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

Chapter 11 The Power That Makes One Addicted and Intoxicated

Zhu Gaochi arrived outside the hall, looked back at the main hall, and his gaze seemed to penetrate the hall and look at Zhu Di inside.

He shook his head, smiled, turned around, and began to walk towards Empress Xu's palace, following his memory.

Zhu Gaochi did not walk fast; in fact, he walked rather slowly.

Zhu Gaochi found the scenery within the palace particularly pleasing to the eye.

Especially these palaces, they were truly magnificent and grand. In his previous life, he never had the time to witness such a scene in person.

"Tsk tsk, they're really rich. The craftsmanship, the wood, the appearance—standing in front of them makes me feel as insignificant as a mayfly trying to shake the sky."

Zhu Gaochi strolled along, sighing with admiration.

If you're just looking for a simple stroll, this is a great place to relax, far superior to his Eastern Palace or Crown Prince's Residence.

No, there's basically no comparison.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Gaochi saw that all the palace maids and eunuchs who passed by prostrated themselves on the ground to pay their respects, and they only stood up after he left.

Zhu Gaochi was already used to it; after all, he had seen this scene far too many times along the way.

At first, he wasn't used to it. When faced with a group of palace maids and eunuchs kneeling before him, he would subconsciously tell them to stand up.

But after he spoke, these people prostrated themselves even lower, trembling and not daring to respond to him.

He didn't leave, and no one spoke or got up until he was completely gone, at which point they got up and continued doing their own things.

Along the way, Zhu Gaochi had gained a preliminary understanding of what power truly meant.

He could decide the life or death of any of the people he encountered along the way with a single word. They all had to kneel down and worship him when they saw him. They could not get up until he left, and they had to do whatever he said.

Although these things alone cannot be considered power, isn't this just a microcosm of power?

Zhu Gaochi also understood why people say that power is fascinating and intoxicating.

Even he was somewhat in a good mood.

From initial discomfort to current indifference upon seeing it, things have changed in less than the time it takes to complete a short journey.

So, am I gradually integrating into this era?

Zhu Gaochi was unaware of this and no longer thought about it.

These things happen in different ways to a thousand people. Everyone's thoughts, what they see and feel, and the final conclusions they draw are all different.

As Zhu Gaochi passed by a garden and saw several palace maids and eunuchs watering flowers, his eyes lit up.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Several eunuchs and palace maids put down their work and prostrated themselves on the ground to pay homage to the arriving Zhu Gaochi.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaochi laughed and said, "You all go about your business, don't worry about me..."

Seeing that these people wouldn't listen or get up, Zhu Gaochi didn't say anything more, but instead began to look at the beautiful flowers in front of him.

After watching for a moment, Zhu Gaochi prepared to start picking.

Picking flowers isn't something you can just do randomly by breaking off a branch.

You also need to select the flowers, and be careful not to damage the roots or stems when picking them.

"Go get a pair of scissors."

Upon hearing this, the slightly older eunuch respectfully agreed, quickly went to a spot, bowed his head, spread his hands flat above his head, and presented them to Zhu Gaochi.

After Zhu Gaochi took it, the eunuch returned to his original spot and continued to prostrate himself.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Gaochi frowned.

"I told you to get up, didn't you hear me?"

As soon as Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, the men were clearly flustered. They stood up, still keeping their heads down, their bodies trembling slightly.

Zhu Gaochi didn't say anything. In the palace, sometimes good intentions can change people's fates, for better or for worse.

Because of them, there are palace rules that they need to follow.

Zhu Gaochi summoned two palace maids to his side and began to cut off the flowers he had observed, then had one of them hold them.

When choosing flowers, check if the petals are fully open. If they are, check the stamens to see if they have fallen off. Then gently touch the petals; if they are elastic, they have recently bloomed and are at their best for viewing.

If the petals are soft and starting to droop, the flower is not in its best condition and has passed the optimal picking time.

Zhu Gaochi carefully selected the branches. After a long time, when both palace maids had several branches in their hands, Zhu Gaochi looked at them and felt that it was not enough, so he prepared to continue picking.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded, and before the person arrived, a sharp voice could be heard.

"How dare you lot pick... His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. I was unaware that Your Highness had picked these flowers. This servant deserves to die a thousand deaths..."

Zhu Gaochi looked at the eunuch who was wearing clothes of a distinctly different color from the other eunuchs, and saw that he had changed from a fierce look to a trembling lamb. He immediately laughed.

"Is it too much trouble for me to pick a few branches?"

Zhu Gaochi did not make things difficult for the eunuch, knowing that this eunuch must be in charge of the garden.

Upon hearing this, the eunuch hurriedly said, "No problem, Your Highness, please feel free to pick..."

"This servant humbly begs Your Highness, could you please pick only a little? This garden was only planted last year, and His Majesty wishes to view it this year. Please forgive us, Your Highness..."

The eunuch's forehead was pressed tightly against the bricks on the ground, and he felt extremely uneasy.

Zhu Gaochi could pick the flowers without any problem, but if Zhu Di saw that too many flowers had been picked while he was admiring them, they would be in trouble.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi pondered for a moment and slowly said, "I will pick a few more branches. You can report this matter to His Majesty truthfully later. Just explain it directly."

After Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, he picked a few more branches and stopped. He then had someone bring him colorful ribbons, which are strips of cloth with colored colors, and paper and cloth wrapped together to make two bouquets of flowers before leaving.

Once Zhu Gaochi's figure disappeared, the eunuch quickly ordered someone to restore him, and then rushed to where Zhu Di was.

These kinds of people, including himself, can't handle this kind of thing, so they can only explain the situation.

Zhu Di had already begun to conceive of the construction of Beiping, and he needed to make a preliminary plan in order to better convene his subordinates for discussion.

But when he heard that Zhu Gaochi had ruined the garden he had just had arranged, he was furious.

"That unfilial son!"

"What are you still kneeling for? Take me to see him!"

Zhu Di was furious. He had this garden carefully cultivated so that he could enjoy the flowers with Xu Miaoyun this year and soothe her mood.

As it turned out, Zhu Gaochi picked the flowers instead, which infuriated Zhu Di.

That is, Zhu Gaochi was his own son. If it were anyone else, he would have been beheaded on the spot.

When Zhu Di arrived in the garden, although he was still angry, his mood had improved somewhat.

Fortunately, Zhu Gaochi did not destroy it completely. After the repairs by the eunuchs and palace maids, although there were flaws, they were not too obvious.

This is why Zhu Gaochi didn't make things difficult for the eunuchs and palace maids earlier, especially the eunuch who came later. They were willing to make repairs so that Zhu Di wouldn't be too angry when he saw them.

Otherwise, if they don't repair or maintain it, Zhu Di will be even angrier when he sees it, and Zhu Gaochi will suffer even more.

Within the imperial palace, interpersonal relationships and social etiquette are of utmost importance.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Di did not blame the eunuch, but instead ordered an investigation into what Zhu Gaochi had picked the flowers for.

Soon, the older eunuch who was with Zhu Di hurriedly returned.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince brought the flowers he picked to Kunning Palace and presented them to the Empress."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di turned to look at the eunuch, then gazed at the garden. The gloom on his face and the anger in his heart vanished at that moment.

When Zhu Di picked these flowers and gave them to Xu Miaoyun, he lost all his anger and was instead extremely pleased.

"Your Highness is very thoughtful; this filial piety is commendable."

In front of everyone, Zhu Di praised Zhu Gaochi without reservation.

As for Zhu Gaochi sending flowers that he had others plant, Zhu Di didn't think much of it.

Zhu Gaochi is his son, the crown prince, so isn't what belongs to him Zhu Gaochi?

When I'm in a good mood, I can always come up with all sorts of reasons to add another layer of color to this wonderful feeling.

Zhu Di watched for a moment, then left.

Before leaving, he not only did not blame anyone, but also rewarded the eunuchs who looked after the garden, as well as the eunuchs and maids who took care of it.

Amidst praise and gratitude, Zhu Di returned to the main hall.