Chapter 16: Five Thousand Taels? Zhu Xiongying, You Scoundrel!

“Devious!” Fu Youde couldn’t help but whisper in disbelief, his voice filled with astonishment. “Absolutely ruthless! That little chubby one is truly merciless!”

His eyes widened as he stared intently at Zhu Gaochi, as if seeing the child for the first time.

“A sinister plot, each step meticulously linked, calculating human nature to the very core!” Mu Ying added, his voice trembling slightly, his face etched with horror.

Lan Yu remained silent, swallowing heavily as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. His hands unconsciously gripped the armrests of his chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

The three generals—Fu Youde, Mu Ying, and Lan Yu—exchanged glances, each seeing their own shock reflected in the others’ eyes.

Even the old Zhu was deeply shaken, leaning forward slightly as he cast a long, hard look at Zhu Gaochi.

This boy—he possessed such audacity and cunning!

He had truly underestimated him before!

“Today’s meeting is adjourned!”

“No one is to leak any details of this discussion, understood?”

The three generals shuddered, immediately bowing to acknowledge the order, then tactfully withdrew.

Only the old Zhu, Zhu Xiongying, and Zhu Gaochi remained in the grand hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang approached slowly, his eyes gleaming with a sharp brilliance—the unique light of a battle-hardened emperor well-versed in the art of statecraft.

“Great-grandson, was this all Gaochi’s strategy?” the old Zhu first turned to Zhu Xiongying, his gaze piercing as he pressed for an answer.

Just as Zhu Xiongying was about to speak, Zhu Gaochi cut in swiftly, “Your Majesty, the general framework was mostly Brother Ying’s work; I only refined it a bit.”

His words came quickly, as if fearful Zhu Xiongying might speak first, all the while furtively watching the emperor’s expression.

Old Zhu pondered for a moment, his gaze locking onto Zhu Gaochi with a stern tone, questioning each word deliberately, “Gaochi, this scheme—did you devise it entirely on your own?”

This grandson had recently risen like a rising star, performing with a brilliance that was almost too exceptional.

Zhu Yuanzhang found it hard not to suspect that there were mentors behind him, that someone harbored ambitions that should not be.

In that instant, Zhu Gaochi felt immense pressure, a chill creeping up from his feet to his spine, an uncontrollable wave of genuine fear and reverence surging from deep within.

Before him now was no gentle great-grandfather, but the mighty Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang himself!

Facing the emperor directly, Zhu Gaochi was truly afraid; his heart pounded wildly in his chest, as if about to leap from his throat.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm, yet the tremor from the depths of his soul could not be stilled.

“Your Majesty, why scare Gaochi like that?” Zhu Xiongying noticed the unusual tension and immediately stepped forward, standing protectively before Zhu Gaochi, a hint of displeasure on his face.

Not only was Zhu Gaochi just a little boy, but even seasoned generals like Fu Youde and Lan Yu lowered their heads fearfully in the presence of the merciless Hongwu Emperor.

Once the emperor ceased his questioning, Zhu Gaochi felt a bit relieved; his breathing grew less labored.

“Your Majesty, Gaochi only wanted to earn some silver.”

“He owes a large debt to the Imperial Medical Bureau—five thousand taels—so he devised this plan…”

With Zhu Xiongying’s sharp mind, he immediately sensed something amiss and quickly explained the entire situation.

Zhu Gaochi: “???”

What the—five thousand taels?

Zhu Xiongying, you devil!

Old Zhu’s expression softened considerably, even tinged with a hint of guilt.

He realized he had been overly suspicious, even doubting a child.

He chuckled to himself wryly at the thought.

“Gaochi, if you needed money, you could have just told me. Why go through such lengths?”

Zhu Gaochi inwardly grumbled but outwardly beamed with joy, holding out his chubby hand.

“Then, Your Majesty, please give me the five thousand taels!”

Old Zhu shot him a glare, swatting his hand away.

“Order the Imperial Medical Bureau to waive that debt for Gaochi!”

Zhu Xiongying: “???”

Zhu Gaochi: “???”

What the—

You can do that?

Then all that trouble was for nothing?

The two boys exchanged glances, feeling like crying but having no tears left.

After leaving the hall, Zhu Gaochi was so frustrated that he kicked Zhu Xiongying’s backside.

“You little smart aleck! Now look—didn’t make a single tael!”

Zhu Xiongying, feeling guilty, smiled sheepishly and dusted off his pants.

“How was I supposed to know the emperor would pull a move like that and just waive your debt…”

Ha! This is the Hongwu Emperor we’re talking about—craftier than a fox.

“So, what now?” Zhu Xiongying asked boldly, a sly glint in his eyes.

Zhu Gaochi waved him off impatiently. “You go on your own. I’m headed to the Wei Guogong Mansion.”

Hearing this, Zhu Xiongying’s interest piqued immediately.

“You’re going there? Take me out of the palace with you?”

Zhu Gaochi stopped, looking at him suspiciously.

“You don’t want to return to the Eastern Palace?”

Zhu Xiongying shook his head like a rattle-drum.

“My father is busy with state affairs. The Eastern Palace is managed by the secondary consort, who constantly nags me in the name of a senior relative to study and practice calligraphy. It’s unbearable…”

The official crown princess of the crown prince was the daughter of Chang Yuchun, Lady Chang. She died shortly after giving birth to Zhu Biao’s third son, Zhu Yunzhong. The secondary consort Lu was then elevated to crown princess and took charge of Eastern Palace affairs.

From Zhu Xiongying’s behavior, it was clear that Lady Lu was a formidable woman, exerting pressure both openly and covertly, always under the guise of seniority, making her actions flawless and beyond reproach.

This woman was quite a character indeed!

Thinking this, Zhu Gaochi sighed and patted Zhu Xiongying’s shoulder.

“Having such a stepmother must be tough for you.”

“Come on, let’s get out of the palace!”

Zhu Xiongying immediately brightened, slinging an arm over Zhu Gaochi’s shoulder as they chatted and laughed their way out of the palace.

***

Before long, the two arrived at the Wei Guogong Mansion by carriage.

Upon seeing Xu Zengshou, Zhu Gaochi immediately launched into a tirade.

“Xu Zengshou, damn you! Can you be any less useful?”

“You were given the formula, and it still hasn’t been produced. Take this!”—he swung a large golden brick at him.

Xu Zengshou, knowing he was at fault, dared not argue and scrambled to dodge the blows.

“You little rascal... how dare you go against me!”

“My grand-uncle is your great-grandfather; you’re the real rebel!”

He ran while cursing, utterly flustered.

Zhu Xiongying watched this “rebellious” scene in astonishment.

Does this make any sense?

“Gaochi... let your third uncle explain...” Xu Zengshou gasped for breath, “The glaze has been made, but the craftsmanship isn’t mature…”

“Today, the artisans accidentally produced a small piece of colorless glaze; they’re still studying it…”

Hearing this, Zhu Gaochi immediately stopped swinging the golden brick, a smile breaking across his face.

“Take me to see it!”

Xu Zengshou, panting profusely and drenched in sweat, led the way.

This little chubby kid, how does he have so much stamina? He’s nearly worn me out!

But he didn’t move immediately; instead, he glanced meaningfully at Zhu Xiongying.

Clearly, Zhu Xiongying was considered an “outsider,” and Xu Zengshou didn’t want their fortune-making scheme exposed to him.

Zhu Xiongying was no fool and quickly caught on, so tactfully said, “Gaochi, you go ahead. I’ll just wander around…”

Before he finished, Zhu Gaochi stepped forward and grabbed him firmly.

“Hey, you’re my brother—what’s there to mind?”

“Come on, I want to show you something interesting!”

Zhu Gaochi tugged Zhu Xiongying along without waiting for a reply.

Xu Zengshou wanted to say something but, watching the two boys’ backs, a spark of admiration lit his eyes as he swallowed his words.

Heh, interesting—this great-nephew is truly something.

Zhu Xiongying was the legitimate eldest son of the crown prince and future emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

And this little chubby kid was already trying to win him over?

He was only five or six years old!

On reflection, it was chilling.

Xu Zengshou led the way at a steady pace, his mind racing with thoughts.

Big sister, big sister, your son is really extraordinary!