Chapter 21: If You Can't Play, Then Get Lost—Zhu Biao's Fiancée

Chang Yuchun’s daughter had, from a young age, been promised by the emperor to Zhu Biao as his future wife. Zhu Yuanzhang was even planning for their wedding in a few years. Yet this boy claimed both sons of Lady Chang would die? Wasn’t that a curse upon the direct line of the Crown Prince, implying his imperial grandson would perish as well?

No wonder Old Zhu was angry; had it been another emperor, he’d have simply waved his hand and had the speaker beheaded. But the one speaking was, after all, still a child, and Zhang Yi had made many accurate predictions before. No matter how furious Zhu Yuanzhang felt, he could control his temper.

Moreover, Zhang Yi’s expression remained calm and unruffled, possessing even a hint of a sage’s aura. In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang managed to suppress his anger. He did have a certain fondness for Zhang Yi, but, more importantly, he valued and made use of his abilities.

To foresee the future, to avert disaster and seek fortune—this was precisely why he had kept Zhang Yi in the capital.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and said, “Zhang Yi, do not blame your uncle. It was I who lost my composure!”

Zhang Yi smiled, “Such is human nature. When the left eye twitches, it means fortune; when the right, disaster—superstitions all. People seek the Way, but not for the Way itself, only for peace of mind.”

“It was I who spoiled your good mood, uncle. I am at fault.”

Saying this, he fully embodied the air of a transcendent. Zhu Yuanzhang paused, realizing that Zhang Yi’s words made perfect sense. People always like to hear reassuring things; it is simply human nature.

On the surface, Zhang Yi was apologizing to him, but in truth, he was remarking on his inability to take what he had sought. Old Zhu felt a pang—he had been upbraided by a child.

Yet Zhang Yi’s meaning was clear: if you wish to ask about the future, you must accept both the good and the bad. If you can only bear pleasant words, then do not come seeking his counsel.

“To glimpse the will of Heaven is, in the end, a thankless task.”

“Uncle Huang, my father left me in the capital to recite scriptures and pray for Your Majesty’s blessings. I must begin today’s practice.”

Zhang Yi’s tone was mild.

Zhu Yuanzhang had not expected Zhang Yi to be so forthright. This child, seeing his displeasure, actually dismissed him immediately? Reciting scriptures for the emperor? Old Zhu would never believe that Zhang Yi would sincerely do so.

Annoyed by Zhang Yi’s words and not wishing to stay any longer, he nodded. “Everything you asked for, I will have delivered to you.”

With that, he took Zhu Biao and left the Pure Heart Temple. Zhang Yi watched the father and son depart and finally let out a breath.

“Whether I win Uncle Huang’s trust or not depends on whether my prediction comes true.”

“Senior Brother Deng, close the doors.”

Zhang Yi waited for Zhu Yuanzhang and his son to board their carriage, then turned with a sweep of his sleeve. Deng Zhongxiu, just returned from outside, caught the gesture and was momentarily dazed. For an instant, he saw in Zhang Yi the shadow of the late Zhang Zhengchang.

That aura of a grandmaster, the kind that emanates from within, cannot be faked.

“How is it that my junior brother doesn’t resemble an exile at all?”

Deng Zhongxiu hurried over to ask, “Junior brother, what do you plan to do with the silver our master left? This temple is in disrepair—even though we’ve tidied it up, some parts are so old they need professional hands. All of this will cost silver. Do you think we ought to repair it?”

Zhang Yi glanced back at Deng Zhongxiu. This senior brother would become an important figure on Dragon-Tiger Mountain in the future. After being recommended by Zhang Zhengchang, Old Zhu had also come to trust him.

This Deng Zhongxiu was a decent man; during their time on Dragon-Tiger Mountain, he had looked after Zhang Yi. Now, left alone in the capital at a young age, Deng Zhongxiu could have used the silver as he pleased, but he still asked for Zhang Yi’s opinion. That was already quite considerate.

“Senior brother, let’s wait a little longer. The emperor will naturally help us repair the temple.”

“What?” Deng Zhongxiu was stunned by the unexpected answer.

“It’s like being hit with a stick and then given a date as compensation. Our Dragon-Tiger Mountain has just taken a blow—I’m sure His Majesty knows about what happened in Yingtian. So, the palace’s reward will come, but it won’t be much…”

“I estimate we’ll get a few dozen taels of silver, along with some help sprucing up the temple. Just watch and see.”

“Junior brother, how do you know all this…?”

“Senior brother, you have a brain for a reason—use it!”

Zhang Yi only smiled at Deng Zhongxiu’s questions, then headed inside, leaving his senior brother outside in a daze for quite some time.

—

Meanwhile, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were on their way back to the palace.

Old Zhu sat in silence, his chest still heaving with unspent anger.

“That brat has quite a temper. I hadn’t even scolded him yet, and he actually threw me out?”

His face dark as water, the emperor was still fuming at Zhang Yi’s earlier conduct. It was said that the Zhang family’s wayward son could anger his father to death—now this retribution had come upon him.

Zhu Biao offered a wry smile, trying to soothe his father. “Please calm yourself, Father. Zhang Yi doesn’t know who you really are. His warning about the Chang family was meant for your own good.”

“If not, I’d have beheaded him long ago!” the emperor retorted, still huffing. When had Old Zhu ever yielded? If he hadn’t seen that Zhang Yi spoke out of concern for his ‘uncle,’ he’d have lost his temper already.

He knew Zhang Yi had only asked him to leave because his own reaction had hurt the boy. He was the one who had sought a glimpse of Heaven’s secrets, and now he was the one annoyed by them. No wonder Zhang Yi had mocked his inability to accept the truth.

Thinking of this, Old Zhu suddenly felt sympathy for Zhang Zhengchang. He himself had only just met this child and already felt exhausted—how had Zhang Zhengchang managed all these years?

Seeing the amusement on Zhu Biao’s face, the emperor’s anger flared again.

“What are you smirking at? If not for you, would I be so upset?”

“I didn’t smile!” protested Zhu Biao, bewildered as he sat in the carriage, suddenly blamed out of nowhere.

He could only resign himself—so it was fine for other people’s children to be untouchable, but his own son had to bear the brunt?

Fine, you’re my father; you’re always right.

Zhu Biao could only endure in silence.

“He said my grandson would die—wouldn’t that be your child? He dares curse my family’s heir?”

Zhu Biao could only smile bitterly. How could he not care about what Zhang Yi had said? But first, he was still young, and the child in question did not even exist yet. Second, compared to his father, Zhu Biao was far more broad-minded.

He comforted the emperor, “Father, you taught me that a ruler may respect spirits but cannot be cowed by them. The future is ever uncertain—why worry? Besides, knowing the future is only to seek fortune and avoid disaster. Even if what Zhang Yi says is true, now that we know, we can take care to avoid it.”

Zhu Yuanzhang had not expected Zhu Biao to speak so wisely, and was filled with satisfaction. He had devoted himself to raising Zhu Biao, treating him more like a son than merely a crown prince. Zhu Biao had not disappointed him; he had strengths that even his father lacked, and truly possessed the makings of a good emperor.

“You are right, Crown Prince—it was I who lost my composure.”

For once, Zhu Yuanzhang accepted Zhu Biao’s gentle rebuke.

“Enough. Let’s not dwell on it. After all, nothing Zhang Yi said has come to pass yet. Even Chang Yuchun’s three sons are all alive and well…”

“Let’s return to the palace and have something to eat with the Empress.”

Zhu Yuanzhang led Zhu Biao back to the palace, heading straight to the Empress’s quarters.

Yet as they entered, they discovered an unexpected visitor.

“Is that Lady Chang…?”

From afar, Zhu Biao spotted the Empress chatting with a young woman, who seemed to be wiping away tears.

He instantly recognized her—it was his betrothed, Chang Yuchun’s daughter.

“Your Majesty, Crown Prince, you have returned.”

The Empress, too, had seen them arrive.