novelAbuy Chapter 6: Did Zhu Yuanzhang Feign Illness?
Chapter 6: Did Zhu Yuanzhang Feign Illness?
Zhu Yunwen pondered for a moment, then said to him, "Wait a moment, brother, I'll think of a way." He then carried a small bowl of meat and excitedly went into the small kitchen.
Zhu Yunwen wanted to help, but dared not steal the limelight from Zhu Yunwen, so he could only offer a sympathetic smile.
After a short while, Zhu Yunwen handed Zhu Gaoxi a piece of chopped mutton.
Zhu Gaoxi quickly opened his mouth.
Do you know how hard it is for me to have a stutter?!
You know what, Zhu Yunwen's knife skills were pretty good; he could just swallow it whole without chewing.
Because of the mutton, Zhu Gaoxi's impression of Zhu Yunwen changed drastically.
Although Zhu Yunwen was hypocritical and pretentious, and even harbored feelings for Xu Miaojin, he was not entirely without merit.
For example, he was particularly good at showing affection for his younger brother in front of his grandfather.
Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to enjoy such delicious mutton.
In November, Guan Tong, a guard of the Prince of Yan's mansion, returned to the capital on official business and brought Zhu Gaoxi a gift: two sand tables, each containing hundreds of wooden components, which were dazzling to behold.
"Your fourth uncle's gift is timely; it's perfect for strategizing military tactics," Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Yunwen.
Zhu Gaoxi was very curious about his cheap father's gift and hurriedly crawled over to take it.
But Xu Miaojin dragged him back without any mercy.
Undeterred, Zhu Gaoxi climbed up again at top speed.
Xu Miaojin reacted quickly and pulled him back to his original position.
Zhu Gaoxi relentlessly crawled and tried to snatch it.
This was repeated many times.
Don't cry or make a fuss, set your sights on your goal, and never give up.
"Miaojin, let him come over," Zhu Yuanzhang said, his voice full of affection.
"If the satisfaction level reaches 100, the life can be extended for another year."
The notification sound rang, and Zhu Gaoxi clicked without hesitation.
"Life has been successfully extended by one year, with a current lifespan of four years. Satisfaction level is now zero."
To prevent Zhu Gaoxi from causing trouble, Zhu Yuanzhang had craftsmen make some component molds and sent someone to find some colored clay, which he gave to Xu Miaojin to help Zhu Gaoxi make the components.
Underestimating people!
Determined to prove his abilities, Zhu Gaoxi created five or six different components in succession, prompting Xu Miaojin to exclaim in amazement.
For a baby only a few months old to do this is truly a miracle.
Upon seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang praised it highly, and Zhu Yunwen echoed his praise, saying, "My younger brother is truly clever!"
Although clay was fun, Zhu Gaoxi's attention was quickly drawn to something else.
He's starting to learn to walk!
The feeling of running around and exploring on my own is amazing.
Just as Zhu Gaoxi was becoming fascinated by this, Zhu Yuanzhang fell ill again.
This illness was different from the last one. Zhu Yuanzhang refused visits and care from the concubines in the harem, and he also forbade Zhu Yunwen from getting close. Even Zhu Gaoxi was moved to a side hall.
Only the Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen could serve him personally.
Zhu Gaoxi was deeply worried.
His grandfather was his greatest support in the palace.
What if he ascends to immortality ahead of schedule? How will he cope when he's just learning to walk?
Moreover, how could four years of life expectancy be enough? He wants to live for hundreds of years.
He still needs his grandfather, the Emperor, to prolong his life.
Grandfather falls ill every few days, which is truly frightening.
The emperor's illness once again alarmed the civil and military officials.
Unlike last time, this time Zhu Yunwen was able to legitimately sit in the Qianqing Palace to handle daily affairs and kept all visiting officials out.
At first, everyone obediently followed orders.
Five or six days later, some military officers began to complain in hushed tones, and some even began to suspect that the Crown Prince had placed the Emperor under house arrest.
Lan Yu couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness is preventing us from seeing His Majesty. What if His Majesty wants to discuss something with us?"
Having served Zhu Yuanzhang for a long time, many military generals learned to refer to themselves as "zan" (咱), as a way of distinguishing themselves from civil officials.
Those who dare to openly refer to themselves as "us" are all trusted military generals of the emperor, holding extraordinary positions and wielding immense power.
Of course, not all nobles are as high-profile as Lan Yu; for example, Duke Feng Sheng of Song.
Lan Yu has always acted this way, and the Emperor has always been tolerant of him; everyone has long been used to it.
No matter how the military generals threatened him, Zhu Yunwen remained indifferent and refused to come.
Although the military officers spoke in a rather harsh tone, they did not dare to trespass into the Qianqing Palace and could only wait outside.
Seeing Imperial Physician Chen emerge from the Qianqing Palace, Lan Yu strode forward, pulled him aside to a secluded spot, and asked in a very low voice, "How is His Majesty's illness?"
Dr. Chen shook his head and sighed repeatedly, "It's a fever."
Lan Yu was a rough and uncultured man who didn't know anything about medicine and couldn't figure out how serious the illness was. He could only guess from Dr. Chen's expression.
Judging from Dr. Chen's distraught appearance, he is probably quite ill.
Lan Yu immediately understood.
The old man probably doesn't have many days left.
Does this mean we'll have to take orders from that immature little kid from now on?
No, at this crucial moment, he needs to go home and think things through carefully.
Lan Yu turned and left, heading straight out of the palace.
The other generals exchanged bewildered glances. What important information had Lan Yu uncovered? And why did he leave so abruptly?
Could it be that the Emperor...
Some military officers felt a sudden unease.
What if the emperor suddenly passes away?
Wouldn't the sky be falling?
Zhu Gaoxi stood under the eaves, leaning against a pillar, watching his civil and military officials gather together and whisper among themselves.
If the Emperor were to suddenly pass away, how many of those present would be reliable?
The same question was raised by the Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen.
Just as he was deep in thought, a military officer walked towards him, squatted down in front of him, and reached out his hand, saying, "Gao Xi, come to your uncle."
Zhu Gaoxi hesitated and did not move, unsure whether he was Xu Huizu or Xu Zengshou.
No matter who it is, it's not his biological uncle.
Xu Miaojin stepped forward and called out, "Big Brother."
Zhu Gaoxi immediately realized that it was Xu Huizu.
However, he remained unmoved.
"Little one, this is your uncle," Xu Miaojin said, reaching out to take his hand.
Upon hearing this, Xu Huizu gently reprimanded, "Miaojin, don't be rude."
Zhu Gaoxi placed his hand in Xu Huizu's broad palm.
Xu Huizu picked him up in one go.
A scholar-like man in a green robe walked over, took his small hand and teased him, "Gao Xi, call me brother."
Xu Miaojin bowed and said, "Duke Cao."
This man is Li Jinglong; no wonder he is so dashing and handsome.
Unfortunately, he wasn't a woman and wasn't interested in such things. Zhu Gaoxi pursed his lips and remained silent.
He can call him "brother," and Zhu Yunwen often feeds him delicious food to encourage him to do so.
Every time I call him "brother," I get a reward.
But "brother" isn't a title you can just call anyone.
Li Jinglong, this good-for-nothing playboy, was disliked by Zhu Gaoxi.
After making a fool of himself, Li Jinglong tried to push his luck and insisted on hugging him.
Zhu Gaoxi huddled in Xu Huizu's arms, refusing to comply.
"He's a little shy around strangers," Xu Huizu kindly explained.
Li Jinglong opened his mouth, but didn't say anything harsh. He gave an embarrassed smile and walked away.
Seeing Zhu Yunwen come out of the Qianqing Palace, Xu Miaojin quickly helped Zhu Gaoxi down.
Xu Huizu approached Zhu Yunwen and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, I have found a renowned physician. Shall we bring him into the palace?"
"Your Excellency Wei has gone to great lengths. My grandfather's condition has stabilized and there is no need for it for the time being."
Zhu Yunwen refused decisively without the slightest hesitation.