roccoschili Chapter 115 Is it really reliable if the child isn't biologically related?
Chapter 115 Is it really reliable if the child isn't biologically related?
A blunt and direct refusal will definitely offend people.
Before the situation becomes completely clear, Zhu Jingwei doesn't want to place all her bets on the Crown Prince's side.
If the Crown Prince's position was secure and victory was assured, why would Zhu Gaoxi have been granted the title of Prince of Wu?
It's simply that the Emperor is not entirely satisfied with his grandson.
Anyone with eyes can see this, but it's too early to say who will ultimately win.
Zhu Gaoxi roughly guessed Princess Ningguo's inner thoughts.
While Xu Miaoyun was introducing the female guards, Zhu Jingwei pulled her aside to a quiet, soundproof corner and whispered earnestly, "After all, he's not your own child, and he's so young. Can he really be trusted? His biological mother is living peacefully in Beiping. If you treat him so openly and honestly, and he turns his back on you in the future, you won't have any regrets. You have to be careful, understand?"
Xu Miaoyun knew that the fourth brother was exceptionally intelligent, and that his simple-minded appearance today was a deliberate attempt to conceal his true abilities.
Besides, walls have ears, and she didn't believe that the fourth brother, who was not far away, couldn't hear anything.
Perhaps Zhu Jingwei's original intention was for the fourth brother to hear it.
Deliberately trying to sow discord between her and her fourth son is simply malicious!
Xu Miaoyun was a shrewd person; she would not be fooled by such a clumsy trick.
How I get along with Lao Si is none of your business, Zhu Jingwei!
Even if they don't trust the fourth brother, they won't tell you the whole truth, so you can know everything and manipulate him at will.
Thinking of this, Xu Miaoyun smiled coldly and retorted angrily, "Did Madam Lü make you say these nonsensical things? You're really her yes-man. Have you forgotten that when Chang Lin died, you also suspected her? Yun Tong has been spoiled rotten, so why is it that no one cares when she does evil?!"
"Look at you, I was just trying to help you! You don't appreciate my kindness at all," Zhu Jingwei said sheepishly.
Zhu Gaoxi had keen hearing, and he heard their conversation clearly.
It seems that Lady Lü may have sent a message to Zhu Jingwei, intending to use the Princess of Yan's hand to deal with him, as well as his adoptive mother, Prince He.
The best course of action now is to play dumb, show the Princess Consort of Yan in every way possible to put her mind at ease.
Many of Xu Da's followers had followed him on his northern expeditions, and even the guards of the Wu King's mansion had received favors from Xu Da.
This stepmother is someone you can only win over; you absolutely cannot offend her.
Having received Zhu Jingwei's permission, Xu Miaoyun left three female guards behind and then took her son to say goodbye.
Along the way, Zhu Gaoxi nestled close to his stepmother, feeling drowsy. He had expected her to subtly inquire about his adoptive mother, but to his surprise, Xu Miaoyun only hummed an unknown tune to lull him to sleep and didn't say anything else.
Zhu Gaoxi secretly admired his stepmother's mental fortitude, which was truly beyond his imagination.
Upon returning to the Prince's residence, Li Hui was already anxiously waiting outside; the old emperor wanted to see him.
Zhu Gaoxi bid farewell to his stepmother and immediately returned to the palace.
Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, the old emperor launched into a tirade of abuse.
"You're getting engaged soon, and I haven't seen you anywhere. You're really busy, aren't you? Your father's back in the capital, so he doesn't have time to come to the Qianqing Palace, is he?! You haven't even tried on the wedding dress yet, and you're not familiar with the etiquette. What are you so busy with?! Do you even want to get engaged?! If you really can't find the time, you might as well cancel it!"
Zhu Gaoxi knelt on the ground, silently enduring the old emperor's overwhelming rage.
"Grandson knows he was wrong, grandson will definitely correct it."
Zhu Gaoxi's attitude was extremely respectful, making the old emperor too embarrassed to continue his tirade.
"In his grandson's heart, no one is more important than his grandfather," Zhu Gaoxi said, taking the opportunity to flatter him.
"Your father would have been more convincing to us if he had said that to you," the old emperor said, still seething with anger.
"I will never change my address in front of my father," Zhu Gaoxi vowed solemnly.
"You're just trying to fool us," the old emperor said gently, extending his hands to Zhu Gaoxi with a loving expression. "Get up."
Zhu Gaoxi used the momentum to stand up and rubbed his knees.
The old emperor was heartbroken to see this and beckoned a palace maid to bring over a warm medicine packet, which he placed on Zhu Gaoxi's knees.
"Grandpa, no need, a little rubbing will do," Zhu Gaoxi thought it was unnecessary to go to such trouble. He hadn't been kneeling for long and wasn't that delicate.
"This is not something to be taken lightly," the old emperor said in an unquestionable tone, while summoning the master of ceremonies to explain the relevant rituals for the engagement day.
Zhu Gaoxi memorized them one by one.
After the officials withdrew, the old emperor said earnestly, "Xi'er, this engagement ceremony is not only to give the Xu family face, but it is also extremely important for you. It should not be taken lightly. Sending your father back to the capital is to demonstrate your status. Do you understand what your grandfather means?"
"My grandson understands," Zhu Gaoxi replied, deeply moved.
Grandpa was thinking of him wholeheartedly and went to great lengths to get him into that position. How could he not understand that?
The engagement is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Before that, he will not leave the palace and will stay by the old emperor's side at all times to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.
Just as he was about to express his opinion to the old emperor, You Dun strode in.
"Your brother is with his parents, and you've also run away from the palace. We don't even have a capable person by our side," the old emperor complained softly.
Zhu Youdun apologized with deep remorse, "It's all my fault for not thinking things through."
"The three thousand guards who remain in the capital have been trained enough, so let them go to the palace to serve. You will be in direct command of them. Select a hundred elite soldiers to serve Prince Wu," the old emperor said after a moment of contemplation. "The troops brought by Zhu Gaoxu and Guan Tong should return to Beiping to guard the border."
In his struggle for the throne, the father has been scheming diligently. If he were to hear the old emperor's arrangements, he would likely collapse, leading to suspicion between father and son, unnecessary distrust, and escalating into unnecessary internal strife.
Zhu Gaoxi quickly interjected, "Grandfather, I'm used to those guards. Why don't we let them stay? Or perhaps we could transfer some troops from elsewhere to supplement Father's forces?"
"Those people are all your father's confidants, and only your father can command them. Aren't you worried that leaving them in the capital will make them too powerful to control?" The old emperor was worried that his beloved grandson would become a puppet of the Prince of Yan.
Even if Gao Xi is appointed as the crown prince, it does not mean that the Prince of Yan's lineage has obtained the right to inherit the throne.
We only have our eye on Gao Xi. We must support Gao Xi in controlling the government and absolutely cannot allow any unexpected complications or unforeseen events to occur.
The fourth son was excellent at fighting, but he was far less capable in handling political affairs, let alone his other three sons.
"Grandpa, I have a way to check and balance things," Zhu Gaoxi replied firmly.
Using the troops of one's cheap father may have hidden dangers, but they won't erupt immediately; if not, the situation may get out of control, and countless unpredictable problems may arise, or even all efforts may be in vain.
The old emperor had full confidence in the loyalty of the capital's army, but he dared not be blindly confident in his own influence.
As long as the old emperor is alive, even if the adoptive father is eager for the throne, he would not dare to make any rash moves. He has already extended the old emperor's life by ten years.
Once he reaches the age of sixteen or seventeen, Zhu Gaoxi will be confident that he can control the military forces of the entire country and will not be subject to anyone.