Chapter 106: Welcoming Guests at the Gate

Zhu Gaoxu felt his old man's gaze and immediately felt a few black lines appear on his forehead.

Am I really that unreliable...

Muttering to himself, Zhu Gaoxu didn't dare say anything more; he nodded and retreated, returning to his own bedroom.

He lay down on the bed casually, instructed the servants to wake him when the time came, and then Zhu Gaoxu began to doze off on the bed.

He had to admit that the environment at home was better; he had had enough of the hard wooden beds in the army.

Once he arrived in this comfortable environment at home, he couldn't help but want to enjoy it.

He didn't know how long he had slept when a voice calling him reached his ears, and only then did Zhu Gaoxu open his eyes in a daze.

"Young Master, guests have arrived, and the Prince has called for you to go to the entrance to welcome them together."

Nodding, Zhu Gaoxu checked his attire once more.

Seeing that there was nothing amiss, Zhu Gaoxu walked toward the entrance.

Arriving at the entrance, a long line of sedan chairs was already parked outside.

If this were in later generations, it would be equivalent to the level of top-tier Rolls-Royces and Maseratis.

That wasn't all; the fine, tall horses of some military officers were all being led by servants to be tied up at the back gate.

And the servants and sedan chair carriers of the visiting officials were also being greeted and entertained by specialized servants at the side gate.

Even so, not everyone could get in.

At the very least, they had to be high-ranking officials of the third rank or above in the imperial court.

Aside from a few officials who, despite not having high ranks, held real power, some local magnates, landlords, merchants, and minor officials had no qualifications to enter the door.

They all left tactfully after presenting their gifts.

It was also from this moment that Zhu Gaoxu realized the power of his own household.

Don't look at how Zhu Di usually appeared unassuming; when it really came down to it, he truly possessed considerable influence.

What he didn't know, however, was that the reason so many people came actually had a lot to do with him as well.

Anyone could see that Zhu Gaoxu was currently highly favored by the Emperor.

Zhu Yuanzhang's doting on him had reached an heaven-defying level.

He was only four years old and had already been granted the title of Prince, and he had even reached a fourth-rank position.

He currently had nearly ten thousand troops under his command.

If a few more years passed, would Zhu Gaoxu's achievements not be extraordinary?

The ministers who could survive in the imperial court were all shrewd.

They all came to curry favor; who knew if it might be useful in the future?

Thus, officials of all sizes came with this goal in mind to varying degrees.

Of course, there were also many who came for the sake of Zhu Di's reputation.

At this moment, although many sedan chairs were parked outside, most were those of minor officials.

After presenting their gifts, seeing no one to receive them, most waited outside the entrance.

Just as Zhu Gaoxu arrived at the entrance, Zhu Di saw him.

He beckoned to Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaoxu obediently came to Zhu Di's side.

Just then, it was clear that a high-ranking official had arrived; the sedan chair stopped in front of the Wangfu, and Zhu Di pulled Zhu Gaoxu forward a step.

Waiting for that official to get out of the sedan chair, Zhu Di said hurriedly, "The Zuo Du Yushi has arrived; the humble dwelling is honored by your presence."

The person who stepped down was a middle-aged man; upon seeing Zhu Di, he hurriedly returned the gesture, saying, "The Prince has a Qilin son; since there is a banquet at your residence, I had to come and beg for a cup of wine."

As the two spoke, the other party's servant brought out a gift, which was naturally taken by Wang Guanjia, who stood to the side.

Neither side glanced at the gift, and Zhu Di reached out to invite him in while exchanging pleasantries: "Brother Wang is too kind, please, come inside."

The official surnamed Wang nodded and gestured politely as well, then saw Zhu Gaoxu standing behind Zhu Di.

"This must be the Nanyang Commandery Prince, who is now famous throughout Jingcheng; I am Wang Pin, Zuo Du Yushi of the Censorate."

Zhu Gaoxu didn't need his old man to remind him and immediately said, "Nephew greets Uncle Wang; I have always heard Father mention you, and today I am fortunate to meet you; your nephew feels deeply honored."

"Hahahaha, the Prince of Yan has truly given birth to a good son!"

Wang Pin laughed heartily at Zhu Gaoxu's words, and Zhu Di also felt a sense of pride; the two walked into the Wangfu side by side.

After seeing Wang Pin in, Zhu Di returned to the entrance.

Just after returning, another sedan chair stopped at the entrance.

An elderly man, somewhat advanced in years, stepped down.

Seeing this, Zhu Di hurriedly stepped forward to support him.

"The Chief of the Office of Transmission has arrived; this truly overwhelms me."

"Prince, do not say that. I am old, but my heart is not. I had to join in on this lively occasion. Besides, I always hear His Majesty talking about how his little monkey is this or that, and he even said that when my granddaughter grows up, he would have the two of them betrothed. How could I not come and see my future grandson-in-law?"

Zhu Di laughed upon hearing this and then said to Zhu Gaoxu, "Xu'er, come over and let Lord Li see you."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and trotted over to the other side of Lord Li to support him.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu was so quick-witted, Lord Li was very satisfied and laughed heartily: "Not bad, not bad! His Majesty has indeed treated this old minister well, finding me such a good grandson-in-law!"

Zhu Gaoxu listened from the side with an embarrassed expression, but he didn't dare say anything.

Carefully, he and his old man supported this Lord Li into the residence together.

Only then did he heave a great sigh of relief in his heart and return to the Wangfu entrance with Zhu Di once more.

Following this, various civil and military officials arrived one after another.

Yet, there were very few people who could make Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Di step forward to welcome them together.