Ming Dynasty: What's wrong with being a leisurely crown prince?

Chapter 55 The Crossroads of the Ming Dynasty's Fate

The East Palace kitchen was occupied by a group of people who had basically never been there before.

Zhu Gaochi personally prepared the medicine, Zhang Yan carried the water, Zhu Zhanji carried the firewood, and Zhu Gaoxu was responsible for adding firewood to the stove.

Everyone was busy. Zhu Gaosui looked at this scene and then at the Imperial Guards outside the door who were watching the movements inside. He suddenly felt anxious.

Zhu Gaosui wanted to help, but for a moment, he didn't know what to do.

"Boss, what should I do? Just tell me, I'm quick and efficient."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu's face, already somewhat charcoal-black, immediately darkened.

"Third brother, what time is it now? Can you stop making things worse!"

"Second brother, what do you mean by causing trouble? I also want to do my part; I also want to cure Mother's illness!"

Zhu Gaosui listened to Zhu Gaoxu's words and, unusually, began to argue with him.

The Imperial Guards outside had been watching him all along. If he was idle now, it would be strange if Zhu Di didn't punish him later.

Compared to that outcome, arguing with Zhu Gaoxu was actually much easier.

In Zhu Gaosui's mind, this medicine could never cure Xu Miaoyun; it would only have the opposite effect, and Zhu Gaoxu would be unable to escape, allowing him to reap the benefits.

Having already thought of the outcome, why would Zhu Gaosui be afraid of Zhu Gaoxu?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu became even angrier.

"Third brother! Didn't you just say you didn't trust the boss? What's wrong now? You believe him? We're not short-handed here!"

The fire was already difficult to keep burning, and Zhu Gaoxu was already in a state of great unease. With Zhu Gaosui's provocation, he could not bear it any longer.

In other words, he had to control the heat, keeping his right hand on the bellows and not daring to leave it, otherwise he would definitely drag Zhu Gaosui out to practice.

Zhang Yan and Zhu Zhanji remained expressionless, their minds solely focused on the medicine, paying no attention to Zhu Gaosui and Zhu Gaoxu.

Jiang Yongwen, Dai Sigong, and Yang Pu, an official of the Eastern Palace who had come to watch under some pretext, were all extremely dissatisfied with Zhu Gaosui for a time.

Zhu Gaochi calmly mixed the medicine, glanced at Zhu Gaosui, and slowly spoke.

"It's good that the third brother is so thoughtful. We're missing a soup ladle here; it's in the other room. Go get it."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaosui stopped arguing with Zhu Gaoxu and left directly.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaochi quietly approached Zhu Gaoxu's side.

"Second brother, turn the fire down."

"Second brother, I'll have the third brother deliver the medicine first. When he arrives at the palace gate, you must intercept him and keep the medicine safe!"

Zhu Gaochi spoke loudly about controlling the heat, then whispered in Zhu Gaoxu's ear, and no one outside noticed anything unusual.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu gave Zhu Gaochi a deep look, and hesitated for a moment.

Although he didn't know what Zhu Gaochi was doing, he instinctively knew that Zhu Gaochi was trying to set a trap for Zhu Gaosui.

Despite the heated argument he had with Zhu Gaosui, Zhu Gaoxu knew that if he wanted to bring down Zhu Gaochi, he would need to join forces with Zhu Gaosui.

Zhu Gaochi also saw through Zhu Gaoxu's thoughts and stopped lowering his voice.

"This medicine is crucial to whether Mother can recover. If she doesn't, I will resign and ask Father for permission."

But since I dared to do this, I must have some confidence. What do you think, second brother?

"Okay! I understand!"

Zhu Gaoxu responded to Zhu Gaochi with mixed feelings, saying that compared to curing Xu Miaoyun, everything else could be put aside for the time being.

A moment later, Zhu Gaosui brought over the soup spoon and watched from the side.

Time passed gradually, and the sky had become completely dark. The medicine was finally ready.

Zhu Gaochi personally prepared the food and was about to carry it into the palace when Zhu Gaosui stepped forward.

"Eldest brother, you must be tired from brewing the medicine. Leave this to me. I'll go get it for Mother. You just follow behind."

Zhu Gaosui spoke with a smile, but his words made Zhu Gaoxu give him a deep look.

Thinking back to what Zhu Gaochi had just said, Zhu Gaoxu seemed to understand it for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan and Zhu Zhanji were both filled with anger, but since Zhu Gaochi was still there, they could only wait for him to resolve the situation.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Gaosui's expression and laughed without thinking.

"I am indeed a bit tired. It's kind of you, Third Brother, to be so thoughtful. You can carry it."

Seeing Zhu Gaochi hand the medicine to Zhu Gaosui, Zhu Zhanji could no longer contain himself.

"father..."

"When adults are talking, children shouldn't interrupt. Say thank you for your hard work, Uncle."

Zhu Zhanji looked at Zhu Gaochi, whose calm and unwavering gaze momentarily stunned him.

He had only felt that oppressive feeling once before, but now it surged into his heart again.

Zhu Zhanji looked at Zhu Gaosui with resentment, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Thank you for your hard work, Uncle San."

"Nephew, why say such things? This is what I should do."

"Boss, I'll go to the palace first, before the medicine gets cold."

Zhu Gaochi nodded, watched Zhu Gaosui leave, and then looked at Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu did not hesitate and followed.

Then Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Zhanji.

"Follow your second uncle, and remember, listen to your second uncle in everything."

Zhu Zhanji was puzzled, but he had no choice but to do as he was told.

Then, under Zhang Yan's puzzled gaze, Zhu Gaochi lit a fire again and began to decoct the medicine.

"What are you doing...?"

"Trust me, don't ask questions, you take care of the cooking time."

"good!"

Zhang Yan didn't ask any more questions and immediately started cooking.

The people outside were about to leave, but seeing Zhu Gaochi still busy inside, seemingly brewing medicine again, some were puzzled, and some were anxious.

Yang Pu was extremely anxious at this moment. In his opinion, how could he let Zhu Gaosui take the prepared medicine into the palace, and Zhu Gaochi still refused to go.

Yang Pu looked at someone beside him and pulled him to a corner.

"Go find Yang Shiqi immediately and tell him what's going on here!"

Inside the palace, Xu Miaoyun was dressed in her finest attire, the most elaborate she had ever worn since the investiture ceremony following the Jingnan Rebellion.

Clearly, Xu Miaoyun was already prepared.

"Shiro, do you think this outfit looks good?"

"It's beautiful. In my heart, it's the most beautiful."

Zhu Di suppressed his grief, his eyes reddening, and forced himself not to shed a tear.

Even the Yongle Emperor could not remain calm as time went by; a closer look would reveal subtle signs of panic.

"Let's skip the medication this time, okay?"

Zhu Di immediately began to seek help from Xu Miaoyun.

He had actually said it many times, but Xu Miaoyun insisted on disagreeing and even threatened to kill herself to prevent him from stopping her.

"Si Lang, I've said what I needed to say. We trust our boss, okay?"

Shiro, don't forget your promise to me, don't let me die with regrets, okay?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di stamped his foot in frustration, turned away to lean against a pillar, put one hand on his hip, and looked full of regret.

Zhu Di deeply regretted his earlier agreement with Zhu Gaochi, which had led to this predicament.

Outside, through the open door, one could see numerous high-ranking officials standing in their official robes.

The people outside were all looking for excuses to come here. Zhu Di knew what they were thinking and had no intention of letting them go back.

This time, it can be said that everyone witnessed it together, whether it was good or bad.

Among these people were Qi Guogong Qiu Fu, Cheng Guogong Zhu Neng, Xin Chenghou Zhang Fu, and Longpinghou Zhang Xin, among others. It can be said that almost all the Wu Xuns in the capital came.

In the imperial court, the Minister of Personnel Jian Yi, the Minister of Revenue Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Justice Lü Zhen, the Minister of Works Song Li, the Minister of Rites Li Zhigang, the Minister of War Jin Zhong, and others were all present.

Cabinet members Hu Guang, Huang Huai, Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Jin Youzi, Xie Jin, and others were all on the list.

Facing an impending crossroads in their destiny, no one wants to miss it.

This is no longer just their fate, but a crossroads in the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

As for what exactly it will be like, everyone now has a certain expectation in their hearts, and everyone has their own plans and ideas.

At this moment, Ji Gang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, hurried over.

"Your Majesty and Empress, His Highness the Crown Prince has begun preparing the medicine!"

As the news spread, everyone was shocked.

Is the final result about to be revealed?