The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Tang Yin acted rashly in a state of shock and disarray, and he himself was caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.

When he thought of bending down to help, he realized that this would not fit the persona he was pretending to be, so he had to try his best to maintain his balance in order not to be noticed.

But how could he not show fear in the present moment?

If a fine poem were spoken by Zhu Yi, there would be multiple interpretations, and Tang Yin didn't even feel the need to pay attention to it.

But right now...

He was well aware of the significance of those three poems, not only because of their exquisite beauty, but also because their exquisite beauty forced him to confront a serious problem.

That is……

If this young man didn't come from five hundred years in the future, how could he recite three masterpieces at once?

Zhu Chenhao seemed completely oblivious to Tang Yin, and said to himself, "This poem, 'Huanxi Sha,' is indeed good, but it's too restrained, and inevitably carries a bit of a petty air, lacking the grandeur of 'Linjiang Xian.' Reading it, I couldn't help but feel as if I were reading Su Dongpo's 'Nian Nu Jiao: Reminiscences of Chibi,' and the two are truly on par."

Zhu Yi thought to himself, "In my time, the days of 'Are kings and nobles born with special privileges?' are long gone."

I think having a sense of character also depends on the historical context and my background, right?

"You are absolutely right, sir," Gongsun Jin said with a smile. "Everyone says that Su Dongpo's 'Nian Nu Jiao' is the best Song Dynasty poem, but in my opinion, this best Ming Dynasty poem is no less worthy. What do you think, Mr. Wen?"

Let's not ask Tang Yin anymore, let's ask Liu Yangzheng directly.

You've been finding fault with my third son all this time, now you have nothing to say, right?

"Hmm." Liu Yangzheng didn't think much of it, and simply nodded in agreement.

Zhu Chenhao, however, still couldn't help but sized up Tang Yin and said, "Mr. Song, shouldn't you say a few words?"

Tang Yin was trembling uncontrollably.

It was something he wanted to control but couldn't...

It would be too difficult for him to refute the boy's origins right now. More importantly, Prince Ning already knew that the boy claimed he was faking madness, and even brought him along to listen in...

Doesn't this just prove that Prince Ning doesn't believe he's truly insane? Was today a test for him?

He seemed to have done everything perfectly, but in Prince Ning's eyes, he was nothing more than a clown jumping around.

He was still trying to reassure himself... Even if this young man came from five hundred years in the future and really knew the historical records, it didn't mean that his evaluation of me was correct.

Prince Ning, you should have guessed that perhaps... he is framing me for some purpose?

Didn't he also say that your rebellion failed?

Don't you think he's talking nonsense, and that's why you're angry?

We're in the same boat; we've both been played by him!

Gongsun Jin smiled and said, "It seems Mr. Song's condition has not improved. Why don't we find someone to send him back and then find someone to give him a proper treatment?"

"Hmm..." Zhu Chenhao's face was very pale, and his breathing was very heavy.

Things have progressed to this point, and you, Tang Yin, know perfectly well that you've been exposed, yet you remain stubbornly unrepentant? Shouldn't you apologize and admit your mistakes to me immediately?

Do they really not treat us like human beings?

You can deceive others as you please, but what kind of person am I to tolerate such mockery from you?

Did you think that I valued your talent and, considering your teacher-student relationship with the princess, wouldn't dare kill you?

Zhu Yi asked curiously, "Mr. Wei, what exactly is this Mr. Song all about?"

"His surname isn't Song, it's Tang. My son, the Tang Yin, Tang Bohu you mentioned, is him." Zhu Chenhao could no longer hold back and revealed the crux of the matter directly to his son. "It's the tenth year of Zhengde now, you should understand everything, right?"

Zhu Yi jumped up from his seat, dragged his chair back two steps, and warily sized up the people in front of him.

Although he guessed that the problem was not that simple, he did not expect it to be so complicated.

Zhu Yi then looked Zhu Chenhao up and down, as if to say, "He is Tang Yin, who are you?"

Liu Yangzheng also stood up from his seat, as if he were taking his final bow.

Gongsun Jin smiled and said, "Your Highness, it seems that there is no need to hide some things anymore. Regardless of whether what the young master said is true or not, we must at least treat Mr. Tang properly. Otherwise, others will say that my Ning Prince's Mansion is neglecting its distinguished guests and will become a laughing stock."

"Hmm." Zhu Chenhao's sharp eyes scrutinized Tang Yin.

Tang Yin felt as if he were being pricked by needles in his buttocks, and reluctantly stood up, but still refused to admit anything on the spot.

But he seemed to know that the matter was undeniable.

If he could have previously tried to convince Prince Ning that this kid's "slander" of his feigned madness was for ulterior motives, now that he knows they are father and son, does he still have a chance?

but……

This is too unbelievable. The Prince of Ning's son is actually from five hundred years in the future?

What is his purpose in coming here?

Is it all just to expose me? What did I ever do to him? Could it be that my involvement is related to the Ning Prince's future rebellion and defeat?

"My son, I am so sorry for you," Zhu Chenhao said, looking at his son. "I originally entrusted you to the care of commoners so that you wouldn't get involved in the power struggles, waiting for me to achieve my great ambitions. I never imagined you would suffer so much... Alas! You have gone through so many hardships, and I was unable to recognize you in time. It is truly..."

Zhu Chenhao seemed to feel that he had taken advantage of his son, and his face was full of self-blame and guilt.

But in Zhu Yi's view, this gesture was more of an impromptu performance.

Gongsun Jin, standing to the side, said, "Your Highness, why don't I explain the details to the young master later? We're all family, he won't mind."

"Hmm." Zhu Chenhao nodded, comforting his father, "My son is a great gift from heaven to me. With my son here, what is there to worry about in achieving great things? I will come to visit you again when I return. Tang Yin, your illness is not yet cured. Gongsun Jin, find someone to send him back and arrange a quiet place for him to rest and recuperate, where he can be undisturbed by anyone."

"Yes."

Gongsun Jin certainly understood what Prince Ning meant.

Previously, Tang Yin was feigning madness, running around in the marketplace at will, and even ruining the reputation of the Prince Ning's Mansion and himself; that was his own choice.

But now that Tang Yin knows that the Prince of Ning's son comes from five hundred years in the future, and has heard so many stories about the future course of history and its secrets, he can no longer allow him to go out and contact people.

In other words, Tang Yin now only has two choices left.

Either die with the secret, or join us in our rebellion.

I will never let you return to Suzhou in peace, to plant peach blossoms, and to live a simple life of poverty! You'll never be allowed to sing "Three days without smoke, yet not feeling hungry."

……

……

Zhu Chenhao, his face filled with remorse, left with Liu Yangzheng.

Tang Yin, on the other hand, was taken away by someone.

Whether he admits to faking madness is irrelevant now, and no one needs to confirm it... Anyway, Tang Yin himself knows there are only two paths.

Either continue to feign madness and wait to be imprisoned until death.

Either turn back before it's too late and become an accomplice on Prince Ning's path of rebellion.

"Young Master?" Gongsun Jin appeared beside Zhu Yi after seeing Zhu Chenhao off.

Just as he was about to say something, Zhu Yi reached out and interrupted him.

Zhu Yi said, "So, you've been testing me all along, trying to see what I know, and extracting secrets about the Zhengde era from me, and incidentally, finding out what happened to the Ning Prince's Mansion?"

"This..." Gongsun Jin didn't know how to explain.

It was all your father's idea; I was just a lackey running errands for him.

Zhu Yi sneered, "Now, are you absolutely certain that I am from five hundred years in the future?"

"I'm absolutely certain!" Gongsun Jin was quite certain about this.

Whether you're sure or not depends mainly on whether your father has any doubts.

If he believes it, then we believe it too.

Zhu Yi said, "It's your turn to prove to me that this is the Ming Dynasty, this is Nanchang, and that my father is the Prince of Ning!"

"How can you prove it?"

Gongsun Jin looked troubled.

However, he immediately thought of something and shouted, "Someone, prepare the carriage! The young master is going out. Arrange for someone to escort him. We must not let the young master take any more risks."

"I want to go to Nanhu Lake and Xinghualou. Will that be inconvenient?"

Zhu Yi believes that the best place to prove that this is Nanchang is actually the scenic spots that have been passed down for thousands of years.

For someone who loves to travel the world, even if he hasn't personally visited Nanchang Nanhu, he has at least heard of it and seen pictures of it, so he is not unfamiliar with the place.

Gongsun Jin said, "It might be inconvenient for someone else, but who are you? Although that place was bestowed upon your mother by the Prince, you can still go there and enjoy the view from Xinghua Tower if you wish. We'll arrange it for you right away."