Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 699: Seeking Knowledge in Imperial Prison
The next day, he was sent to prison.

The morning sun shone through the narrow iron window, casting a golden spot on the wet stone slab. Lin Che sat cross-legged on the straw mat, concentrating on reading a copy of "Zizhi Tongjian" in the weak light. His fingers gently stroked the yellowed pages, sometimes frowning in thought, and sometimes nodding slightly.

Familiar footsteps were heard outside the cell, steady and powerful, yet deliberately quiet, as if afraid of disturbing his reading. Lin Che's mouth corners unconsciously rose, but he pretended not to hear and continued to bury his head in the book.

"Mr. Lin, are you working hard again?"

Zhu Di's voice came from outside the iron fence, gentle but with a hint of ridicule. He was still wearing the dark blue uniform of a Jinyiwei officer, with an embroidered spring sword on his waist, but his expression was completely different from the coldness of an ordinary Jinyiwei officer.

Lin Che then raised his head and smiled: "Captain Zhu came earlier than usual today."

Zhu Di took out a key from his pocket and opened the cell door skillfully. The iron lock made a crisp "click" sound, which was particularly loud in the silent prison. He walked into the cell, squatted beside Lin Che, and patted his shoulder gently.

"It was stormy last night. I was worried that the prison was cold and damp, so I came here early to check." Zhu Di said, his eyes fell on the book in Lin Che's hand, "Sir, are you reading Zizhi Tongjian again?"

Lin Che closed the book and rubbed his sore eyes. "Yes, I gain new insights every time I read Sima Wengong's masterpiece." He looked up at Zhu Di and found that there was a faint dark blue under his eyes. "But Captain Zhu, it seems that you didn't get enough rest last night?"

Zhu Di smiled but didn't give a direct answer. He walked around behind Lin Che and put his hands on his shoulders: "Sir, you must be tired from reading. Come, I'll give you a massage before the lecture to relax you."

Just as Lin Che was about to refuse, Zhu Di's fingers had already accurately pressed on the acupuncture points on his shoulders and neck. A sore and swollen feeling immediately spread from his shoulders, causing him to hiss involuntarily.

"It's very tight here. You've been worrying too much lately, sir." Zhu Di's voice was filled with concern, and the strength in his hands was just right, not too light to have no effect, nor too heavy to cause pain.

Lin Che closed her eyes, feeling the muscles on her shoulders gradually relaxing, and chuckled, "Your massage skills are getting better and better, and you always take good care of me. My old bones are really enjoying it."

"How are you old, sir?" Zhu Di laughed, "But in his early thirties, still in the prime of life. If you want to talk about old, my father is..." He suddenly paused, and the movement of his hands also stopped.

Lin Che was keenly aware of this change, but did not point it out. Three months ago, this Jinyiwei centurion who called himself "Zhu Shou" suddenly appeared in the imperial prison and showed an unusual interest in him. At first, Lin Che thought that the other party was trying to get him to speak, after all, he was imprisoned here for criticizing the government. But gradually, he found that this "Zhu centurion" was different - he was not only familiar with classics and history, but also had unique insights into government and military affairs. More importantly, he sincerely asked Lin Che for advice on how to govern the country.

“Captain Zhu is worried about something?” Lin Che asked softly.

Zhu Di came back to his senses and continued massaging: "Nothing, I just thought of my old father at home. He had high expectations of me, but I always let him down."

Lin Che tilted her head slightly: "Oh? I think Zhu Baihu is very talented and will become a great man in the future. Your father would be pleased if he knew that you are so diligent and motivated."

Zhu Di was silent for a moment, and suddenly said: "Sir, do you know? Sometimes I really wonder what I would be like now without your guidance."

Lin Che was startled when he heard this. Over the past three months, they had indeed established an extraordinary relationship from the initial trial to the current trust. But Zhu Di's tone at this moment revealed an unprecedented sincerity and emotion. "Captain Zhu, you are too kind." Lin Che smiled, "I am just a prisoner, what can I do for you?"

Zhu Di stopped massaging and turned to Lin Che, looking very serious: "Sir, why are you being so modest? If it weren't for your teaching, I would still be a warrior who only knows how to wield swords and guns. It is you who made me understand the truth that 'people are the foundation of the country' and the profound meaning of 'water can carry a boat but can also overturn it'."

Lin Che stared into Zhu Di's eyes - those eyes were deep and bright, and at this moment they sparkled with a sincere light. He suddenly realized that the young man in front of him had an innate kingly bearing, which was definitely not something a mere Jinyiwei centurion could possess.

"Captain Zhu," Lin Che hesitated for a moment, but decided to ask the question in his mind, "Who are you?"

The cell was silent for a moment. In the distance, there came the sound of patrolling footsteps of the jailer and the sound of water dripping down the stone wall.

Zhu Di's expression became complicated. He took a deep breath and seemed to have made up his mind: "Sir, I..."

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps and armor colliding outside. Zhu Di's face changed, and he quickly stood up and walked to the prison door to check.

"Your Highness Prince of Yan!" A deep voice came from the end of the corridor, "The Emperor urgently summons you!"

Lin Che's pupils suddenly contracted. "Your Highness Prince of Yan"? The Jinyiwei centurion who called himself "Zhu Shou" was actually the fourth son of the current emperor - Prince of Yan Zhu Di?
Zhu Di looked back at Lin Che, his eyes full of mixed emotions. He quickly walked back to Lin Che and whispered, "Sir, this happened suddenly, and I have to go to the palace immediately. But please believe me, no matter who I am, I will never forget your kindness to me."

Lin Che was so shocked that he was speechless. The person he had been with day and night for the past three months was actually the prince of the dynasty! All the discussions about state governance, the criticisms of the government, and even the occasional euphemisms against the emperor had all fallen into the ears of this prince!

Seeing Lin Che's pale face, Zhu Di explained anxiously, "Don't be alarmed, sir. I disguised myself to approach you because I admire your knowledge. In the past three months, Zhu Di has remembered every word you said." He took out a jade pendant from his bosom and stuffed it into Lin Che's hand, "Take this as a proof. When I finish dealing with the affairs in the palace, I will come to explain everything to you."

The urging voice outside sounded again, more urgently. Zhu Di had no choice but to turn around and leave. At the door, he looked back at Lin Che deeply, and then left quickly.

Lin Che sat on the straw mat in a daze, the jade pendant in his hand as warm as water. This was a piece of top-quality Hetian white jade, with a lifelike dragon carved on the front - this was a pattern that only the royal family could use. Turning to the back, two small words came into view: "Yan Residence".

"So that's it." Lin Che muttered to himself. All doubts were explained at this moment - Zhu Di's military talent that he accidentally revealed, his in-depth understanding of the northern border defense, and even some court terms he occasionally used that only the royal family would know.
Lin Che suddenly remembered Zhu Di's expression when he discussed "Tang Taizong's acceptance of advice" with him yesterday. At that time, Zhu Di said: "A ruler should be tolerant and be able to listen to unpleasant words. Only a wise ruler can be a wise ruler." Thinking about it now, it was not just a casual talk, but a deep feeling from the heart.

Outside the prison, the imperial prison returned to its former silence. But Lin Che knew that everything had changed since the moment he exposed Zhu Di's identity.

He carefully hid the jade pendant in his arms and picked up the "Zizhi Tongjian" again, but he couldn't concentrate on reading it. His mind kept replaying every bit of his time with Zhu Di over the past three months -

(End of this chapter)