Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

Zhu Di stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping over the ministers filling the square, and said to the assembled officials, "Who else doesn't believe me?"

No one answered. Zhu Di laughed heartily, his laughter echoing across the square, startling several pigeons that had been perched on the eaves.

Zhu Gaoxu also burst into laughter. When the third brother saw the second brother laughing, he also stood up. Well, the two brothers weren't very good-looking, and they looked strange standing up. In modern society, they would be considered two odd uncles.

"The court is adjourned." Zhu Di glanced at the assembled officials. "You may all leave."

The officials felt as if they had been granted a general amnesty, and they all bowed and took their leave.

Zhu Gaoxi bowed to Zhu Di and said, "Father, I shall take my leave now."

Zhu Di nodded, his eyes still holding a lingering smile.

Zhu Gaoxi turned to leave, but when he looked up, he saw that a crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the palace.

Zhao Hong stood at the front, his lips trembling, as if he wanted to say something. Fang Bin squeezed behind him, staring intently at him with a gaze so intense it could fry an egg.

The military officers were even more exaggerated. Zhu Yong took half a step forward, stretched out his large, fan-like hand, and opened his mouth, as if he wanted to shout but dared not.

Zhu Gaoxi felt a chill run down his spine. If he didn't leave soon, these people would probably pounce on him.

With a thought, the Dragon-Slaying Sword flew from his palm, transforming into a length of over ten feet, and hovered before the imperial steps.

Before anyone could react, he had already leaped onto the sword, and a dark light shot into the sky, piercing straight into the clouds.

A gasp came from behind:

"Your Highness—Your Highness Prince Rui, please wait—" Zhu Gaoxi didn't even turn his head, accelerating on his sword.

Just as they flew out of the imperial city, a heart-wrenching scream came from afar behind them:

"Fourth brother—remember to take your second brother flying with you—you promised your second brother—don't forget—"

Throughout the entire Ming Dynasty, no one except Zhu Gaochi could shout like that in the imperial court.

After the court session ended, civil and military officials walked out in twos and threes. The civil officials exited from the east side of Fengtian Gate, while the military officers walked from the west side. The two lines were several dozen paces apart, like two parallel rivers.

The military officers walked behind, their pace much slower than that of the civil officials.

Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo walked at the front, his expression calm and his gaze unwavering. Duke Zhu Neng of Chengguo followed beside him, unusually quiet, keeping his head down and walking in silence.

Zhu Yong suddenly stopped and lowered his voice: "Duke of Yingguo, what about today's matter..."

He paused, looked around, and lowered his voice even further, "His Highness Prince Rui flew in on his sword, bringing all swords together. In all my years, I've never even heard of such a feat, let alone seen it."

Zhang Fu did not stop, but simply said, "There are many things you haven't heard of."

"No." Zheng Heng caught up from behind, leaned close to Zhang Fu, and whispered, "Duke of Ying, this time our Yingtian Prefecture is about to undergo a major upheaval. No, it's our Ming Dynasty that's about to undergo a major upheaval... I've seen the old monk's abilities before, but how come they've become immortal with His Highness Prince Rui?"

Zhang Fu did not answer. He walked very slowly, as if he was lost in thought.

Xue Lu followed behind, adding gruffly, "Who cares about becoming an immortal or not? We, the military lineage, need to think things through. Prince Rui is His Majesty's most beloved son, and now he's even gained immortal powers. If we offend Prince Rui, not only will we not be able to keep our heads, but we might also end up in hell after death."

Hearing this, Wang Tong nodded in alarm, his voice low and menacing: "Marquis Yangwu is right. His Highness Prince Rui is only seven years old; what will he be like in the future? We not only cannot afford to offend him, but we must also find a way to..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood.

Chen Mao suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with amusement: "What do you think the civil officials are whispering about right now?"

Everyone looked ahead in unison. The civil officials' procession moved slowly. Zhao Hong and Fang Bin walked side by side, talking with their heads down, occasionally glancing back at the military officers behind them before quickly turning away again.

The military officers slowed their pace and pricked up their ears.

"...We can't offend His Highness Prince Rui..." Zhao Hong's voice drifted over intermittently.

Fang Bin added, "...Of course. His Highness Prince Rui is a divine being; who would dare offend him?"

"I have a little girl." Zhao Hong's voice rose slightly, as if deliberately wanting those behind to hear, "She just turned six this year, and she's quite pretty. If she could serve His Highness Prince Rui..."

Fang Bin quickly interrupted him: "Lord Zhao, what are you saying? I also have a daughter, who is a year older than yours."

Zhao Hong glanced at him sideways: "Lord Fang, so what if your daughter is a year older? His Highness Prince Rui is only seven years old; it's inappropriate for her to be a year older."

"Why is it unsuitable?" Fang Bin retorted. "A woman three years older is considered lucky; what's a year older?"

Zhao Hong snorted:

"I've seen your daughter. She's dark-skinned and skinny, like a stick. His Highness Prince Rui is as handsome as an immortal; would he possibly be interested in your daughter?"

Fang Bin blushed and became anxious:

"Zhao Hong! Stop talking nonsense about my daughter! Is yours any better? I heard your daughter cries all the time, always crying. Serving His Highness Prince Rui? She'd be more like a mourner!"

Zhao Hong's face flushed red: "Who did you call wailing? Say it again!"

"I'm talking to you! What's wrong?"

The two men spoke more and more urgently, their voices growing louder and louder. The civil officials behind them shook their heads and smiled wryly, some chuckled to themselves, and others pretended not to hear.

The military officers, walking behind, heard everything clearly.

Zhu Yong's expression changed, and he turned to look at Zheng Heng. Zheng Heng was also looking at him, and the two exchanged a glance, both seeing the same meaning in each other's eyes.

These civil officials, they say nice things, but their hearts are full of ulterior motives. Serving His Highness Prince Rui? Isn't it just a way to climb the social ladder? And they're doing it so eagerly and shamelessly.

Zheng Heng lowered his voice and whispered in Zhang Fu's ear:

"Duke of England, did you hear that? Those two old geezers, Zhao Hong and Fang Bin, are arguing. What a nice way to say they're serving His Highness Prince Rui, but all they really want is to push their daughters into his arms!"

Zhang Fu remained expressionless and said calmly, "I heard you."

"Aren't you worried?" Zheng Heng's eyes widened. "The civil officials have already made their move. If you don't say anything soon, all the good cabbages will be snatched up by these civil officials."

Zhang Fu glanced at him, his lips twitching slightly. He didn't reply, but he was already making plans in his mind. These old foxes, they really think ahead. His Highness Prince Rui is only seven years old, and they're already eyeing the selection of a concubine.

Xue Lu scratched his head from behind and said in a muffled voice:

"Those civil officials are all sweet talkers, but their hearts are full of daggers. I just heard Zhao Hong use the word 'serve' so respectfully. But think about it carefully, is that respect? Isn't it just that they want to get a share of the immortal power because they see that His Highness Prince Rui has obtained immortal magic?"

Wang Tong nodded, his voice low:

"Marquis Yangwu is right. That's what the civil officials are best at. If we military officers don't become more astute, we won't even have a place to stand in the court in the future."

Liu Sheng hadn't spoken until now, but finally opened his mouth, his voice muffled:

"Duke of England, say something! Don't you have a little granddaughter at home? She's as beautiful as a painting, I've seen her. Aren't you going to promote her instead of letting Zhao Hong's dark-skinned, skinny daughter take advantage of her?"

Zhang Fu finally stopped. He turned around, looked at Liu Sheng, then at Zheng Heng, and finally at Zhu Neng.

"We'll talk about it when we get back," he said calmly.

"Go back and talk about it later?" Liu Sheng was anxious. "By the time you get back, it'll be too late! That old fox Zhao Hong, he says he's serving you, but who knows what he's really up to. If he really sends our daughter to Prince Rui, how will our military lineage ever be able to hold our heads high again?"

Zhang Fu was silent for a moment, then suddenly the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "I do have a little granddaughter at home, who has just turned five and is quite pretty."

The military officers' eyes lit up upon hearing this. Zhu Neng rubbed his hands together and lowered his voice, "Duke of Yingguo, are you... planning to make a move?"

Zheng Heng smacked his lips and couldn't help but sigh, "Those civil officials are really cunning. We've been discussing this here for ages, while they've already started arguing about whose daughter is a good match for Prince Rui."

"Exactly," Xue Lu mumbled, "Those civil officials, they're so cunning and sly."

Wang Tong suddenly spoke, his voice extremely low: "Do you think that if His Highness Prince Rui were to truly become an immortal one day, wouldn't the idiom 'when one attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven' come true?"

The military officers fell silent for a moment. Zheng Heng was the first to react, his eyes lighting up: "You mean... if His Highness Prince Rui becomes an immortal, perhaps those of us who follow him can also benefit? Perhaps he'll bestow upon us a couple of immortal pills, or even take us with him to ascend to heaven?"

Wang Tong said in a low voice, "Who can say for sure? But then again, if His Highness Prince Rui really becomes an immortal, the people around him can't be bad either."

The generals exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming.

Chen Mao suddenly patted Zheng Heng on the shoulder and chuckled, "Marquis Wu'an, don't you have a daughter too? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Zheng Heng glanced at him, a slight smile playing on his lips. "My daughter is only three, no rush. But you, Marquis of Ningyang, don't you have a niece? How old is she again?"

Chen Mao narrowed his eyes but didn't reply. But the military officers all knew that his silence meant he already had a plan.