Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

The three brothers and Yao Guangxiao all agreed. Zhu Di was about to step outside.

Zhu Gaoxu picked up the book he had just been reading, "The Overbearing Prince Falls in Love with Me," from the table, stuffed it into his clothes, and said matter-of-factly, "Fourth brother, I'm taking this book. I flipped through a couple of pages and it was quite interesting. I'll continue reading it when we get back."

Zhu Gaoxi smiled and waved his hand: "Second brother, take it. I have plenty more here."

Zhu Gaosui watched his second brother carrying the book and wondered to himself, "My second brother's eyes were practically popping out of his head when he was flipping through that storybook. What kind of book could make him so engrossed?"

He remained expressionless as he walked over to Zhu Gaoxi, his tone filled with curiosity: "Fourth brother, are the storybooks you have here any different from those sold in bookstores outside? Third brother would like to take a look too."

Zhu Gaoxi pointed to the bookshelf: "Third brother, pick whatever you like. Father, eldest brother, master, you can take whatever you want if you see it."

Zhu Di stood at the door, watching his two sons neglecting state affairs and instead scrambling to read storybooks. He frowned, thinking, "I told you to return to the palace to discuss important matters, and you have the leisure to read storybooks here? Never mind, where was that book again?"

Despite saying that, he didn't move. His gaze unconsciously swept over the bookshelf, where the book "The Emperor's Exclusive Favor" still stood quietly, the golden characters on its spine gleaming slightly in the sunlight.

Zhu Gaosui had already walked to the bookshelf. His gaze swept over the rows of colorful books, finally stopping on a book with a picture of a monk in a blue robe on the cover. The title of the book was "The Steadfast Old Demon Han".

He pulled out the book, flipped through it, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips. He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Zhu Gaoxi: "Third Brother, take this one." He was usually cautious and prudent, and he wanted to see just how steady this model worker was. Maybe he could even learn a few tricks from him.

Zhu Gaochi actually quite enjoyed reading storybooks. There were very few novel storybooks in the capital that he hadn't read, and he felt that the ones his fourth brother had were definitely extraordinary, so he went to look for them as well.

It was a bit of a struggle for him to squat down with his round body, but when his eyes swept over the titles of the two books, he suddenly stopped: "After I gave up, my whole family couldn't do anything about me" and "The Crown Prince loves to be funny, and no one can stop him."

He reached out and pulled the two books from the shelf, stared at the titles on the covers, remained silent for a while, and then quietly tucked them into his pocket. He had indeed been under considerable pressure in the past, having to manage this and that, constantly scrimping and saving. Even the prestigious Crown Prince's residence was dirt poor, and he also had to be wary of his two younger brothers. These books looked good, and the title "Crown Prince" was perfect for his status.

Yao Guangxiao also walked slowly to the bookshelf. He thought that none of the things that Prince Rui had taken out were ordinary, so the books on this shelf must also be extraordinary. His gaze swept across the bookshelf and suddenly stopped on a book with the title "Buddha is the Way".

If such a book had been placed in front of him before, he would have certainly disdained it. Buddha is Buddha, and Tao is Tao; how could they be confused? But today, after witnessing Prince Rui's various supernatural powers and seeing that living dragon, he suddenly felt that Buddha could also be Tao. Perhaps Buddha had transformed into the Taoist Ancestor in order to enlighten him.

As Zhu Di watched the crowd select books, his feet involuntarily took two steps toward the bookshelf. Expressionless, he pulled out the book "The Emperor's Exclusive Favor" from the shelf, stuffed it into his sleeve without even glancing at it, and turned to leave.

The brothers and Yao Guangxiao suddenly looked at Zhu Di, thinking that their father (Emperor) usually couldn't even finish reading the memorials, so when did he start reading storybooks?

Zhu Di, sensing the gazes of the crowd, paused, then declared righteously, "I am not like you. I want to see what's so special about the storybooks here, Fourth Prince, and take them back to study them carefully."

Then, glancing at everyone, he added, "Besides, after fighting so many wars, can't I enjoy myself a little?"

A moment of silence fell over the study. The same thought flashed through everyone's minds: You've said everything, what else can we say? You're the emperor, you're powerful.

Zhu Di tucked the book further into his sleeve, glanced at everyone, and waved his hand, "Alright, the rest of us will go first. Let the fourth prince go and keep the empress company."

Just as Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui were about to follow, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly stopped and slapped his forehead, exclaiming, "Oh dear, I almost forgot about the important matter!"

He turned and strode up to Zhu Gaoxi, a fawning smile spreading across his rugged face: "Fourth brother, can I ask you for a favor? Didn't you make me look younger yesterday? When your sister-in-law sees my face after we get back..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui also stopped, turned around at the door, hesitated, their eyes falling on Zhu Gaoxi, their lips moving but they were too embarrassed to speak.

Seeing his three elder brothers' expressions, Zhu Gaoxi smiled and waved his hand, interrupting Zhu Gaoxu: "Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, I understand. Even if you hadn't brought it up, I would have helped with our sisters-in-law's affairs. Don't worry, I'll take care of them when I go to the back garden to see Mother later. It won't be a big deal."

Zhu Gaoxu's long string of words got stuck in his throat. He wanted to say something but couldn't get it out. In the end, he could only manage to stammer, "Fourth brother, you are really... too... too good. Second brother doesn't know what to say."

Zhu Gaochi was silent for a moment: "Fourth brother, you are now very capable, but your elder brother can't help you with anything. Since you returned to the palace, your elder brother has not given you anything, but has been receiving your favors all along. Your elder brother really feels a little guilty."

Upon hearing his elder brother's words, Zhu Gaoxu immediately chimed in, his tone becoming increasingly exaggerated: "Exactly! Fourth brother, just say the word! If there's anything you need your second brother's help with, don't hesitate to ask! If I, your second brother, would even flinch, even if it meant going through fire and water!"

Zhu Gaosui glanced at his second brother and said, "Fourth brother, me too." At this moment, he thought of a burly, dark-faced man who said, "Me too."

A moment of silence fell over the study. Zhu Gaoxu turned and glared at him: "Third brother, can't you say something yourself? It's always the same with me. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were just tagging along."

Zhu Gaosui remained expressionless: "I think what my second brother said is right, and I have nothing to add."

"You're smart enough to know what's good for you," Zhu Gaoxu choked for a moment, about to say something.

Zhu Gaoxi laughed out loud. He looked at his three elder brothers. The eldest brother was genuinely ashamed, the second brother thumped his chest loudly, and the youngest brother said, "Me too."

He suddenly felt something stir within him. Often, when family members helped each other, they took it for granted. But this time, his brothers' clear-headedness, understanding, and clear sense of right and wrong truly comforted him. These loyal and sensible siblings were the ones he truly deserved to treat with sincerity.

"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, you don't need to feel like you owe me anything." He stopped smiling and became serious.

"I wasn't with my father and mother when I was little. When I returned to the palace, I knew nothing. It was you all who guided me step by step. My eldest brother taught me to read, my second brother took me horseback riding, and my third brother played with my little niece. I remember all of these things. Now that I have some skills, it's my willingness to help you. We're brothers, there's no need for such formalities."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi's lips moved, but he ultimately said nothing more. He simply gave Zhu Gaoxi a deep look and nodded solemnly.

Zhu Gaoxu sniffed hard and slapped Zhu Gaoxi on the shoulder: "Alright! Fourth brother, I'll remember what you said!"

Zhu Di stood at the doorway, observing the scene of brotherly affection before him, his smile momentarily faltering. He suddenly remembered his eldest brother, Zhu Biao, who had once patted him on the shoulder in a similar manner. His elder brother had truly been good to him, and to all his younger brothers, but later…