Ming Dynasty: What's wrong with being a leisurely crown prince?

Chapter 10 The Emperor's Mouth, a Deceitful Ghost

Zhu Di's thoughts were somewhat scattered as he stared intently at Zhu Gaochi, his eldest son whom he found difficult to understand.

"Boss, you've changed. You're not the same as before."

Hearing Zhu Di's sigh, Zhu Gaochi's heart trembled.

Whether this was Zhu Di's casual remark or a sign of his suspicion, it was a signal nonetheless.

With no time to think too much, Zhu Gaochi smiled slowly, his expression relaxing.

"Father, people always have to grow. I am now, but you were the same before."

"Haven't you changed quite a bit since then?"

"Haha, boss, you're so young, but you've seen things very clearly."

Hearing Zhu Gaochi's words, Zhu Di had no more doubts.

Yes, his own changes are no less significant, so why doubt Zhu Gaochi's transformation now?

Zhu Di himself was a firsthand witness, and he knew very well that sometimes things are just that strange. Perhaps in a certain moment, a certain thought, or a certain person's words, one's state of mind can change.

Despite this, Zhu Di's expression suddenly froze.

"So what is the purpose of this change in you? Do you want more power? Are you even more dissatisfied with this old man?"

It's normal for a person to change, but there's usually a reason behind it. What's your reason?

Boss, there's no one around today, and my son and I have never chatted like this before.

So this time, let's open our hearts and speak our minds to avoid creating further misunderstandings.

Zhu Di put his hands on his hips, bent down slightly and approached Zhu Gaochi's face, then reached out and touched Zhu Gaochi, who quickly dodged away.

"Hehe, you've grown up, and you won't let me touch you anymore. I never saw you like this when you were little."

Your grandfather once told me that you were a very good kid and suitable for taking on important responsibilities.

The old man praised you a lot back then. What, if the old man can touch you, why can't I?

Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Di, who seemed to be reminiscing, and sighed inwardly.

He didn't know if Zhu Di was telling the truth or not, but he did know one thing: the higher a person's position, the more adept and skilled they were at discrepancies between their true feelings and their outward appearance.

Take himself as an example. He has a deep understanding of how much his mindset has changed from his initial naivety to his success in starting his own business.

He holds nothing back from certain people, but to others, the way they see him is the way he wants them to see.

Even if Zhu Di's words to him today were driven by emotion, they were not the whole story; there must have been other motives.

Zhu Gaochi felt somewhat weary. In fact, these were things he was now resisting; he was truly exhausted.

"Dad, I am your son. You can touch me if you want, but I'm all grown up now, and these things that tease children are no longer appropriate for me."

Since Dad said we should have an open and honest talk this time to avoid further misunderstandings, then I won't hold back.

There were reasons for the change: my health was starting to deteriorate, my mother's illness was getting worse, and I didn't want to continue fighting anymore.

My own health can be gradually improved, but my mother's illness is urgent, which is why I wanted to read medical books. This is the only clumsy method I can use.

I don't know if it will work, but I want to do it; I'm not willing to give up.

I don't want to argue anymore, not only because I'm tired, but also because I want to focus my energy on what I just mentioned.

No matter what I do, you still don't like me.

I've figured it out. As long as I stop interfering, those conflicts won't happen.

Zhu Gaochi spoke frankly and sincerely, and he genuinely wanted to take this opportunity to tell Zhu Di that he really didn't want to get involved in those messy affairs anymore.

It's a complete waste of effort and no reward. What's the point?

Just now, he was speaking about the problem in a completely honest and selfless manner, but Zhu Di felt that there was something wrong with him. What could he do?

What Zhu Gaochi needs to do now is to participate in government affairs as little as possible, so that he won't be watched by Zhu Di every day.

In reality, the imperial power is limited. If he, as the crown prince, were to actively challenge it, wouldn't he be challenging the imperial power itself?

"Boss, you still won't tell me the truth. Are you using this as a tactic to threaten me?"

Zhu Di sighed. In fact, he had been paying attention to Zhu Gaochi's expression the whole time, but at this moment, he was also unsure whether it was true or not.

In fact, he didn't want to get along with Zhu Gaochi in this way. Compared to the other two, Zhu Gaochi really caused him more trouble and worry.

If it were Zhu Gaoxu, his thoughts would be written all over his face, and you could tell right away.

If you still can't tell, just scare them a little, and they'll definitely come out.

He could usually scare Zhu Gaochi, and sometimes he could even get him to come out, but unfortunately, he had already tried and it didn't work.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi actually felt a sense of relief.

He knew that Zhu Di had actually given his word, and if it was true, his life wouldn't be so difficult in the future.

"Father, what's the point of me taking a step back to advance? What can I gain from it?"

Everything I have is given to me by you. If I were to retreat in the first place, I would lose it all in the end with just a word from you.

Time will tell whether something is true or false.

"Father, just watch and see. You'll know for sure whether it's true or not."

"Oh? Will time prove it true or false? Heh."

Do you think I'm too heartless? Do you have any feelings for me?

Zhu Gaochi saw that Zhu Di was still suspicious, and at this moment he began to feel complicated, but more than that, he felt helpless.

It's probably only these three brothers who could have gotten Zhu Di to act this way. If it were anyone else, they would have been beheaded by Zhu Di long ago, and there wouldn't have been so much trouble.

"Father, I have never had those thoughts. And please, Father, be more magnanimous. Don't always judge people by their appearance, or you'll easily look down on them."

"You brat, you're lecturing me again. How did I end up with such a rascal?"

"Get out of here, you're always giving me trouble."

Zhu Di's face darkened upon hearing this. Zhu Gaochi actually told him to be magnanimous. If he weren't magnanimous, would he be speaking to this person so politely?

He realized that Zhu Gaochi had become somewhat of a scoundrel, a real tough nut to crack.

He was afraid that if they continued talking, he would be driven mad by this person.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi's eyes lit up.

Zhu Di didn't want to talk to him, and he didn't want to talk to Zhu Di either.

It was said that the two were opening their hearts to each other and having a good talk, but Zhu Di was a very cunning man and always set traps for him.

As expected, the emperor's words are deceitful; anyone who believes them is doomed, except for Zhu Gaochi.

"Okay, Daddy, I'm off then."

Zhu Di saw Zhu Gaochi bow and leave, his smile showing no sign of restraint.

Zhu Di took a deep breath.

"These are my own seeds, they're my own seeds. Don't be angry, don't be angry."

What he had just said hadn't really angered him much, but now Zhu Gaochi seemed eager to leave, making it seem like chatting with him was very stressful, which really made him unable to hold back.

That bastard, couldn't he go outside to laugh? Why did he have to laugh right under his nose?

Zhu Di couldn't understand it. Was he really that scary? Could he possibly eat his own son?

After muttering a few curses in his mind, Zhu Di gradually calmed down.

Zhu Di stood with his hands on his hips, constantly recalling Zhu Gaochi's expression and words from earlier.

"Interesting, very interesting. Now that you've changed, I'd like to see if you're really the same person."

Thinking about what Zhu Gaochi had just said, Zhu Di gradually formed an idea in his mind.

But when he thought of Xu Miaoyun, Zhu Di's expression darkened again.

He has already issued an imperial decree to summon renowned doctors from all over the country in an effort to cure Xu Miaoyun, but to no avail.

He himself had already read a lot of medical books and was learning on his own.

Since even the imperial physicians and renowned doctors couldn't cure him, and Zhu Di didn't want to give up, he had no choice but to study medical books himself.

The more he looked, the more desperate he became, unable to find any solution.

This is why Zhu Di softened immediately after Zhu Gaochi mentioned that he wanted to look at medical books, and it is also why he is very satisfied with Zhu Gaochi now.

"Silly child, when I said you weren't like me, I was just saying it in a fit of anger."

Thinking about all this, Zhu Di smiled for a moment.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Zhu Di spoke up.

"Someone! Send the medical books from the Imperial Medical Academy to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

A smile appeared on Zhu Di's lips. Since Zhu Gaochi wanted to see it, he would grant Zhu Gaochi's wish.

Regardless of the final outcome, as long as Zhu Gaochi continues to study and learn diligently, he will acknowledge Zhu Gaochi's filial piety.

But if someone dares to lie or just talk about it, he might really get angry.