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

After a long while, Zhu Gaoxu and Wei Wanrong sat down at the table in the room.

Zhu Gaoxu felt refreshed and his breathing was so smooth.

With a rosy complexion, Wei Wanrong poured tea for Zhu Gaoxu, then rolled her eyes at his beaming smile.

"Madam, the tea you brewed is delicious."

"If you like it, Your Highness, I'll make it for you every day from now on."

Wei Wanrong looked at Zhu Gaoxu with a smile and a happy expression.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes lit up.

It was obvious that Zhu Gaoxu had misheard.

Setting aside his distractions and putting down his tea, Zhu Gaoxu looked at Wei Wanrong, preparing to speak, but hesitated when the words reached his lips.

Asking Wei Wanrong to go out with him was a rather awkward question.

Those places outside are certainly not as free as the Ming Dynasty, and his voyage at sea, in the eyes of others, is ultimately a failed escape, or rather, an escape akin to exile.

He knew he was going out to establish his own territory and develop his own power, but Wei Wanrong did not know that.

In the eyes of people of this era, his actions were as if he had committed a serious crime and was being punished.

Wei Wanrong went out with him, knowing that she was destined to suffer hardships, far less than what she had experienced in the Ming Dynasty.

Wei Wanrong noticed Zhu Gaoxu's predicament. Although she didn't know what it was, she suddenly grasped Zhu Gaoxu's hand with an encouraging expression.

"Your Highness, have you forgotten what I said when we returned to the manor? I am Your Highness's wife, and I am of one mind with Your Highness."

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly laughed, a laugh that showed great relief.

Yes, after going through all that, why have I become so indecisive?

"Madam, then I will say it. I am preparing to go out and take up my fiefdom, but not to Yunnan. Instead, I will go to a small island overseas outside the Ming Dynasty to take up my fiefdom. I have also told the old man about this."

Zhu Gaoxu finished speaking in one breath without pausing, then stared intently at Wei Wanrong, wanting to see her reaction.

To be precise, it was about catching up with Wei Wanrong's emotions.

Zhu Gaoxu was well aware of the suddenness of this decision; it would be difficult for any normal person to accept.

Wei Wanrong's pupils contracted, her face filled with shock, and her fair, slender hand holding his trembled slightly.

Wei Wanrong was completely dumbfounded, her eyes filled with disbelief. She had thought about many things, but she had never imagined that Zhu Gaoxu would say something like this.

Her first thought was that Zhu Gaoxu must have gotten into some serious trouble, or that Zhu Di or Zhu Gaochi were preparing to take action against him, which forced Zhu Gaoxu to make this decision.

Wei Wanrong constantly controlled her emotions, keeping herself rational at all times.

Wei Wanrong came from a scholarly family and had been the Princess Consort of Han for many years. She was not without shrewdness, nor would she panic at the slightest thing.

Calming down, Wei Wanrong held Zhu Gaoxu's hand tightly and spoke softly.

"Your Highness, are you really sure?"

"It's decided. Although the old man hasn't agreed yet, I'm going to start preparing. I'm determined to go to sea and settle down, no matter what."

From the moment I said that, I had no chance to turn back, and I didn't want to.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu had made up his mind and that it was not a hasty decision, Wei Wanrong smiled and nodded.

"I am the wife of the Prince, the Princess Consort of Han, and I should naturally be with the Prince."

If Your Highness goes to sea to assume your fiefdom, I will go with you.

Seeing Wei Wanrong's equally determined expression, Zhu Gaoxu was slightly taken aback before breaking into a smile, feeling extremely gratified.

There was no loud argument, no questioning of why, only support and trust in him.

Even among husband and wife, how many people in the world can do what Wei Wanrong did?

"Madam, aren't you going to ask why?"

Even though Wei Wanrong didn't ask and chose to believe him, Zhu Gaoxu still wanted to know what Wei Wanrong was really thinking.

He didn't want any distance to grow between them after they left.

Wei Wanrong said softly, "This is the prince's decision. I am the prince's woman, so I will definitely support the prince."

As for why the prince did this, I don't know, but as long as it was a well-thought-out plan, it doesn't matter.

What difference does it make whether you know or not? Since it's already unchangeable, there's no point in worrying about it.

I am one with the prince; we share both honor and disgrace.

There's a saying that makes a lot of sense: "When husband and wife sing, home is where the prince is."

"With Your Highness in charge of things outside, I only need to take care of things at home and not cause you any trouble."

Wei Wanrong was very open-minded; she was a woman who understood the bigger picture.

The situation is beyond repair now, and there's no point in saying anything. So, all we can do is stick with Zhu Gaoxu and go all the way down this path.

As the Princess Consort of Han, she enjoyed all the benefits that came with it, but she also had to bear the corresponding disadvantages and responsibilities.

Being born into the imperial family, she actually had no choice.

Moreover, after what just happened, she was willing to believe Zhu Gaoxu.

If we win, we celebrate together; if we lose, we fight together, even unto death.

Zhu Gaochi's situation within the Ming Dynasty is now rather awkward and delicate. Perhaps going overseas to take up a fiefdom would be a good option?

Zhu Gaoxu was deeply moved after hearing this.

In his view, this is what a virtuous wife is all about.

It's already a rare achievement that we can face these things together without unnecessary mutual strain.

Just then, Wei Wanrong's voice continued to come.

"But Your Highness, if you make such a decision again in the future, please discuss it with me first so that I can be prepared in advance, okay?"

I know I can't be of much help with things outside, but what if I could help the Prince?

Wei Wanrong didn't want Zhu Gaoxu to give her an explanation, she just wanted him to give her a clear answer.

Just like this time, with such a big decision, the entire Han Prince's Mansion needs to be prepared, which is not a matter of a day or two.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded gently.

"I know, this time it really scared you a bit."

Time is tight now, and I want to get out as soon as possible. You should start preparing too.

Everything that should be taken from the mansion was taken away, along with all the people in the mansion, including their families.

"Take all the furniture in the mansion, and those trinkets in the treasury, and sell them for silver."

Zhu Gaoxu gave his instructions methodically, but Wei Wanrong felt a pang of heartache as she listened.

She understood that Zhu Gaoxu was going to sell the entire Prince of Han's mansion.

Without giving it much thought, Wei Wanrong kept all of this in mind.

"I understand. I'll take care of these things as soon as possible."

When does Your Highness plan to set sail? What if the old master keeps disagreeing?

This is exactly what Wei Wanrong is worried about now.

Zhu Gaoxu appeared determined to go to sea and assume his fiefdom, but he was also preparing to sell the Prince of Han's residence.

But what's the point of them doing all this if Zhu Di disagrees?

Zhu Gaoxu thought for a moment, then slowly said, "We'll leave this month!"

"As for the old man, don't worry about him, he'll definitely agree!"

Zhu Gaoxu was not one to drag things out; this was a timeframe he had set for himself.

If this matter continues to drag on, it will become even more difficult for him to leave.

Zhu Gaoxu was already exhausted from continuing to outwit and outmaneuver Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi within the Ming Dynasty.

After agreeing to these terms with Wei Wanrong, Zhu Gaoxu got up and left.

Next, he will also have a serious talk with his trusted confidants about this.

He was also eager to see these familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar faces.