Chapter 25: Chess Player
Zhu Qiyu followed him to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. When Zhu Qizhen saw him coming, he smiled and said, "No need to be so polite."
Zhu Qiyu still saluted the emperor honestly and said, "Brother greets the emperor."
He was in the capital every day and was more sensitive to rumors. Naturally, he realized that Zhu Qizhen was on guard against his elder sister.
In such troubled times, it is better to be cautious.
Zhu Qizhen didn't care about Zhu Qiyu's cautiousness. He walked to Luohan's bedside first and said, "It's been a long time since we two brothers have played chess together. It's a rare opportunity for you to come to the palace with the princess today. Why don't we take this opportunity to play a game of chess?"
Zhu Qiyu didn't dare to refuse, so he agreed obediently after hearing the words.
When they were young, they studied together and learned riding and archery. They would naturally feed each other moves when playing chess, but Zhu Qizhen usually won, and Zhu Qiuyu could only ensure that he would not suffer a crushing defeat.
"You play black."
Zhu Qiyu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "It's still my brother who plays the black piece."
Usually Zhu Qizhen played with the black pieces, and this had never happened before. Zhu Qiuyu could immediately realize that Zhu Qizhen was not just playing chess this time.
Zhu Qizhen was very pleased with his cautiousness, but he still grabbed a handful of chess pieces and said, "Come."
Zhu Qiyu picked up two black pieces.
Zhu Qizhen spread out his palm and said, "Five, I'll go first." He smiled and said, "It seems my luck is pretty good."
Zhu Qiyu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "My brother is the Son of Heaven. He is favored by the heavens and the ancestors. It is reasonable for him to take the initiative."
Zhu Qizhen just chuckled and placed the black piece on the chessboard.
Although the two learned chess together, their styles of play were completely different.
Zhu Qizhen was good at fighting, and he made bold moves in an effort to eat up all the enemy's pieces. Zhu Qiyu was good at defense, and he did not seek to achieve anything but to avoid mistakes. Being able to defend one side was enough for him.
If it were someone else playing chess, it would be a back-and-forth game, but for these two brothers, they were just pawns used by Zhu Qizhen to unilaterally slaughter Zhu Qiuyu.
"I won."
Zhu Qiyu stood up and said respectfully, "My Royal Brother, your chess skills are even better than before. I am truly convinced."
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand to signal him to sit down before continuing, "If it was Big Sister playing chess with me, she wouldn't lose to me so easily."
Zhu Qiyu smiled awkwardly and said, "As far as I can remember, Big Sister has never played chess with my brother."
"Big sister has this personality. She looks humble, but she's more calculating than anyone else. She's just like grandma."
Zhu Qiyu was also very clear in his mind that if it were Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Qizhen playing chess, he would definitely win over Zhu Qizhen first and then give Zhu Qizhen a chance to turn the tables.
In other words, Zhu Qiyu and Zhu Qizhen were playing chess against each other, while Zhu Yuhuan's chess was a layout, and she could win or lose, all depending on her own thinking.
Seeing that Zhu Qiyu was at a loss for words, Zhu Qizhen asked with a half-smile, "Why, are you afraid that this will fall into the ears of my elder sister?"
Zhu Qiyu quickly said, "When grandma was alive, she personally taught big sister and brother. It's only natural that big sister resembles grandma. Besides, we are in the palace now. How could big sister listen to what brother said?"
Seeing that he handled the situation appropriately, Zhu Qizhen simply continued, "Big sister should be back soon. After all, you've been away from the capital for many years, so I'll ask you to take her around the capital so she doesn't become estranged."
Zhu Qiyu responded quickly and immediately understood the implication of Zhu Qizhen's words.
Princess Shunde could no longer enter and leave the palace freely as she did in the past, which undoubtedly cut off the connection between Zhu Yuhuan and the Empress Dowager. In other words, Zhu Qizhen wanted Zhu Yuhuan to stay outside the palace like other princesses and not interfere in any state affairs.
Zhu Qizhen continued, "As the saying goes, 'Brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons fight in battle.' Now that the Emperor is gone, it's just you and me. You should help me as much as Prince Xiang helped the Emperor."
Zhu Qiyu said obediently, "I am not as intelligent as my uncle, Prince Xiang, and I dare not take on this important task. Moreover, my brother is so virtuous and outstanding that he does not need anyone to assist him. I am just an ordinary prince, dull and stupid. Even though my brother appreciates your kindness, I am unworthy of it."
"What are you talking about?" Zhu Qizhen said with a smile, "I have something important to tell you."
Zhu Qiyu felt even more nervous and said, "I dare not refuse your entrustment, my brother. I am just afraid that I am not capable enough..."
"I just want you to take over the position of regent temporarily."
Zhu Qiyu was startled and stood up subconsciously, saying, "Regent? My brother, what are you doing..."
Zhu Qizhen saw his panic and said, "Don't worry, he's just going to inspect the border."
Seeing this, Zhu Qiyu hurriedly advised, "The rebellion in Fujian has not yet been completely quelled. Why are you so anxious? Why not..." At this point, he noticed Zhu Qizhen staring at him and abruptly changed his words, "Why not wait for Minister Wang to return before discussing this matter?"
He originally wanted to say his eldest sister's name directly, but then he realized that Zhu Yuhuan was no longer considered a "family member" in the emperor's heart, and he must not mention Princess Shunde at this time, so he hurriedly changed his words.
Zhu Qizhen had already noticed this, but he just sneered and asked, "Why, do you think I can't command the army?"
Zhu Qiyu, of course, could not admit it and kept saying, "Of course not, but patrolling the border is indeed no small matter. My brother should also discuss it with the cabinet..."
"When does the Emperor need to discuss hunting tours at the border with the Cabinet?"
Zhu Qiyu was speechless at Zhu Qizhen's question.
He and Zhu Qizhen were both young at the time and didn't know much about the affairs of the court. But Zhu Qiyu knew one thing: his elder sister had mentioned that the emperor had accompanied Emperor Taizong on many northern expeditions, and having a reliable elder to guide him was also a valuable experience.
Not to mention that when the emperor just ascended the throne, he personally conquered the Han common people. In any case, he had combat experience. It was precisely because of this that the officials did not stop him. Moreover, many civil servants who followed the army at that time also had experience in following in battles, such as Yang Rong and others.
But now, not to mention that the emperor himself has no military experience, and there is no royal elder who can lead by example and guide the emperor, Wang Ji, whom the emperor trusts, is suppressing a rebellion in Fujian. The emperor's actions are too risky, so how could the officials agree?
"I am not in the capital, and the eldest prince is young. You are the most suitable person to be the regent." Zhu Qizhen stood up, patted Zhu Qiyu on the shoulder, and said, "You and I are brothers of flesh and blood. Please do not let me down, Prince of Qing."
Zhu Qiyu could only mumble, "I dare not refuse your order, my brother. I will certainly live up to your trust."
He had already understood Zhu Qizhen's hidden meaning. This border patrol with him as regent was also a test to test his loyalty. Zhu Qiyu's every move was monitored, and as long as there was anything that exceeded Zhu Qizhen's tolerance, he would be killed.
A princess can only enjoy glory in one lifetime and cannot pass it on to future generations. However, the emperor and the princes are different. Their interests are tied together for a long time.
In other words, Zhu Qiyu's wealth and glory depended on the emperor's mood, and he should naturally stand on the emperor's side.
Although it was summer now, Zhu Qiyu felt a slight chill on his back.
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