Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

In August, Xinwangfu.

In the courtyard of the mansion, flowers and trees are lush and the bamboo shadows sway. Through the window, one can glimpse the study.

The walls of the study are adorned with exquisite calligraphy and paintings, all by renowned artists. The bookshelves are filled with ancient classics, covering everything from history and philosophy to poetry and prose.

In one corner of the wall hangs a guqin (a seven-stringed zither) exquisitely carved from sandalwood.

The incense burner burned softly, and wisps of blue smoke rose, filling the room with a delicate fragrance.

On the rosewood desk, carved with delicate patterns, sits a Duan inkstone, the ink in the inkwell is of just the right consistency, and paper is laid flat on the desk.

Zhu Youjian sat calmly at his desk, holding a brush in his hand, his eyes focused on the paper. He gently dipped the brush into the ink, his arm suspended in the air, his wrist moving flexibly, the brush tip bending and stretching on the paper.

Suddenly, Zhu Youjian paused in his writing, a few drops of ink dripping from the tip. Seeing the stains on the paper, his brows furrowed, his heart heavy, and his previously fluid movements stiffened.

Looking at the stain, Zhu Youjian seemed to see Wei Zhongxian's gloomy face again.

"Treacherous officials are in power, and loyal ministers are wronged. My imperial brother is terrible at judging character!"

"well……"

He sighed heavily, casually placed the pen beside the inkstone, and his fingers accidentally touched the cold tabletop, calming his emotions slightly.

Father, like son.

Although he was granted the title of Prince Xin, he remained in Beijing and did not take up his fiefdom. He was still somewhat aware of the affairs of the court.

The emperor's own children died one after another, and even Empress Zhang was targeted by Wei Zhongxian. He sent someone to treat the empress's back pain, using a peculiar method to harm her fetus, causing the empress to give birth prematurely.

Wei Zhongxian feared that if a crown prince was born, he would be out of control, so he simply made sure the crown prince never appeared again.

This matter has spread throughout the palace and beyond, but my elder brother remains unaware of it. Perhaps, even if he did know, he wouldn't believe it.

Previously, when my elder brother went to the West Garden for a visit, he unfortunately fell into the water. Although he survived, he was left with a chronic illness, and his health has been deteriorating.

That damned Wei Zhongxian announced to the world that he was seeking famous doctors and folk remedies, while Huo Weihua, the Minister of War, found a miraculous remedy that was said to have the effect of bringing the dead back to life, called Linglu Drink.

Worried about his elder brother's health, he secretly sent someone to find out the recipe for this elixir.

Upon first seeing him, Zhu Youjian was so angry that he laughed instead.

Add the rinsed japonica rice or glutinous rice, old rice, and millet to the wooden tube in sequence for steaming. Wait a while after each type of rice is added until the rice is cooked through before adding another layer.

The bottom of the wooden tube is hollowed out, and a silver bottle is placed inside. Water is added while cooking, and the cooked rice water flows into the silver bottle. After a certain period of time, new rice is added and the process continues until the silver bottle is full.

This is what is known as spiritual dew!

It's utterly absurd.

"Immortal medicine, immortal medicine, where in this world can one find such an elixir?"

Zhu Youjian slowly shook his head, thinking of his ancestor who had spent his life cultivating Taoism and refining elixirs.

After a long while, Zhu Youjian pressed his throbbing temples and muttered to himself, "I'd better not worry about this. Anyway, matters of the court have nothing to do with me. I'm just a leisurely prince, so thinking about it is pointless."

Just then, a rapid clatter of hooves broke the silence.

The sound of horses' hooves continued all the way to the front of Prince Xin's residence.

They waited until the guards at the gate announced their arrival before seeing the messenger rushing from the direction of the palace, carrying a golden plaque and an imperial edict.

Why summon me to an audience at this time?

Zhu Youjian instantly understood what his elder brother meant. Instead of feeling excited, he felt a sudden sinking feeling in his heart.

My brother, is he about to pass away?

……

He was led into Zhu Youxiao's bedroom, where Zhu Youjian saw his long-lost elder brother.

Zhu Youxiao had lost his former glory.

He lay in bed, afflicted by illness, his face as pale as paper, his eyes revealing exhaustion, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, and his dragon robe, now somewhat disheveled, had lost its former majesty.

Upon seeing that it was Zhu Youjian who had entered, Zhu Youxiao's eyes regained a glimmer of life. He struggled to sit up, forced a smile, and looked at Zhu Youjian.

Zhu Youjian strode into the room, knelt down, and said, "Prince Xin, Zhu Youjian, greets Your Majesty!"

"Rise, come and sit down!" A weak voice squeezed out from Zhu Youxiao's throat.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhu Youjian quickly got up, walked to Zhu Youxiao's bedside, squatted down, gently supported his body, and touched his extremely cold, dry arm.

At this moment, for some reason, Zhu Youjian's throat tightened, and he couldn't speak. A thousand words were condensed into two: "Brother."

It is said that the imperial family is the most ruthless, but his elder brother treated him very well.

He arranged a foster mother for him, frequently summoned him, took him to various ceremonies, and when he was 11 years old, he was made Prince Xin. There were countless other things as well.

A true elder brother is like a father. It can be said that Zhu Youjian came here this time simply to see his elder brother.

Zhu Youxiao grasped Zhu Youjian's hand, stared directly into his eyes, and said resolutely, "My brother, you should be like Yao and Shun!"

These sudden words took Zhu Youjian by surprise. Immediately afterward, his expression turned serious, and he quickly changed from a squatting position to a kneeling position.

"I'll be punished by death!"

He knew that his brother was somewhat dull-witted, and this might be a trap set by Wei Zhongxian. After all, Wei Zhongxian couldn't even tolerate the yet-to-be-released crown prince, let alone him.

That's too dangerous; we absolutely cannot agree to it.

At this point, the two fell silent.

One was determined to pass the throne to the emperor, while the other was determined not to agree.

Just as the stalemate was at its peak, a person stepped out from behind the screen.

Empress Zhang said softly to Zhu Youjian, who was kneeling on the ground, "The matter is urgent, I hope Prince Xin will not refuse."

Empress Zhang's child was miscarried because of Wei Zhongxian's interference, so it's impossible that she colluded with Wei Zhongxian.

This is not a trap!

Zhu Youjian immediately realized that his elder brother had not been deceived by Wei Zhongxian, and that his previous statements were true.

However, his elder brother probably doesn't have much time left.

"Brother, I obey," Zhu Youjian said solemnly, then looked at Zhu Youxiao pleadingly, "Brother, may I visit you more often these days?"

"Of course," Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction upon seeing Zhu Youjian agree, his hands trembling slightly as he smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes. "After I'm gone, you must protect our Zhu family's empire!"

"And also, brother, promise me you will not kill Wei Zhongxian," Zhu Youxiao said, his eyes fixed on Zhu Youjian.

Oh, my silly brother!

"Brother, I understand." Zhu Youjian nodded in agreement, but a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

Wei Zhongxian must die!

……

On August 11th, Emperor Xizong of Ming, Zhu Youxiao, died at the age of 23. On the 24th of the same month, Zhu Youjian ascended the throne, adopting the reign title of...

Emperor Chongzhen.