Chapter 2: Training in Martial Arts! I Want to Become a Mighty Muscle Master!

“Biao’er, did you hear that?”

Old Zhu suddenly turned his head toward Zhu Biao.

“This boy lives with more insight than you!”

Old Zhu was naturally very pleased with this crown prince—gentle and refined, kind and benevolent, courteous to palace staff, brothers, and ministers alike, embodying a magnanimous spirit. Among the imperial princes and respected in the court, he was considered the perfect heir apparent.

The only dissatisfaction Old Zhu harbored was that this crown prince behaved too rigidly, even before his own father. Every day he would deliver long-winded speeches, quoting classics with utmost respect and obedience.

Beneath such polished words, his seemingly sincere face seemed somewhat insincere.

Of course, the only times Old Zhu saw some courage in Prince Biao were during their political debates—a rare and vivid vitality.

“That nonsense about so-called sages—just listen and forget it. Everyone has their own views; don’t really take it to heart, acting all exemplary and stiff all day long…”

Hearing this, Prince Biao nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Zhu Gaochi and solemnly bowed to him.

“Nephew Gaochi, hearing your words today was truly enlightening…”

Zhu Gaochi looked utterly bewildered, eyes wide. He glanced at Prince Biao, then at Old Zhu, before sneakily making a kicking motion toward Prince Biao’s rear.

Old Zhu was momentarily stunned, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before he immediately caught on and broke into a barely restrained smile. Then he raised his leg and gave Prince Biao a solid kick, sending him sprawling.

“You damn show-off, putting on airs in front of your own nephew?”

Prince Biao rose with an innocent expression, about to argue his case.

At that moment, Zhu Gaochi spoke up.

“Uncle, family matters should stay within the family.”

“They say a father is the best teacher to his child, but with you so stiff and strict, even the two older brothers have changed their ways!”

“Brother Ying is still alright—his youthful spirit can’t be hidden—but as for Yunwen…” He scrunched his nose slightly and continued, “He’s like an old man, no one wants to play with him!”

At these words, Prince Biao’s expression darkened.

He turned toward the main hall, where Zhu Xiongying was gazing out the window with an air of boredom and slyness, while Zhu Yunwen earnestly studied a book like a bookworm.

But this child was only four or five years old!

Seeing this, Prince Biao finally understood why he had been kicked.

“See? None of these kids understand anything!” Old Zhu scolded, then smiled warmly and patted Zhu Gaochi on the head.

“You’re a fine boy, full of spirit. Whatever you want, Grandpa Emperor will grant it!”

Old Zhu was in high spirits and took the opportunity to admonish Prince Biao, hoping he would truly listen.

Sometimes, acting according to one’s nature is rare and precious; otherwise, one will eventually be bound by Confucian rules and customs, making it difficult to break free.

Hearing this, Zhu Gaochi’s eyes lit up as he looked at Old Zhu.

“Grandpa Emperor, your grandson doesn’t want to study. I want to practice martial arts and become a mighty warrior!”

Old Zhu’s face immediately darkened, narrowing his eyes in inquiry.

“Hmm? Don’t want to study?”

“How then will you govern the principality and soothe the people in the future?”

He felt a twinge of displeasure—his descendants were to bear great responsibilities; how could they be unlearned?

Zhu Gaochi, sensing Old Zhu’s mood shift, spoke loudly, “Grandpa Emperor, it’s not that I don’t want to study; it’s just that those scholars recite the sages’ words so dull and lifeless.”

“You once drove out the barbarians, restored China, crushed the rivals, and quelled chaos—fifteen years to achieve the empire!”

“I want to be like you, Grandpa Emperor—leading armies to battle, becoming a great general who protects the nation and its people!”

As he spoke, Zhu Gaochi effortlessly brandished a heavy stone block with fierce energy.

Old Zhu and Prince Biao exchanged a shocked glance, both stunned in place.

They never imagined such passionate words would come from a child barely four or five years old.

And the ease with which Zhu Gaochi wielded that heavy stone block was even more incredible.

Curious, Prince Biao stepped forward to take the stone block, only to find it extremely heavy—at least twenty pounds.

“Child, why do you practice with this stone block every day?” Old Zhu asked with curiosity.

Zhu Gaochi, suppressing his embarrassment, put on a pitiful look.

“Grandpa Emperor, you don’t know—I'm naturally chubby. The imperial physician once examined me and said that without proper exercise, I might not live past my prime. So to survive, I must…”

Sigh…

What a wonderful child!

Intelligent, sensible, and pitiful all at once.

Why had they never noticed this before?

Old Zhu looked at him with deep affection and lifted Zhu Gaochi into his arms.

“Don’t worry, Chier, we’ll have the imperial doctors examine you again!”

“Such a fine boy—heaven wouldn’t bear to let you suffer!”

With that, Old Zhu carried Zhu Gaochi to the imperial medical palace. Prince Biao shook his head wryly and returned to his official duties.

One had to admit, Zhu Gaochi was really heavy; before long, Old Zhu was panting and sweating profusely.

Damn it, the little rascal insisted on carrying that stone block.

Zhu Gaochi kindly said, “Grandpa Emperor, if it’s too much, please put me down. There’s no need to push yourself…”

Old Zhu was about to find an excuse to set him down, but this remark sparked his anger immediately.

“What nonsense is that?”

“I’m still young! Don’t talk about carrying you—I can gallop across battlefields with ease!”

Though he said that, after only a few steps, Old Zhu truly could go no further.

Zhu Gaochi wisely struggled a bit, giving Old Zhu a graceful way out.

Thus, grandfather and grandson arrived at the imperial medical palace.

“Take a look at our grandson—how did he get this fat?”

Old Zhu wiped his sweat and gasped for breath.

It was truly not easy!

Only one young imperial physician was on duty, named Dai Sigong. A disciple of the renowned doctor Zhu Zhenheng, Dai was highly skilled and had quickly gained the emperor’s favor after his appointment.

Looking at this chubby little boy, red-lipped and rosy-cheeked, wielding the stone block with vigor, Dai Sigong’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

Did the child seem ill?

But with the emperor’s command, Dai Sigong had no choice but to comply. He took the boy’s pulse, examined his tongue, and carefully studied Zhu Gaochi before shaking his head gravely.

“Your Majesty, the young prince suffers from a congenital condition. Though currently healthy, he will continue to gain weight as he grows. Unless he practices martial arts to strengthen his body, otherwise…”

So, it was a troublesome ailment.

Old Zhu felt a pang of pity and gently stroked Zhu Gaochi’s head.

But Zhu Gaochi was undeterred and smiled, “Grandpa Emperor, don’t worry. Isn’t there a solution? Practicing martial arts to strengthen the body, that is…”

Such a little child, yet comforting his grandfather in return—Old Zhu’s heart ached all the more.

He made a decisive decision and issued an imperial decree.

“Child, from now on, you’ll attend half of your lessons in the main hall daily, and the other half of the time, Second Guo will personally teach you martial arts. Let’s see if you can handle this hardship!”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi suddenly looked up and asked, “Really?”

The “Second Guo” he mentioned was none other than the famed Martial Marquis Guo Ying, commander of the imperial guards, known for leading a daring cavalry raid on Wang Baobao’s camp!

Old Zhu smiled and nodded. Just as he was about to say more, a palace maid hurried over.

“Your Majesty, the Empress…”

Old Zhu was startled, then immediately rushed toward the Palace of Tranquility.