Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

The night was alluring, and the Duke of Wei's mansion was located right next to Jubao Gate.

The Qinhuai River, stretching for ten miles, is not far away, and one can faintly hear the music of string and wind instruments, a gentle and melodious sound.

According to regulations, the area of ​​a duke's residence cannot exceed ninety mu (approximately 6000 square meters).

Zhu Di scaled the wall and quickly found the backyard.

In a spacious main room, the candlelight shone brightly, and the thin, gauze-like window paper reflected the graceful figure standing tall.

"When guests arrive from afar, Miaoyun does not personally greet them, which makes it seem as if the Duke of Wei's mansion has lost its manners."

A silvery sound emanated from within, startling Zhu Di. He swaggered in, pushed open the door, and walked in.

Who are you?

Xu Miaoyun's brows furrowed, her fair face hardened, and she questioned him.

The dignified Duke of Wei's mansion was actually invaded in the middle of the night by someone sneaking into the women's quarters. If this got out, it would become a laughing stock in Yingtian Prefecture.

"She really is a daughter of a military family; she's incredibly bold."

Zhu Di carefully examined the girl before him, his eyes firm and clear, his demeanor composed.

Wearing a moon-white brocade straight-collar front-opening top paired with a horse-face skirt, her long, black, and shiny hair was styled in a hanging bun, with a white jade hairpin inserted in her temple. Every gesture and movement exuded purity and gentleness, perfectly blending the scholarly air of a female student with the dashing spirit of a general's daughter.

If it were an ordinary young lady from a secluded family, seeing him barge in, she would probably be so frightened that her pretty face would turn pale and she would scream.

Xu Miaoyun was different; her expression showed no sign of panic, and she even threatened him in return, displaying a courage no less than that of a man.

"Judging from your words, you are no ordinary villain."

"The prestige of my Duke of Wei's mansion is not so high as to reach the heavens."

"Why are you leaving the main gate open and choosing to become a thief? What are your intentions?"

Xu Miaoyun was surprised to find a hooligan boy of similar age barging into her home, and she stopped being polite.

"I have come to see my future daughter-in-law."

Seeing Xu Miaoyun's stubborn appearance, Zhu Di felt a mischievous urge and teased her.

"You... lecher!"

A blush rose to Xu Miaoyun's cheeks, and she couldn't help but stomp her foot, feeling both embarrassed and angry.

"Hahaha."

Zhu Di's treacherous scheme succeeded, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

At this moment, Xu Miaoyun calmed down and carefully observed Zhu Di. From his expression and behavior, she connected it with the phrase "betrothed daughter-in-law" from earlier. Her beautiful eyes suddenly widened, and she opened her small mouth, pointing at Zhu Di: "You...you...are...the Prince of Yan."

"clever!"

A look of admiration flashed across Zhu Di's eyes. She truly lived up to her reputation as the Empress of the Yongle Emperor, guessing his identity so quickly.

"you...."

Seeing Zhu Di's tacit approval, Xu Miaoyun was even more shocked.

In Yingtian Prefecture, everyone knows that Prince Yan, Zhu Di, is the most dissolute and纨绔 (wan ku, a spoiled and dissolute young man).

But how did he manage to evade the imperial guards and sneak into his boudoir right under the noses of these battle-hardened veterans of the Duke of Wei's mansion?

I'm afraid there are very few people in the world who could do that.

"I will not be able to come to the Duke of Wei's mansion to propose marriage tomorrow."

"Are you going to run away from your wedding?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Miaoyun was furious and said angrily, "Do you know what the consequences of doing this will be?"

"Where do you put the dignity of the royal family? Where do you place our family?"

"Even if you are the Prince of Yan, a member of the imperial family, so what?"

"Miaoyun, I didn't intend to run away from the wedding."

Zhu Di was even more pleased with Xu Miaoyun, who was bristling with fury and baring her teeth like a tigress.

"You didn't intend to run away from the wedding, then what you just said..."

"No, who gave you permission to call me Miaoyun?"

Xu Miaoyun glared angrily at Zhu Di, that lecherous man.

"Our marriage is a destiny ordained by heaven."

"Even if Father and Mother hadn't brought it up, I would still have gone to their door to propose marriage, let alone that Father and Mother had made an engagement."

"You cannot marry anyone but me."

Zhu Di's words exuded an undeniable domineering air.

"You bastard."

Xu Miaoyun was still a young woman, and how could she not be angry and ashamed after hearing his frivolous words?

However, she quickly realized something was amiss and asked in surprise, "You didn't just leave the palace without permission, what are you planning to do?"

"I want to go to the northern desert."

Zhu Di spoke directly.

"Are you crazy?"

Xu Miaoyun's expression immediately changed, and she reminded him in a low voice, "You are a prince."

"Let alone going to the northern deserts, even going to Beiping would probably cause a stir in the government and the public."

"Which of the court officials would allow you to do this?"

"Of course they don't want to."

With a deep, meaningful look in his eyes, Zhu Di said, "When princes lead troops, civil officials are wary, and nobles are terrified."

"That's precisely why I have to do it."

Geek!

Upon hearing this, Xu Miaoyun's expression froze for a moment, then she suddenly realized: "You're trying to use tomorrow's matter as a pretext."

"A reckless prince ran away to Beiping to join the army in order to escape an arranged marriage."

"Whether it's the court officials, His Majesty, or Xun Gui, none of them would suspect that your true aim is military power."

"However, I still don't understand."

"You are the Prince of Yan, the fourth prince. What reason do you have to personally risk your life and travel thousands of miles to the northern desert?"

"hehe."

Meeting her bright eyes, Zhu Di gave a self-deprecating smile: "Prince of Yan, so what if I'm a prince?"

"I don't get to decide what I want to do or what I want to do."

『..............』

Xu Miaoyun looked at Zhu Di's desolate face and felt a strange, indescribable feeling in her heart.

Even though he was about the same age as her, he had to bear so much. She was at least the one who had the final say in the Duke of Wei's mansion, while Zhu Di was trapped in the palace like a puppet on a string. Since ancient times, the royal family has been a den of tigers and wolves, and if one is not careful, he will be crushed to pieces.

"I came here today mainly to see you."

"Our marriage is preordained, we are husband and wife as one, and there are many things we must share together."

Zhu Di spoke solemnly.

"you say."

Xu Miaoyun straightened her expression and listened attentively.

"In the imperial court, the powerful and influential officials of Huaixi were difficult to control, while the scholars of Zhejiang were confined to their own territories."

"In my father's heart, the Ming Dynasty was not to share the world with the scholar-officials, but with the common people."

"Military power and the imperial examination system for official appointments are powers that must be taken back."

"Whether they are nobles from Huaixi or scholars from Zhejiang, temporary glory will only blind them to the truth."

"Pfft!"

When Xu Miaoyun heard the phrase "bewitched by the sun," she almost couldn't help but cover her mouth with her delicate hand and chuckle softly.

"The enfeoffment of princes to guard the frontiers was something Father Emperor had already decided long ago."

"My eldest brother got married early, and I'm afraid Father has already decided on my second brother's marriage, not to mention you and me."

"We three brothers are the eldest among the princes, and we will certainly be among the first batch of princes to be enfeoffed."

"The reason why he has been delayed in taking up his fiefdom is that the nobles and civil officials disagree."

"Military power is in the hands of Xun Gui. Without an army, how can a prince control the local areas and resist the Northern Yuan Tartars?"

"The second northern expedition is an opportunity, the best time to regain military power and enfeoff the princes."

Zhu Di began to speak slowly.