Ming Dynasty: What's wrong with being a leisurely crown prince?

Chapter 61: Actions and Team Choosing Sides

As soon as Yao Guangxiao finished speaking, Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief, but his brows remained furrowed.

"Young Master, is there really no other way besides waiting?"

Zhu Di glanced at Zhu Gaochi, who had just said to wait a little longer.

At that moment, Zhu Di suddenly began to believe what Zhu Gaochi had said.

Zhu Gaochi has been unusually calm from the moment he arrived until now.

Could it be that Zhu Gaochi really cured Xu Miaoyun? Or does it just need more time?

Zhu Di was uncertain, feeling both anxious and hopeful.

Yao Guangxiao nodded solemnly and said softly, "Your Majesty, we can only wait for now. If there is a way, I imagine that Director Jiang and his men have already spoken to Your Majesty."

"How long we will have to wait, this humble monk does not know. Your Majesty may wish to inquire with Imperial Censor Jiang."

Yao Guangxiao did not reveal the result, but it could be roughly judged from the pulse.

He came here only to see what was going on and to advise Zhu Di not to shake the foundation of the Ming Dynasty.

He had absolutely no intention of competing with the Imperial Medical Academy for credit, and he didn't need these meager contributions anyway.

Zhu Di looked at Jiang Yongwen, and Jiang Yongwen's voice came immediately.

"Your Majesty, judging from the Empress's pulse, she should wake up in at most an hour."

Jiang Yongwen spoke with great confidence; he was certain of this, otherwise he wouldn't have wanted the position of Grand Councilor.

The only thing he couldn't be sure about was Xu Miaoyun's pulse. How could it have suddenly changed like this? He couldn't tell if it was good or bad.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di gradually calmed down, sat down beside Xu Miaoyun, and waited quietly.

Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Gaoxu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing these words, but they remained tense and apprehensive.

Zhu Gaoxu was completely concerned about Xu Miaoyun's situation. Zhu Zhanji was also concerned, but he was more relaxed for the sake of the future of the Crown Prince.

Zhu Gaosui couldn't believe it. Xu Miaoyun's illness was cured? She would wake up soon? How could that be!

But in Zhu Gaosui's heart, there was still some hope, a hope that Xu Miaoyun would really get better.

He did that even though Xu Miaoyun couldn't be cured.

If it were truly curable, Zhu Gaosui would also yearn for it.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi frowned even more.

What Jiang Yongwen and others said differed from what he had thought.

He remembered that when the three candies first appeared, they said that if you took the next one whole, it would cure any illness as long as you were still alive.

But now, he clearly only used most of it, not even a single one!

The problem now is that, according to Jiang Yongwen and the others, Xu Miaoyun has recovered, but is still in a coma.

Zhu Gaochi was puzzled by this: how could this situation have occurred?

Does this mean that only when someone is truly on their last breath can a whole candy be used to cure them, and that if they haven't reached that point, they don't need to use a whole candy?

Thinking of this, Zhu Gaochi suddenly had a sudden realization.

If that's the case, then Xu Miaoyun's fainting spell can be explained.

It was because he used too much candy that Xu Miaoyun's body couldn't handle it, causing her to faint.

The more Zhu Gaochi thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

But whether that was the case or not, Zhu Gaochi gradually formed an idea in his mind.

Once Xu Miaoyun wakes up, he must find someone to test it and see if it's really true.

If that's the case, then these three candies, with a little over two left, will be very useful.

While everyone waited, news from this place, partly concealed by Zhu Di and partly fueled by his deliberate efforts, quickly spread out.

When the news reached the various ministries, Jian Yi, the Minister of Personnel, and Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue, sighed, their expressions complex.

They were well aware of the current situation; the court was likely to be unstable from now on.

When the Minister of Justice, Lü Zhen, the Minister of Works, Song Li, and the Minister of War, Jin Zhong, heard the news, they all looked solemn, their eyes gleaming.

However, the actions of these individuals involved involved actively contacting the cabinet.

Everyone in the cabinet knew very well that they were all unanimously supportive of Zhu Gaochi.

When Li Zhigang, the Minister of Rites, heard the news, he sighed.

"Your Highness, you were too impulsive."

Li Zhigang spoke with emotion, but his expression held a hint of amusement.

Subsequently, Li Zhigang instructed his household steward to contact the Prince of Han's residence.

"Heh heh, with Xie Jin fallen, the Crown Prince is about to fall too. The Prince of Han's opportunity has arrived. If I go there, how could the Prince of Han not trust me?"

On the other side of the cabinet, everyone looked solemn with furrowed brows.

Yang Shiqi was the first to speak.

"At this critical moment, we cannot afford to panic. We cannot yet determine what will happen next, but we need to be prepared. If the situation becomes unfavorable, I urge you all to do your utmost to protect His Highness the Crown Prince."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent and virtuous. His filial piety in saving the Empress despite the consequences is admirable. The Ming Dynasty needs His Highness the Crown Prince."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent and filial, and we should naturally support him; it is our duty as his subjects. There is no need for further words."

"Yes, it's about time for the people outside to start taking action and quickly begin building momentum for His Highness the Crown Prince."

We are also ready.

If successful, it will be a great blessing for the Ming Dynasty.

If that doesn't work, then let's meet in prison!

The group of people spoke up one after another, and no one backed down.

They had no other choice but to support Zhu Gaochi.

Neither Zhu Gaoxu nor Zhu Gaosui were willing to choose one person to support until they reached that point.

They are now gambling, gambling that things will turn around, gambling that if they offer their advice together, Zhu Di will listen.

As for what they should do if Zhu Di directly deposed Zhu Gaochi and installed him as emperor?

No one had that contingency plan.

They are betting on a future, not on something where there is no hope at all.

Outside the city, in the capital's garrison, Zhu Neng sat in his tent, Zhang Fu opposite him, and Qiu Fu above him.

When news arrived from Kunning Palace, Zhu Neng and Zhang Fu were both shocked, and then became extremely solemn.

Qiu Fu, however, stood up directly.

"How could the Crown Prince be so ignorant? He has caused the Empress to faint and collapse. He is unworthy of being the Crown Prince!"

After Qiu Fu finished speaking, he looked at Zhu Neng and Zhang Fu.

"I am about to offer my opinion: the position of Crown Prince should be carefully considered. The Prince of Han has taken good care of the Empress, and his filial piety is commendable. He should rightfully be the Crown Prince. Are you all willing to join me in this?"

Qiu Fu made no attempt to hide his support for Zhu Gaoxu; in fact, he openly and enthusiastically championed Zhu Gaoxu's cause from beginning to end.

This incident gave him an opportunity—a chance for Zhu Gaoxu to rise to power.

Zhu Neng and Zhang Fu were greatly alarmed upon hearing this.

"Duke of Qi, be careful what you say! You mustn't!"

"Duke of Qi! The Crown Prince has put himself in danger to save the Empress. We should be pleading for him, not doing this!"

Zhu Neng was filled with lingering fear. Would they have dared to say such things?

As military officers, their job is simply to fight battles; they shouldn't interfere in the affairs of the imperial court.

Especially with things like this, these people should be even more careful about avoiding them.

Otherwise, what would Zhu Di think?

And now, is Qiu Fu really helping Zhu Gaoxu by saying this?

In Zhu Neng's view, Qiu Fu was harming Zhu Gaoxu!

He just couldn't understand it. How did Qiu Fu's brain work?

Zhang Fu stood to the side with a solemn expression and said nothing more.

They showed neither support for Zhu Gaochi nor support for Zhu Gaoxu.

Qiu Fu's old face flushed red upon hearing Zhu Neng's words.

"Kid, you think you can lecture me? When I was fighting, you weren't even born yet."

"You two don't support the King of Han, but I do! I admire the King of Han's abilities!"

Qiu Fu pushed the two of them aside and walked straight out.

As Zhu Neng watched Qiu Fu leave, he felt an unbearable headache and suddenly felt extremely unwell, his steps becoming unsteady.

His old wounds are starting to flare up again.