RPAGF Chapter 31 Mao Sui Recommends Himself
Chapter 31 Mao Sui Recommends Himself
Unless it was a major military or political matter, all daily administrative affairs were handled by the Crown Prince, and Zhu Yunwen only needed to give a brief report each day.
Zhu Yuanzhang delegated power fully, and had time to stroll around with Zhu Gaoxi.
Zhu Gaoxi, as if seeking favor, pulled Zhu Yuanzhang to the vegetable garden to look at sweet potatoes.
"What is this?" Zhu Yuanzhang stared at the lush green sweet potato leaves for a long time.
"Grandpa, it's a sweet potato," Zhu Gaoxi said proudly.
"Red Summer?" Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a long time, but couldn't find any relevant information in his mind. "What is Red Summer?"
"Similar to potatoes and yams, but thicker than yams and thinner than potatoes," Zhu Gaoxi said confidently, waiting for praise.
"Is there stew for you? His father built a botanical garden, and I heard that it grows all sorts of famine relief herbs," Zhu Yuanzhang said with equal confidence.
Zhu Gaoxi was disheartened when he was surprised that Zhu Yuanzhang had given the credit to someone else.
Seeing Zhu Gaoxi suddenly deflated, Zhu Yuanzhang patiently asked, "Didn't I prepare some stew for you?"
"Grandpa is wise!" Zhu Gaoxi immediately perked up.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly in satisfaction and leisurely asked a crucial question, "Where did you get it from?"
"Hmm..." Zhu Gaoxi racked his brains, thinking and thinking.
How should we explain this to Zhu Yuanzhang?
He believed I was the reincarnation of Zhu Biao, and that if I mentioned Zhu Biao's name, I could get away with it.
"It was my uncle who told me in a dream," Zhu Gaoxi said mysteriously.
"Biao'er?" Zhu Yuanzhang burst into tears instantly.
Whenever Zhu Biao was mentioned, Zhu Yuanzhang would be extremely saddened and lose his rational judgment.
"Could it really be the reincarnation of Biao'er?" Zhu Yuanzhang murmured to himself, touching Zhu Gaoxi's chubby little hand.
"Otherwise, why would I be so smart?" Zhu Gaoxi boasted.
"What else did your uncle tell you?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.
Zhu Gaoxi suddenly had a brilliant idea and, mustering his courage, said, "Tell me to inherit the throne."
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then patted Zhu Gaoxi's fat arm and said, "Nonsense."
"How did Grandpa know I was lying? If Uncle didn't have such thoughts, why did he tell me about the sweet potatoes?" Zhu Gaoxi argued indignantly.
"When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out," Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and scolded, "You little rascal, you're just lying to people."
"I didn't lie," Zhu Gaoxi continued to defend himself.
"We have already appointed an heir apparent, and we cannot change him," Zhu Yuanzhang said in a low voice, extending his hand. "Let's go for a stroll in the Imperial Garden."
"You can test me," Zhu Gaoxi continued to try.
"You are too young," Zhu Yuanzhang insisted.
"I'm smart enough, and I'm still growing," Zhu Gaoxi muttered.
Zhu Yuanzhang stopped and looked down at Zhu Gaoxi, saying, "Grandpa is too late, I don't have the energy to teach you anymore."
"I know all the skills you taught my uncle before. If you don't believe me, test me," Zhu Gaoxi said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"We'll talk about it later," Zhu Yuanzhang thought, his mind in turmoil.
In terms of natural talent, Youdun and Gaoxi are both superior to Yunwen, but the crown prince needs to be nurtured, and the ability to govern cannot be developed overnight. He doesn't know when he will pass away, and since things have come to this, there is no time to change anything.
Perhaps it was a case of unspoken understanding, but Zhu Gaoxi also thought of Zhu Yuanzhang's concerns about his health.
"Grandpa, why don't you let the imperial physician take your pulse? If he says your health has improved significantly, then you can test me, even if it's just to make me a backup plan," Zhu Gaoxi said sincerely. He didn't want the Jingnan Rebellion to happen.
"A backup plan?" Zhu Yuanzhang found the term quite novel.
"He's a backup candidate. If you find that your brother isn't suitable, I can fill in," Zhu Gaoxi explained. The people in the vegetable garden are all carefully selected and absolutely reliable.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say anything more and walked out of the vegetable garden.
Zhu Gaoxi stopped pursuing the topic, lest someone overhear him.
The grandfather and granddaughter strolled slowly until they met Princess Zhu Jingyi of Jiangdu, at which point they stopped.
"Sister!" Zhu Gaoxi exclaimed.
He liked Zhu Jingyi very much; she was straightforward and warm-hearted.
After bowing to Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Jingyi casually pinched Zhu Gaoxi's chubby cheek.
"Sister, shall we go to the Imperial Garden?" Zhu Gaoxi took her hand.
"Are you going to the Imperial Garden?" Zhu Jingyi asked.
"Yes, let's go together," Zhu Gaoxi said, holding onto Zhu Jingyi's hand tightly.
"That's easy," Zhu Jingyi readily agreed.
Zhu Jingyi was the only daughter of Zhu Biao and his first wife, the Crown Princess Chang, and was Zhu Yunwen's older sister, born to the same parents.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, Zhu Yuanzhang sat idly on a wooden chair.
Zhu Gaoxi then enthusiastically led Zhu Jingyi to catch goldfish.
The goldfish in the pond are colorful and swimming happily in the water.
Worried about the safety of his two young masters, Sanbao took off his shoes, rolled up his trousers, and jumped into the shallow water.
Li Hui found a wooden bucket from somewhere and placed it by the pond.
After catching about five or six, Sanbao stopped and asked, "Young Prince, shall we catch more?"
"Five more!" Zhu Gaoxi excitedly pointed to a small red goldfish. "That one, quick, don't let it get away!"
Zhu Jingyi chuckled and joked, "Yes, catch a few more good-looking ones and give them to Miaojin. She'll definitely like them."
People often joked about his boasting that he would marry Miao Jin, and Zhu Gaoxi was used to it. He didn't respond and walked towards the chair.
Seeing this, Zhu Jingyi quickly followed behind him.
"Should we give the fish to Miaojin?" Zhu Yuanzhang chimed in, joining in the fun.
Why doesn't he pay attention to maintaining his dignified and stable imperial image at such an advanced age? Zhu Gaoxi was very puzzled.
Zhu Gaoxi leaned back in his chair, remaining silent.
"Miaojin is definitely going to marry Youdun, there's no hope for my brother," Zhu Jingyi cruelly rubbed salt into the wound.
"Why was it given to Youdun?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked, puzzled.
"Everyone's saying that You Dun painted a portrait of Miao Jin and the two have secretly pledged their lives to each other," Zhu Jingyi accidentally revealed what Zhu Gaoxi had kept hidden for a long time.
"If Miaojin wants to marry Youdun, we will issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage. Why do we need to arrange a private engagement?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.
"The Crown Prince also likes Miao Jin. Wasn't it because of the Crown Prince that Grandfather didn't let You Dun marry Miao Jin?" Zhu Jingyi asked.
"That's not true. Who told you that?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked, his face showing displeasure.
Zhu Jingyi was so frightened that she muttered under her breath, "That's what everyone says."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and pondered for a moment, then said to Huang Liang, "Go and summon Xu Huizu to the palace. Let's ask him what happened."
"And then there's Xu Zengshou," Zhu Gaoxi pointed out. Xu Huizu might not be willing to tell the truth due to pressure, but Xu Zengshou is different. He and Xu Miaojin have always had the closest relationship, and he can't bear to see Xu Miaojin suffer any injustice.
"Yes, and Xu Zengshou too," Zhu Yuanzhang added, "Let them come to the palace tomorrow, one morning and one afternoon."
Huang Liang accepted the order and left.
After finding out the truth, Zhu Gaoxi learned that Miao Jin was determined to marry Zhu Youdun, leaving him utterly disappointed.
However, allowing the rumors to run rampant would be too damaging to Miao Jin, and Zhu Gaoxi could not stand idly by.
For Miaojin's happiness, let's temporarily ignore our feelings.
He was almost moved to tears by his own selflessness.
Zhu Gaoxi was lost in thought when he suddenly heard Zhu Yuanzhang scold him, "You didn't know about Miaojin's matter? Why didn't you tell us?"