Volume 1, Chapter 37: Being an Emperor Is Fine, but Being a Father Is a Failure!

Zhu Di froze, the radiant smile on his face instantly stiffening.

What was happening?

What... what had he just heard? The first year of his reign?

That meant... his eldest son had passed away less than a year after ascending the throne?

"Brother Jiang, this... how is this possible? Are you sure you haven't misremembered?" Zhu Di looked at Jiang Lin, his voice faltering in disbelief.

Jiang Lin nodded, his tone calm. "I am certain. The Emperor of the Hongxi era reigned for less than a year. Zhu Gaochi’s health had been poor since birth, and his poor diet and lifestyle led to obesity, which in turn caused various chronic illnesses. After you ascended the throne, you frequently led northern expeditions against the Mongols, leaving the entire governance of the country to him. The accumulated exhaustion caused his already frail health to deteriorate further."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di’s brow furrowed. His wife, Xu Miaoyun, had only recently been diagnosed as pregnant; the child in her womb was surely Zhu Gaochi. Before the child was even born, to hear the grim news that he would not live long caused a sharp pang in his heart.

Seeing Zhu Di’s distressed expression, Jiang Lin remained entirely unruffled.

It was no major issue! His system was stocked with prenatal supplements—folic acid, calcium tablets, DHA, iron, and various vitamins. He simply needed Zhu Di to have Xu Miaoyun take them, and the situation would naturally improve.

Jiang Lin spoke slowly, "Based on the timeline, the Princess must have only just become pregnant."

As soon as these words were out, Old Zhu and Zhu Biao both turned to look at Zhu Di, clearly unaware of this news.

Old Zhu asked with a face full of joy, "Fourth, is it true? Is Miaoyun pregnant?"

"Father, Brother, that is correct. Miaoyun is with child," Zhu Di replied with a smiling nod. "The imperial physicians only just confirmed it recently. I haven't had the chance to tell you both yet."

At this moment, he was thoroughly convinced of Jiang Lin’s identity as a man from the future; there was no room for doubt. The historical events Jiang Lin spoke of might have been fabricated, but he had never met Xu Miaoyun, and even his father and brother were unaware of her pregnancy. How else could he have known?

It was clear! Only someone from over six hundred years in the future, having studied the history books, could know such things.

Jiang Lin waved his hand. "Prince of Yan, you need not worry. The child has only just been conceived; there is still time. I will give you some supplements to take back later. Have the Princess take them as I instruct, and it will greatly reduce the frailty of Zhu Gaochi at birth. Later, when the pregnancy is further along, you can bring the Princess to me for a prenatal check-up. Once the child is older, urge him to exercise and watch his diet. Not only will he not die young, he might even grow up to be as robust and formidable as you."

"Thank you, Brother Jiang!" Zhu Di’s eyes lit up, and he looked at Jiang Lin with profound gratitude.

Hearing this, a smile also appeared on Old Zhu’s face. Another grandson had been saved; as a grandfather, he was naturally delighted.

"The emperor who succeeded him, that would be Gaochi’s son, right?"

"Before we talk about Zhu Zhanji, I want to talk to you about Zhu Gaoxu."

"Who is Zhu Gaoxu?" Zhu Di looked puzzled; the name felt both familiar and strange.

Jiang Lin nodded. "Zhu Gaoxu is your second son. He will be born in about two years. This second son is your favorite, because he is so much like you. He carries your shadow in every way—exceptionally skilled in martial arts, and he even saved your life multiple times during the Jingnan Campaign."

"Heh, my son sounds quite impressive!" Zhu Di could not help but grin.

Zhu Biao felt a bit sullen. Why were all of the Fourth Brother’s sons so outstanding? It was hard not to feel envious!

However, Jiang Lin’s next words made Zhu Di’s smile vanish instantly.

"Why do I say he is so much like you? Because... he also rebelled!"

"What?!" Zhu Di exclaimed, staring wide-eyed at Jiang Lin. "S-so in the end, it... it wouldn't be..."

"History is always similar, though not exactly the same." As he said this, Jiang Lin cast a deliberate, teasing glance at Zhu Biao. "Zhu Gaoxu, the uncle, did indeed rebel against his nephew who had just ascended the throne. The Xuande Emperor led his army to suppress him; Zhu Gaoxu could not resist and surrendered. He was imprisoned, but remained unrepentant."

Hearing this, Zhu Biao gave Jiang Lin a speechless look. At first, he hadn't understood why Jiang Lin would suddenly look at him while talking about the Fourth Brother's family.

Very well! So that was where he was waiting for him!

The same struggle between uncle and nephew—his own son was gone, but the other man’s grandson managed to keep the throne. The more Zhu Biao thought about it, the more miserable he felt.

He was truly at a loss for words.

"There was one time when Zhu Gaoxu tripped the Xuande Emperor with his foot, which enraged the Emperor. He ordered him to be roasted to death in a copper vat heated with charcoal."

*Bang!*

With a loud crash, Zhu Di slammed his hand against the table in anger.

"Rebellious son! My own rebellion was a matter of necessity. Can he not simply be a good Prince and guard the borders of the Great Ming? Does he really think being an Emperor is such a comfortable position?"

"It’s all your fault," Jiang Lin said with a hint of disdain. "You were indeed a capable Emperor, but as a father, you were a complete failure."