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

Chapter 19 Zhu Gaoxu: Third Brother, the eldest brother is senile, our chance has come.

Night falls, inside the secret chamber of the Han Prince's Mansion.

Zhu Gaoxu was dressed in civilian clothes, holding a shield in his left hand and a knife in his right.

Opposite Zhu Gaoxu were four people dressed in the same attire.

"Drink it!"

Zhu Gaoxu's expression was fierce as he charged directly at the four panting men. In just a moment, two of them were wounded by knives, one with a broken leg and the other with his arm folded, lying on the ground.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the four people without any pity or sympathy, but rather with some anger.

"Useless! You couldn't even last that long."

"Guards! Take them away and treat them."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The injured men breathed a sigh of relief and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

The door to the secret room was opened, and not only Zhu Gaoxu's guards entered, but Zhu Gaosui also followed them in.

Zhu Gaosui watched as the four injured men were carried out, his eyes showing no emotion, as if he had long since become accustomed to it.

After everyone had left, Zhu Gaosui suddenly laughed and said, "Second brother is truly brave. No one died this time. It seems that second brother is different now."

"They're just a few guards. I'll give them money, even if they die, it'll be worth it."

"Third brother, if you dare say that sarcastic thing again, we'll have a go."

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Gaosui's face, which looked more like a grimace than a smile, and had no temper whatsoever.

As for his guards, he did frequently spar with them to keep his martial arts skills sharp, which resulted in quite a few deaths.

He had actually controlled himself very well, but for the sake of realism, he and the guards practiced with real weapons, and sometimes he really couldn't stop himself.

But as he said, he paid them all, whether they died or were injured, and he paid them quite a lot. He paid even more to those who died. Moreover, his own guards were already very well paid, so he did not wrong them.

When Zhu Gaosui heard that Zhu Gaoxu wanted to practice with him, the corner of his mouth twitched.

Is he crazy or out of his mind to spar with this person?

If he goes up there, it won't be training; it will just be him getting beaten up.

He knew Zhu Gaochi's abilities all too well. Not to mention Zhu Gaochi, how many people in the entire Ming Dynasty could defeat him?

During the Jingnan Campaign, Zhu Gaochi won everyone's respect with his military prowess; who didn't know Zhu Gaochi's reputation?

"Second brother, I have something to tell you. Eldest brother and Grandpa had a big fight today."

"Hmm? Tell me more."

Upon hearing Zhu Gaosui's words, Zhu Gaoxu immediately perked up.

Did Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Di have a fight?

Zhu Gaoxu's eyes were filled with excitement. He was really curious about what gave his hypocritical elder brother the audacity to argue with Zhu Di.

Zhu Gaosui also had a big smile on his face, a particularly bright smile.

Zhu Gaosui then slowly recounted the events, his words revealing his excitement.

"The news has spread far and wide; everyone outside knows that the eldest son angered the old man to the point that he beat the eldest son in the main hall."

Moreover, the old man also sent the eldest son a lot of medical books, so the eldest son probably won't be able to do anything for the foreseeable future.

The eldest son wants to demonstrate his filial piety, so he'll have to study medical books from now on; otherwise, his hypocrisy will be exposed.

Zhu Gaoxu trembled as he listened to what Zhu Gaosui said.

Zhu Gaoxu was thrilled. He had thought his chances were getting smaller and smaller, but he never expected that Zhu Gaochi would give him such an opportunity.

Actually, besides maintaining his skills, he also sought out his guards for training because he wanted to vent his frustrations. This is also one of the reasons why he was so ruthless towards his guards.

But now, in Zhu Gaoxu's view, this is Zhu Gaochi bringing disaster upon himself, delivering a pillow to him.

"Haha, third brother, the eldest brother has gone mad! Our chance has come!"

Zhu Gaoxu was extremely excited. The opportunity he had been longing for had finally arrived.

Zhu Gaosui was also somewhat excited. Zhu Gaochi's current predicament had clearly displeased Zhu Di, and he had dug such a big hole for himself. Their opportunity had truly arrived.

"Second Brother, this is indeed our chance. What are you planning to do?"

"What should we do? Go to the palace tomorrow to see the old master."

Now that the old man definitely needs help, and since the Crown Prince is incapable of being of any use, I, as his son, must do my best to assist my father.

Zhu Gaoxu did not hesitate at all. Now that Zhu Gaochi had this problem, he had to go out and show himself as soon as possible.

He felt he would be letting Zhu Gaochi down if he didn't seize such a good opportunity.

He also needed to visit Zhu Gaochi at the Eastern Palace before he could finally put his mind at ease.

Zhu Gaosui's eyes flashed, but he did not agree with Zhu Gaoxu; instead, he was thinking about something else.

Now, in his view, Zhu Gaochi has dug such a big hole for himself that he is already doomed, but it seems that he might still have a chance.

Compared to Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu in front of him seemed much easier to deal with.

"Second Brother, although the eldest brother has dug a huge pit for himself, to be on the safe side, shouldn't we help him dig it even bigger?"

Zhu Gaosui did not try to persuade Zhu Gaoxu, as he knew very well that appearing before Zhu Di so soon was not a good thing.

But Zhu Gaochi was willing to go to Lei, which he was very happy to see.

Now what he wants to ensure is to put another lock on Zhu Gaochi, to lock Zhu Gaochi up completely.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu frowned.

"This is a bit difficult. Let's go see the boss tomorrow first."

Since he has this filial piety and wants to cure his mother, he should study medical books properly and should not get involved in other matters. He should prioritize saving his mother.

He can't get out of this hole.

Third brother, you have to help me. When I become the crown prince and sit on that throne, you will be the imperial younger brother!

Zhu Gaoxu was not a brainless person; in fact, he knew what Zhu Gaosui was thinking, but he truly did not take Zhu Gaosui seriously.

Zhu Gaochi had the support of civil officials, and he had the support of military officials. Who supported Zhu Gaosui?

No one has supporters and still wants to get involved?

Upon hearing the words "Crown Prince," Zhu Gaosui felt a surge of excitement.

Although he did have the desire to compete, he was also aware of his significant disadvantages.

He had neither civil officials nor military relatives behind him, so he was at a natural disadvantage even when competing with Zhu Gaoxu.

Moreover, it is almost common knowledge that Zhu Di favored Zhu Gaoxu. When he was choosing an heir, he considered this matter for more than a year.

Once Zhu Gaochi sits on that position, he will be the Crown Prince. Although he is second only to Zhu Gaochi, it seems that is enough.

Zhu Gaosui stopped thinking about it and looked at Zhu Gaoxu with intense longing.

"Don't worry, Second Brother, I'll definitely support you!"

Zhu Gaosui still did not remind Zhu Gaoxu, which shows that although he spoke passionately to Zhu Gaoxu, his own thoughts had not disappeared.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu's face was full of smiles, and he immediately put his arm around Zhu Gaosui's shoulder.

"Third brother, don't worry, if I succeed, I will never forget you!"

Zhu Gaoxu made the promise without any hesitation, saying that if it really came to fruition, he wouldn't mind treating Zhu Gaosui well.

The two brothers laughed for a long time, as if they were already looking forward to the future.

The problem was that Zhu Gaochi had dug himself into a huge pit, and neither of them could think of a way to get out of it.

After a long silence, Zhu Gaosui slowly spoke.

"Second brother, what if the eldest brother really cures Mother's illness?"

"Impossible! What are you thinking, Third Brother? So many famous doctors from the Imperial Hospital and the general public couldn't help you, do you think the eldest brother can do it?"

"A man obsessed with women, obese and frail, hypocritical in his actions—how could such a person possibly do it, and how could he possibly cure his mother's illness?"

Zhu Gaoxu rejected Zhu Gaosui's slightest possibility without the slightest hesitation; in his view, it was simply impossible.

In fact, Zhu Gaoxu himself did not know how he should face Zhu Gaochi once Zhu Gaochi truly cured Xu Miaoyun's illness.

Moreover, Zhu Gaoxu did not believe that Zhu Gaochi would actually obediently read medical books.

Next, he needed to keep a close eye on Zhu Gaochi and press his advantage.