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

Chapter 20 Xu Miaojin, I'm determined to marry her.

"No!" Zhu Gaoxi exclaimed in alarm upon hearing this, loudly trying to stop him.

Consort Ning chuckled and blinked, asking, "Do you perhaps like it?"

Zhu Gaoxi wanted the whole world to know that he "liked" her.

"That brat is young but cunning; don't joke with him like that," Zhu Yuanzhang said sternly.

Upon hearing this, Consort Guo Ning ignored Zhu Gaoxi.

"Grandpa, I'll marry her," Zhu Gaoxi pleaded, tugging at Zhu Yuanzhang's sleeve.

"She's twelve years older than you?" Zhu Yuanzhang pulled out his sleeve. "Don't be ridiculous. She can't wait for you to grow up."

Although Zhu Gaoxi lacked confidence, he would never give up his beloved.

"She doesn't like you," Zhu Yuanzhang said decisively.

"I like it," Zhu Gaoxi replied confidently.

"If you can become empress after marrying the crown prince, why would he like you?" Zhu Yuanzhang deliberately made things difficult for him.

"Favoritism!" Zhu Gaoxi huffed and puffed as he moved aside, then shouted defiantly, "I just... like it."

"She likes stewed dishes," Zhu Yuanzhang said with amusement as he bantered with his grandson.

Zhu Gaoxi was at a loss for words, feeling that his grandfather was deliberately bullying him.

"If he were granted the title of Prince, it wouldn't be entirely unacceptable," Consort Ning chimed in.

Zhu Yuanzhang coughed twice solemnly, reminding Consort Ning that the women of the inner palace should not interfere in politics.

Consort Ning quickly stopped and gave Zhu Gaoxi a helpless expression.

"Your Highness, Grandfather," Zhu Gaoxi hurriedly seized the opportunity.

"Your father is a prince, your elder brother is a crown prince, you can only be a county prince," Zhu Yuanzhang said, shaking his head.

"Your Highness, Grandpa," Zhu Gaoxi buried his face in his grandfather's arms and shook him vigorously.

"It's no use begging, this is the rule," Zhu Yuanzhang said stubbornly.

"Break through," Zhu Gaoxi said with great force.

"You make it sound so easy. Why should I bestow upon you the title of Prince?" Zhu Yuanzhang dragged him onto the couch.

Zhu Gaoxi couldn't say it, but he was unwilling to admit defeat, so he said, "Grandpa said..."

"Unless you can let Youdun stay," Zhu Yuanzhang said, using his position for personal gain.

"Really?" Zhu Gaoxi asked seriously.

"A ruler's word is law," but Zhu Yuanzhang didn't believe he could do it. He wanted to train a navy, so it was impossible for him to stay in the capital.

"One year...three months," Zhu Gaoxi bargained.

"Six months"—Zhu Yuanzhang revealed his bottom line.

"Three months, Grandpa," Zhu Gaoxi said coquettishly.

"If anyone likes Xu Miaojin, you can't take her away," Zhu Yuanzhang added as a condition.

"Okay," Zhu Gaoxi readily agreed, planning to find a way to make Zhu Youdun say he didn't like it later.

A good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown, and he believed that Zhu Youdun would not compete with him for it.

The next day at noon, as soon as Xu Miaojin heard Zhu Gaoxi's request, she rushed over, grabbed Zhu Gaoxi's ear, and led him to the side hall.

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Shangbing just watched helplessly, without saying a word in support.

Heavens above, my brother is such a coward!

Zhu Gaoxi couldn't help but look up at the sky and sigh.

Upon reaching the side hall, Xu Miaojin tossed him into a chair, staring into his eyes as she said, word by word, "Little brat, let me tell you, I would never marry you, no matter who I marry. The Crown Prince holds power, and You Dun is exceptionally talented. What do you have?"

"Prince"—Zhu Gaoxi spoke with great confidence.

"It doesn't count until you're officially appointed," Xu Miaojin said defiantly. "I like capable people, and you can't even do a damn thing."

"Yes," Zhu Gaoxi answered decisively.

"What can you do?" Xu Miaojin's face was full of disdain. "Can you let someone carry you while you ride a horse?"

Zhu Gaoxi, facing her provocation, suddenly calmed down, determined not to let this brat take the initiative in the conversation.

Whether she marries or not is not up to her to decide.

At worst, we can ask Grandpa to arrange the marriage.

Zhu Gaoxi stared coldly at Xu Miaojin, then fell silent.

This feeling of being treated like prey made Xu Miaojin feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Little one, if you keep looking like that, I'll beat you up," Xu Miaojin said, raising her arm.

Zhu Gaoxi was not afraid at all. He climbed down from the chair and slowly walked out.

"I'm determined to marry Xu Miaojin," he secretly vowed.

As soon as I stepped out the door, I saw Zhu Youdun standing there with a smile on his face.

Zhu Gaoxi rolled his eyes at him, clearly annoyed.

"Your older brother asked me to come, worried that you might get taken advantage of," Zhu Youdun explained.

Zhu Gaoxi sat down in the rocking chair in the courtyard, remaining silent.

"How old are you? Thinking about getting married already? Isn't that too early?" Zhu Youdun followed casually. "I'm not even married yet, what's the rush?"

"Don't you dare steal it!" Zhu Gaoxi warned menacingly.

"You mean Miaojin?" Zhu Youdun frowned as if thinking. "I really haven't thought about this."

"Don't steal it!" Zhu Gaoxi repeated.

"I don't have that much ability," Zhu Youdun said, touching his nose and looking towards the side hall, where Xu Miaojin had locked herself up and refused to come out.

"First, make Miaojin so sure she won't marry anyone but you, then the rest will be easy," Zhu Youdun, the cunning strategist, started spouting terrible ideas.

Is Xu Miaojin so easily persuaded?

"The age gap between you two is a bit too big. What if Miaojin waits for you for many years and then falls in love with someone else? By then, Miaojin's prime will be over, and who will she marry?" Zhu Youdun analyzed slowly and methodically. "Why don't you ask your grandfather to issue an imperial decree to grant you the marriage? That way, you can't disobey the imperial decree and break off the engagement, and Miaojin will feel at ease waiting for you."

As Zhu Youdun was talking, he suddenly couldn't help but burst out laughing, "You're way too precocious."

Just as Zhu Gaoxi was about to lose his temper, he suddenly saw a figure blocking his view.

You can tell from the smell that it's Xu Miaojin.

Zhu Gaoxi looked up and saw Xu Miaojin silently shedding tears, like pear blossoms in the rain, a sight that stirred the heart.

But her gaze was fixed on Zhu Youdun, and her tender, shy expression made Zhu Gaoxi's heart sink.

"I'm going to get something to eat. Zhu Shangbing has some freshly made mung bean pastries," Zhu Youdun said, turning back as if to flee.

Xu Miaojin suddenly turned around and ran away crying.

"Look, what's going on?" Zhu Youdun muttered to himself sheepishly, then quickly made his escape when he saw Zhu Yunwen walking towards them.

I really don't know what Xu Miaojin likes about him?

Zhu Gaoxi shook his head and sighed with immense bitterness.

Zhu Yunwen sat down on the wooden stool next to him, leaning on the rocking chair with his hands behind his back, and tilted his head to ask, "Do you really like Miaojin?"

Zhu Gaoxi nodded.

"I have no chance. My grandfather said that Miaojin has already made it clear that she will not marry me," Zhu Yunwen said with great regret. "You know, I like her. If she changes her mind and wants to marry me, I am willing to marry her anytime."

"No way!" Zhu Gaoxi shouted.

"I know, brother won't fight you for it. Grandfather said that Miaojin has to make the decision herself, and we're not allowed to fight over it."

Zhu Yunwen patted Zhu Gaoxi's head and said, "If you like her, then find a way. Age is not a problem. Your brother will help you."

"Really?" Zhu Gaoxi looked at Zhu Yunwen for help.

"Of course," Zhu Yunwen said confidently.

"Your older brother is here, talk to him nicely," Zhu Yunwen patted Zhu Gaoxi on the shoulder, then turned and left.

"Fourth brother, you've caused quite a commotion. If Father finds out I haven't been watching you, he'll definitely whip me," Zhu Gaochi sighed and took over Zhu Gaoxi's place on the ground.

"Who Miaojin marries is up to Grandfather. We can't let our imaginations run wild. She's our aunt, and we're from a different generation," Zhu Gaochi sighed deeply.

"I think Miao Jin likes You Dun. Don't overthink it. You Dun is about the same age as her," Zhu Gaochi said, then stood up, leaning on the wooden stool, and bent down to take Zhu Gaoxi's hand.

Zhu Gaoxi shoved him aside and ran away.

Zhu Yunwen saw it from afar and told the painted-face eunuch to hurry over.