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

Chapter 58 Imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, the Crown Princess's Preparations for Death

Zhu Gaosui endured the excruciating pain in his abdomen, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his eyes fixed on the ground, completely ignoring what Zhu Gaoxu was saying.

At this moment, Zhu Gaosui could already imagine his own end. What was the point of arguing with Zhu Gaoxu anymore?

He just couldn't understand, and hadn't expected, how Zhu Gaochi knew all this, and how Zhu Gaochi could have predicted that he would do this.

Compared to Zhu Gaoxu, he never had any major direct conflicts with Zhu Gaochi. Zhu Gaosui couldn't understand why Zhu Gaochi was so wary of him.

The reason why one ingredient was missing was obvious. From the moment Zhu Zhanji took that medicine to the Imperial Hospital, he knew that it was all fake and a lie.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Gaosui but didn't say anything more, not knowing what to say.

"Third brother, I never thought you were this kind of person, and I never thought you could be so ruthless."

"Come on, go to Father and Mother. Go explain to Mother."

After a long silence, Zhu Gaoxu placed Zhu Gaosui's hand on his shoulder, supported Zhu Gaosui's waist with one hand, and carried Zhu Gaosui towards where Zhu Di and Xu Miaoyun were.

Inside the room, Zhu Di and Xu Miaoyun waited calmly, but Zhu Di's heart was far from calm.

However, at that moment, Ji Gang hurriedly walked in.

Zhu Di watched as Ji Gang stammered and couldn't speak, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He was already quite dissatisfied with Ji Gang just now.

As his absolute confidants and his sharpest blade, the Embroidered Uniform Guard should only listen to him and not to anyone else.

Just now, when he asked Ji Gang to deliver a message to Zhu Gaochi, the man hesitated. Finally, Xu Miaoyun called him back, and he stopped. These are all reasons why he is extremely dissatisfied with Ji Gang.

When Ji Gang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, began to understand how to analyze the pros and cons, it meant that his sword was no longer obeying his commands.

A knife imbued with emotion is not suitable to be its sharpest blade.

"Just say what you have to say."

Zhu Di had little patience or kindness towards Ji Gang. He was already quite disappointed in Ji Gang, and now he was extremely agitated. The fact that Zhu Di could still hold back his temper and not explode was already a testament to his exceptional emotional control.

Ji Gang no longer hesitated and immediately knelt down to tell the story.

As Ji Gang recounted the events that had transpired outside Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, and Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Di immediately stood up.

As Xu Miaoyun stood up in a somewhat flustered state, Zhu Di angrily kicked Ji Gang directly in the chest.

"How dare you fabricate stories about the Prince of Han, the Prince of Zhao, and even my holy grandson! How dare you! Guards, throw Ji Gang into the imperial prison!"

Zhu Di's eyes were filled with murderous intent. How could he say such a thing in front of Xu Miaoyun?

The Ji Gang of the past wasn't like this; that's why he put Ji Gang in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Now, Zhu Di no longer cares what Ji Gang is thinking, nor does he care why things have turned out this way.

Zhu Di was clear on one point: Ji Gang was no longer suitable to lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Upon hearing this, Ji Gang's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but look up at Zhu Di, then lowered his head and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this time. I will definitely..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Imperial Guards who entered immediately gagged Ji Gang and dragged him away fiercely.

Although Ji Gang was the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Embroidered Uniform Guards who followed Zhu Di were different.

Moreover, the Embroidered Uniform Guards knew exactly who they were loyal to.

Zhu Di quickly composed himself, turned to look at Xu Miaoyun, and smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll teach them a lesson later. They've really gone too far."

Zhu Di comforted Xu Miaoyun, fearing that her emotions might aggravate her illness.

Xu Miaoyun was not so easily fooled. Normally she could pretend that nothing was wrong, but in the current situation, she didn't want to pretend anymore.

"Si Lang, don't blame Lao San. He must have some unspeakable reason. Don't hurt Lao San, okay?"

As someone who lived through the Hongwu era, Ji Gang recounted everything, and neither Zhu Di nor Xu Miaoyun could possibly misunderstand.

Although Xu Miaoyun was filled with sorrow, she did not want anything to happen to Zhu Gaosui.

They were all her sons; she loved them both dearly.

Especially since Zhu Gaosui had been by her side since childhood, it can be said that Xu Miaoyun devoted even more effort to Zhu Gaosui.

Because Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu were both in Yingtian at the time, when they were in Beiping, they poured all the love they had for Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu into Zhu Gaosui.

It can be said that Zhu Gaosui was spoiled rotten from childhood to adulthood.

In fact, these factors also contributed to Zhu Gaosui's lack of literary and military talent, and his completely different thinking from Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Di embraced Xu Miaoyun and continuously comforted her.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything to the third brother."

Zhu Di kept promising that he would not do anything to Zhu Gaosui, after all, he was his own son.

But he wouldn't condone it.

It disheartened him to be able to do such a thing.

A short while later, Zhu Gaoxu led Zhu Gaosui in.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Di's face darkened.

"Find a place to kneel down, and get up when you understand."

Seeing Zhu Gaosui in distress, Zhu Di showed no pity whatsoever, knowing that no one would die.

Zhu Gaosui did not resist at all and knelt down beside him.

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at Zhu Gaosui, then at Zhu Di and Xu Miaoyun. Before he could speak, Zhu Di's voice came over.

"Second brother, are you not listening to me anymore?"

Zhu Gaoxu looked puzzled and said, "Father, this has nothing to do with me. I'm a victim too, I..."

Zhu Gaoxu instinctively wanted to argue that this matter had nothing to do with him.

But seeing Zhu Di's gloomy face and fierce glare, and then seeing Xu Miaoyun gesturing to him from the side, he suppressed his anger and knelt down next to Zhu Gaosui in a resentful manner.

Seeing this, Xu Miaoyun tugged at Zhu Di, who grasped her hand, indicating that she should not worry.

Outside, when a group of high-ranking officials saw Ji Gang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, being dragged away, they were all shocked, their faces filled with horror.

Although they did not know why Ji Gang was dealt with in this way, they knew one thing: Ji Gang was Zhu Di's absolute confidant and in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

If they were dealt with like this, regardless of the reason, it means that something serious went wrong on Zhu Di's side.

Now everyone can't help but ask themselves, what should they do if something happens later?

If Ji Gang was dealt with like this, are they really not going to get away with it?

The three ministers, Lü Zhen, Song Li, and Li Zhigang, were the first to slowly retreat.

The situation has now developed in a way that has far exceeded everyone's expectations, and they no longer dare to get involved.

Following closely behind, the other ministers, vice ministers, and members of the cabinet all began to leave.

The last group of Wu Xun, Zhang Xin and his companions also left, leaving only Qiu Fu and a few others behind.

Ultimately, Qiu Fu, who did not want to leave, also left after being persuaded by those around him.

The departure of everyone did not change Zhu Di in the slightest.

After a long while, a member of the Imperial Guard hurriedly walked in.

"I hereby inform Your Majesty and Empress that His Highness the Crown Prince personally carried the medicine from the Eastern Palace."

Meanwhile, the Crown Princess, dressed in her finest attire, was waiting at the East Palace.

Zhu Di and Xu Miaoyun were both shocked. This time, it was finally really happening.

As for Zhang Yan's elaborate attire while waiting, they all knew what it meant.

This means we've made the worst-case scenario preparations, we're prepared to die.

Xu Miaoyun held Zhu Di's hand, her eyes red and brimming with sorrow as she looked at him, gently shaking her head.