The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 15

Chapter 15: Brother, What Was Your Answer?

Zhu Zhanji arrived later and didn’t know what was going on. However, when he heard Zhu Di wanted to drink more alcohol, he wanted to dissuade him: “Grandpa, your health…” Before he could finish, Zhu Di interrupted him.

“Then I’ll trouble you.”

Having said that, Zhu Di turned his gaze towards Zhu Zhanji beside him and softly said, “If you have nothing to do, help Zhu Wei and the others clear the snow.”

Zhu Zhanji was stunned and didn’t dare say anything more. If he dared to advise further, he might actually be driven out. The snow outside had already been cleared by the Brocade Guard that morning. However, for Zhu Di’s sake, he still looked towards Yao Guangxiao, hoping he would speak up and dissuade him.

Yao Guangxiao narrowed his eyes, his eyelids drooping, seemingly oblivious to Zhu Zhanji’s gaze. He sat quietly.

Zhuang Mu had already fetched a jar of wine from the backyard and was now warming it. In the summer, spring, or autumn, this warming step wouldn’t be necessary; the brewed wine could be poured directly into a cup.

At this moment, excitement shone in Zhu Di’s eyes. Although he was suppressing his inner feelings, the joy on his face was undeniable.

Soon, Zhuang Mu infused the wine with dream energy, and its color quickly changed from yellow to a dazzling, starry sky hue. Most of the wine drunk in this era was yellow wine and fruit wine, mostly yellow in color. Other colors existed, but were rare.

Looking at the cup of wine in Zhuang Mu’s hand, Zhu Di’s gaze was fervent.

“Old man, I still have to remind you a few things,” he said. “Once you enter the dream, remember not to get lost in it, and wake up on time. Don’t be like yesterday, unwilling to wake up.”

Zhu Di smiled. “Don’t worry.”

Seeing Zhu Di’s radiant expression, Zhuang Mu knew that the old man probably hadn’t taken his words to heart. However, the duration of the dream was still up to him. Even if he didn’t want to wake up, he wouldn’t be able to help it.

“Here.” Zhuang Mu pushed the cup of wine towards Zhu Di. Then he pushed two cups of wine with different effects to the old monk and the emperor’s grandson respectively.

Zhu Zhanji looked at the cup of wine but didn’t drink it. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Zhu Di. When Zhu Di took the wine, he drank it down in one gulp without hesitation.

Gradually, that familiar feeling began to assail his brain. His head felt heavy, and he felt extremely sleepy. Zhu Di slumped onto the semicircular table in front of him and fell into a heavy sleep.

Zhu Zhanji was frightened by this sight. “What did you do?!” “Guards!”

Zhu Wei was also in the tavern but ignored Zhu Zhanji’s shouts. Seeing that everyone around him remained motionless, Zhu Zhanji became anxious. Thankfully, Yao Guangxiao spoke up.

“Your grandfather is just asleep, don’t panic.”

Asleep? Asleep? Zhu Zhanji placed his hand on Zhu Di’s nose; his breathing was steady, and he was unharmed. Seeing this, he finally felt relieved. It was alright.

…

The thirteenth year of the Hongwu reign. For the second time, he had entered the dream, and faced the surrounding blackness, he was much calmer. After three breaths, the surroundings began to brighten.

The dream world. It was so real that it was unbelievable that it was a dream. He wondered what it would feel like to die in a dream. After a moment of thought, Zhu Di quickly shook his head, shaking off these chaotic thoughts. The immediate priority was to find Zhu Biao and apologize for what he had done yesterday.

Zhu Di lifted his feet and ran towards the direction Zhu Biao had left. He then discovered that his body was incredibly light; the feeling was wonderful. In the real world, he was already old, and even lifting a sword and riding a horse was somewhat strenuous. But here, the heaviness of age had completely vanished.

Quickly, Zhu Di caught up with Zhu Biao. Upon seeing Zhu Biao, he shouted, “Brother!”

Zhu Biao looked back and saw Zhu Di running towards him. In the blink of an eye, Zhu Di ran to Zhu Biao, not even out of breath. This young body was truly amazing.

Looking at Zhu Di, Zhu Biao said, “Lao Si (Fourth Brother), is there anything else?”

This time, Zhu Di wasn’t flustered. He had already thought about what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it. After organizing his words, Zhu Di took a deep breath and said, “Brother, I’m sorry.”

“I shouldn’t have said those things, it hurt your feelings.” “Can… can you forgive me?”

Zhu Biao was taken aback, then chuckled faintly. “Lao Si, you don’t need to apologize for things that haven’t happened. And I wouldn’t be angry about things that haven’t happened.”

“Regardless, you are still Zhu Lao Si, my good brother. And I am still your elder brother.”

Looking at Zhu Di, who was almost taller than him, he couldn’t help but sigh. Time really flies. The little guy who used to follow him around was already this grown.

Zhu Biao patted Zhu Di on the shoulder. “Alright, I still have things to do. Don’t dwell on these things.”

Having said that, Zhu Biao turned and left. Looking at his departing figure, Zhu Di still hadn’t received an answer. If he really rebelled, what would Zhu Biao do?

From his tone, Zhu Biao clearly hadn’t taken his words seriously, considering them mere jokes. Of course, perhaps Zhu Biao was telling the truth. But are words and actions the same?

Even if Zhu Biao could forgive him… what about Father…?

His two biggest nightmares: Zhu Biao, and the Founder Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Biao was kind and virtuous, but Zhu Yuanzhang was not so easy to talk to.

Should he go see him…? Zhu Di pondered. He still had the courage to see Zhu Biao, because regardless of the future, at least the present Zhu Biao was good to him.

But his father… had always been a towering, awe-inspiring figure in his heart, someone who killed without blinking. He didn’t dare to see Zhu Yuanzhang. He felt guilty, and he was afraid that if he saw Zhu Yuanzhang, all his thoughts would be seen through. He might not even be able to stand firm.

Most importantly, this was the thirteenth year of the Hongwu reign, not long after the Hu Weiyong case erupted. It was the period when Zhu Yuanzhang’s killing intent was at its peak, and he didn’t dare to easily approach him.

After much thought, he finally chose to go to the inner palace to see his mother, whom he hadn’t seen in thirty years.

Zhu Di strode towards the inner palace. The imperial palace was vast, but he was intimately familiar with it. The imperial palace of the Hongwu Dynasty and the Yongle Dynasty were not much different. The only difference was the addition of a palace that had been burned down… The rest was just renovation.

The palace in Beiping was already under construction, so there was no need to build any other facilities in the Capital City; they would eventually move there.

Soon, following the route in his memory, Zhu Di quickly arrived at the inner palace.

(End of Chapter)

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