The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 29

Chapter 29: Usurping the Dragon Robe, Prince Han Zhu Gaoxu

Traitors are common.

Unintelligent traitors are also common.

However, this was the first time he had seen a traitor act so openly.

Carrying out his schemes right under his nose, right under the Brocade Guard’s nose.

Either he was incredibly foolish, or his power was unimaginably vast, giving him the audacity to do this.

Let’s rule out the possibility of a fool risking his entire clan’s lives in this manner.

In all the land today, who possesses the ability and power to be so audacious?

Perhaps… only the Crown Prince’s faction.

Zhu Di’s icy gaze swept towards Zhu Gaoshi.

Immediately, a chill ran down Zhu Gaoshi’s spine. He knew.

Zhu Di’s suspicion was flaring up, and he himself would likely be implicated.

Although Zhu Di’s gaze was terrifying, he had to maintain his composure.

Besides, this matter truly had nothing to do with him. Even if Zhu Di suspected him, he wasn’t afraid.

Gazing at Zhu Gaoshi, Zhu Di pondered.

Currently in the court and the country, the most powerful was his Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was the Regent, holding the power to appoint officials throughout the court and the country.

Many officials in high and low positions came from the Crown Prince’s mansion.

He had turned a blind eye to this.

After all, as long as the six ministers were his people, and he reviewed all official appointments, it should be fine.

Logically, it shouldn’t be Zhu Gaoshi.

But who knows for sure?

“Eldest son, you’ve been staying in the Eastern Palace reviewing memorials these days, correct?”

Zhu Gaoshi replied, “Reporting to Father Emperor, you know me. I barely leave the Eastern Palace. If you hadn’t summoned me, I wouldn’t even bother stepping out of the Eastern Palace gates.”

He rarely even left the imperial palace.

He was very fat, and even walking was strenuous. It was impossible for him to stroll through Jinchuan Street wearing a Dragon Robe.

Although this explanation was quite reasonable.

Since Zhu Gaoshi had moved into the Eastern Palace, he had indeed rarely left the imperial palace gates.

His size alone made it improbable.

Before Zhu Di could continue questioning, Zhu Gaoshi spoke first.

“Father Emperor, this matter is of great importance. The Brocade Guard should immediately investigate this thoroughly.”

“To usurp the Dragon Robe is to show disloyalty, if not outright treason.”

“It’s best to find out the truth as soon as possible.”

Only by finding out the truth quickly could he lessen Zhu Di’s suspicion of him.

Yao Guangxiao also knew that Zhu Di was suspicious.

Once this incident came to light, everyone would be suspected, even Zhu Gaoshi.

This was why he had hesitated to inform Zhu Di.

The older one gets, the more suspicious one becomes.

Especially the Founder Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had severe paranoia in his later years.

Zhu Di perfectly inherited this trait, although his suspicions were comparatively less severe.

“Your Majesty, I also believe that this matter should be investigated quickly.”

“The fewer people implicated, the better.”

Only by quickly investigating this matter could they prevent its escalation.

This would also minimize the impact.

Zhu Di looked at Yao Guangxiao, thoughtful.

Yao Guangxiao, when not busy, was unlikely to lie, and Zhuang Mu was always sleeping.

He was only awake for a few hours a day, unlikely to have the energy for this kind of thing.

However, since rebellion was involved, caution was necessary.

Both Yao Guangxiao and Zhuang Mu needed investigating.

Following this line, perhaps they could find out who harbored disloyal intentions.

“Little Snotnose, go call Prince Zhao and Prince Han to see me.”

“Yes.”

…

At this time, Prince Zhao Zhu Gao Sui was about to go to the imperial prison.

He was about to release Puqia, but halfway there, he received the Emperor’s latest order.

“Prince Zhao, Your Majesty orders you and Prince Han to enter the palace immediately.”

Zhu Gao Sui, with a rat-like face, wore a Qilin Robe, and a embroidered spring knife at his waist. His stout build exuded shrewdness.

Summoned by the Emperor?

Should he still release Puqia?

Although he didn’t understand what Zhu Di wanted, Puqia was only a chief monk from the Jianwen Emperor’s court.

He had been left unmolested for sixteen years. He probably wasn’t in a hurry.

He’d see what Zhu Di’s attitude was first.

So, Zhu Gao Sui turned his horse around, preparing to meet with Prince Han Zhu Gaoxu first.

To enter the palace together.

Zhu Gao Sui arrived at the Prince Han’s mansion.

In the midst of the heavy snow, a man with his upper body bare, holding a red-tasseled spear, was inside Prince Han’s mansion.

He swiftly wielded the spear, each swing seemingly releasing energy.

The sound of the spear, even from the doorway, was audible.

On closer inspection, one could see numerous sword and arrow wounds on his body.

They looked quite gruesome.

Zhu Gao Sui put away his shrewd expression and put on a kind smile.

He slowly walked inside and called out warmly,

“Second Brother, Second Brother!”

Hearing the sound, Zhu Gaoxu exerted all his strength and threw his spear.

Its powerful force made the spear fly swiftly, landing less than five steps from Zhu Gao Sui.

That spear.

Almost scared Zhu Gao Sui to death.

He couldn’t help but admire Zhu Gaoxu’s martial arts skills.

Stepping forward, he tried to pull out the spear, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t.

If that spear had hit him, he would have been impaled and stuck to the ground.

Seeing this, Zhu Gao Sui gave up, looking at the spearheads scattered on the ground.

These were all Zhu Gaoxu’s handiwork.

Zhu Gaoxu, seeing Zhu Gao Sui’s arrival, didn’t rush.

Instead, he went to the side, and his maidservant quickly stepped forward to wipe the sweat from his body.

Zhu Gao Sui, still shaken, came to Zhu Gaoxu.

“Second Brother, next time I come, don’t play such jokes.”

“It’s frightening.”

Though afraid, Zhu Gao Sui trusted Zhu Gaoxu’s aim. Over the years.

Zhu Gaoxu had never hit him, otherwise he wouldn’t be standing here.

This was a unique form of communication between the two brothers.

Zhu Gaoxu laughed loudly.

“Hahaha, Third Brother, you still don’t believe my aim?”

“Don’t worry, it won’t hit you.”

Zhu Gao Sui sighed helplessly. It indeed wouldn’t hit him, but every time he saw the spear flying towards him.

He couldn’t help but feel fear, afraid of being pierced through.

He grinned.

“Second Brother, you know I’m a coward, I can’t handle such scares.”

Zhu Gaoxu didn’t respond.

If Zhu Gao Sui were truly a coward, he wouldn’t have taken on the duties of the Brocade Guard.

Zhu Gao Sui wasn’t cowardly; if it came to killing or torturing people, he was an expert.

He was just afraid of dying.

“Let’s cut the chatter, what do you want?”

As the maidservant was about to dress Zhu Gaoxu in civilian clothes, Zhu Gao Sui said,

“Go, get Second Brother’s court robes.”

Court robes?

Zhu Gaoxu instantly understood Zhu Gao Sui’s purpose.

“The old man wants to see us?”

“What’s up?”

(End of Chapter)

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter