Not to live forever, but within decades, life would surely be secure.
Such a golden opportunity, how could he possibly watch it slip away before his eyes?
Yet, Yizhiye had taken everyone to see the Grand Emperor. Did his heart still lean more towards that old man who was already dead?
Could it be that he still wanted to help that dead old man fight him and seize his imperial throne?
If it were any other matter, Sima Zhu might have had some doubts, but this particular issue was his sore spot.
Sima Hao's covetous gaze in recent years had kept him in constant unease.
Now, Yizhiye was also getting so close to Sima Hao, and there was also Sima Han, who was originally a candidate for the imperial succession. How could he not overthink things?
Thus, Sima Zhu, consumed by suspicion, decided that this matter must be resolved today.
He could not allow this great hidden danger to linger around him, disturbing his peace day after day.
With this thought, Sima Zhu said to Wang Lin, "Go, find Grand Princess Zande for me. Tell her I have something to discuss with her."
Wang Lin was startled. Did His Majesty not intend to forgive Grand Princess Zande?
However, the Emperor's decision was not something he could question. Despite having many thoughts, Wang Lin could only comply and go find Grand Princess Zande.
Grand Princess Zande was easy to find, as upon entering the palace, she had gone to Baili Ziyun's quarters.
When Wang Lin found her, Grand Princess Zande was sitting and chatting with Baili Ziyun.
Upon hearing that His Majesty had something to discuss, Grand Princess Zande didn't think much of it. It was a good thing for His Majesty to seek her counsel; it meant His Majesty valued her greatly.
Baili Ziyun thought the same, though she also believed that the reason His Majesty valued Grand Princess Zande so highly was likely due to the child in her belly.
Grand Princess Zande, along with Wang Lin, hurried to the Hall of Diligent Governance, only to find Sima Zhu with a cold expression, lost in thought.
Grand Princess Zande's initially cheerful mood instantly turned heavy.
After cautiously observing Sima Zhu's face, she asked, "What does Your Majesty wish to discuss? Today is Your Majesty's auspicious day, why the unhappiness? Has someone done something to displease Your Majesty?"
Sima Zhu looked deeply at Grand Princess Zande. Seeing her bewildered appearance, he felt even more displeased.
He hadn't paid much attention to her before and didn't really know what kind of person she was.
But with Wang Lin's words about Yizhiye already in his mind, Sima Zhu now saw Grand Princess Zande in a way that felt unbearable, wishing he could just dismiss her on the spot.
However, considering the purpose for which he had summoned her, he suppressed his feelings.
"Grand Princess Zande, how many people did you bring with you on this trip to the capital?"
Sima Zhu's sudden question made Grand Princess Zande break out in a cold sweat.
"Your Majesty, what does Your Majesty mean by that?"
While asking, Grand Princess Zande felt a surge of panic.
If it were any other day, Grand Princess Zande would not have reacted this way. But she now had ulterior motives. As the saying goes, a clear conscience fears no evil.
Now that she had something to hide, her reaction was naturally different.
Sima Zhu, preoccupied with his own worries, did not pay much attention to Grand Princess Zande's unusual demeanor and continued, "I'm just asking casually, Princess. You don't need to be so nervous."
Hearing this, Grand Princess Zande carefully observed Sima Zhu for a moment. Finding no hint of probing, she finally relaxed.
Secretly letting out a sigh of relief, Grand Princess Zande quickly replied, "I brought over 3,000 people with me on this trip to the capital."
Sima Zhu fell into deep thought again.
Three thousand people was not a small number.
But compared to the military power held by Zheng Xiang, it was truly insignificant.
However, one must not forget that this was within the Forbidden City.
Let alone the vast number of troops Zheng Xiang commanded, even these 3,000 people under Grand Princess Zande's command would not be able to enter the Forbidden City without an imperial decree.
Just as Grand Princess Zande was pondering what Sima Zhu's intentions were, Sima Zhu spoke again.
"Aunt."
Instead of his usual distant address of "Princess," Sima Zhu called Grand Princess Zande "Aunt."
This form of address made Grand Princess Zande momentarily stunned.
"Zhu'er... Is there something you need?"
A sharp glint flashed in Sima Zhu's eyes upon hearing this. It seemed Grand Princess Zande had great ambition.
He had merely called her "Aunt," and she dared to push her luck, calling him "Zhu'er."
Suppressing his displeasure, Sima Zhu decided to prioritize the greater issue.
"Aunt, I want to..."
"Want what? Why is Your Majesty speaking so strangely today?"
Grand Princess Zande waited for a long time but received no answer from Sima Zhu, becoming increasingly perplexed.
Logically, although Sima Zhu was incompetent, he was not a procrastinator. His behavior today was truly very unusual.
"Aunt, what do you think of the Emperor Father?"
After much hesitation, Sima Zhu finally uttered this single sentence, leaving Grand Princess Zande at a loss for how to respond.
After some thought, Grand Princess Zande said, "I heard that the Grand Emperor took the sacred water offered by the Grand Tutor, and afterwards, all his illnesses vanished. He is now in excellent health."
Sima Zhu's face darkened upon hearing this.
This was stating the obvious. He was already aware of these matters.
It was precisely because Sima Hao's health had improved that he had become increasingly unwilling to remain merely a Grand Emperor.
He had already won over more than half of the court officials who were meant to advise him. Given more time, he would likely be completely sidelined.
Sima Zhu suppressed his displeasure and continued, "Then, Aunt, do you think the Grand Emperor should resume his rule?"
This time, Sima Zhu had truly stumped Grand Princess Zande.
Sima Hao was cunning and deep-minded. Although he had been a good emperor before, his illness and the events of recent years had made him even more possessive of power.
Even without holding office, he couldn't resist meddling in everything. If he were truly to regain power, then everyone would likely live in constant fear, always wary of being suspected by Sima Hao and subsequently purged.
Compared to Sima Hao, Grand Princess Zande naturally preferred Sima Zhu to be the Emperor.
After all, Sima Zhu was young and easily manipulated.
Furthermore, only if Sima Zhu were the Emperor could they, after Ziyun gave birth to a son, legitimately have the child inherit the throne.
With this in mind, Grand Princess Zande said, "Why is Zhu'er speaking so strangely today? Regardless of how the Grand Emperor is now, he is still the Grand Emperor. Should he not just enjoy his twilight years in peace?"
Upon hearing Grand Princess Zande's answer, Sima Zhu's heart finally settled.
Sima Hao was, after all, Grand Princess Zande's own brother, and he had treated her very well in the past.