Zhu Gaoxu's face turned red with excitement. This time, it was his father who asked him to come back, and his intention was self-evident.
After a long time, his agitated mood slowly calmed down and he said softly:
"From now on, I will stop being anxious, become steady, and move towards the position of crown prince. I'm sorry, boss, but this time, I must win!"
The carriage entered the city and looking at the bustling Jingshi Street, the smile on Zhu Gaoxu's face became even bigger. Compared with remote Yunnan, this place is a little bit better.
The prosperity of Jinling is unparalleled except for Suzhou and Hangzhou.
When he arrived at Prince Han's Mansion where he lived before, Zhu Gaoxu didn't even have time to rest, so he went straight into the palace.
…
Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Di, Xu Miaoyun, and Zhu Gaochi, a family of three, sat in a row, and Zhu Gaoxu greeted them one by one.
"My son, I pay my respects to my father, long live my life, and to my mother, my queen, a thousand lives."
"Excuse me, Xu'er, get up quickly." Zhu Di pulled up the second child affectionately, patted his shoulder and said, "Well, he's really strong, just like my father when he was young."
Zhu Gaoxu grinned, but immediately stopped it and said restrainedly, "Father, I am so complimentary. Compared with you, I am far behind."
Xu Miaoyun frowned and said, "Gao Xu, why don't you salute your elder brother?"
"There are no outsiders, why should we care about these etiquettes?" Zhu Di waved his hand and said with a smile, "Gao Xu, we haven't seen each other for several years, let's have a drink today."
"Yes, I obey your orders."
Zhu Di said displeased: "Why do you do this in public?"
"Hello Daddy."
"That's right." Zhu Di took the second child and sat down, then glanced at the eldest brother, "The state is busy, you go handle the political affairs!"
The little fat boy who was waiting to eat and drink was dumbfounded, "Father, are you too partial?"
Zhu Di slapped the table and said, "Don't force me to slap you."
"Ah, what a powerful emperor." Xu Miaoyun was angry and pulled the boss to sit down, "Gao Chi, just sit down, I think he dares to make a move?"
Xu Miaoyun was not used to it at all without outsiders.
Zhu Di had no choice but to say: "Gao Chi, please drink less later, so as not to delay the state affairs."
"I won't drink anymore." Xiaopang also had a temper. "Second brother, please chat with father. I'll leave first."
"Brother, brother..." Zhu Gaoxu called out twice symbolically. When he left the hall, he smiled dryly and said, "Father, don't be angry. My eldest brother didn't mean to make you angry."
Zhu Di's face was gloomy and very angry, and Xu Miaoyun's face was not good-looking either. She was angry with Zhu Di.
"Gao Xu, how many days will you stay here this time?"
"Ah? This..." Zhu Gaoxu didn't know how to answer for a while, "Mother, I want to stay here longer. Of course, if my father feels that I am annoyed, I will leave immediately."
Zhu Di's face was serious: "Why would my father find you annoying?"
Then, he looked at his wife and said displeasedly, "Miaoyun, you just kicked Gao Xu away when he came back. How can you be such a mother-in-law?"
Xu Miaoyun opened her mouth, but when she saw her son's face was hurt, she had to give up and said gently: "It's hard to come here, stay for two more months before leaving."
"Don't listen to your mother, stay here as long as you want." Zhu Di said domineeringly.
"Okay dad." Zhu Gaoxu climbed up the pole and then looked at Xu Miaoyun, "Mother, you won't drive your son away, will you?"
"I..." Xu Miaoyun was speechless, stood up and said, "I'm going back to the harem first. You can have a few drinks with your father."
After a pause, he said, "Your Majesty, after you finish drinking, please go back to the harem. I have something to tell you."
"Well, screw you!"
Xu Miaoyun gritted her silver teeth and finally forced out a charming smile, "I take my leave."
~
The food and wine were served, and the father and son served each cup. The scene was warm, and the father was kind and the son was filial.
"Dad, my son has missed you these past few years." Zhu Gaoxu said affectionately at first, and then asked tentatively, "How long can I stay here this time?"
Zhu Di put down his wine glass and said with a smile: "You can stay as long as you want."
"Hey, thank you father."
Zhu Gaoxu was overjoyed. This time he really felt enlightened.
…
As soon as Zhu Gaoxu entered the capital, civil servants smelled a conspiracy. The eyelashes of these individuals were all empty, and they vaguely sensed something unusual.
Xie Jin summoned cabinet members and began to discuss countermeasures.
Since the completion of the Grand Ceremony, Xie Jin has been in the limelight and has already been the head of the cabinet. He was the first to speak: "Everyone, the situation is not right. I found out from the prince that the King of Han was summoned back by the emperor."
Yang Rong frowned and said, "Are you too worried, Bachelor Xie? The crown prince has been decided, can the emperor change the crown prince?"
"That's right, we will establish a direct lineage." Yang Shiqi continued, "Maybe it's just a false signal."
"Don't be careless." Jin Youzi shook his head, "The emperor loves the King of Han far more than the prince, and coupled with the emperor's attitude towards civil servants... we must be on guard!"
Hu Guang highly agreed with Jin Youzi's words, "The emperor has not liked civil servants for a long time. Since ancient times, it has always been the right to establish direct descendants. But which dynasty has completely implemented this system?"
With the emperor's vigorous and resolute actions, he might not be able to change the throne of Han."
As soon as these words came out, everyone's expressions changed.
They had said so much about establishing direct descendants that they themselves believed it, but if they thought about it carefully, no one in the Han Dynasty had fully implemented it.
On the matter of establishing a prince, the emperor is the final decision-maker.
It is not impossible to depose the prince, given the current emperor's urinary temperament.
A group of people suddenly felt worried. There had been two generations of Emperor Wu. If there was another one, their spring would never come in this life.
Civil servants look down on generals, they look down on them from the bottom of their hearts.
"Everyone, we cannot let the King of Han stay for a long time, otherwise things will happen if he is too late. We must drive him back as soon as possible." Xie Jin said in a deep voice.
Everyone nodded, and Yang Shiqi asked: "Jie Xueshi has only learned from others, is there any way?"
Xie Jin is the most talented and famous, so naturally these people are led by him.
He was quite pleased with the compliments from his colleagues. He cleared his throat and wrote lightly:
"Actually, it's not a big deal. The Emperor still relies on me very much. I'll look for an opportunity later and give him some tactful advice. I think it won't be a big problem."
Everyone saw that he was full of confidence and praised him endlessly.
Hu Guang and Huang Huai were impatient and urged him to hurry up while saying complimentary words.
Xie Jin felt a little dazed for a moment. He stood up, flicked his sleeves, and said with a smile: "That's all, then I will go and persuade the emperor. Everyone, please wait for my good news!"
"Aiya..." Everyone stood up and bowed, "Then it all depends on Scholar Jie."
~
In front of the Qianqing Palace, a gust of wind came, and Xie Jin slowly sobered up a little, but after all the big words were spoken, wouldn't it be ridiculous to shrink back in the face of battle?
He took a deep breath and said to himself: "I have built the Yongle Grand Ceremony, and the emperor relies on me very much. I just give him tactful advice, which will not affect my future, and I can still claim credit in front of the prince."
Thinking of this, his courage suddenly strengthened and he walked towards the palace.
After just two steps, he saw Zhu Gaoxu coming out of the hall with a proud smile on his face and he was very happy.
"Xie Jin, the lower official, has met the King of Han." Xie Jin bowed slightly.
Zhu Gaoxu was a little drunk, shook his head and said: "You are Jie Jin, Xiu, Xiu..."
"The King of Han also knows about the official building the Yongle Ceremony!" Xie Jin said reservedly.
Zhu Gaoxu said with a smile: "Xie Xie is a scholar of eight great talents. I am yearning for him. You might as well go to the palace to talk about it."
He has received hints that he is trying to cultivate his own power, so he will naturally not miss the opportunity to win over talents.
Xie Jin's eyes lit up, Zhengchou didn't say anything, isn't that enough?
It has always been a taboo for a vassal king to make friends with court officials!
"Haha... The king of Han has good intentions, and I appreciate it. However, I have something urgent to do with the emperor."
"That's right." Zhu Gaoxu nodded, "Then Bachelor Xie is busy and must go to the Prince of Han's Mansion to talk about it someday."
"Absolutely." Xie Jin cupped his hands and chuckled. When Zhu Gaoxu left, his smile turned into a sneer.
Dusting off his robe, he stepped forward and said, "Eunuch, please report. Xie Jin has something to report to the emperor."
Xiao Huangmen turned around and entered the main hall, and walked out quickly, "Master Jie, please come in."
Xie Jin nodded and walked into the hall.
"I am here to see you, Your Majesty. Long live my Emperor!"
"Pingshen." Zhu Di was also a little drunk. He leaned on the chair and burped from the wine and said, "What's the matter with you, Jie Jin?"
Xie Jin raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, the King of Han invites his ministers to drink at the palace."
After a pause, "However, I declined."
Zhu Di rolled his eyes and said, "Don't bother me with these trivial matters. If you have nothing else to do, just leave!"
"..." Seeing that he didn't respond, Xie Jin had to make it clearer, "I am an official of the Ming Dynasty, and the King of Han is the vassal king of the Ming Dynasty. He invited me to be a guest at his house. Isn't this... I'm afraid it's unreasonable?"
Zhu Di raised his eyebrows and sat up straight, "What do you mean...?"
Seeing that the emperor had listened, Xie Jin felt happy and said tactfully, "I don't have any other intentions. I just feel that King Han's move is a bit... haha... maybe I am over-concerned."
Zhu Di glanced sideways at him, anger welling up in his heart.
When can civil servants interfere in royal family affairs?
Zhu Di said lightly: "I understand, please step back!"
Seeing that the emperor was not happy, Xie Jin felt happy and said to himself: "This is not difficult."
…
The next day, morning.
Zhu Di specifically issued a decree in front of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty: He ordered Xie Jin to go to Guangxi and serve as a counselor.