Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 325 This must be Yu'er?!
Zhu Zhanhe was unwilling to let his father hide his desire to live. After all, how could such a peerless general as his father be allowed to go to waste? Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe decided to start with the children to break through his father's closed-off heart.

"Yu'er~" Upon hearing the mention of his grandson, Zhu Gaochi, who had originally planned to remain hidden in the shadows and refuse to acknowledge anyone but his son, couldn't help but tremble. He then realized that he couldn't help but think of the chubby, adorable baby in the portrait. At this moment, Zhu Gaochi realized that even after giving up his pursuit of the throne, he still couldn't bear to part with his wife, children, and elderly parents!
For a moment, even through the thick iron mask, Zhu Zhanhe could feel the constantly changing struggle on his father's face.

"Father, even if you don't consider your younger siblings, you should at least consider Mother! If news from Beijing really reaches the Prince's Mansion, how can Mother bear it?"

"I have already informed Mother, and she will be here soon. You should speak with her yourself; there are some things I simply cannot say to her." Seeing that using familial ties was proving effective against his father, Zhu Zhanhe continued to use his mother, Madam Wei, to attack his father's weaknesses without hesitation.

"The news that I'm still alive must not be spread, and too many people must not know!" Upon hearing his son's words, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but think of his frail wife, and his heart softened. He didn't know if his wife, Lady Wei, could accept such a blow when the news of the Prince of Han's death reached her, or if she would be terrified by it. Therefore, softened by his feelings, Zhu Gaoxu didn't refuse to see his wife, but he still reminded his son that the news of his survival must not be known to too many people.

"Father, don't worry. When you came in, Erniu had already cleared out everyone along the way. You were brought to the study by Erniu the whole time, and the area around the study was also sealed off. You were even wearing a mask, so there's absolutely no one else who will know about this."

"Afterwards, only Haihai, Mother, Madam Xia, and your grandson in the entire Prince's Mansion will know about this." Seeing that his father's heart had softened, Zhu Zhanhe immediately made a serious promise to him. Furthermore, Zhu Zhanhe clearly told his father who would be the next people to know about this matter.

"I won't stay in the Prince's Palace. After things stabilize in Yunnan, send me to the army in Annam." Hearing his son's well-reasoned arrangement, Zhu Gaoxu seemed to resign himself to his fate and tacitly agreed to his son's words. However, at the end, Zhu Gaoxu said that after meeting with his wife and grandson one last time, he would go to Annam.

After hearing this, Zhu Zhanhe understood that his father had decided to spend the rest of his life paving the way for his sons' future!

"Father, there's no need to worry. I have now completely occupied the entire territory of Annam. Currently, I am sorting out the land, and the next step is to distribute the land to the soldiers, generals, and officials."

After dealing with Yang Shiqi and his group from Beijing, the child will personally go to Annam to stabilize the hearts and minds of the Annamese people.

"Furthermore, I also plan to take Yang Shiqi and the others to Annam, so they can see the strength of my Han Prince's Mansion." Zhu Zhanhe knew that his father wanted to go to Annam to avoid being recognized by those with ulterior motives. Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe did not refuse, but readily agreed to his father's request, and briefly explained the situation in Annam to his father, as well as the arrangements and plans after Yang Shiqi and the others arrived.

Moreover, Zhu Zhanhe knew perfectly well that his father was one of the most outstanding generals in the entire Ming Dynasty! Even if his father concealed his identity, Zhu Zhanhe believed that with his father's involvement, the expansion of Yunnan into Nanzhang and other areas would become much smoother!
Moreover, Father, these will be the most suitable and carefully chosen black gloves in the entire Prince's mansion! How can we just leave them unused?!

"Knock knock knock knock." Just as Zhu Zhanhe was briefly explaining the situation in Annam to his father, a knock came at the door. Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but turn his head to look at the door.

"Your Highness, Your Highness the Princess Consort, Your Highness the Crown Princess, and the young prince have arrived." At this moment, Xiao Xizi's voice came from outside the door. It turned out that the people Zhu Zhanhe had notified had all arrived.

"Come in." Zhu Zhanhe didn't hesitate and let them in directly.

"Gulp~" As if a little nervous, Zhu Zhanhe heard his father swallow hard beside him. Furthermore, Zhu Zhanhe saw his father subtly shift his feet, slowly turning his back to the door. Zhu Zhanhe understood; after all, his father had already publicly revealed his identity and was now acting as the "Iron Mask." He guessed his father was feeling a little embarrassed.

"He'er, what's the matter? Why are you being so mysterious?" Princess Wei was summoned to her study by her son after dinner, who had even avoided everyone else. While somewhat surprised, she was further astonished to find her daughter-in-law and grandson traveling the same way. Before entering, she had caught a glimpse of the guarded study, which made her uneasy. So, upon entering, she immediately asked her son. However, before she could finish her question, she saw a familiar figure in the study.

"Your Highness~?" Princess Wei looked at the familiar figure beside her son, whose back was turned, and instinctively called out. After all, she had been married to the Prince of Han for many years, and now they even had a grandson; Princess Wei was very familiar with her husband's physique. Moreover, Princess Wei was absolutely certain that she wouldn't mistake him for someone else!
Upon hearing his wife Wei's cry, Zhu Gaoxu trembled slightly, but he stubbornly refused to turn around and face her.

"Thump~" Upon hearing her mother-in-law's voice, Princess Xia, who had entered the room carrying her child, trembled and immediately knelt on the ground with her child in her arms, but she did not call out to anyone.

Because, at this moment, Princess Xia was somewhat bewildered. Just a few days ago, she had secretly read her husband's report that the Prince was dead! She and her maid had even gone out of their way to diligently care for her husband, trying to comfort his wounded heart! But now, this mysterious man in a veil was calling her "Prince"—didn't that mean this person was her father-in-law?! Her son's grandfather?!

But was the prince truly dead? Or was he faking his death? Suddenly, the idea of ​​faking death flashed through the mind of Princess Xia, who was kneeling on the ground holding her child. Instantly, Princess Xia felt that faking death was highly likely! However, regardless of whether the mysterious person before her was the prince, her father-in-law, or her mother-in-law who had mistaken her for someone else, Princess Xia knew that kneeling down at this moment was the right thing to do. Therefore, Princess Xia knelt down smoothly, holding her child.

"This must be Yu'er." Zhu Gaoxu neither refuted nor answered his wife's call. Instead, he slowly turned his head and looked at the child that Princess Xia was holding not far away. He asked in a trembling voice if that was his grandson.

At this moment, Crown Princess Xia and Princess Wei noticed that the mysterious person in front of them was wearing a jet-black iron mask.

"Yes, this is Yu'er, the eldest grandson of my Han Prince's Mansion." Princess Wei had already identified the person in front of her as her husband, although she didn't know what tricks her man was playing with his mask. But when her husband ignored her, Princess Wei couldn't help but turn her eyes, gently turn around and walk to her daughter-in-law, reach out and take her grandson from her daughter-in-law's arms, and gently rock him in her arms.

"Eeya~" Perhaps feeling comfortable from being rocked by Princess Wei, Zhu Qiyu happily babbled, as if talking to his grandmother. This scene brought a smile to Princess Wei's face, and she even gave her masked, mysterious husband a provocative glance.

The child's voice melted Zhu Gaoxu's heart!
(End of this chapter)