My father, Zhu Di, was granted a second life by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chapter 11 Zhu Di interrogates the fourth prince

Zhu Hui spoke softly, but just loud enough for Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yuntong, and Zhu Gaoxi to all hear.

Zhu Yunwen paused for a moment, then quickly regained his composure.

Zhu Gaoxi could clearly feel Zhu Yunwen's hand suddenly tighten.

How did the rumor that the stepmother was destined to give birth to an emperor spread? This needs to be investigated thoroughly.

It could potentially implicate the entire Prince Yan's residence.

Back at the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yunwen gave Zhu Yuanzhang a brief report on the inspection.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and said earnestly, "You have lived in the deep palace since you were a child and have never been exposed to the outside world. You don't know much about the wickedness of people's hearts. Many times, you don't need to care what others say. The most important thing is not to forget your original intention. When we were young, we never heard any monks or Taoist priests telling fortunes and saying that our parents would give birth to an emperor."

After hearing this, Zhu Yunwen explained in a calm tone, "Grandfather, I didn't take what my nineteenth uncle said to heart."

"Yunwen, you must always remember that in front of the princes, you are first and foremost the ruler, and only secondly their nephew. As a ruler, you must not let the words of your subjects sway your mindset," Zhu Yuanzhang instructed.

"The emperor, who is the supreme ruler, can only ever be a lonely figure. He needs to make decisions independently and not rely on anyone. He must learn to maintain balance and to manage all kinds of people to serve him," Zhu Yuanzhang shared his wisdom.

"Grandfather, I've got it," Zhu Yunwen nodded solemnly.

"Spend more time with Yunhu. He's the kind of person who keeps his head down and accepts everything passively, never saying a word and enduring everything," Zhu Yuanzhang said, his eyes reddening. "Before, your father and I didn't care much about him. We don't know how he became like this. He accepts whatever is given to him, and he doesn't say a word when he loses anything. He never takes the initiative to fight for anything."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed deeply, "He's gotten used to it. The pain has become too much, he's become numb, he's gotten used to losing, he's gotten used to giving up..."

"It's my fault, I haven't cared enough for my third brother," Zhu Yunwen said, bowing his head in self-reproach.

"How can you be blamed? How old were you when his mother passed away?" Zhu Yuanzhang wiped away his tears and continued, "Gao Xi is too young, and Yun Tong is too weak. You need someone by your side. We'll have your third and fourth uncles bring their sons back to the capital and pick a few out to study with you."

"No matter how old your uncles are, you can't let them accompany you. They are of a higher generation than you, so you have to be careful," Zhu Yuanzhang patted Zhu Yunwen on the shoulder. "When the family is together, you have to maintain distance while also taking care of family ties. Your father has grasped this balance well. You need to think things through carefully when things happen."

Zhu Gaoxi pretended to be asleep, but he memorized all these imperial strategies.

As soon as Zhu Yunwen left, Zhu Yuanzhang grabbed his ear.

"Little one, are you pretending to be asleep?"

Zhu Gaoxi quickly covered his ears and got up, smiling obsequiously, "Grandpa."

"If you hadn't caused trouble, your nineteenth uncle wouldn't have said those nonsense things. You little brat, don't take advantage of your young age to cause trouble for us everywhere," Zhu Yuanzhang scolded.

Zhu Gaoxi was like a mute eating bitter melon, unable to express his suffering.

"Be careful not to lead your father astray," Zhu Yuanzhang threatened. "The prerequisite for doing evil is to ensure your own safety first. When your father arrives in the capital, see if he doesn't beat you up."

"No," Zhu Gaoxi said tearfully.

"We don't believe it," Zhu Yuanzhang stated in a deep, resonant voice.

"Grandpa!" Zhu Gaoxi called out loudly.

"You little brat, you don't know right from wrong. Your brother is trying his best to protect you, but you just cause him trouble. If he gets angry, even your father will have to suffer. What right do you have to mess with him?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked aggressively.

"Strange Grandpa," Zhu Gaoxi felt extremely wronged.

"It's no use complaining. Since Grandpa has chosen your grandson, it can only be him. Everyone has to listen to him. If you secretly cause trouble again, don't blame Grandpa for getting really angry," Zhu Yuanzhang said, patting his little head.

"No," Zhu Gaoxi continued to argue.

"That's good. Your grandson doesn't have many people he can trust and rely on, and you are one of them. Don't let him down," Zhu Yuanzhang advised.

That's a bit difficult.

Zhu Gaoxi himself didn't care.

But if Zhu Yunwen really targets his adoptive father, he has to stop him no matter what.

If the two sides really fight, he will definitely side with his cheap dad.

In August, Prince Zhu Shuang of Qin, Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, Prince Zhu Di of Yan, Prince Zhu Su of Zhou, and Prince Zhu Fu of Qi came to court.

Zhu Gaoxi danced with excitement, running wildly towards his adoptive father's arms.

A chubby man with an unfamiliar face greeted him with a smile, "Fourth Brother."

He must be the eldest brother, Zhu Gaochi.

How could he be so fat?!

It's truly breathtaking.

Compared to him, Zhu Yunwen was merely a man who had taken off his clothes and was showing off his flesh.

"Hey, little guy," a muscular young man next to the fat man grinned at him.

Who is this person?

Zhu Gaoxi didn't bother to look at him. He smelled the sweat on his adoptive father and felt that his whole life had finally settled down.

His admiration for the strong is ingrained in his very being.

Standing firmly on the side of the Yongle Emperor was definitely the best solution in life.

As long as you hold on tightly to your cheap father, wealth and riches will come rolling in.

Zhu Yuanzhang told his adoptive father about every single evil deed he had committed.

As a high and mighty emperor, how could he, at such an advanced age, file a complaint?

Zhu Gaoxi's dissatisfaction with his grandfather, the Emperor, quickly reached its peak.

The cheapskate father solemnly promised that he would teach him a lesson.

Zhu Gaoxi's heart was utterly cold.

Upon returning to the Prince of Yan's residence in the capital, Zhu Gaoxi was harassed.

"I'm your second brother, and you ignore me. Little guy, you've got some nerve, daring to tease Zhu Yunwen and mess with my temper."

The second brother, Zhu Gaoxu, was too aggressive, and Zhu Gaoxi had no choice but to beg for mercy repeatedly, "Brother, brother."

"That's more like it. If you dare to ignore me again, this is how you'll be treated," Zhu Gaoxu declared to Zhu Gaoxi with an air of dominance.

"Second Prince, put him down," Zhu Di said with a frown. "Both of you go out. I have something to say to Fourth Prince."

After Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu left the house, they closed the door tightly.

Zhu Di took out a copy of "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu and placed it in front of Zhu Gaoxi, asking, "Do you recognize all the characters in this?"

What does "cheap dad" mean?

How do you know about it?

So what if we don't know each other?

Zhu Gaoxi pretended not to understand and wore a silly grin.

"Indeed, there was a monk who said your mother was destined to give birth to an emperor, and that you caused trouble for the crown prince, almost killing your father," Zhu Di asked, looking into his eyes. "Your grandfather ordered me to investigate this matter within a specified time. What do you suggest I do?"

Zhu Gaoxi had no idea how to solve this enormous problem.

All he knew was that as long as he followed the Yongle Emperor, he would be the ultimate winner.

As for what happened, he really didn't know.

Zhu Di took out a stack of papers, wrote one character on each one, and then showed them to Zhu Gaoxi.

Although Zhu Gaoxi did not speak, his changing expressions were still clearly seen by his adoptive father.

Zhu Di placed the letter on the table and sighed, "I knew him after all."

Zhu Gaoxi burst into tears when he realized his cheap father had treated him this way.