BSI Chapter 46 is just an excuse.
Chapter 46 is just an excuse.
After resting for about fifteen minutes, Zhu Gaoxi asked the guards for some snacks and placed them on the table.
"Master, try the jujubes, they're very sweet, and the walnuts are delicious too."
Zhu Gaoxi treated Zong Le politely, placing two large dates into Zhu Yuanzhang's hand while he himself ate pine nuts from a jar.
Zong Le quickly poured the tea into cups and placed them in front of the two of them.
Zhu Gaoxi sipped his tea slowly, pretending not to notice Zong Le's casual glances.
After they had eaten their fill, they tidied their clothes and went into the Buddhist hall to worship devoutly.
Afterwards, Zhu Gaoxi walked around outside the hall, stood in the corridor, looked up at the clouds in the sky, and after a while said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Grandpa, let's go down the mountain, it might rain."
Zong Le had already noticed the signs that it was going to rain and was wondering how to tell the old emperor when this four-year-old child spoke up first.
At such a young age, how could he understand celestial phenomena?
Zong Le was startled.
No wonder Dao Yan was so confident back then.
This little prodigy is truly extraordinary.
The old emperor had no doubt about the prodigy's judgment and immediately took his leave.
The claim that Zhu Biao was a reincarnation was just an excuse; the prodigy's future depended on his own talent and the old emperor's trust.
Since the old emperor needed such an explanation to reassure the people,
What reason would he have not to go along with it and help her?
Zong Le immediately made a decision and stuffed the prepared divination slips into the old emperor's hand.
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, immediately understanding the meaning, and subtly slipped the divination slip into his sleeve pocket.
When Zhu Gaoxi noticed something was wrong and turned around, the two had already started talking about the weather.
"Master, please return," Zhu Gaoxi said politely as he took his leave.
Going down the mountain was much easier than going up. The grandfather and grandson walked down the mountain in one go, only drinking water twice along the way.
Once inside the carriage, Zhu Gaoxi picked up the pine nut jar again.
Zhu Yuanzhang did not accept the dates, but instead closed his eyes and dozed off.
Zhu Gaoxi covered him with a thin blanket and then ate heartily himself.
As they approached the imperial city, a light drizzle indeed began to fall from the sky.
"Grandpa, Grandpa, look, it's raining," Zhu Gaoxi lifted the carriage curtain to show Zhu Yuanzhang.
The old emperor peered out at the raindrops and muttered to himself, "You brat, I knew I was right."
"It wasn't a guess," Zhu Gaoxi protested quietly.
The old emperor curled his lip dismissively and launched into a verbal attack without any restraint, saying, "If I said it was a guess, then it was a guess."
Zhu Gaoxi's mood was not affected at all, and he flattered Zhu Gaoxi with great interest, saying, "Grandpa is really domineering."
The old emperor smiled contentedly and closed his eyes again.
Upon returning to the vegetable garden, Zhu Gaoxi was utterly exhausted. He let Yunfei help him bathe and change clothes, then quickly fell into a deep sleep under the covers.
In his dream, Zong Le, his robes fluttering, apologized to Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Your Majesty, I was wrong in my judgment. Please punish me."
Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and turned pale, then stormed off.
Zhu Gaoxi ran after him, calling out, "Grandpa, Grandpa..."
He slowly opened his eyes, and the bright sunlight streamed into the room; it was already noon the next day.
Yunfei's gentle voice rang in her ears, "Your Highness has woken up."
With his stomach growling with hunger, Zhu Gaoxi wolfed down the mutton and cabbage buns and drank the hot fresh milk.
Yunfei gently patted his back, worried that he might choke.
Life is so wonderful, being a prince is an extremely happy thing.
Zhu Gaoxi sat contentedly in a specially made recliner, basking in the sun, while Yunlu gently massaged his legs.
If good times continue like this, why bother fighting for the highest position?
"Your Highness, Your Highness, it's done!" Sanbao ran over, his face covered in grease, his eyes shining with excitement.
"What's done?" Zhu Gaoxi asked lazily.
"Your Highness, go and take a look at the mimeograph machine. It's much better than before. The characters are clear and the strokes are no longer a dark mess."
Although Zhu Gaoxi was immersed in a life of blissful ease, he no longer had such lofty ambitions.
However, perseverance pays off. After so much research, we finally achieved results, which was truly exhilarating.
Zhu Gaoxi jumped off the recliner and ran to the backyard.
Sanbao printed about ten copies in succession, and each one was very clear.
Zhu Gaoxi carefully flipped through the papers, and involuntarily recalled the exam papers he had used when he was a child in his previous life.
Although it still gets my hands all black and needs further improvement, it's good enough for now.
Just as Zhu Gaoxi was about to say something grand and impressive to fit the occasion, Zhu Jingyi's shrill voice rang out.
"Zhu Gaoxi, what good stuff are you hiding in the backyard? Zhu Gaoxi, where are you hiding? Come out now!"
Zhu Jingyi stood in the courtyard, hands on her hips, shouting loudly. Too lazy to search each house, she sat on a stone bench, but her mouth never stopped.
"Zhu Gaoxi, if you don't come out now, I'm going to come in and find you. I'll count to three, and you must appear before me immediately, one..."
"Sister, could you please turn your voice down a bit? My ears are about to go deaf," Zhu Gaoxi said reluctantly as he came out.
"Zhu Gaoxi, let me ask you, your sister is about to get married, and as the Prince of Wu, don't you have any intention of showing your support?" Zhu Jingyi questioned him righteously.
"I'm a minor and not married yet, what can I possibly say?" Zhu Gaoxi asked with a grin.
"Little brat, don't try to fool me. When you were crowned a king, why didn't you say you were a minor?" Zhu Jingyi persisted.
"What would you like to say, sister?" Zhu Gaoxi sat down opposite Zhu Jingyi.
"Could this be something my sister wanted? It must be a token of your affection, something you offered willingly," Zhu Jingyi corrected politely.
"Here's a bag of sweet potatoes, I don't usually give that to just anyone," Zhu Gaoxi said dismissively.
"You're just lying. Didn't you send a bag of gifts when Uncle Nineteen left for his fiefdom?" Zhu Jingyi wanted even better treatment.
"Then give me two bags," Zhu Gaoxi said with great enthusiasm.
"We should at least offer something more substantial," Zhu Jingyi began to doubt whether the title of child prodigy was truly deserved.
"Add another twenty taels of gold," Zhu Gaoxi said with great interest, arguing with his dim-witted sister.
"Fifty taels, no less," Zhu Jingyi stated directly, giving the minimum requirement.
"I'll do whatever you say, sister," Zhu Gaoxi thought to himself, overjoyed. The fifty taels of gold he saved could be used to make several mimeograph machines.
Zhu Jingyi didn't linger after reaching an agreement; she was going to the Qianqing Palace to rob an even wealthier man.
In the evening, Zhu Gaoxi went to the Qianqing Palace to report for duty, but unexpectedly Zhu Yunwen was also there.
The old emperor seemed to have just reached some secret agreement with the crown prince. He took Zhu Gaoxi's hand with great interest and said, "Xi'er, you should thank your crown prince brother. If it weren't for his pleading, your grandfather would not have agreed to let Xie Jin be your teacher. However, you have to promise that Xie Jin can only take classes at the Prince of Wu's residence and cannot enter the palace."
Zhu Gaoxi, being sensible, immediately bowed to Zhu Yunwen to express his gratitude and assured the old emperor, "Grandpa, rest assured, your grandson will absolutely not allow Xie Jin to enter the palace."
"We think your grandson is right. Fang Xiaoru is upright and more suitable to be a teacher. If you regret it in the future, you can ask your grandson to replace him with Fang Xiaoru as your teacher," the old emperor said earnestly, trying to bring his two grandsons together.
"Isn't Mr. Fang teaching the heir apparent at my eleventh uncle's mansion?" Zhu Gaoxi asked, puzzled.
"Your grandson has gone to great lengths for your studies, even sending Fang Xiaoru to the capital to serve in the Hanlin Academy. Fang Xiaoru is of upright character, and if you ever have a bad relationship with Xie Jin, he would be the best candidate," the old emperor patiently explained.