The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

Zhu Gaochi was preoccupied with his own thoughts, and Zhu Zhanji was reluctant, but when they arrived at the door, he had no choice but to adjust his mind and obey Zhu Gaochi's decision.

He truly didn't understand why Zhu Gaochi did this, why he would help Zhu Gaoxu even though he knew Zhu Gaoxu had ulterior motives, and why he would protect Zhu Gaoxu in front of Zhu Di even though he knew Zhu Gaoxu was vying for that position.

But he knew one thing: Zhu Gaochi had not made a mistake in this regard.

Yes, over the years, even though Zhu Gaochi appeared weak and submissive in front of Zhu Di, he hadn't actually done anything wrong.

Upon entering the room, Zhu Zhanji made a brief eye contact with Zhu Di, then lowered his head and quickly approached Zhu Di.

"Grandpa, your grandson has arrived."

"Second Uncle."

Zhu Gaoxu did not say anything when Zhu Zhanji bowed, not even nodding.

He could maintain that hypocritical affectation in front of others, but he truly didn't want to in front of Zhu Zhanji.

Since the truth has already been said, remaining so warm and friendly seems too fake.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji, and a relieved smile quietly appeared on his originally solemn face.

"Grandson, do you know why I called you here?"

"Grandfather, I don't know."

Zhu Zhanji was bowing respectfully at this moment, showing none of his usual carefree demeanor.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji with even greater satisfaction and admiration in his eyes.

He came to Zhu Zhanji, helped him up, and stroked his face.

"So alike, so very alike, just like me when I was young."

Zhu Di remarked with feeling that Zhu Zhanji really looked like him.

It's not just about appearance, but also about personality.

When he was young, he was seen by others as just as mischievous and naughty.

Even the Jingnan Campaign, which came later, was truly decided upon after Zhu Zhanji was born.

Although this is only one of the reasons, it is the reason why he has always been so fond of Zhu Zhanji.

Zhu Zhanji looked at the loving Zhu Di and a smile appeared on his face. He breathed a sigh of relief.

He had initially thought it would be much more serious, but now he realized that it seemed that Zhu Gaochi had created that impression.

Zhu Gaoxu felt a pang of jealousy as he watched this scene.

From childhood to adulthood, has Zhu Di ever treated him with such tenderness and affection?

Even after experiencing a lifetime in modern times, Zhu Gaoxu's nose still felt a little sore.

But such a thought quickly vanished.

Zhu Di had never treated him with such gentleness, but Zhu Gaoxu had indeed heard these words several times.

During the Jingnan Rebellion, in the early years of the Yongle reign, Zhu Di often told him that he resembled him.

Having traveled to the modern era, he now knew that when Zhu Di displayed such an expression, it usually meant that something was about to begin.

With a slight upturn of his lips, Zhu Gaoxu was even a little nostalgic for modern snacks like melon seeds and peanuts; he really wanted to be a melon-eating enthusiast.

The happier Zhu Zhanji is now, the greater the backlash will be later.

He knows it all too well.

Zhu Gaochi looked at this scene, but he felt no joy at all. Instead, his heart trembled.

Seeing Zhu Zhanji suddenly let down his guard, he didn't know whether to call Zhu Zhanji stupid or overconfident.

But upon closer reflection, he realized he couldn't bring himself to yell at them.

Because whether it was him or Zhu Gaoxu, who hadn't been treated like this by Zhu Di in the past?

Back then, weren't they also caught off guard?

Zhu Gaochi felt helpless. Zhu Di's tactic wasn't enough when it was used on his brothers; now he had finally set his sights on Zhu Zhanji.

Seeing Zhu Zhanji engrossed in his work with a shy smile on his face, Zhu Di gradually smiled as well.

"Grandson, you're not young anymore. In a few more years, you'll be an adult."

Time flies so fast; in the blink of an eye, you've grown up so much.

As I said before, I will make you the Crown Prince on your wedding day after you come of age, and I have always remembered that.

I'll probably only be an adult for a few years now, is there a girl I like?

"Grandpa, not yet, I haven't thought about it yet..."

Zhu Zhanji smiled shyly, scratching the back of his head, completely believing that Zhu Di was just having a casual chat with him.

And this smile is a genuine smile from the heart.

On his wedding day after he comes of age, he will be the Crown Prince, the Imperial Grandson!

Once this status is settled, he will have absolutely nothing to worry about.

At this time, Zhu Di was even closer to Zhu Zhanji than his biological father, Zhu Gaochi.

After all, his education and future were given to him by Zhu Di.

Zhu Zhanji tried to control his inner joy, but he couldn't stop himself, and the smile on his face grew wider and wider.

She glanced at Zhu Gaoxu casually, then straightened her posture deliberately, her expression arrogant.

Zhu Gaoxu showed no anger at these things; instead, he smiled, a particularly happy smile.

Zhu Gaochi could only manage a smile when he met Zhu Di's unintentional gaze, but the smile seemed somewhat forced.

Zhu Di glanced at Zhu Gaochi, then looked at Zhu Zhanji, and spoke softly.

"Grandson, by the time you become the Crown Prince, I will be old, and your father will be in poor health. Then you will be needed to participate in state affairs."

If your second uncle hadn't yet gone to his fiefdom at that time, how would you have arranged for him?

As soon as Zhu Di finished speaking, Zhu Gaoxu's smile blossomed, while Zhu Gaochi immediately frowned.

Zhu Zhanji was suddenly taken aback. After all, he came from the royal family and was not completely blinded by the joy he had just experienced.

However, Zhu Di's sudden question caught Zhu Zhanji off guard, and his eyes instinctively turned to Zhu Gaoxu.

After a brief eye contact with Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Zhanji quickly looked away and bowed his head to Zhu Di.

"Grandpa Emperor, I..."

Zhu Zhanji wanted to say something, but felt that nothing he said would be right.

For a moment, my mind was in a bit of a mess.

Zhu Gaochi felt a sense of despair as he watched this scene.

At this point, Zhu Zhanji was still far too naive.

Zhu Gaochi knew very well that the most important thing about this kind of problem was not to think about it too much.

He had already reminded Zhu Zhanji not to forget that he was Zhu Gaoxu's eldest nephew and Zhu Gaoxu was his second uncle. As long as he responded around that point, he would definitely not go wrong.

However, after being captivated by Zhu Di's kind words, he became carried away with his own thoughts.

But Zhu Gaochi was very puzzled. What exactly did Zhu Gaoxu say to Zhu Di that made Zhu Di so suspicious this time?

Even after experiencing so much, he still couldn't understand it at this moment, and could only hope that Zhu Zhanji wouldn't do anything foolish.

"Grandson, just say it, I'm listening."

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji as if he were not urging him, but in Zhu Zhanji's eyes, this was a audible and silent urging, which made him feel confused and disoriented.

Zhu Zhanji knew very well that he couldn't say directly what to do with Zhu Gaoxu; those innermost thoughts were now taboo.

But how to keep Zhu Di from overthinking, maintain appearances, and preserve the family ties of the Zhu family—there were too many things to consider.

Even Zhu Zhanji didn't know which version was the most appropriate.

Unable to figure it out, Zhu Zhanji subconsciously wanted to look at Zhu Gaochi, but Zhu Di's voice came again.

"Grandson, what are you looking at him for? I'm asking you, not him."

Just say whatever you want, I won't blame you for anything.

You are my good grandson, and I will appoint you as the Crown Prince in the future.

"Just open your heart and speak freely before your royal grandfather."

Zhu Di maintained a kind expression and spoke softly, appearing to be encouraging Zhu Zhanji.