My father, Zhu Di, was granted a second life by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chapter 114 Appointing Zhang Fu as Commander of the Flying Eagle Guard

Unable to come up with a solution for the time being, Zhu Gaoxi simply put his worries aside for the time being.

Although she cannot be completely trusted, the stepmother's plan is still more beneficial than harmful.

Even if Princess Ningguo was a fence-sitter trying to please both sides and feign compliance, Zhu Gaoxi could still label her entire family as belonging to the Prince of Wu once he accepted the three female guards, making it impossible for them to clear their names even if they jumped into the Yellow River, thus completely shattering their illusions of gaining benefits from the Crown Prince.

We must use both soft and hard tactics to ensure that Princess Ningguo doesn't falter at this crucial moment.

Don't even think about being a fence-sitter, waiting and seeing, or wavering between two sides. In a subtle way, let the royal family, civil and military officials all know that the King of Wu has zero tolerance for any fickle behavior.

Zhu Gaoxi was determined to become the crown prince.

He was already a pawn who had crossed the river, with no way back. Not only him, but also his adoptive father, the Prince of Yan's mansion, Youdun and the Prince of Zhou's mansion could only grit their teeth and move forward.

The next morning, as Zhu Gaoxi entered the gate of the Wu Prince's Mansion, he saw two unfamiliar military officers bowing to him. They were dressed in the official robes of centurions and appeared to be around thirty years old.

Zhu Gaoxi nodded slightly in response and continued walking inside.

Not seeing Mu Ang and Wu Liang, Ji Gang hurried a few steps to catch up, seemingly wanting to explain something to him.

Zhu Gaoxi immediately understood; it must have been his cheapskate father's arrangement. He smiled at Ji Gang and said softly, "Commander Ji, go ahead and get busy."

Ji Gang stopped in his tracks, looking disappointed.

Does the King of Wu still not trust him?

Zhu Gaoxi didn't really trust Ji Gang, because he never considered giving him an important position.

He knew he valued his reputation and couldn't possibly give important positions to someone ambitious, unscrupulous, and notorious.

The reason they were willing to use Ji Gang was simply to make him take the blame, nothing more.

If Ji Gang hopes for long-term development in his official career, he is overthinking it.

Even if he was good at riding and archery, there were many men under the Prince of Yan who were far superior to him. He was not a rare talent, so it wouldn't be a pity to waste him.

Zhu Gaoxi did not want the guards of the Prince's Mansion to mistakenly believe that Ji Gang was his confidant.

I went straight in to find my adoptive father and get some answers.

Zhu Di was discussing matters with Mu Ang and Wu Liang when he saw Zhu Gaoxi enter. He said to the two of them, "You two go first, and have Zhang Wu and Tan Yuan come over."

After the two men withdrew, Zhu Gaoxi asked directly, "Father, were the centurions guarding the gate Zhang Wu and Tan Yuan?"

"That's right," Zhu Di said with approval, his fourth son's observation skills were not bad.

"I've brought fifty more secret guards with me this time. They can all be incorporated into the Flying Eagle Guard at Meiyan Cloth Shop in Huai'an. This will make things easier for you," Zhu Di said after a moment's thought. "Let Zhang Fu lead the Flying Eagle Guard. With Dun by your side offering advice, you might not be able to handle everything."

All the Flying Eagle Guards were confidants of the Prince of Yan. The Prince of Yan clearly trusted Zhang Fu more, while he was somewhat resistant to You Dun.

"I will follow Father's arrangements," Zhu Gaoxi replied obediently.

Although he felt wronged by You Dun, Zhu Gaoxi knew very well that it would be useless to express his objections, so he simply didn't bother to say anything more to avoid creating a rift between father and son.

Yesterday in the Imperial Garden, Lady Lü blatantly tried to sow discord. Who knows if the Crown Prince's Palace will try to sow discord within the Prince of Yan's residence in other ways?

The father, who was not his son, embraced Zhu Gaoxi warmly, clearly very satisfied with his son's behavior.

"I know you are capable, but you can't be too sharp. Li Jinglong is, after all, a hereditary duke. We have to give him some face. Even if we don't care about the monk, we should at least give him face. His father, Li Wenzhong, is a military general second only to Xu Da and Chang Yuchun, with a large number of followers. We can't offend him casually," Zhu Di advised earnestly.

"I've got it," Zhu Gaoxi replied respectfully.

"Your second brother goes to the palace to study every day and can no longer manage the guards of the Prince's Mansion. Although Wu Liang is clever, he is too inexperienced in the army. Mu Ang's second brother, Mu Sheng, has been getting close to the Crown Prince lately. We can't let Mu Ang be caught in the middle and put in a difficult position. I'm leaving Zhang Wu and Tan Yuan for you. They can command these guards."

The father gently stroked his son's nose, praising him with affection, "You did a good job, making your stepmother very happy. She kept praising you for being sensible."

"I truly love my mother," Zhu Gaoxi said, and his impression of the Princess Consort of Yan had indeed changed drastically.

"If that's the case, then I can rest assured," Zhu Di nodded with great relief. His biggest worry was that his fourth son and Miaoyun wouldn't get along.

"Go with your mother to Princess Ningguo's residence in a little while," the cheap father straightened his fourth son's clothes and whispered his instructions. "Your second aunt is a shrewd person, sharp-minded and discerning. Remember to listen and observe more, and speak less, so as not to expose your ignorance and become a laughing stock."

"I understand."

As soon as Zhu Gaoxi finished speaking, Princess Xu Miaoyun of Yan came out from the inner room.

"Mother Consort," Zhu Gaoxi called out sweetly.

"Fourth brother, when you get there, just pretend you're mute and don't say anything. Zhu Jingwei is sharp-tongued and will find fault with whatever you say."

After Xu Miaoyun finished speaking, she took the hot tea that Zhu Di handed her and drank it all in one gulp.

Then, he pulled Zhu Gaoxi into a specially made carriage and left the palace.

Upon receiving news yesterday that Princess Yan was coming to visit, Zhu Jingwei immediately began making preparations.

She was two years younger than Xu Miaoyun and could be considered her best friend. However, both of them were outstanding and competitive. Although they got along harmoniously on the surface, they were not willing to admit defeat to each other and were always secretly competing with each other, determined to live better than the other.

Despite being a middle-aged woman, Zhu Jingwei's meticulously applied makeup revealed her competitive nature and love of comparison.

In order to avoid being caught in the crossfire between the two, Zhu Gaoxi decided to play the foolish son of a landlord, keeping his head down and eating and drinking without saying a word.

"Xi'er, come and have some snacks," Zhu Jingwei greeted her nephew with great enthusiasm.

"Thank you, Auntie," Zhu Gaoxi said, picking up a piece of mung bean cake and stuffing it into his mouth.

Zhu Jingwei was stunned. Wasn't he supposed to be a child prodigy? How could he be such a gluttonous person who had never seen the world?

Xu Miaoyun lovingly poured her son a cup of hot water and began to explain her purpose.

"The Eastern Palace is heavily guarded, and I may not be able to speak up," Zhu Jingwei said, looking troubled.

"Xi'er, swear to your aunt that you will always be good to your aunt," Xu Miaoyun said softly to her son.

Zhu Gaoxi immediately complied.

"I can only try, I can't guarantee anything," Zhu Jingwei's tone softened slightly.

Zhu Jingwei is not stupid; the vows of ordinary little children cannot move her.

This nephew's talent has been verified by the Emperor and is beyond question.

Even though she doesn't seem particularly intelligent, Zhu Jingwei doesn't dare to underestimate her.

"I know you have a way. This matter can only succeed, it can't fail. Our whole family is counting on you," Xu Miaoyun said half-jokingly.

"Aren't you forcing me into this? I don't have that kind of ability," Zhu Jingwei complained bitterly.

"Do you think I don't know your capabilities? Unless you don't want to help, you're bound to find a way. I've even brought Xi'er along; how can you bear to abandon him?"

Xu Miaoyun knew that appealing to family ties might not work, so she said this only to show her determination and sincerity, hoping to make Zhu Jingwei think twice before acting.

Zhu Jingwei looked at her nephew, who was eating with great relish, and after thinking for a long time, finally agreed to do her best.