activa-t Chapter 50 Striving for the First Struggle
Chapter 50 Striving for the First Struggle
"Father!"
"grandfather!"
Prince Zhu Zhen of Chu and his eldest son Zhu Mengwan were both loud-voiced. Upon seeing the old emperor, they shouted excitedly.
"Good, good, Sixth Brother, Mengwan, you're back. It's good that you're back," Zhu Yuanzhang said, wiping away his tears.
"Sixth Uncle, Brother," Zhu Gaoxi also tried his best to raise his voice.
But no response was received.
Zhu Gaoxi was extremely embarrassed by being ignored like this before.
Are they both blind and deaf?!
Zhu Zhen was tall and upright, and looked imposing. Zhu Mengwan was handsome and spirited, and did not look like a disabled person at all!
Is it because they don't know each other?
It's normal to be unfamiliar with someone when you first meet them, so Zhu Gaoxi didn't hold it against them.
Maybe... these two giant babies are just shy around strangers.
Zhu Gaoxi successfully defused the awkward situation by using the "Ah Q spirit" of self-deception.
You may be shy, but you can't push me!
Under Zhu Mengwan's malicious shoving, Zhu Gaoxi stumbled and almost fell on his backside.
"Grandpa, Grandpa!" Zhu Gaoxi cried out for help at the top of his lungs.
Overwhelmed by immense joy, the old emperor momentarily forgot about his beloved grandson.
Hearing the call, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately stopped and shoved the father and son blocking his way. "Xi'er, why are you in the back?"
"Grandpa, I'm too weak to squeeze past Uncle Liu and my brother," Zhu Gaoxi said pitifully.
The old emperor's scrutinizing gaze swept over him, and Zhu Zhen lowered his head and coughed lightly to cover up his embarrassment, forcing a smile. "You must be Gao Xi. This child looks intelligent."
Zhu Mengwan, however, continued to ignore Zhu Gaoxi's presence, offering not even a perfunctory reply. Instead, he supported the old emperor's arm and asked ingratiatingly, "Grandpa, are you feeling alright? Don't tire yourself out, please sit down."
The old emperor did not answer, but beckoned to Zhu Gaoxi and said, "Xi'er, come to your grandfather's side."
Zhu Gaoxi obediently sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) next to the old emperor.
He originally didn't want to disturb Zhu Zhen and his son's reunion with the old emperor, but now he changed his mind and decided to stick to the old emperor so they wouldn't have a chance to whisper to each other.
Zhu Zhen chatted idly with the old emperor, while Zhu Mengwan glared at him fiercely several times when the old emperor wasn't paying attention.
Zhu Gaoxi ignored all of this; he was determined to stick to the old emperor.
The appearance of the Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen broke the deadlock.
"Grandpa, it's rare for Sixth Uncle and Meng Wan to come back. Let the Imperial Kitchen prepare a banquet."
Zhu Yunwen treated Zhu Gaoxi as if he were invisible.
Since arguing about the school yesterday, Zhu Yunwen has not given Zhu Gaoxi a second glance.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "You can arrange this."
As Zhu Yunwen was leaving, he affectionately took Meng Wan's hand and said to the old emperor, "Grandpa, you and Uncle Liu talk for a while. I'll take Meng Wan to Wenhua Hall for a stroll."
"Go," Zhu Yuanzhang immediately agreed.
After taking two steps, Zhu Yunwen suddenly turned around and said, "Gao Xi, let's go together."
This unexpected remark did not pique Zhu Gaoxi's interest, but Zhu Yuanzhang did remind him, "Let's go for a stroll in the Wenhua Hall with your brother."
With things having come to this point, Zhu Gaoxi had no choice but to comply.
He didn't necessarily want to cling to the old emperor like a leech; he just wanted to disgust that arrogant father and son.
Now that we've vented most of our anger, it's time to leave.
Zhu Gaoxi obediently got off the kang (heated brick bed) and politely took his leave.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Mengwan acted even more ruthlessly. Once outside the palace, no one paid any attention to them, and the two of them left together without looking back.
This blatant malice seems to be an outpouring of extreme resentment.
A wave of sorrow washed over Zhu Gaoxi. He paused for a moment, then beckoned Sanbao over so they could return to the vegetable garden together.
On the way, he met Zhu Ying by chance, and Zhu Gaoxi invited him to sit in the vegetable garden.
Zhu Ying did not refuse and accepted the invitation to travel together, but they remained silent throughout the journey, seemingly preoccupied with something on his mind.
Upon arriving at the vegetable garden, Zhu Yingcai spoke with concern, "Gao Xi, you shouldn't have contradicted the Crown Prince to his face. He is the heir apparent of our Great Ming Dynasty, and even your father has to bow to him." Zhu Ying hesitated for a moment, as if making a decision, and said, "How about this, I'll find an opportunity to arrange for the two of you to meet alone. You can apologize to him in person, and that will be the end of it. From now on, keep a low profile, and he probably won't make things difficult for you again."
"Does Uncle Wang think I'm wrong?" Zhu Gaoxi asked disappointedly.
Zhu Ying retorted, "Does right and wrong really matter that much?"
He is the crown prince and will inherit the throne.
He will become the emperor, the most powerful person in the world.
His life and death were entirely at his command.
You made him lose face in public and violated his dignity; how could he not resent you?!
Zhu Ying's words revealed a worldliness and maturity beyond her years.
Children of royalty understand best what power means.
The struggle for the throne can mean either ascending to a position of great prestige or plunging into an abyss, often separated by only a single step.
Zhu Gaoxi remained silent. Zhu Ying was right. From the perspective of self-preservation, he really shouldn't have offended the Crown Prince.
Standing up for others and speaking out for justice may feel good in the moment, but it often has serious consequences.
However, if everyone is afraid to speak out and shrinks back when faced with problems, who will uphold justice?
Who will expose and solve the problems?
Running away is useless; the only way is to face the challenge head-on.
He didn't think he had done anything wrong.
"How old are you? How can you be so impetuous and reckless?" Zhu Ying continued to patiently advise.
After trying to persuade him for a long time to no avail, Zhu Ying suddenly had a brilliant idea. "It seems that the only one who can convince you is You Dun. I have to write him a letter. If you continue like this, you'll get yourself into trouble sooner or later."
Amidst Zhu Ying's nagging, Zhu Gaoxi experienced a strange sense of happiness.
He knew in his heart that Zhu Ying was so anxious to persuade him precisely because she cared.
Sanbao also noticed that Zhu Gaoxi was somewhat out of control. After Zhu Ying left, he quietly stayed by his side.
"Your Highness, the best policy is to be able to advance or retreat at will. There is no need to force yourself into a dead end," Sanbao said in a low voice after dismissing the others.
"Don't worry, I won't confront the Crown Prince head-on," Zhu Gaoxi said with a smile.
"A gentle approach may not necessarily fail to achieve the desired effect," Sanbao seemed to have a hidden meaning in his words. "This servant admires Your Highness's courage, but I feel there is a more ingenious way. Using skillful force might achieve twice the result with half the effort."
"As Archimedes said, 'Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world,'" Zhu Gaoxi seemed to have a sudden realization.
Sanbao looked completely bewildered.
Zhu Gaoxi patted Sanbao on the shoulder, "It's similar to what you said."
After a moment, Zhu Gaoxi said thoughtfully, "We need to find that fulcrum."
Sanbao looked at Zhu Gaoxi with a determined gaze, "If Your Highness has made up your mind, this servant will follow you to the death."
"Decide about what?" Zhu Gaoxi didn't understand for a moment.
Sanbao smiled without saying a word.
Zhu Gaoxi silently mouthed the words "struggle for the throne".
Sanbao nodded solemnly.
To be honest, Zhu Gaoxi didn't have such high ambitions; he just couldn't stand some of Zhu Yunwen's words and actions.
However, if you offend him, you'll have no other way out, so you might as well fight back.