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

Chapter 47 Older Brother, I'll help you!

Looking at Zhu Gaoxu's appearance, Xu Miaoyun felt even more distressed.

At that moment, she desperately wanted to keep Zhu Gaoxu, but reason told her that she couldn't say it.

Xu Miaoyun knew that this would confuse Zhu Gaoxu, but even if he couldn't understand it, he had to try to understand it; that was fate.

Like her, she herself is now plagued by illness and her life is nearing its end; isn't that also fate?

Since this is my fate, I have to accept it.

It's better to suffer now than to hurt everyone later.

As for Zhu Gaoxu's grievances, he could only suffer in silence. Being a member of the imperial family, the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty, and the second son, he had no choice but to endure it.

Aren't they all bearing the burdens that come with that identity?

"Mother, let the second son stay. It's alright."

Just as Zhu Gaoxu was filled with despair and anger, and Xu Miaoyun was heartbroken and reluctant to part, Zhu Gaochi's voice came, making both of them stare in astonishment.

Zhu Gaoxu stared wide-eyed, ignoring the tear stains on his face that Zhu Gaochi could see, and looked at Zhu Gaochi in disbelief.

Zhu Gaoxu truly couldn't believe that Zhu Gaochi would actually plead for him.

It should be noted that as long as Zhu Gaochi says nothing, or even just comforts Xu Miaoyun, he can appear to be choosing a fiefdom for her and thinking of her well-being. In doing so, Zhu Gaochi not only secures his position but also gains a good reputation.

With so many options, Zhu Gaochi actually pleaded for him, allowing him to stay.

Xu Miaoyun was also somewhat surprised.

Actually, Xu Miaoyun brought this up in front of Zhu Gaochi to show him how much Zhu Gaoxu had suffered and how much he had sacrificed for the family.

The purpose of showing these things to Zhu Gaochi was to let him know that after Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne, he would no longer pursue Zhu Gaoxu's case and could allow Zhu Gaoxu to live out his old age in peace.

Xu Miaoyun believed that Zhu Gaochi could see this, since it was quite obvious.

But she didn't expect that Zhu Gaochi, who clearly knew her purpose, still pleaded for Zhu Gaoxu. Xu Miaoyun couldn't tell for a moment whether Zhu Gaochi was really doing this for Zhu Gaoxu and whether they truly had brotherly affection for each other.

Or was it simply to show off, to put on a show of brotherly affection in front of her?

However, after only a moment, Xu Miaoyun was willing to believe that Zhu Gaochi was acting out of brotherly affection, and her heart warmed.

Before the outcome is clear, Xu Miaoyun doesn't want to think about things in a negative way; more accurately, she doesn't want to face the outcome she envisions.

That result terrified her.

Although her heart was warmed, she was also puzzled as to why Zhu Gaochi had said those words.

It would be better for everyone if this matter were settled early on; she didn't believe Zhu Gaochi hadn't considered this.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Xu Miaoyun and Zhu Gaoxu looking at him, and his heart was filled with emotion.

Actually, the scene between Zhu Gaoxu and Xu Miaoyun just now had moved him somewhat.

Xu Miaoyun understood everything. She was thinking of them and her family. Even though she herself was seriously ill and her life was nearing its end, she was still considering their needs.

Zhu Gaoxu was clearly furious and desperate, but he stubbornly remained silent, not wanting to provoke Xu Miaoyun.

Zhu Gaochi believed that Zhu Gaoxu's filial piety surpassed that of many others.

How many people can do what Zhu Gaoxu did?

You must understand that Zhu Gaoxu's silence meant he was giving up, and what he was giving up was that position.

He was clearly ambitious and desperately wanted that position, but for Xu Miaoyun's sake, he chose to remain silent.

To put it bluntly, Zhu Gaochi did this for Xu Miaoyun; more precisely, he simply didn't want to upset Xu Miaoyun, so he gave up the throne.

How many people in the world can withstand this test?

But Zhu Gaoxu did just that; that position was insignificant compared to Xu Miaoyun's.

In fact, Zhu Gaochi also knew that if Xu Miaoyun did not have an illness, Zhu Gaoxu would definitely not have remained silent and would definitely not have just endured it.

Zhu Gaoxu feared that he would hasten Xu Miaoyun's death because Xu Miaoyun's condition was worsening.

Zhu Gaochi greatly admired and recognized this filial piety.

Seeing their expressions, Zhu Gaochi continued, speaking softly, "Mother, I mean it. Let the second son stay by your side and keep you company."

In addition, the Tatars in the north are restless. Once the world is more stable, Father will definitely launch a northern expedition. At that time, the second son can help Father with the northern expedition.

Moreover, the second son has grown up and can now share his father's burdens in national affairs, which is a good thing.

Mother, don't worry. I know what you're worried about. Please rest assured, those things won't happen.

You can keep watching to see if what I'm saying is true or false.

Please believe me, Mother, I will definitely cure your illness. We'll need you to look after us from now on.

Zhu Gaochi spoke sincerely, and that was indeed what he thought.

In fact, he already understood Zhu Gaoxu very well, and he was confident that those things wouldn't happen if he kept him by his side.

As for allowing Zhu Gaoxu to take up his fief, in his mind, Zhu Gaoxu's fief should not be within the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Gaochi's ambition would not disappear, and he understood that too.

A person's ambition will only grow larger over time, rather than weaken or disappear.

There was a vast world outside that could support Zhu Gaoxu's ambitions.

However, we still need to wait; it will take time.

Xu Miaoyun smiled with relief upon hearing Zhu Gaochi's words, a smile that was exceptionally joyful.

He knew that Zhu Gaochi was telling the truth, and he could also see that Zhu Gaochi genuinely wanted to keep Zhu Gaoxu.

That reassurance—that he knew what she was worried about and that none of those things would happen—made her feel exceptionally at ease.

But in the blink of an eye, Xu Miaoyun shook her head.

Although Zhu Gaochi said this, in her opinion, it was simply not going to work. Some things cannot be changed according to people's will.

Zhu Gaochi has this idea now, but that doesn't mean he will have the same idea in the future, nor does it mean that the conflict between Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu won't deepen.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Xu Miaoyun and shook his head slightly, then said urgently, "Mother, don't make a decision yet. I know you don't believe I can cure your illness."

So as long as Mother is alive, let the second son stay by your side and fulfill his filial duties.

"My second son and I rarely spent time with Mom back then. Now that we finally have the chance, please don't send him away first. Let him stay, okay?"

Zhu Gaochi had no choice but to find another way, which was to keep Zhu Gaoxu in this manner.

If Zhu Gaoxu were to be sent to his fiefdom now, he was certain that Zhu Gaoxu would definitely turn to the dark side.

At that time, there was really no other way to deal with Zhu Gaochi.

In fact, this whole thing was a good outcome for him. Whether Zhu Gaoxu turned evil or not was irrelevant to him; on the contrary, it made his position more secure.

However, there were some things that could be changed, and Zhu Gaochi wanted to change them.

Xu Miaoyun was somewhat tempted by Zhu Gaochi's words.

Seeing Zhu Gaochi's determination and then looking at Zhu Gaoxu's appearance, Xu Miaoyun hesitated for a moment.

Zhu Gaochi noticed Xu Miaoyun's hesitation, came up to her, and hooked his arm around Zhu Gaoxu's neck.

"Mother, please trust me this once. Let the second son stay; nothing will happen."

Moreover, my second son suffered a lot of injustices since he was a child, and I, as his older brother, didn't do a good job either.

Now is our chance to make amends.

After speaking, Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Gaoxu.

"Second brother, don't worry, I'll help you! How could Mother bear to let you suffer such injustice? You'll definitely be able to stay!"