Chapter 24: Your Majesty, I advise you not to ask!

Looking at Zhu Xiongying, who was not yet three years old and held in Old Zhu’s arms, Qin Feng said, "Your Majesty, I advise you not to ask."

Old Zhu froze. The last time Qin Feng had said something like that, it had dealt him a heavy blow.

Looking down at his lively and adorable grandson, Old Zhu took a deep breath and said, "Just tell me what the history books of the future record about Xiongying. You may speak freely; I can take it!"

"Your Majesty, I’m afraid you can’t! It wouldn’t be worth suffering a stroke or a cerebral thrombosis over this."

"Tell me at once! Otherwise, I shall have you sent to the eunuch’s quarters right now."

How ruthless Old Zhu was! Just to learn what the records said about his grandson, he would even sacrifice my manhood. Fine, I’ll tell him! I’ll stake it all!

"The history books record that the Crown Prince’s eldest son, Zhu Xiongying, passed away in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign. He lived only eight years and died prematurely before he could even be granted a formal title."

As soon as Qin Feng finished speaking, Old Zhu looked as if he had been struck by lightning, nearly fainting on the spot. His most precious grandson would pass away in six years! Old Zhu’s hands trembled as he held the boy; his face turned ashen, and his heart felt as if it were being torn apart.

Old Zhu grabbed Qin Feng’s arm and asked, "Do you know how Xiongying died? I must take precautions; I must protect him!"

Hiss! Qin Feng felt a sharp pain where Old Zhu was gripping his arm. The news of Zhu Biao’s early death had already pained Old Zhu deeply. Now, to learn that his beloved grandson would die at such a tender age was something he simply could not accept. If he could prevent Zhu Biao’s illness by reducing his labor and stress, could he not also prevent the unfortunate fate of Xiongying?

Qin Feng tried to calm him down. "Your Majesty, the historical records concerning the Imperial Grandson are very scarce. There are several versions regarding the cause of his death, but most of them cannot be verified."

Approaching fifty, Old Zhu looked desolate, his eyes already moist and on the verge of shedding tears. Seeing him so choked with emotion, Qin Feng quickly added, "Your Majesty, please don't be too sad. I will tell you all the rumored causes, and perhaps you can try to see if you can save his life."

Old Zhu looked up, eyes brimming with tears, and tightly gripped Qin Feng’s hand. "Qin Feng, I cannot lose Xiongying! I cannot lose my precious grandson!"

"Regarding the cause of the Imperial Grandson’s death, the most common rumor is that he died of smallpox."

"Another version says that he fell from his horse while practicing riding."

"The last version is the most outrageous: that he fell into a lake and drowned."

"In any case, there are many conflicting accounts, and future historians have no way to verify the truth."

Old Zhu meticulously noted down every cause Qin Feng mentioned. By the fifteenth year of Hongwu, he would absolutely forbid the boy from riding horses and keep him away from any water. But how does one guard against smallpox? Where does it come from? What is the root cause?

Just as Old Zhu was sinking into melancholy, Qin Feng’s next words brought him great relief and earned him even more trust.

"If Your Majesty is truly worried, why not entrust the Imperial Grandson to my care when the fifteenth year of Hongwu arrives? As a time traveler from over six hundred years in the future, perhaps I can change all of this. You need not worry so much; there is still plenty of time before the fifteenth year of Hongwu. With me here, rest assured!"

Old Zhu immediately set Zhu Xiongying down and grasped Qin Feng’s hands firmly. "Qin Feng, I only trust you now. Please, put your heart into Xiongying’s matter! If he can grow up safe and sound, I will grant you any reward you desire!"

Qin Feng gave a bitter smile. "I will try my best. I myself am not sure if I have the ability to change history."

But in Old Zhu’s eyes, as long as there was a glimmer of hope for Xiongying to live, he would never give up. If, in the end, the boy’s life could not be saved, then it could only be attributed to fate.

Zhu Xiongying, a naive toddler, knelt before Qin Feng with Old Zhu’s help and bowed. "Greetings, Grandfather Qin."

Qin Feng was stunned. He quickly helped the boy up and said, "Your Majesty, what are you doing? How did I suddenly become the Imperial Grandson’s grandfather? You’ve made me sound so old."

"You are the Crown Prince’s teacher; by the rules of seniority, it is only fitting that Xiongying calls you grandfather."

Qin Feng thought to himself: If I’m already Zhu Xiongying’s grandfather, then when Zhu Yunwen is born next year, will he have to call me grandfather too? Thinking about it, he realized he had effectively claimed seniority over several famous emperors of the Ming Dynasty. In truth, Qin Feng wasn't entirely confident he could save Xiongying, but he couldn't bear to see Old Zhu in such pain. If the old man was like this now, how would Zhu Biao react when he found out?

Xiongying was Zhu Biao’s own son. Qin Feng said with some hesitation, "Speaking of Xiongying, there is actually one more historical record that I feel I should tell you."

Old Zhu, his face etched with sorrow over Xiongying, looked much older. "Could there be anything more painful than the death of my grandson? Qin Feng, tell me everything today. I can take it!"

"Emmm... the records state that in the same year the Imperial Grandson passed away, Empress Ma also passed away."

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu staggered, nearly falling from his seat. Qin Feng reached out to steady him, comforting him quickly, "Your Majesty, you must hold on!"

Old Zhu was on the verge of tears. His son, his grandson, Empress Ma... ever since he became emperor, his loved ones were leaving him one by one! He really felt he couldn't take much more. Every piece of history Qin Feng told him was tragic; was there nothing good?

After steadying his nerves, Old Zhu asked tremblingly, "Qin Feng, are there no good records in the history of the Hongwu era? Why is it all news that breaks my heart?"

Qin Feng rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Your Majesty, these are just the things I happen to remember."

Old Zhu held his breath, suddenly not wanting to speak to Qin Feng anymore. If, as Qin Feng said, the Crown Prince, the Imperial Grandson, and Empress Ma were all to pass away... then who would inherit the throne when his own time came? Could it be that the vassal kings he sent to guard the borders would turn on each other to seize the throne?

At this thought, Old Zhu’s expression darkened. Throughout history, countless dynasties had collapsed because of heirs fighting for the throne. He had to extinguish any such ambitions in those vassal kings!

"Your Majesty, are you worried about the succession? Do not worry. Besides the Imperial Grandson, you have another grandson who will be born next year."