"Second Brother, why is Father summoning us to Huagai Hall? If not there, then Jinshen Hall would do. Even Fengtian Hall would be fine."
Zhu Gang tugged at the sash on his body and adjusted the hanging beads of the crown on his head.
He liked this ceremonial crown and robe very much, but once fully dressed in it, moving around was never very convenient.
In comparison, Zhu Gang rather envied his second brother. The same ceremonial attire sat on Zhu Shuang without any of these inconveniences. His second brother's tall and sturdy frame made his steps steady and dignified, far more imposing than Zhu Gang's relatively slender build.
"Third Brother, what nonsense are you thinking? Fengtian Hall is not something that can be opened casually."
Zhu Shuang snorted, then added with some confusion,
"Still, today's summons not being in Jinshen Hall really is a bit strange."
Zhu Gang glanced sideways. When his second brother spoke, the strings of beads on his crown hardly moved at all, remaining steady. It made him even more envious.
In truth, Zhu Gang himself knew what he had just said was unrealistic.
Within the imperial palace of Yingtian Prefecture, aside from the inner palace, the most prominent structures were the Three Halls.
The southernmost and largest was Fengtian Hall. To the north was Jinshen Hall. Between them stood Huagai Hall.
Among them, the most majestic was naturally Fengtian Hall. Standing there, one could face Fengtian Gate and the Five-Dragon Bridge. On the left, from near to far, were the Civil Tower and the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On the right stood the Military Tower and the Altar of Soil and Grain. The hall itself was vast, tall, and magnificent, so it was not opened except for grand court assemblies, major ceremonies, or occasions when the hundred officials came to pay homage.
Jinshen Hall was somewhat smaller, but it was used more frequently. Imperial banquets, birthday celebrations, receptions for close ministers, and discussions of confidential matters were all held there.
As for Huagai Hall, the two brothers had little impression of it. The hall was the smallest of the three. Usually their father only used it when preparing to attend ceremonies in Fengtian Hall or major court assemblies, changing clothes there before proceeding.
So why would Father summon them to Huagai Hall now?
Surely it was not because Mother had embroidered a new ceremonial robe for Father and wanted them to take a look.
With these random thoughts in mind, the two brothers passed beside Qianqing Palace and climbed the long flight of steps, finally arriving before Jinshen Hall.
Thinking back, on the fifteenth day of the first month a month ago, everyone in the palace had gathered there for a banquet. Afterward they had followed Father to the imperial city tower to watch fireworks together with the people. Zhu Shuang could not help glancing at it a few more times.
Although he still did not know why Father had summoned them back this time, for Zhu Shuang this New Year celebration had been the greatest comfort in the past three years. He also seemed to understand a little why Father had summoned painters to create a large family portrait.
He sighed inwardly, though nothing showed on his face.
After circling past the empty Jinshen Hall, Huagai Hall was already in sight. The two brothers knew that the main gates of the Three Halls all faced south, so if they wished to enter they would have to go around the hall to reach the main entrance.
As they passed along the side, Huagai Hall was small enough that they could clearly hear casual conversation from inside.
"Brother Xu Da will leave tomorrow? Is your mind already decided? Will you not rest another three months and let Imperial Physician Dai examine you again?"
That was the familiar voice of their father.
The responding voice was also recognizable to them. It belonged to Grand General Xu Da.
"Your Majesty, although fighting around Beiping has temporarily quieted, the remnants of the Yuan may attack again at any moment. Your servant must oversee the affairs of the Shanhai garrisons."
"Besides, how can we allow the remnant Yuan to act arrogantly alone? Your servant must also gather the troops and strike back while the season still allows. Leaving tomorrow is already somewhat late."
Father really was holding discussions here?
The two brothers exchanged glances in their hearts and quickened their steps.
As they turned a corner they heard two unfamiliar voices.
"How goes Master Luo's writing of the Journey to the East?"
"I only have one or two ideas so far. However, since Your Majesty has given the command… I only hope to gain something today. Does Master Daoyan have any guidance for me?"
"When it comes to writing, this humble monk still has much to learn from Master Luo. How would I dare teach you? I merely wished to say that since the Tang dynasty, there have been countless Buddhist monks traveling eastward. Thus many folk tales and strange records exist. If Master Luo has any need, this monk will speak without reserve."
"In that case I must first thank Master Daoyan."
"It is nothing. We are all serving Great Ming by His Majesty's command. I only hope that whenever Master Luo completes sections of the Records of the Three Kingdoms, this monk may be allowed to read them."
As they finally turned toward the main gate, the conversation gradually faded.
The two brothers exchanged a look.
"We have never heard of the two men speaking just now. Could the secret discussions of Huagai Hall that the nobles of the capital speak of be true?"
Zhu Gang wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead and muttered,
"Why worry about that? Once we go inside we will know."
The two brothers strode directly through the main gate.
Without hesitation they raised their hands high and lowered their heads together.
"Your sons, serving as advisers, have arrived late. We beg Father's forgiveness."
Once the words were spoken, silence fell all around.
Both brothers felt their hearts jump.
Then they heard the familiar voice of their fourth brother.
"Second Brother, Third Brother, you two dressed like this… are you about to go pay respects to the ancestors?"
Immediately afterward came their eldest brother's voice, trying to suppress laughter.
"You are not late. It is we who were impatient and came early."
Hearing this, the two raised their heads.
They saw their father standing there with a stiff face.
Looking around, several of their brothers were already laughing so hard they were doubled over. Their mother was also present, covering her mouth, her eyes curved with laughter.
Looking further around, there were civil and military officials, physicians, diviners, Buddhist clerics, and even the newly reorganized Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Such a mixed gathering. What exactly were they planning to discuss here?
Whatever it was, it clearly had nothing to do with the solemn atmosphere the two brothers had imagined. Their ceremonial attire alone proved it. Even General Xu Da was simply wearing ordinary clothes.
"If you wear ceremonial robes, then wear them."
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand helplessly.
"It was my fault for not explaining clearly to you two earlier… never mind. You will understand shortly."
"Take off those crowns. Wearing them must be tiring."
After following their father's instructions and removing the crowns, the two took their seats.
Only then did they notice that the chairs were arranged in a faint semicircle.
At the center of that semicircle stood something rather unremarkable.
A plain screen.
Zhu Biao noticed the obvious confusion on his two younger brothers' faces. He shook his head with a smile.
"Just wait quietly. Later on, do not be too startled."
Zhu Gang leaned back in the chair and let out a long breath. Sweat ran down his forehead.
He spoke somewhat indignantly.
"What does Big Brother mean? What could possibly be here? Even if Father announces later that Second Brother and I are to lead troops to destroy the remnant Yuan, neither of us would even frown."
Zhu Shuang said nothing, but he nodded as well.
Now that they were already sitting here, whatever discussion would take place must concern the affairs of Great Ming. What could possibly be frightening?
While the two brothers were thinking this, far away in the former Chancellor's Residence in Ye City, Liu Xie looked at his reflection in a bronze mirror and revealed a smile without a trace of gloom.
Since the night before the New Year, when Empress Fu Shou helped him make up his mind, he had secretly gone to meet Imperial Uncle Liu Bei for a frank conversation between uncle and nephew.
Since that day, Liu Xie had calmly relied on his imperial uncle as his chief support, entrusting him with the affairs of Ye City.
After doing so, Liu Xie felt that the dark cloud that had hung over his head since the sixth year of Zhongping had finally dispersed.