Chapter 14: Why Should a Feudatory Prince's Carriage Yield?

"Why have you come so quickly? I'm not providing meals here, you know." Zhu Gaoxu had not expected Mao Xiang to come back to report so soon, so he blurted this out.

Upon hearing this, Mao Xiang's forehead darkened, and he quickly said, "I wouldn't dare."

Xu Da, standing to the side as his grandfather, wished he could give Zhu Gaoxu a kick. Look at what he was saying!

The man had come to protect him, hadn't he?

Besides, the man ate the Emperor's grain; did he need you to provide meals?

Helpless, he could only apologize to Mao Xiang himself, indicating that he would arrange for the brothers to have drinks.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has its own arrangements for food, clothing, housing, and transportation; there is no need to trouble the Duke."

Mao Xiang rejected Xu Da's kindness, then asked Zhu Gaoxu for instructions: "Three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard members are waiting outside the Duke of Wei Mansion. I wonder what arrangements the Prince has?"

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes lit up. Originally, he had no plans, but now with these three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard members, the urge to show off in his heart began to stir.

"Let's go. I just happen to have the intention of wandering around this Kyoto."

As he spoke, he lifted his leg and walked outside.

Xu Miaoyun, standing to the side, wanted to stop him upon seeing this, but was held back by Xu Da.

After Zhu Gaoxu and the others had walked far away, Xu Miaoyun asked doubtfully, "Father, why did you stop me just now?"

"Otherwise, what would you do?"

"Gaoxu is a reckless kid to begin with, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of? With three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard members following, what is there to fear?" Before Xu Miaoyun could finish, Xu Da interrupted directly, then continued with a sigh: "You can't follow him every single moment. The Emperor must have deep meaning in this move; it is better if you do not interfere for now."

The three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard members wore Fish-tail Robes, had embroidered spring-wave blades at their waists, and held Sleeve Crossbows in their hands as they stood at the alley entrance. An invisible, murderous aura lingered, making the already hot July weather feel somewhat chilly.

The three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard members stood solemnly to the side, guarding a Prince Elephant Carriage, with attendants kneeling to the side to serve Zhu Gaoxu as he boarded.

The Wei State Duke Mansion was located in a prosperous area of Kyoto, and the neighbors were all high-ranking officials of the court. Seeing this scene, they all speculated which Feudatory Prince had come, to have such a grand formation!

Zhu Gaoxu, of course, would not care about the little schemes of others. Seeing the three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard members in front, a sense of heroism rose in his chest, and he waved his little hand: "Let's go!"

Having said that, he lifted his foot and stepped onto the carriage under the service of his attendants, and the group headed toward the prosperous area of Kyoto in a grand procession.

The Imperial family values face; there are rules for food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

Just this Feudatory Prince's carriage, with its interior filled with Shu Brocade, silk, rare spices, and a series of other worldly treasures, dazzled Zhu Gaoxu.

"Damn it, if I have such good things and don't show them off, it's a total waste."

Since it was about face, it was naturally meant for others to see.

"Who should I go find?"

"Right, go find Big Brother!"

Zhu Gaoxu rubbed his little head, his eyes suddenly lighting up as he thought of his first big sucker.

"Return to the Yan Wangfu!"

He gave the order to the outside, and the group naturally complied.

But just at this moment, a carriage procession approached from the opposite direction, and judging by the momentum, their power was equally significant.

Hu Weiyong had just finished reviewing the memorials for the Central Secretariat and was on his way back.

As the Left Chancellor of the Central Secretariat, he ranked at the head of all officials and was the leader of the Huai-Xi nobility; naturally, his usual travel entourage was quite grand.

At this moment, Hu Weiyong was sitting in his carriage with his eyes closed, resting. Suddenly, he noticed the carriage had stopped and immediately asked the steward outside.

"Prime Minister, a carriage procession is coming from the opposite direction. Judging by the specifications, it should be a Feudatory Prince."

"What? A Feudatory Prince?"

"Which Feudatory Prince is in Kyoto right now? Why don't I know?"

Although he had doubts in his heart, Hu Weiyong had not spent all those years in the Central Secretariat for nothing. Thinking this, he didn't slow his feet, hurriedly getting out of the carriage to go forward and pay his respects.

At this time, Zhu Gaoxu had long since learned from Mao Xiang that the procession ahead was indeed the carriage of Prime Minister Hu Weiyong.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu asked Mao Xiang with interest: "My Prince is meeting the Left Chancellor here; according to the law, who should yield?"

"The Nanyang Commandery Prince is of the Imperial family and does not need to yield to anyone."

"In that case, tell that Hu Weiyong to back off; don't block this Prince's path!"

Mao Xiang was about to take the order when he heard Hu Weiyong shouting from not far away: "Left Chancellor of the Central Secretariat, Hu Weiyong, pays respects to the Prince. I wonder which Feudatory Prince is here?"

Zhu Gaoxu actually did not want to have any dealings with Hu Weiyong. Others might not know, but he was very clear that this Hu Weiyong was nothing more than a grasshopper after the autumn; he wouldn't be able to jump for many more days.

However, since the other party was blocking the way to pay respects, it would be inappropriate not to show himself.

But showing himself was one thing; what attitude to take was another matter entirely.

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu pulled open the carriage curtain, revealing his young body.

"This Prince is here. Hu Weiyong, come forward and pay your respects."

Zhu Gaoxu stood with his hands behind his back, looking old-fashioned despite his young age.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu was only a child of a few years old, yet dared to speak to him like this, a surge of anger rose in Hu Weiyong's heart.

Of course he recognized Zhu Gaoxu; anyone with even a little power in the court knew that this person had gained Zhu Yuanzhang's favor today.

But even so, Hu Weiyong did not take Zhu Gaoxu seriously.

In Hu Weiyong's mind, let alone the wet-behind-the-ears Zhu Gaoxu, even his father, the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, had to be polite when seeing him.

"Ignorant brat."

He sneered inwardly, but Hu Weiyong did not show it on his face, walking straight to the front of Zhu Gaoxu's carriage.

"So it is the Imperial Grandson here. Hu Weiyong pays his respects."

Hu Weiyong did not address Zhu Gaoxu as the Nanyang Commandery Prince, but merely as the Imperial Grandson; this was clearly intentional.

Zhu Gaoxu did not believe that the Left Chancellor of the Central Secretariat did not know that Zhu Yuanzhang had conferred upon him the title of Nanyang Commandery Prince today.

However, there was no need for Zhu Gaoxu to say anything about such matters; Mao Xiang, who was by his side, naturally spoke up.

"How bold! You see the Nanyang Commandery Prince and yet you do not use an honorific?"

Having said this, Mao Xiang had already placed his hand upon the Xiuchun Dao at his waist, and a surge of murderous aura burst forth.