My father is Yongle, and all I want is to cultivate immortality.

Chapter 12 Zhu Di's Test: Do you want your second son to go to his fiefdom?

"Father, if all else fails, shall I go and take a look at the Prince of Han's residence?" Zhu Zhanji suddenly suggested.

"You brat, don't cause trouble. Just stay home and don't go out unless it's absolutely necessary." Zhu Gaochi glared at him. "You think this pot isn't big enough? You just want to jump in, don't you?"

The Crown Princess also spoke up: "That's right, listen to your father. You're not allowed to go anywhere during this period, especially not to Jiming Temple."

"Your grandfather is already in a bad mood because of the Prince of Han's matter, so don't go and make things worse."

Zhu Zhanji said, "I understand."

…………

Prince Zhao's Mansion.

"My lord, has this second son gone mad?" Princess Zhao murmured. "Isn't he vying with the eldest son for the crown prince position? Why is he now insisting on going to Yunnan to take up his fiefdom?"

Zhu Gaosui shook his head: "I can't figure out what the second son is thinking either. I've asked him several times, but he won't tell me the truth. What can I do?"

Princess Zhao said worriedly, "But my lords, I'm very worried. If the second son really stops fighting with the eldest son, and they get along peacefully, it will be a huge disadvantage for us!"

Zhu Gaosui took a deep breath.

"I know that. It seems I need to find an opportunity to ask the second brother for clarification."

"No, you'd better not go," Princess Zhao hurriedly reminded her. "His Majesty has dispatched many Imperial Guards to guard the area outside the Prince of Han's residence. If His Majesty finds out about your trip, it will be troublesome."

"That's right." Zhu Gaosui nodded in agreement. "It seems that once the second prince's confinement ends, I'll have a good talk with him and find out what he's really thinking."

…………

Time flies, and half a month has passed.

The imperial court continued to function. For the past two weeks, Zhu Gaochi had been overseeing the country, while his father, Zhu Di, was at Jiming Temple, playing chess with an old monk.

This exhausted Zhu Gaochi.

The old man went to war, and he peacefully oversaw the country; there was nothing wrong with that.

But now, Zhu Di is idle at Jiming Temple, and things are as calm as still water on the other side of the Prince of Han, which makes him feel like he is walking on thin ice.

There was no movement from the Prince of Han's residence; none of the Prince of Han's faction made any trouble for the Crown Prince.

Although this was a good thing, it was somewhat awkward for Zhu Gaochi, who held a high position.

The fact that the second son remained silent made Zhu Gaochi restless.

"This second son, has he really come to his senses? Is he really no longer vying for the position of crown prince?" Zhu Gaochi muttered to himself.

For some reason, Big Fatty felt empty inside.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Di's personal eunuch, Little Snot, came over.

"His Majesty requests your presence at Jiming Temple."

"Hmm?" Zhu Gaochi was slightly taken aback. He didn't know why the emperor had summoned him at this time.

…………

Inside Jiming Temple.

Zhu Gaochi, panting, arrived at the courtyard of Jiming Temple.

From afar, he saw his father playing chess with an old monk.

"Gao Chi is here?" Zhu Di turned his head and looked at him.

That loud bang almost scared the crown prince half to death!

Zhu Di's father, he hasn't called himself Gao Chi in a long time.

Zhu Gaochi quickly bowed and said, "Your subject Zhu Gaochi greets Your Majesty!"

"Alright, get up. There are no outsiders here." Zhu Di waved his hand. "Prepare a seat for the Crown Prince!"

"Your subject wouldn't dare!"

"What's there to be afraid of? Your health isn't good to begin with. If I offer you a seat, just sit down!"

Zhu Gaochi quickly replied, "Yes...yes..."

Zhu Gaochi sat down cautiously.

"You've suffered during these past two weeks as regent," Zhu Di said abruptly.

"This...this is all what your son should do." Zhu Gaochi immediately spoke up, preparing to stand up, but was stopped by Zhu Di.

"Sit down. We are not ruler and subject here, but father and son," Zhu Di said. "You have indeed worked hard these past two weeks."

Zhu Gaochi didn't reply; he just sat there, looking flustered.

"You're quite satisfied with the fact that I've kept your second son under house arrest for half a month, aren't you?" Zhu Di asked tentatively.

"Your subject wouldn't dare!" Zhu Gaochi quickly stood up and said, "My second brother was just being reckless. Besides, he was drunk at the time, which is why he talked back to Father."

"I implore Father to lift my second brother's confinement!"

Zhu Di laughed and said, "Half a month has passed, and his confinement has ended. Isn't it a bit late for you to plead for him now?"

"I...I..." Zhu Gaochi felt extremely wronged.

In the past two weeks, he has sought an audience with Zhu Di countless times, hoping that he could lift the confinement of his second son.

But Zhu Di never showed up, and Zhu Gaochi had no way to stop him.

For the past two weeks, Zhu Gaochi dared not take advantage of Zhu Gaoxu's misfortune. He had been trying to plead for Zhu Gaoxu, but unfortunately, Zhu Di refused to see him.

Now that father and son have finally reunited, the old man said these words.

"Alright, I'm here simply to have a chat with you," Zhu Di said. He walked to Zhu Gaochi's side and couldn't help but ask, "What do you think of this second son, that he's really going to Yunnan to take up his fiefdom?"

Zhu Gaochi quickly said, "Absolutely not!"

"Oh?" Zhu Di couldn't help but smile. "Tell me your thoughts?"

"Given the current situation, the second son absolutely cannot go to Yunnan to assume his fiefdom."

"He is a meritorious official by Father's side, and he was the number one meritorious official in the Jingnan Campaign. It would not be appropriate to drive him out of the capital and demote him to Yunnan at this time," Zhu Gaochi said, speaking up for his second son.

"That's not how you put it," Zhu Di said seriously. "During the Jingnan Campaign, you led 10,000 troops and kept Li Jinglong's hundreds of thousands of troops out of Beiping. In terms of merit, you are no less than the second prince!"

"Besides, he's a prince now, and you're the crown prince!"

"If he stays in the capital and doesn't leave, what will the world think?"

Zhu Gaochi was about to curse!

Damn it, how dare you say that?

Dad, if that's really what you think, why don't you let him go to Yunnan?

He was also granted the Five Armies Commandery and a military tally.

Now look what's happened! They made me run over here all the way here, and they're even testing me like crazy!

Zhu Gaochi showed no displeasure, but said earnestly, "Father, my second brother is my own brother. I would not be able to bear it if he went to Yunnan."

"Besides, Father is going to war again. The second son is a good fighter, and he and the third son work together very well. If we have to go to war this time, it will be the two of them who are indispensable."

"In terms of military leadership, I am not as good as my second and third brothers. If they were to go to their fiefdoms, Father, you would be without a capable general by your side when you are at war."

Zhu Gaochi's words were impeccable, and the entire courtyard fell silent.

Yao Guangxiao observed this and smiled, saying, "His Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent, considering both his brothers and His Majesty. He is truly a blessing to the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Gaochi was flattered and said, "You flatter me, Grand Preceptor. I was only thinking of my father!"