The next morning, outside Renzhi Hall.

Many princes, grandsons of the emperor, civil and military officials, dressed in white and mourning, stood in a row.

After the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department opened the palace gate, he slowly entered.

Of course, only the princes and grandchildren of the emperor were allowed to enter. Except for a very small number of civil and military officials, no one was qualified to enter the Renzhi Hall to mourn.

The custom of mourning originated from the Zhou Li, and there were many complicated and cumbersome regulations during the death of the crown prince.

For example, marriage, sacrifices, rituals and music are prohibited within 100 days.

This is aimed at the entire Ming Dynasty, so after the prince's death, it will take some time to announce it to the world.

Including the beheadings of some death row prisoners, everything will be postponed.

If you are unlucky, it happens to happen when you get married.

Sorry, the bride can go back directly.

If you have already reached the bridal chamber.

That's too bad. Please ask the bride to go home and go through the process again at a scheduled time one month later.

Such a situation was bound to occur. After all, the Ming Dynasty was so vast that, except for some not-so-good days, it could be said that people were getting married every day.

The most interesting thing is.

For example, Crown Prince Zhu Biao died on April 25, but due to the transmission of information, some places might not receive the news until early May.

It is possible that someone had already gotten married and entered the bridal chamber on April 26th, completing the entire ceremony, before receiving the news.

So what should we do?

It's simple, just start over.

The bride goes home and waits, calculating the time, and goes through the procedure again after 49 days.

Otherwise, you are forced to stay at home.

Once someone reports it, it will be a crime of great disrespect.

What was originally a happy event may soon turn into a sad one.

During the Ming Dynasty, this was not a joke, but the truth.

Since this concerns the dignity of the royal family, no detail can be violated.

At this moment, inside the Renzhi Hall, all the princes and grandchildren were crying heart-wrenchingly.

An elder brother is like a father. Even if one is not sad at heart, one has to act it out realistically, even if it means howling.

For most of the princes, it is quite sincere.

After all, eldest brother Zhu Biao is indeed a very good person and has protected them for many years.

For many of the emperor's grandchildren or younger princes, it may just be a show.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang stood beside the coffin and watched coldly, which would make anyone cry.

Especially a series of high-ranking officials such as the six ministers, they cried even more heartbrokenly than the princes and grandchildren of the emperor.

That was a complete expression of true feelings, mixed with the oppression of Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze.

Perhaps it was also because Zhu Biao himself was relatively close to civil officials, and after his death from such an illness, no one knew what would happen to him in the future.

Even Zhu Di couldn't help but shiver when he saw the appearance of his father Zhu Yuanzhang.

As we all know, there are only two people who can suppress Zhu Yuanzhang.

One is Empress Ma, and the other is Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

Zhu Yuanzhang's character became suspicious and bloodthirsty in his later years.

Now that both of them are gone, Zhu Yuanzhang, who is standing next to the coffin, has a look of obvious madness and pain in his eyes.

At this time, no one dared to provoke.

Zhu Di lowered his eyes and saw that Zhu Yunwen, who was next to Zhu Yuanzhang, did not kneel like the other imperial grandchildren, but stood alone beside him.

Zhu Di witnessed this scene with his own eyes, and the coldness in his heart immediately suppressed the sadness of his elder brother's death.

This scene was also seen by many people, and it was obviously a very clear message.

It represents Zhu Yuanzhang’s choice.

This old man, who is in his sixties, is now looking a little frail.

Standing there quietly, with a calm expression and deep eyes.

But everyone can see His Majesty's sadness.

…

"Our eldest grandson passed away, and our eldest sister was reluctant to follow him. Now our son is gone too. Tell me why God treats us this way. Is it because we didn't do well enough?"

In a courtyard near Fengtian Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang and Tang He sat opposite each other. Only in front of such elderly friends could he speak freely about what was in his mind.

Tang He was one of the few old ministers in the early Ming Dynasty who had a good end to his life. He grew up with Zhu Yuanzhang and could be considered a childhood friend.

Even the rise of Zhu Yuanzhang was largely due to Tang He.

Zhu Yuanzhang was able to join the Red Turban Army because of Tang He's letter of invitation. When Zhu Yuanzhang had nothing and went to Tang He, Tang He was already a captain of the Red Turban Army.

However, Tang He at that time held Zhu Yuanzhang in a very high position even if Zhu Yuanzhang made only a small contribution.

Even after Zhu Yuanzhang was appreciated by Guo Zixing, Tang He not only did not feel jealous at all, but was willing to follow him loyally.

However, he was able to sit in front of Zhu Yuanzhang because Tang He was cautious and indifferent to fame and fortune, which allowed him to avoid the disaster.

Listening to Zhu Yuanzhang's sigh, Tang He was very smart. He did not express his own opinion, but sighed heavily and then filled Zhu Yuanzhang's glass with wine.

Zhu Yuanzhang finished the drink in one gulp, looked at the setting sun, listened to the wailing and chanting in the distance, and unknowingly, he was already in tears.

Tang He never said a word, but just put his hand on the back of Zhu Yuanzhang's hand to comfort him.

…

Night, Prince Yan’s Palace in the capital.

At this time, the sadness on Zhu Di's face had long disappeared. Having grown up in a war camp, he was accustomed to life and death, so naturally he would not be too sad.

Now his face was completely gloomy, and even a blind man could see that Prince Yan was in a very bad mood at the moment.

Any normal person would think that this was because of the prince.

Only Yao Guangxiao knew that this was because of the throne.

After dismissing all the people around him, Zhu Di said in a deep voice: "It seems that my father has made up his mind to make Zhu Yunwen the crown prince."

Yao Guangxiao said: "Your Highness, it seems that the matter concerning Zhu Ying cannot be delayed any longer."

Hearing this, Zhu Di asked hesitantly, "Father's Jinyiwei has strong investigative capabilities. Are you sure you can keep it a secret?"

"If we are discovered, all our efforts will be in vain."

Hearing this, Yao Guangxiao said with some confidence: "In my opinion, Zhu Ying's background is definitely worth exploring."

"I understand that when Zhu Ying was only five years old, he went out with his father to do business, and it was five years later when he returned."

"There is something to be said for this. Once your majesty notices Zhu Ying, he will definitely send someone to investigate. I have already arranged for someone to spread some rumors."

"Given your Majesty's suspicious nature, he will definitely have doubts. It is impossible to completely fabricate the story, but it is this kind of true and false that makes it easiest for people to believe."

Prince of Yan Zhu Di nodded slightly. Since these matters involved the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Di naturally could not send his own men to deal with them because they would be too eye-catching.

It can be easily investigated.

Once such matters were involved, given Zhu Yuanzhang's character, he would most likely directly recall Zhu Di to the capital, just like the current Prince of Qin Zhu Chong.

That would be like shooting oneself in the foot.

It would be best for Yao Guangxiao to handle these matters.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Di said calmly:

"It seems that we have to think of a way to let Zhu Ying be discovered by the emperor."

"This way, I will have a chance."

Yao Guangxiao replied: "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will take care of this matter."