Chapter 43: A Meeting of Brothers

Chapter 43: Brothers Reunited

In the Ganlin Palace.

Zhu Yunxuan sat on a couch, stealing glances at the Western-style clock in the corner, his heart restless and unable to settle.

Until Gao An's voice echoed from outside the hall, "Duke, please follow this way."

Zhu Yunxuan shot up from his seat, his heartbeat suddenly racing to the edge of his throat. Gao An had led Zhu Yunjing around a screen, and the two now stood before him.

Zhu Yunxuan stood frozen, his eyes wide open, fixedly gazing at Zhu Yunjing as he approached with a smile. When Zhu Yunjing reached him, he lifted his hand and gently patted his shoulder. "A Xuan has grown up."

Back then, his younger brother had been shorter by a head when he left the capital; now, they stood at the same height.

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes instantly reddened, and he stammered, "Brother..."

Zhu Yunjing sighed helplessly, "Even after becoming the emperor, how can you still be so prone to tears? If the people outside see this, you will lose all your dignity."

Zhu Yunxuan finally regained his senses and rushed forward, tightly embracing Zhu Yunjing as he sobbed aloud, "Brother, you've finally returned..."

Fifteen minutes later, tea and snacks were served. Gao An led the servants away, leaving the two brothers alone on the couch, studying each other, both with a multitude of words they wanted to share but didn't know where to begin.

After a brief silence, Zhu Yunjing spoke first, "I brought our two children along. We were outside the city for the past couple of days. I only entered the capital once the rebel groups in the capital were captured. For now, I've placed them at He Huailing's residence. In a few days, I'll bring them to the palace for the emperor to meet."

He expressed his regret, "I wish I could have assisted you in suppressing the rebels, but alas, the children are too young for me to leave behind. My status also doesn't permit me to be publicly recognized, which might cause trouble for you."

"I understand…" Zhu Yunxuan nodded, "Brother, how have you been all these years?"

Zhu Yunjing appeared much more composed than before, with a constant smile on his lips, quite different from what Zhu Yunxuan remembered, "I'm doing well. It wasn't until I ventured out that I truly realized how vast this world is. Being able to witness it firsthand is a blessing. Now, with my title and children, I have nothing to worry about. I engage in maritime trade and can even set sail to explore when I feel like it. Life is rather fulfilling."

Seeing his rosy cheeks and lively demeanor, Zhu Yunxuan knew his brother was telling the truth. His elder brother had been living well over the years, and that was all that mattered.

After a few moments of lighthearted conversation, any estrangement that had accumulated over their years apart vanished. They were, after all, the closest of siblings, and distance and time couldn't weaken their bond.

Zhu Yunjing tasted a fruit from the snack tray, expressing nostalgia, "The taste of these palace snacks and fruits is long-lost. Yuan Bao has never had them before; that little foodie would surely love them."

Zhu Yunxuan smiled faintly, "Next time, just bring some to him. Or, perhaps, bring him to the palace tomorrow so I can meet him?"

Zhu Yunjing agreed with a smile and casually asked, "It's been two years since your ascension. Why haven't you held a grand wedding or appointed a queen? This matter cannot be delayed. The throne will only be secure if there's someone to succeed you."

Zhu Yunxuan's smile froze for a moment, and he dismissed the matter casually, "There's no rush... It's not the right time yet."

Zhu Yunjing frowned slightly, gazing into his eyes, "A Xuan, have you encountered some difficulties?"

The day before, upon arriving in the capital, he had first met with Princess Shu He, the Grand Princess. The aunt and nephew conversed for a long while. The Grand Princess mentioned Zhu Yunxuan with a sigh, expressing her concern about his hardships over the years and how he had never truly relaxed since ascending the throne. She also noted that his character had changed significantly, asking him to counsel his younger brother more often. Zhu Yunjing had initially been skeptical but now, after seeing Zhu Yunxuan for himself, he finally understood what the Grand Princess meant by 'a significant change.'

In the past, his younger brother was always clever and lively, carefree and innocent, the most worry-free and whimsical person in the palace. But now, despite his efforts to conceal it, his brows were knitted with persistent worries and troubles. If it was due to political affairs, then with the treacherous officials already removed and power firmly in his grasp, why did he still seem unhappy?

"…No, all the rebel factions have been quelled. There can't be any more difficulties."

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze wandered, his words filled with hesitation. Zhu Yunjing was not convinced, "A Xuan, when have you ever successfully lied to me since we were kids?"

Zhu Yunxuan pressed his lips together, unable to respond. Zhu Yunjing watched him silently for a moment before suddenly asking, "What do you plan to do with Prince Zhao?"

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes flickered, "He abused his power, interfered in state affairs; he should be dealt with according to the law."

Sipping his tea, Zhu Yunjing said slowly, "From my perspective, he dared to imprison the emperor and plot against the throne – mere execution would be too lenient. He deserves to be drawn and quartered, slowly sliced apart."

Zhu Yunxuan was taken aback, "He didn't imprison me; that was just a performance I put on. Besides, he did have a role in helping me ascend the throne…"

"In the eyes of the world, he attempted to imprison His Majesty and plot against the throne, failing in the end. No matter how great his past deeds were, his death would not have been a loss."

Zhu Yunxuan inadvertently bit his lip, unable to speak. Zhu Yunjing put down his teacup and sighed. "A Xuan, are you reluctant to let him go?"

"...I'm not."

"You are," Zhu Yunjing declared confidently. "Your eyes tell me that you can't bear to part with him."

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes gradually reddened. "I don't want this..."

Zhu Yunjing's brows knitted even tighter. "In those letters you sent me before, you never mentioned Liang Zhen. Then suddenly, you said he helped you ascend the throne. I've always been curious about why he aided you, and what his true identity is..."

"No, it wasn't. He isn't. It was an error on the previous emperor's part." Zhu Yunxuan smiled bitterly as he recounted Liang Zhen's background. Before his brother's arrival, he had hesitated about revealing the truth. It must be painful for his elder brother to learn that their father had only used him as a pawn, mistaking him for an illegitimate son. Yet, after much contemplation, he felt that his brother deserved to know the truth behind the events of that time.

Zhu Yunjing fell into a momentary daze upon hearing this, but his expression didn't betray any disappointment. "I had actually guessed as much, but I didn't expect the error to lie with the previous emperor, acknowledging his enemy as his own child. Perhaps it's karma... But then, Liang Zhen should have been even less inclined to help you. Why did he choose to aid your rise to power?"

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his head, remaining silent for a long while before he managed to rasp, "I made a deal with him. He would help me attain the throne, and in return, I... would become his captive lover."

Zhu Yunjing's eyes widened in disbelief, pounding the table with a fist. "Are you out of your mind?!"

"I have no other choice. Only he can help me. Without him, I could never have ascended to this throne..."

Zhu Yunjing abruptly stood up, pacing back and forth in frustration before gripping Zhu Yunxuan's shoulders forcefully. "Look at me! Tell me why you did this! I asked you to compete for the throne, but I didn't want you to resort to such means! If it was truly unbearable, you could have faked your death and left. I would still have found a way to save you. Why must you degrade yourself like this?!"

"It's useless," Zhu Yunxuan replied through tears. "Brother, you know very well that if I don't become emperor, neither of us will survive. No one will tolerate us, especially you. Even Duke Ding wouldn't be able to protect you."

"If this is how you had to save me, I'd rather be dead!" Zhu Yunjing was both angry and frustrated. His gaze fell on Zhu Yunxuan's abdomen, his eyes narrowing in realization.

He hadn't noticed before, but now he suddenly realized something was off about Zhu Yunxuan's figure and gait. Others might not have seen it, but as someone who had carried two children himself, he knew what it meant. "Your stomach..."

Zhu Yunxuan averted his gaze. Seeing his silence, Zhu Yunjing froze, then slumped into a seat, too stunned to even breathe. His eyes reddened. "Did he force you?"

Zhu Yunxuan clenched his teeth without responding. Zhu Yunjing raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face. "I was wrong. If I had known, I should have taken you with me back then. Why did I ask you to compete? What have I done?"

He was filled with regret. He truly regretted it. If he had known that securing the throne would require Zhu Yunxuan to endure such suffering, he would never have agreed.

In the letters Zhu Yunxuan had sent over the years, he mostly reported good news and downplayed difficulties. Sometimes, he didn't mention them at all. Although Zhu Yunjing knew that Zhu Yunxuan must have faced immense challenges alone in the capital, he hadn't imagined it would be this bad.

"Brother, there's no need for this," Zhu Yunxuan said, grasping Zhu Yunjing's hand to calm him down. "I don't regret it. Isn't everything fine now? I'm the emperor. The ones who deserved to die are gone. Liang Zhen is imprisoned and can't harm me anymore."

Zhu Yunjing lifted his gaze to glare at him. "Then why haven't you gotten rid of him yet?!"

Zhu Yunxuan's expression darkened slightly as he muttered softly, "No... I'll deal with him."

It wasn't until dusk that Zhu Yunjing finally emerged from the palace. Seeing him in a disheveled state with red-rimmed eyes, He Huailing, who had been waiting for him at the gate, approached and took his hand. "What happened?"

With a sudden surge of emotion, Zhu Yunjing pulled out the sword hanging at his waist and wildly stabbed at the palace wall in front of him several times.

When he was done venting, He Huailing embraced him from behind, took the sword away, and Zhu Yunjing gritted his teeth. "Where is that beast being held? I'm going to chop him up right now!"

He Huailing returned the sword to its sheath and led him to the carriage. "We'll talk on the way."

Throughout the journey back to their residence, no matter what He Huailing asked, Zhu Yunjing only repeated his curses against Liang Zhen. Helpless, He Huailing reminded him, "Prince Zhao's fate is in His Majesty's hands. But from my perspective, His Majesty might not actually want him dead."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunjing's anger intensified. "Stop spouting nonsense!"

He Huailing shook his head, recalling the emperor's indescribable gaze when Liang Zhen was escorted away in the Ganlin Palace. He sighed and said, "It's just that those involved can't see clearly."