The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 108

Chapter 108: The Door to a Parallel World

“If I utter a single falsehood, may my entire family perish.”

Zhu Di remained silent…

Entire family? Zhu Zhanji mentally calculated, oh dear, would he himself be considered part of Zhu Gaoxu’s family? He and Zhu Gaoxu were only uncle and nephew; it shouldn’t count as the whole family, right?

Knowing Zhu Gaoxu harbored resentment, Zhu Di planted his hands on his hips and said, displeased, “Zhanji, tell your second uncle not to use this to scare me. I don’t believe it.”

“May my entire family perish?” he repeated, incredulous. “Is he swearing an oath, or cursing me? What, does he want to die?”

“There’s a tree outside the palace. A length of rope costs only a few cash. If all else fails, drown yourself in the river; it’ll save me the money on a coffin.”

The father and son stood face to face, barely three steps apart. Yet, they had to communicate through a messenger.

Zhu Gaoxu was equally defiant: “Nephew, tell your grandfather that as long as he issues the order,”

“Whether it’s hanging myself or jumping into a river, I’ll do it immediately.”

Zhu Di actually laughed. “You really think I dare not? You little snot-nose!”

“Does the Prince of Han not want a white silk scarf? Give him one, right here, right in my imperial study, let him hang himself.”

The eunuch, hearing this, immediately knelt down, pleading with Zhu Di. “Your Majesty, the Prince of Han is merely momentarily confused. Please don’t take it seriously.”

“Prince of Han, quickly apologize to Your Majesty.”

The eunuch had served Zhu Di since childhood, having watched Zhu Gaoxu grow up. He knew that this was just the father and son squabbling. If Zhu Di really wanted to kill Zhu Gaoxu, he would have done it long ago. And if Zhu Gaoxu truly wanted to die, he wouldn’t be playing this game of defiance with Zhu Di. The eunuch could only try to mediate between them.

Zhu Zhanji watched impassively, even with some anticipation. If his second uncle died, it would indeed save a lot of trouble.

Fortunately, Zhu Gaoshi happened to arrive to deliver a memorial to Zhu Di. Upon entering, he heard Zhu Di ordering Zhu Gaoxu’s execution, and quickly interceded.

“Father, these are the memorials I’ve reviewed these past few days. Second Brother’s assessments on many of them were accurate.”

“Considering Second Brother has been diligent and hasn’t been negligent in governing, please spare his life.”

Zhu Di naturally didn’t intend to actually kill Zhu Gaoxu. He took the offered escape route, and looking at the kneeling Zhu Gaoxu, he coldly snorted, “Get out!”

Zhu Gaoxu, without looking back, left. Zhu Gaoshi was already accustomed to the conflicts between the father and son.

At this moment, Zhu Di remembered Zhu Gaoxu’s earlier words. If Zhu Gaoxu hadn’t been lying, and the person who injured him was indeed Lan Yu, then the people with him…

Zhu Di quickly asked Zhu Zhanji, “Zhanji, you must have seen these two rebels. One is the Duke of Liang. What were the characteristics of the other?”

Hearing his grandfather’s question, Zhu Zhanji replied, “Characteristics?”

After a moment’s thought, recalling the man’s features, he said, “It seems that the Duke of Liang was very respectful towards the other, older, and scholarly-looking man.”

“He addressed him as ‘Your Majesty,’ and he was wearing a Dragon Robe!”

Assuming Zhu Gaoxu wasn’t lying, that man was Lan Yu. Then who in the world could overpower Lan Yu? And who would wear a Dragon Robe? Zhu Yunwen certainly wouldn’t qualify, and he himself had witnessed Zhu Yunwen’s “self-immolation” in the palace.

But if it were Zhu Yuanzhang, it was also unlikely. If Zhu Yuanzhang were still alive, when he declared the Jingnan Campaign, Zhu Yuanzhang would have personally come with a blade.

Could it be his elder brother…?

But if it were Zhu Biao, why would he be so secretive? Why didn’t Zhu Biao appear when he himself rebelled?

These thoughts seemed to all connect back to Zhuang Mu’s tavern. Both the mysterious Taoist priest and the two rebels had frequented Zhuang Mu’s tavern.

And according to Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Gaosui, they would disappear as soon as they stepped out of the tavern door.

Could it really be related to Zhuang Mu’s abilities? But if he remembered correctly, Zhuang Mu’s ability was to help people enter dreams and manipulate dreams.

“It seems I need to personally ask Zhuang Mu.”

Those with hostile intentions couldn’t approach Zhuang Mu while he was asleep. To capture him while he was awake was also unrealistic. That’s why the Brocade Guard investigation had made no progress.

Could this truly be Zhuang Mu’s doing? Only he could make a living person vanish without a trace.

Perhaps he’d become too close to Zhuang Mu. He’d lost his vigilance.

Even if Zhuang Mu wasn’t directly involved, there was an indirect connection. It couldn’t be mere coincidence that all these people appeared in Zhuang Mu’s tavern.

…

The next day, the sun rose as usual, the previous night’s snow already covering the ankles. In front of the tavern, Ximei was sweeping the snow with a broom, clearing a path and arranging the tables and chairs, and setting out the drinking vessels. Around noon, she would prepare hot water – this was her daily routine.

Soon, the quiet tavern warmed with the arrival of Yao Guangxiao, a bald-headed old monk in black robes.

Zhu Di arrived punctually, bringing Zhu Zhanji with him.

Zhuang Mu was about to prepare drinks when the tavern door opened again, the hanging bell ringing. The newcomers were Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui.

Seeing Zhu Di was already there, Zhu Gaoxu silently went to a table on the left and sat down. Zhu Gaosui hesitated; his father was here, where should he sit?

Fortunately, Zhu Di ignored Zhu Gaoxu and spoke to Zhuang Mu, “Zhuang, we’ve known each other for some time, haven’t we?”

Zhuang Mu, preparing Yao Guangxiao’s drink, replied, “It has been some time. What’s wrong?”

“Aren’t you curious about my identity?”

Without hesitation, Zhuang Mu answered, “Not curious.”

“Of course, whether I know or not depends on you.”

“You want me to know, I’ll know. You don’t want me to know, then I won’t know.”

“As an innkeeper, making and selling drinks is my job. Helping customers with their worries is also part of it.”

High-quality service means satisfying the customer in all aspects, spiritual and material.

Hearing this ambiguous answer, Zhu Di smiled. “Good, then if I want you to know my identity, you will know?”

“Naturally.”

“Who am I?”

“All guests are equal. Here, there’s no distinction between noble and humble; everyone is treated the same, old man, you’re no exception.”

Zhu Di was slightly taken aback. “Equal treatment? What a bold statement!”

Is he elevating himself to the emperor’s level, or am I, the emperor, lowering myself to the level of a merchant? If someone else said “equal treatment” in front of him, it wouldn’t be a death sentence, but a few blows to the buttocks certainly would be. But Zhuang Mu was special.

“When did you know?”

Zhuang Mu looked at Yao Guangxiao: “Actually, after knowing the old monk’s identity, your identity was quite easy to guess, old man.”

Zhu Di looked at Yao Guangxiao and didn’t see any problem. Since his identity was clear, there was no need for further pretense. After all, his imperial identity was evident, and Zhuang Mu didn’t show any fear or distance. There was nothing to worry about.

“Yes, you’re right. I am the Emperor of the Yongle Dynasty.”

“This is my grandson, Zhu Zhanji. As for the other two, I’m sure you know who they are.”

“They’re always idle. Being able to share the same roof with me, you should be able to figure it out.”

Zhuang Mu naturally knew. Yao Guangxiao could intercede for them, their clothing was extravagant, and they were able to socialize with the Emperor regularly; they must be the Prince of Han and the Prince Zhao.

“I’m not here for anything else, I just want to ask you,” Zhu Di continued.

“Lately, some strange people have frequently appeared in your tavern – for instance, the man in the Dragon Robe and that Taoist priest.”

“I had Prince Zhao and Zhanji investigate these people. Guess what?”

“No news at all.”

“As soon as they leave your tavern door, it’s as if they evaporate.”

“I don’t care about the others, but impersonating the Emperor with a Dragon Robe—you should know what that means.”

“You… are you connected to them?”

Zhu Di’s gaze fixed on Zhuang Mu, conveying immense pressure. But Zhuang Mu showed no sign of nervousness, calmly saying, “What connection? Shouldn’t you have already investigated my background?”

“I sleep for eight or ten hours at a time. You wouldn’t think I’m involved with those rebels, would you?”

Zhu Di chuckled. “That’s what I can’t figure out. You sleep for long periods.”

“But these people gather in your tavern. Why?”

This was Zhu Di’s biggest question. If you said Zhuang Mu was suspicious, he did sleep for a long time, with a dozen or so hidden guards watching the tavern. Zhuang Mu was virtually unremarkable.

But if you said he wasn’t suspicious…that Taoist priest and the two rebels frequently appeared here, and only here. And they couldn’t be found. It was as if they vanished into thin air once they left the tavern.

“Perhaps you weren’t directly involved, but indirectly.”

Zhuang Mu was taken aback. He really had nothing to do with these people, but since Zhu Di said this, there must be a reason. The Brocade Guard was ubiquitous throughout the capital, it was impossible that they couldn’t catch anyone, and they had absolutely no information.

“Old man, you said those people disappeared as soon as they left my tavern door?”

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji, who explained, “Yes, your servant girl should have also seen it. It was very strange.”

“Those two disappeared as soon as they left the tavern.”

Zhuang Mu looked at Ximei, his servant, and asked, “Is that true?”

Ximei nodded, “Yes.”

Having received confirmation from Ximei, Zhuang Mu looked at the dream power in his hands. Could it really be his doing?

Zhuang Mu walked from behind the counter to the tavern door. Anyone who left the tavern would disappear.

Then, Zhuang Mu suddenly noticed the dream power clinging to the door…it was too strong.

His dream power leaked easily, especially when he was asleep. Therefore, every part of the tavern was imbued with some of his power. Even Ximei, having spent a long time with him, would sometimes become drowsy. That’s why Ximei often dozed off. It was a side effect of his leaking power, but not a serious one.

Zhu Di and Zhu Zhanji came to Zhuang Mu’s side, looking at the door. “What did you find?”

Zhuang Mu didn’t answer. He slowly placed his hand on the door, then gently infused the door with some of his power. Then, he pushed.

Yao Guangxiao, sitting behind the counter, subtly moved his face.

“Disappeared?”

(Chapter End)

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