RPAGF Chapter 64 Taking a Gamble
Chapter 64 Taking a Gamble
Zhu Gaoxi couldn't help but gasp. The old emperor was truly impartial and ruthless.
In order to prevent others from having any improper thoughts about the position of crown prince, such a cruel rule was set, leaving no way out for anyone.
Once you're on that pirate ship, you're like a pawn crossing a river, with no choice but to move forward.
There's no going back now, so we'll just have to grit our teeth and move on.
Zhu Gaoxi's mind has been completely focused on this matter for the past few days, and the more he thinks about it, the more uneasy he feels.
If this fails, I will be the one who suffers the most.
The old emperor used my tragic experience to intimidate all members of the royal family, making an example of me to deter others. His favorites, You Dun and Prince Yan, were ultimately spared.
I am just a pawn in his game.
He's cunning and treacherous, and he did things unfairly by pushing me to the front lines to be a sacrifice.
Even though he complained a thousand times in his heart, after calming down, Zhu Gaoxi was still able to clearly realize that this was an opportunity given to him by the old emperor, an opportunity to rise to power based on his own strength.
The relationship between Zhu Gaoxi and the Crown Prince was beyond repair.
Once Zhu Yunwen ascends the throne, Zhu Gaoxi will be like a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others, with almost zero chance of escaping.
Zhu Yunwen would not show any mercy to Zhu Gaoxi; he wanted all the princes to see just how serious the consequences of opposing him would be.
Since that's the case, let's go all out.
Zhu Gaoxi and Youdun exchanged a smile and walked into the Qianqing Palace with complete composure, where they began a direct conversation with the old emperor.
With the initial setup of stewing, Zhu Gaoxi and the old emperor didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"This is a letter Xie Jin and Xie Jin wrote to us," the old emperor said, throwing the letter heavily in front of Zhu Gaoxi. He snorted coldly, "Relying on his little bit of cleverness, he easily trusted others, was harmed, and was kept in the dark."
The old emperor was furious whenever the matter was brought up. "That Xie Jin has always been outspoken. How can he keep his mouth shut? You need to know how to appoint the right people to the right places."
"Grandson knows he was wrong, grandson will remember his grandfather's teachings," Zhu Gaoxi humbly admitted his mistake. The old emperor was right, he was indeed in a very passive position this time.
Although Zhu Gaoxi tried his best to appear calm, his voice still sounded immature, and the old emperor immediately softened and couldn't bear to continue scolding him.
The old emperor took a sip of tea, trying to calm himself down.
The thought of his grandson being only five years old filled him with immense anxiety.
He wished he could live another ten or eight years, raise this brat, and then rest in peace without regrets.
If Yunwen is outshone by Gao Xi, preparations must be made in advance to keep the fourth prince and Youdun in the capital.
It's not impossible; that brat is quick-witted and always good at making excuses.
Even when you're in the wrong, you can still find a way to bluff your way out of it.
"Do you know the consequences?" the old emperor asked in a deep, authoritative voice.
"Grandpa, you saved my life. The imperial physicians were helpless and said there was no hope. If you hadn't gone against everyone's advice and brought me back, I would have been a wandering ghost long ago. If I lose to my grandson, I am willing to accept the punishment. Consider it as returning the body to its rightful owner," Zhu Gaoxi said, pretending to be relaxed.
He carefully checked the life-extending system last night. His remaining lifespan is currently thirty years, which means that if the old emperor does not extend his life, he can live to be thirty-five at most.
He was unwilling to accept this fate. He wanted to live a long, long life. He wanted to do more things to please the old emperor and accumulate more lifespan so that he could unlock more functions of the life-extending system shop.
"You remember things from your childhood?!" the old emperor asked, full of surprise.
This is incredible. How can a baby less than a month old remember things?
The old emperor never told his eldest grandson about what happened when he was just born.
"I remember," Zhu Gaoxi replied calmly.
The old emperor turned his questioning gaze to You Dun.
However, this situation is extremely rare, and even stewing cannot provide a reasonable explanation.
Suppressing his confusion, the old emperor asked again, "I want to know, why do you trust Xie Jin and Yin Changlong? What makes you so certain they won't harm you?"
"You certainly didn't trust the wrong people. In their eyes, you are the chosen one, the only one who can become the crown prince."
"Zhang Xin was the top scholar in the imperial examination, yet you refused to let him be your teacher and insisted on choosing Xie Jin instead. That's one thing, but Xie Jin did achieve fame at a young age, and we once valued him highly."
"But what's so special about Yin Changlong? He was appointed as the chief secretary of the Prince of Wu's residence, and you agreed to it without even asking him for details."
"Explain to us what happened?"
All the old emperor's doubts pointed directly to one key point: Zhu Gaoxi, despite his young age, seemed to know everything about Xie Jin and Yin Changlong.
Accurate judgment of a person requires a large amount of information and data from various aspects.
Zhu Gaoxi lived deep within the palace every day; where did he get his information from?
Should we tell the old emperor the truth?
If we tell the old emperor that he knows what will happen to the Ming Dynasty in the future, will he be regarded as a monster and executed immediately?
He could accept dying peacefully in his sleep.
This is the inevitable end that everyone will face, a destiny that must be confronted and cannot be escaped.
Die prematurely, be beaten to death, be subjected to slow slicing, or be poisoned to death...
How terrifying!
It's terrifying to even think about.
If you remain silent, you will definitely fail.
How about we tell a huge lie?
However, after telling one lie, more lies are needed to cover it up.
Living in constant fear and anxiety, worrying that my lies will be exposed, is exhausting just thinking about it.
Between two evils, choose the lesser. After careful consideration, Zhu Gaoxi decided to tell the truth.
Rather than living in constant fear and unease, it's better to be open and honest, living freely between heaven and earth.
do my best!
Just like Ah Q's famous saying, "Eighteen years later, I'll be a hero again."
"Grandpa, I know some of the things that happened later. After my grandson ascended the throne, he postponed the morning court sessions. Yin Changlong spoke frankly to remonstrate with him, and soon after, he was demoted from the capital by my grandson..."
Zhu Gaoxi hesitated, wondering if he should mention the Jingnan Campaign. This concerned the safety of his adoptive father and everyone in the Prince of Yan's household.
Once this matter is revealed, there is no option but to succeed or fail; there is no middle ground.
The cheap father will be completely tied to his war machine.
What right do I have to make decisions for my cheap father?
His father, a loyal and devoted border guard, fought bravely on the battlefield for many years, bearing numerous wounds. Yet, he was targeted by Emperor Jianwen, who plotted to reduce the power of the princes and wanted to eliminate him as soon as possible. Where could he go to seek justice? Who could give him a fair chance?
"What are you worried about? Why aren't you saying anything? What happened after we died?" the old emperor asked repeatedly, sitting on his couch.
Since stew was the old emperor's favorite food, let's start by talking about Zhu Yunwen's reduction of the power of the princes.
Zhu Gaoxi made up his mind and slowly said, "Three months after my grandson ascended the throne, he began to vigorously reduce the power of the princes, and his first target was my fifth uncle." Zhu Gaoxi held Youdun's hand, worried that he would get emotional.
"Let Li Jinglong lead troops to Kaifeng under the pretext of inspecting the border in the north, and then surround the Prince of Zhou's mansion by surprise. He deposed my fifth uncle and exiled my brother's family to the malaria-ridden land of Yunnan."