunwen smiled bitterly and said, "Mother, after my elder brother was resurrected, you said I had hope. I locked myself in my study for a whole day thinking about it. Where did I get any hope?"

“Our eldest brother can be resurrected even after death, and he has immortals protecting him. Let’s not fight for the position of crown prince, let’s give it back to him.”

what?

Lady Lü was taken aback, then breathed a sigh of relief.

So that’s what happened.

She thought it was something more serious, like being sick.

If that's the case, then it's easy to discuss!

"Yunwen, do you know how your mother got her position?"

Lady Lü countered with a question.

Zhu Yunwen thought for a moment and replied, "After Aunt Chang died, you obtained it by competing with Father's other concubines."

Madam Lü nodded: "That's right, it was obtained through competition, but... the most important thing is that Madam Chang is dead. If she weren't dead, Mother wouldn't dare to make a move!"

"The death of the Chang family was an accident, and the most unpredictable things in this world are surprises and accidents. There are so many surprises and accidents that even emperors cannot control them."

"If U.A. died once, won't he die a second time? You might say no, that he has a hermit protecting him, but how long can a hermit protect him?"

“Your grandfather is still in good health and can remain in that position for more than ten years. After your father succeeds to the throne, he can also stay in that position for at least ten years before it is your generation’s turn.”

"That's at least twenty years. Can that immortal protect U.A. the whole time? And can you guarantee that U.A. won't encounter any other accidents along the way?"

Zhu Yunwen's eyes brightened.

Upon seeing this, Madam Lü chuckled and continued, "Yunwen, history is a compulsory course for our Zhu family. Let me tell you some history."

"Looking back at history, Qin Shi Huang was incredibly talented. He unified the six kingdoms and established the imperial system that covered this land. Our Ming Dynasty still uses many systems from his dynasty. Yet he knew that his empire would only last two generations?"

"Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty ushered in a golden age, with the national granaries overflowing with grain. Did they know that their empire would also perish after only two generations? They didn't know; it was all an accident."

"In the 300-year history of the Tang Dynasty, there were 29 crown princes, but only 16 of them successfully succeeded to the throne, with an accidental succession rate of nearly 50%."

"Fifty years ago, who could have imagined that a commoner would become emperor? Even your grandfather sometimes said it was like a dream."

"Yunwen, there are many unexpected events in the world, even the imperial family cannot avoid them. As long as we mother and son don't die, there will always be a chance."

Zhu Yunwen's eyes regained their light: "Mother, what should we do?"

Lady Lü smiled and said, "Wait."

"wait?"

“That’s right, wait.” Madam Lü continued with a smile, “Back in my generation, Madam Chang’s position was unshakeable, and I had no intention of replacing her, but she suddenly died of illness, and the opportunity… came.”

"You almost became the eldest grandson of the emperor; this opportunity was something you waited for."

"King Goujian of Yue endured hardship and humiliation for ten years before finally seizing an opportunity, which he then used to revive the Yue Kingdom."

“Opportunities are waited for. Now that Xiong Ying is powerful and has the protection of immortals, no one can match its prowess. My daughter and I should keep a low profile and hide our sharpness.”

“It will be at least twenty years before he truly ascends the throne. I refuse to believe that we won’t get an opportunity in such a long time.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded: "Okay! I'll listen to Mother."

He was convinced, and at the same time felt that the road ahead was not dark, but rather had a ray of sunshine.

The end of that sunlight is a broad and wide road.

But now he can't get to the sunlight because he's waiting, waiting for the opportunity his mother spoke of, and that opportunity is the sunlight.

“Yunwen, accidents are unpredictable, but some accidents can be avoided. For example, if you take good care of your health, you can resist some serious illnesses.”

"When you get a good night's sleep, you'll have more energy and won't make mistakes when you're listless."

"If you don't eat now, what do you think...?"

Lady Lü looked at him but didn't continue speaking.

Zhu Yunwen chimed in, "I want to eat!"

"Okay, Mother will take you!"

Mrs. Lü smiled and rubbed his head.

She had tasted the sweetness of power, the feeling of having to guess what her every word and action was, and even having to figure out her thoughts and preferences—it was wonderful.

All of this would be difficult to obtain once Zhu Xiong Ying ascended the throne.

What's the difference between that and killing her?

She will not give up the pursuit of power unless absolutely necessary!

Just as the mother and son were about to go to eat, the chief eunuch Wang Jinghong came over.

"Princess."

Wang Jinghong bowed.

Madam Lü was secretly alarmed. How could Wang Jinghong, who served the old master, be here?

"Manager Wang."

Despite her unease, Lady Lü also bowed.

Logically, Lady Lü should not have to perform the rites, but Wang Jinghong had served the old man for a long time, and sometimes he represented the old man.

Building a good relationship and making a good impression on him is never a bad thing.

Wang Jinghong said meticulously, "Your Highness, His Majesty is going out of the palace this afternoon. I have asked His Highness Yunwen if he would like to accompany him."

Lady Lü was about to give Zhu Yunwen a meaningful look, but Zhu Yunwen had already spoken.

"willing."

"It is Yunwen's good fortune that Your Majesty is willing to take him under your wing."

Zhu Yunwen responded with a smile.

He had been confused just now, but after being enlightened by Lady Lü, he was no longer confused and once again became the great Ming emperor's grandson, Zhu Yunwen, who had once been visited and honored by many officials.

Born into the royal family, they studied the Four Books and Five Classics from a young age, and the ways of the servants were never simple.

Lady Lü silently praised Zhu Yunwen for his remarks.

He truly is her son.

Wang Jinghong also took another look.

His disheveled appearance seemed somewhat at odds with his gentle and refined response.

It seems the adjustment has been made.

"Then I understand, Your Majesty. I will report back immediately."

Wang Jinghong bowed again and then returned to his post.

Madam Lü continued to take Zhu Yunwen out to eat, but this time, on the way there, she kept telling Zhu Yunwen about the old man's preferences.

The old man came from a farming family and valued practicality.

Moreover, because of Empress Chun, he disliked glamorous women and preferred those who dressed simply. He also required his daughters-in-law to be dignified, elegant, and modest.

From the moment Lady Lü entered the Eastern Palace until Lady Chang's death and until she was elevated to the position of Empress, she was always cautious and never once did she care about pomp and circumstance.

She knew that the old man didn't like extravagant daughters-in-law.

The reason she was able to manage the Eastern Palace as a concubine after Lady Chang's death was because she catered to Zhu Yuanzhang's preferences and allowed him to see her virtues.

So when she accompanied the old man out in the afternoon, she told Zhu Yunwen to dress simply, preferably down-to-earth, like the farmers.

in addition,

The old man liked to eat noodles, so she asked Zhu Yunwen and the others to take him to a noodle shop to eat when they got tired of accompanying him shopping.

It's best to set up an open-air stall.

Because that's the most down-to-earth place, and that's where the old man likes it the most.

….….….….….…

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