My father, Zhu Di, was granted a second life by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chapter 59 Lost Love

Zhu Youdun returned late, much to Zhu Gaoxi's eager anticipation.

The moment Zhu Gaoxi saw Zhu Youdun, he was practically strutting around with pride.

From now on, they can hold their heads high and live with their heads held high. They no longer need to be mindful of Zhu Yunwen's feelings, nor do they need to endure or back down. They can fight back without hesitation.

Even if he completely offended Zhu Yunwen, it wouldn't matter. At worst, he could just follow Youdun and wander the world. After all, Youdun was a good fighter, and the old emperor had given him troops.

His excitement was beyond words; he had so much to say to Youdun.

However, just as Zhu Gaoxi was about to pour out his heart to Youdun, the old emperor unreasonably snatched him away.

What's even more incomprehensible is that the old emperor actually closed the door, preventing him from listening in.

What a pointless fuss! What could you two possibly have that I can't know?!

Zhu Gaoxi disapproved of the old emperor's behavior, which was overly cautious, as if he had just withdrawn a huge sum of money from the bank, clutching his money bag tightly and looking at everyone as if they were not good people.

However, Zhu Gaoxi had plenty of patience to wait.

Anyway, he and Youdun are best friends.

The kind that comes with no conditions attached and can be absolutely trusted.

Zhu Gaoxi had Yunfei prepare various snacks, placing the sweet potato fries in the most prominent position, and even specially ordered that millet and sweet potato porridge be cooked...

Anyway, I've prepared all the different ways to eat sweet potatoes.

Moreover, he also made Sanbao bring out all kinds of mimeograph machines and put them in the backyard, lining them up in a row.

During the period when Youdun was away from the capital, Zhu Gaoxi achieved remarkable results.

He couldn't believe that anyone wouldn't be amazed by such a large number of achievements.

It is said that the old emperor's speed in speaking and acting was truly worrying. Zhu Gaoxi waited and waited, until the day lilies were cold, but there was still no sign of Stew. So he hurriedly ordered Li Hui to wait at the crossroads and, if he found any trace of Stew, to bring him back immediately, in case someone else took him away, they would have to keep waiting.

It wasn't until dusk that the old emperor finally ended the conversation and reluctantly left the stew to cook.

As soon as the gates of the Qianqing Palace opened, Zhu Gaoxi immediately stepped forward and asked with a fawning expression, "Grandpa, brother, are you hungry? I brought lots of delicious food."

After Zhu Gaoxi finished speaking, he waved his hand behind him, and Yun Fei and the others filed in, bringing in all sorts of exquisite dishes.

"My brother is so thoughtful. I'm going to have a feast," Zhu Youdun said to the old emperor. "Grandpa, Gao Xi is so filial."

The old emperor snorted with satisfaction, "All you do is flatter people."

Zhu Youdun reached out and pulled Zhu Gaoxi inside to eat.

After several months apart, Zhu Youdun had become even more handsome and dashing, with a face as sharp as if carved by a knife and axe, and bright, piercing eyes. Looking at his own fat body, Zhu Gaoxi wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. With his current appearance, how could he possibly win Miaojin's heart?

To surrender and give up completely like this, yet still feel unwilling, what a dilemma!

The old emperor seemed to see through Zhu Gaoxi's thoughts and cruelly rubbed salt into the wound: "We have decided to have the Ministry of Rites choose an auspicious day to bestow a marriage upon Miaojin, betrothing her to Youdun as a secondary concubine. Tomorrow, let Miaojin enter the palace to learn etiquette. Your vegetable garden also needs someone to help manage it, so let's entrust it to Miaojin."

So fast?!

Have you asked Miaojin?

What if she changes her mind?

Zhu Gaoxi still harbored a glimmer of hope, wishing that Xu Miaojin's heart would turn in his favor.

"How about this, you go pick up Miaojin tomorrow and ask Youdun for help," the old emperor said with a hint of mockery in his smile.

"Thank you for your trouble, little brother," Zhu Youdun said, taking the opportunity to express his gratitude.

You got into character so quickly!

"His skin is incredibly thick," Zhu Gaoxi thought to himself.

When it comes to finding a partner, being too shy can easily lead to being taken advantage of.

After the meal, back in the vegetable garden, Zhu Youdun's cooperation was quite excellent, and people exclaimed in amazement upon seeing the inventions and creations.

Is it really necessary to be so over-the-top?

To perform smoothly and naturally, one must act from the heart; one cannot simply rely on a chaotic display of facial features.

Zhu Gaoxi lazily kept him company.

"Gao Xi, you are really talented. Your idea for the mimeograph machine is ingenious. It not only reduces costs but also increases speed. The sweet potatoes are also delicious. I am ashamed of myself," Zhu Youdun said earnestly.

That sounds like the truth.

All the hard work paid off in the end.

Overwhelmed by the praise he had been waiting for, Zhu Gaoxi exclaimed with boundless pride, "I can do much more than just this!"

Upon hearing this, Youdun laughed heartily, then hesitated for a moment before saying seriously, "Grandpa wrote a letter to Fourth Uncle, which might involve sending Gao Xu over, or it might be the Crown Prince."

Why did the old emperor write a letter to his adoptive father?

Zhu Gaoxi blurted out, then asked in confusion, "Why?"

Zhu Youdun stared into Zhu Gaoxi's eyes for a moment, then answered evasively, "Attend my wedding."

Thinking about this made Zhu Gaoxi sad, as if a small knife was constantly cutting into his heart.

pain!

It hurts!

It hurts so badly!

Zhu Gaoxi's first heartbreak captivated him, causing him to overlook crucial and suspicious points.

There was no need for the old emperor to personally write a letter to Zhu Gaoxi's adoptive father just for the sake of Zhu Youdun and Xu Miaojin's marriage.

The next day, Zhu Gaoxi got up early and spent a full half hour carefully dressing up, rummaging through his chests and changing his clothes five or six times before he was finally satisfied.

It really does resemble a new bride meeting her in-laws for the first time.

Zhu Youdun sat to the side, watching the spectacle with great interest.

Zhu Gaoxi secretly racked his brains to avoid being outdone by Youdun, but after fussing over for a long time, he still paled in comparison to the composed Zhu Youdun.

No matter how much effort he put in, he was still outdone, which made him feel utterly hopeless. Zhu Gaoxi was like a deflated balloon, completely losing his confidence.

Since Sheng Yu, He Shengliang?

Zhu Gaoxi's despondency continued until the Duke of Wei's residence.

With Xu Huizu absent, having led troops to Huguang to prepare for the border, Zhu Youdun and Zhu Gaoxi went directly to Xu Zengshou's courtyard under the steward's guidance.

Xu Zengshou's legal wife, Mu Xue, gave birth to a daughter last year, and Xu Miaojin is helping to take care of the child.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw a little boy wobbling over, almost bumping into Zhu Gaoxi.

"Who are you?!" the little one asked loudly, frowning.

His domineering aura was quite impressive, reminiscent of a great general, and in no way inferior to the presence of Xu Da, the Duke of Wei, back in the day.

Zhu Gaoxi was instantly amused and jokingly asked, "And who are you?"

"Xu Jingyan".

Xu Miaojin ran out after her, smiled sweetly at Zhu Youdun, and asked shyly, "You're here?"

Being selectively ignored, Zhu Gaoxi suppressed his anger and retorted by ignoring him. He squatted down and gently offered the little boy some sweet potato fries.

Against the backdrop of her pink winter clothes, the little girl truly looked exquisite, as delicate as a newly blossoming flower, bearing a resemblance to Xu Miaojin.

"Who are you?"

The little one snatched the sweet potato fries and asked aggressively.

Zhu Gaoxi truthfully gave his name.

Xu Jingyan looked down at the sweet potato fries in his hand, hesitant, then suddenly looked up and asked, "Are you looking for your aunt?"

"Yes," Zhu Gaoxi said, drawing out his words with a hint of jealousy.

The two people are gazing at each other with deep affection.

In public, the world is going to the dogs; people's hearts are no longer what they used to be...

Zhu Gaoxi's boundless resentment had nowhere to go but to turn into endless mutterings in his heart.

"Auntie!" Xu Jingyan shouted, bringing Xu Miaojin back to reality.

"This," Xu Jingyan held up the fries for Xu Miaojin to see.

Xu Miaojin then noticed Zhu Gaoxi's presence, gave him a look she hadn't seen in a long time, and gently responded to Xu Jingyan's request, "Eat it, it's from your brother."

What an idiot! He got the generation wrong. It should be "uncle," okay?!

Zhu Gaoxi glared fiercely at Xu Miaojin.