King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

in the room.

The atmosphere suddenly froze at this moment.

At this moment, both Chen Ji and Zhu Gaoxu seemed to have disregarded the existence of the Crown Prince.

That's it.

After a long while, Zhu Gaoxu withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the prince who was tugging at the corner of his clothes from time to time and observing his every move with a nervous and worried look. There was no change on his face, and his calmness was chilling.

See this.

Zhu Gaochi's heart suddenly skipped a beat for no reason, his face changed drastically, he opened his mouth to say something, but before he could utter the words, he met Zhu Gaoxu's deep eyes and forced himself to swallow them back. At the same time, the prince gave him a look that told him to calm down and not to act impulsively, with a hint of pleading and entreaty in his voice.

In response to this, Zhu Gaoxu's calm face finally showed a long-lost smile. He shook his head slightly at him, indicating that he knew, he had a clear idea in his mind, and would not act rashly on the matter.

After receiving such a reply, Zhu Gaochi's heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally slowly settled down. The solemn expression on his face slowly dissipated, and the hand that was holding Zhu Gaoxu's clothes slowly let go. He handed the right to speak to Zhu Gaoxu and did not interfere or make any move to stop him.

Afterwards, after pacifying the prince, Zhu Gaoxu retracted his gaze and looked at Chen Ji again. His smile did not disappear, and he asked with a hint of joking:

"Since you, Chen Ji, are not a stupid or foolish person."

"The answer I just gave you was not enough to satisfy you, and you don't believe that what I said was true."

"Then tell me."

"According to your opinion, what kind of mentality do I have in this matter? What kind of plans and intentions do I have?"

"Does the king have ill intentions in this matter, or is he truly doing it for the public good?"

"The king is all ears."

Chen Ji was slightly stunned, his pupils shrank unconsciously, and he shook his head slightly. He did not directly answer the question, nor did he reveal his true thoughts, because he knew that some things, when spoken by him, and when the King of Han spoke by himself, had completely different meanings. He then replied:
"The prince is joking."

"How can I know what the prince is thinking and what he is thinking?"

"If I really have this ability, why would I ask His Majesty this question?"

"Isn't this just adding unnecessary details?"

"so."

"On this matter, I cannot answer your question. It's not that I don't want to answer it. It's just that you are the only one who knows what you are thinking. Isn't that right?"

This reply was very well-written, it was like he had cleared himself of all blame, as if he was not even a leaf touched. It seemed as if he was not concerned at all, as he did not say anything anyway. Whether it was right or wrong, it was you who said it, and it has nothing to do with us, just like a slippery loach.

Zhu Gaoxu was naturally aware of this little thought, and he was too lazy to argue with the old man about these meaningless things, and he had no intention of holding Chen Ji responsible. Of course, this does not mean that Zhu Gaoxu was good-tempered, or that Zhu Gaoxu was a kind person with a good character.

Although he was not angry because of Chen Ji's words, it did not mean that he would not fight back. He allowed Chen Ji to talk nonsense and make random suspicions.

After a brief pause, Zhu Gaoxu slowly raised his head and looked back, meeting Chen Ji's eyes. The smile on his face suddenly faded, replaced by a look of contempt and ridicule. He snorted coldly and said:
"I don't know, I don't know?"

"It makes sense...it makes sense..."

"Chen Ji, don't think that I don't know your little thoughts."

"In fact, when you asked this question, didn't you already have the answer in your heart?"

"Why do you not dare to answer when I ask you this?"

"Why is this?"

Having said this, Zhu Gaoxu paused, his face darkened, a cold light flashed in his pupils, and he suddenly shouted:

"Because you don't dare to say it, because the answer in your mind is the answer that will sow discord among the royal family members."

"So you don't want to, and you don't dare to answer."

"Yes or no?"

This is said.

Zhu Gaoxu directly pointed out the hidden thoughts in the words without any hesitation. He was not playing tricks on Chen Ji at all. These words were like a thunderclap in Chen Ji's mind, and his wrinkled face suddenly changed drastically. His complexion turned pale and bloodless. Cold sweat oozed out of his pores like money, and his body trembled for no reason.

Although I think so, it is absolutely impossible and I dare not admit it.

If he really admitted it, the consequences that would follow would be something that Chen Ji and even the entire Chen family could not bear.

At the same time, Chen Ji couldn't help but secretly regret in his heart, wondering why he was so stubborn just now and why he had to get to the bottom of it?
What does the fight for the throne between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Han have to do with him? Isn't it enough for him to just focus on his own studies?

Why do you have to ask and question?

If I had not questioned or been more aggressive, I would not have been asked such questions by the King of Han.

Of course, the most important point here is that he never dreamed that the Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu could be so stubborn and dare to say anything, and even point it out to him without any hesitation.

Although he secretly hated and regretted it in his heart, Chen Ji did not dare to hesitate for the slightest. For him, everything else was a matter for the future. As for the current matter, he had to get through it smoothly. Otherwise... he might really mess up the matter completely, and even cause his whole family to lose their lives.

Immediately, Chen Ji didn't bother to wipe the cold sweat off his face, nor did he care about his image. He waved his hands again and again and replied anxiously:
"No, no, no..."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

"You can't say that. You can't say that!"

"You are really playing a huge joke on me. Even if I have great skills and abilities, how dare I have such thoughts and intentions!"

"Absolutely not. Absolutely not."

"If Your Majesty doesn't want to talk about this matter, then just pretend that I haven't asked this question. Please don't put a accusation on my head. My weak arms and legs can't bear such a big accusation."

"Please don't joke with me like this, it's not funny at all..."

As he spoke, Chen Ji showed a smile that was uglier than crying, and shook his head like a rattle. Compared with his previous appearance, he looked extremely funny at this moment.

"Hehehe..."

In response to this answer, Zhu Gaoxu sneered. In fact, whether it was true or not, everyone had the answer in their hearts, and they all knew what the other party was thinking. However, since others did not admit it and did not want to admit it, Zhu Gaoxu had no way to deal with them. After all, Chen Ji had always been hinting at these things and had never really said them out loud.

However, based on Zhu Gaoxu's words and Chen Ji's reactions, it is undeniable that Zhu Gaoxu achieved his goal.

This cut Chen Ji's arrogance abruptly and also made the old guy sober up a lot.

Moreover, beating Chen Ji to death with a stick is naturally not in Zhu Gaoxu's current interests. After all, what he has to do next will more or less rely on the old man Chen Ji.

Otherwise, with Zhu Gaoxu's personality, he would not have said so much to Chen Ji, talked about so many things, and spent so much brain cells.

To put it bluntly, why do these things?

The reason was simple. In his opinion, either Chen Ji completely agreed with his and the prince's views, or he would directly crush Chen Ji's views and make him agree with their views.

But now it seems...

It seems that there is no need to crush it and reshape it. Although this old fellow Chen Ji has no official position, he likes reading but he is not a pedantic person. It can be said that Chen Ji is smarter and more clear-sighted than many ministers in the court.

Although it seemed that Chen Ji had not expressed any verbal approval before, the questions that Chen Ji asked him aggressively were actually, in a sense, an approval.

only…

In this matter, it seems that he is testing Chen Ji, but in fact, isn't it Chen Ji who is testing him?
As for these things, the old guy guessed that it was his idea, so he did what he did and said what he said.

To put it bluntly, the main reason is that the things he did in the past left a stereotype on everyone in the court, which made people feel uneasy and afraid that he would stab them in the back and set a trap for them.

After a brief moment of silence, Zhu Gaoxu collected his thoughts, then chuckled, glanced at Chen Ji with interest, waved his hand and said:
"Master Chen..."

"Asking questions with answers is not a good habit, is it?"

"Because you already have the answer in your heart. Others are not the worms in your stomach. How many people can really tell you the answer in your heart?"

"so……"

"What's the point of talking about this issue?"

"but."

At this point, Zhu Gaoxu paused, then suddenly changed the subject, his face showing determination, and said in a deep voice:

"Since we are working together, I am not afraid to tell you and can answer your question."

"As for the things you are worried about, you can put your heart at ease. You are not a fool. Although the prince looks honest and harmless, he actually has more thoughts than anyone else."

"Since we two brothers can work together to do this, it at least proves one thing: the things you are worried about will never happen, and there are no messy and corrupt things you think of."

"If it wasn't for absolute trust, Chen Ji, do you think the prince would take such a big risk?"

"so."

"Put away your little thoughts. Instead of thinking about so many unnecessary things, why not think about the current situation and what kind of plans you are making? That would be more practical and realistic, isn't it?"

Chen Ji was stunned for a moment after hearing this, his expression changed slightly, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably. For him, some things had been almost explored just now, and the answers he should get were actually obtained from a few words, so he did not dwell on this matter any more. Instead, he showed a bitter smile on his face, shook his head slightly, and replied:
"My lord."

"In this matter, when you choose me, do I still have the right to choose?"

"So, why did Your Majesty ask me for my answer and thoughts?"

"but."

Having said that, Chen Ji took a few deep breaths, his expression suddenly became extremely solemn, he turned his head to look at the prince beside him, sighed slightly, and said:

"Your Highness."

"I will say one more word."

"Have you really made up your mind about this matter?"

"Do you really want to do this?"

“Once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back.”

Hearing this, the two brothers Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu looked at each other and smiled. Then the prince's gaze fell back on Chen Ji, waved his hand, and nodded heavily, saying:

"There's nothing to say about this."

"Now that I have opened my mouth, I have already said it."

"The bow has already been drawn, and the arrow has already been shot. There is no such thing as a return arrow."

“Things are starting to fall into place.”

"so……"

"Chen Ji, you don't have to admonish me again and again."

"As I said before, I have made up my mind on this matter."

“I will never give up until I achieve my goal.”

"We must fight for a fair and just world and relative fairness for the people of this world."

"I don't believe those thieves can really do anything to me."

"If they really have this ability, then it will not be our Zhu family's turn to rule the Ming Dynasty."

"The ruler of the world will not be our Zhu family!"

"So, Mr. Chen..."

"Give me a definite answer!"

"Okay, we can just book it. If not..."

The rest of the words were not said, but everyone present was smart, so how could they not understand the implication of Zhu Gaochi's words?

This means that if he disagrees, he will be put under house arrest.

After all, this matter involves too many people, and Chen Ji now knows the layout of all things, as well as the layout of the two brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi.

Even if he promised not to tell anyone, the brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi would definitely not let him hang around outside before the matter was successful.

Because no one can guarantee that he won't leak the information.

In other words, in terms of politics and interests, the so-called guarantees are all bullshit!
Only by forming a community of shared interests, or by grasping one's weak points, can we be truly assured and trustworthy.

and so……

As far as the current situation is concerned, Chen Ji's final outcome and result are closely related to his answers and choices.

(End of this chapter)