PARTY AND CALAMITY

Zhu Su turned around. Zhu Di had been in this town square, and now was approaching him.

As they saw Zhu Di, Zhu Su and the others immediately knelt down. "Greetings to Your Majesty!"

Zhu Di nid-nodded. "Stand up."

They got to their feet instantly.

Zhu Di soon approached Zhu Su, patted him on his brother's shoulder joyfully. "Su! You have succeeded in fulfilling your noble dream, great! Besides, you attempt to become a very good leader by helping so many people! Your book has received extraordinary approval from all around Ming! You have presented something very good for our country!"

Noticing his elder brother, who although had become emperor but still treated him as intimate as before, Zhu Su was soon flabbergasted with joy. Smiling broadly, he answered, "Thank you for your praise... but if you didn't give help, it would never be realized, after all..."

"You're too modest. I didn't help you at all. This is all because of your own brilliance!" Zhu Di turned away, gazing around this town square. "And I also find, Kaifeng has become a well-arranged city. It must be owing to your hard work. Alright then! I will give you more Suilü, twice as much as it should be!" Suilü was material wealth in the form of gold and silver that the emperor usually granted to the Fan Wangs throughout Chinese history.

Zhu Su was quite surprised to find that his brother gave him a gift in a sudden. With a trembling voice, he said, "Thank you, Sire... for your honor..."

"Don't mind it! You deserve to get this Suilü since you have made a big contribution to the country. And you are different with other younger siblings. Even though they contribute nothing, but they always ask eagerly for more Suilü by reason of being the descendants of Heaven's Son and then think that they deserve it despite everything."

"Sire... eerr..."

Actually, Zhu Su had been eager to express this desire for a long time ago, but he did not dare to state it. Aside from that, Zhu Di and he had each busyness that made them very difficult to meet. But today, the meeting that might not be repeated for quite a long time, now had occurred by chance. That was why Zhu Su forced himself to get rid of the reluctance once blocking him, and then expressed it blatantly.

"Yes, my Brother? Any request? Don't hesitate, just speak it out!"

"You must have known the tragic fate Bai should endure, mustn't you?"

"Ah... Bai! How pitiful he is! He is still young, but must get his life ended tragically! If he had not committed suicide, he would have become Fan Wang in Jingzhou as he should be!" Zhu Di took a deep breath.

"I agree with you, we must pity Bai. Do you know, after he died, he doesn't get any appropriate entombment. His tomb is even worse than a commoner."

This time Zhu Di looked surprised, "Really?"

Zhu Su nodded. "So, Your Majesty... would you please to repair his tomb, and give him the dignity he is supposed to receive, as an Emperor's son?"

"You don't need to make such a request, Su. As brother, it's my responsibility to give him the entombment he deserves to get as Fan Wang. Is his tomb located in Jingzhou? I will immediately send someone to build mausoleum for him. And later I will also come on a pilgrimage to his tomb."

"Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty, I highly appreciate it." As Zhu Di fulfilled his request easily, Zhu Su smiled, contentment warmed him from within.

Bai, you will soon be granted the Palace Mausoleum you deserve to get as a Fan Wang. Then, you can rest in peace right now. Hopefully, you will be reincarnated in a better life.

"Alright! To celebrate your achievement, as well as the glory of Ming, I have prepared a grand party for tonight." Zhu Di took Zhu Su's hand in excitement. "More than that, this party is a moment for us - as siblings - to get along with each other!"

From Empress Ma, Hongwu Emperor only had five sons, the remaining 21 other sons were the sons of concubines. Three of the empress' sons had died, only Zhu Di and Zhu Su were still alive. Of course, it let Zhu Di be the closest brother to Zhu Su, as his only full younger brother right now.

The party being held this evening was in a grand style. Ming indeed was in the peak of its glory at this time - history also recorded that Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di, was the greatest emperor of Ming Dynasty. The entire Dragon Pavilion was as bright as daytime even though it was at late evening. The servants were constantly back and forth, delivering various kinds of delicious dishes. Dozens of dancers and musicians performed their skills in the grandiose show, presenting their best performance to their royal audience.

"Finally you heed my advice, Su! You make this beautiful physician as your Wang Fei!" Zhu Di said cheerfully.

Zhu Su and Hu Nayin responded with slight smile. Hu Nayin bowed her head a little, blushing, while Zhu Su replied, "I am also very glad, Lady Hu is willing to be my life partner."

"You have been living together for quite a moment, how is she right now?"

Zhu Su soon understood the true meaning of his brother's question. Still smiling, he replied, "Well, she is now five months pregnant."

Zhu Di's laughter turned louder. "Great! Then I have made the right decision by creating this party! This is also a great party for both of you, to celebrate the pregnancy of Wang Fei!"

They laughed cheerfully, without realizing that Chen Xinyi was whispering in worry with his Jinyiwei men, Liu Ku, Wu Qi, Payloth, Rui, and Han Zhong at a secluded area in the palace.

"My goodness! How can we report that problem to His Highness right now?!" Wu Qi said anxiously. "Postpone that report! You can report it on another day, but not at this time!"

"But, it concerns the survival of Kaifeng... so crucial to be postponed. I tell you, every time the royals hold such a grand party, it will go on for a few days!" Chen Xinyi protested.

"Should we solve that problem by ourselves?..."

"But sooner or later His Highness will figure it out, and he will be angry with us because of hiding it from him."

Wu Qi scratched his head. "Huh, how can this problem occur at this moment?!"

Chen Xinyi had made up his decision. He was ready to bear any consequence, although his report would make a selfish ruler angry and punish him by reason of screwing up the party - because Chen Xinyi was sure that Zhu Su was not such a fatuous and self-indulgent ruler.

That was why Chen Xinyi quickly stepped forward, and shortly after, he had been in the presence of Zhu Su.

"Your Highness... I deeply apologize, since I am forced to screw up the cheerfulness of this party..."

Zhu Su raised his eyebrows. He soon felt that something wrong had happened. "What's wrong, Chen Xinyi? No problem, just report it."

"The area in Kaifeng being passed through by The Yellow River is in danger, because the Yellow River has overflowed and a very severe flood has caused enormous devastation there!"