The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 118

Chapter 117: Two Dragons Converge, Zhu Di and Zhu Biao’s Reunion!

He spoke directly.

“Big Brother, it wasn’t Father forcing me to go to my fiefdom, I wanted to go myself.”

“After I leave, Big Brother, take care.”

Though finding it somewhat strange, Zhu Biao didn’t think much of it. He had been by his side for over a decade; it was natural to feel some weariness eventually. Going to his fiefdom was a good thing.

Zhu Biao nodded. “Yes, you take care too. Though I’ve said it many times, I still want to thank you.”

“If anything happens in the future, send someone with a message to me. I’ll do whatever I can.”

With that, Zhu Biao spurred his horse, returning to the Capital City.

Zhu Di listened to the fading sound of Zhu Biao’s departure, then turned his gaze to Xu Miaoyun, who had remained silent beside him.

Perhaps she had already sensed something, but she was suppressing her emotions.

Unfortunately, unable to maintain his family life, Zhu Di apologetically said to Xu Miaoyun,

“I’m sorry, Miaoyun, I can’t grow old with you.”

“I’ve only caused you suffering.”

Xu Miaoyun hugged Zhu Di, tears welling in her eyes, her voice choked with emotion.

“Husband, why…?”

“There aren’t so many whys. After I die, don’t make a fuss. Wait until we reach Beiping before spreading news of my death.”

“I entrust this home to you.”

With that, Zhu Di fell into a deep sleep.

However, soon two attendants in the procession noticed something unusual in the carriage. They instantly realized something was wrong, and one of them rode back to the Capital City.

He reached the Imperial Palace without any hindrance.

In the Imperial Study, Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing memorials as usual. When he looked up and saw the return of the man he had sent out,

his pen fell to the ground.

His fourth son… was dead.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat slumped on the Dragon Throne, lost in thought.

Seven days later, the procession reached Beiping. Xu Da, excitedly coming to greet his daughter and son-in-law, received unbelievable news.

Zhu Di was dead.

Xu Da stared at Xu Miaoyun in disbelief, but seeing her tear-stained face, he understood… it was true.

How could this be? Zhu Di could even cure his own illnesses, why would he die so suddenly?

Soon, news of Yan Wang Zhu Di’s arrival at his Beiping fiefdom spread.

Upon learning this in the Imperial Palace in the Capital City, Zhu Biao wept for three days without stopping, until he was hoarse and exhausted.

The dream ended here.

Zhu Di looked at his surroundings, surprised.

Wasn’t it over? Why hadn’t he woken up yet?

Then, scene after scene from his memory began to resurface.

…

Unbeknownst to him,

at this moment, in Hong Sheng Dynasty, Lan Yu was continuously watching the tavern.

His persistence paid off; the tavern door opened slightly.

Seeing this, Lan Yu quickly sent someone to inform Zhu Biao in the palace.

Zhu Biao was diligently handling state affairs in the palace. He would occasionally recall past events. He still couldn’t understand why Zhu Di had suddenly insisted on going to his fiefdom, only to die suddenly after arriving.

If only he could have stopped his fourth brother from going to his fiefdom back then. Perhaps Zhu Di wouldn’t have died.

His father and mother had always attributed his fourth brother’s death to the fact that “a doctor cannot heal himself.”

But he always felt something was wrong, though he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Just as Zhu Biao was handling state affairs, he saw the man sent by Lan Yu.

“Your Majesty! Duke Lan has ordered me to inform you that the tavern door is now open. Please proceed quickly.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao abruptly stood from his Dragon Throne.

Finally opened.

What secrets had his father and mother hidden? It was time to reveal them.

Just as Liu Bei had made three visits to the thatched cottage to meet Chancellor Zhuge (referencing the famous story of Liu Bei seeking out Zhuge Liang), his three visits to the tavern should also allow him to meet Zhuang Mu.

Zhu Biao hurried towards the tavern.

…

In the tavern,

Zhu Di watched scene after scene of memories flashing before his eyes.

It was like the final memories before his death. Zhuang Mu, this dream is far too real!

Unbeknownst to him, Zhu Biao had arrived outside the tavern.

However, they were on different rivers.

Gazing at the slightly ajar door, Zhu Biao felt anxious.

He spoke to Lan Yu beside him, “Xu Yungong, and Lan Yu, you two will accompany me today.”

Last time, because Lan Yu was old and not as strong as he once was, he was defeated and injured by someone who looked very much like Zhu Gaoxu. This time, with Xu Yungong, he felt a bit more secure.

Lan Yu and Xu Yungong exchanged glances and nodded.

“Yes.”

“Everyone else, wait here. If anything…”

Oh well, the sounds from inside the tavern seemed inaudible outside.

Zhu Biao, Lan Yu, and Xu Yungong went to the tavern entrance. Then, with a creak, Lan Yu pushed open the door.

The tavern’s most peculiar aspect was that without entering, even with the door open, one couldn’t see anything inside.

Zhu Biao stood tall and strode into the tavern.

Inside the tavern,

Zhuang Mu also looked towards the entrance.

Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, Zhu Wei, and Di Ping all looked towards the entrance. The bell didn’t move, indicating that these three people were from other rivers.

Zhu Biao, Xu Yungong, and Lan Yu surveyed their surroundings.

Suddenly!!!

Just as he was about to ask the young man behind the counter if his name was Zhuang Mu,

he suddenly caught sight of a familiar yet strange figure.

At this moment, Lan Yu and Xu Yungong also froze.

Their gazes fell upon an elderly man sitting in a recliner on the left side of the tavern, with a tall and strong guard standing beside him.

Lan Yu almost couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Xu Yungong, if I’m not mistaken… that old man looks very much like Yan Wang.”

Looking at the old man in the recliner, Xu Yungong was also in turmoil.

“Indeed… he looks very similar.”

As Zhu Biao looked at the old man, images of Zhu Di flashed through his mind. His voice trembled, “Fourth… Fourth Brother.”

As he said this, Zhu Biao was shocked and overjoyed and walked toward Zhu Di.

It was his fourth brother! It was him! He couldn’t possibly be mistaken!

Both in terms of temperament and appearance!

Even if Zhu Di had aged, he couldn’t have mistaken him.

When Zhu Wei saw Zhu Biao approaching, he quickly stopped him.

“Stop! You shall not approach Your Majesty!”

Zhu Biao froze.

Your Majesty?

Lan Yu and Xu Yungong were also stunned.

Your Majesty???

Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, and Di Ping came to Zhu Wei’s side.

“Third Brother, do you see the man with three scars on his face? He is Lan Yu.”

Zhu Gaosui looked at Lan Yu. He never expected this man to be Lan Yu; he didn’t look very powerful.

When Lan Yu was killed, he was only a teenager. Though he might have seen Lan Yu in certain scenes, many years had passed, and he had almost forgotten what Lan Yu looked like. However, this Lan Yu seemed quite different from the one he remembered.

Zhu Biao’s gaze was entirely on Zhu Di in the recliner.

Meanwhile,

the commotion in the tavern gradually woke Zhu Di. After watching those memory fragments, he could sense the movements outside.

Zhu Di slowly sat up, rubbing his head. Sure enough, the death in the dream had some effect on his reality.

Zhuang Mu’s ability is truly extremely dangerous. If not controlled properly, it easily damages the brain. No wonder his grandfather went crazy.

Just then, Zhu Di seemed to hear someone calling him.

“Fourth Brother… is that you?”

At this time, Zhu Wei, Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, and Di Ping wisely made way.

Lan Yu and Xu Yungong stood on either side.

And so, Zhu Di and Zhu Biao’s eyes met.

In an instant, the entire tavern fell silent; they could even clearly hear the sound of snow falling outside.

Zhu Di initially didn’t recognize Zhu Biao. Zhu Biao had aged, being about fifty or almost sixty years old.

“Big… Big Brother?” Zhu Di called out, his voice trembling.

Simultaneously, Zhu Di and Zhu Biao both said the same words, though in different tones: “You… aren’t dead?!”

Zhu Di slapped himself hard with his right hand.

Was he still dreaming? How could his older brother be here?!

He was completely dumbfounded.

Zhu Biao stepped forward and embraced Zhu Di.

“Brother, long time no see.”

Feeling Zhu Biao’s body temperature and the scent of what seemed like green tea, Zhu Di knew that his older brother was really alive!

Zhu Di immediately put his arms around Zhu Biao’s back. The reunion of brothers, even with a thousand words to say, was surpassed by a hug that conveyed their longing.

Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, Zhu Wei, and Di Ping were also surprised.

Unexpectedly, the man with the goatee and imposing demeanor was indeed the Yiwen Crown Prince, Zhu Biao.

Though somewhat stunned, Zhu Di said, “Big Brother, long… time no see.”

Hearing this, Zhu Biao released Zhu Di and patted his shoulder.

He smiled, “Fourth Brother, why do you seem unhappy?”

Looking at the lifelike Zhu Biao, Zhu Di looked at Zhuang Mu.

He asked, “Zhuang Mu, what’s going on?”

“Didn’t Big Brother die in the twenty-fifth year of the Hongwu reign?”

Judging by his appearance, Zhu Biao was at least fifty years old, which left him confused. How could someone who was dead appear in the Yongle Dynasty?

Zhu Biao was stunned. “Fourth Brother, I should be the one saying that. Didn’t you die of illness when you went to your fiefdom?”

“How are you here? Where is this place? Also, what was the secret Father and Mother kept from us?”

“Since you’re alive, why didn’t you tell me?”

That’s right, both were dumbfounded.

In the Yongle Dynasty, Zhu Biao died in the twenty-fifth year of the Hongwu reign, followed by the Jingnan Campaign.

In the Hong Sheng Dynasty, Zhu Di died in the twenty-fifth year of the Hongwu reign, shortly after arriving at his Beiping fiefdom.

Zhuang Mu looked at the scene, lost in thought. He then came before the two and brought over a chair.

He asked Zhu Di and Zhu Biao to sit down.

Actually, he was also a little confused. Zhu Biao’s appearance wasn’t unexpected. After all, his ability could connect other rivers, allowing fish from other rivers to come to the Yongle Dynasty.

The key was… why was Zhu Biao so old?

(End of Chapter)

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