Chapter 44: Entangling Oneself

Chapter 44: A Cocoon of One's Own Making

The next morning, Zhu Yunjing entered the palace once more. As he arrived, Doctor Fang was conducting his regular examination on Zhu Yunxuan. Zhu Yunjing stood nearby with his arms crossed, watching intently and asking anxiously, "How is His Majesty doing?"

The elderly doctor recognized Zhu Yunjing and treated him even more cautiously than Liang Zhen. He meticulously detailed Zhu Yunxuan's condition, mentioning the risk of premature birth due to his weakened vitality. Zhu Yunjing's brows immediately knitted together upon hearing this, while Zhu Yunxuan didn't even raise his eyes, his pale face revealing no excessive emotion, as if he was accustomed to it.

After the doctor left, Zhu Yunxuan reached for his pen, intent on reviewing official documents. Having neglected state affairs for a long time to maintain the pretense, a backlog of important matters awaited his decision, which could no longer be delayed.

Zhu Yunjing snatched the document from his hand and tossed it aside, gesturing to Gao An. "Send all of them to the Cabinet. Tell them His Majesty is unwell and let them handle it."

Zhu Yunxuan protested, "There are things I can do..."

Zhu Yunjing turned to glare at him. "If you still acknowledge me as your brother, then listen to me. Just two more months. You're not allowed to touch these until the child is born."

Gao An promptly summoned attendants, who carried away the mountainous pile of documents from the imperial desk.

Zhu Yunxuan sighed helplessly. "Brother... You know this child is... mine..."

"I don't care how it came about or whose it is. It's in your womb now, connected to your life. You must take good care of yourself," Zhu Yunjing reminded him sternly. "I heard someone mention that you woke up just as dawn broke today? It's still early. Return to the inner chambers and get some more rest."

Others might not be able to persuade Zhu Yunxuan with kind words, but when it was Zhu Yunjing speaking, he reluctantly agreed and was sent off to the inner chambers.

Zhu Yunjing sat by the bed and looked at Zhu Yunxuan, whose furrowed brows remained unrelieved even as he lay down. He spoke soothingly, "Your Majesty, put your worries aside. The rebels have been dealt with, and for now, no one in the court will dare to stir up trouble. Focus on your health first; there's no need to rush to reclaim your power."

Zhu Yunxuan gazed at him quietly. "Brother, I still want to hear you call me by my name."

"One day, you'll get used to it. A title doesn't change anything," Zhu Yunjing said softly, patting his hand. "Now, sleep."

After lulling Zhu Yunxuan to sleep, Zhu Yunjing rose and went to the adjacent chamber. Upon seeing him enter, Doctor Fang, who was in the middle of preparing medicine, hastily halted his work and stood respectfully aside. Zhu Yunjing asked coldly, "Why, despite being almost eight months pregnant, does the emperor's belly remain so small?"

Despite the immense suffering he endured while carrying Yuan Bao back then, he eventually recovered. Zhu Yunxuan's pregnancy appears to be comparable to that of a typical person in only their fourth or fifth month. Otherwise, he would have noticed it right away yesterday.

The elderly physician expressed his concerns with a sigh, "His Majesty doesn't take good care of himself, eats very little, and previously even wished to terminate the pregnancy. The child hasn't developed well. This old minister fears... fears that even if the young prince is born smoothly, he might suffer from constitutional weaknesses."

It was not surprising to Zhu Yunjing that Zhu Yunxuan wished to procure an abortion. However, it was common knowledge that such a procedure was impossible for men. Clearly, his brother was deeply delusional. Zhu Yunjing's brows knitted together. "A deficiency illness?"

"Indeed, it's too early to tell for certain. However, judging from the current situation, there's a high likelihood of premature birth. If the child is born before its due time, having not fully developed in the womb, it could lead to complications."

Though the elderly physician did not say it outright, Zhu Yunjing understood all too well. It would be fortunate if the child was merely born with innate deficiencies; there was a significant chance that it might not survive at all.

Though he could hardly restrain his hatred for Liang Zhen to the point of flaying him alive, Zhu Yunxuan currently had no other offspring. Having obtained a child with such difficulty, now that its birth was inevitable, it would indeed be a pity should it perish thereafter.

"What would His Majesty do if the child were indeed born prematurely?"

"Suffering is inevitable," the Court Physician Fang added, sensing Zhu Yunjing's potential ire. "Regardless, this old minister will do everything in his power to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and the young prince."

Zhu Yunjing spoke with a somber tone, "Do your best to find ways to minimize the suffering the Emperor endures during childbirth."

"Certainly, it goes without saying."

In the afternoon, Zhu Yunjing instructed for his two children to be brought into the palace. His eldest son, Yuan Bao, was six years old, while his youngest, Ming'er, was not yet half a year old.

A joyful smile adorned Zhu Yunxuan's face as he reached out to take Ming'er into his arms. He then called Yuan Bao over and began to examine the two children attentively. Yuan Bao's appearance combined the best features of both Zhu Yunjing and He Huailing, making it evident that they were his offspring. Ming'er, on the other hand, resembled He Huailing more closely, yet both were equally adorable in their father's eyes.

Yuan Bao also gazed curiously at Zhu Yunxuan with his big, sparkling eyes. Zhu Yunjing gently poked his eldest son's shoulder, reminding him, "Did you forget the manners I taught you at home?"

The plump little fellow obediently knelt down and bowed to Zhu Yunxuan, his voice still laced with babyish tones. "Yuan Bao pays respect to the emperor, wishing you well."

The tiny infant sitting on Zhu Yunxuan's lap chimed in with giggles, perfectly synchronizing with the scene.

Zhu Yunxuan promptly said, "Why such formality? Big Brother, quickly pick up the child."

Before Zhu Yunjing could intervene, Yuan Bao climbed up by himself and pounced in front of Zhu Yunxuan, asking, "Are you my little uncle?"

Zhu Yunxuan smiled and nodded. Yuan Bao exclaimed, "Little Uncle looks just as handsome as Father!"

Zhu Yunjing patted his head. "Stop talking nonsense. What have I taught you? Do you still have any manners?"

Yuan Bao wrinkled his nose. Zhu Yunxuan reached out to touch the plump cheeks of the child. "It's alright. This child is lively and very likable."

"Exactly like how you were when you were young," Zhu Yunjing replied casually.

Zhu Yunxuan was momentarily stunned before he laughed and sighed. "Is that so? I almost can't remember."

"How could you forget..." He had deliberately concealed his true nature to become who he was now.

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his head and squeezed Ming'er's hand. "We'll always have to adapt."

Seeing that his youngest son was squirming nonstop on Zhu Yunxuan's lap, Zhu Yunjing lifted him up and placed him on a nearby couch, telling Yuan Bao to go have some snacks and keep an eye on his brother. Then, he sat opposite Zhu Yunxuan, grinning at him. "Tsk, you're still sulking with me."

Caught in the act, Zhu Yunxuan's expression turned awkward. "Not really."

Zhu Yunjing nodded with a smile. "This does resemble our past a bit."

"You were deliberately teasing me, weren't you..."

"Are you really taking this to heart?" Zhu Yunjing sighed. "You are the emperor after all. Anything goes in private, but you still need to maintain proper decorum in public. Otherwise, what kind of image would that present? I'd worry about causing trouble even if you're not."

"I understand... Big Brother, you're right. It's just a title, it doesn't change anything."

"Why are you still being so stubborn then..." Zhu Yunjing chuckled and shook his head, gesturing for Zhu Yunxuan to look at the two children.

Yuan Bao let Ming'er lie on his lap, indulging in snacks while occasionally poking his younger brother's bottom, treating the baby like a toy. The younger one only knew how to grin foolishly, never getting annoyed no matter how his older brother teased him.

Looking at them, Zhu Yunxuan remarked, "These two kids are so adorable. No wonder you've been taking care of them personally all along."

"Does A Xuan find the little ones cute too?"

"Hmm..."

"And what about the child in your womb?"

Zhu Yunxuan's face froze, his expression darkening slightly. His voice was strained as he replied, "Brother, I... I dare not love this child."

Zhu Yunjing disagreed, "You're only trapping yourself with such thoughts. After all, it is your own child. Isn't it better to keep it? The child will have no further ties with anyone else in the future. It will be solely yours. At least, the throne and the kingdom will have an heir."

Zhu Yunxuan understood, "So you brought Yuan Bao here for me to see, hoping to persuade me to keep this child."

"I'm doing this for your own good, aren't I? The situation is as it is, and you know it's impossible to get rid of the child. Why torment yourself further? Focus on recovering during these last two months and give birth to a healthy child. Then, all the suffering you've endured won't be in vain."

Zhu Yunxuan fell silent, and Zhu Yunjing shook his head, deciding not to push the matter further.

Ultimately, it was something Zhu Yunxuan had to come to terms with himself.

In the following month, Zhu Yunjing visited the palace daily to chat with Zhu Yunxuan about everyday matters. Zhu Yunxuan's health improved, and his spirits lifted. The turmoil in the court eventually subsided, except for the unresolved punishment for Liang Zhen and his associates.

Like dominoes falling, one after another, impeachment memorials against Liang Zhen flooded the cabinet, listing both true and false accusations. Everyone awaited Zhu Yunxuan's final verdict.

Zhu Yunjing repeatedly urged Zhu Yunxuan to deal with Liang Zhen swiftly, but Zhu Yunxuan always brushed aside the topic.

Even Zhu Yunxuan himself was unsure what he was hesitating about. Liang Zhen had still managed to outmaneuver him at the last moment. He had no other choice but to grant Liang Zhen his wish and let him go. Yet, the unresolved frustration within him lingered, leaving him with an uneasiness that refused to dissipate.

On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhu Yunjing brought his two children and He Huailing to the palace to join Zhu Yunxuan for a pre-New Year's Eve family banquet. The Grand Princess was also in attendance. Overjoyed, Zhu Yunxuan indulged in a couple of cups of wine, and Zhu Yunjing, for once, did not stop him, allowing his brother a rare moment of unbridled pleasure.

The family banquet did not come to an end until the last hour of the Earthly Branch, Xu. After Zhu Yunjing and his party left the palace, Ganlin Palace once again fell into a desolate and bleak state. Zhu Yunxuan, with his eyes blurred, sat in the grand hall where only a single palace lamp was lit. His unfocused gaze rested on a certain point in the void, silent and still.

Gao An sighed inwardly and conveyed the message he had received during the day but hadn't had the chance to mention: "Your Majesty, Prince Zhao has entrusted someone to convey a message, saying... he wishes to see you."

Zhu Yunxuan let out a silent, mocking laugh. As he continued to smile, his eyes gradually blurred with tears. Moments later, he bent over, clutching his stomach in agony and curling up into a ball.

Gao An was instantly flustered. "Your Majesty!"