My father, Zhu Di, was granted a second life by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chapter 55 Xie Jin Leaves a Letter

The next day, Zhu Gaoxi sent Sanbao with two eunuchs, Hanfeng and Hanshu, to see Xie Jin and Yin Changlong off from the capital.

Prince Zhu Zhen of Chu brought his son to the Qianqing Palace to bid farewell to the old emperor.

Despite past grievances, Zhu Gaoxi also gave them a bag of sweet potatoes.

When the princes left the capital, the Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen was supposed to see them off as usual. Zhu Gaoxi, not wanting to make a fool of himself, excused himself by saying that his legs hurt and apologized to Zhu Zhen, saying that he could not see them off.

Zhu Mengwan had some private things to say to the Crown Prince alone, and seeing that Zhu Gaoxi was so sensible, his attitude became much more polite.

The old emperor was not only heartbroken, but his expression also showed fear and unease.

The Lunar New Year is approaching, but he doesn't want to celebrate it.

Growing a year older is a joyous occasion for children, but for the elderly, it means getting one step closer to the final outcome.

Zhu Gaoxi affectionately put his arm around the old emperor's neck and stroked his head to soothe his emotions.

"You brat, I don't need your comforting," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a laugh.

Zhu Gaoxi snuggled into his arms, her mind racing with other ideas. "Grandpa, is Brother Youdun coming back?"

"If you hadn't mentioned it, we would have forgotten. He wrote that he would go back to Kaifeng to see his parents first, and then return to the capital in February," Zhu Yuanzhang snorted in dissatisfaction. "What a waste of his affection."

Zhu Gaoxi found it quite amusing; when the old emperor got jealous, he didn't discriminate between people.

"Grandpa, how long has it been since you last saw Uncle Twenty-Two?"

Zhu Gaoxi was actually unwilling to reopen the old emperor's wounds, but Zhu Ying was too pitiful. Even Zhu Yunwen had an older sister to confide in, but Zhu Ying only had himself.

When he was born, Consort Gong died in childbirth.

His two older brothers, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, and Zhu Su, the Prince of Zhou, were more than twenty years older than him.

The old emperor was heartbroken and had not dared to see his son for many years, hiding from him in various ways, turning all his guilt towards his beloved into indifference and alienation towards his young son.

"Aying," the old emperor murmured, his eyes gazing blankly out the window, large tears streaming down his face.

"Grandpa, how about I bring Uncle Wang over tonight?"

Zhu Gaoxi, worried that the old emperor was too immersed in the past to extricate himself, asked aloud.

"Go now," the old emperor said hurriedly, getting off the kang (a heated brick bed) and heading straight outside.

Zhu Gaoxi picked up his coat and called out loudly, "Grandpa, get dressed."

The old emperor then stopped his frantic pace and hastily put on his cloak.

How much love must one be to have such a chaotic mind!

The old emperor was truly a romantic!

No wonder You Dun had that expression when he saw Miao Jin.

It turns out it's a case of skipped-generation inheritance.

Zhu Gaoxi felt deeply ashamed of his inferiority.

Stumbling and staggering, he arrived at Chang Le Palace. Pushing aside Huang Liang and Lin De who rushed over to help him, the old emperor stood in front of the palace gate for a long time without speaking, gazing intently, as if the person in his heart was still inside, eagerly waiting for his return.

Since Consort Gong passed away, Chang Le Palace has been sealed off, and no one is allowed to enter or leave.

Zhu Ying was adopted by Consort Wang when he was young and lived in Xianfu Palace. When he was ten years old, he had his own palace and moved to Anwang Palace. He only came to Xianfu Palace to visit Consort Wang every day.

Xianfu Palace and Changle Palace both belong to the Western Six Palaces, and are separated from Changle Palace by Yikun Palace and Chuxiu Palace.

Just as Zhu Gaoxi was about to remind the old emperor of the truth, he suddenly caught sight of Zhu Ying leaving Xianfu Palace and walking towards them.

With the teachers at the main hall on holiday, Zhu Ying had plenty of time to spend with Consort Wang.

Zhu Ying hurried over, exchanged a smile with Zhu Gaoxi, and bowed to the old emperor, saying, "Father."

Upon hearing the sound, the old emperor turned around abruptly, paused for a moment, and then hugged Zhu Ying tightly, saying, "Aying, Aying, our son."

Zhu Ying had never been so close to his father before. He was completely stunned, letting the old emperor hug him tighter and tighter until he could hardly breathe. He reached out and patted Zhu Gaoxi.

Zhu Gaoxi was deeply moved, his eyes blurred with tears, and he was about to indulge in a moment of sorrow when he suddenly noticed Zhu Ying's cry for help. He quickly shouted, "Grandpa, it's so cold, let's go back to Qianqing Palace."

The old emperor's soul was finally pulled back to reality. He released Zhu Ying, took her hand, and looked with infinite sorrow at the withered wisteria branches that had climbed over the wall, as if he had returned to the countless days and nights he had spent with Consort Gong.

"Grandpa, let's go, it's too cold," Zhu Gaoxi urged.

The old emperor sighed softly, pinched Zhu Gaoxi's chubby face, and turned to Zhu Ying, "Come, follow your father to the Qianqing Palace."

Back at the Qianqing Palace, Minister of Rites Men Kexin was waiting at the entrance, seemingly to discuss something important.

Zhu Gaoxi pulled Zhu Ying up and said, "Grandpa, you have things to do first. I'll take Uncle Wang to the vegetable garden first, and then I'll come back to keep you company in a little while."

The old emperor also noticed Menkexin, and had no choice but to release Zhu Ying's hand and say gently, "Go."

Zhu Ying was taken aback by the old emperor's sudden enthusiasm. Once in the vegetable garden, he remained bewildered for a long time, muttering to himself in bewilderment, "What's wrong with Father today?"

Zhu Gaoxi felt a surge of accomplishment from doing a good deed every day. He picked up a snack jar and ate heartily, then handed Zhu Ying two pieces of walnut kernels.

Zhu Ying took the walnut kernel, put it in her mouth, and chewed it slowly. "It seems to have a milky aroma."

Zhu Gaoxi said with a smile, "Yunfei made it. If you like it, take a bag with you when you leave."

Zhu Ying nodded, then suddenly remembered something, "You Dun said he'll be back in February. During this time, don't provoke the Crown Prince again, and remember to keep a low profile."

Zhu Gaoxi readily agreed: "I understand. Don't worry, I will absolutely not fight back or talk back."

Zhu Ying was amused by his funny face. "With Father Emperor around, he wouldn't dare to go too far."

Just then, Zhu Yunwen walked in from outside. "You had something delicious to eat, why didn't you invite me?"

Zhu Gaoxi quickly presented his jar, and Zhu Yunwen grabbed a handful of pine nuts and put them in his mouth, chewing them vigorously, as if he was having trouble breathing.

"What's wrong? Brother, who upset you?" Zhu Gaoxi asked cautiously, bringing his chubby face closer.

Zhu Yunwen was filled with grievances and didn't know where to begin, tears welling up in his eyes.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Ying silently uttered two words to Zhu Gaoxi.

Zhu Gaoxi judged from the lip movements that it should be "the grandson of the emperor".

Just as I was about to ask more questions, I suddenly caught a glimpse of Wu Liang's figure flashing past the gate.

Zhu Gaoxi then loudly advised, "Third brother, if the Crown Prince wants to see you, you should go ahead and attend to your business. We can meet again another day."

Zhu Ying looked surprised, wondering why Zhu Gaoxi treated Zhu Yunwen with such respect, always addressing him as "brother."

Zhu Gaoxi gave Zhu Ying a look, indicating that there was someone outside the door.

Zhu Ying understood immediately and chimed in, "Yes, Yun Tong, important matters come first."

Zhu Yunwen was very dissatisfied with the two men's behavior, which seemed to be a sign of their misbehavior. He felt he had made a mistake in choosing friends and was even more heartbroken. He stood up, about to say something angry, when he noticed Wu Liang waiting at the door. Only then did he realize what had happened.

Zhu Gaoxi gave him a look that said, "Now you know."

Zhu Yunwen smiled with relief, took Zhu Gaoxi's porcelain jar, grabbed a handful of pine nuts and put them in his mouth, before slowly walking out.

Although Wu Liang was a favorite of Zhu Yunwen, as a eunuch, he did not take the initiative to come into the vegetable garden to pay his respects to the princes and grandsons. Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Ying did not need to pay attention to him.

Zhu Gaoxi handed the jar to Zhu Ying and asked, "Do you want some?"

Zhu Ying didn't hold back and grabbed a handful as well. The jar was quickly emptied, and Zhu Gaoxi had no choice but to pick up the dates and eat them.

Seeing that Wu Liang had walked away, Sanbao came over and whispered to Zhu Gaoxi, "Lord Jie left a sealed letter before he left, asking Your Highness to give it to His Majesty."

The old emperor once compared Xie Jin to his own son. Perhaps Xie Jin still harbored illusions about the old emperor, hoping to regain favor through his advice and strategies.

"Leaving or staying is up to you, and cannot be forced," Zhu Gaoxi said casually, without having the habit of peeking at other people's letters. "Put it away for now," he said, and then put it out of his mind, forgetting about it completely.