Chapter 35

Su Qiao, who had been following behind Zhu Yunwen, was clearly unprepared.

Seeing Zhu Yunwen turn around like that, he was stunned where he stood.

Before Su Qiao could speak, Zhu Yunwen humbly bowed slightly on his own and said,

"Since Lord Su has come to Donggong, from this day forward, Yunwen will observe the rites of a disciple toward Mr. Su. Previously, Yunwen was overly rash; I hope Mr. Su will forgive me."

Having spoken, Zhu Yunwen immediately made a deep bow to Su Qiao.

Su Qiao was stunned by this sudden flattery from Zhu Yunwen.

He stood frozen, coughing awkwardly a few times.

"Ahem... Your Highness need not be so polite."

"Clang!" came a sound.

A brick suddenly fell from behind Su Qiao onto the ground.

Zhu Yunwen looked at Su Qiao with a puzzled expression and asked,

"Mr., is this...?"

Su Qiao glanced at the two imperial guards behind Zhu Yunwen, then smiled awkwardly and said,

"N-nothing. I just thought this little thing looked quite unique, so I picked it up to examine it closely."

The corner of Zhu Yunwen's mouth twitched slightly.

"So this is Mr.'s investigation of things to acquire knowledge!"

"Yunwen has understood!"

"Yunwen will now investigate things together with Mr.!"

Having spoken, Zhu Yunwen swiftly stepped to Su Qiao's rear and carefully examined the brick Su Qiao had just dropped.

Watching Zhu Yunwen squatting on the ground,

Su Qiao really wanted to smash him with a brick right then and there.

But considering it was highly likely that before he could even swing, the two imperial guards behind Zhu Yunwen would pin him down, Su Qiao had to abandon the idea.

After Zhu Yunwen, still squatting on the ground, examined it for a long time, he finally raised his head and asked Su Qiao,

"Yunwen has understood."

"Is Mr. saying that he wants Yunwen to become a person as upright and proper as this brick?"

Seeing Zhu Yunwen's earnest and studious appearance,

Su Qiao finally realized what Zhu Yuanzhang's intention was.

Old Zhu wanted Su Qiao to try to save Zhu Yunwen.

To prop this mud back up onto the wall!

Thinking this,

the corner of Su Qiao's mouth slowly curled upward.

You want me to help you turn Zhu Yunwen into the heir apparent.

Then I will lead Zhu Yunwen astray.

You will have to kill me then, right?!

Seeing Su Qiao stand silently aside,

Zhu Yunwen rose from the ground on his own.

Looking at Su Qiao, he bowed solemnly and said,

"Please teach Yunwen the Way of the Ruler!"

Having spoken, Zhu Yunwen immediately bowed deeply.

The two guards nearby, witnessing this scene, nearly had their chins drop in shock.

This is the Grand Crown Prince!

Not everyone knows that Zhu Yuanzhang has intentions to depose the heir.

In the eyes of these guards,

Zhu Yunwen is the future Son of Heaven of Great Ming.

The future Son of Heaven.

Yet he performs such a great bow to a young scholar like Su Qiao!

What kind of person must this scholar be!

Looking at Zhu Yunwen before him, Su Qiao's gaze gradually grew firm.

"Does Your Highness truly wish to know what constitutes a Ruler?"

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, reiterating his previous words once more.

"Please teach me, Mr.!"

Su Qiao looked at Zhu Yunwen and let out a long sigh, saying,

"Then does the Grand Crown Prince dare to leave the palace with me?"

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen was stunned.

Then his gaze became firm.

Biting his teeth, he looked at Su Qiao and answered firmly,

"I dare!"

34, is this something we can hear?

Su Qiao said nothing more.

He led Zhu Yunwen to change into ordinary commoner's clothes, then headed toward the palace gate.

Unlike Zhu Biao and Zhu Yuanzhang,

Zhu Yunwen had almost never left the imperial palace from childhood to adulthood.

Especially after Zhu Biao's passing.

Zhu Yuanzhang doted on him so much he feared he might melt if held in his palm.

Terrified that Zhu Yunwen might suffer some accident as well.

Stepping out of the imperial palace,

Zhu Yunwen surveyed the bustling Jin Ling.

His eyes were filled entirely with curiosity.

Su Qiao, however, shouted to the carriage driver,

"To the City God Temple."

"Yes!"

Accompanied by the crisp cracks of the whip, the scenery outside the window gradually began to change.

"May I ask, Highness, what is the Way of the Ruler in your heart?"

Su Qiao looked quietly at Zhu Yunwen.

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen could not help but fall into deep thought.

Only then did he look at Su Qiao with utmost seriousness and say,

"It is that everyone in the world eats their fill, just as they do now!"

"The Son of Heaven governs with effortless grace, the world is at peace, the Great Dao is practiced, and rites and music flourish!"

In Zhu Yunwen's eyes,

Zhu Yuanzhang was his absolute idol.

His only flaw was being somewhat excessive toward the civil officials.

But these were all trivial matters.

After he ascends the throne in the future, a single imperial edict would be enough to reverse this situation.

Hearing this, Su Qiao could not help but nod slightly.

"Wrong!"

"Your first sentence is utterly mistaken, Highness!"

Su Qiao's gaze suddenly became sharp and piercing.

"Does Highness truly believe that everyone in the world eats their fill right now?"

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen was stunned for a moment, then smiled.