Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

The changes in Zhu Gaoxi after he got up had already been reported to Zhu Di by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who said that Prince Rui had transformed from a child into a young man of eighteen or nineteen years old.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di guessed that the Taoist patriarch had passed on some kind of illusion or other supernatural power to Prince Rui that day. He then went to attend to state affairs, leaving the Embroidered Uniform Guard to continue keeping watch.

Then, as Zhu Gaoxu and his brothers left the palace, several pairs of eyes were fixed on them. Zhu Gaoxu didn't notice anything the whole way, but Zhu Gaosui glanced at them a few more times from horseback without saying anything. He knew whose people these were. News traveled faster than horses' hooves.

Not long after Zhu Gaoxu left the Prince Rui's residence, someone from the Wenyuan Pavilion came in to report to him.

Ji Gang knelt in the hall, bowing his head, and said, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Prince of Han, and His Highness the Prince of Zhao have already left the Prince Rui's residence. The Crown Prince looks much younger, and the Prince of Han looks like he's back in his twenties. The Prince of Zhao hasn't changed much."

Zhu Di's hand didn't stop writing: "Investigate again." He was thinking about what kind of supernatural power the Dao Ancestor had passed on to the fourth brother today, that could make the brothers younger. He hoped it wasn't the kind that could resurrect people, otherwise he would be in trouble if Zhu Yuanzhang was resurrected. Dao Ancestor, please bless... Dao Ancestor, please bless... Wait a minute, the fourth brother is the Dao Ancestor's disciple, why would he ask the Dao Ancestor to bless him?

Ji Gang acknowledged and left.

When Zhu Gaoxu left the Duke of Yingguo, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had probably already gathered all the information and was rushing to report to Zhu Di.

When the news reached the Wenyuan Pavilion for the second time, Ji Gang told Zhu Di, "Your Majesty, everything has been investigated. As soon as Prince Han left Prince Rui's residence, he took Prince Zhao to the Duke of Ying's residence, saying that Prince Rui was a disciple of the Daoist Ancestor, who had bestowed upon him the Book of Life and Death from Yama, allowing him to change people's lifespans. Prince Rui, out of brotherly affection, had already added to his lifespan, which is why he became younger."

Zhu Di put down his pen, glanced out the window, and said calmly, "This Prince of Han, he has to show off all the way to the city after getting a good deal. The Fourth Prince can even manipulate the Book of Life and Death, and I didn't even know, but he's going around telling everyone."

In truth, a huge uproar had already broken out in his heart. This fourth brother got the Book of Life and Death from the King of Hell but didn't say a word. He just wanted to add more lifespan. Could this Book of Life and Death really bring the dead back to life?

He stood up, paced back and forth a couple of times, and said, "Prepare the carriage for Prince Rui's residence. Invite the Empress as well."

Huang Yan responded and quickly went out.

The imperial carriage left the palace and headed towards Prince Rui's residence. Zhu Di and Empress Xu rode in the same carriage. Empress Xu originally thought it was just a visit to Prince Rui's residence, but seeing that Zhu Di's expression was different from usual, she knew that this matter was not simple.

"What's wrong, Your Majesty?" Empress Xu asked softly. "Why are you in such a hurry to go to the Fourth Prince's residence? Has the Fourth Prince acquired some great supernatural power?"

Zhu Di remained silent for a moment, then recounted the most important matters reported by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He explained how Zhu Gaoxi had grown up overnight, and the changes in the three brothers after leaving the Prince Rui's residence. This was because the fourth brother had obtained the Book of Life and Death passed down from the Daoist Ancestor, which allowed him to alter people's lifespans, thus extending the lifespans of his brothers.

Empress Xu's face lit up with joy upon hearing this: "What? Xi'er has grown up? All of our children can live longer? This is such a wonderful thing!"

Zhu Di nodded and said, "A good thing is certainly a good thing."

Zhu Di was only halfway through his sentence when Empress Xu suddenly realized something. She turned sharply to look at Zhu Di, her voice trembling slightly, "Your Majesty... the Fourth Prince... he can even manipulate the Book of Life and Death, so... so he can also..."

She didn't say it aloud, but Zhu Di knew who she was referring to. Xu Da, the Prince of Zhongshan. Empress Xu's father, the most meritorious founding minister of the Ming Dynasty, who had passed away many years ago. If it truly was the Book of Life and Death of the King of Hell, then if the living could become young again, the dead should also be able to be resurrected.

Empress Xu clenched her sleeves tightly, and said urgently, "Your Majesty, if it's true, then my father..."

Having followed Zhu Di through thick and thin for decades, his excitement lasted only a moment. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head and said, "That's not right. I told Xi'er about his maternal grandfather last time. If Xi'er really has the supernatural power to bring the dead back to life, wouldn't he have informed me first?"

Hearing her say that, Zhu Di felt somewhat at ease. This was exactly the thought that had been on his mind while he was pacing around in the Wenyuan Pavilion. He was afraid that his fourth son might really have the ability to resurrect the dead and bring Zhu Yuanzhang back. Although he now had his fourth son, who was like a god, he still had a deep-seated fear of his father, Zhu Yuanzhang.

Now that Empress Xu has analyzed the situation, Zhu Di is much more at ease. Since Xi'er was brought back from outside, Empress Xu has been taking care of him. If he can really revive people, he will definitely tell Empress Xu first.

Zhu Di's expression relaxed: "We'll find out what happened when we go and see. We might as well go see what the fourth prince looks like now that he's grown up."

Empress Xu understood immediately upon hearing this. She and Zhu Di had been married for many years, and they understood each other perfectly. Zhu Di had just said that the eldest, second, and third sons had all had their lifespans extended. What did this mean? He said he wanted to see what the fourth son would look like as he grew up, but in reality, he also wanted his lifespan extended, though he couldn't bring himself to say it.

But if he were to accompany his mother to visit his son, then it would be perfectly legitimate. Once at the mansion, mother and son would chat, and the topic of the Book of Life and Death would casually come up. If the fourth son had any filial piety, wouldn't he add a few years to his parents' names as well?

Empress Xu found Zhu Di's feigned nonchalance amusing and replied, "I wonder what the Fourth Prince is busy with in the mansion. I'd like to see what he looks like when he grows up."

Zhu Di nodded in satisfaction and added, "You can ask me more questions later; I'll just listen from the side."

Empress Xu smiled and agreed. The imperial carriage arrived at the gates of Prince Rui's residence, where someone rushed in to announce their arrival. Soon after, Zhu Gaoxi quickly came out to greet them, bowing respectfully upon seeing the carriage.

When the imperial carriage arrived at the gate of Prince Rui's residence, someone rushed in to announce its arrival. Soon after, Zhu Gaoxi quickly came out to greet them, bowing respectfully upon seeing the carriage.

"Your subject respectfully welcomes Your Majesty and Your Majesty." A clear, youthful voice rang out.

Empress Xu was intrigued by the sound. She lifted the curtain, stepped out of the sedan chair, and froze when she saw the young man bowing before her.

The Zhu Gaoxi before me was tall and slender, his elegant and handsome features accentuated by a moon-white robe with dark cloud patterns. His face had lost the childish roundness of my memory; his brow bones were high and straight, his nose was sharply defined, and his jawline was clean and distinct.

Empress Xu alighted from her carriage and looked him up and down several times: "Xi'er? Is it really you?"

Zhu Gaoxi raised his head and smiled at her: "Mother, it is your son."

Empress Xu looked at the familiar figure, quickly stepped forward and took his hand, examining his face and touching his shoulders, murmuring, "He's grown taller and more handsome... so much taller than his mother. His shoulders are broader too, he looks like a proper adult now."

Unlike Empress Xu, who had pulled her son aside to examine him closely, Zhu Di merely glanced at Zhu Gaoxi, his gaze lingering a moment longer on the young face. The boy's features had matured, and he bore a resemblance to Zhu Di himself in his youth in Beiping. He uttered only two words: "Not bad."

Zhu Gaoxi welcomed the two into the main hall and personally served them tea.

Empress Xu sat down and beckoned him to sit beside her, holding his hand tightly. She carefully examined her son's grown-up appearance, growing happier with each look, but scolded him, "You've grown so much overnight! Your mother didn't even have time to properly see what you looked like as a child. If you change any further in the future, you'll have to tell your mother in advance."

Zhu Gaoxi nodded in agreement, his expression docile.

After exchanging a few words, Empress Xu glanced at Zhu Di and asked, "Xi'er, I heard your second brother saying that the Taoist Ancestor passed on the Book of Life and Death from the King of Hell to you, and that you have extended the lifespan of your brothers. Is this true?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxi was slightly taken aback, then gave a helpless smile: "Mother, Second Brother has misunderstood."

"Did you misunderstand?" Empress Xu was taken aback. "How did you misunderstand?" Zhu Di, who was holding a teacup, also raised his eyes upon hearing this.

Zhu Gaoxi explained: "This supernatural power isn't some kind of Book of Life and Death. It simply allows one's body to change towards a younger or older state. It alters the physical body's condition, not the soul. You could say it adds to lifespan, though..."

Empress Xu understood and turned to look at Zhu Di. Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing with his own ears that the dead could not be resurrected.