What does it feel like to gain a son-in-law and granddaughter in a single day?

Hu Rong: Excited! And also a bit like crying!

However, once Hu Rong calmed down, he hurriedly asked: “Where is my daughter? Also, who are you? How many people in your household? How many acres of land? What do your parents do? Is this house bought or rented? When did you and Shanwei get married?”

“No time to explain.” Mu Chun pushed Captain Shi forward. “You explain—I have to leave.”

Hu Rong didn’t recognize Mu Chun, but he knew Captain Shi, who had brought the Hu family out of the capital and settled them in Kunming. He had always thought Captain Shi was his daughter’s confidant, never expecting this person was actually his son-in-law’s man.

Mu Chun planted a firm kiss on his daughter’s plump little leg, mounted his horse, and galloped away. Just as he passed the chrysanthemum field in front of the house, he seemed to hear A’Lei’s thunder-like crying. Paternal instinct made him immediately turn his horse around and rush back.

Through gaps in the hanging bamboo curtain, Mu Chun saw A’Lei had awakened. His father-in-law Hu Rong held her with one hand while spooning water into her mouth with the other.

Hu Rong carefully examined his granddaughter. Her facial features strongly resembled her grandfather—thick eyebrows and bright eyes, especially those round eyes that looked as if drawn with a compass, with pupils like gleaming black grapes.

Perhaps due to blood kinship, A’Lei showed no rejection toward this stranger, curiously tugging at her grandfather’s beard. A’Lei was strong—once her little fists grabbed something, she wouldn’t let go, actually pulling out two whiskers. She giggled, revealing one tiny grain-like tooth.

Hu Rong didn’t mind the pain, instead praising his granddaughter, blurting out: “My Shanwei is so capable—small but strong.”

Clearly, Hu Shanwei had pulled her father’s hair plenty when she was little.

Seeing this warm scene, Mu Chun confirmed his father-in-law would take good care of his daughter. After all, Hu Shanwei had been raised well—at least before age seventeen, Hu Rong had truly been a good father with experience raising girls.

With no worries behind him, Mu Chun steeled his heart and left home again.

As for Hu Rong, realizing he had misspoken by calling his granddaughter by his daughter’s name, he asked Captain Shi: “What’s the little treasure’s name?”

“Well…” Captain Shi found it hard to say. “The night Miss was born, there were lightning and thunder. My lord was nearly struck by ground lightning, so her nickname became A’Lei.”

Hu Rong immediately objected: “How can a child’s name be treated so carelessly? Names are for life. Now she doesn’t understand, so calling her any cat or dog name doesn’t matter, but when she’s older, other children will tease her.”

Captain Shi agreed: “Employee Hu speaks truly. I have three daughters named Shuzhen, Shuqin, and Shufen—they sound like proper ladies. But Miss’s name was chosen by my lord and madam—I have no say.”

Captain Shi, being from Jiangxi bandit origins, the more rough his background, the more he wanted to appear refined.

Hu Rong, coming from a scholarly family, had chosen his daughter Hu Shanwei’s name to be fresh and elegant, very particular, decided only after much consideration. Looking at his granddaughter, cute as a snowball, the name A’Lei was really hard to voice—it seemed to wrong the child.

After thinking, Hu Rong said: “Since this is heaven-sent good fortune, her nickname should be A’Xiang.”

Captain Shi applauded: “Employee Hu has great talent—this is a proper girl’s name.”

A’Xiang, drinking water nearby, saw Captain Shi clapping and imitated him. Hu Rong’s eyes crinkled with laughter: “Look, she likes this new name.”

Mu Chun, who had just left Kunming city with Ji Gang, had no idea his daughter’s resounding nickname had been changed by his father-in-law.

A thousand li away, in Nanjing.

The Imperial Clan Court tried Prince Zhou and his heir apparent for treason. Duke Cao Li Jinglun had found dragon robes and other evidence from Prince Zhou’s residence in Henan.

Before the Imperial Clan Court’s formal trial, Prince Zhou readily wrote a confession, claiming he had been momentarily confused and desired the throne. His heir apparent had tried to dissuade him unsuccessfully but, bound by filial duty, could only conceal it. Now with evidence and person caught, he had nothing to say, only hoping His Majesty would spare their father-son lives considering their blood connection.

Prince Zhou’s words were almost written in blood. Princess Huaiqing also rushed about everywhere. With Emperor Jianwen using such underhanded methods against his uncle, all the princesses felt the sorrow of seeing their own fate in others’ misfortune, pleading for brother Prince Zhou. Even Princess Qingyang, highest in royal seniority, was brought by Princess Huaiqing to the Imperial Clan Court to plead for Prince Zhou.

Princess Qingyang was Emperor Gaozhu’s niece. According to royal protocol, the emperor’s nieces should be enfeoffed as county princesses with their husbands as county consorts. But Emperor Gaozhu had said: “When our family was poor with nothing to eat, my brother endured hunger and gave his food to me—he starved to death. I treat my brother’s daughter as my own, enfeoffing her as princess with the same treatment as my daughters. Her husband is enfeoffed as prince consort, but receives a county consort’s salary.”

Princess Qingyang’s consort was Huang Chen, who had always guarded Zhongdu Fengyang, showing Emperor Gaozhu’s trust and regard—after all, Emperor Gaozhu had once had the crazy idea of moving the capital to Fengyang.

In the current Ming royal family, Princess Qingyang held the highest seniority and age. She thoroughly scolded Duke Cao Li Jinglun, but feeling it insufficient, also entered the palace to counsel Emperor Jianwen: “Your Majesty, killing needs no more than a nod. Prince Zhou has written his confession—Your Majesty should spare this father and son.”

With aunts all pleading, even Empress Ma whispered pillow talk, relaying Hu Shanwei’s words in different form, saying her husband had just ascended the throne and should combine grace with authority. The authority had been displayed—now was time for grace.

She also said: “Since eliminating Prince Zhou is to shake the mountain and scare the tiger, aiming at Prince Yan, then spare Prince Zhou’s life to give all imperial uncles a way down. As long as they abandon military power and reduce princely mansion authority, uncles remain uncles. If you insist on putting them to death, pushing them to extremes, what if uncles band together and act desperately? If they can’t even live, won’t they do anything?”

Emperor Jianwen found his wife’s words quite reasonable. Indeed, after becoming empress, she was different—her perspective broader than before. Anyway, the feudal reduction goal was achieved. Prince Zhou was just a useless person now. The royal family almost unanimously wanted to preserve Prince Zhou’s life—might as well do them a favor.

Emperor Jianwen said: “Imperial Uncle knows his errors and can reform, but great wrongs have been committed—spilled water cannot be recovered. Prince Zhou’s mansion must be abolished, he’ll be demoted to commoner, and except for the righteous Prince Runan, the entire family will be confined in Zhongdu Fengyang.”

All princesses praised Emperor Jianwen’s benevolence.

Princess Qingyang, confident in her status and accustomed to favorable treatment during the Hongwu reign, didn’t clearly understand the current emperor. She was somewhat dissatisfied with her nephew’s drastic actions against the royal family upon taking office. Feeling sentimental, thinking if Emperor Gaozhu were still alive, this honest child Prince Zhou wouldn’t have fallen to such a state, she couldn’t help saying: “Thus, Emperor Gaozhu can smile in the underworld.”

Hearing this, Princess Huaiqing felt disaster approaching. Following Hu Shanwei’s reminder, one must never mention how good Emperor Gaozhu was in front of Emperor Jianwen. She quickly observed Emperor Jianwen’s expression. Seeing His Majesty remain expressionless without anger or revoking his decision, she felt relieved, thinking His Majesty still valued some face.

Then Court Lady Haitang from Empress Ma’s side came, saying Her Majesty the Empress had set a banquet in Kunning Palace, inviting all princesses for tea.

Emperor Jianwen eagerly wanted to dismiss this group of elder aunts, thinking the empress was truly his wise assistant, understanding he most disliked dealing with elders.

The princesses took leave for Kunning Palace. Emperor Jianwen finally had peace, quickly summoning various pillar ministers to discuss eliminating the next feudal prince.

After the Kunning Palace banquet dispersed and princesses returned to their mansions, Prince Zhou and his son’s lives were finally preserved.

Princess Qingyang had barely returned to her princess mansion when Emperor Jianwen’s edict arrived, saying royal protocols couldn’t be abandoned—princely daughters should be enfeoffed as county princesses. She was now re-enfeoffed as County Princess Qingcheng, with husband Huang Chen also re-enfeoffed as county consort.

Never expecting that one sentence “Emperor Gaozhu can smile in the underworld” would lower both her and her husband’s ranks by one grade!

Princess Qingyang was completely stunned: This old lady is a princess Emperor Gaozhu exceptionally enfeoffed! Emperor Gaozhu has only been gone two months—his words don’t count anymore?

However, despite her dissatisfaction, Qingyang… no, County Princess Qingcheng still received the edict and entered the palace to give thanks.

Emperor Jianwen still maintained his gentle, refined manner when receiving this elder, saying: “County Consort Huang Chen has long guarded Zhongdu Fengyang. The county princess and county consort have been separated long-term. Now with the county consort advanced in years, he should return to the capital to enjoy grandchildren with the county princess in their twilight years.”

The phrase “Emperor Gaozhu can smile in the underworld” had touched the dragon’s scales. Emperor Jianwen couldn’t openly explode then, but was less polite later. Moreover, with Prince Zhou’s family confined in Fengyang under Huang Chen’s guard, Emperor Jianwen was uneasy.

County Princess Qingcheng returned home finally understanding what “new emperor, new ministers” meant, no longer daring to put on elder airs—now she must keep her tail between her legs. Emperor Jianwen’s words carried hidden meanings—surface concern concealing sharp edges.

After returning home, County Princess Qingcheng immediately wrote to her husband, dispatching someone overnight to Fengyang. What didn’t Huang Chen, suddenly demoted to county consort, understand? He immediately memorialized His Majesty, saying he was old and should yield to the worthy, requesting resignation.

Emperor Jianwen perfunctorily refused twice. Only when Huang Chen memorialized a third time did he agree, dispatching a trusted subordinate to replace Huang Chen guarding Zhongdu Fengyang and monitoring Prince Zhou’s family.

Emperor Jianwen’s action chilled half the royal family’s hearts. Since princesses couldn’t become emperor and political changes wouldn’t affect their interests, dynasties had always been quite tolerant toward princesses.

A princess mansion becoming county princess mansion overnight—this was still Emperor Gaozhu’s special grace. Moreover, County Princess Qingcheng and her husband never used their status to cause trouble, were kind and caring toward juniors, held prestige in the royal family, and committed no errors. Now meeting such an end—what were the princesses to think?

The Ming princesses: We deeply miss Father Emperor! Even though Father Emperor made half of us widows! At least we remained princesses with princely dignity!

During County Princess Qingyang’s demotion to County Princess Qingcheng, Duke Cao Li Jinglun went to Prince Dai’s residence in Datong, Shanxi, arresting Prince Dai Zhu Gui’s entire family on treason charges, demoting them to commoners and confining them in Fengyang like Prince Zhou’s family.

Prince Dai’s consort Lady Xu was Prince Yan’s consort’s second sister, daughter of Duke Weiguo Xu Da. Prince Dai and Prince Yan were brothers-in-law, so Emperor Jianwen eliminated him second.

That same month, Prince Min Zhu Ying, enfeoffed in Yunnan’s Kunming, was accused by Marquis Xiping Mu Sheng, guarding Yunnan, of illegally mining silver and competing with people for profit. Emperor Jianwen truly met his pillow when sleepy, immediately demoting Prince Min Zhu Ying to commoner and confining him in Zhangzhou, Fujian.

That same month, Prince Xiang Zhu Bo was accused of privately printing treasure notes. When about to be escorted to the capital for trial, the naturally proud Zhu Bo, unwilling to follow his brothers’ path of confinement in Fengyang as prisoners, simply locked his entire family in the princely mansion and set fire to it.

Before dying, Zhu Bo laughed loudly: “I personally witnessed many ministers who offended Taizu preferring death to humiliation, committing suicide. I am Emperor Gao’s son—how can I endure jailers’ insults just to beg for life! I willingly burn myself to prove my innocence!”

In August, Prince Qi Zhu Bo was accused of treason, demoted to commoner, and his entire family confined in Fengyang.

Thus, three months after Emperor Jianwen’s succession, he eliminated six imperial uncles in one breath and demoted one princess to county princess.

Everything went so smoothly—no feudal prince dared send troops to resist. Prince Xiang only protested through self-immolation without openly confronting court armies. No major disturbances occurred in the feudal territories. After demoting Princess Qingyang to County Princess Qingcheng, no royal member dared use “Emperor Gaozhu” or seniority to pressure Emperor Jianwen.

The world was finally peaceful.

Emperor Jianwen tasted the intoxication of supreme imperial power—simply irresistible. Yes, with imperial power in hand, nothing was impossible.

This was being the Son of Heaven, nearly divine, able to achieve whatever one wished—no wonder everyone wanted to be emperor. Emperor Jianwen wielded imperial power like a forty-meter broadsword, invincible everywhere, becoming somewhat carried away.

Being emperor actually wasn’t as difficult as Imperial Grandfather had said…

Emperor Jianwen didn’t know—others dared not remind him: immediately upon taking office, forcing an imperial uncle’s family to suicide, confining five imperial uncles, and demoting a perfectly good princess aunt to county princess had made almost all royalty fearful of Emperor Jianwen, everyone in danger.

This milk-teeth nephew was too terrifying—though the Late Emperor conducted cruel purges in court and harem, turning nearly half the princesses into widows, he never touched those with Zhu family blood!

You little brat point your blade not at outsiders but stab wildly at family—are you stupid? Think we must all submit to you, only accept being slaughtered by you?

You think we have no other choices?

Silence—if not erupting in silence, then perishing in silence.

Starting with County Princess Qingcheng, royal members forced into silence successively received olive branches from Prince Yan—naturally sent by Ji Gang through former Embroidered Uniform Guard agents.

Accept or not? Royal members made various choices but all tacitly agreed not to expose Prince Yan’s covert activities.

With Emperor Jianwen’s feudal reduction bearing fruit, Hu Shanwei also achieved small success in the palace. Haitang brought her the suicide note of Palace Administrator Wang, who had followed Palace Director Fan in hanging herself. On the surface, the note was flawless, but Hu Shanwei understood Palace Director Fan’s character too well. Both being female officials who received Palace Director Fan’s patronage and personal cultivation, Palace Administrator Wang and Hu Shanwei were somewhat similar.

However, Palace Director Fan habitually passed blame, pushing others forward as scapegoats. Her talent cultivation was definitely not selfless dedication. The favors she bestowed actually had conditions—she was an ordinary official using various means to preserve her position.

Under such a superior, opportunities for advancement came with dangers—danger and opportunity coexisted. Like when Hu Shanwei worked under Palace Director Fan, whether compiling books, printing books, bestowing books, or traveling to investigate Court Lady Liu’s death at Prince Qin’s residence in Xi’an, Palace Director Fan knowingly pushed her into danger without mercy.

So Palace Director Fan’s subordinates would be grateful for opportunities given them, but dying to accompany her—nearly impossible.

Therefore, this sorrowful, desolate suicide note claiming to follow former superior Palace Director Fan was highly suspicious.

But Haitang swore: “I compared Palace Administrator Wang’s usual handwriting with the suicide note—confirmed it was her personal writing, not forged.”

Hu Shanwei disagreed: “Writing personally doesn’t necessarily mean willingly. If someone held a knife to your throat, would you write or not?”

Haitang said: “But the night Palace Administrator Wang hanged herself, surrounding neighbors heard no quarreling or fighting—completely peaceful.”

Thinking of recent clues, Hu Shanwei’s mind suddenly brightened: “Don’t you think Palace Administrator Wang’s death particularly resembles a certain palace person from three years ago?”

Suicide was a grave crime—in recent years, only a few people had committed suicide. Haitang thought briefly, then immediately said: “Former Eastern Palace’s Baoqin? The palace maid who spread rumors about Palace Director Hu and former Embroidered Uniform Guard Vice Commander Ji Gang having an affair?”

Hu Shanwei nodded: “Her—same mysterious hanging with suicide note explaining everything. This cannot be mere coincidence.”

Baoqin had been a palace maid in the Crown Prince’s palace, also an agent for Eastern Palace Crown Princess Consort Lady Lu. Because she leaked the Crown Prince and Hu Shanwei’s conversation to the Crown Princess Consort, she was sent to the Eastern Palace by the Crown Prince.

Afterward, the Crown Princess Consort resented Hu Shanwei for alienating mother-son relations and used Baoqin’s mouth to spread rumors about Hu Shanwei and Ji Gang’s scandalous affair. Fan Gongzheng and Mao Qiang followed this lead through severe interrogation back to the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Princess Consort quickly forced Baoqin to write a suicide note and kill herself, pushing all blame onto Baoqin. But ultimately Hu Shanwei united five departments in joint entrapment, exposing the fox’s tail. The Crown Princess Consort was thus nominally placed under medical care by Emperor Gaozhu but actually confined in the Eastern Palace.

Haitang was clever and had personally experienced these events, immediately understanding Hu Shanwei’s meaning: “You think Palace Administrator Wang’s death relates to current Empress Dowager Lu?”

Hu Shanwei nodded: “A person’s behavioral habits are hard to change. The methods used to force Palace Administrator Wang and Baoqin to death were identical. Empress Dowager Lu has precedent—ruthless and black-hearted. I suspect Palace Director Fan and Palace Administrator Wang must have threatened some interest of Empress Dowager Lu and were successively eliminated by her.”