The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 59

Chapter 59: Zhu Gaoxu: Get me a glass of Emperor’s Dream Wine

Eastern Palace, within the Crown Prince’s residence.

The Crown Princess, holding a plate of steaming pig’s trotters, entered the study with a rather unhappy expression.

Zhu Gaoshi was reviewing memorials; even before the Crown Princess entered, the aroma of the pig’s trotters filled the air.

He quickly put down his memorials, wiped his hands, and waited for the Crown Princess to present the trotters.

“I told you to eat less! Look at how fat you’ve become!” the Crown Princess placed the pig’s trotters before Zhu Gaoshi, saying this with dissatisfaction.

Zhu Gaoshi waved his hand: “Alright, alright, stop nagging. Let’s just eat the pig’s trotters. You’ve been nagging all day.”

At this moment, Zhu Gaoshi noticed there was only one pig’s trotter: “Wait, why is there only one? That’s not enough!”

The Crown Princess rolled her eyes, slightly annoyed.

“I only gave you one pig’s trotter to satisfy your cravings since you haven’t had any this month. Just one, no more.”

“Fine, one is one,” Zhu Gaoshi said with a wry face, his thick lips mumbling.

Just as Zhu Gaoshi was about to begin eating, a palace maid announced from outside the room.

“Your Highness, Crown Princess, Eunuch Ma has arrived.”

Zhu Gaoshi reluctantly put down the pig’s trotter, waved his hand, and gestured for the eunuch to enter.

In a short while, the eunuch arrived before Zhu Gaoshi.

However, Zhu Gaoshi’s eyes were fixated on the pig’s trotter beside him. He only glanced at the eunuch before frowning deeply.

Seeing this, the Crown Princess quickly nudged Zhu Gaoshi.

Since it wasn’t a delivery of an imperial edict or decree, Zhu Gaoshi didn’t need to stand up.

“Your Highness,” the eunuch bowed.

“Yes, what is it?”

The eunuch didn’t hesitate and spoke directly: “Your servant is here to deliver a message to Your Highness. Your Majesty is currently in the Imperial Study and has had Minister of Revenue Xia Yuanji and Minister of Personnel Jian Yi imprisoned there. They are unlikely to be released anytime soon.”

“Your Highness is asked to delegate the work of the two ministers to other officials in the Ministries of Revenue and Personnel.”

Zhu Gaoshi was taken aback, then completely bewildered.

“What?! Imprisoned?”

“Why would Your Majesty imprison Xia Yuanji and Jian Yi?”

In an instant, Zhu Gaoshi’s desire for the pig’s trotter vanished completely.

These two were ministers from the Hongwu Dynasty, and besides Yao Guangxiao, they were the two ministers Zhu Di favored most.

Over the years, the ministers of the other four ministries had been replaced, but these two remained steadfast.

Why would he imprison them now?

Moreover, Xia Yuanji and Jian Yi were ministers with much to handle.

The eunuch didn’t respond, only saying faintly: “That’s not for your servant to say. I hope Your Highness will make the necessary arrangements. I’ve delivered the message, and I will take my leave.”

With that, the eunuch left without looking back.

Leaving Zhu Gaoshi utterly bewildered, and his Crown Princess equally perplexed.

After much thought, Zhu Gaoshi stood up, his expression grave: “Quickly get me a set of court robes. I’m going to see Your Majesty and ask what’s going on.”

“Imprisoning two important ministers without reason…this is no small matter.”

Understanding the gravity of the situation, the Crown Princess quickly fetched Zhu Gaoshi his court robes.

While casual attire was acceptable in the Eastern Palace, meeting the Emperor required formal attire. Court robes were a must.

However, Zhu Gaoshi wanted to see Zhu Di but couldn’t find him.

It wasn’t until noon the next day that he learned of Zhu Di’s whereabouts.

Meanwhile, at noon the next day, Zhu Gaoxu, dressed in civilian clothes, walked through the alleyway next to the Drunk Immortal Pavilion.

He happened to encounter Yao Guangxiao, who was on his way to the tavern for a drink.

Both men remained silent; their relationship wasn’t close.

However, Zhu Gaoxu respected Yao Guangxiao.

After all, if it weren’t for Yao Guangxiao’s suggestion to bypass the city and attack the Capital City directly from the south, they might have been defeated long ago.

Unknowingly, Yao Guangxiao and Zhu Gaoxu both arrived at the tavern.

Zhu Gaoxu paused, gesturing for Yao Guangxiao to go first.

As the elder, Yao Guangxiao naturally didn’t refuse and entered the tavern first.

The door bell chimed, and Zhuang Mu’s clear voice echoed: “Old Monk, you’ve come.”

Yao Guangxiao nodded: “Not just me, there’s another guest.”

As Zhuang Mu’s eyes showed surprise, Zhu Gaoxu slowly walked in.

Upon seeing Zhu Gaoxu, Zhuang Mu’s eyes inevitably showed some vigilance.

But before Zhuang Mu could speak,

Zhu Gaoxu smiled: “Young man, no need to be so tense, I’m not here to cause trouble.”

“I’m here as a guest, I’m not even wearing my official robes.”

Zhuang Mu glanced at Zhu Gaoxu’s attire.

It seemed to be true. Zhu Gaoxu was only wearing rather ornate civilian clothes.

Clearly, they were not court robes.

“Since you’re a guest, then I welcome you.”

“Please, have a seat.”

A guest is a guest. As long as there’s no hostility, he would accept them.

Then, Yao Guangxiao and Zhu Gaoxu sat down on either side of Zhuang Mu.

Zhuang Mu already knew what Yao Guangxiao wanted to drink, and in a moment, with Meixi’s help, the drinks were prepared.

Meixi had already memorized Yao Guangxiao’s arrival time, so she would prepare the drinks and warm the cups in advance, allowing Yao Guangxiao to have warm wine within moments of arrival.

After taking care of the old monk, Zhuang Mu turned his gaze to Zhu Gaoxu.

“What would you like to drink?”

“I hear that the wine here lets you dream anything you want.”

“Doesn’t the sign outside say so? Guaranteed authentic, whether it’s realistic dreams, cultivation dreams, technological dreams, spring dreams, etc., even…an emperor’s dream.”

When saying the last three words, Zhuang Mu lowered his voice slightly.

A fervent gleam shone in Zhu Gaoxu’s eyes.

An Emperor’s dream. His lifelong ambition was to become Emperor.

Zhu Gaoxu immediately said: “Good, then I’ll have a glass of Emperor’s Dream.”

Zhuang Mu didn’t expect him to be so decisive.

Looking at the man’s appearance, aside from the sternness, there was a hint of heroic bearing.

Before the war, this man must have been handsome; however, subtle scars on his face marred his features, adding to his ferocious and authoritative appearance.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

Zhu Gaoxu’s expression turned displeased.

“What are you babbling about? It’s just a glass of wine, do you think I can’t afford it?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not like those Brocade Guards. I always pay for my drinks upfront.”

Zhuang Mu pondered for a moment.

Paying upfront, was this man really a Brocade Guard?

Then, Zhuang Mu snapped his fingers.

Smiling towards Zhu Gaoxu standing at the door: “Since the guest really is here to drink, then there’s no problem.”

Yao Guangxiao smiled, this kid is still so cautious.

Zhu Gaoxu fell silent… and unknowingly, slipped into a dreamland. Cautious indeed.

(End of Chapter)

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