The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Gongsun Jin, carrying a list of books and items that Zhu Yi needed, personally went to a side room in the Prince Ning's residence.

This is the "Star Gazing Platform" inside the Prince Ning's Mansion.

Zhu Chenhao stood there, exuding the desolation of someone in a high position.

He always considered himself a descendant of the emperor, and he also hoped to build an "Imperial Observatory" in the Ning Prince's Mansion. Therefore, he purchased items for star observation and other purposes according to the standards of the Imperial Observatory.

This was mainly because he was a superstitious person and tried to find evidence of the dragon ruling Nanchang from changes in celestial phenomena.

"What are these?" Zhu Chenhao glanced at the list coldly.

Gongsun Jin was so intimidated by Zhu Chenhao's imposing manner that he had to take two steps back and respectfully said, "According to what the Third Young Master said, the books he listed were either lost in later generations or altered by later dynasties for certain purposes. He said that since this is the Ming Dynasty, he wanted to see the original appearance of these classics."

As for certain items, he said they were probably common in the Ming Dynasty but became rare and priceless in later generations. He wanted to find a few to admire in order to broaden his knowledge.

Zhu Chenhao nodded, quite satisfied, and said, "My son is so learned, yet he is so humble and eager to learn. It is truly commendable."

Gong Jin was taken aback.

Is this another way of interpreting it?

How can you tell that kid is so knowledgeable? Did he just recount some history? And what he said wasn't actually that profound, was it?

"Just find it for him," Zhu Chenhao said.

Gongsun Jin asked with a suspicious look, "Is it possible that the Third Young Master is trying to test the current situation? If he finds out the truth, will he...?"

"Are you saying that if he knew it was the tenth year of the Zhengde reign, that he was in Nanchang, and that he was my son, he wouldn't have told me the truth?"

Zhu Chenhao said coldly, "I am actually a little annoyed. Why didn't I tell him the truth from the beginning? If he knew that his background was closely related to the Ning Prince's Mansion, he wouldn't be so indifferent and cold-eyed. He would have planned for me. So when I go to see him tomorrow, I plan to be frank with him."

Gongsun Jin said, "If we bring Tang Yin along tomorrow and tell him the truth directly, won't that ruin the plan?"

Zhu Chenhao hesitated for a moment.

He originally didn't intend to hide it anymore and would have told his son the whole story directly, so that his son could better plan for him.

After all, he now knows that his rebellion is doomed to fail, and he is so worried that his hair turns white overnight. This is the time when he needs a strong arm to support him and make a difference in his rebellion.

But in order to expose Tang Yin's shameless face, Zhu Chenhao seemed to think he could tolerate it a little longer.

"Take my son out for a walk, let him experience the local customs and culture of Nanchang Prefecture, and stop deliberately hiding things from him. My son is destined for great things, and he needs to adapt as soon as possible," Zhu Chenhao instructed.

Gongsun Jin immediately replied, "This humble servant understands Your Highness's good intentions. I will try my best to find the items listed on this list and deliver them to the Third Young Master."

……

……

After Gongsun Jin left, Zhu Chenhao stayed until dark, not even bothering to eat, seemingly waiting for the stars to appear so he could study the celestial changes.

This is to find some psychological comfort.

Because we were going to stargaze, the room was dark and no lights were on.

Until a figure entered.

Zhu Chenhao didn't even need to see the other person's face clearly; he knew from the figure that it was Li Shishi, the most powerful helper he could rely on to rebel.

"Mr. Li, please have a seat." Zhu Chenhao did not hide his slightly depressed mood from Li Shishi.

After a brief greeting, Li Shishi personally lit a lamp for Prince Ning. Seeing Zhu Chenhao's haggard face, he roughly guessed what was going on and feigned concern, saying, "Your Highness, are you...?"

"Sir, when I heard my son's words, I had to pretend to be indifferent in front of others, to make them think that I was still confident. But for some reason, I suddenly felt... powerless. The world is full of vicissitudes, through countless reincarnations, and I am nothing more than a drop in the ocean of history..."

Li Shishi was greatly surprised.

I thought to myself, no wonder you came to the stargazing room, all alone at night without even turning on the lights.

Are you starting to lose confidence in yourself?

I abandoned my family and property to follow the rebel leader, and yet I'm so emotional?

Li Shishi immediately comforted him, saying, "Your Highness, you yourself said that the current emperor is muddle-headed and unable to guide the Ming Dynasty back to the right path. If even you have lost faith, how can you unite the people below as one? What you heard is merely the Little Prince's one-sided opinion. How can you let this cloud your judgment?"

Zhu Chenhao sighed softly and said, "Mr. Li, you need not doubt my son's origins any longer. I am certain that he is indeed from five hundred years in the future and knows historical records like the back of his hand."

Li Shishi, naturally unconvinced, immediately retorted, "How can he possibly explain matters of state so clearly?"

"Would you like to come with me to see him, sir?"

Zhu Chenhao didn't need to answer directly; he simply conveyed to Li Shishi that Li's questions were child's play to his son.

The fact that Wang Qiong replaced Lu Wan was just something my son mentioned casually, and he didn't take it seriously at all. But you treat it with great care, as if it were a huge secret that cannot be revealed to outsiders!

I used to think you had a very high level of vision.

But for some reason, after meeting my son, I realized from his words that you, Li Shishi, are also deeply entangled in a maze without realizing it, just like me, Zhu, being used as a pawn by history.

Li Shishi was at a loss for words.

He clearly didn't want to meet this so-called third son of the Prince of Ning directly.

Fortunately, Zhu Chenhao didn't intend to force him.

"Tomorrow, I plan to take Tang Yin to see my son."

Under Li Shishi's puzzled gaze, Zhu Chenhao said bluntly, "My son told me today that Tang Yin, in history, pretended to be crazy and was released by me to return to Suzhou in March of the tenth year of Zhengde. He was unparalleled in the Ming Dynasty for his poetry and painting, but he also ended up dying alone and in poverty."

Li Shishi said, "That's even more wrong."

Zhu Chenhao glanced at him sideways and asked, "What's wrong with it?"

Li Shishi said coldly, "Tang Yin alone can be remembered in history and told by him? Even if what he says is true, that Tang Yin is really pretending to be crazy, with his shrewdness, he can even deceive the entire Ning Prince's mansion. Will he be exposed when he sees the Third Prince tomorrow? Your Highness, your choice is not appropriate. You should not have let them meet."

In the past, if Li Shishi had put forward such a clear opinion, Zhu Chenhao would have adopted it no matter what.

But this time, Zhu Chenhao raised his hand to deliberately interrupt Li Shishi.

"Mr. Li is worried about leaks, but I am not. I also believe that my son's account is enough to make Tang Yin see the error of his ways. I don't know how to reverse history, so perhaps... I should start with Tang Yin."

If Tang Yin remains obstinate, I will absolutely not let him go. Even if it means imprisoning him until death, or killing him, I will not allow things to continue as they were originally destined to happen! I never accept my fate!