Chapter 52: Hesitation Upon Nearing Home

Chapter 52: Nervousness Upon Returning Home

In mid-February, the southern inspection tour reached Jingzhou, the capital of the Jiangnan region. This was a place where emperors from past generations of Great Yan always stopped during their travels. The palace, constructed over a hundred years ago, stood by the river with the most picturesque view, and it had been freshly renovated months before the imperial edict for the tour was issued, awaiting the emperor's arrival.

All the officials in Jiangnan, great and small, came to pay respects to the emperor. Zhu Yunxuan did not show them any leniency; he examined their administrative achievements, reorganized the bureaucracy, and within a few days, dismissed, promoted, or transferred a large number of officials, giving these complacent local lords a stern warning.

Zhu Yunjing and He Huailing arrived three days later. As the commander-in-chief of the Fujian-Guangdong naval forces, He Huailing had specially come from Fujzhou to report to the emperor. After their official business was concluded, the family closed the doors and engaged in casual conversation.

After three years apart, Zhu Yunjing now seemed even more carefree, his spirit radiant and his complexion glowing, indicating that he was living a comfortable life. Accompanied only by his eldest son Yuan Bao, the trio appeared to be a blissfully happy family, making others envious.

The Grand Princess held Zhu Yunjing's hand and talked to him for a long time. With some time left until dinner, she retired, exhausted. Yuan Bao, who had grown restless, stood up and tugged on Zhu Yunjing's arm. "Father, I want to go outside and play."

Zhu Yunjing glared at him, but Zhu Yunxuan, smiling faintly, said, "If you want to go, then go. There are many fun things to do in the garden. Ask Eunuch Gao to take you."

"I'll take him," He Huailing offered, rising to his feet. Knowing that the two brothers had much to discuss privately, he left them alone and led his son outside.

Watching Yuan Bao rush out, Zhu Yunxuan smiled wistfully. "Yuan Bao is growing up; he's becoming more handsome every day. In a few years, he'll be old enough to marry."

Zhu Yunjing scoffed. "Forget it. That boy is still very childish, always causing trouble. All he knows is how to play and spoil his younger brothers."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunxuan's eyes flickered, a fleeting emotion passing through them. "…Ming'er is already over three years old, right? Why didn't you bring him along with you, Brother?"

Zhu Yunjing looked at him with a smile. "Is His Majesty only concerned about Ming'er?"

The corners of Zhu Yunxuan's lips quirked slightly. After a moment, he murmured, "Rong'er... How is he doing?"

Seeing his hesitant and cautious demeanor, Zhu Yunjing suppressed his smile and put aside his playful thoughts. "If His Majesty wants to ask, just ask. There's no need to be so hesitant. Rong'er is doing well. His health has improved significantly in the past two years, and his temperament is good too. But a few days ago, that stinky Yuan Bao secretly took him and Ming'er to the manor to play. They caught a cold, and I was afraid that the journey might worsen their condition, so I didn't bring them here."

A sense of anxiety gripped Zhu Yunxuan. "Caught a cold? Is it serious?"

"No need to worry, it's not serious. They're much better after taking two doses of medicine. By the time we return, they should have fully recovered. I just wonder... does His Majesty wish to go to Fujian?"

Zhu Yunxuan was slightly taken aback. Jiangnan was the final stop on the southern tour itinerary. He had thought that even if he didn't mention it, Zhu Yunjing would surely bring Rong'er for him to see. However, he hadn't expected such bad timing—Rong'er fell ill just then.

"I originally had no plans to visit Fujian. The itinerary was set long ago, and staying away from the capital for too long would be inappropriate..."

Zhu Yunjing interrupted him. "What is His Majesty still hesitating about?"

Zhu Yunxuan seemed lost in thought. "...What difference would it make if I saw him? It would only add more longing to my future."

"If that's what you think, then why did you come here this time? You clearly wanted to see him, didn't you?"

Zhu Yunxuan smiled bitterly. "Brother, I do want to see that child, but I... don't know how to face him. If he asks me why I didn't want him before, what should I tell him? And if... if I really bring him back, how will I explain his origins to the world?"

"That's not difficult. Rong'er's face alone is convincing enough. He looks almost identical to you. As for his background, you could say that you once favored a maid from Duke Ding's residence. Later, the maid passed away due to complications giving birth, and the premature child was weak, so he was left in Duke Ding's care for three years. However, this would mean Rong'er's birth status is lower, and he might be slighted. But since you haven't established an Empress these past three years, and if you have no other children in the future, he'll be the only imperial heir. No one can look down on him. As for Rong'er himself, don't worry. He's very gentle. Just coax him a bit, and he'll surely grow fond of you."

Zhu Yunxuan remained silent, deep in thought. Zhu Yunjing sighed. "What did you promise me back then? You said you'd quickly establish an Empress and concubines after recovering, and have more children. That's why I took Rong'er away from you. Now, what's the plan? There's still no one in your harem."

Only Zhu Yunjing dared to speak so bluntly in front of Zhu Yunxuan. The latter lowered his gaze, absently playing with the Buddhist beads on his other wrist. After a long while, he spoke with difficulty, "Brother, please don't ask about this... I beg you..."

"Never mind, it's His Majesty's business. Why should I bother?" Zhu Yunjing replied irritably. "But about Rong'er, just answer me—do you want him or not?"

Zhu Yunxuan stammered, "Let me think about it... give me some time to think carefully..."

Before dinner, He Huailing returned with the hyperactive Yuan Bao. Zhu Yunqiong had also come along. The two children had coincidentally met in the garden and, being around the same age, had hit it off. Yuan Bao was outgoing and struck up a conversation with the other boy. They soon started playing together. Although He Huailing found it a bit inappropriate, he didn't stop them. Upon their return, he informed Zhu Yunxuan of the situation.

The two sweaty children were taken by the nursemaids to change clothes. Zhu Yunjing frowned upon seeing this and asked Zhu Yunxuan, "What's going on? Why did you bring that little devil along?"

Zhu Yunxuan explained what had happened to Zhu Yunqiong and said helplessly, "In the end, he's still a child. When I was young, you protected me. He is, after all, our own brother. The others at least have titles and lands. No matter what, it wouldn't be right to mistreat him."

"How could it be the same? He wasn't..." Zhu Yunjing didn't continue, "Forget it. You're always soft-hearted towards everyone, but you're the hardest on yourself and your own son."

"I have my own judgment. If he ever turns against me in the future, I won't spare him."

When the Eldest Princess woke up, she joined them for a family dinner. They drank a lot of wine throughout the meal until late at night when a drunk Zhu Yunjing was carried away by He Huailing. The Eldest Princess and Zhu Yunqiong also retired for the night. As the feast dispersed, leaving only the remains of food on the table, Zhu Yunxuan sat there, still lost in thought, pouring himself more drinks.

Gao An tried to persuade him several times, but seeing the gloom on Zhu Yunxuan's face, he held back his words.

Yuan Bao, who had been gone for a while, returned hesitantly and entered the room. Zhu Yunxuan perked up and called Yuan Bao over, asking with a smile, "Yuan Bao, why are you back? Did you forget something?"

"No, I came secretly. Father and Papa don't know," Yuan Bao blinked and cautiously asked, "Little Uncle... Are you Rong'er's real father?"

Zhu Yunxuan froze, then croaked, "Who told you?"

"I guessed. Little Uncle, you look so much like Rong'er. He's only half a year younger than Ming'er. He can't be Papa and Father's biological child. Also, some of the gossipy servants talked about it privately, and Rong'er overheard them once. He cried for a long time, and when Father found out, he was furious. He dealt with those servants."

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes reddened as he stared blankly at Yuan Bao, "Rong'er cried?"

Yuan Bao nodded, "Yes, he cries easily, just like a little girl. No one can comfort him when he starts crying. I've seen him cry secretly several times. I wanted to comfort him, but he kept asking if Father isn't really his real father, and I didn't know how to answer him."

Zhu Yunxuan was speechless, a bitter feeling welling up in his heart. He understood that Zhu Yunjing had kept the truth from Rong'er to spare the child pain. How could such a young child endure knowing that his own birth father didn't want him?

"Little Uncle, why don't you want Rong'er?"

Gazing into Yuan Bao's innocent eyes, Zhu Yunxuan found it even harder to speak. After a long silence, he stammered, "…It's my fault."

"Then will Little Uncle come and take him away?"

"I'm not sure…"

Yuan Bao was utterly perplexed. "Why? If Little Uncle doesn't want him, he can keep being Father and Papa's child, and be Ming'er and my little brother. We all like him, even though he does cry a lot."

"Really? What else… does he like?"

"He loves bunnies. He says they're so cute with their white fur. One time, Father accidentally mentioned rabbit meat during dinner, and he burst into tears. Since then, we've stopped eating rabbit meat at home. Oh, and he also loves those bamboo dolls Little Uncle sent. I wanted to take one apart to see how they were made, but he wouldn't let me. Whenever I touch them, he looks at me with teary eyes, and I feel bad."

Zhu Yunxuan smiled through his reddened eyes. "With his nature, he is indeed quite gentle, like a little girl."

Yuan Bao nodded. "That's what I thought at first. I was so happy, thinking he was my sister. But never mind, a little brother is fine too. Little Uncle, don't worry. He's still young; he'll probably grow out of it. Otherwise, he might get picked on when he's older… But Little Uncle, you're the emperor. If you bring him back, he'll become the crown prince, and nobody would dare bully him."

Zhu Yunxuan reached out to pat Yuan Bao's head. "Are you here specially to persuade me to take Rong'er back?"

The little fellow, whose intentions had been exposed, smiled bashfully. "Uncle, others said that Rong'er doesn't have a real father, and he really cried secretly several times. I think he's so pitiful, please be kind to him."

Yuan Bao looked up at Zhu Yunxuan with his sparkling eyes, hoping for an answer. After a long while, Zhu Yunxuan nodded slightly and softly agreed, "Mm."